The metallic sound interrupted Slowking's follow-up attack, sending a wave of irritation through the narrow alley—both for humans and Pokémon alike.
In the games, Metal Sound lowers the target's Special Defense by two stages. In the real world, Pokémon power doesn't manifest in numerical stats—but from what Nozomi could see with his own eyes, Metal Sound might not necessarily reduce a Pokémon's defenses; what it did do was disrupt the opponent's attack rhythm in a remarkably effective way.
"Damn it! Cover your ears, everyone!"
As a Team Rocket officer, Sham quickly reacted, issuing commands to her subordinates.
But this wasn't a turn-based game.
While Team Rocket and their Pokémon were frantically covering their ears, Nozomi leapt down from Metagross's back, shouting:
"Target Slowking! Metagross, Zen Headbutt!"
At his command, Metagross's four arms clamped tightly to its sides, and a blinding white light concentrated at the center of the X-shaped metal plates on its head.
The light grew painfully bright at a speed visible to the naked eye, and Metagross transformed into a massive flying saucer, hurtling straight toward Slowking!
Sham gasped, "Slowking, dodge!"
From the battle so far, she had a rough estimate of Metagross's strength.
Its power, speed, and reflexes far exceeded her Slowking. If her Pokémon got hit by that Zen Headbutt, it would probably be incapacitated instantly.
Still, although tense, she didn't panic too much.
Zen Headbutt was powerful, but its trajectory was predictable—straightforward. Only rookie trainers would have their Pokémon recklessly charge into such an attack.
"All I need to do is dodge!"
With that thought, Sham looked to her Slowking—but horror struck her. It wasn't moving. It was just standing there, covering its ears.
"Ears!"
Sham realized too late: her Pokémon couldn't hear her commands through the ringing from Metal Sound.
"Damn it, you idiot!"
This Slowking had been caught through unconventional methods. Normally obedient under the whip and punishment, it lacked the kind of deep bond that comes from being raised together since youth.
Seeing Metagross hurtling toward them like a meteor, Sham prioritized her own safety, leaping to the other side of the alley.
Crash!
Metagross's head collided with Slowking, sending it crashing into a wall and leaving a gaping hole.
Amid the rubble, Slowking lay unconscious, incapacitated.
"Sham… failed?"
"How strong is that Metagross?!"
"Damn it! Bring back that Koffing!"
Team Rocket grunts watched in horror, unable to believe that the invincible Sham could fail.
Even one of their Koffing got so scared that it fled.
"I heard you were trying to gang up on me?"
Nozomi stood his ground as Metagross unleashed a Hyper Beam, blasting all of Team Rocket's Pokémon into the air.
Hands in his pockets, Bulbasaur at his feet, Eevee perched on his shoulder, Nozomi stared at the previously lucky Sham: "I'm right here!"
Seeing Nozomi and Metagross, even the grunts trembled.
Even Sham, a high-ranking officer, grit her teeth and barely forced out one word: "Retreat!"
The mission had already failed. Due to bringing a large number of subordinates, she hadn't brought many of her main Pokémon—only Slowking and one Sableye. The rest weren't worth mentioning.
Seeing her subordinates defeated, Sham didn't think her Sableye could take on Nozomi.
She raised her hand to recall the incapacitated Slowking.
Bang!
Before the red beam could reach Slowking, Bulbasaur's Vine Whip intercepted it.
"Come if you want, leave if you want? Do you think I'm that easy to bully?" Nozomi glared at Sham.
Had Sham really thought she could intimidate him? Come and go as she pleased? She had underestimated his patience.
Metagross hovered menacingly in the air, ready to strike at any opportunity.
Sham shivered.
Metagross was known for its ferocity. Its hunting method was brutal: it would drop from the sky, crush prey beneath its massive body, and tear them apart with the mouth on its underside.
"Is that Metagross… trying to eat me?!"
The thought wouldn't leave her mind.
Overcome by fear, Sham ignored Slowking and commanded Sableye to Teleport them out of the alley.
"Hmm, decisive!"
Seeing Sham vanish with Sableye, Nozomi clicked his tongue.
He had planned to use Slowking to hold Sham in place and then finish her with Metagross—but she had fled decisively.
This battle had ended far more easily than he expected. He had even set a trap with a fake Zen Headbutt to trick them, but Sham fell apart so quickly.
"What a waste of my effort!"
The Team Rocket grunts, seeing the system display [Mission Complete. (10/10)], were ignored by Nozomi.
He recalled Metagross and walked over to the rubble where Slowking lay.
"Slowking…"
Nozomi stared at the Slowking Sham had abandoned, lost in thought.