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For the citizens of Pewter City, Friday was more than just the end of the workweek—it was a celebration, a weekly festival that stirred the entire city into a frenzy. Comparable to the soccer madness of another world, but on a far grander scale, Pokémon battles were the heart and soul of entertainment here, captivating the attention of young and old alike.

Across the Kanto Region, every single evening featured a broadcast of a Gym Challenge from a different city. With one challenge per city per day, the cycle was continuous, relentless, and thoroughly exhilarating for fans. It wasn’t just sport—it was a spectacle. These battles weren’t small events—they were the biggest draw outside of the Pokémon League itself, commanding massive television ratings and nationwide viewership.

As night approached, people across the region settled down in front of their screens, tuning in to watch battles from far-off cities. Some preferred the cheers of the stadium crowd, while others enjoyed the comfort of their homes or the bustling chatter in restaurants and bars. The battles were more than a game—they were a window into the dreams of Trainers everywhere. For many, just appearing in these broadcasts transformed them into celebrities overnight.

By 5 PM, the area outside Pewter’s colossal Gym stadium was bursting with life. Ticket holders were already passing through the twelve towering gates, funneling into the stadium’s cavernous interior. People chattered excitedly, many wearing clothes styled in Pewter’s earthy aesthetic. Horns blared. Songs and chants filled the air. It was organized chaos—a euphoric, weekly tradition.

Those without tickets were no less excited. Some stood in the square to watch the big-screen broadcast, while others combed the area, hoping to snag a ticket from scalpers at exorbitant prices. Bars and eateries throughout the city were packed, screens turned to the local broadcast, glasses clinking in anticipation.

Tickets weren’t sold. Instead, Pewter’s Gym Challenge tickets were distributed by lottery to the city’s residents. Winners paid only a nominal fee and gained the chance to witness the battle live. With global viewership and in-person attendance at stake, these events gave the cities an economic boost, becoming a clever promotional tool for the Pokémon League itself.

Each Gym Challenge event featured eight matches, fought by the eight winners of the earlier week’s preliminary rounds. Battles proceeded in order of badge count—from rookies to seasoned veterans. Depending on the experience of the Trainer, the number of Pokémon allowed could range from one to six. The more advanced battles, particularly those involving Trainers with four or more badges, were typically saved for last, giving the audience a thrilling climax to the night.

According to League rules, Gym Leaders were expected to match their Pokémon’s strength to the challenger’s level. As such, they maintained a wider roster than most Trainers. Interestingly, defeating the Gym Leader wasn’t the sole condition to earning a badge. These matches were designed to cultivate talent—so if a Trainer demonstrated strong resolve, tactical insight, or remarkable synergy with their Pokémon, the Leader could award a badge even in defeat. Statistically, about 80% of those who made it to the main event ended up walking away with a badge.

For the earlier matches, it wasn’t uncommon to see back-and-forth victories between the Gym Leader and the participants. But once the final rounds arrived, and the more experienced challengers stepped in—those with four or more badges—the Gym Leader often brought out their true mainstays. Against such might, challengers rarely emerged victorious.

As one of the contenders, Logan had no need to enter through the public gates. At 4 PM, he was ushered into the arena via the competitor’s entrance. When he stepped inside, his eyes widened in awe. The stadium’s magnitude rivaled—and even exceeded—that of the soccer arenas he remembered from his past life. It dwarfed the small, intimate rooms depicted in anime or games. He had expected to fight in a dimly lit room with stone walls. What he got instead was a full-blown coliseum of lights and thunder.

The thought hit him suddenly: If strong Pokémon used real moves in a cramped room, the whole place would collapse by the end of the first round. Repairs would become a full-time job.

Escorted by staff, Logan was guided to one of eight private rooms—each reserved for a challenger. The rooms were luxurious, stocked with refreshments and snacks. Competitors could choose to rest, roam, or even explore the venue freely until the matches began. At 5:30, they would be treated to a free, deluxe dinner to keep their strength up for the battles ahead.

Logan took a moment to survey the others. All the participants were between 15 and 20 years old. Though his skills were arguably among the best, Logan had zero badges, meaning he’d be the first to compete.

Still, there was no hostility. With no direct competition between them—yet—the atmosphere was friendly. A handful of them clustered together in Logan’s room, chatting about their past experiences and upcoming matches. Logan, still relatively new to this world, had spent most of his time training in forests or researching in labs. He chose to listen more than speak, quietly absorbing what he could.

The others were full of stories. Some had challenged the Saffron City Gym, waxing poetic about the Gym Leader Sabrina—how beautiful and cold she was. Others had faced Erika from Celadon and praised her for her grace and kindness. There was talk of Misty from Cerulean, described as energetic and tomboyish. A few had even traveled to other regions like Sinnoh or Hoenn just to watch League matches in person. Logan couldn’t help but snicker at the irony—They haven’t even conquered Kanto, and yet they’re globe-trotting fanboys?

As time passed and the clock inched toward the beginning of the event, everyone gradually returned to their rooms to prepare. Logan, too, settled into his space, closing his eyes to conserve energy for the match.

Just as he was about to head to the waiting area, a knock came at the door.

Surprised, Logan stood up and opened it.

Standing on the other side was someone very familiar—yet they had never met before.

“…Brock, the Gym Leader of Pewter City?” Logan asked, caught off guard.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep