West of Viridian City, Route 22.
Having just collected all eight badges, the group was full of high spirits as they headed toward the legendary Pokémon League.
Just as they were about to enter the outpost before the League gates, a rebellious-looking youth with spiky hair swaggered over from one side of the screen.
It was Gary, the rival from the start of the game—the one who had snatched the type-advantaged Pokémon in Pallet Town and had been relentlessly mocking them ever since.
[Rival: Yo! Long time no see! You guys heading to the Pokémon League too?]
[Rival: Forget it. You need all eight badges to enter the League! A genius like me has already collected them all! Since we ran into each other here, this genius will give you some pre-match coaching and show you what a real gap in strength looks like!]
As they watched the screen's Gary acting so arrogant he was practically about to fly into the sky, the atmosphere in the internet café hall dropped to freezing point.
"Genius? A gap in strength?"
Di Tian slowly rolled his wrists, his knuckles cracking as dangerous savagery flickered in his golden vertical pupils.
"I've taken all kinds of crap along the way and was just wondering where to vent it. You little brat who hasn't even grown all his feathers yet, you dare spout off in front of me?!"
"Beast God, don't waste words on him. A snot-nosed brat who doesn't know his place should be shown what the real dangers of the world are!"
Long Xiaoyao sneered as well and immediately pressed the battle button.
[Rival wants to battle!]
The battle screen appeared, and the rival confidently sent out his aces—Blastoise and Pidgeot, both evolved to their final forms.
"Just a water turtle and a mangy