A Gym Leader's son had actually become a Team Rocket executive??!
Something like that…
Cynthia's brows furrowed as she carefully read the short introduction on the phone.
Last year, he'd left Viridian City on his journey. In his very first Indigo Plateau Conference, he'd shown terrifying strength, cutting down every opponent on his path to the finals, then sweeping the last match as easily as breathing.
Cynthia looked at the attached photo. The person holding the Indigo Plateau Conference Champion's trophy was definitely Damian.
Oddly enough, though, there wasn't much joy on his face at all, even with the trophy in his hands.
For a moment, everyone went silent.
"If I remember right, Gym Leader Giovanni is Kanto's strongest Gym Leader."
Nanu spoke in his usual lazy, half-dead tone.
"The world's full of surprises. Maybe we should check in with Kanto officially?" Hala lowered his voice, sharing what was on his mind and glancing at the others.
Last year's Indigo Plateau Champion. The son of a Kanto Gym Leader. Walking away from a brilliant future and joining the evil organization Team Rocket instead.
If that got out, it would be a bombshell.
"The real question right now is: Damian is Giovanni's son, so what about Giovanni?" Olivia frowned.
It was simple logic. Damian was a Team Rocket executive. So as his father, was Giovanni also part of Team Rocket?
Silence fell again.
Giovanni was an official Indigo League Gym Leader. If he was also a member of Team Rocket, that was no small matter.
"I don't think so. Damian's not stupid. If he's just casually dropping his identity like that, isn't he worried it'll drag Giovanni in too?"
Kukui shook his head, laying out his reasoning.
From a purely rational standpoint, it just didn't add up. Damian clearly wasn't trying to hide who he was.
If Giovanni really were involved with Team Rocket, this would basically be outing him on the spot.
"Let's notify the Indigo League. And we should look into why Damian joined Team Rocket. For someone that young…"
Hala sighed. If they could figure out the reason and somehow convince Damian and Caitlin to leave Team Rocket, that'd be the best possible outcome.
Otherwise… it was a damn waste.
Both of them were outstanding young Trainers—especially Damian. First year in the circuit and he was already Champion-tier. That kind of genius was ridiculous.
"And Tapu Fini is still in his hands."
Hala looked even more worried. Without Tapu Fini, what would Poni Island do?
"We'll track them down. I'll help you with that."
Cynthia told the four of them. After speaking, she turned her gaze to the distant sky. At some point, thick, dark clouds had swallowed the sun.
Her mood was still a tangle.
...
Elsewhere, after several Teleports, Damian and the others finally made it back to his villa.
"Caitlin, you can't stay at your villa anymore. Head over to Akala Island instead." Damian said to her.
Thanks to Cynthia's surprise arrival, he hadn't actually achieved what he'd come out there to do.
But it didn't really matter. Plans could always be changed.
"Okay." Caitlin nodded.
She understood what he meant. Cynthia wouldn't just "let her go." Her place was already blown. That hadn't mattered much before.
But now that Cynthia knew, she'd absolutely come looking.
"Or you could just stay here with me for a while. Kukui and the others aren't going to make a move unless they're absolutely sure."
Damian offered another option. Strength was the greatest form of confidence.
He was strong enough that, even if his location was known, Kukui's group wouldn't dare attack without airtight prep.
Otherwise, not only would they fail to capture him, they'd wreck the surrounding buildings and environment in the process, maybe even hurt civilians.
Kukui would never accept that. And worst of all, if they paid that kind of price and still didn't catch Damian, they'd just look like clowns.
So even if they knew exactly where he was, they wouldn't act lightly.
Cynthia was strong, sure—but Damian honestly wasn't afraid of her and Kukui together. If it were Lance and Leon teaming up, he'd actually start worrying.
And if you threw Steven into the mix and made it three Champions at once, then yeah, Damian would feel the pressure.
But was Kukui really going to swallow his pride and call for that kind of backup? Damian had his doubts.
"I'll go to Akala Island. Damian, I want to get stronger."
Her gem-bright eyes were full of determination. Cynthia's appearance had clearly shaken her.
"I'll take care of things on Akala Island."
"Fine. Don't rush it, Caitlin. I'll help you. I've always believed in you—you're not any worse than Cynthia."
Damian studied her for a moment, then smiled gently and encouraged her.
"He's right, Miss Caitlin. You're excellent. You're not beneath anyone." Proton added.
After listening to Caitlin and Cynthia's conversation, he'd pieced together a lot.
"Thank you." Caitlin pressed her lips together and nodded in thanks to Proton, her gaze soft as it rested on Damian.
No matter what, as long as Damian was backing her, she felt safe.
Cynthia, I'll catch up to you. I swear it.
Damian pulled out his phone, then turned to Caitlin.
"In a while, come with me into Ultra Space. There aren't any Psychic-type Ultra Beasts, but you can still see if there's anything you'd want to train."
"Ultra Beasts?"
Caitlin tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
"They're a special kind of life-form in Alola. Supposedly they don't live in this world at all. They're extremely dangerous. The League actually sent people to handle them before, but not only did they fail, some of them died to the Ultra Beasts." Proton explained.
"But we've got very little hard intel on them, and it's all classified. Domino only managed to dig this much up."
Caitlin turned a questioning look toward Damian.
"Yeah, Proton's right. But Ultra Beasts are still a kind of Pokémon. And they're all really strong. If you raise one properly, a well-trained Ultra Beast can absolutely become your team's core mainstay or even your ace."
Damian nodded. The only shame was that the usual Ultra Beasts didn't include any Psychic types—otherwise they'd be perfect for shoring up Caitlin's team.
Down the line, he'd take her to Area Zero in Paldea.
Compared to Ultra Beasts, the Paradox Pokémon—Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown—were all monsters in their own right, at least on paper. Their base stat totals spoke for themselves.
"Mm. I'll do whatever you say."
Caitlin's smile was elegant and reserved, even if the words out of her mouth didn't sound much like something a "proper noble lady" would say.
But that was just how she was. She trusted Damian. If he said it was worth checking out, then it was.
Just then, Damian's video call finally connected. Giovanni's mature face, with its faint, easy smile, appeared on the screen.
"Yo, Dad."
"Damian, what's up?"
Giovanni looked to be in a good mood. After all, Damian had been in Alola for quite a while now and was finally calling him.
Maybe the kid missed him. If he had the time, he might swing by Alola to see him.
"So, here's the thing, Dad. I just got into a bit of a scuffle with Alola's Island Kahunas today. Sinnoh's Champion Cynthia was there too. You might wanna get ready—Indigo League is probably gonna reach out soon to 'investigate' you. Try not to slip up."
"???"
Giovanni's smile froze on the spot.
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.