After several days of traveling, Liu Qing finally passed through Cherrygrove City, where Quagsire lived, and Happy Town, arriving at his destination, Violet City. First, he left his Pokémon with Nurse Joy, then called home to let his family know he was safe. After a day's rest, he retrieved his Pokémon early the next morning and arrived outside the Violet Gym, which had a rather modern architectural style.
The first Gym of the Johto League—here I come! Liu Qing thought as he looked at the Gym, then stepped inside.
"Are you here for a Gym Challenge?" a man in a white martial arts uniform asked from behind the counter after he entered.
"Yes. I'm Liu Qing from Saffron City in the Kanto Region, and I'm here to challenge the Violet Gym," Liu Qing replied with a nod.
"Then please take the elevator to the top floor. The Gym Leader will accept your challenge there," the man said.
"Thank you." Liu Qing nodded and entered the elevator beside the man's counter. Moments later, he reached the top floor. Stepping out, he found an open-air battlefield before him, with quite a few people standing along its edges. From his memories, Liu Qing knew the man leading them was Falkner, the Violet Gym Leader.
"Hello, Liu Qing from Saffron City. I'm Falkner, the Violet Gym Leader, and I accept your challenge," Falkner said. "If you're ready, please take your position. I can hardly wait to see what the Indigo champion can do."
"You know who I am?" Liu Qing asked in surprise after taking his position.
"Of course. Johto and Kanto are practically connected. As a Gym Leader, how could I not know the League champions of these two regions?" Falkner asked in return.
"I see." Liu Qing nodded.
"The official Badge match