Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

"What's wrong? Something on your mind?"

Luo Yuan casually pulled out his Pokédex, which he'd barely used since setting out on his journey, and waved it at Blaine.

"A Pokédex? Huh… well, alright then, rookie Trainer."

Seeing the Pokédex, Blaine couldn't help but grumble internally—seems like all the rookie Trainers these days were total monsters.

He gave Luo Yuan a closer look.

After careful consideration, Blaine had to admit Luo Yuan didn't look like a Team Rocket member.

After all…

Rocket may have wealth, but none of their agents flaunted it with high-end gear from Silph Co. like Luo Yuan did.

With his doubts about Luo Yuan's Rocket affiliation mostly dispelled, Blaine relaxed a little.

"Never expected you to find me here."

While talking, Blaine mulled over his hiding spot—clearly, if a "rookie Trainer" had managed to track him down, then Rocket couldn't be far behind.

From the look on Blaine's face, Luo Yuan could tell exactly what he was thinking.

But Blaine was definitely overthinking it.

If Giovanni hadn't been so busy with the Mewtwo project, he could've had Blaine sniffed out on Cinnabar Island in a flash. The only reason Blaine was still in one piece was because Giovanni hadn't wanted to waste the manpower to track him down—not because he couldn't.

Of course, Luo Yuan wouldn't be telling Blaine that.

"So, are we ready to begin the gym challenge?" Luo Yuan asked with a smile.

"Luo Yuan, was it…? Sure, you're welcome to challenge the Cinnabar Gym, but first, you'll need to pass my test. Are you good with riddles?" Blaine said, slipping into habit.

The Cinnabar Island Riddler has challenged you to a riddle contest!

"…"

Oh, right. Luo Yuan had almost forgotten.

Just as Professor Oak had his obsession with haiku, Blaine had his infamous obsession with riddles.

Each year, Trainers would come to Cinnabar Gym for a challenge, only to be hit with Blaine's riddles—much to their frustration.

Like so many others, Luo Yuan had zero interest in Blaine's quirky hobby.

But as a polite man, he didn't let it show.

Rather than accepting Blaine's invitation, Luo Yuan looked at him with a hint of curiosity.

"So, Blaine… are you hiding out here because of someone?"

Blaine went rigid.

"Haha… Why would you think that?" he replied, trying to laugh it off. "Now, do you want to solve some riddles or not?"

Luo Yuan didn't answer directly and instead continued his "deduction."

"Oh, is that so? But leaving a fully equipped gym behind, laying low in a modest inn… it's hard to make sense of it."

"Just who would make Blaine—the Cinnabar Gym Leader, and arguably Kanto's second-strongest Fire-type trainer—go into hiding?"

Cold sweat broke out on Blaine's forehead as Luo Yuan's theory hit close to home.

Yes, he was currently being hunted by Team Rocket, but he was just as keen to avoid the League finding out about his connections to Rocket.

If he didn't turn himself in, the League might discover he'd once served as a scientist for Rocket, and his Gym Leader title would be revoked immediately.

So keeping his situation under wraps was just as important.

Unable to keep up the guessing game, Blaine quickly cut Luo Yuan off before he could reveal anything more.

"Alright, alright, forget the riddles. If you're here for a gym challenge… then let's get started already."

He shut the door, leading Luo Yuan to the inn's backyard.

Luo Yuan smiled slightly, following him.

---

Through a hidden door in the backyard, they entered the gym nestled within the volcano's crater.

Luo Yuan was hit with a wave of intense heat, the scorching air burning his lungs as he breathed it in.

He took in the sight of the battlefield suspended over the magma, a metallic platform dangling from the cliff walls by four chains. He turned to Blaine and asked,

"Building the gym here… doesn't this pose a safety risk?"

Although Gym Leaders could personalize their battlefields to highlight their gym's theme, one hard rule had to be followed:

No matter the setup, it couldn't endanger the challenger's safety.

And from the looks of it, this battlefield clearly didn't meet League standards.

Blaine: "…"

As if he didn't know that after all these years?

This setup was meant for training his own Pokémon, but he had no choice but to use it now while evading Rocket's pursuit.

Luo Yuan didn't linger on the question, instead giving Blaine a nod to show he was ready.

With no referee available, Blaine had to assume the role himself.

"The rules are 3-on-3. Victory goes to the Trainer whose Pokémon outlasts all of the other's."

"And my first Pokémon will be… Rapidash!"

Neigh!

With a powerful cry, the majestic Rapidash appeared, its pale yellow and white coat shining, its mane blazing with fierce fire as it took its place on the field. Its hooves tapped against the platform with sharp, echoing clicks.

Unlike the stoic Rapidash from Galar, this Rapidash exuded a fiery energy.

"Rapidash, huh?"

Seeing Blaine's choice didn't surprise Luo Yuan.

According to his research, Blaine's main team usually included Rapidash, Arcanine, Ninetales, and his ace, Magmar.

Although Blaine sometimes went easy on challengers, he only used his strongest Pokémon for actual gym battles, making the Cinnabar Badge second only in difficulty to the Viridian Badge.

Confident in his Rapidash, Blaine cast a glance at Luo Yuan, considering showing a bit more intensity to throw the newcomer off.

But the thought was interrupted when he saw Luo Yuan throw a Poké Ball of his own.

"Alright, time for your first battle, Aerodactyl!"

Graaaah!

With a piercing shriek, Aerodactyl soared over the field. The heat had little effect on the Rock/Flying-type, as it circled above, eyeing Rapidash like prey, exuding an ancient and menacing aura.

Neigh!

Rapidash, unsettled by Aerodactyl's fierce gaze, shifted uneasily.

As Blaine calmed Rapidash, he looked up at Aerodactyl, his eyes widening in surprise.

He hadn't expected a rookie Trainer to have a rare fossil Pokémon like Aerodactyl!

And based on his years of experience studying fossil Pokémon, this Aerodactyl seemed… different somehow.

---

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Transmission complete.