Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [319]

High in the sky, Luo Yuan stood atop Dragonite, his expression calm and steady.

The Wailord, despite their massive size, posed no real threat. As wild Pokémon, their strength was negligible compared to Luo Yuan's expertise.

Whoosh.

Dragonite descended, landing gracefully on the cruise ship's bow. Luo Yuan caught sight of two familiar figures standing there.

He paused, slightly surprised.

One of them was Roxanne.

If his memory served him right, his last act in Hoenn before leaving the region had involved eluding her pursuit as a "Tech Hunter." He had even toyed with her during the chase.

Now, the roles were reversed. As a Johto Elite Four member sent to assist Hoenn, he had just saved her life.

Fate truly has a sense of humor, Luo Yuan thought to himself.

Roxanne, of course, had no idea of Luo Yuan's identity as the same elusive tech thief who had once outsmarted her so easily.

Instead, she stared at him, awestruck.

"So handsome..."

It wasn't that Roxanne hadn't encountered attractive men before. Hoenn's Champion Steven and Wallace, Winona's ex-boyfriend, were both renowned for their good looks.

But something about the man who had just saved her—his striking appearance coupled with his heroic actions—cast him in a golden light in her eyes.

Studies have shown that in moments of danger, the brain heightens one's impression of those who come to their rescue.

For Roxanne, Luo Yuan's image had already etched itself deeply into her mind.

"Th-thank you so much!" she stammered, momentarily losing her composure.

Though she quickly regained her composure, her gratitude remained sincere. Without his intervention, she had no idea how she would have survived.

"It's nothing. I was sent here to assist Hoenn—it's my duty," Luo Yuan replied.

"Sent here? You're..."

Winona, who had landed nearby on her Altaria, recognized Luo Yuan immediately.

As a Flying-type Gym Leader, she naturally kept track of notable Flying-type trainers worldwide. Among them, the youngest Flying-type Elite Four member in Johto's history stood out the most.

Seeing that Winona had recognized him, Luo Yuan smiled and extended his hand.

"Luo Yuan, Flying-type Elite Four, Johto League."

---

After Luo Yuan dispatched the Wailord, the rest of the cruise back to the port was uneventful.

Winona organized the crew to help passengers disembark, while Roxanne took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Luo Yuan.

Through their exchange, Roxanne learned why Luo Yuan had come to Slateport City and also that Steven and Wallace were heading to confront Groudon at Mt. Chimney.

Her face fell upon hearing this news.

"It's gotten that bad already..."

As a native of Hoenn, Roxanne couldn't help but feel disheartened seeing her homeland ravaged by Groudon and Kyogre.

"Do you think Mr. Steven and Wallace will be able to stop Groudon?" she asked hesitantly.

Roxanne had picked the right person to ask.

As someone with extensive experience battling legendary Pokémon, Luo Yuan had plenty to say on the matter.

Under normal circumstances, the combined efforts of a current Champion and a future Champion, armed with twelve Pokémon, would give them a decent chance against a single legendary Pokémon.

The problem, however, was that these were not normal circumstances.

Maxie and Archie had awakened Groudon and Kyogre, reigniting a battle over Hoenn's natural energy that had been dormant for millennia. With the natural energy amplifying their power, Groudon and Kyogre's current strength was anyone's guess.

Luo Yuan didn't have high hopes for Steven and Wallace's chances.

"They should be fine," Luo Yuan said instead.

While they might not win, he believed they could at least escape safely.

Roxanne, however, misunderstood his words, thinking he meant they would defeat Groudon. She sighed in relief.

Luo Yuan chose not to correct her. After all, he was merely a visiting Elite Four member from Johto, unfamiliar with Hoenn's intricacies—or so it seemed.

"I'm heading to the temporary shelter to rest for a bit," Roxanne said. "Would you like to join me?"

Her Pokémon were injured and needed treatment at a Pokémon Center before they could fight again.

"One moment. I came to Slateport with someone..." Luo Yuan trailed off, glancing toward the coastline. "Ah, there he is."

Following his gaze, Roxanne saw a figure being carried through the air by a Crobat. With ease, the man avoided the crashing waves below as he approached the shore, holding another person in his grasp.

---

At the port, Luo Yuan and Giovanni reunited with Roxanne and Winona, who had been assigned to Slateport by the Hoenn League. Together, they set off toward the temporary shelter.

Meanwhile, in the northeastern corner of Slateport City...

A group of Rocket Grunts clad in black rain gear sped toward Team Magma's base under the cover of the storm.

With Maxie and Archie preoccupied by Groudon and Kyogre, Hunter J had been authorized by Giovanni to launch a raid on Team Magma's stronghold.

The location of Team Magma's base was a mystery to the Hoenn League, but Team Rocket had uncovered its position long ago.

The boats skidded to a stop near a massive rocky mountain.

Team Magma had hollowed out the mountain to construct their base, accessible only through underwater channels.

Ordinarily, infiltrating the base would be an arduous task.

But the Rocket Grunts were well-prepared. Without hesitation, they donned diving gear, accompanied by Pokémon trained in Dive, and plunged into the ocean.

Hunter J led the charge, emerging from the water first as she entered the base.

Maxie had taken his best operatives with him to awaken Groudon, leaving the base lightly defended.

The two guards stationed at the entrance were caught off guard as a group of intruders suddenly appeared.

"Who goes there?!" one of them shouted, instinctively reaching for his Poké Ball.

But Hunter J was faster.

A cruel smirk played on her lips as her Drapion fired two Poison Stings, incapacitating both guards before they could act.

"So fast..."

This was the last thought that crossed the guards' minds before they collapsed.

Hunter J ignored them, waving her hand for the Rocket Grunts to move in. Drapion followed up with a Cross Poison, slicing through the steel door.

Alarms blared throughout the base as the Rocket agents streamed inside.