Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

"Where's Brock? I, Gary Oak from Pallet Town, am here to challenge Pewter Gym!"

A familiar voice rang out from the entrance.

Luo Yuan turned to see Gary Oak, wearing his signature high-collared jacket, confidently strolling in with a squad of cheerleaders trailing behind him. The whole entrance was enough to catch anyone's eye.

The moment Gary saw Luo Yuan, his smirk faded into surprise. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Luo Yuan?"

Gary's jaw dropped as he took in the sight, evidently shocked that Luo Yuan had arrived before him.

"Long time no see, Gary. What's this?" Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow, glancing at the entourage behind Gary. "Looks like you're organizing...a little team-building exercise?"

Gary had no idea what Luo Yuan meant by a 'team-building exercise,' but from Luo Yuan's teasing tone, he could tell it was nothing serious.

"I'm here for an official gym battle!" Gary retorted.

"Sure, I'll take your word for it," Luo Yuan chuckled, dropping the subject with a wave. "But if you're here to challenge the gym, you might be a bit late."

"Late? What do you mean?" Gary's excitement wavered slightly.

"Just what it sounds like." Luo Yuan reached into his pocket and pulled out his newly-earned badge. "I've already got the Boulder Badge."

Gary looked over at Brock to confirm, and sure enough, Brock nodded.

"My Pokémon were all taken down by Luo Yuan," Brock said with a sigh. "It'll be a bit before they're back in fighting shape. You'll have to come back tomorrow."

Gary's face fell. The thought of wasting an entire day waiting around was obviously not sitting well with him.

"Darn it! If I'd known, I would've come straight here yesterday," Gary muttered, realizing he could have had his match a day earlier if he'd come here first instead of spending the day sightseeing.

He was ready to turn back and leave, but Luo Yuan's next words made him freeze.

"Oh, by the way, I ran into Ash in Viridian City. He should be reaching Pewter soon."

Gary's foot stopped mid-step. Ash arriving tomorrow would mean...Ash could potentially get his badge just as fast. The thought of being on the same pace as Ash was simply unacceptable.

Brock's Pokémon were still recovering, but maybe...just maybe, there was a way around it.

After a quick moment of thought, Gary suddenly smirked. An idea formed.

Turning to Luo Yuan, he whispered a plan, and Luo Yuan's expression turned intrigued.

Once Gary had Luo Yuan's agreement, he turned back to Brock.

"Brock, I know you've already handed Luo Yuan a badge, right?" Gary asked.

Brock raised an eyebrow, nodding warily, unsure where this was going.

"So then, if I challenge Luo Yuan here, using the same Pokémon he used against you, and win...then that would prove I have what it takes to earn a Boulder Badge as well, right?"

A long silence settled over the group. Brock, Misty, and the nearby trainers exchanged looks, trying to process Gary's logic.

Gary shifted under their stares, finally asking, "What? Was it something I said?"

Brock shook his head, a strange smile playing on his lips, mingling with a bit of pity. "If that's what you want, and Luo Yuan's game, I have no problem with it."

After all, gym leaders existed to test trainers' skills, and Gary's proposal technically fit within that rule. If he could defeat Luo Yuan in the same way Luo Yuan defeated him, he could definitely handle a gym-level challenge.

"Excellent!"

Gary, oblivious to everyone's reactions, cracked his knuckles confidently and grinned at Luo Yuan. "Alright, Luo Yuan! Today, you're up against the new and improved Gary Oak!"

Gary had been capturing new Pokémon and training hard, not just cruising around with his fan club. This battle with Luo Yuan would be a perfect two-for-one: a badge and the chance to settle the score.

Brock took his place in the referee's box.

"Battle rules will be standard two-on-two. The first trainer to knock out both of their opponent's Pokémon wins!"

"Go, Gary!"

His squad of cheerleaders broke into cheers as Gary stepped up, pulling out a Poké Ball with a grin.

"Get ready, Luo Yuan! You're about to see what I've learned. Go, Wartortle!"

A flash of light revealed Wartortle, its purple-tinged skin and wing-like ears giving it an aura of confidence.

"Wartortle!"

Its cry echoed through the gym, brimming with energy.

"Your turn, Luo Yuan!" Gary challenged, full of fighting spirit.

"Since you asked for it, I suppose it would be rude not to oblige," Luo Yuan replied with a grin, tossing his own Poké Ball. "This after-dinner workout should be a nice treat."

"Gyarados!"

The gym rang with the sound of Gyarados's thundering roar as it appeared, its intense aura practically causing the air to crackle with energy.