Catch Feelings, Not Just Pokemon

"Mew, what do you think we should do?"

Haru spoke into the air.

A moment later, a figure emerged in midair where no one had been. With a faint smile, she replied, "Simple. I can just mess with her mind a bit, right?"

"Three seconds is all I need. Then you'll have a psychic-powered puppet to play with."

For some reason lately, Mew seemed to enjoy staying invisible—even at home. Maybe she'd been watching too many "invisible person" movies. Haru could only hope she didn't come up with some weird new "filming project" again.

"Forget it. Asking you's pointless. You're always obsessed with hypnosis and mind control—you're going to get yourself in trouble one day."

Haru shook his head, clearly unimpressed with her suggestion.

Mew's standards seemed to be dropping more and more. Pure mind control wasn't nearly as fun as letting the target stay aware of everything.

Mental submission was far more entertaining than physical domination.

Having someone's will break, willingly surrender, even refusing to be "rescued"... now that was the ultimate goal.

Just then, Necrozma suddenly popped out of her Poké Ball.

Still in her black long-haired disguise, she spoke to Haru:

"I've got an idea. Why not release her psychic restraints and force her to float in midair while doing the splits? And she has to keep moving—like an aerial pole dancer."

"We can ask her math questions at the same time—like what's 1000 minus 7—and right as the lava's about to erupt, pressure her to guess where it'll hit."

"Guess right and she gets a punishment. Guess wrong and she gets a reward."

Necrozma chuckled creepily, sending chills down Sabrina's spine.

This was just too ridiculous. Absolutely bonkers.

What was with Haru's Pokémon? Why were they all so... unhinged?

Weren't they supposed to be mighty and majestic Legendary and Mythical Pokémon?

In Sabrina's understanding, Legendary Pokémon were supposed to be dignified, not total weirdos.

"Oh, and if there's time, maybe try that routine on me too," Necrozma added. "Ever since I lost my light, I've needed... alternatives to deal with the pain."

Before she could continue, Mew suddenly snapped:

"Silence! What right does a temp like you have to discuss military matters?!"

Then she immediately turned back to her trainer with a flattering look.

"Oh! I've got it! Let's remove her psychic restraints and make her float and... uh... 'move' on her own."

"We'll ask her math while lava's about to erupt and force her to answer under pressure. And maybe, if you have time, you could try it on me too~ nya."

"..."

Necrozma was stunned into silence.

She realized something important.

Maybe... her new coworker wasn't really acting like a person anymore. If she didn't adapt to this level of absurdity, she might really fall behind.

Haru, meanwhile, ignored their bickering. He turned his attention back to the captive Team Rocket officer.

"So, after all that... what will you do now, Miss Sabrina?"

"Are you really going to accept this ending? Let those who betrayed you walk free while you just become my... property?"

Yes, even now, Haru hadn't given up trying to manipulate her.

He was greedy. Simple brute force wasn't enough for him.

He wanted to use her to find the remaining Team Rocket agents—and perhaps truly bring her over to his side.

You can't guard against a thief forever.

No matter how powerful, Haru hated the idea of constantly being watched.

Hearing this, the determined fire in Sabrina's eyes flickered.

"What are you saying? You're offering to help me?"

"I like you, after all. Of course I'd help. And to be honest, I really hate betrayal."

"So those who turned on you... yeah, I don't think much of them either."

Haru said, having already pinned countless titles onto Lillie in the past.

"But liking someone doesn't mean doing things for free. I'm not cheap, you know?"

"I'm not the type of guy who does favors just like that—don't you agree?"

"If you just let me go..."

Sabrina seemed to catch a glimpse of hope, her usually cold voice carrying a hint of excitement.

"Yeah, no. Now that you're in my hands, you're mine. No way I'm just letting you go."

"Hope you can understand my dilemma, Miss Sabrina."

"..."

Sabrina finally fell silent.

She understood. Haru was making a deal with her—he'd help her punish or capture those who betrayed her.

Did she hate Proton and the others? Of course.

If not for them, she wouldn't have ended up in Haru's clutches.

But "revenge" came with a heavy price. And even if she got it, she wouldn't be free.

"What do you want?"

The spark in her eyes faded. It was time to negotiate.

Unfortunately, she didn't have much bargaining power left.

Haru gave her a sly smile and said:

"Miss Sabrina, if I'm not mistaken, you're quite interested in becoming an actress, aren't you?"

In the anime, games, and manga specials, Sabrina's background varied wildly—she was almost three different people.

This real-world version seemed to be a blend of all three.

According to the games, Sabrina didn't care much about battling and later joined a Bollywood-style acting troupe.

Though this version of her was still a proper Team Rocket officer, she likely still had that acting interest.

But then Sabrina said something Haru didn't expect—

"You want me to play a female investigator captured by the enemy or something?"

"...Uh. Yes. And I plan to use Mew's 'routine' on you."

Seeing the terror on her face, Haru had no choice but to nod.

He hadn't actually planned on that—but now that she mentioned it, he found himself... intrigued.

Just imagining her in a tight black suit infiltrating the villain's hideout...

"No way. Not until you take down the traitors. If you want to... force things, go ahead. But I'm not cooperating."

Sabrina knew that was her last bargaining chip. If she wanted revenge, she couldn't give it up so easily.

"So you're saying you want an 'advance' before you work?"

"I... I can pay a deposit. Like... gun maintenance..."