Rustle… rustle…
Through the crisp grass, Caitlin, wearing a loose white dress, stepped slowly from behind a tree.
Her pure white pleated skirt gave her an ethereal grace under the moonlight. With her golden hair draped down, she appeared like a noble, flawless sprite—strikingly beautiful and elegant.
Even Lucas couldn't help but admire. Beauty exists in abundance, and each has its own charm. But Caitlin's noble bearing—etched into her very bones as the daughter of a prestigious lineage—was deeply moving and made the strongest visual impact.
"Mr. Lucas, how did you notice me?"
Caitlin approached Lucas, glancing briefly at the Galarian Moltres and the Gardevoir, then asked curiously.
She had deliberately used her psychic powers to blur her form—yet he had still spotted her.
"Miss Caitlin is a psychic-type trainer. Gardevoir's psychic sense is extremely sensitive."
Lucas answered with a small smile, indicating the Gardevoir.
He admitted he hadn't seen Caitlin himself, but soon after training began, Gardevoir alerted him telepathically someone was nearby—and hiding.
"Ah, I see."
Caitlin cast a glance at the serene Gardevoir, her beautiful eyes flickering with envy.
As a psychic herself, she'd naturally connect best with a psychic-type Pokémon—especially one like Gardevoir who was both outstanding and powerful. But unfortunately, Ralts are extremely valuable, and finding one with great potential isn't guaranteed.
"As I expected, Mr. Lucas truly is a strong trainer."
After a brief silence, Caitlin tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear and smiled gently at him.
With such close contact, the hidden psychic power within Gardevoir's sent a shiver through her heart.
Although it appears to be calming and harmless on the surface, it is definitely an extremely terrifying Gardevoir!
The black-and-red bird Pokémon Caitlin didn't recognize, but she had observed its power long enough—she heard Lucas refer to it.
Moltres? But even a shiny Kanto Moltres didn't look like that. It looked more like a variant.
Whatever it was, this Moltres was powerful—far beyond what her own Pokémon could challenge.
"I didn't expect people to claim that Caitlin, former Frontier Brain of Sinnoh's Battle Castle, had a violent temper. But now that I've met you, I realize rumors are indeed untrustworthy."
Lucas chuckled lightly, eyes glittering as he looked at Caitlin.
Caitlin once had unstable powers that often ran amok, making her temperament harsh. But now, she exuded complete grace—the perfect noble lady.
"I didn't expect you to have heard about me, Mr. Lucas. That's true—I was like that. And because of it, I troubled many people."
Caitlin pursed her lips. After a long moment, she gave a restrained smile.
"I'm no longer the Frontier Brain of the Battle Castle. People must grow, and I didn't want to be banned from battling forever."
Her fluctuating emotions often triggered her powers to spiral out of control, which led to a long period of disqualification. Only recently, after gaining better control, was she allowed to compete again. She didn't shy away from her past.
"Such noble resolve. Miss Caitlin, you will certainly become an excellent Pokémon Trainer."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her poise.
Normally Caitlin's transformation into the graceful "Sleeping Beauty" occurred after her Unova journey, but now it seemed her growth had come sooner.
"Thank you for your blessing—but I'm actually more curious about Mr. Lucas's identity."
Caitlin's smile deepened. She bent slightly, lifting her skirt, and offered a graceful bow. Her upbringing and manners were impeccable.
Then, she looked up with curiosity.
"I'm just a normal trainer," Lucas replied casually, lips tilting.
"If you say that even a champion-class trainer with special powers is 'normal,' then the world must truly be a terrifying place."
Caitlin paused, smiled sadly, and shook her head.
Could Lucas really be ordinary? From his conversation with Sheena, the Pokémon at his side, and that unidentifiable aura, Caitlin understood: this white-haired boy was far from average.
"Miss Caitlin, the world has more than just light and virtue. I wonder if your elders have ever told you…"
Lucas's voice grew darker, lips curling with malicious intent as he stepped closer to Caitlin, lowering himself until his cheek was almost against hers.
"Excessive curiosity is dangerous."
His usually handsome, pale face seemed tinged with shadow. His red eyes glowed ominously—it was pure malice!
Caitlin's steady heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Her tightly pursed lips went dry, her beautiful pupils contracting slightly. She froze—paralyzed by instinct.
Danger.
Yes, looking at Lucas at this moment, Caitlin suddenly felt more nervous than ever before, and her human instinct was frantically reminding her to stay away from the person in front of her.
Very dangerous!
The air grew deathly still. Caitlin tried to step back, but found she couldn't—her legs had gone numb from fear.
"Return to your room, get a good sleep, and leave Michina tomorrow. A young lady with your talent and condition—becoming an Elite Four member won't be hard."
He paused until she was breathing heavily, then straightened, lightly patted her shoulder, and spoke calmly.
After all, she was still a sheltered lady with little real-world experience. Lucas shook his head. Caitlin's life circumstances and background had made her more mature than her peers, but in his eyes, she remained somewhat naïve.
