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"Brock, forget it. Geodude can't hold on anymore. Just stop here and leave the rest to me!" Ash stood behind Brock, his tone firm.
It didn't make much sense to persist. With Geodude's current condition, it was impossible to defeat Hitmonchan, who had an overwhelming Attribute advantage.
Brock gritted his teeth, assessing the situation on the battlefield. "I know. I'm sorry, Ash. The rest is up to you!" Seeing Geodude struggling to stay standing, Brock made the difficult decision to concede.
Although he wanted to contribute, Brock couldn't ignore reality. He didn't want Geodude to suffer serious injuries because of his determination. After a moment of reflection and Ash's encouragement, he nodded resolutely, suppressing his emotions.
Brock raised his hand and tossed in the towel, signaling his surrender.
"Ah! Player Brock has thrown in the towel, admitting defeat! It seems Mr. Anthony's Hitmonchan is just too strong!" the commentator announced enthusiastically. "However, reaching this point with Geodude, who has a disadvantageous Attribute, is no small feat. Let's give a big round of applause for these two outstanding trainers!"
As the towel hit the ground, the crowd erupted in applause. Anthony, Brock's opponent, nodded in respect. "Being brave enough to admit defeat is a commendable quality. Your name is Brock, right? You did well."
Brock didn't respond, only murmuring to Ash, "Good luck out there," before recalling Geodude and heading toward the stands. He climbed up to rejoin Misty and Rebecca.
"Miss Rebecca, I'm sorry I couldn't defeat Mr. Anthony," Brock said apologetically, his voice filled with regret.
Rebecca quickly shook her head. "It's okay, Brock. You did your best, and I'm grateful to you and Ash for everything you've done." Her gratitude shone through despite her disappointment.
Brock nodded quietly, excusing himself. Misty called out, curiosity clear in her voice. "Aren't you going to watch Ash's match?"
"Oh, Ash asked me to take care of something for him. I'll be back soon," Brock explained, glancing back briefly.
"What's going on?" Misty asked, frowning.
"I'm not sure. I'll find out soon enough," Brock replied vaguely, his tone hurried as he departed.
Misty crossed her arms, puzzled. "What could be so important that he'd leave now? They're so mysterious!" She turned her attention back to the battlefield, focusing on Ash's match, which had just begun.
Ash was reorganizing himself, taking advantage of the ten-minute break after his first match to recuperate. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, a suspiciously large figure cautiously approached the edge.
"How about it, Meowth? Our next rival is that little twerp!" Jessie's voice hissed under her breath.
Hidden beneath a large hat, the towering two-meter figure moved awkwardly. If Misty and Brock had been present, they would have instantly recognized them. Wasn't that Jessie? And wasn't that Meowth? At this moment, James was bent under Jessie's weight, supporting her in an effort to complete their ridiculous disguise as a giant.
"Don't worry, I'm ready, meow," Meowth replied, lying under the ring. "I've installed a Discharge device under the platform. As soon as that little devil's Primeape steps on it, Thunderbolt will activate, and it'll be paralyzed instantly!"
"That's perfect!" Jessie grinned with satisfaction.
"Perfect? More like torture! I'm dying here! Can't we just switch places?" James groaned, his face turning red from the combined strain of carrying Jessie on his shoulders and being stifled by the oversized coat that completed their disguise.
"Quit whining and hold still!" Jessie snapped, delivering a sharp kick to James' head with her heel. James winced but complied, his situation growing more precarious with every passing second.
Meanwhile, Ash stood at his corner of the ring, observing the strange antics with a smirk. He glanced at Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
"Pikachu," Ash began in a hushed tone, "listen closely. When the match starts, follow my lead."
Pikachu's ears twitched attentively as it followed Ash's gaze toward the lumbering figure across the ring. Ash raised a finger to signal Pikachu to stay calm and focused for the time being.
Ash knew full well that the "giant" was none other than Team Rocket in one of their usual schemes. Though the situation differed slightly from what he was used to in the anime, Ash could still spot the telltale signs. It didn't take much to deduce that Jessie had no idea how to effectively use a Hitmonchan. If the Pokémon had made it this far, it was due to its own strength rather than any strategy on Team Rocket's part.
As Ash prepared for the next round, he couldn't help but think of an old saying that perfectly captured Team Rocket's antics: "Even a wild boar can't make use of fine chaff." It made him wonder just how long their absurd plan would last this time.
They always clamored about catching rare Pokémon, but when handed one, they never seemed capable of utilizing it properly. It was almost comical. For example, when Giovanni entrusted them with managing Viridian Gym, the chaos that ensued was typical of Team Rocket. Similar scenarios played out time and again, proving their consistent ineptitude.
Ash, however, had little patience for their schemes. He had already confirmed their identities, catching sight of Meowth despite its attempt to hide. Though Meowth disappeared quickly, Ash's sharp eyes had already detected it. Deciding not to alert them directly, he instructed Brock to leave the competition venue and investigate.
Brock, albeit confused, complied. He left the bustling arena and stepped outside, following Ash's directions. When he reached the designated location—the restroom—he hesitated. "Why would Ash send me here?" he muttered. To his surprise, the restroom was entirely empty. Everyone seemed engrossed in the ongoing match.
"Huh? There's nothing here," Brock said, scratching his head. Shrugging, he prepared to leave when suddenly, a faint noise broke the silence.
"Wooooo!"
The strange sounds made Brock pause. "What's going on?" he whispered, his brows knitting together in suspicion. He cautiously walked further inside, ears straining to catch the noise's source. The sound grew louder as he neared one of the stalls.
"Is someone in there?" Brock called out, standing in front of the closed stall door. He waited, but there was no clear response—just muffled whining and the same repeated banging.
"Wooooo!"
Whoever was inside seemed unable to speak and was clearly struggling. A chill ran down Brock's spine, but his curiosity and concern won out. He swallowed hard and, summoning his courage, pushed the door open with all his strength.
"Ah! You... you're—!" Brock gasped, his voice filled with shock as he took in the sight before him.