"Caitlin, don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
Cynthia looked at Caitlin, her expression a little complicated, but her voice as calm and rational as ever.
"…"
Caitlin stayed silent.
Even if Kukui and the others had been idiots, they would've figured out by now that Cynthia and Caitlin had a deep history. And they weren't idiots to begin with.
"My lord, should we pull back for now?" Proton stepped up beside Damian and spoke in a low voice.
He had a bad feeling about this. Cynthia was Sinnoh's Elite Four Champion, and her true strength was still completely unknown.
Just the presence of that Garchomp, with its overwhelming aura, was enough to say Cynthia was definitely above Kukui.
And it looked like she and Caitlin knew each other? That made things even messier.
What if Cynthia managed to talk Caitlin into betraying Team Rocket?
Honestly, both for personal and organizational reasons, Proton really didn't want to see Caitlin turn her back on them.
Caitlin was always polite and elegant, reserved but not cold, keeping just enough distance without making anyone feel unwelcome. It was a delicate balance.
Proton actually liked working with someone like that. As members of an evil organization, getting too chummy wasn't a good thing. A bit of distance, but still pleasant to cooperate with—that was the ideal colleague.
And Caitlin's talent and potential were outstanding. Her capabilities were top-tier. For the good of the organization alone, keeping her in Team Rocket was the best outcome.
"No rush. Let's watch a bit longer."
Damian waved off Proton's suggestion, eyes on Caitlin and Cynthia.
Aside from wanting to enjoy the show, he genuinely wanted to see what Caitlin would choose to do in front of an old friend.
"Caitlin."
When Caitlin still didn't speak, Cynthia called her again.
She knew Caitlin might look noble and composed on the outside, but inside she was proud and sensitive. So Cynthia kept her tone gentle, never pressing too hard.
"Cynthia. Long time no see."
Caitlin finally broke her silence, lips curving into a faint smile as she spoke.
"Didn't expect to run into you here of all places."
"You know why I'm here." Cynthia pressed her lips together.
She'd always been a very rational, calm person. Even now, that hadn't changed.
"Did you really join Team Rocket?"
"Does it matter?" Caitlin countered lightly. "Or are you here to arrest me, Cynthia?"
Cynthia fell quiet.
Kukui and the others didn't cut in either. They all knew perfectly well that, in this kind of atmosphere, this was way above their pay grade.
"As you can see, I'm a Team Rocket executive now." Caitlin gave a clear, unambiguous answer.
"Why?"
Cynthia just couldn't wrap her head around it. This wasn't how things were supposed to be.
"Team Rocket is Kanto's evil organization, Caitlin. Why would you join something like that?"
Her tone grew much heavier.
"Caitlin, come back to Sinnoh with me. If this is all because of some bad blood in the past, I'll help you."
She couldn't stand the thought of her sister sinking deeper into the dark. In her eyes, Caitlin's future was never meant to look like this.
"Help me?" Caitlin's eyes rippled as she stared at Cynthia.
"How very high and mighty of you, Cynthia."
"…"
Cynthia pressed her lips together.
"You don't understand what I actually want. Why do you always assume you can fix everything?"
Caitlin slowly lowered her head. Her golden hair fell forward, shadows covering her face.
But it was obvious from her suddenly quickening speech that the girl's emotions were surging.
"Yeah, you're amazing. You beat everyone in Sinnoh. You're Sinnoh's Champion. You shine brighter than anyone."
"…"
Watching Caitlin grow more and more emotional, Cynthia's pupils trembled.
"And me? The 'master' of the Battle Castle? What a joke. I was a Frontier Brain who didn't even have the right to battle. I was born with an ability that made me a 'monster.'"
The refined girl's voice was full of self-mockery now, even though she was clearly trying to keep it together.
Even so, her eyes couldn't help but glow faintly blue. The psychic power inside her was boiling.
Damian had been about to use the power of Viridian to help her calm down, but to his surprise, Caitlin suppressed the surge of psychic energy on her own.
She could already control it.
Damian's lips curled into a pleased smile. As expected of the person he'd chosen.
"Caitlin…"
But to Cynthia, looking at this almost "unfamiliar" girl in front of her, a bitter feeling slowly wrapped around her heart.
So this was how Caitlin had always felt…
"You don't know what it's like, Cynthia. You're not like me. You've never lived my life. You don't know what I've been through."
"I've always envied you. I've always admired you, Cynthia. You have such incredible talent. You can travel and battle freely. You get to enjoy everyone's admiration."
"I refuse to accept it. I want a different ending. Why? Why do they get to decide my life so easily?"
Caitlin's eyes shone red at the rims, her voice growing more intense as she stared at the person who'd once been her only real friend.
Cynthia's expression grew even more complicated.
"I get it. But Caitlin, that doesn't mean you have to join Team Rocket. No matter what, your parents would never want this for you."
Cynthia sighed inwardly, trying to persuade her. She didn't know what words would work, but she couldn't just sit back and watch Caitlin fall.
Yes—joining an evil team like Team Rocket was falling.
"This is my choice. It has nothing to do with them." Caitlin took a deep breath, forcing her emotions back under control and answering coolly.
She was cutting ties. She didn't want her family dragged into this because of her.
"You don't understand me, Cynthia."
Caitlin turned to look at Damian. He was the one who truly understood what she wanted—and supported her.
"I see. I was always waiting for the day you'd stand in front of me and battle me with everything you had, Caitlin."
Cynthia's gaze grew clearer. She'd made up her mind.
Even for someone as rational as Cynthia, her emotions were churning. But she forced herself to stay in control.
"But this isn't how it was supposed to be." Her voice dropped.
As if sensing her decision, the fierce, powerful Garchomp stepped forward, placing itself between Cynthia and Caitlin, its heavy dragon gaze locking onto the girl.
"Even if you end up hating me for the rest of your life, I can't just watch you sink deeper into the dark. I'm bringing you back."
Her voice was low and heavy. She knew what she was about to do might earn Caitlin's hatred forever.
But…
She really couldn't just stand and watch. She wanted to drag Caitlin back into the light, not let her rot away in the gutter with no future left.