Just like in the original, the sprinkler released a lot of water.
The water kept falling on Onix, quickly soaking it. Water droplets slid down its hard skin, making a crisp sound.
"If I remember correctly, Pikachu's Electric-type moves can now damage Onix. It's probably similar to the Soak effect, changing Onix's type to Water." Li Qingfeng immediately thought of the Soak move when he saw the sprinkler soaking Onix.
Then he said to Xiao Zhi, "In this situation, you can attack with Electric-type moves." (Note: This is a beginner's protection period, this situation will not occur later.)
"Okay!" Xiao Zhi was overjoyed and immediately shouted, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pika...chu!"
Pikachu unleashed an incredibly powerful current, the results of its training last night were fully displayed.
Brilliant golden light emanated from Pikachu's body, electric sparks flickering like shining stars. Currents intertwined, forming lightning-like arcs in the air.
A strong electric field energy surrounded Pikachu, emitting a pungent odor. Countless sparks leaped between its fur, forming a powerful electric net. The entire scene was like a powerful electrical machine, ready to release immense energy at any moment.
Xiao Gang frowned. As a Gym Leader, he also knew the effect of Soak. At this point, he could only take a gamble: "Onix, use Knock Off to strike it down."
Onix rolled up a large rock from the ground and threw it towards Pikachu. This rock was incredibly huge; if it hit Pikachu, it would probably take half its life.
However, Pikachu's Thunderbolt shattered the rock, sending fragments flying everywhere. The current, like a swift python, darted towards Onix.
Onix instinctively tried to Dig away, but Thunderbolt was faster. The current instantly flowed around its body, and electric arcs continuously leaped.
Onix let out a mournful cry, its body collapsing to the ground. This was the first time it had been hit like this by an Electric-type Pokémon; a numbing sensation swept over it.
Finally, Onix lay motionless, its eyes showing swirls.
"I lost..." Xiao Gang looked at the Onix that had lost its ability to battle, shaking his head helplessly.
This time, he lost.
"Xiao Zhi..." Xiao Zhi was about to leave when he heard Xiao Gang call out to him. Xiao Zhi turned around and saw Xiao Gang holding a badge in his hand.
"Xiao Zhi, this is the badge that proves you've defeated a Gym Leader. Take it." Xiao Gang smiled, then placed the Gym badge in Xiao Zhi's hand. He seemed to have something to say.
But ultimately, it became a sigh.
Xiao Zhi looked at the muscular man in front of him with some confusion and asked, "Mr. Xiao Gang, is something wrong?"
Xiao Gang sighed again and said, "Actually, I really envy people like you who can travel freely. My dream is to become a Pokémon Breeder, not the world's best Trainer."
"It's just that I have to take care of my younger siblings, so I can't leave this place... Never mind. Xiao Zhi, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, I hope that when you see this badge, you will remember the Will of Rock!"
Xiao Zhi nodded vigorously after hearing Xiao Gang's words: "Yes, I will definitely remember the Will of Rock! Xiao Gang, I also hope you can achieve your dream in the future!"
Xiao Gang was speechless. Unless his father returned, he could only continue to stay in the Gym as a Trainer. He shook his head and finally said, "Thank you, Xiao Zhi. I'll take that as a good omen."
"No, Xiao Gang, go pursue your dream. I'll take care of the Gym and Jiro and the others." A deep, mature voice came from behind Xiao Zhi.
It turned out to be Uncle Takeshi who had walked in.
He had already shed his disguise and revealed his true appearance. Xiao Gang looked at him in disbelief and said, "Dad?!"
"Xiao Gang..."
"Dad!"
"Xiao Gang!"
"Dad! Jiro likes red miso, Saburo likes white miso..."
Xiao Gang rattled off the foods his younger siblings liked to eat, and Takeshi clumsily wrote them down.
After Takeshi finished recording what his children liked to eat, Xiao Zhi nodded: "Mr. Xiao Gang, now you can go and achieve your dream! How wonderful, how refreshing."
After Xiao Zhi finished speaking, he was about to swagger away.
"Xiao Zhi." Xiao Gang called out to Xiao Zhi. When Xiao Zhi heard Xiao Gang's words, he asked in confusion, "Mr. Xiao Gang, what's wrong?"
Xiao Gang shyly rubbed the back of his head, seemingly trying to formulate his words. Li Qingfeng guessed that Xiao Gang was afraid of saying the wrong thing, which was why he acted that way.
Xiao Zhi was not in a hurry and waited patiently for Xiao Gang. After a few minutes, Xiao Gang finally spoke: "Xiao Zhi, would you be willing to let me travel with you? No matter what difficulties we face or whether we are poor or rich, I want to travel with you. Please, you must agree!"
Li Qingfeng: ?
Xiao Xia: (⊙o⊙)
After hearing this, Xiao Zhi extended his hand and said in surprise, "Of course! It's great to have another companion on the journey! Welcome to the team!"
"Great! Xiao Zhi, I'll be in charge of all your meals from now on. I definitely won't disappoint you!"
Xiao Gang and Xiao Zhi shook hands. The friendship between men is that simple!
Takeshi watched from the side, tears welling up in his eyes: "Xiao Gang, go with peace of mind! I will definitely take good care of Jiro and the others!"
That night, the three of them still stayed at Xiao Gang's house for dinner.
After dinner, Xiao Zhi and Xiao Gang walked on the street outside, and Xiao Zhi asked, "Mr. Xiao Gang, why do you want to travel with me?"
Xiao Gang smiled and said, "You don't have to call me 'Mister,' just call me Xiao Gang. I see your youthful vigor, and I hope to travel with others and broaden my horizons before becoming the world's best Pokémon Breeder."
After saying that, he looked at Xiao Zhi and then asked, "By the way, Xiao Zhi, how did you become so strong after just one day? Is it because my father took you to charge Pikachu?"
Xiao Zhi nodded, not mentioning Li Qingfeng's involvement.
Xiao Gang continued, "I thought you would go to Viridian Forest to catch Grass-type Pokémon, but I didn't expect you to defeat my Geodude with Butterfree."
Xiao Zhi asked after hearing this, "Xiao Gang, what kind of Grass-type Pokémon are in Viridian Forest? I haven't seen any..."
'Yes, wild Bulbasaurs live there. But you don't need to go back there to catch one; you'll know in the future.' Li Qingfeng recalled playing Let's Go Eevee, where Viridian Forest indeed had wild Bulbasaurs.
Xiao Zhi nodded after hearing this, simply thinking that he had bad luck and thus hadn't encountered Bulbasaur.
Xiao Gang heard Xiao Zhi's words and thought this information was a rumor, so he let it go.
--- Aside ---
Note: Walking Grass is a Let's Go Pikachu exclusive Pokémon.
Before Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee, Viridian Forest had no Grass-type Pokémon.
Even with the Let's Go Pikachu exclusive Pokémon, Viridian Forest only has Walking Grass and Bulbasaur. The text specifically states that Li Qingfeng played Let's Go Eevee.
And there is no Walking Grass in Let's Go Eevee.