While the Gary's Pokémon's were training the Gabite, a boy walked over, followed closely by an Electabuzz crackling with static energy.
Gary Oak, observing the training field, noticed the boy approaching. After all, his own Pokémon had reached their final evolutionary forms—formidable and striking creatures that could easily catch anyone's attention.
However, when Gary got a good look at the boy's face, his confident demeanor faltered slightly. The boy's expression mirrored his own surprise.
"Wait… you're— You're Gary Oak, the Leader of the Viridian Gym! What are you doing here?!" the boy exclaimed incredulously.
Gary blinked, then smirked faintly. "Oh, it's you. I didn't expect to run into you here, Paul."
Yes—the boy was none other than Paul, the stoic and famously strict Pokémon Trainer from the Sinnoh Region.
After being defeated by Gary some time ago, Paul had returned to Sinnoh, determined to train harder than ever before to prepare for the Lily of the Valley Conference. At present, he was on his way to challenge the Eterna Gym later that afternoon.
During his trip, Paul had wandered close to the training grounds after spotting a crowd of Pokémon battling and practicing. His curiosity got the better of him—and that's when he found Gary.
"Gary. What are you doing here?" Paul asked bluntly, his tone as sharp as ever.
Gary crossed his arms, studying him. "Traveling through Sinnoh, that's all. What's wrong with that?"
Paul frowned. "Aren't you a Gym Leader? Shouldn't you be in Viridian City?"
Gary shrugged with a chuckle. "I'm just acting leader temporarily. Someone else has taken over for now, so I'm helping out here and there."
Paul's intense eyes scanned the Pokémon training on the field—he recognized several powerful Pokémon's. "Are all of those your Pokémon?" he asked, his voice cool but his curiosity evident.
"Yeah," Gary replied casually. "Why, you planning to challenge me?"
Paul shook his head and turned away slightly. "No need. Maybe next time. I've got business at the Eterna Gym first." He started walking off without another word.
Gary tilted his head, watching him go, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. Why doesn't he want to battle me this time?
Although Paul was infamously cold and arrogant, Gary knew he was also a fiercely competitive Trainer. His refusal to battle was uncharacteristic. Seeing Gary's team filled with such high-level Pokémon, Paul's restraint seemed even more out of place—it meant he was seriously focused on his upcoming gym challenge.
Indeed, Gary was right. Paul was disciplined to a fault—belligerent, yes, but careful in his priorities. His goal was to win at the Eterna Gym.
Moreover, he had noticed that Gary's Pokémon were exceptionally strong—too strong, in fact, for a spontaneous match.
At the moment, most of Gary's Pokémon that specialized in training and nurturing other Pokémon were stored safely back at his home lab. The team with him now consisted of recently-trained, freshly-caught Pokémon—ones he was still testing out.
Watching Paul's retreating figure vanish down the dusty road, Gary sighed. "It seems Ash is still the one fated to be Paul's rival," he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips.
After spending the night in Eterna City, Gary set out for Oreburgh City the following morning, riding swiftly on the back of his Magnezone.
Oreburgh City was located just south of Eterna. Though not far apart, the journey took him two days—mainly because Gary spent his mornings collecting data and his afternoons training Pokémon for battle.
In those two days, Gary had successfully tamed a Metagross, a formidable Pokémon known for its intelligence and strength. Through careful training, he taught Metagross thirteen new techniques and managed to raise its friendship level to 215—more than enough for full battle cooperation.
When he finally arrived at the Pokémon Center in Oreburgh, Nurse Joy greeted him with her usual warm smile.
"All your Pokémon are healed," she said, placing seven Poké Balls neatly in a tray.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy." Gary picked them up, storing them in his belt with practiced ease.
Then he stepped outside into the bright Sinnoh morning and made his way toward his next target—the Oreburgh Gym.
"The Oreburgh Gym…" Gary murmured when he saw it from the distance.
The building was unusual—it resembled a small hill more than a traditional gym. Only upon closer inspection could one tell it was indeed the city's official battle arena, thanks to the towering steel doors marking its front entrance.
Gary chuckled softly. "Roark's construction style really is unique, huh," he muttered with a grin.
When he reached the doors, Gary pressed the doorbell. Before long, a man with long brown hair and a miner's outfit answered—he looked about middle-aged, rugged from years of labor.
Gary wasn't sure if this man was affiliated with the gym, so he introduced himself politely. "Hello, I'm Gary Oak, from the Kanto Region. I'm here to challenge the Gym Leader."
The man nodded. "Ah, a challenger! Roark's inside. Follow me."
He guided Gary through a hallway of rocky walls and industrial lights, then left briefly to fetch Roark. A few moments later, Roark appeared—wearing his trademark red helmet, a confident smile on his face.
Roark, in addition to being the Oreburgh Gym Leader, also worked as a safety supervisor in the Oreburgh Mine, which he partly owned. As the son of Byron, the Canalave City Gym Leader, he was often called the "rich second generation" of Sinnoh's Gym Leaders.
Roark extended his hand warmly. "Hello! I'm Roark, the Gym Leader of Oreburgh City. Welcome to my gym."
Gary shook his hand. "Gary Oak from Kanto. Pleased to meet you."
Roark's eyes lit up. "Kanto, huh? That's a long way from home. Well then, no need to waste time—let's start our battle!"
Both took their positions at opposite ends of the rocky field.
The referee raised his flag. "The battle between challenger Gary and Oreburgh Gym Leader Roark will now begin! Each side may use three Pokémon. Only the challenger may switch Pokémon mid-battle. Trainers—release your Pokémon!"
A familiar electronic ding! echoed in Gary's mind from his mind.
[Task Released: Earn the Oreburgh Gym Badge.]
Rewards: Five Rare Candies, one Permanent Rock Tomb TM, one Silk Scarf (Top Quality).
Gary sighed inwardly. "Five low-level Rare Candies? Looks like this Gym specializes in beginner-level battles."
Roark tossed his first Poké Ball. "Let's go, Geodude!"
"Geo! Geo-duude!" the rock Pokémon cried, slamming its fists together eagerly.
Gary eyed the Geodude, scanning it.
[Geodude – Level 24 / Gym]
He grimaced slightly. "Only Level 24? Are you serious?" he muttered. "Alright then, let's make this brief."
He raised his own Poké Ball to shoulder height. "Magnezone—bolt into action!"
With a flash of light, the massive electric-steel Pokémon materialized, its magnets humming and its metallic body gleaming under the gym lights.
"Maaag-ne-ZONE!" it roared, energy arcs crackling menacingly around its body.
The shock wave from its appearance rippled across the field, startling even Roark. His eyes widened.
"Wait a minute... that's a Magnezone?! And it's at what level?"
[Magnezone – Level 59 / Champion]
Roark swallowed hard. He knew exactly what that meant. Normally, Magneton evolved only after reaching Level 30 or higher and being exposed to special magnetic fields. The power radiating from Gary's Magnezone wasn't just elite—it was on par with a top Champion's Pokémon.