Chapter 7 "Xia, your grip is really strong! My face almost got swollen back then!"
Zhi looked at the screen with a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
He stroked Pikachu's head, and Pikachu rubbed against Zhi affectionately.
"Ah...about that, I don't mind it anymore."
Before Xia could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Zhi continue.
"But Xia, your grip is really strong!"
"I felt like my face was going to be swollen from your punches!"
Xia: "..."
All thoughts of apologizing vanished instantly.
With a straight guy like Zhi, apologizing was simply unnecessary.
Unaware of Xia's murderous gaze, Zhi continued.
"Besides, it was thanks to your bicycle back then."
Thinking about her own tragically destroyed bicycle, Xia's meager guilt completely dissipated.
"You dare say that!"
"My brand new bicycle, I lent it to you and it turned into a pile of charcoal!"
Xia stood with her hands on her hips, her voice booming with indignation.
"Hehehe...well..."
Zhi looked up at the sky with a silly grin.
"Pika-pika..."
Pikachu also looked up at the sky with a silly grin.
...
On the screen—
Zhi placed Pikachu in the bicycle basket.
He pedaled furiously while comforting Pikachu.
"Come on Pikachu!"
"We're almost there!"
Pikachu was covered in injuries, unable to speak.
The sky was filled with thunder and lightning!
Large raindrops pounded on Zhi's face!
Pikachu's severe injuries, the terrible weather... none of that was the worst part!
The worst part was—
Those relentless Pidgeys had caught up!
They flapped their wings, viciously pecking at Zhi's body!
Unable to see the road, Zhi rode his bicycle straight off a cliff!
Zhi crashed hard onto the muddy ground!
Pikachu was flung out and lay motionless on the ground!
Under the gloomy sky, the Pidgeys charged forward!
Anyone with eyes could see it.
A fierce battle was about to commence!
But Pikachu's current condition was no match for these Pidgeys!
Zhi struggled to crawl towards Pikachu.
"Pikachu, get in."
Zhi took out his Poké Ball and looked at Pikachu seriously.
"I know you hate going in there."
"But you have a better chance of surviving inside!"
"Hurry!"
"Please get in!"
"I'll take care of the rest!"
He said.
Zhi placed the Poké Ball in front of Pikachu.
He stood up, turned around, facing the endless flock of Pidgeys, and spread his arms wide, firmly protecting Pikachu behind him.
"Do you even know who I am?!"
"I'm Zhi from Pallet Town!"
"The future world's greatest Pokémon Master!"
"I won't lose to you!"
"I'll defeat you all!"
Zhi said without turning around.
"Pikachu, get in!"
"Go into the Poké Ball, quickly!"
The injured Pikachu looked at the Poké Ball in front of him.
He looked at Zhi standing in front of him.
At that moment.
Zhi's figure seemed infinitely large in Pikachu's eyes.
The Champion Trainers, watching this scene, were also pulled into that moment by Zhi's aura.
This unyielding spirit!
This selfless dedication!
Regardless of Zhi's young strength, just for this determination and belief.
They believed.
In ten or twenty years.
Young Zhi, this rookie trainer, would have a chance to stand before them with honor!
Such a judgment was quite remarkable for an ordinary trainer!
While thinking this, they also nervously held their breath for Zhi and Pikachu on the screen.
What would happen next?
Come to think of it, those Pidgeys were a bit too vengeful!
Suddenly, Pidgeys seemed quite unreasonable!
Even knowing this was likely an exception.
After empathizing with Zhi's experience, it was hard for them to like these Pidgeys.
The screen continued.
Zhi used provocative words to draw the hatred of all the Pidgeys!
Just to provide a safe environment for Pikachu!
Looking at Zhi's back, Pikachu didn't choose to enter the Poké Ball.
Instead, he rushed towards Zhi!
Standing on Zhi's shoulders, Pikachu's eyes were resolute, and he charged towards the endless flock of Pidgeys—
"Pika—"
A mighty thunderbolt engulfed the forest!
It pierced the sky!
Shattering the storm clouds!
The rain and lightning vanished!
Brilliant sunshine shone on Zhi and Pikachu!
All the Pidgeys were instantly killed!
The final scene.
Zhi and Pikachu lay on the ground, smiling at each other.