Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Confuse Ray cast an eerie light, designed to disorient opponents into attacking aimlessly.

Of course, it wasn't typically this effective on its own.

But against Aerodactyl, it worked perfectly—largely because the Aerodactyl had no Trainer nearby to warn it of the trap. Additionally, it had been hibernating underground in total darkness for countless years, rarely exposed to light. After such prolonged sleep, its brain was sluggish.

As a result, the Confuse Ray took full effect.

For a while, Aerodactyl whirled about, chasing the strange lights from Gengar's attack, until it fell into a dazed frenzy.

Its red eyes wild, it began to lash out, attacking indiscriminately.

"Graaaw!"

Aerodactyl roared, unleashing a Hyper Beam that shattered a nearby stalactite into pieces.

The explosion resounded throughout the cavern, and the surrounding Rocket members flinched, glancing nervously at Luo Yuan.

If Aerodactyl managed to hit the stalactites above, it could be disastrous for them—even for Rocket's elite, the falling debris would be hard to survive.

"Stay calm!"

Unperturbed, Luo Yuan directed Gengar through telepathy, instructing it to finish the fight swiftly and leave no more room for Aerodactyl's rampage.

Catching his meaning, Gengar sobered, ready to finish things.

It conjured Shadow Balls in both hands, hurling them directly at the Aerodactyl above.

Even in its confused state, Aerodactyl's ancient reflexes, honed over ages, sensed danger. It twisted out of the way and retaliated with a blast of purple Dragon Breath aimed toward Gengar.

However, still in its confused state, Aerodactyl's aim was off, missing Gengar entirely.

"Oh? So it knows Dragon Breath?"

Luo Yuan was slightly surprised to see Aerodactyl had inherited Dragon Breath.

Not that it would make things any harder for Gengar.

For a Gengar that had once defeated Lance's Aerodactyl, this encounter was effortless.

"Dark Pulse!"

A dark, palpable aura spread from Gengar, filling the cavern with a bone-chilling, sinister energy.

Aerodactyl was caught in the wave of darkness, freezing mid-flight as the icy sensation gripped it, paralyzing its wings. Within seconds, it plummeted from the air.

But the Dark Pulse did have one unintended effect.

Although injured by the attack, the chilling shock jolted Aerodactyl out of its confusion, clearing its hazy mind.

Freed from its daze, Aerodactyl felt a surge of relief as it prepared to take to the skies again.

"Phantom Force!"

"Shadow Punch!"

Gengar vanished from sight, reappearing just behind Aerodactyl. With both fists shrouded in dark energy, it smashed them against either side of Aerodactyl's skull, pinning its head between its fists.

Even Aerodactyl's rock-hard skull visibly dented under the force of Gengar's Shadow Punch, a testament to Gengar's power.

"Graaaw!"

Aerodactyl let out a pained shriek, its body seizing up as the impact disrupted its attempt to stay airborne.

Losing control, Aerodactyl spiraled downward like a broken kite, struggling but unable to shake Gengar's relentless assault.

As Aerodactyl tried to perform a barrel roll to throw Gengar off, Gengar struck with Lick, paralyzing it completely.

Helpless, Aerodactyl crashed to the ground with a resounding thud.

Gengar hopped away just before impact.

Aerodactyl, furious, attempted to unleash a Rock Slide, sending a shower of rocks at Gengar.

But Gengar had anticipated the counterattack, its form flickering as it dodged every falling rock. As it evaded, Gengar combined both hands into a massive Shadow Ball, hurling it at Aerodactyl.

Boom!

The cavern echoed with the blast, leaving Aerodactyl badly battered.

Seizing the moment, Luo Yuan tossed an Ultra Ball, hitting Aerodactyl dead-on and capturing it.

Buzz… Buzz…

The Ultra Ball shook violently, straining as if it would burst open.

However, as Gengar marched over and glared down at the Ultra Ball, it froze, the frantic vibrations gradually slowing until it stilled.

Click!

Aerodactyl was successfully captured.

Gengar!

Pleased, Gengar scooped up the Poké Ball and trotted over to Luo Yuan, beaming as it handed it over, looking for approval.

"Thanks, Gengar."

Luo Yuan patted Gengar's head affectionately.

If anything, his Gengar knew exactly how to play to his advantage.

Without prompting, Gengar slipped back into Luo Yuan's shadow.

Tucking the Ultra Ball containing Aerodactyl into his pocket, Luo Yuan turned to his team. "Search the cavern. See if there's anything valuable down here!"

"Yes, sir!"

---

The cave turned out to hold little of note, aside from the ancient Pokémon.

Apparently, this group of prehistoric Pokémon had merely stumbled upon the cave, avoiding extinction by retreating here to hibernate.

But even so, Luo Yuan was pleased.

He'd captured enough ancient Pokémon to give each of his men one, with plenty to spare.

The scythe-wielding Kabutops and the spike-covered Omastar both evolved into fierce fighters.

And best of all, he'd captured an Aerodactyl that had lived since ancient times.

Most Aerodactyl in existence were revived fossils, while this one was the real deal.

And according to some studies, Mega Evolution restored Aerodactyl to its true, ancient form.

Though this Aerodactyl had seemingly regressed slightly from its long hibernation, Luo Yuan was confident that with Rocket's advanced research and his resources, they could help Aerodactyl regain its strength, even without Mega Evolution.

After ordering his team back to the airship, Luo Yuan took a detour to visit Hunter J in the holding cell.

Through a mix of threats and persuasion, he found her starting to waver. Though she hadn't surrendered, her resolve was beginning to crack.

A few more rounds of this, and she'd likely join his ranks.

Leaving further instructions with his team, Luo Yuan set off to continue his journey.

With the Rocket airship loaded with fossil Pokémon, they took to the skies, disappearing over the horizon, leaving the empty cavern far behind.

---

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.

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-With love, Nahida 🌱