Mystic Code Deployment: Bonus Chapters ✨
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Gary mulled over the battle for a long time, eventually concluding that the problem lay in his lack of synergy with Golduck.He figured that if Golduck had executed his command decisively from the start, seizing the initiative, he could've controlled the pace of the battle.
With his "discovery" in mind, Gary decided to spend some time training with Golduck one-on-one.
Not wanting to dampen his spirits, Luo Yuan simply offered encouragement.
"It's alright, life's bound to have its ups and downs."
"Every defeat strengthens your mind."
Gary: "..."
Though he felt like there was an undertone to Luo Yuan's words, he still thanked him for the encouragement.
Afterward, Luo Yuan and Sabrina returned to their hotel for a good night's rest.
The next morning, they made their way to Fuchsia Gym together.
Seated on the floor of the gym, Luo Yuan took a sip of tea, smiling across the table. "Koga, long time no see."
"Indeed, it's been a while."
Koga regarded Luo Yuan and Sabrina with a hint of intrigue.
Although he was also an executive in Team Rocket, Koga led a secluded life, spending most of his time in rigorous training at the Fuchsia Gym.
It had been nearly two years since he and Luo Yuan had last crossed paths.
"I've heard about your feats in the Sevii Islands—capturing a Legendary and fending off Lance and Lorelei. Your growth in the past two years is nothing short of astounding."
As a Team Rocket executive, Koga was familiar with Lance and Lorelei's strength. He still remembered the last time he saw Luo Yuan, who had only one Dragapult at the time.
But now, Luo Yuan could actually hold his own against Elite Four members like Lance and Lorelei. His progress was frightening.
"It's mostly thanks to Deoxys, not really worth mentioning," Luo Yuan replied humbly.
Without Deoxys, it would've been him getting soundly beaten, even with Dragapult and Gengar.
Koga shook his head.
A Legendary was part of one's strength, after all.
And besides, the ability to capture a Legendary was, in itself, proof of strength.
"So, what brings you here this time…is it about those Pokémon hunters?" Koga asked.
Given his reclusive nature, Koga rarely got involved with Team Rocket matters outside Fuchsia City and assumed Luo Yuan was here for the captured Pokémon hunters.
"That bunch isn't worth a special trip."
Luo Yuan shrugged. "You know I'm undercover here in Kanto by Giovanni's orders. So, officially, I'm a rookie Trainer, and I'm here to challenge the Fuchsia Gym."
"A rookie Trainer..."
Koga gave Luo Yuan a skeptical look.
Who'd believe a "rookie Trainer" would have a Legendary?
But being a traditional ninja, he had exceptional self-control and managed to hold back his inner commentary.
As for the challenge, Koga had actually been looking forward to a match with Luo Yuan.
Though he'd heard through the grapevine that Luo Yuan's strength was formidable, he wanted to experience it firsthand.
With this thought, he raised his head and said:
"As it happens, I'd also like a spar to see just how far I still am from Lance and Lorelei."
To Luo Yuan's ears, it sounded like Koga wanted to experience the "fear of being dominated by a Legendary."
Of course, Luo Yuan wouldn't refuse.
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The Fuchsia Gym was vast and empty, with no staff in sight.
Apart from the Team Rocket support staff who occasionally came to clean, the only residents were Koga, his sister, and his daughter.
Currently, with his sister and daughter traveling in Johto, Koga was alone in the gym.
Privacy wasn't an issue.
Koga closed off the gym, putting up a "Closed" sign.
Once again, Sabrina was relegated to "tool" duty, standing by as the referee.
"The match will be a 3v3, with no specific rules. The first side to lose all three Pokémon will lose the match. Any questions?"
Having already agreed on the rules with Koga, neither had any objections.
"Then let the battle begin!"
At Sabrina's command, both Trainers tossed their Poké Balls simultaneously.
"Go, Dragapult!"
"Go, Crobat!"
Koga chose Crobat, one of his main Pokémon, while Luo Yuan opted not to send out Deoxys immediately, instead leading with Dragapult to warm up.
Though it had been two years since they last met, both Trainers knew each other well.
There was no need for pleasantries; they dove straight into battle.
"Crobat, Cross Poison!"
Right out of the gate, Koga went with a powerful move.
Crobat's four wings pulsed with a ghostly purple hue as it swooped toward Dragapult with sharpened wings slashing forward.
While Poison-type moves were half as effective against Dragapult, the sheer power behind Crobat's strike made Luo Yuan wary.
"If I recall, Crobat's hidden ability is Infiltrator…Dragapult, use Protect!"
A Pokémon with Infiltrator could bypass moves like Reflect, Light Screen, and Substitute, but Protect wasn't affected by it.
Bam!
In an instant, Crobat's wings struck Dragapult's protective shield.
The impact left a cross-shaped crack on the barrier, the edges faintly tinged with a corrosive purple hue.
"A Champion-level Crobat? And it's not an ordinary Champion level, either."
To Luo Yuan, Crobat didn't quite match up to Lance and Lorelei's signature Pokémon, but it was close—a formidable opponent.
He knew Koga had been working toward becoming a Champion, but he hadn't realized how much progress he'd made.
On the other side, having failed his initial strike, Koga's expression remained calm as he directed Crobat to dodge Dragapult's Shadow Ball and prepare for another counterattack.
As a ninja, patience was Koga's strong suit.
Waiting for the perfect opportunity and then striking with lethal precision was the ninja way.
"Crobat, gain some distance!"
At Koga's command, Crobat's four wings flapped powerfully, swiftly rising higher to put space between itself and Dragapult.
However, Luo Yuan, knowing Koga's intentions, wasn't about to let him get away so easily.
To approach Dragapult so boldly without paying a price? Not happening.
Signaling Dragapult with a hand gesture, Luo Yuan watched as Dragapult smirked and flicked its tail.
Roar!
With a fierce bellow, Dragapult accelerated rapidly in midair.
Its impressive base speed stat of 142 was on full display as it closed the distance in an instant.
Whoosh!
In a flash, Dragapult was hot on Crobat's tail.
With a higher level and a significant speed advantage of twenty-two points, Dragapult far outclassed Crobat in terms of pure speed.
Thankfully, Crobat's small size allowed it to dodge and weave, buying some time against Dragapult's pursuit.
Seeing Dragapult closing in, and with less room to maneuver, Koga's brow furrowed.
"Crobat, use Air Slash!"
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