Sachi tried to distract him with conversation, while Chakra seized the chance to command his Pokémon to counterattack.
The seamless cooperation between the two Rocket Executives shone through instinctively—they truly lived up to their reputation as Giovanni's elite.
But Nozomi wasn't one to be underestimated either! The earlier ambush had merely been a test; he'd never intended to defeat two Rocket lieutenants with a sneak attack alone.
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!""Steelix, Double-Edge!"
He issued the orders in quick succession, simultaneously using his psychic power to direct both Pokémon to focus on Chakra's Steelix.
Immediately, Metagross and Steelix shifted targets, converging on the other Steelix.
Metagross's steel fist slammed into its target. Chakra's Steelix tried to use the impact to pivot away, but its fellow Steel-type ignored Banette's attack entirely, concentrating all its force on crushing it instead.
In the blink of an eye, Chakra's Steelix was sandwiched between the two massive Pokémon.
The double impact from both sides made it roar in agony.
"Is that all Team Rocket's got?" Nozomi taunted.
"Damn you!"
Missing his mark on the first strike infuriated Chakra.
The battle he had thought to be an easy win was turning unpredictable—and being mocked by Nozomi only deepened the scowl on his face.
Hot-tempered as always, Chakra lost his composure. He hurled a Poké Ball with a furious shout:"Forretress! Explosion!"
That move was so reckless it even caught Nozomi off guard."Are you insane?! Metagross, Steelix—dodge it, now!"
Nozomi knew from the Special Manga timeline that Chakra had a penchant for explosions—but he hadn't expected the man to be this volatile, opening with a self-destructive move that would wipe out friend and foe alike!
BOOM!
A thunderous detonation shook the entire S.S. Anne.
Nozomi glanced toward the blast zone—at its center, Forretress had completely detonated. The metal flooring was ripped open, exposing the steel framework beneath. The cargo hold's doors and bulkheads had been shredded by the shockwave, flung who knows where.
As for Nozomi's Pokémon—both had taken damage.
In the split second of warning he had, Metagross barely managed to throw up a Light Screen. Though hastily formed and shattered almost instantly under the blast, it still absorbed much of the impact. Metagross was sent flying, embedded into a wall—but otherwise unharmed.
The two Steelix, however…
Forretress's Explosion didn't discriminate between friend and foe. Both Steelix—each nearest to the epicenter—were caught in the blast.
Chakra's Steelix, experienced with its Trainer's habit of self-detonation, had already begun dodging the moment it saw him reach for a Poké Ball.
Nozomi's Steelix, on the other hand, couldn't evade due to its size and positioning. It took the full brunt of the shockwave. Fortunately, its hide was thick and durable; though charred black from the explosion, its injuries weren't too severe.
That reckless gamble had, against all odds, turned the tide for Chakra.Losing one Forretress was trivial for him—he habitually carried several of the explosive Pokémon as disposable units. To him, this was a trade well worth making.
"Haha! Now you see my power!" Chakra shouted proudly, struggling midair as Sachi held him aloft by the collar.
"…"
Nozomi didn't reply. This time, he admitted inwardly—it was his mistake. He had underestimated just how unhinged Chakra could be, even sacrificing his own Pokémon without hesitation.
"Give it up. You can't win," Sachi said coolly. Crobat clutched her shoulders, keeping her suspended in the air.
She sent out her Persian next, commanding it and Banette to attack Metagross from both sides.
Meanwhile, Chakra released a Skarmory, joining forces with his Steelix to double-team Nozomi's.
Sachi smiled confidently.
According to Team Rocket intel, Nozomi's strongest Pokémon were his Metagross and Steelix. The rest were negligible. Both of his main forces were now injured, while she and Chakra still held the numerical advantage. Victory seemed assured.
The only reason she was offering him the chance to surrender was to avoid further damaging their equipment.
"You think you've already won?"
Nozomi's grin turned strange as he looked up at her.
"What do you mean?" Sachi frowned, unable to see what he was planning.
"Exactly what I said," Nozomi replied simply—then snapped his fingers.
From behind the shipping containers, a blinding Ice Beam shot forth, striking Banette squarely in the back. The ghost froze solid in an instant, encased in a block of glittering ice.
At the same time, a Spike Cannon whistled through the air, slamming into Chakra's Steelix and blasting it backward with a heavy crash, its face twisting in pain.
Figures emerged from the mist—Lorelei, the Ice-type Elite Four member, alongside her Jynx and Cloyster.
Lorelei had joined the battle!
"See? Now the field's even again," Nozomi said with a smirk.
"Lorelei?!" Chakra and Sachi's faces both drained of color.
Neither had expected one of the Kanto Elite Four to appear out of nowhere.
"Beep-beep-beep-beep!"
Before they could respond, the communicator on Sachi's belt began to ring frantically.
She opened it—only to hear panicked shouts from Rocket grunts:"Miss Sachi! The League's here! The League's surrounded us!"
"Damn it! It's a trap!"
A single ambush could have been Nozomi's personal scheme—but with Lorelei herself appearing, and the League's forces closing in outside, the truth was obvious.
The League had known about this operation all along.They had used the S.S. Anne—and Nozomi—as bait to lure Team Rocket into the open!
And they had walked right into it without realizing!It was a humiliation beyond words.
"Do we fight… or retreat?"
Sachi's mind churned in turmoil.
If they fought, victory was unlikely.
Their earlier clash had already proven that Nozomi's strength rivaled either of theirs individually—and now, with Lorelei's intervention, she had effortlessly wounded two of their Pokémon in one move.
Continuing the battle would be suicide.
But to retreat empty-handed… she couldn't accept that either.
If they failed to recover the stolen equipment, Giovanni's punishment would be inevitable.
She was trapped—torn between rage and fear, unable to decide.
(End of Chapter)