Chapter 15: Welcome to Team Rocket, You Two
Become senior officers in Team Rocket?
That was a path Plumeria had never once imagined.
Lance, meanwhile, studied the pair with a critical eye. Guzma, maybe — but did this Plumeria woman really warrant it?
Not that he was questioning Mammon's judgment, but a regular officer was one thing. Senior officer was a title you had to earn.
But Mammon knew Plumeria deserved it. Her Trainer talent wasn't extraordinary, sure — but that depended on your frame of reference.
Compared to a once-in-a-generation prodigy like the game's protagonist — someone who reached Champion level in a single year — she naturally fell short. But against ordinary Trainers? She held up just fine.
In the games, after Team Skull disbanded, Plumeria had devoted herself to raising Pokémon and even challenged the Alola League, making it all the way to the Champion's doorstep.
And her management skills were impressive. Keeping Team Skull — a disorganized mess of delinquents — in line and running smoothly? That spoke volumes.
"If we join Team Rocket, we'll end up on the League's wanted list. You know that, right?"
Seeing that Guzma still hadn't spoken, Plumeria broke the silence, her tone hard. She had no warm feelings toward these people.
Team Skull might terrorize Alola, but Team Rocket was a different animal entirely — an organization officially wanted by the Pokémon League.
"Oh, come on." Mammon laughed.
"Let me ask you something, Plumeria. What exactly do you think separates Team Skull's methods from Team Rocket's?"
He idly spun a Poké Ball between his fingers.
Plumeria frowned, ready to push back.
"Team Rocket may be a criminal organization, but times change. We've moved past a lot of the old bad habits and shifted toward more sophisticated operations."
"We barely even steal Pokémon from random people anymore. We run our own breeding farms to raise Pokémon from eggs."
"And your crew? Right now, Team Skull grunts are out on every island in Alola causing trouble."
Mammon could barely contain his amusement.
"The only reason you've gotten away with it is because Alola doesn't have a League yet. The moment one's established, Team Skull will be the very first target."
"…"
Plumeria had nothing to say to that.
"Besides, joining Team Rocket isn't a bad deal for you. I can see you're both capable people. Would you rather waste away in Team Skull waiting to get arrested and thrown in a cell, or actually build something meaningful with us?"
Mammon looked between them.
"Serve the organization well, and you'll both have a seat at the table when it comes to managing Alola. Your current subordinates? You can keep commanding them."
"Trust me — your futures shouldn't end in a dump like this."
Mammon glanced around the trashed room.
"People need to have goals. Not just sleepwalk through life. You're both competent — so I'd like you to think it over seriously."
That was about as much respect as Mammon was willing to show. These two were really the only ones worth recruiting out of Team Skull.
If he could bring them in, he would.
Plumeria said nothing. Guzma's eyes flickered, thoughts clearly churning.
After a long silence, Guzma finally spoke.
"I'm… IN!!"
The words came out rough and aggressive — classic Guzma. But the answer was clear. He was joining.
"…" Plumeria stared at Guzma in shock.
Mammon broke into a brilliant smile and applauded.
"Smart choice, Mr. Guzma. This is a brand-new chapter for you."
"Power, wealth, women — fame, if that's what you want. Whatever it is, it'll all be yours."
Mammon smiled warmly.
"I don't want any of that." Guzma's voice was low.
Those were ordinary people's desires. Guzma didn't need them.
What he wanted was vindication.
Failing the Trial Captain selection all those years ago — that wound had never healed. He wanted to prove to everyone that Guzma was somebody worth respecting.
In the games, why had the proud, volatile Guzma agreed to work under Lusamine? He'd said it himself — because Lusamine had acknowledged his strength.
That recognition was exactly why he'd followed her.
"Of course. Whatever you're after is fine by me. Once we control Alola's underworld, this entire region's dark side will be ours. We'll be kings."
Mammon understood Guzma perfectly.
"Kings of the underworld… I like the sound of that!" Guzma bared his teeth in a fierce grin.
That's right — Guzma was going to rule Alola's underworld!
And everyone who'd ever looked down on him was going to watch him shine.
"And you, Plumeria?"
Mammon turned to her.
"…"
Plumeria looked at Guzma, her expression conflicted.
"Plumeria — don't worry about me. Make the call for yourself." Guzma's voice was firm.
"I… I still want to look after those idiots. Mr. Mammon, I'll join Team Rocket — but please don't hurt the Skull members who choose not to join. Can you promise me that?"
Plumeria hesitated, then made her request.
"Of course." Mammon stood and extended his hand to both of them.
He'd never cared much about the rank-and-file grunts anyway. With Guzma and Plumeria leading the way, the majority of Skull members would follow. The few who didn't? Let them go.
Originally, Mammon had planned to put the holdouts to work in the mines or on labor crews. But if Plumeria felt strongly about it, he could let it slide.
"Welcome to Team Rocket, you two."
"Welcome aboard."
"We look forward to working with you both."
Lance and Caitlin chimed in with gracious words of their own. They were both in good spirits.
Lance was relieved — whatever these two new colleagues were capable of, at least someone could share his workload now.
Caitlin was simply fascinated. This was her very first day experiencing the underworld.
One minute they'd been at each other's throats, and now everyone was all smiles. It was… surreal.
Still, as a member of Team Rocket, a stronger Alola branch was a good thing.
"All right — next steps. Guzma, you and Plumeria go downstairs and make the announcement. Anyone who wants to stay is welcome. Anyone who wants to leave walks free. No pressure."
Mammon addressed the two of them. Recruitment wasn't urgent.
As long as the compensation was right — salaries, Pokémon, the works — there'd be no shortage of people lining up.
"Fine." Guzma and Plumeria both seemed satisfied with the arrangement.
"Plumeria — go see Lance about funding, then buy up a few garment factories."
"Huh?" Plumeria blinked.
"Time to start producing Team Rocket uniforms. And while you're at it, you and Guzma need new wardrobes. If there's anything you like, just have the factory make it. Because that whole street-thug aesthetic you've got going on… your fashion sense needs serious work."
Mammon made absolutely no effort to hide his disdain for their style.
Guzma and Plumeria: "…"
Caitlin pressed her lips together tightly. If she didn't have a lady's image to maintain, she would have laughed out loud.
The looks on their faces were priceless.
"…Understood." Plumeria forced out a single word after an excruciatingly long pause.
"And Guzma — coordinate with Lance on the Game Corner. You're going to run it. Use your reputation around Alola to put our entertainment business on the map."
"Huh? