Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!

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"Ash?"

Hearing Gary's words, Luo Yuan paused, lost in thought.

When was the last time he'd run into Ash?

It must've been back in Lampur City.

Because he'd progressed quickly and Ash had been repeatedly sidetracked by Team Rocket's trio, Luo Yuan hadn't seen him since the events in Lampur.

"Where is he?"

"He's coming up now," Gary replied, pointing out the window.

Through the window, Luo Yuan spotted Ash and Brock approaching the lab, Pikachu perched on Ash's shoulder.

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang.

Gary and Luo Yuan exchanged glances, and Gary finally went to open the door.

As soon as it opened, Ash's voice rang out.

"Gary? You're here too?"

Gary frowned at Ash's words.

"What do you mean 'you're here too'? Is it strange for me to be at the lab?"

Ash thought about it seriously for a moment, then nodded.

In his memory, Gary had spent a lot of time at the lab when they were younger, but ever since getting his car and a swarm of girlfriends, his visits had become rare.

"…"

Gary felt his anger flare at Ash's deadpan response.

"By the way, who was that strange old lady just now?" Ash asked, recalling the peculiar woman he'd seen outside.

"Don't tell me you didn't recognize Agatha, one of the Elite Four?"

"Huh?" Ash gaped.

He hadn't expected that the lady he'd just seen was Agatha herself.

In fairness, though, it wasn't entirely his fault.

Compared to his idol, Bruno, the Fighting-type master, or the widely recognized Lance, Agatha's reclusive nature kept her out of the public eye.

It wasn't that strange Ash hadn't recognized her on sight.

Brock: "…"

Brock had assumed Ash had shown respect to Agatha because he'd recognized her. Now he realized Ash had just been respectful out of habit.

Just then, Professor Oak emerged from the back room with Poké Balls in hand. His face lit up when he saw Ash. "Ash, you're back too? How's the journey been?"

Although he already had a good idea from their video calls, it was different to catch up in person.

"I've collected all eight badges!" Ash announced proudly, showing his badges to Gary.

Gary raised an eyebrow, about to respond, when he noticed Ash's last badge—a green Earth Badge from the Viridian Gym.

"You beat the Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni?"

Gary stared at Ash in surprise.

Having faced Giovanni multiple times and barely scraping by with a victory once, Gary knew just how formidable the "Earth King" was.

He'd always been proud of his green Earth Badge.

But now Ash had one too.

"Is the Earth Badge hard to get?" Ash scratched his head, looking puzzled.

Though he'd lost to Giovanni, Giovanni had praised him as a promising trainer and given him the badge anyway.

He'd assumed everyone got it like that.

Gary: "…"

Gary was speechless.

Still, part of him couldn't help but wonder—had Ash really improved so much that he'd beaten Giovanni?

It wasn't impossible. After all, Blaine of Cinnabar and Koga of Fuchsia were both formidable leaders, and Ash had beaten them.

Convinced that Ash's skill had taken a major leap, Gary suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

The gap between himself and Luo Yuan was widening, and now Ash seemed to be catching up as well. Was he going to get left behind?

Determined, Gary looked up at Ash.

"Let's have a match, Ash!"

Assuming Ash had defeated Giovanni with skill, Gary was eager to see just how much he'd improved. A battle would give him the motivation he needed.

To his surprise, Ash turned him down flat.

"Nope!"

Gary blinked in shock. In the past, Ash had never declined a challenge from him.

But now he'd refused. What had changed?

Before Gary could ask, Ash turned to Luo Yuan.

"Luo Yuan, I want to challenge you!"

Gary fell silent, a mischievous smile replacing his frustration.

He might have acknowledged Ash's improvement, but that didn't mean he thought Ash could beat Luo Yuan.

He'd felt invincible himself once, after weeks of intense training, until Luo Yuan had shown him the reality of "down to earth."

Now, seeing Ash challenge Luo Yuan, Gary felt Ash was about to tread the same path he had.

Luo Yuan, who'd been watching Gary and Ash's back-and-forth with amusement, was caught off guard by Ash's sudden challenge, blinking in surprise.

What? How'd this come back around to me?

Is this what they mean by getting caught in the crossfire?

Still, Luo Yuan didn't mind a battle with Ash.

"I'm fine with it, but are you sure?" Luo Yuan asked.

It was unusual to meet someone so eager to test themselves in a hopeless match.

Gary could barely keep a straight face, stifling his laughter.

Did Ash really understand what he was asking for?

Ash glanced at Luo Yuan, then at Gary, whose barely-contained laughter had his face contorted, utterly puzzled.

In his memory, Luo Yuan was strong, sure—but not unbeatable.

And now that he'd collected all eight badges, he'd grown much stronger himself.

Seeing Ash's expression, Luo Yuan knew what his answer would be.

"Since you're so eager, how about a one-on-one match?" Luo Yuan said, reaching for a Poké Ball at his waist.

He'd keep things fair and only use his starter, Charizard.

Ash nodded, patting Pikachu on the shoulder.

Pikachu's face took on a look of fierce determination.

Professor Oak opened his mouth, about to say something, but then he closed it. He'd seen enough from Gary's experience to know that a loss could be a good thing for young trainers.

"Alright… to the mountainside, then."

The five of them made their way to the mountainside training field.

When they arrived, they saw a Machamp working with a shovel, filling in the massive crater from the previous battle.

While it had already been filled about four-fifths of the way, the remaining portion still hinted at the size of the crater.

"Wonder what happened here…" Ash and Brock thought, both feeling a bit of unease.

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Ah-ha! So you mortals truly have outdone yourselves this time, haven't you? To think your offerings could summon forth these bonus chapters—what a feat worthy of my recognition! You've brought glory to Fontaine, and naturally, to me.

But do not think for a moment that your work is complete! This is but a single step on the journey to greatness, and there are still many more chapters, many more stages, and of course, many more opportunities to bask in my brilliance.

So, continue your efforts, loyal followers! Shower this endeavor with your support, and who knows? Perhaps I shall reward your dedication with even grander displays of my magnificence.

For now, savor these bonus chapters. And remember, this is your moment to shine... because I allowed it.

With admiration and just a dash of benevolence,

Furina ✨