Supporting Each Other

When the finish line of the tenth lap finally brought that crude wooden cabin back into view, Xinhai and all the Pokémon erupted with one final burst of light in their eyes.

Unable to shout anymore, Xinhai squeezed out the last shred of strength in his body and staggered toward the finish line.

Combusken, Mightyena, Eevee, Kirlia, Sandile, Zigzagoon... every one of his companions gave their last ounce of Qi.

When Xinhai finally crossed the line before the cabin, his whole body pitched forward as though all strength had left him. Fortunately, Brawly caught him in time.

The Pokémon behind him also collapsed one after another, their chests heaving violently. They did not even have enough Qi to lift a claw.

Ten laps. Carrying weight in coordination across their entire bodies, they had finally completed it!

Gym Leader Takeda looked at Xinhai and the Pokémon sprawled all over the ground. His face, usually as still as an ancient well, seemed to soften ever so slightly, and the faintest trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes.

He looked at Xinhai and the Pokémon and slowly said, his voice as steady as ever but seemingly carrying an imperceptible warmth, "Your first performance was acceptable. Rest for half an hour, then proceed to the next training exercise."

Lying on the ground, Xinhai stared at the crude rafters of the cabin roof and listened to the Gym Leader's words. Though his body was exhausted to the point of death, he still managed to force a smile.

Although Xinhai felt as if every bone in his body had fallen apart, he knew it was not yet time to completely relax.

He forced himself to sit up and looked at his equally limp and powerless companions.

He took out the Pokéblocks and nutritional supplements he had