Chapter 10: Team Rocket's Newest Senior Officer!
The next morning.
"Welcome aboard, Miss Caitlin."
Mammon smiled at the young woman standing before him.
He'd originally planned on some morning calisthenics with Domino when he woke up, but then Caitlin's call came in.
A very pleasant surprise. Mammon valued Caitlin highly.
This gifted psychic girl's ceiling wasn't limited to Elite Four level. With proper guidance, she could absolutely become one of Team Rocket's pillars of strength.
Team Rocket had plenty of officers, sure — but in terms of Champion-tier fighters, it was currently just Giovanni and Mammon. Nobody else.
That made someone like Caitlin — a Trainer with genuine Champion potential — extraordinarily valuable.
"I look forward to learning from you, Mr. Mammon."
Caitlin took his hand, her clear, luminous eyes steady on his. She'd tossed and turned all night before finally making up her mind.
In the end, she'd chosen to trust this boy. To see the dark side of the world. To grow faster than she ever could alone.
She would get stronger.
"Of course. From now on, we're partners — close ones. Trust me, Caitlin. You will never regret today's decision."
Mammon grinned, then gestured for her to sit.
Caitlin said nothing more. She'd made her choice and wouldn't look back. Everyone should own the decisions they make.
"Mr. Mammon — why has Team Rocket come to Alola?"
Caitlin smoothed her skirt beneath her as she sat down with practiced grace, curiosity in her eyes.
She was sharp. She'd even said "our Team Rocket" — already signaling where she stood.
In truth, Caitlin didn't know much about Team Rocket. Just the vague awareness that some criminal organization operated out of Kanto.
But she understood one thing clearly: any organization that could build an underworld empire right under the nose of the Kanto League — the League's own headquarters region — was no joke.
"Kanto's hit its ceiling. The organization needs to expand outward, and Alola is our first target."
Mammon poured a cup of freshly brewed tea and handed it to Caitlin.
"Try this — I had it specially imported from Galar."
"Thank you. And please, just call me by my name." Caitlin accepted the cup with both hands, her manners impeccable.
She was starting to understand the picture.
"So our operations here in Alola…?"
"Exactly. To put it bluntly, we're here to take over. Oh, and Caitlin — feel free to just call me Mammon too."
Mammon took a sip and flashed a playful grin.
Caitlin blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips. She found herself genuinely curious about how this whole "taking over" business actually worked.
"Your timing's perfect, by the way. Today we're heading out to pay Team Skull a little courtesy call."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Caitlin smiled — and she meant it. A strange new world was slowly revealing itself to her.
And this new world, she had a feeling, was going to be very interesting.
"Also — as a friend, consider this a personal welcome gift for joining up."
Mammon produced a miniaturized Poké Ball from his pocket and held it out to Caitlin.
If he wanted to keep Caitlin firmly aboard Team Rocket's ship, a little investment went a long way.
"Oh, I couldn't possibly—"
Caitlin started to decline.
"Don't be polite. Open it — I think you'll like what's inside." Mammon smiled.
"And if you consider me a friend, then you'll accept it."
The refusal Caitlin had been forming died on her lips. How was she supposed to say no to that?
"Thank you, Mammon."
Caitlin's voice softened. Her clear, bright eyes reflected his face, and a warm current ran through her chest as she accepted the Poké Ball.
Maybe… this really was the right decision.
She opened it. A flash of white light, and a small blue-and-pink creature materialized on the tea table, letting out an adorable little cry.
"Mimu?"
The little thing had bangs so long they covered its eyes entirely. Its body was round, and its most distinctive feature was its curling tail, tipped with a pale blue sphere that made the whole thing look like a hat perched on its head.
This was Hattrem — a Psychic-type Pokémon.
Caitlin studied the little creature with fascination. She recognized it immediately — as someone devoted to Psychic types, she'd made a point of learning about Psychic-type Pokémon from every region.
"This is a Hattrem from Galar. Lots of potential in this little one. Its final evolution is Hatterene — known as the 'Forest Witch' — a Psychic and Fairy type."
Mammon gave a brief introduction.
"I picked this Hattrem specifically. Its ability is Magic Bounce — perfect for dealing with status moves. If you'd had a Hatterene yesterday instead of Metagross, my Mismagius wouldn't have had such an easy time."
He added a teasing jab at the end.
Magic Bounce: Reflects status moves back at the opponent instead of being affected by them.
It wasn't a raw power boost, but the ability to nullify and bounce back most status moves made Magic Bounce an exceptional ability.
Caitlin let out a soft laugh, her gaze lingering on Mammon for a warm moment before shifting to the adorable Hattrem. Her smile was radiant.
"Thank you. I love this little one already."
Caitlin cradled Hattrem gently, her voice tender.
She truly did.
"I had a feeling." Mammon grinned.
Just then, the doorbell rang. The door opened, and Lance stepped inside.
"Sir."
Lance gave Mammon a respectful nod, then noticed the elegant young woman in the pink dress.
Sir?
Caitlin caught the form of address.
"Lance — perfect timing. Let me introduce you. This is Caitlin, Team Rocket's newest senior officer."
"Caitlin, this is Lance — one of our Four Generals, and the only senior officer I managed to pry out of my old man."
Mammon stood and made the introductions.
Lance looked at Caitlin with visible surprise. A senior officer? They'd been in Alola for days and the Young Master had already recruited one?
And she looked every inch the refined aristocrat. Leave it to the boss's son. Impressive.
Lance didn't question Mammon's judgment — that was a subordinate's basic discipline. And he trusted that Mammon wasn't the type to let a pretty face cloud his thinking.
"A pleasure, Miss Caitlin. I look forward to working with you."
Lance greeted her warmly, his manner courteous.
"Likewise, Lance. I'm the newcomer here — please look after me."
Caitlin rose, lifted the edges of her skirt with effortless poise, and gave a perfect curtsy.
Lance smiled and nodded. His first impression of Caitlin was excellent. He appreciated a colleague with proper manners.
The one he couldn't stand was that arrogant little runt Chakra.