Chapter 9: Cynthia — The Weak Girl I Used to Be Is Dead!
At some point, the training field had emptied out entirely. Only Caitlin remained, standing alone — a slender, solitary figure.
Metagross hovered beside her, watching its Trainer with a gaze full of worry and confusion.
Caitlin's head hung slightly, golden hair falling forward like a curtain. Shadows covered her face, hiding whatever expression lay beneath.
"Do you crave power?"
The boy's low voice echoed in her ears again.
Caitlin's lips pressed tight. Her fair, delicate right hand clenched into a fist, as if clutching something inside.
"Come see the dark side of the world, Miss Caitlin. You'll grow faster than you ever thought possible — and leave that helpless, powerless version of yourself behind."
"When you've made your decision, contact me. I'll be waiting."
The boy had placed a gleaming silver badge in her palm. His crimson eyes reflected her face like a mirror.
"Together, we can show the world how perfect we truly are — and make them all tremble."
"Team Rocket…"
Caitlin exhaled slowly. Her hand trembled as she uncurled her fingers, staring at the ornate silver "R" badge resting in her palm.
The crest of Kanto's Team Rocket. That boy… was a member of Team Rocket.
Never in her wildest imagination had Caitlin pictured someone like her receiving an invitation from Team Rocket.
But Team Rocket was… a criminal organization.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Her phone jolted her out of her thoughts.
She pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. Her lips pressed together.
She answered.
"Caitlin."
"Cynthia."
"Caitlin — I've been talking with the League. In two weeks, as long as you can demonstrate control over your emotions, the ban will be lifted."
"Is that so…"
Caitlin lowered her head again. Her hair cast a shadow across half her face.
The ban lifted. That meant she could travel and train like any normal Trainer — the thing she'd wanted for so long.
She should have been happy.
But—
"That was always supposed to be my right."
The words slipped out in a near-whisper. The freedom to battle… that should have been her right from the beginning.
And even now — another two weeks? Two more weeks of being observed? Like some creature under evaluation to determine whether it was still a threat?
"Caitlin? What did you say? I didn't catch that."
Cynthia sounded puzzled. She thought she'd heard something, but she couldn't be sure. It didn't sound like something the old Caitlin would say.
"It's nothing. Thank you, Cynthia." Caitlin's voice returned to its usual elegant smile.
"Of course — it's the least I could do. When are you coming back to Sinnoh?" Cynthia's tone was warm, caring. She worried about her friend.
"I'm not coming back yet. I want to stay out here and push myself. Cynthia… I'm going to get stronger."
Caitlin raised her head slightly and gazed at the distant sky.
She wasn't a caged bird anymore. She'd already left Sinnoh behind.
"I know you will." Cynthia was nothing but supportive. She'd never doubted Caitlin's talent.
But this kind of talk… the old Caitlin wouldn't have spoken this way.
"Caitlin… you seem different today."
After a moment's hesitation, Cynthia voiced her confusion. Different was an understatement.
"I've simply made a decision. He was right — I'm not a monster. I've done nothing wrong. They just can't understand. I'm someone the world chose to bless — someone more perfect than any of them."
Caitlin smiled. A flawless, delicate smile. Elegant. Refined.
"Caitlin?" Cynthia froze. A cold feeling settled in her chest. And who was "he"?
"What are you talking about?"
"Cynthia — you once told me: 'Chasing everything is where unhappiness begins. There are things you can't do, and things you can — knowing the difference is what matters.'"
Caitlin spoke evenly, her elegant footsteps carrying her toward her villa. Metagross rose into the air and followed silently behind its Trainer.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.
On the other end of the line, Cynthia's brow furrowed deeply. She couldn't understand it. Caitlin had only been away from Sinnoh for a day — just a quick change of scenery. How could she have changed this much?
"So then… what are the things I can do?" Caitlin's unhurried, graceful voice continued through the phone.
"I've always envied you, Cynthia. I envied how perfect you are."
"Caitlin… will you please come back to Sinnoh? Whatever's going on, I'll help you." Cynthia seemed to sense something was wrong.
"The old me was so small and pitiful. Couldn't control her own power. Banned from battling. Could never catch up to you no matter how hard she tried. Constantly doubting herself."
Caitlin didn't respond to Cynthia's plea. She simply kept talking, as if to herself.
"But that's not how it should be. I've made my resolve."
Caitlin reached the entrance to her villa. Her silhouette was slowly swallowed by shadow, until the darkness enveloped her completely.
"The weak girl I used to be — starting today — is dead."
"Watch me, Cynthia. I will get stronger."
"Family. The League. Power. Prejudice. Friendship. Pride… So many pressure points. A little nudge in the right direction, and any one of them is enough to change a person."
Mammon leaned back on the couch, replaying the earlier scene in his mind. He couldn't help but grin. Pretty good luck today.
Caitlin… I hope you don't disappoint me.
"Something good happen, sir?"
Domino — dressed in a fitted women's suit — was working on Mammon's shoulders, her tone curious.
"Still up in the air. How's the intel coming along?"
Before Domino could react, Mammon pulled her onto his lap with one smooth motion, grinning as he asked.
The Caitlin situation was still uncertain. He was fairly confident it would pan out, but there was no rush.
"We've located Team Skull's base of operations." Domino pressed down on Mammon's wandering hand and shot him a look.
"That's plenty. And Lance?"
Mammon wasn't surprised. As one of Team Rocket's top field agents, Domino's intelligence work was beyond reproach.
"Mm… according to Lance's report, things haven't gone smoothly." Domino's cheeks flushed slightly. Mammon's hand was moving again.
"The local property dealers aren't keen on selling to us — even after Lance offered above-market prices."
"Pushback from the locals? Yeah, that figures."
Mammon mulled it over. They were outsiders, when it came down to it. Picking up a few properties here and there was one thing, but trying to buy land on a large scale was bound to meet resistance from the locals.
"Shelve that for now. Tomorrow, have Lance round up the team. We're paying Team Skull a visit."
Mammon wasn't worried. Solutions would present themselves. As for right now…
He looked down at Domino in his lap. The corner of his mouth curved upward.
"Now then — let me have a look."