Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

"Who here is Luo Yuan? The almighty Destruction King Guzma has arrived! Hand over my grunts and Lillie!"

With an arrogant stride, Guzma led his band of Team Skull members onto the beach.

Kiawe, Lana, and the others were jogging under Gyarados's supervision when they spotted Guzma and his gang approaching. Tension immediately filled the air.

"Team Skull!"

As Alolans, there wasn't a single person unfamiliar with Team Skull.

This rowdy group, led by Guzma, had long been a thorn in the side of Alola's residents.

While the students had occasionally dealt with minor Team Skull troublemakers before, this was their first time seeing Guzma, the infamous leader, in person.

It was hard not to feel nervous, especially given the sheer number of adversaries.

But their unease dissipated slightly when they glanced at Gyarados standing nearby. Memories of Luo Yuan's feats—like taming Gyarados and battling with Charmeleon—offered some reassurance.

And, of course, there was Sabrina, who could casually turn people into dolls.

On the other side of the beach, Luo Yuan had noticed Guzma as well.

Honestly, Luo Yuan hadn't expected Guzma—or Lusamine, for that matter—to act so recklessly. Barely a day after he'd rescued Lillie, they were already causing trouble, with no attempt to gather intelligence or strategize.

If it were Luo Yuan in Lusamine's shoes, he would've first investigated his opponent thoroughly. He'd have had someone tail Luo Yuan, waiting for a moment of weakness to strike and capture Lillie in one swift move.

Such a plan would've complicated things, even for someone of Luo Yuan's skill, especially against a native Alolan group familiar with the terrain.

But instead, Team Skull had charged in head-on, as unsubtle as possible.

Luo Yuan couldn't help but be impressed by their sheer audacity.

Even more surprising was how it seemed like Guzma had brought every single Team Skull member with him.

Behind Guzma, a woman with a punkish, Splatoon-inspired look caught Luo Yuan's eye.

It was Plumeria, Team Skull's second-in-command and Guzma's right-hand woman.

"So, you're Luo Yuan," Guzma said, eyeing him with disdain. "You dare to disrupt my plans? Barging into my territory and snatching Lillie and my grunts... you must really not know who you're messing with."

Luo Yuan smiled faintly. "And you've come to my class to make a scene? Looks like you don't take me seriously at all."

"You're just some Elite Four member from Johto," Guzma sneered. "Hand over Lillie and my grunts, and I might just let this slide."

He pointed at Luo Yuan.

"Otherwise, you'll get a taste of what Guzma can really do!"

Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow. Just an Elite Four member from Johto...?

Not even Team Rocket had ever underestimated him like this.

In the early days, when Team Rocket was still building its current empire, Luo Yuan had planned for weeks just to confront a Gym Leader like Drake.

And while both Team Skull and Team Rocket were "teams" in name, their scale couldn't be more different.

If Team Rocket was a shadowy organization bent on global domination, then Team Skull was a petty street gang shaking down passersby for loose change.

Yet here was Guzma, the head of this ragtag gang, daring to dismiss a member of the Elite Four.

Luo Yuan wasn't sure whether to laugh or give him credit for his guts.

While Luo Yuan mulled over Guzma's absurdity, Guzma grew impatient with the lack of a response.

The longer they stayed on Melemele Island, the greater the chance they'd attract Hala's attention.

Though Guzma was confident in his strength, even he knew it would be a nightmare to face both Luo Yuan and Hala at once.

"If you won't hand them over, don't blame me for what happens next!" Guzma threatened.

"I'm genuinely curious—what exactly do you plan to do?" Luo Yuan asked, his tone light and amused.

Guzma's face darkened. He had been holding back, but Luo Yuan's mockery pushed him over the edge.

"You'll regret that!" Guzma barked. "Go, Ariados!"

With a sharp gesture, his Ariados lunged at Luo Yuan.

At the same time, Plumeria led a charge toward Lillie and the other students, her Team Skull grunts trailing behind her.

Despite his anger, Guzma hadn't forgotten his goal: Lillie.

As Ariados closed in, Luo Yuan casually snapped his fingers.

In an instant, Mimikyu burst out of its Poké Ball, intercepting Ariados with a swift Shadow Claw that deflected its incoming attack.

Meanwhile, Gyarados positioned itself between the students and the advancing Team Skull members.

"ROOOOAAARRR!"

With an earth-shaking roar, Gyarados towered over the grunts, its imposing presence making their knees buckle.

"Don't lose your nerve!" Plumeria shouted, trying to rally her gang.

She sent out her own Pokémon—a Gengar.

"Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"

But as Gyarados squared off against the Gengar, another figure stirred in the shadows.

From the darkness beneath Luo Yuan, his own Gengar peeked out, a mischievous grin on its face.

"Kehehe..."

With a glint of malice, Luo Yuan's Gengar unleashed a sneaky Dark Pulse at its unsuspecting counterpart.

The invisible wave of malevolent energy swept over Plumeria's Gengar just as it was about to dodge Gyarados's Dragon Pulse. Paralyzed by the sudden attack, it took the full brunt of Gyarados's attack, flying backward and rolling several times before collapsing, unconscious.

Cheers erupted from Lana and Mallow as they celebrated Gyarados's overwhelming strength.

For Team Skull, however, the mood was much darker.

"What just happened?" Plumeria muttered, unable to comprehend how her Gengar had been so easily defeated.

It didn't make sense. Gyarados's Dragon Pulse alone shouldn't have been enough to knock out her Pokémon.

"Kehehe..."

Luo Yuan's Gengar chuckled quietly, proud of its successful prank.

Still, while the students had Gyarados on their side, its lone presence wasn't enough to hold off all of Team Skull.

Commanding Mimikyu to shred Ariados's webs, Luo Yuan used telepathy to contact Sabrina.

"Sabrina, the rest is up to you."

Sabrina, who had been lounging nearby, smiled. "Understood."

---

...

If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.

Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into something beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!

If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.

Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.

– Syr ✨