Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Luo Yuan had packed up the fossil Pokémon from the Valley, leaving the cavern barren.

Unfortunately, unlike Ash, Luo Yuan wasn't lucky enough to simply stumble upon a Togepi while turning over rocks.

Watching the airship ascend and disappear, Luo Yuan climbed onto Dragonair and headed toward his next destination.

As for the people arriving the next day, who would stare in bewilderment at the massive crater left behind, well… that was no longer his concern.

---

Seafoam Islands

Between Kanto's mainland and Cinnabar Island lay the isolated Seafoam Islands.

Compared to the bustling Cinnabar Island, Seafoam was almost deserted.

On one of the island's empty beaches, Luo Yuan was conducting training with his Pokémon.

"Aerodactyl, use Aerial Ace!"

Luo Yuan commanded his newly-captured Aerodactyl.

"Graaaah!"

With a loud cry, Aerodactyl took off, sweeping through the air and then swooping back.

Crunch!

Its wings sliced clean through a coconut tree on the shore.

"Good work!"

Luo Yuan signaled Aerodactyl to land, then removed the Aerial Ace TM from its head.

This was already the fifth TM he'd used on Aerodactyl.

Despite just recently awakening from its ancient slumber, Aerodactyl's learning speed amazed Luo Yuan—it picked up moves with ease.

In addition to its original moves, Hyper Beam, Rock Slide, and Dragon Breath, Aerodactyl had now learned Aerial Ace, Crunch, Stomp, Steel Wing, and Protect.

Naturally, Aerodactyl wasn't entirely obedient.

As an ancient Pokémon, it was hard for it to fully submit to a human.

But… Luo Yuan had Gengar, Dragapult, and Deoxys—his "training specialists."

If Aerodactyl got unruly?

A good beatdown did the trick!

Through this unconventional training, Aerodactyl's wild streak gradually gave way to Luo Yuan's authority (or rather, Deoxys's presence). Under Luo Yuan's guidance, Aerodactyl became much more compliant.

Their bond was strengthening quickly.

While Aerodactyl's progress was promising, the situation on the other side of the beach wasn't going as smoothly.

"Hey, have you chosen one yet?"

Luo Yuan looked over at Slowpoke.

On the sand before Slowpoke sat six Shellder, each waiting to bond with it for evolution.

Luo Yuan had captured the Shellder so Slowpoke could choose one as a partner to evolve into Slowbro.

But Slowpoke just stared blankly, showing no interest in evolving.

In fact, seeing Luo Yuan approach, it anxiously tucked its tail beneath its body.

"Slow…poke…"

Slowpoke put on its most clueless expression, as if it knew nothing, hoping to avoid the situation entirely.

Luo Yuan, familiar with Slowpoke's antics, wasn't fooled.

However, this behavior made him realize Slowpoke's issue might not just be indecision.

Turns out… it simply didn't want to evolve at all.

As a Trainer, it was Luo Yuan's job to understand why his Pokémon resisted evolution.

Did Slowpoke not want to evolve for a simple reason, or was there something else?

For most Trainers, unraveling a Slowpoke's thoughts would be a massive challenge. They'd have to earn its trust, break down its defenses, and communicate.

But with Luo Yuan's psychic abilities and Viridian power, reading Slowpoke's mind was straightforward.

Through a telepathic link, he translated Slowpoke's thoughts in just a few seconds.

Slowpoke's thoughts: If I evolve, I'll definitely become stronger. Then I'll have to do more in battles, and I'll never again be that happy Slowpoke who naps in the sun all day.

Luo Yuan didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.

"…You lazy thing."

He'd known Slowpoke was lazy, but he never expected it to avoid evolution just to keep lazing around.

This was a first, even for him.

Seeing his expression, Slowpoke realized its thoughts had been exposed.

Memories of past "motivational" sessions with Luo Yuan flooded back, and a panicked look appeared on its face.

In a clumsy attempt to escape, Slowpoke turned to flee.

But with its stubby legs, it didn't get far.

In its haste, it accidentally left its tail exposed—waving it in the air, right above the hungry Shellder.

Unable to resist the sight of that juicy pink tail, one of the Shellder lunged, latching onto Slowpoke's tail with a firm bite.

Just as Slowpoke was about to run, its body stiffened.

Then, a blinding light enveloped it.

When the light faded, Slowpoke's form had transformed. It now stood on two legs, with a creamy-striped belly, and although its expression still had that vacant look, it now had a glint of awareness.

Slowpoke had evolved into Slowbro.

"Slow…?"

The newly-evolved Slowbro stood there in shock.

Had it… evolved?

Watching the scene, Luo Yuan was speechless, caught off-guard by Slowpoke's unexpected maneuver.

After a moment, he couldn't help but laugh.

What's it like when your opponent surrenders before you even attack?

Of course, even as a Slowbro, it didn't completely give up.

Slowbro turned, trying to bargain with the Shellder clamped on its tail, but Shellder wasn't letting go.

Leaving the dismayed Slowbro behind, Luo Yuan mentally checked off his training goals for the day.

Since Articuno hadn't been spotted on Seafoam Islands, he called out Gyarados and headed toward Cinnabar Island.

---

Cinnabar Island, a volcanic isle in southeastern Kanto, is known for its scenic beaches and luxurious resorts. Thanks to its hot springs, heated by the island's active volcano, it's a premier tourist destination.

The island was packed with tourists, with peak season in full swing.

Walking along the bustling streets, Luo Yuan took a grilled bird skewer from a nearby stall, scrolling through intel sent by his contact, Zhen Niao.

"Pokémon Lab, Cinnabar Gym, and… Blaine!"

---

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.

If you'd like to support WiseTL, you can visit [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Even a small gesture is like sunlight and rain to a growing flower—it helps the garden of stories flourish and bloom!

-With love, Nahida 🌱