"If your Ghost-type Pokémon is truly disobedient, and you don't have an Evil-type Pokémon, using a Bug-type Pokémon isn't out of the question. You just have to make sure it hits the target."
"..."
Wu De shared many of his insights regarding Sabrina, almost to the point of revealing her family information. He looked up at the clock, saw that it was getting late, and patted Xiao Zhi's shoulder, cheering him on:
"Go for it! I hope you can defeat Sabrina. If you ever want to exchange tips on Fighting-type Pokémon, you're always welcome here."
The trio bid farewell to Wu De and left the Fighting Dojo.
Xiao Xia recalled Xiao Zhi's "Rejuvenation Roar" from earlier and still felt a bit scared. If Pikachu hadn't woken up, he would have likely lost his ability to battle.
"Xiao Zhi, I think you should figure out how to deal with Sabrina's Hypnosis before we reach the Goldenrod Gym. That uncle said Sabrina has different tactics for different Pokémon."
Xiao Gang chimed in, "That's right, her tactics are also full of Trick. It's said that the number of Pokémon you challenge depends on her mood. Be careful, she might just go straight into a 3v3 battle."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi understood that this Gym challenge would be far more dangerous than previous ones. He didn't want Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia to turn into dolls because of him:
"Otherwise, why don't you two wait for me outside then? I have Gengar; he'll naturally help me when it's dangerous, right?"
After saying the last sentence, Xiao Zhi looked at his shadow.
Gengar peeked out, looking at Xiao Zhi with a bit of embarrassment. Although he was following Xiao Zhi now, he would only intervene when Xiao Zhi was in a critical situation.
In Gengar's eyes, a Gym challenge like this wouldn't be life-threatening, so he wouldn't normally intervene.
"Gengar." (When you have enough strength, I will naturally follow your commands. If that Sabrina is truly so terrifying, I will intervene then.)
After speaking, Gengar returned to Xiao Zhi's shadow.
Xiao Zhi asked, "Li Dage, what did he say?"
Li Qingfeng thought for a moment before replying, "Uh, he said… you should try with other Pokémon first, and if it truly doesn't work out, he'll step in."
Well, as long as the meaning is conveyed.
Sometimes, you can't directly state the translation; you have to express it through the art of language.
"Pikachu!" (With me here, the Gym challenge will definitely be no problem!)
Pikachu shouted, full of Fighting spirit. He was brimming with confidence now. He had only lost once so far, and this challenge would surely be fine.
A large city's Pokémon Center naturally wouldn't have just one. The trio first arrived at the Pokémon Center closest to the Goldenrod Gym, waiting for their Pokémon to be healed.
For a Gym challenge, one must be in the best possible condition.
—Treatment Completed—
With Nurse Joy's directions, the trio quickly arrived at the entrance of the Goldenrod Gym.
Xiao Xia looked up and scanned the Gym, saying, "This Gym gives me such a strange feeling…"
Xiao Gang also looked at the building in front of them and nodded, "Hmm, it is a bit strange. Given Saffron City's population, it shouldn't be this deserted."
Just then, an uncle ran up behind the trio. This uncle had a full beard, wore a yellow baseball cap, and looked no different from an ordinary uncle heading to the park for a morning run.
"You'd best leave here. The Gym Leader of this Gym is very difficult to deal with." The uncle looked at the trio, said this, and then ran off.
The trio exchanged glances, then asked:
"Who was that uncle?"
"I don't know."
"How strange."
The trio shrugged simultaneously and then walked into the Goldenrod Gym.
The interior of the Goldenrod Gym was noticeably stranger than the Gyms they had visited before. It gave off the feeling of an ancient pyramid's inner sanctuary, as if a sphinx appearing at any moment wouldn't be surprising.
Finally, the trio saw a large door at the deepest part of the corridor. After pushing it open, the scene inside startled Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia.
"This looks a bit like a temple; is it really a battle arena?" Xiao Gang spoke, having never seen such a situation before. Could it be a local specialty?
Being able to build a Gym in Saffron City, it was somewhat understandable to have unique preferences.
Xiao Xia nodded in agreement, "I knew there was something I couldn't quite place; so this is it."
Xiao Zhi looked around, finally fixing his gaze straight ahead and shouting, "Would you mind having a formal Pokémon battle with me, please?"
"Of course~"
An innocent yet somewhat eerie child's voice rang out: "But if you lose, will you be my friend?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi replied without hesitation, "Of course, that's no problem! Whether I win or lose, I can be your friend!"
"However, I will absolutely not lose!"
For Xiao Zhi, simply being friends was certainly no problem. But for Sabrina, who was behind the scenes, Xiao Zhi's words gave her a strange feeling inside (not love, but friendship).
A railing rose, revealing a little girl sitting on the lap of an older woman.
That older woman was Sabrina. She looked at Xiao Zhi and said in a calm tone:
"I had a premonition before that I would battle two young men from Masara Town. Just yesterday, I battled a Trainer named Xiao Mao."
"He won, and after the battle, he said your strength was even greater than his. The battle rules are two-on-two; when all of one side's Pokémon lose their ability to battle, the match ends."
"I hope we have a memorable battle."
Sabrina stood up and unhurriedly moved to the command position. The little girl was holding a poké ball, seemingly waiting for Xiao Zhi.
'2v2, I wonder what Pokémon Sabrina will bring out.' Li Qingfeng sensed Xiao Zhi's nervousness and comforted him:
'Xiao Zhi, first see what Pokémon she uses, then decide who to use. Don't be nervous; with me here, there's nothing to fear.'
'Okay, I understand! Li Dage, thank you.'
Xiao Zhi adjusted his breathing; Li Qingfeng's words had calmed him down quite a bit.
He had just barely stood firm when he heard Sabrina's voice: "Come out, Mr. Mime."
'Hmm? I didn't expect it to be Mr. Mime.'
Li Qingfeng was surprised to hear the name Sabrina called out, but he immediately answered Xiao Zhi:
'This is a Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon. I don't know what ability hers has, Xiao Zhi, you choose.'
"poison-type, Ghost-type, and Steel-type can counter him. In that case…" Xiao Zhi pondered his strategy, and then a sudden idea struck him:
"I've got it!"