To determine the battlefields for the first round, Red and the others gradually arrived at the drawing venue. They just so happened to be recorded by a television station, making Delia, who was watching TV, extremely excited.
To cheer on the four contestants participating in the Indigo Plateau Conference, most of the residents of Pallet Town had gathered at Professor Oak's Laboratory, even bringing banners to show their support.
"Red, Ash, you both have to do your best!" Delia blessed the two brothers, hoping they would both get battle positions they were satisfied with.
"Good afternoon, please show me your Trainer registration cards," the staff member said kindly.
"Your sweet smile has already been registered in my heart!"
Before Red and Ash could react, Brock immediately rushed over from the side and enthusiastically grabbed the staff member's delicate hand.
"May I ask what time you get off work?"
The staff member awkwardly froze, not knowing how to answer Brock. Fortunately, Misty promptly dragged the lovestruck Brock away, preventing him from disturbing the contestants arriving afterward.
"Ash, you go first," Red said leisurely. Since they had come to the same registration counter to draw their battlefields, there was a chance they wouldn't run into each other.
Red had deliberately come to register at the same place as Ash, because he really didn't want to crush his little brother into depression in the very first round.
"You're Ash from Pallet Town?"
The staff member opened Ash's Pokédex and confirmed again.
After seeing Ash nod, the staff member inserted the Pokédex into the computer and uploaded Ash's tournament data.
"Okay, registration is complete."
The staff member returned the Pokédex to Ash.
"May I ask who my opponent is?" Ash asked anxiously, afraid that he might end up facing his older brother in the first round.
If that ridiculous scene actually happened, Ash might as well pack his bags early and head back to Pallet Town...
"Ash, don't be so impatient. I understand what you mean, but don't worry. You and Red absolutely won't run into each other in the first round."
Having calmed down, Brock came over again and began analyzing things for Ash.
"First, the battlefields are decided. In recent Indigo Plateau Conferences, there have been four kinds of battlefields: rock, grass, water, and ice. After winning through those four battlefields, all matches from the fifth round onward are held in the main stadium."
"You really know a lot, Brock," Ash praised.
"You idiot, all of this is written in the Trainer Handbook that every Trainer should have. Isn't that right~"
After saying that, Brock shyly looked toward the staff member again, hoping for praise from the pretty lady.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, now get lost over there."
Misty helplessly shoved Brock away again.
Afterward, under the staff member's guidance, Ash drew the Water Battlefield.
"Next, I'll input your information into the tournament bracket."
After the staff member entered the match data, the display screen above showed Ash's opponent—it was still Koichi, the juggling enthusiast from the original story.
"So that's my opponent!" Ash said excitedly, looking forward to his upcoming battle against Koichi.
"The Water Battlefield is the third match. The battle starts at two o'clock, so don't be late~" the staff member reminded him, telling Ash to pay attention to the match time.
Seeing that Ash had still drawn Koichi just like in the original story, Red also looked forward to the famous scene where Krabby swept three opponents in a row. Then he began drawing his own battlefield.
After Red pressed the red button, the light on the display screen above continuously rotated among the four battlefield squares before finally stopping on the Rock Battlefield.
"Rock Battlefield. It's the second match, beginning at 1:30. Please make sure not to be late," the staff member reminded him.
"Rock Battlefield? Not a bad opening..." Red said with a slight smile. He had already chosen the Pokémon he would use as his lead, and he only planned to send out a single Pokémon.
"Next, I'll input your information into the tournament bracket."
After the staff member entered Red's battle data into the computer, the display screen above also revealed Red's opponent.
His opponent was a boy around Brock's age. The most obvious thing about him was the uniform he was wearing.
If Red guessed correctly, the uniform belonged to Pokémon Tech—the academy that specialized in theoretical knowledge but lacked actual battle experience.
(Looks like my "luck" isn't bad either~)
As for the blasted-off Team Rocket trio, they had currently disguised themselves as TV station interviewers in order to select powerful Pokémon to steal. Unfortunately, all they encountered were third-rate Pokémon unworthy of attention.
By sheer coincidence, the disguised trio happened to run into Koichi, who was performing a Pokémon circus act.
"That guy stands out even more than we do," James complained.
"He's probably some kind of performer," Meowth agreed.
To avoid clashing with his companions, after learning that Gary's first-round battlefield was the Ice Battlefield, Red deliberately went to find Leaf and asked about her battlefield as well. Fortunately, Leaf had drawn the fourth match in the Grass Battlefield, perfectly avoiding overlapping with Red and the others.
"Not getting matched against Red in the first round is really such a 'shame'~"
Leaf revealed a cheerful smile while teasing him.
After all, she didn't want to get eliminated in the very first round either.
Meanwhile, after separating from Red, Ash's group began discussing strategies. Since it was the Water Battlefield, Misty suggested lending Ash her Water-type Pokémon, but Ash mercilessly rejected the offer because he wanted to win through his own strength.
"I already have Squirtle!"
"But Ash, you're still not very used to Water-type battles. I think you'd better listen to my advice," Misty said worriedly.
"It's fine, I've got my own way of doing things," Ash said confidently.
"Ash~ I heard you drew the Water Battlefield, right?!"
Seeing Ash's overconfident attitude, Gary decided to knock him down a peg.
"Yeah. What about you, Gary?" Ash asked.
"I have no obligation to answer your question. But since your opponent isn't me, that's your last bit of luck. Because if I were your opponent, it'd basically be the same as receiving a death sentence!"
"Damn it, you jerk!" Ash shouted angrily.
"Oh no, it's almost time for my match."
After glancing at the clock, Gary stood up and prepared to leave.
"Goodbye, I'll excuse myself first. Just don't become the disgrace of Pallet Town. Do your best~"
After saying that, Gary laughed loudly and left together with his beautiful cheerleading squad, ignoring Ash's increasingly dark expression.
"Ash from Pallet Town, Ash from Pallet Town, you have a phone call. Please head to the nearest Pokémon Center to return the call."
At that moment, a broadcast announcement sounded nearby, notifying Ash to quickly head to the closest Pokémon Center.
Although puzzled about who it was, Ash's trio still turned around and ran toward the nearby Pokémon Center.
At this moment, Gary's battle had also begun.
Indigo Plateau Conference — Ice Battlefield — First Round
"Unfortunately for you, your opponent had to be me. Come and serve as a stepping stone to showcase my strength!"
After speaking, Gary immediately threw the Poké Ball in his hand. As the white light dispersed, a powerful Rhydon appeared majestically on the Ice Battlefield.
"Damn it, it's actually a Rhydon!"
His opponent cried out in shock, never expecting Gary to act so unconventionally.
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