Even though the uniform of a Team Rocket executive was made from extremely expensive and durable materials, after the chaos at Mt. Moon, it was already torn in many places. Sabrina was indifferent and seemingly emotionless, but that didn't mean she lacked common sense or awareness of boundaries between men and women—she would never allow herself to be exposed.
"Failed?"
Sitting behind his desk, Giovanni's expression was steady as he looked at Sabrina and asked the question.
"Apologies, Boss Giovanni. Due to my actions, the Team Rocket branch suffered heavy losses. I am willing to accept punishment."
Sabrina's fair skin was covered in grime, her face smudged with dust. She hadn't even cleaned herself before coming to report, her disheveled appearance making it clear just how brutal the battle had been.
Giovanni waved his hand dismissively. Reports from the surviving Team Rocket members who had escaped Ryuuske's assault had already been delivered to him, so he had a rough understanding of the battle's details.
"Losing even when your opponent didn't use Mewtwo—you really need to reflect on this, Sabrina."
Sabrina lowered her head in silence. She neither refuted Giovanni's criticism nor showed any anger, remaining as cold as ever. But the moment the image of that boy surfaced in her mind, she found herself unable to control her emotions, a seething fury threatening to burn her body to ashes.
Giovanni's tone was grave, but deep down, he couldn't help feeling a little schadenfreude. Back at Mt. Moon, he had also been played for a fool by that boy, humiliated beyond belief. However, since no other Team Rocket members had witnessed his disgrace, he had at least managed to preserve some dignity. Sabrina, on the other hand, had suffered a very public defeat, and there were already murmurs of discontent within Team Rocket regarding her performance.
"Forget punishment. Go rest and prepare for the next phase of our plan."
"Isn't the plan being implemented too soon, Boss Giovanni?"
Sabrina lifted her head, her voice cool.
"Sometimes, overthinking just leads to hesitation. This time, I'm not going to waste time deliberating—we're activating the Three Legendary Birds Plan immediately."
Giovanni's voice was firm.
"Understood. I will begin preparations at once, Boss Giovanni."
Sabrina gave a slight nod before turning and leaving.
Only after Sabrina had exited did Giovanni allow his composed posture to relax, leaning back into his chair. He picked up the cigar on his desk, hesitated, then set it back down.
"That kid… I never expected him to grow so quickly. Failing to eliminate him in his infancy was Team Rocket's mistake. What the future holds, even I can't predict now. But before that—"
Giovanni covered his mouth, coughing violently as if his lungs were about to rupture. After a few labored breaths, he muttered, "...Before this body completely gives out, I must achieve my goal."
——
After leaving Giovanni's office, Sabrina walked through the Team Rocket base under the scrutiny of numerous high-ranking members. Some looked at her with admiration, others with desire, and still others with scorn and disdain. She ignored them all, returning to her home in Saffron City.
As a woman, Sabrina couldn't stand being covered in filth. The moment she arrived, she stripped off her clothes and stepped into the shower, thoroughly washing away the grime.
But no matter how hard she scrubbed, she could only cleanse her body—not the stains that boy had left on her mind.
Wrapped in a towel, she returned to her bedroom, not even bothering to dry her hair before collapsing onto the bed, desperate for sleep.
Yet the moment she closed her eyes, the events of that mental world clung to her like a parasite. Those few days of memories were something she wanted to bury forever, but even her psychic powers couldn't erase them. The more she tried to forget, the more those dark recollections festered in the depths of her consciousness.
"Hah… Hah… Hah…"
In the throes of a nightmare, Sabrina suddenly sat upright, the thin covers slipping off to reveal her snow-white skin, smooth as silk.
The sheets between her legs were damp. A flash of shame and anger crossed her face—this body no longer felt like her own, operating on instincts beyond her control.
Burying her face in the sheets, she hugged her knees, as if returning to the past—to that lonely world where everyone feared her, avoided her, and recoiled from her psychic powers.
——
Cerulean City.
When Misty woke up, she felt exhausted. Getting out of bed, she realized she had been changed into clean pajamas, and her wounds had been treated with medicine. In another day or two, even the scars would fade.
The familiar surroundings told her this was her own bedroom.
Walking downstairs, she immediately spotted Ryuuske lounging on the living room sofa, twirling a small badge between his fingers.
"What's that?"
"The Golden Badge I took from Sabrina. Proof of my victory over her."
Flicking the badge into the air, Ryuuske caught it and looked up at Misty. "...How's your body? No issues?"
Misty shook her head. "...Nothing serious. I've gotten used to injuries like this from traveling. What about you, Ryu? Are you alright?"
"Me? Compared to you, my injuries are nothing."
Aside from a few bumps and bruises, the worst damage Ryuuske had suffered was from Gabite's own Sandstorm—those needle-like grains stabbing into his skin had been agonizing.
"The Cerulean City Gym Challenge is in a couple of days. Will you be able to participate?"
Ryuuske raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"It's just a Gym Challenge. I can breeze through it. Why? Are you planning to join too?"
Misty waved it off dismissively. The Gym Challenge was just a training event organized by the League, not a Gym Leader Qualification Match where the winner took over the Gym.
"If you just handed me the badge, I wouldn't bother. But since you won't, and the rules prevent you from using your main Pokémon… well, watch out. I might just humiliate you."
Ryuuske smirked.
Misty sighed. "...Just don't embarrass me like you did to Brock in Pewter City, ending the match in seconds."
"Ahahaha! Since you asked so nicely, I'll try to drag it out to twenty seconds!"
Ryuuske shrugged.
Misty stiffened for a moment, hesitating before murmuring, "...Did you carry me back here?"
"Who else would? And I know what you're really asking—don't worry. The maids changed your clothes and treated your wounds. Honestly, with your underwhelming figure, I'd rather look at myself naked. I've got more to offer than you!"
Something inside Misty snapped. All her earlier shyness and gratitude vanished, replaced by fury as her face turned crimson.
"YOU WANNA DIE?!"
"Hey, hey! This is your house—don't actually send out your Pokémon!"
To be continued…