The Pokémon Center.
Gary landed at the entrance of the Pokémon Center on the back of Moltres, slid down from its blazing wings, and returned the Legendary bird to its Poké Ball. He then stepped inside, heading straight to the counter.
"Nurse Joy, could you please treat Moltres?"
"Of course, Gary," Joy said warmly, taking the Poké Ball with a professional smile.
With that handled, Gary turned toward the lobby phones. He needed to contact Scott. Without Scott's personal recommendation, it was impossible to challenge a Battle Frontier facility.
The Battle Frontier had only been established for a few short years. Many facilities were still experimental, not yet open to the general public. Unlike Gyms, they weren't free-for-all challenges—every trainer required Scott's approval to even step inside.
Just as Gary reached for the phone, a familiar voice called out.
"Gary!"
Gary turned and spotted a man in a sharp suit and round sunglasses, waving from across the lounge. Scott was sitting casually in a chair, looking far too relaxed for someone who had supposedly just arrived.
"Gary, over here. I've been waiting for you a long time."
Gary walked over, surprised. "Mr. Scott, you came so early?"
He thought he was fast—after all, flying on Moltres cut through half the travel time. Scott, on the other hand, usually relied on his flashy sports car. Sports cars were quick on highways, sure, but they weren't exactly practical when rough terrain or dirt roads came into play.
Scott chuckled, pushing up his sunglasses. "It's not that early. I actually arrived last night. I just had breakfast and waited for you here. It's only been two hours."
Gary blinked. "Two hours is nothing to you, huh?"
Then, after a pause, he asked: "Mr. Scott, don't you find it troublesome to personally attend every challenge at the Battle Frontier? Wouldn't it be easier to build a database, register Trainers who qualify, and let them challenge on their own? That way, you wouldn't have to rush over each time."
Scott shook his head immediately, a smile tugging at his lips. "No, no, no. The entire reason I founded the Battle Frontier was so I could witness high-level battles firsthand. If I put everything in a database, Trainers would fight on their own—and I wouldn't get to watch!"
Gary almost tripped on his own feet. Seriously?
This man had created a multimillion credit battle facility, hired Frontier Brains, maintained a staff, and provided yearly funding—not for profit, but purely because he enjoyed watching Pokémon battles.
The world of the rich was truly beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Gary sighed, shaking his head. "Alright. Then let's go to the Battle Arena this afternoon."
"Perfect," Scott said with a grin.
1 p.m.
Scott's sports car screeched to a halt at the gates of the Battle Arena.
Gary stepped out, looking up. The facility was enclosed by a ten-meter-high wall, solid and imposing. Above the massive wooden gate, a giant Poké Ball insignia gleamed in the sun. A smaller signboard to the side read:
Karate Dojo – Apprentices Wanted
Gary raised an eyebrow. "Do we… knock?"
There was no doorbell, no guard, and no one watching from the wall.
Scott smirked. "No need. Watch this."
He took a deep breath and roared: "OPEN THE DOOR!!!"
Gary nearly jumped back. The sheer volume of Scott's voice was staggering. He didn't think the cheerful, rotund businessman could summon such raw power.
Moments later, the massive wooden doors creaked open.
Inside stood a neat row of men wearing blue karate uniforms. Each one wore a yellow belt, marking them as rookies. They bowed in unison, disciplined but clearly inexperienced.
At the front of the group stood a woman who stood out starkly against the rest. She was young, short-haired, blonde, and dressed in sleek black combat attire. Her sharp eyes radiated confidence.
The Arena Tycoon—Greta.
She was born into a family of Fighting-type specialists, and idolized legends like Bruno of the Elite Four and Chuck of Cianwood. Greta had spent her life honing both her Pokémon and herself, though her physical fighting skills never quite matched the masters she admired.
Gary and Scott entered the courtyard.
"Welcome to the Battle Arena," Greta announced, striking a martial pose. "I am the Frontier Brain here, the Arena Tycoon—Greta!"
Scott gestured to Gary. "Greta, this is the challenger: Gary Oak."
Gary bowed politely. "Hello, Miss Greta. My name is Gary, from Pallet Town."
Greta's lips curved into a confident smile. "No need for formalities. Come—your challenge will be accepted."
Aggression practically radiated off her. A true Fighting spirit.
Gary asked, "Then what are the rules?"
Instead of answering directly, Greta snapped her fingers. "Battle Roulette!"
The ground rumbled. On the far side of the dojo, a giant roulette wheel rose from beneath the floor. A lever protruded beside it.
"You'll pull the lever," Greta explained. "If it lands on 1, the match is one-on-one. If it lands on 2, it's two-on-two. If it lands on 3, it's a full three-on-three."
Gary's eyes narrowed. He secretly hoped for a 3-on-3 match. Not only would it give more of his Pokémon battle experience, but the system's rewards would certainly scale higher.
He grabbed the lever and pulled.
The roulette wheel spun with a metallic whir, slowing gradually before the pointer clicked into place.
The arrow stopped… on 1.
"One-on-one it is," Greta declared.
Gary frowned. "Seriously?"
"What's wrong? Do you have a problem with the result?" Greta asked coolly, crossing her arms.
Gary hesitated. "I'd prefer a three-on-three battle. It gives more Pokémon the chance to fight. Could we maybe re-spin, or allow it as a special case?"
Greta's eyes flashed. "No. Rules are rules. The roulette decides the format. If you refuse, then the Arena will simply reject your challenge."
Gary's brow twitched. Talk about stubborn.
Scott quickly stepped in, laughing nervously. "Now, now, Greta—Gary was only making a suggestion. If the rules say one-on-one, then so be it. No need to escalate things."
Greta exhaled through her nose, then looked Gary square in the eyes. "So? Do you accept the one-on-one format?"
Gary clenched his fist. He had no choice. "…I accept."
The system in his head immediately chimed:
[Ding! Challenge conditions set. Rewards for victory: Guts Symbol, High-Level Rare Candy ×2, Ability Enhancement Stone ×1, Silver Crown ×1, Skill Learning Device (Permanent) ×1.]
Gary sighed inwardly. Figures. The Rare Candy reward was reduced because of the one-on-one format. Still, the other prizes are intact. Acceptable.
"Follow me," Greta commanded.
The dojo's inner courtyard opened into a semi-outdoor arena, wide enough to accommodate Pokémon battles. Apprentices lined the edges, kneeling respectfully as spectators.
Even Scott, with his bulky frame, knelt among them. He looked hilariously out of place, but no one dared comment.
An apprentice stepped forward to act as referee, raising his hand.
"The official match between Arena Tycoon Greta and Challenger Gary will now begin! Both Trainers, send out your Pokémon at the same time!"