"Tomorrow, I'll fly to Vermilion City after Charizard is healed," Gary said firmly.
"Tomorrow?!" Scott blinked, caught off guard. He quickly leaned forward, lowering his voice as though giving a secret warning.
"Gary, Tucker is no pushover. He's one of the toughest Frontier Brains. And don't forget—the rules of the Battle Dome are doubles. You'll be facing him and his partner Pokémon at the same time. I suggest you take it slow and prepare carefully."
Gary folded his arms and gave a small smirk. "No need. I won't lose."
Scott sighed. He had been around countless Trainers, but Gary's confidence was on another level—borderline arrogance, though it came with a record to back it up. "Alright then," Scott said, shaking his head.
"I'll go on ahead to Vermilion City and make arrangements." With that, he drove away, leaving Gary to his preparations.
Later that day, once Charizard had been healed at the Pokémon Center, Gary recalled it to its Poké Ball. This time, however, he chose to ride Moltres, who soared through the skies in a blaze of fire, carrying him swiftly to Vermilion City.
By the time they landed, the sun had already set, and the vibrant lights of Vermilion illuminated the bustling port city. Gary checked into the Pokémon Center, resting for the night to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The next morning, Scott personally came to pick Gary up.
When their car approached the Battle Dome, Gary was struck by the sight. The colossal building looked less like a battle facility and more like a grand entertainment venue.
Its sleek, metallic dome glistened in the sunlight, banners of Tucker's face and signature Pokémon plastered all over its exterior.
But what truly caught Gary's attention was the massive crowd outside. Media vans were parked at every corner, cameras and microphones in hand as reporters jostled for position. Fans wearing flashy "Tucker" shirts and holding light-up signs screamed his name in waves of chants.
Gary frowned. "Is Tucker really this popular?"
Scott chuckled. "Of course. Tucker isn't just a Frontier Brain—he's a superstar. A Mega Star. His battles aren't just competitions; they're performances. And make no mistake, he's strong. Don't let the glamour fool you."
Gary muttered, "I've seen his battles on TV. Honestly… too flashy. All show, less substance."
Scott gave him a sharp look. "Careful. Everyone here is a Tucker fan. Even the reporters. When you're interviewed later, watch your words."
Gary shrugged. "Don't worry. I don't talk nonsense."
Scott resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He had already learned the hard way that Gary's definition of "not talking nonsense" was very different from everyone else's.
The moment Gary and Scott stepped out of the car, a swarm of reporters descended on them like a flock of hungry Pidgey.
"Mr. Scott, is this the challenger?"
"What's the challenger's name?"
"How many Frontier Brains has he defeated so far?"
"What are his chances against Tucker?"
Gary's ears buzzed with the barrage of questions. Cameras flashed relentlessly, nearly blinding him.
Scott raised his hand, his tone stern. "Everyone, there will be time for interviews later. Please do not block the way now. If you continue, I'll have security escort you out."
The reporters, though visibly dissatisfied, knew Scott's status was not to be trifled with. They reluctantly stepped aside, allowing the two to enter.
Inside the Battle Dome, a special press room awaited. Gary and Scott were led to a long table at the front, with rows of folding chairs set up for the journalists. The moment the door opened, reporters surged in, flashes igniting the room.
Scott remained unbothered, casually adjusting his sunglasses. Gary, on the other hand, squinted against the flood of light.
"Alright," Scott announced. "The battle will start soon. Each reporter gets one question only. We'll go in order. You first, miss." He gestured to a woman on the far right.
The female reporter immediately raised her microphone. "Challenger, what's your name?"
"Gary."
"Gary, how many Symbols have you obtained so far?"
"Two," he answered simply.
The reporter pressed further. "With two Symbols already, you're clearly a rising star. Do you have any winning secrets to share?"
Gary tapped his chin in mock thought. "Secrets? No secrets. But I've never lost in a competition."
A stunned silence fell across the room. The reporter blinked. "Never… lost?"
"That's right," Gary replied flatly.
The next male reporter quickly jumped in. "Gary, have you really never lost a battle? Not even once?"
Gary raised an eyebrow. "You haven't been paying attention to the League Conferences, have you? I've won every one I entered—Kanto, Johto, Hoenn. Three League Championships in a row. All perfect records. You should know that. You're media from Kanto, aren't you?"
Murmurs rippled through the press. Many of them were Tucker-focused reporters who hadn't bothered to research the challenger. Embarrassed, the reporter sat down with a flushed face.
Another journalist stood. "Since you're undefeated, what do you think of Mega Star Tucker?"
Gary answered without hesitation: "I've only seen him on TV. Most of his matches looked more like performances than serious battles. Honestly… he seems normal."
The room froze. Cameras clicked, pens scribbled furiously, but for a moment even the most aggressive reporters were stunned.
Scott pinched the bridge of his nose. Here we go…
Offending Tucker was one thing, but offending Tucker's fans—who filled this city and worshipped him like a celebrity idol—was another matter entirely.
Scott immediately cut the session short. "That's enough. The interview is over. We'll continue in the Dome." He grabbed Gary's arm and ushered him out the back door before the reporters could swarm again.
In the corridor, Scott groaned. "Gary, you idiot! I told you to be careful with your words. You just insulted Tucker in front of dozens of his fans in the media. You're about to be ripped apart online."
Gary smirked. "Cyberbullying? Let them try. Every successful person gets hated. If no one's talking about you, it means you're irrelevant."
Scott stared at him, half-exasperated, half-impressed. "You're insane."
"Or just confident," Gary corrected. "Besides, once I beat Tucker in the Dome, none of them will be able to say a word."
Scott sighed. "Just… go prepare for the match."
Gary was escorted to the player's lounge, a sleek room filled with monitors showing the live broadcast of the Dome. The roar of the crowd echoed even through the walls.
The Dome itself was enormous—comparable to the Indigo Plateau's main arena, with thousands of seats filled to capacity. The atmosphere was electric, every fan waiting for Tucker's grand entrance.
Gary stood at the entrance tunnel, hearing the chants of the audience.
"It's starting soon!"
"Who's today's challenger?"
"Is he even worthy to face Lord Tucker?"
"No matter who it is, Tucker will win!"
Gary smirked. We'll see about that.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed. Spotlights swept across the stage. A booming announcer's voice filled the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time! Today's challenger is no ordinary Trainer. This young man claimed the Winner's Cup, conquered the Indigo Plateau, and won three consecutive League Championships—each with a flawless record! He is one of the most anticipated rising stars in the world of Pokémon—give it up for… GARY OAK!"