Chapter 40: Cynthia and Caitlin

"Caitlin, is there nothing you wish to say to me?"

Cynthia gazed at Caitlin, her expression somewhat complex, yet her voice remained as calm and rational as ever.

"..."

Caitlin fell silent.

Seeing this scene, even if Kukui and the others were foolish, they would know the relationship between Cynthia and this Caitlin was likely not simple; moreover, they were not foolish to begin with.

"My lord, should we retreat first?" Lance stepped beside Mamon and whispered.

He felt things were not going well; Cynthia was the Champion of the Sinnoh region, and her strength was currently completely unknown.

But looking at the domineering aura of the Garchomp, it was clear Cynthia's strength was definitely superior to Kukui's.

Moreover, it seemed Cynthia and Caitlin were old acquaintances? This would be difficult to handle.

What if Caitlin was persuaded by Cynthia to defect from Team Rocket?

To be honest, for both public and private reasons, Lance did not want Caitlin to betray the organization.

Caitlin was usually polite, elegant, and reserved in her dealings with others, maintaining an appropriate sense of distance without appearing cold; she grasped relationships quite subtly.

But Lance actually quite enjoyed getting along with a colleague like that; as a member of an evil organization, being overly familiar was not a good thing in itself; having some distance yet being pleasant to cooperate with was what made a good colleague.

Moreover, Caitlin's talent and potential were excellent, and her abilities were very strong; even for the sake of the organization, keeping Caitlin in Team Rocket was the best choice.

"No rush, let's watch a bit longer."

Mamon waved his hand to reject Lance's proposal, looking at Caitlin and Cynthia.

Besides a mindset of watching the spectacle, he indeed wanted to know Caitlin's thoughts facing her old friend.

"Caitlin."

Seeing Caitlin not speak, Cynthia called out to her again.

She knew that although Caitlin appeared noble and reserved, her heart was very proud and sensitive, so her tone was not domineering.

"Cynthia, long time no see."

Caitlin finally broke her silence, a faint smile forming on her lips as she spoke to Cynthia.

"I truly didn't expect to see you here."

"You should know why I am here." Cynthia pressed her lips together.

She had always been a very rational and calm person, even at this moment.

"Have you really joined Team Rocket?"

"Does that matter?" Caitlin asked back lightly, "Or are you here to capture me, Cynthia?"

Cynthia fell silent.

And Kukui and the others did not interrupt the conversation between the two; or rather, they were also clear that in this atmosphere, should they be under the car?

"As you can see, I am now a high-ranking executive of Team Rocket." Caitlin gave a clear and definite answer.

"Why?"

Cynthia did not understand; she could not understand, this should not be happening.

"Team Rocket is an evil organization in the Kanto region, Caitlin, why would you join such an organization?"

Cynthia's tone became much heavier.

"Caitlin, come back to Sinnoh with me; if it is just because of some past unhappiness, I will help you."

Cynthia truly did not want to see her sister deeply trapped in darkness; in her view, Caitlin's future should not be like this.

"Help me?" Caitlin's eyes rippled as she gazed at Cynthia.

"What a high-and-mighty attitude, Cynthia."

"..."

Cynthia pressed her lips.

"Cynthia, you simply do not understand what I truly want; why can you always so arrogantly believe you can do everything?"

Caitlin slowly lowered her head, golden hair falling down, shadows covering her cheeks.

But it could be heard that the girl's speaking speed had increased significantly.

"Yes, you are so talented; you defeated everyone in Sinnoh; you are the Champion of Sinnoh; you are so radiant."

"..."

Watching Caitlin, whose emotions were gradually becoming agitated, Cynthia's pupils trembled slightly.

"And me? The master of the Battle Castle? How ridiculous; yet I am a Frontier Brain who does not even have the qualification to battle, and the abilities born with me have made me a 'monster'."

The magnificent girl's voice was now full of self-mockery, even though she was already trying her best to control it.

But blue light still ignited uncontrollably in her eyes; the psychic power within her body was boiling.

Mamon was about to use the Power of Pallet to help her calm down, but soon Caitlin actually suppressed that surging psychic power on her own.

She could already control her psychic power.

A smile rose on Mamon's lips; indeed, she was the one he had chosen.

"Caitlin..."

But watching the 'strange' sister before her, a bitter emotion gradually wrapped around Cynthia's heart.

So Caitlin had always thought this way...

"You do not know my feelings, Cynthia; you are different from me; you have not experienced my life; you do not know what I have gone through."

"I envy you; I have always envied you, Cynthia; you have such excellent talent; you can travel and battle freely; you can enjoy everyone's admiration."

"I am unwilling; I want a better result! On what grounds? On what grounds can they easily dictate my life?!"

Caitlin's eyes reddened slightly, her tone becoming more agitated as she looked at the one who had once been her only best friend ahead.

Cynthia's expression became even more complex.

"Yes, but Gardenia, that doesn't mean you have to join Team Rocket. No matter what, your uncle and aunt wouldn't want you to do this."

Cynthia sighed in her heart and urged Gardenia. She didn't know what to say, but she didn't want Gardenia to fall like this.

Yes, joining a dark organization like Team Rocket—isn't that falling?

"This is my own choice; it has nothing to do with them." Gardenia took a deep breath, forcibly controlling her emotions and speaking lightly.

She was cutting ties; she didn't want her family to be dragged into her affairs.

"You don't understand me, Cynthia."

Gardenia looked at Mamon. Only then did Mamon truly understand her thoughts and support her.

"I see. I have been looking forward to that moment all along. I sincerely hope you will stand before me and fight me with all your might, Gardenia."

Cynthia's eyes gradually cleared; she had made her decision.

Even the rational Cynthia felt her emotions surge, yet she still controlled them.

"But it shouldn't be like this!" Cynthia said in a low voice.

Seeming to understand her trainer's resolve, the strong and fierce Garchomp slowly stepped forward to stand before Cynthia, its heavy and majestic dragon eyes staring at Gardenia.

"Even if you end up hating me for the rest of your life, I cannot stand by and watch you sink into the darkness. I must bring you back."

Cynthia's voice sounded somewhat low; she knew that doing this might make Gardenia hate her forever.

But...

She truly could not sit idly by. She wanted to bring Gardenia back into the sunlight, not let Gardenia sink deep into the 'sewer' and have her future ruined.

I must bring you back!

(End of this chapter)