Nozomi arranged Gengar, along with the many Gastly and Haunter, within the ruins of the abandoned mansion, hiding them deep within the shadows.
Ghost-type Pokémon were natural enemies of Psychic-types.
If they merely hid in place, Mewtwo would likely sense their presence the moment it came near. But lurking within shadows was another matter entirely—unless Mewtwo conducted a detailed search, it would never detect the Gastly and Haunter concealed in the darkness.
Once everything was in place, Nozomi and Sabrina quietly waited for Team Rocket's arrival.
"They're here."
Just as both of them finished preparing, the distant hum of helicopter blades echoed across the horizon.
A black helicopter marked with a bright red "R" rapidly approached the abandoned manor.
"Team Rocket's getting bolder by the day," Nozomi murmured.
The organization had once been cautious and covert, but now that Giovanni possessed Mewtwo, Team Rocket was shifting from the underground into the open.
Sabrina nodded silently. She didn't appear as composed as Nozomi—Giovanni's presence weighed heavily upon her. Nozomi noticed her clenched fists trembling slightly behind her back.
"Don't be nervous. Leave Giovanni to me—you handle the others," Nozomi said reassuringly.
Before Sabrina could reply, the helicopter landed on the overgrown lawn of the manor.
Thud.
Giovanni stepped out, polished black shoes touching the ground. His slicked-back hair and black suit gave him the air of a mafia boss. Beside him stood his ever-present Persian, exuding arrogance.
Behind Giovanni followed two figures—Chakra, freshly freed from the League prison, and Oka, a hulking man built like a small giant.
"Two executives, huh? That complicates things," Nozomi muttered.
While Sabrina still hadn't grasped the situation, Nozomi had already recognized them—the two of the so-called "Three Beasts" under Giovanni's command.
He had fought Chakra before—his strength was far from trivial. As for Oka, though Nozomi had never faced him, being a peer of Chakra meant he was likely just as dangerous.
That meant their plan wouldn't work as intended.
Originally, Nozomi was supposed to confront Giovanni personally, while Sabrina kept his subordinates occupied. But with two Rocket executives present, Sabrina clearly stood no chance.
Nozomi immediately reached out to her telepathically:Sabrina, be careful of the two behind Giovanni. They're Team Rocket's elite officers—Oka and Chakra. Don't underestimate them.
Hearing that, Sabrina's expression stiffened. Facing even one Rocket executive would be a challenge—let alone two. Even with Gengar and the hidden ghosts in support, the odds were not in her favor.
What should we do, then? she replied through telepathy, her voice slightly unsteady.
She hadn't expected Giovanni to bring such a strong escort. If his plan to invade Saffron City was already underway, she'd assumed he would come lightly guarded. The reality left her momentarily shaken.
Don't worry—I'm prepared. I've already signaled Lance. But to avoid Giovanni's detection, their ambush point is far from here. It'll take them some time to arrive. Just focus on stalling Giovanni—don't let him leave too soon.
Nozomi was meticulous by nature; he had prepared multiple contingency plans before coming here. This was merely an unexpected variable—not enough to derail the entire operation.
Sabrina's breathing steadied, reassured by his confidence.
She looked up at Giovanni, who was now approaching. "We meet again."
Giovanni's gaze shifted between her and Nozomi, before settling on Sabrina. "Who is he?"
According to their prearranged story, Sabrina was supposed to meet Giovanni alone to avoid suspicion. The presence of an extra person immediately put him on alert. His expression hardened, and his two subordinates instinctively scanned the area, hands on their Poké Balls.
"He's my subordinate—my trusted one," Sabrina answered coolly, emphasizing the word "trusted" to conceal her nerves.
Giovanni studied her carefully. After confirming through Chakra and Oka's vigilance that there were no League agents nearby, he let his stern look ease into a faint smile.
"Your subordinate, huh? I hope our future cooperation won't involve such... misunderstandings."
"It won't," Sabrina replied, her tone cold and unwavering—as if nothing in the world could shake her.
Coldness, after all, was the simplest and most effective mask to hide one's emotions.
Giovanni accepted the act. "Since you've come here, I take it you've agreed to our deal with Team Rocket."
As he spoke, Mewtwo's form shimmered into view.
Its pale white-and-purple body, encased in sleek armor, radiated raw psychic pressure. Its long tail swayed behind it, and with just its presence, Mewtwo commanded the attention of all present.
Sabrina nodded. "Who could possibly refuse Mewtwo?"
Giovanni's expression remained unreadable as he turned toward Mewtwo.
He had summoned it not out of necessity, but as a precaution—to have Mewtwo discern whether Sabrina was lying. For an existence as powerful as this, such a task might seem beneath it, but Giovanni preferred caution over arrogance.
Mewtwo's eyes glowed blue for an instant before it nodded. "She is not lying."
Hearing that, Sabrina finally exhaled in relief. Even for her, being stared down by a Psychic-type legend was suffocating. She truly hadn't lied—she did desire Mewtwo. She simply wanted more than what Giovanni intended to give.
"In that case," Giovanni said, extending his hand toward her, "I look forward to our cooperation."
With Mewtwo's confirmation, he was convinced Sabrina genuinely sought an alliance.
Sabrina hesitated, trying to think of a way to prolong the meeting. But before she could respond—
A voice rang directly in everyone's minds.
"Wait."
Giovanni turned sharply toward Mewtwo. "What's the matter?"
Even as he spoke, his hand had already reached for the Poké Ball at his waist, ready to summon his Pokémon at the first sign of trouble.
"You—why are you wearing a mask?" Mewtwo said, its finger pointing directly at Nozomi.
The words froze everyone in place. Sabrina's expression changed instantly, and Giovanni's alertness spiked. Behind him, Chakra and Oka entered battle stances without hesitation.
"Who are you?" Giovanni demanded, his eyes narrowing dangerously at Nozomi. Suspicion flared in his gaze—now directed at both Nozomi and Sabrina.
However, the distrust toward Sabrina lasted only a moment. Mewtwo had already confirmed her truthfulness earlier, and Giovanni trusted that verdict.
Within a heartbeat, his mind filled in the rest of the story on its own: that the League had planted an undercover agent beside Sabrina, who had now inadvertently exposed himself while investigating Team Rocket's conspiracy.