Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

"Blaine, you've been exposed!"

The Rocket Team executive appeared suddenly at the doorway, calling him out by name.

Although Blaine didn't recognize this particular executive, given his current standing with Rocket Team, he knew there was no way this could be a friendly visit.

As Cinnabar Gym's Leader and the second-strongest Gym Leader in Kanto, Blaine's instincts were sharp.

In a practiced, professional motion, he reached for his Pokéball.

"Ninetales, Flamethrower!"

A flash of white light, and Ninetales appeared in the hotel lobby, its creamy fur glistening, ruby-red eyes gleaming as it prepared to attack.

Ninetales—Blaine's fourth Pokémon—immediately obeyed, unleashing a torrent of flame toward Luo Yuan at the door.

But Luo Yuan didn't even flinch.

"No need to embarrass yourself by bringing out something at this level," said Luo Yuan, disguised as Rocket Team Executive "K." He waved his hand.

In a swift blur, Gengar slipped out from the shadows and positioned itself in front of Luo Yuan.

Gengar raised its hand, launching a Shadow Ball—a swirling sphere so dark it seemed to absorb all light around it—straight toward Ninetales' Flamethrower.

The flames dissipated instantly, and the Shadow Ball continued on, hitting Ninetales squarely.

Boom!

"Ugh!"

With a pained yelp, Ninetales slammed into the wall.

"Ninetales!" Blaine was shocked; he hadn't expected his Pokémon to be taken down in a single move.

His plan had been for Ninetales to use the confined space to slow down his opponent and buy him time.

But reality was harsh; plans were made to be broken.

"End it, Gengar! Shadow Claw!"

Gengar's shadowy claw gripped the struggling Ninetales, slamming it back against the wall with a brutal force.

Thud!

Ninetales slumped over, unconscious.

"..."

Watching his Ninetales get taken out instantly left Blaine stunned.

He'd initiated the attack, and just a moment ago, his Ninetales had been ready and waiting—now, it was down for the count. The speed at which everything had unfolded was far beyond anything Blaine had anticipated.

Without thinking, Blaine threw out a second Pokéball.

But as he did, a thought struck him.

His Pokémon were still injured from previous battles.

"You're planning to face me with your weak, battered Pokémon? Are you even taking me seriously?" Luo Yuan taunted as he looked at Blaine's battered Magmar.

Blaine felt a pang of embarrassment.

He'd forgotten that his Magmar was still injured from yesterday's Gym battle. In the chaos of moving locations, he hadn't gone to the Pokémon Center, leaving his team unhealed.

Inside the hotel, an unfair battle was taking place.

Magmar faced Luo Yuan's Gengar in a tense standoff.

Despite Magmar's formidable appearance, the injuries weighed it down, and the energy radiating from Gengar was enough to give it pause.

Let alone the fact that Gengar was far stronger to begin with.

"Gengar, finish it!"

With a wicked grin, Gengar vanished.

A second later, it reappeared behind Magmar, landing a Shadow Punch. Magmar, too slow to react due to its injuries, was knocked out without a sound.

With Magmar down, Gengar moved swiftly, grabbing Blaine and pinning him in place.

As Gengar's ominous, cold energy washed over him, Blaine, understanding the value of pragmatism, raised his hands in surrender.

The rest of his Pokémon were still injured—they had no chance against this Gengar.

"See? Isn't this much easier?" Luo Yuan said coolly.

Blaine glared, remaining silent.

Luo Yuan didn't seem bothered.

With a gesture, he had Gengar confiscate Blaine's Pokéballs and badge case.

Then, he motioned to the door.

Another figure, a bald trainer bearing a striking resemblance to Blaine, entered the hotel.

Under Blaine's stunned gaze, Luo Yuan tossed the badge case to the fake "Blaine."

"For the time being, you'll be impersonating Blaine," Luo Yuan instructed. "Your Pokémon are ready, right?"

"Ninetales, Magmar, Arcanine, and Rapidash—everything's set!" The imposter, clearly well-prepared for the role, answered with confidence.

"Good. And remember, Blaine likes riddles. Go out, pick a few lousy puzzles, and challenge trainers to answer them."

"If they solve them, let them challenge the Gym. Maybe even ease up a bit on how difficult you make it to earn a badge."

In front of the real Blaine, Luo Yuan went over the plan with the imposter "Blaine."

The goal was simply to keep the fake in place until Mewtwo's creation was complete.

With the instructions given, Luo Yuan turned back to Blaine. "Now, come with me. The boss needs some data you have, and he doesn't want you showing your face on Cinnabar Island until our project is over."

"..."

It all clicked for Blaine now—the relentless hunt by Rocket Team had been about some files he had, something Giovanni needed.

"If only you'd told me sooner!" he thought in exasperation.

Blaine wasn't unreasonable.

He'd been a scientist for Rocket Team before; if they just wanted some files, he wouldn't have resisted.

Who knows, they might have even let him go afterward.

But it was too late for that now.

Under Gengar's watchful eyes, Blaine had no room to negotiate.

With a reluctant sigh, he led Luo Yuan and Gengar to his secret lab to retrieve the documents, then to the airship's docking bay.

Once they'd secured the documents for Giovanni, Blaine was detained on the airship.

In another room onboard, Luo Yuan finally reunited with someone he hadn't seen in a while: Hunter J.

He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.

"So," he said, "I heard from Sabrina that you've come around?"

Hunter J's face was set in a cold scowl; she clearly wanted to maintain her icy demeanor. But knowing her current situation, she gave a reluctant nod.

The truth was, Hunter J had mentally prepared herself for this outcome as soon as she realized the tech hunter was a Rocket Team executive.

Knowing this, she understood that refusing to join them would mean she'd never be allowed to walk away.

Seeing her agreement, Luo Yuan gave a satisfied nod.

"Since that's the case, you're free."

"But… don't get too excited yet. Just to make sure you're not faking loyalty, I'll need to take some extra precautions."

With that, Luo Yuan called out Deoxys.

---

Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.

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