Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Luo Yuan was already familiar with Sird's Pokémon lineup.

Her Persian, Starmie, and Banette were her primary battlers.

When the Rocket Grunts saw their leader finally arrive, they collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

In their minds, while the League trainers before them were undoubtedly powerful, Sird, as a senior Rocket Executive, should be more than capable of handling the situation—so long as her opponent wasn't an Elite Four member.

Their morale surged almost instantly.

Luo Yuan paid no attention to the grunts' renewed confidence. Regardless of their feelings, their fates as prisoners were sealed.

Of course, he had plans to arrange for their eventual rescue, but that would be for another day.

Right now, he was a righteous League champion-in-training, not a Team Rocket Executive.

Fixing his gaze on Sird, Luo Yuan spoke in a commanding voice:

"I am Luo Yuan, Champion-in-Training of the League! This place is surrounded. Surrender peacefully!"

His words sent a jolt of unease through the gathered Rocket Grunts. They didn't know what a "Champion-in-Training" was exactly, but anything associated with the word "Champion" was undoubtedly powerful.

As their nerves began to fray, Sird's voice brought them back to focus:

"Don't be ridiculous! I've never heard of the League having a 'Champion-in-Training' position."

"And, if I'm not mistaken, Lorelei is currently busy handling the situation on One Island. Which means the League couldn't possibly spare enough manpower to deal with us here."

"You think you can take me on with just this ragtag group?" Sird swept her gaze over the League trainers engaged in combat with the grunts, her disdain evident.

Her words stung the League trainers, igniting their anger. At the same time, they realized something crucial: Lorelei wasn't here. She had been deliberately lured away by Team Rocket.

Unbeknownst to them, this was exactly the message Luo Yuan wanted them to piece together and report back to Lorelei later.

Seeing that Sird had delivered her lines perfectly, Luo Yuan smirked and dropped the pretense.

"If that's how you want it, then let's see what you've got!"

With a wave of his hand, he signaled his Dragonite.

Dragonite immediately shifted into a combat stance, ready to fight.

Sird responded without hesitation, commanding her Pokémon into action.

"Starmie, use Swift! Banette, Shadow Punch! Persian, Slash again!"

Swift stars rained down as Banette and Persian charged forward, flanking Dragonite from both sides.

The choreography followed the "script" exactly as planned.

Sird had been instructed to fight with her full strength to make the performance as convincing as possible.

That suited her just fine.

Given how rapidly Luo Yuan's strength had grown in recent years, she was eager to test just how powerful he had become. This was the perfect opportunity.

Though it was a 3-on-1 scenario, the odds didn't faze Luo Yuan.

Da Zhi, however, grew anxious. Seeing Luo Yuan about to face three Pokémon at once, he prepared to jump in and assist.

While Da Zhi knew Luo Yuan's capabilities from watching the Indigo League broadcasts, he still wanted to seize the opportunity to demonstrate his own usefulness and strengthen his cover as a League operative.

But Luo Yuan waved him off.

This was his moment to shine—he wouldn't let a side character steal the spotlight.

With a graceful motion, Luo Yuan brushed his hand over his belt.

Two flashes of light later, two Pokémon appeared to intercept Banette and Persian's attacks.

Mimikyu, newly restored and in peak condition, blocked Banette. Shadow Claw clashed against Shadow Punch, creating a brief stalemate.

Charizard faced Persian, spewing Flamethrower in its direction. Persian had no choice but to retreat under the intense heat.

This left Starmie's Swift as the only attack heading toward Dragonite.

Dragonite simply raised an arm to shield itself, using its massive body to absorb the barrage of stars.

Then, seizing an opening, it began charging a sphere of purple energy in its mouth.

With a roar, Dragonite unleashed Dragon Pulse, sending the energy hurtling toward Starmie.

Boom!

The Dragon Pulse shattered the Swift attack with ease and struck Starmie head-on, sending it flying across the battlefield.

Sird winced at the sight but reminded herself that this was all part of the plan.

This was a necessary sacrifice for the ruse—a ruse personally devised by Giovanni himself. If she wanted to continue her undercover work within Team Rocket, she had no choice but to comply.

"Starmie, use Psychic!"

The gem at Starmie's core glowed brightly as an immense wave of psychic energy surged toward Dragonite.

Watching Sird's determined performance, Luo Yuan couldn't help but admire her acting skills.

If Sird weren't a Galactic spy, she would have been an invaluable asset.

But, alas...

"Dragonite, Thunder Punch!"

Luo Yuan activated his psychic abilities, intercepting Starmie's Psychic attack and nullifying it before it could hit Dragonite. Then, without hesitation, he gave his command.

Dragonite launched itself forward, its massive wings whipping up powerful gusts as it closed the distance to Starmie.

Starmie froze, momentarily stunned as its Psychic attack inexplicably failed.

Before it could react, Dragonite's fist, crackling with electricity, smashed into Starmie's core.

Boom!

Starmie was sent flying once more, this time landing heavily on the ground. The damage was evident, with even the gem at its center now sporting several small cracks.

"Starmie!"

Sird gritted her teeth. Though she was following the script, her concern for Starmie was genuine.

The injuries weren't severe, but Starmie would need a couple of days to recover fully at a Pokémon Center.

It was a painful sacrifice.

Just then, Luo Yuan's voice echoed in her mind through telepathy.

"Apologies. It had to look convincing."

Sird sighed. She understood the reasoning and appreciated his apology, so she didn't press the matter.

With Starmie's defeat and the ruse fulfilled, it was time to end the charade.

Following the script, she recalled Banette and Persian, both of whom were struggling against Mimikyu and Charizard.

Feigning frustration, Sird shot Luo Yuan a look of mock hatred.

"I won't forget this!" she spat before tossing a Poké Ball.

Out popped a Weezing, which immediately blanketed the area in thick, choking smoke.

The battlefield was quickly obscured, and when the smoke cleared, Sird was gone.

---

T/N: obligatory charizard comment

lookie here, i posted an original thingie called uhh 'What The World Leaves Behind' it's just for practice for my upcoming original fic but all the stories take place in the same world so if you feel like reading some short stories take a little peak please? uwu