"Gallade's strength has been progressing really fast lately. I don't think it'll be long before he becomes one of my main pillars."
Caitlin smiled sweetly, satisfied with herself. She was getting stronger every day, and she could feel it.
"Good." Damian nodded. Then, almost casually: "By the way—are you at a full team yet?"
Generally speaking, a standard team consisted of six Pokémon. That was the normal limit a trainer could carry at one time.
"No, I'm not." Caitlin shook her head. Her current team only had five: Metagross, Alakazam, Gothitelle, Gallade, and the Hatenna Damian had given her.
"Then fill the gap properly." Damian's tone stayed light, but the intent was all business. "If you get Psychic Terrain online, it's a massive boost for a Psychic team. If necessary, train an Indeedee first."
Why? Because the Indeedee line possessed Psychic Surge. The moment it entered the field, Psychic Terrain went up—instant field control. For Psychic-types, Indeedee was basically a mini-Groudon for sun teams or a mini-Kyogre for rain teams. Not quite as mandatory as the real deal, sure—but close enough that you'd feel it every match.
"Indeedee?" Caitlin fell into thought.
"Yes." Damian explained slowly, like he was laying down a rule. "Only two species have Psychic Surge. One of them is Indeedee."
"I see. I understand." Caitlin's gentle smile returned, but curiosity flickered in her eyes. "And the other one? Why only mention Indeedee?"
"As for the other one…" Damian let out a small laugh. "Caitlin, you couldn't catch it yet."
Caitlin tilted her head. A question mark might as well have popped above her.
"It's a coincidence, really. It's right here in Alola." Damian didn't drag it out. "Akala's guardian deity—Tapu Lele—has Psychic Surge."
He said it plainly, like he was naming an item on a list.
"Tapu Lele is a Psychic-type legendary Pokémon. It fits you perfectly."
"The legendary… Island Guardian."
Caitlin understood. Alola had stories of the Island Guardians reaching back to ancient times. In truth, they weren't even "legends" in the usual sense, because the four Tapus truly appeared before the people of Alola. Even the customs preserved across the four islands today—the so-called Island Kings and Queens—were chosen by the Tapus themselves. That alone showed how much weight the Island Guardians carried here.
Setting aside the fact that Caitlin's current strength likely wasn't enough to capture Tapu Lele, even if she could, the entire island of Akala would "explode" with outrage if she actually did it. Alola might have been moving toward modernization, but it still clung to too many traditional customs. The Tapus weren't just strong Pokémon to the locals—they were symbols heavy enough to crush reason.
"I'm afraid that would be very difficult," Caitlin said, shaking her head. "The Island Queen there, Olivia, wouldn't agree to it either."
She was tempted, though. A Psychic-type specialist obtaining a Psychic-type legendary with Psychic Surge—perfect synergy. Perfect prestige. But…
Damian looked at her like she'd said something stupid.
"What does Olivia have to do with us catching a Pokémon?" he said coldly. "We don't ask permission. We take what we can hold."
Caitlin pressed her lips together, smiling without answering. Her beautiful eyes reflected Damian's profile, as if she were quietly enjoying the sheer audacity.
"Even by League law, catching a Tapu is legal—clean and valid." Damian sneered. "If they interfere during the capture, or try to force a release afterward, we can file a complaint with the League. Logic is on our side."
The spiritual totems of Alola? Sorry.
They're wild.
And if it's wild—never mind the Tapus—then by law, even if it were the Creator God Arceus, Damian still had the right to challenge and catch it. Don't ask whether he could actually beat the Great Alpaca; that wasn't the point. The logic stayed the same: if it's wild and ownerless, a trainer has the right to throw down.
Caitlin couldn't help covering her mouth as she giggled. No matter the context, hearing "file a complaint with the League" come out of Damian's mouth was strangely funny.
"So, Caitlin, don't worry about it." Damian's tone was breezy, almost careless. "Just get stronger. When you're strong enough to catch Tapu Lele, I'll go with you to Akala."
His smile sharpened.
"If they're reasonable, fine. If they want to be difficult… then we don't have to be polite."
Damian sounded calm, like he was discussing a routine errand. It was clear he didn't care about Island Kings or Queens at all. Small fry. Did they really think Team Rocket were pushovers?
"Mhm~" Caitlin's expression softened, eyes sparkling with a gentle radiance.
Damian…
Meanwhile, inside the Arceus Game Corner…
Guzma was rubbing his face. After just one morning, his cheeks were already cramping from smiling. He couldn't help it—his assistant insisted today was a "grand day," and on a grand day, he had to smile like his life depended on it.
"Damn it. Once this period is over, I'm applying to Master Damian for a different post." Guzma bared his teeth, feeling the muscles in his face stiffen. "My face is gonna lock up like a busted machine."
Right then—
"Guzma."
"Dammit!" Guzma jumped at the voice behind him, nearly lashing out on instinct.
He spun around.
Of course.
That eyesore—Kukui.
"Kukui! You bastard!" Guzma snapped, loud and hostile. "What the hell are you doing sneaking up behind me? You trying to scare someone to death?"
"Sorry, but I called your name like three times already." Kukui shrugged, wearing that same annoying calm. "Guzma, why did you suddenly disband Team Skull? And also—"
"Whether I disband Team Skull or not has nothing to do with you!" Guzma cut him off, already turning away. "You've got issues."
"Wait—don't be in such a hurry. I didn't come here to argue with you."
"Don't touch me!" Guzma yanked his sleeve, but Kukui grabbed it anyway. "Get your paws off! Let go! This suit is expensive, you jerk! Kukui, I'm warning you—keep pestering me and I won't be polite!"
"I just want to ask one question, Guzma. Did someone approach you?" Kukui tightened his grip. "I asked a friend to check, and this Game Corner originally—"
"Dammit!! Security!" Guzma's voice detonated through the room. "Where is the security?! Are you all blind? Get over here and kick this troublemaker out!"
Two broad-shouldered, thick-waisted security guards came charging over from a distance, electric batons in hand. The moment Kukui saw the batons, his survival instincts kicked in.
He bolted.
"Damn it!" Guzma shouted after him, face twisted as he straightened his clothes. "From now on, put a sign outside: 'Kukui are not allowed in Guzma's Game Corner!' You hear me?!"
"Understood."
"Hmph!"
Guzma stalked toward his office, still fuming.
That damn Kukui… his nose is as sharp. I need to report this to Master Damian.
His expression stayed grim.
Just then, his phone rang. He glanced down, annoyed—until he saw the caller ID.
His brow furrowed.
An incoming call from Lusamine.