The battle just now had been nothing short of electrifying.
Even Agatha, one of Kanto's most formidable Elite Four members, seemed impressed. She adjusted her cane, chuckling as she addressed her opponent.
"The battle just now was very exciting. I was so stirred up that my blood was boiling unconsciously," Agatha said, her sharp eyes gleaming with approval.
Ash, standing on the opposite side of the battlefield, shook his head modestly, holding Pikachu in his arms. "No, we're nowhere near your level, Ms. Agatha. You completely overwhelmed us."
"Of course," Scott, the round-bellied man who had acted as referee, chimed in matter-of-factly. "Agatha is one of the Elite Four, after all."
"Elite Four?!" Ash exclaimed in shock, eyes widening. He could hardly believe that he had just been battling one of Kanto's top trainers.
From the side, a familiar voice cut in, carrying both amusement and faint reproach.
"Ash, you've been a Trainer for so many years, and you still can't recognize the Elite Four of the Kanto League?"
Ash froze. That voice—he knew it too well. He turned toward the entrance of the gym and, sure enough, there stood Gary Oak, leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed, an ever-confident smirk tugging at his lips.
"Gary! What are you doing here?" Ash shouted in surprise.
Gary ignored Ash's question for the moment. Instead, he stepped forward with composed politeness, directing his words to Agatha. "Hello, Ms. Agatha. My name is Gary Oak. I'm here as the temporary Gym Leader, commissioned by the Pokémon League to oversee Viridian Gym for the next two months."
Agatha raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? So you're the Trainer sent by the League. And you know Ash?"
Gary nodded. "Yes. Ash and I are both from Pallet Town. We started our journeys as Trainers at the same time."
Ash's mouth fell open. "Wait! Gary, you're going to be a Gym Leader?!"
The words felt surreal to him. He had expected Gary to chase titles, fame, and adventure, not to settle into something as official and responsibility-laden as a Gym Leader role.
"Yeah. Do you have a problem with that?" Gary asked with a raised brow, smirking.
"No, I just… I can't believe it." Ash scratched the back of his head, looking flustered. "It's so sudden. And if you're a Gym Leader, doesn't that mean you can't compete in the League Conference anymore?"
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu squeaked, nodding vigorously in agreement.
Gary chuckled. "What's the big deal? Lots of Gym Leaders are strong Trainers first. Besides, my position is only temporary—two months. After that, I'm free again."
Ash sighed in relief, shoulders loosening. "Oh, I see… Well, that makes me feel better."
Scott, who had been observing with keen interest, cut in at this moment. "To be invited by the League to take over as a Gym Leader, even temporarily, is no small matter. That means you must be a very strong Trainer indeed, Gary."
Gary's sharp eyes turned to him. "And who exactly are you?"
Scott chuckled warmly and introduced himself. "The name's Scott. I'm the founder of the Battle Frontier. I travel around searching for powerful Trainers. Gary, would you be interested in challenging the Battle Frontier someday?"
Ash perked up at that name. "Battle Frontier?!" His excitement was palpable—he had heard of the legendary challenge before.
Gary, however, remained calm. He had already heard bits and pieces about the Frontier. The Gym Circuit was designed mostly for rookies. What Scott had built was something far more challenging, meant to push experienced Trainers to their limits. Each Frontier Brain was said to wield power rivaling the Elite Four.
"Sure," Gary replied confidently. "I'll take on your Frontier once my Gym term ends. Give me two months."
Scott grinned broadly. "Excellent! Let's exchange contact information, then. Call me when you're ready to challenge, and I'll set everything up."
The two swapped info, and Scott stepped aside.
Agatha, who had been silently watching this exchange, suddenly spoke again. "Before you officially take over this gym, Gary, I want to test your strength for myself."
Ash's eyes widened. "A test?! You mean… a battle?"
Scott's eyes gleamed with excitement as well. "Oh, this I've got to see." He folded his arms, clearly not going anywhere.
Gary sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He had expected as much. After all, the League had trusted him with Viridian Gym, but Agatha was one of the guardians of Kanto. She wouldn't let just anyone sit in this chair without proving themselves first.
"How would you like to test me, Ms. Agatha?" Gary asked.
"A simple duel," Agatha said, her tone calm but commanding. "One-on-one. Show me what you've got."
Ash clenched his fists, anticipation shining in his eyes. Scott, practically bouncing with eagerness, volunteered instantly. "I'll referee!"
Gary smirked. "Fine by me."
Both Trainers stepped onto opposite ends of the battlefield. The tension in the air thickened immediately.
Scott raised his hand. "This will be a one-on-one match between Elite Four Agatha and Viridian Gym's temporary Leader, Gary Oak. Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Gary didn't hesitate. He pulled a Poké Ball from his belt and threw it high into the air. "Blastoise, let's go!"
The red beam erupted, forming into the massive, armored Water-type.
"Blas-toise!" Blastoise roared, stomping heavily onto the field. The twin cannons on his back gleamed under the gym lights.
Ash's jaw dropped. "Blastoise… Gary's Blastoise! I haven't seen it since the Indigo Conference…"
Pikachu's ears twitched, his eyes wide as well.
Blastoise, recognizing Agatha as one of the Elite Four, instantly grew serious. His fighting spirit flared like wildfire, eyes narrowing with determination. He remembered how it felt to face Lance's Dragonite in Silver Town. He knew what kind of Trainer Agatha was. This would not be an easy battle.
Agatha smirked. "Such a strong aura. You've trained your Blastoise well." She pulled a Poké Ball from her pocket. "In that case… Gengar, it's your turn!"
The spectral shadow burst forth from the ball, a wide grin splitting its eerie face.
"Gengaaaaar!" it cackled, its red eyes glowing menacingly.
Ash nearly fell over. "Another Gengar?! Wait—Ms. Agatha has two?"
"Pika?!" Pikachu tilted his head, confused.
"Yes," Agatha confirmed with a smile. "I've trained multiple Gengar over the years. This one is my trump card."
Scott's eyes widened. He knew well that this particular Gengar was Agatha's strongest partner, a Pokémon capable of pushing even Elite-level Trainers to their limits.