Hyper Beam involves attacking the opponent with an intense beam of light. The user is unable to move after using the move.
Ursaring frantically channeled the internal energy into its mouth, forming a sphere. Around it, a fierce gale of energy blew, and then an intense pillar of light shot out from its mouth, targeting Beedrill.
Seeing this, Eichi knew Beedrill was in danger. If it couldn't block Ursaring's Hyper Beam, Eichi would surely lose. It looks like I have to reveal a trump card, he thought.
"Beedrill, use Swords Dance and Protect!"
The people below the arena were confused when they heard Eichi's command. What does he mean? Is he trying to use two moves at once? They quickly got their answer. As Beedrill dove down, it began to spin. This was the Swords Dance move. Furthermore, a barrier appeared around Beedrill as it spun. Beedrill, resembling a powerful helix, charged toward Ursaring's Hyper Beam.
Beedrill struck the Hyper Beam like a sharp arrow and managed to cut it into two sections. Ursaring continuously fired the Hyper Beam from its mouth, and Beedrill's speed was greatly hindered. It advanced little by little, and the green barrier around Beedrill gradually began to crack, just as before, before ultimately shattering into fragments and vanishing. With the loss of the barrier, Beedrill had to rely on the rotational force of its spin to protect itself.
Of course, this provided little help; it would still receive maximum damage. However, the Protect had lasted long enough. Ursaring also stopped firing, as it had only recently learned Hyper Beam. It couldn't sustain the move for long, and its power was significantly weaker than a Hyper Beam used by other Pokémon. Ursaring was then unable to move, having become Beedrill's defenseless prey.
Beedrill swiftly rushed toward Ursaring. Ursaring's eyes reflected Beedrill's incoming figure. When Beedrill was only a meter away, it abruptly swung both stingers, striking Ursaring heavily. Ursaring was knocked back a considerable distance.
"Ursaring, get up and attack!" Shinta shouted.
The side effect of Hyper Beam had not yet worn off, and Ursaring was also poisoned. Eichi was guaranteed to win.
"Beedrill, give it the final blow, use Brick Break!"
Beedrill, having just used Twineedle, continued to rush towards Ursaring. Ursaring, with a fierce look on its face, tried to move, but it was useless. Just like that, Beedrill's right stinger, shining with metallic luster, slammed into Ursaring's body. After a scream, Ursaring fell to the ground, no longer able to move.
The referee ran over. Upon confirming that Ursaring was unable to battle, he immediately announced, "Ursaring is unable to battle. Beedrill wins. Since contestant Shinta has lost both of his Pokémon, Eichi from Class 1 is the victor!"
When the audience heard that Beedrill had won, thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena, wave after wave. It was accompanied by the shouts of classmates:
"Beedrill!" "Beedrill!" "Beedrill, you're amazing!"
Shinta couldn't believe he had lost. His two Pokémon had been defeated by a single one of Eichi's. Most importantly, it was a Beedrill, the Pokémon Shinta despised the most. It's too ironic, he thought.
"Damn it!"
However, he had no choice. Shinta had to take out his Poké Ball and recall Ursaring. Eichi, facing him, recalled Beedrill into its Poké Ball.
Eichi then said to Shinta, "Dirty tactics will never be respectable. You are just a useless person who only knows how to use contemptible means." With that, Eichi left the arena. His business was concluded for now, and he sat down to watch the remaining matches.
In the spectator area, Director Yanagi sighed with emotion. "What a thrilling match! It was truly eye-opening!"
Teacher Takemoto also commented, "Indeed, it was brilliant. This Beedrill is unbelievable; it keeps giving us too many surprises. It's difficult to get used to it. After the Freshmen Tournament concludes, I must make an effort to talk to Eichi."
In the Class 1 audience section opposite to them, Hirota watched Eichi defeat Shinta with a complicated expression. His heart was filled with gratitude toward Eichi. Tetsu then remarked, "Eichi is too incredible! I was completely mesmerized! I'm thinking, is that really a Beedrill? Could it be a Legendary Pokémon disguised as a Beedrill?"
The remark brought laughter from the surrounding crowd. Kelly also exclaimed, "We thought Eichi was strong enough already, but it turns out we still underestimated him. He's raised a Pokémon like Beedrill to be so powerful. I don't even know what to say."
After watching Eichi's Beedrill defeat Ursaring, Konan felt a rush of excitement, eager to go up and fight Eichi's Beedrill right away. However, the next match was hers, so she focused on trying to calm down first. Konan took a deep breath, then stood up and walked onto the field.
Sato, sitting not far from Konan, felt the same way. He was incredibly excited, clutching his Poké Ball and trying hard to settle his nerves.
After Eichi's win, three more matches were held on the field. The final two winners were Sato and Konan. These three would battle tomorrow to determine the champion.
***
That night, in Eichi's room, Scyther and Beedrill lay comfortably in their own sleeping bags. Eichi continuously infused Bug Force into both of them. Scyther had sustained very serious injuries during the day's match. Fortunately, with the help of Bug Force, its healing ability was excellent.
Its injuries were recovering at a visible pace. After it recovered significantly, Eichi slowed the infusion, allowing it to absorb the Bug Force on its own. Eichi then went to sleep.
He had a restful night.
***
In the blink of an eye, the last day of the Freshmen Tournament arrived. The champion would be decided today, and the audience was highly anticipating it.
Judging by the current battle records of the three contestants, Eichi was the strongest. However, Eichi only had two Pokémon, and Scyther was severely injured in yesterday's match. A full recovery was impossible, which reduced his chances of winning. Sato was now the most likely champion.
Sato, like Eichi, had been extremely dominant from the beginning, and his Charizard and Electabuzz had left a deep impression on the audience.
While Konan was also strong, there was still a gap between her and Eichi and Sato. Therefore, Konan had the lowest probability of winning the championship. Konan herself was unwilling to admit that she was weaker than the two of them, but subconsciously, she already felt inferior.