Gathering up Moltres and Gardevoir, Lucas stepped past Caitlin, preparing to return to the inn for rest.
"So… are you preparing to do something to Miss Sheena, Mr. Lucas?"
At that moment, Caitlin's clear voice spoke behind him.
"Hm?"
Lucas paused mid-step, turning back with narrowed eyes to look at Caitlin.
"I see. You heard it."
He thought a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. Caitlin, as a psychic, having overheard wasn't surprising.
"Everyone has things they can and cannot do. Knowing this is very important."
Caitlin turned around, her stunningly beautiful face slightly pale, yet the elegant smile on her lips remained. In her eyes, however, was a stubborn determination that could make one's heart tremble.
"Those were the words my friend once said to me. Back then, I was very competitive. And it was precisely because of that competitiveness that I couldn't properly control my psychic powers."
"But I've always believed that if someone gives up on what they're striving for just because of a principle like that… then that person is truly pitiful. Don't you agree, Mr. Lucas?"
She was unwilling to accept it.
Everyone felt the same! All of them!
She possessed extraordinary talent—something everyone could clearly see. Yet from childhood until now, she had never once defeated Cynthia. Not even once!
It wasn't that she hated Cynthia. She just wanted to win. But the people in her family would always comfort her with meaningless words. Even Cynthia did the same.
Perhaps one day she would let go of this desire to win, find peace in her heart.
But that time hadn't come yet.
"Since you overheard my conversation with Hina, then you must already have some guesses, don't you?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow with growing interest, looking at Caitlin with a curious expression.
"I think this should make things clear enough."
As he spoke, Lucas took out a badge engraved with the letter 'R' and showed it to Caitlin.
"Yes… I more or less figured as much."
Upon seeing the badge, Caitlin fell silent for a while, the gentle smile at the corners of her lips slowly fading.
That chilling malice she had sensed from Lucas earlier—wasn't an act.
A person like this… was very likely a member of an evil organization! And now, that suspicion had been confirmed—the large 'R' symbol was the unmistakable emblem of Team Rocket!
Caitlin, as Cynthia's younger sister, naturally knew about Team Galactic in the Sinnoh region, and because of that, she had also paid some attention to the evil organizations in other regions.
But as someone who typically lived a reclusive life, she never thought she would meet a member of such a group in this way.
"So… what exactly do you plan to do to Miss Sheena, Mr. Lucas of Team Rocket?"
Taking a deep breath to stabilize the turbulence in her heart, Caitlin raised her head and looked at Lucas again, voicing her question once more.
She didn't even know what sort of mindset she should use to face him. After all, the person standing before her might very well be ruthless and merciless.
Although, judging by his demeanor, he didn't seem like he would harm her—but who could say for sure?
Still, to simply walk away now? Caitlin couldn't bring herself to do that either.
"No, no, no. Please don't lump me in with those brainless thugs who have no dignity or bottom line and only know how to use violence," Lucas said, grinning widely. He raised a finger and wagged it at Caitlin with a teasing gleam in his eyes. "There's more than one way to achieve your goals, after all."
Caitlin's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She couldn't figure out what Lucas was trying to do. Given how much Sheena valued the Jewel of Life, there was no way she would simply hand it over to him… right?
"…Could I ask you to answer my question?"
After another moment of silence, Caitlin asked once more, her voice calm but resolute.
"I'm in a good mood today, and I'm not tired either."
Lucas glanced up at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky and casually shrugged his shoulders. He really didn't feel sleepy at the moment.
"A trainer like you—why would you join an evil organization?"
Caitlin's voice was somewhat heavy. She truly couldn't understand it. Lucas was still so young, yet he had already reached the level of a Champion-tier trainer.
Someone with that kind of strength—if he just worked hard—could achieve great things and become a hero admired by everyone.
So why would he go and join Team Rocket?
Yes, Team Rocket did have a vast amount of power and influence in the Kanto region, but ultimately, the real rulers of the world were the Pokémon League.
The Pokémon League was the rightful path. As for Team Rocket—an organization that openly defied the League—their members were nothing more than filthy rats in the sewers, despised by all.
They didn't even have the right to walk proudly under the sunlight!
"With your strength, becoming one of Kanto's Elite Four would be an easy task. You might even have a shot at challenging the Champion, Lance."
Caitlin stared at Lucas's now-normal, handsome face. Judging from appearance alone, he looked like he'd only been an adult for maybe two years.
To reach Champion-tier strength at such a young age—such terrifying talent even surpass Cynthia's. And on top of that… he is also a capable person.
Caitlin was certain that with Lucas's talent, even if he couldn't do it now, he would definitely have a chance to defeat the champion Lance in the future.
With such a perfect and radiant future ahead of him… why had he chosen to stray down this path and join an evil organization so despised by the world?
Caitlin simply couldn't comprehend it.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Ok, here I not sure if the author made Caitlin and Cynthia real sisters or just Cynthia treating Caitlin as younger sister. But I'll leave it at that since it's kinda applicable to friends too.