Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

It wasn't that Luo Yuan was overconfident—it was just that he didn't need Aerodactyl to handle Gary.

Gary: "…"

Sure, he knew it was true, but did Luo Yuan have to say it out loud?

That was a bit harsh.

Still, Gary didn't seem disheartened. After all the losses he'd taken from Luo Yuan, he'd developed a resilience that nothing could shake.

And he wasn't here to win this time. All he wanted was a chance to gauge the strength of someone who had managed to beat Giovanni.

"Let's go, to the arena on the hill!"

Gary strode ahead toward the back of the lab, leading them to the training grounds.

Professor Oak, watching the two challenge each other, set his equipment to run automatically before following them to act as referee.

---

Behind Oak's Laboratory

Standing on the familiar battlefield, Luo Yuan felt a wave of nostalgia.

The last time he'd stood here, he'd been just another Rocket executive called back to Kanto by Giovanni.

It had only been a few months, but now—with Deoxys at his side—he had already surpassed Giovanni in strength.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

"So, how many Pokémon are we using?" Luo Yuan asked, relaxed.

"…"

Luo Yuan's confidence left Gary in a momentary silence; the way he phrased that question meant he believed he could still win in a full 6v6 battle even without Aerodactyl.

Gary mentally went through his own Pokémon lineup.

Counting on his fingers, he held up four fingers. "Let's go 4v4!"

After so many battles against Luo Yuan, Gary had learned some lessons from his losses.

One or two rounds wouldn't give him a clear picture of where he stood against Luo Yuan.

Currently, he had four Pokémon he believed could give Luo Yuan some trouble, and he intended to use them all.

"Bring it on."

Gary took a Poké Ball from his belt, eyes burning with determination. Luo Yuan, seeing his eagerness, just chuckled and casually pulled out an Ultra Ball of his own, pressing the release button without waiting for Oak to signal the start of the match.

Poof!

In a flash of light, Mimikyu appeared, shrouded in its shabby yellow costume.

Creak—creak!

A raspy sound emanated from Mimikyu's hidden body beneath the cloth.

The strange creature immediately drew both Gary and Professor Oak's attention.

"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Gary stared at the unfamiliar Pokémon, noting its vague resemblance to Pikachu, but knowing it clearly wasn't.

But Oak looked at Mimikyu, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

He turned to Luo Yuan. "Is this… Mimikyu?"

Clearly, Professor Oak recognized Mimikyu.

This wasn't unexpected.

Though he spent much of his time at his lab in Pallet Town, Oak was far from out of touch. Thanks to his cousin Professor Samson Oak, who specialized in Alolan Pokémon, he had significant knowledge about species from that region.

Also, a Mimikyu-related incident years ago had sparked considerable interest in the academic community.

At that time, a researcher had attempted to study Mimikyu's true form. Upon glimpsing it, he'd been cursed and died of sheer terror, leaving a lasting impression. His story was still included in the "Trainer Essentials" guidebook, serving as a cautionary tale.

"I never thought you'd catch a Mimikyu," Oak remarked, sizing up Luo Yuan.

Not that he was particularly surprised.

Mimikyu's habitat was primarily in Alola and Galar, and Trainers capturing one in Kanto were rare indeed.

"It was just a chance encounter," Luo Yuan replied, keeping it brief.

It might sound surprising to have caught a Mimikyu in Kanto, but Ghost-types weren't tied to specific environments, so it wasn't too strange.

With modern transport, plenty of Pokémon appeared outside their usual regions. If he overexplained, it would sound more suspicious.

Oak nodded, guessing that Luo Yuan must have encountered a Mimikyu that had wandered into Kanto.

"Mimikyu, huh…" While Luo Yuan and Oak were talking, Gary had pulled out his Pokédex to look up information on Mimikyu.

"Ghost- and Fairy-type?"

The type combination gave him a bit of a headache.

Ghost-Fairy typing meant that Normal-, Fighting-, and Dragon-type moves would be nearly useless, while Mimikyu's only weaknesses were Ghost- and Steel-type moves.

And since he'd only just caught his Scyther, he hadn't had time to evolve it into Scizor.

At the moment, Gary had no Ghost- or Steel-type Pokémon.

After a long moment of deliberation, he made his decision. "In that case… Pidgeot, you're up!"

Switching Poké Balls, Gary called out his Pidgeot.

He'd chosen the most mobile Pokémon in his team, one that could almost rival Arcanine in speed, hoping to gain an edge over Mimikyu.

Mimikyu's size and shape didn't exactly scream "mobility."

A nimble Flying-type like Pidgeot might hold a decent advantage.

Poof!

In a flash, Pidgeot emerged.

"Pidgeooooot!"

Pidgeot's wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the field with a wingspan of over three meters. Its proud crest of red feathers extended from its head, giving it an imposing presence.

Hovering high above, Pidgeot gazed down at its small, odd-looking opponent, Mimikyu.

Calm and confident, Pidgeot wasn't one to underestimate its foes, no matter the height or size advantage.

It circled in the sky, releasing a powerful cry.

"Pidgeooooot!"

Mimikyu responded by exuding a menacing aura.

However, following Luo Yuan's instruction to hold back, Mimikyu didn't release its full power, so Pidgeot only felt a slight moment of instability before regaining composure.

Still, this brief feeling made Pidgeot view Mimikyu with even greater caution.

So, as soon as Professor Oak called, "Battle begin!" Pidgeot swooped down toward Mimikyu, wings aglow with a faint metallic sheen.

"Steel Wing!"

---

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