Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Well, well, look at you! So dedicated, you've earned a little extra treat! 🎉

---

Just as Luo Yuan finished speaking—

The sound of low growls and shuffling feet echoed from the darkness. A group of Kabuto and Omanyte, their red eyes gleaming with irritation, emerged from the shadows, clearly disturbed from their sleep by the Rocket squad led by Luo Yuan.

"Sir, are those...?"

The squad leader couldn't help but ask, glancing at the fossil Pokémon before them.

Luo Yuan nodded. "That's right, these are all fossil Pokémon!"

Hearing this, the other Rocket members looked on in awe.

Fossil Pokémon were well-known for their rarity. Although various fossil restoration technologies had been developed, the high costs kept them from being widely accessible.

And now, right here before their eyes, there were so many fossil Pokémon…

How did the commander even find this place?

Yet Luo Yuan offered no explanation for his subordinates' curiosity.

"These Pokémon are yours to handle."

This was one of the reasons he'd brought his team down here—he didn't want to waste energy on small fry. Following their commander's orders, the Rocket grunts quickly pulled out Poké Balls.

Flashes of white light lit up the space as Weezing and Arbok appeared, advancing on the Kabuto and Omanyte gathered before them.

---

The battle was swift and effortless.

Luo Yuan's team was composed of elite Rocket members, with Pokémon far superior to the typical fossil Pokémon that, in the main story, would have left a trio of rookies running for their lives.

Though Weezing's Sludge Bomb and Arbok's Acid weren't particularly effective against the fossil Pokémon, these ancient creatures had just awoken from who knows how many years of dormancy; their bodies were stiff and their combat abilities limited.

Meanwhile, the Rocket members' Pokémon were all expertly trained for combat.

One by one, the fossil Pokémon fell to the Rockets' experience and tactics.

Poké Balls were thrown in rapid succession, capturing the fossil Pokémon inside.

Poké Balls operate by creating a comfortable living environment for Pokémon, luring them into accepting capture by a trainer. For these fossil Pokémon, who had spent ages in the dark and damp, the Poké Balls were an entirely unfamiliar lure, and they didn't put up much resistance, surrendering almost immediately.

Seeing the odds turning against them, the remaining fossil Pokémon retreated back into the darkness.

The Rocket members gathered all the Poké Balls. "Sir! Should we leave now?"

The group's capture of so many fossil Pokémon had been a resounding success, and they couldn't help but feel thrilled at the thought of training some of these rare Pokémon as their commander had suggested.

Luo Yuan, accustomed to big scores, was far less excited than his men.

"No need to rush. That was just the appetizer. I'm waiting for the true ruler of this place."

"The true ruler?"

"That's right… and here it comes!"

Luo Yuan looked up. A mighty roar echoed through the cavern as a gray figure swooped down from above, a hulking shape darting down towards them.

"Aerodactyl!"

The Rockets finally understood their leader's goal as they recognized the looming presence of the Aerodactyl.

Thanks to Lance, the Champion of Kanto's Elite Four, Aerodactyl was well-known and incredibly popular.

The Aerodactyl in the air narrowed its eyes, its expression identical to that of the fossil Pokémon they'd just encountered—angry at being woken up.

As the Aerodactyl closed in, Luo Yuan merely raised a hand.

"Go, Gengar!"

Gengar! A mischievous grin on its face, Gengar rose silently from the shadows, glaring up at the fearsome Aerodactyl.

Gengar knew this type all too well. Back on the Sevii Islands, it had thrashed Lance's Aerodactyl using Mega Evolution and Shadow Tag.

Now, facing a different Aerodactyl, a wicked smile crept onto Gengar's face.

Something in the Aerodactyl's instincts must have sensed danger, as it shuddered mid-flight, as though a chill had crept up its spine. But it quickly dismissed the feeling.

These intruders had dared to trespass on its territory and disrupt its rest—unforgivable!

Its eyes blazing with fury, Aerodactyl opened its jaws wide and emitted a piercing shriek. With its wing membranes tightly folded, it dived down, resembling a missile aimed straight at Luo Yuan.

The Aerodactyl's intentions were clear: it wanted to take out the strange human at the center of the group.

Yet, this instinctual choice would ultimately be its undoing.

Gengar!

Seeing the Aerodactyl targeting Luo Yuan, Gengar let out a gleeful laugh, its chubby form shaking with excitement as it raised its tiny arms.

From the shadow behind it, an enormous spectral claw materialized, even larger than the Aerodactyl itself.

"Shadow Claw!"

The claw, crackling with dark energy, lunged at Aerodactyl.

Aerodactyl's dive was swift, and its momentum too powerful for it to stop in time. Even as it caught sight of the Shadow Claw, evading was impossible.

It collided headfirst with the spectral claw.

Thud!

The impact distorted the Shadow Claw, nearly tearing it apart. Though the attack wasn't shattered, the outcome surprised Luo Yuan a bit.

"This Aerodactyl is stronger than I thought."

He watched the Aerodactyl ascend back into the air.

Recalling the original story, he tried to remember if the Aerodactyl had shown any particular power beyond its race against Ash's Charizard. In the end, it had been put to sleep by Jigglypuff's song, allowing Charizard to save Ash.

It seemed that this Aerodactyl was both strong and formidable.

"But... it's still no match for Gengar."

He turned to his Gengar.

Gengar wasn't at all upset by its initial miss; in fact, its grin only widened. It extended a finger on each tiny claw, releasing prismatic beams that danced across the cavern walls.

The multicolored lights seemed to cast an enchanting spell, immediately capturing Aerodactyl's full attention. Its eyes locked on the beams, its body following their mesmerizing pattern.

Like a cat chasing a laser pointer, Aerodactyl twisted and turned, chasing the beams as Gengar led it in a wild chase around the cavern.

"…"

The Rocket members looked on in stunned silence, marveling at their commander's Gengar's skill.

To think it could make the ancient ruler of this underground cavern chase lights in circles!

---

Well, well, look at you! So dedicated, you've earned a little extra treat! 🎉

This bonus chapter is like an encore after a rousing performance—totally worth staying for, wouldn't you say? Oh, and don't worry, my lyre's got plenty more tunes to play next time!

But for now, it's time to take a bow. Thank you for the applause (and all that wonderful support). If you're feeling extra inspired, you know where to find me—[patreon.com/WiseTL]. Toss a coin, and who knows? Maybe the next bard will sing your praises!

Now, go forth, Traveler, and revel in the wonders of this world. Until next time! 🍃✨

Oh, and this bard must be off for now—another breeze calls my name. See you soon, dear friend!