The two forces intertwined, instantly erupting in a piercing explosion.
Raichu felt his fist connect with Pikachu's Iron Tail, while Pikachu felt the power of Thunder Punch.
The atmosphere on the battlefield was tense and full of sparks, with Xiao Zhi and Lt. Surge both intently watching their Pokémon, hoping to gain the upper hand in this round.
Ultimately, Pikachu was still slightly outmatched and was sent flying by Thunder Punch.
He lost control in the air, tumbling, but despite this, Pikachu tried his best to adjust his body posture and maintain balance mid-air.
When Pikachu landed back on the ground, he quickly adjusted his breathing and stance.
Though he looked slightly fatigued on the surface, his eyes still sparkled with battle enthusiasm.
What about an evolved form? I, Pikachu, will not give up because of that!
Xiao Zhi and Lt. Surge's gazes met, both sensing Pikachu's resolute attitude.
"OK, I've felt Pikachu's determination. However, the battle isn't over yet," Lt. Surge commanded again when he saw this, "Raichu, Thunderbolt."
"Rai rai!"
Raichu obeyed Lt. Surge's command, quickly gathering electrical energy, his body shimmering with intense electric light.
His body was charged with electricity, like a powerful, fully charged electrical tower.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack to dodge!" Xiao Zhi shouted loudly, nervously watching the situation on the field, genuinely worried for Pikachu.
"Pika!"
Pikachu obeyed Xiao Zhi's command, immediately using his agile movements to swiftly dodge Raichu's attack.
He moved flexibly across the arena, evading the Thunderbolt released by Raichu.
Pikachu's figure flashed rapidly across the arena, like a bolt of lightning.
His form continuously changed with the electric light, making Raichu's attacks unable to hit their target.
Pikachu used his speed and nimble reflexes to evade Raichu's powerful and destructive offensive.
'If this continues, failure is only a matter of time.
It will only consume Pikachu's stamina; a solution must be found.'
Xiao Zhi noticed Raichu's slight hesitation when he turned, and then a flash of inspiration struck him.
He hurriedly shouted, "Pikachu, use Iron Tail on his back!"
Pikachu immediately obeyed Xiao Zhi's command, stopping his Quick Attack.
He quickly adjusted his position, heading towards Raichu's exposed back as he turned.
Under everyone's gaze, Pikachu swung his tail, striking Raichu's back with lightning speed.
A dull thud sounded, and Raichu was once again knocked forward by Iron Tail, letting out a painful roar.
Second time!
Raichu was in great pain from being hit twice consecutively by Iron Tail; the sharp pain in his back was unbearable.
His short arms tried to reach his back to alleviate the pain, but due to his body size, he couldn't reach it at all.
Damn it, this thing is really effective.
Having followed Lt. Surge for so long, Raichu had already picked up Lt. Surge's Unova slang.
"F**k, Raichu, quickly use Body Slam."
Under Lt. Surge's command, Raichu prepared to unleash the powerful Normal-type move, Body Slam.
He concentrated his strength and quickly launched a fierce charge at Pikachu.
As Raichu approached Pikachu, he suddenly leaped up, falling from the air with immense power, aiming to deal high damage to Pikachu.
"Pikachu, dodge first, then use Iron Tail to send him flying," Xiao Zhi's command reached Pikachu's ears.
Under Xiao Zhi's command, Pikachu reacted immediately.
He agilely dodged Raichu's Body Slam attack, giving him no opportunity.
When Raichu leaped for the second time, Pikachu quickly used the Iron Tail move.
His tail glowed with a metallic sheen, aiming and striking Raichu fiercely upwards.
Raichu was hit by Pikachu's Iron Tail and sent flying again.
He couldn't control his body, couldn't steady his posture, and completely lost his balance for a moment.
"Now's the time, Pikachu, use your final attack, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu gathered the energy within his body, and his body emitted a dazzling white light.
Pikachu, covered in white light, leaped, like a flash of lightning, rapidly approaching Raichu.
Raichu tried to dodge, wanting to avoid Pikachu's attack, but it was too late.
Pikachu crashed headfirst into Raichu's stomach, sending him even higher; falling to the ground now would only result in more serious injuries.
Finally, Lt. Surge sighed and recalled Raichu into his poké ball.
Pikachu returned to the ground, swaggering over to Xiao Zhi, looking at Lt. Surge with a triumphant air, as if saying:
See? What good is evolving? I still defeated you.
'Li Dage, you saw that, right! I defeated Lt. Surge!' Xiao Zhi was ecstatic, thinking that if he continued with this momentum, eight badges would be a breeze.
Li Qingfeng was silent for a moment, recalling that in the anime, the Fourth Gym was against Sabrina.
Now Xiao Zhi seemed to be getting a bit overconfident, so Li Qingfeng could only say, 'Lt. Surge didn't actually use his full strength.
None of the Gym Leaders use their full strength when battling Trainers, because it's primarily for guidance.
Their main Pokémon are very powerful; otherwise, why would they be called Gym Leaders? Right.'
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi could only put away his contempt.
Lt. Surge stepped forward and shook hands with Xiao Zhi, praising him, "It's been a long time since I've had such a satisfying battle.
Xiao Zhi, Pikachu, you both did great.
Here, this is proof that you defeated me, the Orange Badge."
Before Lt. Surge could finish speaking, his little fan girl ran over, shouting:
"Boss! The internet says some Pikachu in the Galar region really can't evolve!"
Lt. Surge was shocked upon hearing this: "OMG, I didn't expect there really were Pikachu that couldn't evolve.
Wouldn't that be utterly tragic? Poor Pikachu..."
Pikachu disdainfully turned his head away.
He had defeated Raichu with his own strength, and they still wanted him to evolve like that? No way.
Having received the Orange Badge, Xiao Zhi took the opportunity to ask Lt. Surge if he had any rumors about that haunted house.
Lt. Surge nodded when he heard this: "As a Gym Leader, I certainly know all the locations in Kuye City.
This so-called haunted house is actually caused by a Ghost-type Pokémon.
Although you defeated me, it will still be a bit difficult to catch that Pokémon."
Xiao Zhi's eyes lit up when he heard this, feeling hopeful.
After all, it was only 'a bit difficult,' not 'very difficult,' and with Li Dage's help, a mere Ghost-type Pokémon was nothing to worry about.
When the three left, preparing to go to the Pokémon Center to heal Pikachu, they encountered Xiao Mao, who was not sure where he was going.
"Xiao Mao? What are you doing here?" Xiao Zhi was greatly surprised.
Normally, Xiao Mao's progress should be faster than his.
Oh, his car was gone, so that's fine.
Xiao Mao heard Xiao Zhi's voice, turned to look at him, and shrugged, "I was just about to buy a ticket for the St. Anne.
What about you?"
Xiao Zhi heard this, walked forward, and patted his shoulder: "I'm going to catch a Ghost-type Pokémon.
Do you want to come with me?"
Xiao Mao pondered for a moment, recalling the largest Ghost-type Pokémon habitat in the Kanto region, and retorted, "Ghost? Are you going directly to Violet City to catch a Ghost-type Pokémon?"
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