When the bystanders learned that the arcade was actually a Team Rocket base, the way they looked at the two Team Rocket grunts changed entirely.
Earlier they'd watched like spectators because there was no direct stake—whether Nozomi profited or the arcade lost out, it wasn't their business. But now it was different: Team Rocket had directly endangered their safety and violated their rights.
So in an instant the crowd all sided with Nozomi.
"Deal with those Team Rocket scum!"
"Call the police, quick!"
"We can't let them get away!"
The onlookers surged with righteous anger.
Nozomi nodded when he saw that. Those people had been annoying before, sure, but when it came to right and wrong they'd been clear-headed after all.
He took two ropes from his backpack and bound the two Team Rocket grunts, then rifled through them and took all their Poké Balls. He tossed the grunts aside.
"Keep an eye on these two and call Officer Jenny for me," he said. "I'm going down to check the base."
"We've got it!"
"Don't worry, mister!"
They all thumped their chests and promised loudly.
Nozomi nodded and didn't worry. Even if they failed to guard the grunts or didn't get Jenny here, as long as he was around Team Rocket wouldn't be able to make much of a move.
…
"Damn it—all data destroyed! Move the researchers and the important Pokémon out now! Don't let that Nozomi catch them!"
Down in the subterranean base the Rockets scrambled to evacuate.
The moment Nozomi had captured those two grunts and come looking, the organization knew things were bad. They ordered priority transfers at once.
But time was painfully tight and preparations were scant—progress was pathetic at best.
"All combat personnel, hold the line! Stop Nozomi from getting in before the data is destroyed!" an officer shouted to his men.
"Yes!"
Only the elite and most loyal Team Rocket members remained in the base. They didn't hesitate: they grabbed their Pokémon and surged upward, determined to stop Nozomi by force.
"Stubborn fools," Nozomi muttered, watching wave after wave of Rocket members pour up the stairs from the lower floors. He sighed. They could have surrendered—he didn't want to cause so many casualties.
"Metagross, Light Screen!" he ordered.
Metagross appeared and erected a Light Screen to blunt the initial onslaught.
The Rockets did have some skill—dozens of Pokémon attacking at once produced firepower so fierce that, unless he called in Mew or Mega Metagross, Nozomi couldn't just charge through unharmed.
But he had another plan.
"Steelix!" Nozomi tossed a second Poké Ball.
The colossal Steelix materialized on the basement floor. Its massive body filled the chamber the moment it appeared.
Every Rocket member's heart tightened. One Metagross could already block their attack; now Steelix had shown up—was Nozomi going to go on the offensive?
They'd learned how terrifying Nozomi could be from Team Rocket's many past failures against him.
But of course they couldn't predict his next move.
"Use Dig. We're going down," Nozomi ordered, grabbing Steelix's body. With a roar Steelix slammed its head into the ground and burrowed downward. Metagross stayed to cover the rear and followed.
They tore a huge hole straight through the floor—leaving the Rockets above stunned.
"What…?" the Rockets stared at the gap.
They hadn't expected Nozomi to simply tunnel down with Steelix. Weren't they supposed to fight him down the stairwell like everyone else? Why was he breaking all the rules?
The Rockets' morale collapsed. They turned and sprinted frantically down the stairs.
"We can't let him get past us before the data is destroyed!" they cried, banding together.
But they were destined to be disappointed.
On the second basement level they found only a gaping hole. On the third, the same. It wasn't until the fourth basement that they finally found Nozomi: Steelix under his feet, Metagross to his left, Dragonite to his right, and their commander suspended in mid-air by Psychic.
Nozomi held a small briefcase and smiled faintly as the group of rushing Rocket members arrived.
"You're a bit slow. I've already taken care of your boss," Nozomi said, casually tossing the captured mid-level commander aside.
The Rockets swallowed hard. Their leader had been neutralized and the things they'd been ordered to protect were now in Nozomi's hands—their resolve evaporated and fear overwhelmed them.
"Run!" someone shouted. The once-confident Rockets bolted upstairs like dogs with their tails between their legs.
Nozomi watched their backs, shaking his head. "Even if I let you run forty-nine meters, where will you go?" he said, then looked at Metagross and Dragonite beside him. "Go up and stop them. Don't let any of them escape—otherwise Rainbow City will be in trouble again."
"Grrr!" Metagross and Dragonite nodded, returning the way they had tunneled in.
Soon the upper levels echoed with screams—what happened up there, Nozomi didn't bother to check. He turned back to the slumped Team Rocket middle manager at his feet.
"You're a manager in Team Rocket, so you must know who I am. You know I can use Psychic. I'm going to ask you some questions. Cooperate, and things will go smoothly. Refuse, and I can't promise I won't employ other methods. Understand?"
"Yes—yes, I understand!" the Rocket officer stammered, utterly defeated. After the disaster in Saffron City where many of Giovanni's higher-ups were crushed, there was no will to resist when caught by Nozomi.
"Good. First question: what's the code for this briefcase?"