The Crushing Pressure

Everyone watched as Ninetales, struck by the blue arc, was sent flying by the explosion and slammed into the ground.

As the smoke gradually dispersed, they finally saw Ninetales embedded in the ground, covered in wounds and buried beneath rubble. It had already fallen unconscious and appeared to have lost its ability to battle.

After hitting Ninetales, Golisopod was pushed back some distance by the aftershock of the explosion.

The samurai blades in its hands turned into particles of energy and dissipated into the air.

Several burns could now be seen across its body. It had not emerged unscathed, either.

Mei looked silently at the defeated Ninetales. She had lost, and her journey in the Five School League ended here.

The referee announced, "Ninetales has lost its ability to battle. Golisopod wins. As all six of contestant Mei's Pokémon have lost their ability to battle, contestant Eichi advances."

Ninetales's portrait on the big screen dimmed. Now, all of Mei's Pokémon portraits had gone dark.

The screen switched, and Eichi's portrait filled the entire display.

Fortunately, Mei was mentally strong and quickly recovered. Recalling Ninetales into its Poké Ball, she said, "You did very well."

She clipped the Poké Ball to her waist and said to Eichi, "Congratulations, Eichi. You're very strong. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."

"Thank you," Eichi said. "You're strong too, Mei."

Mei said, "Keep working hard in the matches ahead."

Then she smiled, turned, and left.

She walked away with poise, her retreating figure as elegant as ever.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

The people in the Johto spectators' section began applauding. Someone from their region had advanced to the next round, so of course they were happy.

In the Sinnoh Region, Rex sighed. "I never expected that guy to really win. He's already made it into the semifinals."