Chapter 9: Lance, the weak me of the past is dead!

Inside the training ground, at some unknown time, only Caitlin remained standing alone, her slender and frail figure isolated.

Only Metagross stood beside her, looking at her trainer with a gaze that was both puzzled and worried.

Caitlin's head bowed slightly, her long golden hair cascading down, the shadow covering her face made it impossible to see her expression.

'Do you crave power?'

The boy's whisper seemed to echo in her ears once more.

Caitlin pressed her lips tightly together, her delicate and Bai Xi right hand clenched, as if holding something within it.

'Come see the dark side of the world, Young Lady Caitlin. You can achieve the fastest growth and bid farewell to that powerless, weak self of yours.'

'If you have made your resolve, contact me. I will always wait for you.'

The boy placed a beautiful silver badge into the girl's hand, his crimson pupils reflecting the girl's exquisite face.

'Together, we can make this world recognize our perfection and make everyone tremble before us!'

"Team Rocket..."

Caitlin took a deep breath, her hand trembling slightly as she opened it, gazing at the exquisite and magnificent silver Letter Badge with the letter 'R' in her palm.

This was the emblem of the Team Rocket organization in the Kanto region! That boy was actually a member of Team Rocket!

Caitlin never expected that someone like her would one day receive an invitation from Team Rocket.

But Team Rocket... is a dark organization!

Beep, beep, beep.

The sound of a phone ringing suddenly came, startling Caitlin awake.

Caitlin took out the phone, looked at the caller ID, and couldn't help but gently bite her thin lips.

The call connected.

"Caitlin."

"Lance."

"Caitlin, I have communicated with the League. In another half month, as long as you can control your emotions, the ban on you can be lifted."

"Is that so..."

Caitlin lowered her head again, the shadow cast by her falling long hair covered half of her cheek.

The ban being lifted meant she could travel and temper herself like other normal trainers.

She should have been happy, because this was something she had always looked forward to.

But...

"This was originally my right."

The girl murmured softly; free battles... this should originally have been her right.

And it still requires another half month. So for this half month, are they continuing to observe her? Like observing a monster to see if it poses no threat?

"Caitlin, what did you say? I can't hear clearly."

Lance asked in confusion; she seemed to have vaguely heard something, but she dared not be sure. That was not something the past Caitlin would say.

"Nothing, thank you, Lance." Caitlin revealed her usual elegant smile.

"It is what I should do. Caitlin, when will you return to Sinnoh?" Lance asked with concern, caring deeply for her sister.

"I won't return for now. I want to temper myself outside. Lance, I will become stronger."

Caitlin raised her head slightly, gazing at the distant sky.

She was no longer that bird being restrained; she had already left Sinnoh!

"Mm, you certainly can." Lance naturally supported her good friend, and she did not doubt Caitlin's talent.

But such words, the past Caitlin should not have said.

"Caitlin, you seem a little different today."

After hesitating for a moment, Lance spoke in confusion; rather, she seemed very different.

"I have just made a decision. He was right; I am not a monster, I am not wrong! They simply cannot understand. I am favored by the world, a person more perfect than them!"

Caitlin smiled slightly, a very perfect faint smile, elegant and exquisite.

"Caitlin?" Lance was stunned, a bad feeling suddenly arising in her heart, and who was the 'he' in Caitlin's mouth?

"What are you talking about?"

"Lance, you once told me, 'Chasing everything is the beginning of misfortune. While there are things one cannot do, there are also things one can do; knowing this is very important.'"

Caitlin spoke slowly, walking elegantly towards her villa, while Metagross floated up and followed behind its trainer.

The twilight stretched the shadows of the two very long.

On the other end of the phone, Lance's eyebrows were tightly furrowed; she did not understand why Caitlin, who had only left Sinnoh for a day to clear her mind, would suddenly undergo such a huge change.

"Then what are the things I can do?" Caitlin's unhurried and elegant voice continued to come from the phone.

"I have always envied you, Lance. I envy how perfect you are."

"Caitlin... will you return to Sinnoh first? No matter what happens, I will help you." Lance seemed to have sensed something.

"How weak and pitiful the past me was, unable to control my power, banned from participating in battles, unable to catch up to you no matter how hard I tried, questioning myself."

Caitlin did not respond to Lance, but continued to talk to herself.

"But it should not be like this. I have made my resolve."

Caitlin arrived in front of her villa; her figure was slowly covered by shadows until it was completely shrouded.

"The weak me of the past has died starting from today."

"Lance, watch. I will become stronger!"

"Family, League, power, prejudice, friends, pride... so many factors, with just a slight guidance, are enough to change a person."

Mammon leaned back on the sofa, recalling the recent events, and couldn't help but smile; luck was truly on his side.

Cadyllia, I hope you won't disappoint me.

"Has the young master encountered something happy?"

Domino, dressed in a women's suit, massaged Mammon's shoulders and asked curiously.

"It's not certain yet whether it will succeed. How has the recent intelligence gathering gone?"

Amidst Domino's exclamation, Mammon suddenly pulled her into his arms and asked with a grin.

The matter of Cadyllia is still unclear; although Mammon felt there should be no problem, it was best to wait.

"The Skull Team's base has been fully investigated." Domino pressed down on Mammon's hand and gave him a reproachful glance.

"That's enough. What about Lance?"

Mammon felt no surprise; as a senior agent of the Rocket Team, Domino's intelligence capabilities were undoubtedly excellent.

"Hmm... According to Lord Lance's report, it hasn't been very smooth." Domino's face turned slightly red as Mammon's hand began moving again.

"The local real estate developers are not very willing to sell the land to us, even though Lord Lanchi has increased the price."

"Xenophobia? That is indeed somewhat troublesome."

Mammon pondered for a moment; after all, they were outsiders, so purchasing a portion of the real estate was no issue.

But if they wanted to buy land in large quantities, it was normal for the locals to resist.

"Then let's put this matter aside for now. Tomorrow, have Lance bring some people, and we'll pay a visit to the Skull Team."

Mammon was not in a hurry; there would always be a way. As for now...

Looking at Domino in his arms, Mammon's lips curled upward.

"Come, let me see."

(End of this chapter)