----
As Venusaur stood alert, the battlefield suddenly trembled.
The vibrations started small, but within seconds, they grew stronger like a mini earthquake shaking the entire stadium!
Then—
BOOM!
With a burst of dirt and shattered rocks, Onix shot out of the ground, ramming its massive head straight into Venusaur's stomach!
The impact launched Venusaur high into the air at least five to six meters!
A collective gasp rippled through the audience.
Kai reacted immediately.
"Venusaur, stabilize yourself!"
Venusaur whipped out its vines, extending them downward.
THWIP!
The moment it started falling back down, the vines smashed into the ground, acting as anchors.
Instead of crashing down painfully, Venusaur steadied itself, landing firmly on its feet.
The crowd let out a breath of relief that could have been a dangerous fall! But Onix was already preparing its next move.
"Now! Razor Leaf!"
Kai didn't waste time he had Venusaur attack immediately.
SHING!
Sharp, crescent-shaped leaves shot forward, aiming straight for Onix!
But—
WHOOSH!
Before the attack could land, Onix dived back into the hole it came from, vanishing underground once more.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Tch… fast."
This Onix's Dig speed was insane.
It gave me no time to react.
And worse…
"Just like last time! Keep it up, Onix!"
Drake grinned.
This was his plan all along.
If Onix could hit and retreat continuously, Venusaur would never be able to land an attack!
The announcer's voice came over the loudspeakers, hyping up the audience.
"Oh-ho! This is a tough situation for Kai! Even though he has a type advantage, what good is it if he can't land a hit!? If Onix keeps this up, Venusaur's stamina will eventually run out!"
The crowd cheered loudly at the commentator's words.
Kai, on the other hand, simply… Smiled.
"Hah. You guys really think I don't have a counter for this?"
He turned toward Venusaur.
"Venusaur redirect the pool water into Onix's tunnels."
Drake's eyes widened.
"What!?"
The entire audience went silent for a moment.
Then, everyone's gaze snapped to the battlefield's small water pool.
Venusaur's vines struck the ground, carving a path from the pool toward Onix's tunnel entrance.
"Wait… no way."
Drake's face immediately darkened.
"Crap."
RUSHHHHH!
Water gushed from the pool, flooding straight into the underground tunnels.
The hissing sound of air escaping signalled the worst possible news—
The tunnels were filling up FAST.
Underground, Onix's instincts screamed danger.
The instant the water touched its body, panic set in.
It tried to burrow deeper, but the water followed relentlessly.
With no escape, Onix had only one option left—
Return to the surface.
"NOW!"
Venusaur whipped its vines again, tearing apart more of the softened ground, forcing the water deeper into Onix's hole.
Seconds later—
BOOM!
Onix erupted from the ground, completely drenched, its rock-hard body glistening with water droplets.
Kai grinned.
"Venusaur! Vine Whip! Hold it down!"
"Oh no!!"
Drake could only watch as Venusaur's vines shot out, wrapping tightly around Onix's midsection!
SNAP!
"Gahhhh!"
Onix groaned in pain, unable to move.
It struggled violently, trying to break free But Venusaur was just as strong.
Its sturdy legs dug into the ground, using its sheer weight to keep Onix completely immobilized.
A battle of raw strength...
And Onix was losing badly.
"One last move."
Kai raised his hand.
"Razor Leaf!"
Venusaur's flower trembled...
WHOOSH!
Dozens of razor-sharp leaves exploded from its body, slicing toward the restrained Onix!
Drake's eyes widened in horror.
"Onix, get out of there!!"
But it was too late.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
The leaves tore through Onix's thick rock hide, leaving deep gashes in its body.
Onix let out one final roar before its entire body collapsed onto the ground.
THUD!
The stadium fell silent.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Then...
The referee raised his flag.
"Onix is unable to battle! The winner is Kai's Venusaur!"
The crowd exploded in Cheers But this time, the cheers were mixed with uncertainty.
That was two losses in a row.
For the first time, the Orange League spectators felt something strange...
Could Drake… actually lose?
Drake himself frowned deeply, returning Onix to its Poké Ball.
Another defeat.
Another flawless strategy from Kai.
Drake exhaled.
"Damn… I thought I had that round."
He looked at Kai.
This guy was different.
Other challengers would have panicked.
Other challengers would have played it safe.
But Kai?
Kai was creative.
He improvised.
He thought outside the box.
For the first time in years, Drake felt a real sense of danger.
But—
He still had four Pokémon left.
This battle wasn't over yet.
Drake reached for his next Poké Ball.
"Let's see how you handle this one."
The fight continued.
----
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