"So what are the challenge rules?"
Gary asked the crucial question, and Yang Tao looked at Gary meaningfully and said, "There are no rules, it's completely a real battle. You can send out all the Pokémon you have, and you can even personally enter the arena."
"Ah?"
It was the first time Gary had encountered this situation, but he quickly reacted and laughed, "What an interesting challenge."
"Then, don't say I'm bullying you!"
With that, he threw out the four Poké Balls from his waist.
"Come out! Wartortle, Eevee, Pinsir, and Graveler!"
Looking at the four Pokémon that appeared on the field, Yang Tao nodded in satisfaction.
Gary has a Hobbies for collecting Pokémon. According to the information in the anime, he has collected over 200 Pokémon. Although some are duplicates, his enthusiasm and wallet should not be underestimated.
His Pokémon are stored at Professor Oak's research institute, and the daily food and drink expenses are not a small sum. This is also why Professor Oak has abundant funds; if it were Ash, he would probably have gone bankrupt long ago.
"Send out your Pokémon!"
"Growlithe, stop playing!"
Slowking had already walked out of the Gym with his hands behind his back, and he also had a large pair of sunglasses on his face, making him look even more stylish.
As for Caterpie, it also jumped from his shoulder to the ground.
"Woof woof!!" (Coming, coming!)
Growlithe's voice rang out from the sky, and Gary looked up at the sky, his mouth wide open in surprise. He just wanted to contact his grandfather now and ask if he had ever seen a flying Growlithe.
"Growlithe, you're the main attacker; Caterpie, you're support. Slowking, you're in charge of commanding. That Graveler is mine."
"Slow~" (No problem.)
"Woof!!" (I want to fight three!)
Caterpie didn't speak, but its dark eyes were full of grievance, meaning was obvious.
'I can also fight three!'
However, Yang Tao didn't look at Caterpie but said to Gary, "Are you ready? If so, then our match begins."
"Okay, but…"
"Go!"
Yang Tao waved his hand, and Growlithe immediately activated Extreme Speed and Quick Attack, charging towards the largest Pinsir.
Meanwhile, he rushed towards the round-bodied Graveler. This guy is the evolved form of Geodude. Its skin is gray, harder, and more uneven than before evolving.
Graveler has four arms, with three fingers on each hand and foot. It usually uses its two longer arms to lift things and its two shorter ones to defend against attacks.
Seeing Yang Tao charging towards it, even without Gary's command, Graveler became excited and extended its two longer arms, ready to meet Yang Tao's arrival.
Bang!
One person and one rock collided like Mars hitting Earth, but Graveler's expression quickly became extremely serious because it found that its strength couldn't move the opponent at all.
"Lift it for me!!"
Yang Tao used Seismic Toss, forcefully throwing Graveler high into the sky, which was clearly super effective.
Gary's expression at this moment: ∑ (❍ฺд❍ฺlll).
Is this even human?
For a moment, he even forgot to command his Pokémon, though it wouldn't have mattered, because his Pinsir basically took a Flare Blitz from Growlithe in one go.
Eevee was also called back into its Poké Ball with a single Roar.
As for Wartortle, it was stuck to the stone slab in the square by Caterpie, shrinking into its shell to enjoy Caterpie's impact massage. It couldn't get out, but its physical defense was decent…
Graveler, flying in the air, spontaneously used the Rollout skill. Its legs and feet all retracted into its rounded body, then it spun at high speed, falling from the air and smashing heavily towards Yang Tao.
Double-Edge!
Graveler's falling speed increased, and it slammed towards Yang Tao with great momentum.
"Good!"
Yang Tao retreated a step, dodging Graveler's Rollout and Double-Edge. Just as Graveler was about to hit the ground, he kicked it with force.
Graveler flew out like a football, turning into a meteor embedded in the stone mountain outside the Gym.
Yang Tao put his hand over his eyes and glanced at Graveler's condition. Besides some cracks on its body and being knocked out, there wasn't much else wrong.
'This immunity to instant death is really good… If this were a creature from another world, that kick would have blown it up.'
Turning to look at Growlithe, he found that it was standing next to Wartortle, watching Caterpie tap on the turtle shell, thumping like knocking on a wooden fish.
'I should go to the Hoenn region to see if Caterpie can learn Thunder Web. Not having attack skills is really not good.'
Caterpie might be due to eating the leaves of the Time Tree; it still shows no signs of evolution.
Logically speaking, Caterpie's growth cycle is very short.
"Growlithe, hurry up, stop watching, and deal with Wartortle."
"Woof!" (Okay.)
Just as Growlithe was about to bite, Gary finally reacted and, seeing Growlithe preparing to chew Wartortle like rock candy, quickly said, "I surrender!"
Growlithe, hearing this, also spat Wartortle out of its mouth.
Yang Tao walked up to Gary, smiled, and patted his shoulder, saying, "Victory and defeat are common in warfare. Please, young hero, try again!"
Gary now really wanted to point at Yang Tao and say, 'You're cheating!'
But remembering Yang Tao's use of Seismic Toss and the stance of that kick, he didn't dare to speak.
"The road to success is always full of bumps. Your strength has also made me realize my shortcomings, and I will work harder."
Gary is indeed Professor Oak's grandson. Even after such a crushing defeat, he showed no signs of discouragement.
Yang Tao finally saw a hint of Green in him.
"Good, I welcome you to challenge me again at any time."
Gary nodded.
"What is your name?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a golden business card reflecting the sunlight appeared before him.
"This is my business card."
Gary reached out and took the business card, looking at the name on it: "Yang Tao?"
He looked up, full of vigor, and said, "Mr. Yang, I will take my Pokémon to the Goldenrod City Pokémon Center for treatment first. When my Pokémon and I have improved our strength again, we will meet again."
With that, Gary recalled his Poké Balls and got into his sports car, driving towards the stone mountain outside the Gym. He was going to retrieve Graveler.
Yang Tao looked at Gary's departing figure, his eyes filled with admiration.
'What a truly good kid. Even if he's not the protagonist, his future achievements won't be too low…'
He stroked Growlithe's body.
"You three, watch the house. If there's any danger, immediately return to the Overworld. Don't stray too far from the Gym. If a Trainer comes to challenge, just meet them in battle!"
"I'm going to the Hoenn region. When I set up the Warp Stone, I'll bring you over."
With that, Yang Tao flew into the sky and headed towards the Hoenn region.