Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!-Chapter 350: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! []

Lillie's hands trembled as she held the teacup, Luo Yuan's words sending a chill down her spine.

She felt like a helpless Mareep trapped in the jaws of a Mightyena, unsure whether to swallow the tea already in her mouth or spit it out.

Seeing Lillie's terrified expression, Sabrina shot Luo Yuan a pointed glare.

"Luo Yuan is teasing you," Sabrina reassured Lillie. "Our identities are real. You can verify them with Professor Kukui or Principal Samson Oak."

"Really?"

Lillie let out a sigh of relief, her tension easing. Just moments ago, she'd been on the verge of tears. Thankfully, it had only been a joke.

She didn't stop to consider that Sabrina's reassurance might have been a lie too—after all, neither of them had provided any actual proof.

Sigh, too trusting... Luo Yuan thought, resolving to use his role as a teacher to teach Lillie about the dangers of the world.

"Lillie, may I see it?" Luo Yuan asked, pointing to her bag.

Though hesitant at first, Lillie placed her bag on the table and opened it.

From within, a gaseous Pokémon with a shimmering blue body floated out, starlight glittering within its form. It drifted weightlessly above the table.

"This is Cosmog, but I call it Nebby," Lillie explained.

Hearing its name, Nebby floated to her side and began orbiting around her affectionately.

Watching Nebby's playful antics, Luo Yuan recalled the information he had on Cosmog. This Pokémon was known for its trusting and sociable nature.

Reaching out, Luo Yuan activated the ever-reliable Viridian Power.

In an instant, Nebby turned its attention away from Lillie and buzzed toward Luo Yuan, drawn to him like a Combee to nectar.

Abandoned by Nebby, Lillie's face showed a hint of disappointment.

After all, she was the one who had rescued it from the research lab.

---

While Luo Yuan examined Nebby, a tense scene played out at the Aether Paradise.

Lusamine had just received an update from Guzma.

"President Lusamine, according to my team, the one who rescued Lillie appears to be Johto's Elite Four, Luo Yuan," Guzma reported through a video call.

"Luo Yuan..." Lusamine repeated, her tone heavy with frustration.

She had already been aware of Luo Yuan's presence in Alola.

Initially, she'd planned to avoid any entanglements with him, especially during such a critical phase of her project.

But Luo Yuan had turned her plans upside down by intervening in her family affairs.

"What's the next move, President?" Guzma asked, visibly annoyed that such a simple task had gone awry.

"If Luo Yuan wants to interfere, we'll deal with him as well. Capture him alongside Lillie," Lusamine declared coldly.

Cosmog was essential to opening Ultra Space, and she couldn't afford to lose it.

Even if dealing with Luo Yuan risked drawing unwanted attention, she had no choice.

"Understood. Luo Yuan, huh? I've been curious to see what a Johto Elite Four is made of," Guzma said with a smirk.

He was eager to show this outsider just how strong he was.

---

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Lillie had a restless night, waking up with faint dark circles under her eyes.

"Try this."

Sabrina gestured toward her Gardevoir, who conjured a droplet of Life Dew.

"Life Dew has healing properties. It'll help," Sabrina explained.

Typically, Sabrina used Gardevoir's Life Dew as part of her skincare routine, and the results were always excellent. Noticing Lillie's tired face, she offered to help.

"Gardevoir?"

Lillie had only ever read about the elegant Pokémon in books.

Despite her curiosity, she hesitated to approach Gardevoir, her lingering discomfort around Pokémon holding her back.

Sensing Lillie's unease, Gardevoir, attuned to emotions, extended its hand.

"Gar..."

A shimmering droplet of water floated toward Lillie, gently landing on her forehead and merging into her skin.

Instantly, the dark circles under her eyes faded, and she felt refreshed.

Looking at her reflection, Lillie gasped.

"Amazing..."

In Alola, skincare products were often made from the sludge of Pyukumuku—a functional but hardly appealing option.

Sabrina's use of Life Dew was an entirely new concept to her.

Although she admired Gardevoir, her fear of Pokémon kept her from getting any closer.

Doof!

A low-pitched sound came from behind her, startling Lillie.

She turned quickly to find Slowbro staring at her with its signature vacant expression.

"S-Slowbro!"

Her body froze in fear.

"Doof?"

Slowbro tilted its head, puzzled by her reaction.

Sabrina, observing Lillie's response, thought back to the reports mentioning Lillie's childhood trauma, which had left her fearful of Pokémon.

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"Slowbro, don't scare Lillie," Sabrina said softly.

Slowbro scratched its head, confused. Did I do something wrong?

Before it could wonder further, Lillie waved it off, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, really. It's nothing."

Her strained expression betrayed her words, a fact even Slowbro seemed to pick up on.

She's quite the stubborn one, Sabrina mused but didn't press further.

She shooed Slowbro toward the pool, then turned back to Lillie.

"Luo Yuan left early this morning to prepare for his class at the Pokémon School," Sabrina said. "I'll take you there now."

"P-Prepare for class?" Lillie stammered.

"Didn't I mention it yesterday?" Sabrina asked, tilting her head.

Seeing Lillie's confused expression, she elaborated, "Luo Yuan is an Honorary Professor at the school. He'll be teaching here for a while."

"A teacher?"

Lillie's eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't expected Luo Yuan to have such a role.

"That's right. Let's go—he's probably waiting for us."

Sabrina brushed her hair back and smiled before leading the way.

---

...

If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.

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Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.

Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.

– Syr ✨