"Blaziken's Blaze Kick came down! Was Beartic down?
No! Not yet! Beartic used Endure to hang on to its last sliver of health!"
The commentator's voice tugged at the audience's hearts. At this point in the match, Candice had already given it everything she had.
Yet Young Master Mao had merely switched Pokémon, taking Sceptile out while it was still at full health.
Still, faced with Blaziken's meteor-like Blaze Kick, Beartic was barely standing.
"Beartic, use Surf!" Candice shouted, staking everything on one last move.
Wow, she really kept that move hidden until the very last moment? Young Master Mao was thoroughly impressed.
But whatever tricks you have, I've got a counter...
"Blaziken, leap into the air and use Brave Bird!"
Under Candice's despairing gaze, Blaziken bent its knees and sprang into the air, spreading its arms like a white crane unfurling its wings.
Then, with a boom, blue flames of light enveloped its entire body as it swooped toward Beartic, which was riding the waves.
In midair, the blue flames took the shape of a bird and slammed straight into Beartic.
Bang! Already on its last legs, Beartic was knocked flat on the ground.
Blaziken landed gracefully and slowly straightened.
"Phew... So this is the pressure Gary Oak puts on you... I lost..." Candice smiled in relief.
The audience fell deathly silent. Only the referee's whistle and announcement rang out. "The winner is Teacher Oak. Therefore, the champion of this Inter-School Exchange Tournament is Rainbow University!"
The stands suddenly erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Yes! We won!"
"That's fantastic!"
"Teacher is the best!"
The three youngsters bounced around in the waiting area too...
The tournament finally drew to a close, and the substitute teachers from the various colleges all had brief, friendly conversations with Young Master Mao.
Teacher Kasha made