Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

"Deoxys is showing activity again..."

Luo Yuan's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

He hadn't gone to Sevii Island before because Dragapult alone wouldn't stand a chance against Deoxys.

But now, he had not only Dragapult but also Gengar with a Mega Evolution Stone.

With this team, he might just have a fair shot... hopefully.

Since he'd never actually faced a legendary Pokémon, Luo Yuan wasn't sure where Deoxys's power level would stand.

But some things you could only find out by facing them head-on.

"At the very least, Dragapult and Gengar should be able to keep me safe."

With that thought, Luo Yuan mentally put Sevii Island and Deoxys on his to-do list.

But first, before heading to Sevii Island, he needed to visit Silph Co. and use his status as a shareholder to acquire the necessary "tools" for capturing a legendary Pokémon.

"Understood," Luo Yuan said, nodding. "I'll make time to head over soon."

Giovanni nodded, and then...

Click.

The hologram vanished.

Putting his communicator back in his pocket, Luo Yuan glanced at the small port in the distance.

Thanks to the League's rescue team, most of the floodwater at the port had already been drained.

Luo Yuan wasn't particularly interested in this city.

The League was handling the cleanup, and Granny Oba, whose amusement park construction had caused all this trouble, would surely face a hefty fine from the League.

With her amusement park destroyed, the League likely wouldn't allow her to rebuild, fearing further Tentacool attacks. It was only a matter of time before she went bankrupt.

However, her amusement park was a prime location.

When he'd reported in earlier, Luo Yuan had dropped a hint to Giovanni about it. Given Giovanni's shrewdness and Team Rocket's resources, they wouldn't miss an opportunity to scoop up this juicy asset.

"You could call it... justice served."

As he defined his actions to himself, his communicator buzzed with a message from Sabrina.

[Sabrina: I showed Silph Co. your shareholding documents. They verified them and agreed to set up a new board seat for you, but you need to be there in person.]

[Luo Yuan: That fast?]

[Sabrina: When are you coming to Kanto? I'll let Silph Co. know so they can prepare.]

[Luo Yuan: Tomorrow. I'll head to Saffron City today, and we'll settle this tomorrow.]

Satisfied, Luo Yuan adjusted his clothes, then mounted Dragonair, patting its sleek neck. "Let's go, to Saffron City!"

---

Saffron City

Amidst the stares of passersby, Luo Yuan recalled Dragonair back into its Pokéball.

Having a Flying-type Pokémon was incredibly convenient; he'd made it to Saffron in only half a day.

No wonder the Galar region's Flying Taxi service was so successful.

"Unfortunately, neither Pidgeot nor Fearow has the intimidation factor of Corviknight in Galar. They'd be too vulnerable to attacks mid-flight and lack stamina. That's why Flying Taxis haven't taken off in Kanto."

Luo Yuan had been to Saffron plenty of times during his past travels through Kanto, so he knew the city well.

Passing by towering buildings and bustling pedestrian streets, he soon arrived at the Saffron Gym.

As he opened the door, he saw a psychic trainee wearing a mask, staring intently at a spoon, attempting to bend it with his powers.

So focused was the trainee that he didn't even notice Luo Yuan's entrance.

It was only when Luo Yuan stepped forward that he finally reacted and stopped him.

"Excuse me, who are you? The Saffron Gym is closed today and tomorrow, so we aren't accepting any challengers. Please come back later if you're here for a Gym battle."

"Closed? Sabrina didn't mention that."

Hearing Luo Yuan casually call Sabrina by her name, the psychic trainee froze.

He vaguely recalled Sabrina mentioning a special guest expected today.

Still...

The trainee eyed Luo Yuan, but aside from looking impressive, Luo Yuan didn't seem particularly extraordinary.

Luo Yuan, noticing the prolonged inspection, felt uncomfortable.

"Is there some special condition to enter the Gym?"

"The Gym Leader said the visitor today was supposed to be a powerful psychic..." the trainee muttered.

"A powerful psychic... you mean like this?"

Luo Yuan looked at the spoon on the table that the trainee had been struggling to bend, and with a single thought...

In an instant.

The spoon flew to him, twisting and contorting like clay, bending into a pretzel shape, then folding over 180 degrees before it finally dropped back into the trainee's hand, a tangled mess.

"...!!"

The trainee stared at the spoon in shock.

This was the very spoon he'd spent ages just barely bending. And now, in this man's hands, it was as malleable as playdough. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The sheer strength of his psychic power was almost on par with their Gym Leader, Sabrina!

"Can I go in now?"

"Yes, please wait here for a moment while I verify..."

The trainee was just about to make a call to Sabrina when his body was suddenly enveloped in a blue aura, freezing him in place.

"Hypnosis."

Luo Yuan immediately recognized the telltale signs of hypnosis from Sabrina's notes.

And only one person in this Gym could so easily put someone to sleep.

"It's me," Sabrina's voice sounded in his mind. "This guy was stalling too much, so I just put him under hypnosis. Go ahead and follow him in."

Telepathy, huh?

"This way, please."

Using a somewhat robotic tone, the trainee led the way inside.

Following him through the Gym, Luo Yuan finally reached the training area, where Sabrina stood waiting.

Today, she wore a high-necked, fitted top that, combined with her cool, elegant demeanor, gave her an almost dangerous allure.

As Luo Yuan entered, Sabrina's usually expressionless face softened into a smile. Her cold elegance melted into something warm and inviting, and the sudden shift left Luo Yuan momentarily stunned.

"Sabrina, you look amazing today!"

The compliment slipped out before he knew it, though he vaguely felt like he'd recently said the same thing to someone else. But he swore he meant it sincerely this time.

Sabrina's cheeks flushed slightly.

She waved her hand, dismissing the hypnotized trainee and putting down the doll she'd been holding, then picked up a Pokéball.

"You wanted a Gym battle, right? I closed the Gym just for you today. One-on-one."

Sabrina twirled the Pokéball in her hand.

Only now did Luo Yuan realize she'd closed the Gym for his sake.

"One-on-one, huh?"

That suited him perfectly.

Sabrina casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"As Gym Leader, I send out my Pokémon first. And I choose... this one!"

Her Pokéball floated into the air, opening on its own.

Bang!

In a flash of white light, an Alakazam appeared on the battlefield.

---

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!

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