Boom!
A torrent of water crashed into Pidgeotto, slamming it against a rock with a heavy thud.
"Pidgeotto is unable to battle! Luo Yuan wins!"
Brock, from the judge's podium, announced the outco of the match.
The result had been clear from the start.
Gary had sent out both Wartortle and Pidgeotto.
Yet, combined, they hadn't lasted more than three moves against Gyarados.
Actually, it could've ended in two moves—Pidgeotto had rely managed to dodge one of Gyarados's lunges thanks to its agility.
It was a complete and utter defeat for Gary.
"No way..."
Recalling Pidgeotto into its Poké Ball, Gary's disbelief mirrored the expressions of those behind him.
He hadn't taken his previous loss to Luo Yuan in the lab this hard.
Back then, though he lost, he hadn't felt the gap between them was so great.
Everyone was still on the sa starting line.
But now...
Gary glanced at Gyarados on the field, eyes fierce and intimidating. Swallowing nervously, he felt a sense of helplessness rise in his heart.
They were both new trainers, setting out at the sa ti—so how did Luo Yuan already have a Gyarados?
Luo Yuan, however, had no interest in Gary's concerns.
"Return, Gyarados."
After defeating Gary so easily, Luo Yuan felt no sense of accomplishnt—just a touch of satisfaction.
Though, he quickly shoved that satisfaction down.
Bullying weak trainers could beco a habit.
As a Team Rocket officer with ambitious goals, he couldn't let himself fall into that trap. Occasionally was fine; but any more than that, and he'd be wasting ti.
"Well, now that it's over, I'll be on my way."
Luo Yuan turned to leave.
"If I wait too long, I might miss the best moon-viewing spot on Mount Moon this year."
Indeed, Luo Yuan planned to spend the evening at Mount Moon, watching the moon with Misty.
Mount Moon was renowned worldwide for its breathtaking moonlit views, attracting visitors from all over each year.
Luo Yuan's plans with Misty spoke volus about their rapidly progressing relationship.
"..."
Watching Luo Yuan's departing figure, Gary wished he could take his own girlfriend to admire the moon too.
For now... he'd better get his Pokémon healed at the Pokémon Center.
He had bragged plenty in front of Ash back in Pallet Town.
If Ash actually surpassed him, his pride would take a massive hit.
—
As one of Kanto's iconic mountains, Mount Moon was to Kanto what Mount Silver was to Johto, or Coronet Mountain was to Sinnoh.
It had beco a cultural symbol for the region.
Not only was it an ideal spot for moon-gazing and teor-watching, but it was also known for its Moon Stone deposits and the many fossils buried underground.
Every year, Mount Moon attracted countless tourists and explorers alike.
Walking along the main road from Pewter City to Mount Moon...
Misty held a map in her hands.
"If we keep on this path, then go up the mountain and take a left at the third fork, we'll reach the best spot for moon-gazing."
Despite living in Cerulean City, Misty had spent most of her life focused on training Pokémon.
Visiting Mount Moon to watch the moon—especially with soone of the opposite sex—was a first for her.
Thinking about it made Misty's face heat up a little.
Just as Misty was envisioning their evening under the moonlight, a commotion sounded ahead.
"What's going on?"
She looked up to see a crowd blocking the road.
"It seems to be the environntalists and miners Nurse Joy ntioned," Luo Yuan observed after taking a closer look.
In front of them were two groups: one wearing hard hats and work uniforms, and the other brandishing banners—just as Nurse Joy had described the miners and environntalists.
The two groups were locked in a standoff, Poké Balls clutched tightly in their hands, tension thick in the air.
People gathered along the roadside to watch.
"Looks like it's going to escalate again."
"Those guys are so annoying, blocking the road every day."
"Tell about it. Pewter City's economy is already struggling, and now they're choking off the last few mining companies. It's a nightmare."
Voices murmured through the crowd.
It was clear that the locals held little sympathy for the environntal activists blocking the way.
Luo Yuan frowned but didn't imdiately take sides based on what the others were saying.
Whether they ended up fighting or not, it had nothing to do with him, and he had no intention of getting involved.
Just as he was about to make his way through, soone stopped him.
"You can't go through here right now."
"?" Luo Yuan looked at them in confusion.
He wasn't a miner, so why were they stopping him too?
Seeing Luo Yuan's puzzled expression, the activist blocking the path spoke up:
"The Zubat on Mount Moon have been restless lately. It's clear that the increasing human activity over the years has disrupted their habitat. To protect the Zubat and restore the mountain's ecosystem, we're restricting access for now."
The words were spoken with such righteous conviction, as if Luo Yuan would be a criminal if he insisted on going through.
"..."
Luo Yuan remained silent for a mont.
"What's with you people! We're just trying to pass through Mount Moon to get to Cerulean City—what does that have to do with Zubat?" Misty, who had been looking forward to their evening, was indignant. There was no connection between the two!
"It's the excessive foot traffic across the mountain that's taken away the Zubat's habitat, causing their agitation!"
The activist looked over at Misty and replied.
"You..."
Misty was fuming.
"Let it go, Misty."
Holding Misty back, Luo Yuan turned to look at the activists.
"I thought you might be a Pokémon Ranger organization or sothing—but turns out you're just a bunch of amateur animal rights activists."
Luo Yuan eyed them up and down.
He'd thought this sort of group only existed in specific places back before he'd crossed into the Pokémon world.
It was surprising to find such a peculiar organization here.
No wonder there was such a crowd—they'd all been blocked by these people.
The activists didn't understand what Luo Yuan ant by "amateur," but his expression made it clear it wasn't a complint.
Their faces turned cold, losing any intention of continuing the conversation as one of them gripped his Poké Ball firmly and said:
"In any case, passage is restricted here today!"
He looked ready to battle at a mont's notice.
Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow and reached for his own Poké Ball, prepared to show them what a real trainer could do.
Just then, a rough voice called out from behind him.
"Hey, kid! No need to waste your breath—let us handle this!"
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