Butch and Cassidy immediately went on high alert when they saw Nozomi reach for a Poké Ball, their hands instinctively resting on their own Pokémon at their hips.
Although the two of them were a bit of a comic duo, their tactical awareness was solid.
After all, if they had earned Giovanni's trust, it wasn't just by chance—they had their own strengths. Much like how Jessie, James, and Meowth gained favor not only for being troublemakers but also for their impressive intelligence-gathering skills.
"What are you trying to do, kid?!"
Cassidy gripped her Poké Ball tightly and demanded.
"You've been following me for so long… and now you ask what I want?"
Nozomi retorted, then threw out his Poké Ball without another word.
"Gastly, take control of them!"
Nozomi released his Gastly.
This was the first time Nozomi had used Gastly in battle since capturing it, but he had full confidence in its combat abilities.
"Bwahaha~!"
Gastly emerged from its Poké Ball, letting out its signature mischievous laughter.
Being a naturally lively and playful Pokémon, Gastly had been cooped up inside the Poké Ball for far too long. Now, finally free, it was determined to show off in front of Nozomi and earn more opportunities to appear in future battles.
Opposite them, Butch and Cassidy's Pokémon lineup was standard for Team Rocket grunts.
To differentiate themselves from James and Jessie, neither used Koffing or Ekans this time. Cassidy sent out a Raticate, while Butch released a Zubat.
"Raticate! Zubat! Take them down!"
The two Pokémon surged toward Nozomi's Gastly.
"Ugh…"
Nozomi covered his face.
Although he had deliberately underestimated these two, it seemed he had still overestimated them.
Cassidy's Raticate was probably their strongest Pokémon. In Nozomi's eyes, it wasn't quite at the level of James and Jessie's usual Ekans and Koffing combination, but it was still a threat.
Not wanting to waste time, Nozomi commanded Gastly to go all out:
"Gastly, use Poison Gas!"
"Bwahaha~!"
Gastly grinned, the purple mist of Poison Gas swirling under its control toward Raticate on the ground and Zubat in the air.
The toxicity of Gastly's Poison Gas was intense—any smaller Pokémon like Raticate and Zubat would likely be incapacitated instantly if they inhaled it.
"Zubat! Blow the gas away!"
Seeing the advancing poison cloud, Butch yelled to his Pokémon.
Zubat flapped its wings vigorously.
Whoosh!A powerful gust of wind scattered the Poison Gas away from both Raticate and Zubat.
But before Butch and Cassidy could rejoice, they realized Gastly, which had been floating in the sky, had vanished!
"Where is it?"
They scanned frantically.
Across from them, Nozomi smiled faintly and snapped his fingers.
Snap!A crisp sound echoed.
Gastly emerged from the shadows behind Raticate, grinning like a phantom, its gaze fixed on the unsuspecting Raticate.
Using the cover of Poison Gas, Gastly had merged with the shadow behind Raticate, hiding from Cassidy and Butch entirely.
Sensing Gastly's chilling eyes, Raticate turned slightly—
Slurp~!
A long, pink tongue flicked across Raticate.
"Raticate!"
The brown Pokémon screeched in terror, its body shivering as its fur bristled. Fear and panic were etched clearly across its face.
Its body froze entirely—the paralyzing effect of the tongue rendering it completely immobile.
"Now! Shadow Ball!"
Taking advantage of its vulnerability, Nozomi gave Gastly the command without hesitation, ignoring the rushing Zubat trying to assist Raticate.
"Bwahaha!"
A purple-black Shadow Ball rapidly formed in front of Gastly.
Once it reached about a third of Gastly's size, the Shadow Ball shot forward at the incapacitated Raticate.
Boom!The explosion rocked the ground, sending Raticate flying, but the Pokémon's body swayed midair, narrowly avoiding further impact from the Shadow Ball.
Bang!
Raticate crashed to the ground, unconscious and completely out of the fight.
"Raticate…"
The series of Gastly's attacks had happened in an instant. From emerging from the shadow to landing the Shadow Ball, less than ten seconds had passed.
Cassidy didn't even have a chance to react.
Gritting her teeth, she glanced at Butch. "We retreat!"
The opponent's strength far exceeded their expectations. Raticate had been defeated in a single exchange, leaving almost no chance of victory.
Butch agreed wholeheartedly and prepared to withdraw immediately.
Yet Nozomi had no intention of letting them leave so easily.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a Poké Ball containing a Leafeon.
Using Gastly had been partly to give it battle experience, but that didn't mean he was limited to Gastly alone.
"Leafeon, Leaf Blade! Block their escape!"
Shush shush shush!
Three sharp Leaf Blades struck the ground in a straight line, cutting off the path Butch and Cassidy had been fleeing along.
"Trying to run? Did you ask me first?"
Hearing Nozomi's words, cold sweat broke out on their faces.
Exchanging a glance, the two thought simultaneously: We're doomed!
Ignoring their desperate expressions, Nozomi commanded Gastly and Leafeon to encircle them.
"I ask, you answer," Nozomi said, standing between them. "What is your purpose at Pewter Gym?"
He was genuinely curious.
Why was Team Rocket targeting Pewter Gym? As far as he knew, Brock didn't have any grudge against Team Rocket, nor did he possess any particularly valuable Pokémon. Why would Team Rocket expend so much effort just to go after him?