07. Kai vs Lily

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The battlefield at Cerulean Gym consisted of a large, deep, circular pool with a jagged rock formation protruding in the centre.

Since it was a Water-type Gym, there wasn't much space for other types of Pokémon to manoeuvre, so every move would have to be planned carefully.

On opposite sides of the pool, where the Trainers commanded their Pokémon, Kai and the Sensational Sisters stood face-to-face across the water.

Daisy spoke up first. "The rules are simple: each of us will use one Pokémon. If you can defeat all three of us, you'll win the challenge."

Violet folded her arms and asked, "So, who would you like to challenge first?"

Kai glanced at each of them. "Doesn't matter to me. I'll leave it up to you."

"What confidence!" The youngest sister, Lily, stepped forward eagerly, taking a Poké Ball from her pocket. "In that case, let me go first! Come on out, Goldeen!"

A flash of red light and a sleek white fish with a single sharp horn appeared in the pool, elegantly swimming in place.

"Gol-deen!!"

Kai pulled out his Pokédex and scanned the Goldeen.

Pokédex: "Goldeen, the Goldfish Pokémon. Its dorsal and tail fins are well developed, allowing it to swim at speeds of up to five knots. Because its tail fin flutters gracefully like a dress, it's also called the Water Queen."

Putting his Pokédex away, Kai glanced at his feet.

"Eevee, it's your turn!"

Eevee gave an excited cry and leapt onto the rocky ledge with a graceful bound.

The two Pokémon didn't have any type advantages over each other, so this battle would come down to pure strength.

However, given the watery terrain, it wouldn't be easy for Eevee to gain the upper hand over Goldeen.

"Goldeen, use Peck!"

With Lily's command, the battle officially began!

Goldeen used its tail to propel itself out of the water, its horn aimed directly at Eevee as it shot through the air.

"Eevee, dodge it!"

Eevee sidestepped deftly, dodging the attack with ease.

"Use Tackle!"

As the two Pokémon crossed paths, Eevee jumped into the air and lunged toward Goldeen, ready to strike.

But just as Eevee was about to land the hit, Goldeen dove back into the water, disappearing from sight.

Eevee, unable to halt its momentum, tumbled into the water but quickly resurfaced, paddling on all fours to scramble back onto the rock,

Its fur soaking wet and drooping comically like a drenched puppy.

On the opposite side, Lily chuckled. "Well done, Goldeen! Keep forcing it back into the water!"

Goldeen repeated its strategy, lunging up with Peck once more. But now, with Eevee weighed down by its soaked fur.

Its movements had slowed, and it only barely dodged Goldeen's second attack.

Seeing Eevee's close call, Kai let out a sigh of relief, but worry crept into his expression.

If Eevee took a few direct hits, it wouldn't hold up for long.

Thinking quickly, Kai scanned the area and noticed a cluster of rocks under Eevee's feet. An idea started forming in his mind.

"Eevee, jump onto that pile of rocks beneath you!"

Eevee turned and glanced back at Kai, slightly puzzled, but it obediently leapt to the indicated spot.

Lily laughed. "Whatever you're planning won't make a difference. Goldeen, use Horn Attack!"

Once again, Goldeen propelled itself out of the water, its horn aimed directly at Eevee.

"Eevee, dodge!"

Eevee sidestepped at the last second, causing Goldeen to miss and shatter the rock Eevee had been standing on just moments before.

"Eevee, jump back to where you were!"

Eevee quickly leapt back to the original spot, as Goldeen circled around for another attack.

Seeing Goldeen closing in, Kai remained calm. "Eevee, use Sand Attack!"

At Kai's command, Eevee turned swiftly, and with a strong kick from its forepaws, it sent a cloud of dust and gravel flying toward Goldeen.

The sand cloud struck Goldeen's eyes, disorienting it, and disrupted its speed, causing it to crash onto the rock.

Lily's face paled. "What?!"

Kai smirked. It didn't matter how elegantly a fish flopped; without water, it was just as helpless.

Frantically, Lily called out, "Goldeen, get back in the water!"

But Goldeen floundered on the rock, unable to find its way as it writhed in confusion.

"Darn it," Lily muttered as Eevee began to approach Goldeen. "Goldeen, use Supersonic!"

A visible soundwave rippled from Goldeen's mouth, and while it did manage to disorient Eevee briefly, the effect didn't last.

Once Eevee regained its bearings, the situation remained unchanged.

"Eevee," Kai instructed, "time to end this battle!"

Eevee nodded and lunged forward, striking Goldeen with a solid hit that left it unable to continue fighting.

Lily sighed, recalling Goldeen back into its Poké Ball as she stepped aside silently.

"Not bad," Violet remarked as she walked over to the Trainer's area, throwing her own Poké Ball into the water. "But the next Pokémon won't be so easy. Come on out, Kingler!"

In a flash, a crab-like Pokémon appeared, raising its massive claws, which gleamed intimidatingly.

But on closer inspection, its red-and-white shell and dull eyes gave it a slightly goofy, not-so-bright look.

Kai pulled out his Pokédex again.

Pokédex: "Kingler, the Pincer Pokémon. Its claws are extremely powerful but may sometimes fall off when used for attack. However, they grow back quickly. Kinglers are often seen battling for territory on beaches with scarce food. When threatened, they produce foam to make themselves appear larger."

Putting his Pokédex away, Kai called to Eevee, "Eevee, come back. You did great."

As Eevee trotted back to his side, Kai patted it affectionately on the forehead, then looked over to Bulbasaur.

"Your turn, Bulbasaur!"

"Bulba! Bulba!" Bulbasaur eagerly hopped to the edge of the pool and leapt onto the rock formation.

Bulbasaur had a type advantage with its Grass-and-Poison typing against Kingler's Water type.

But, as before, the waterlogged battlefield limited its movement.

Keeping Bulbasaur safe from falling in would be essential to secure victory.

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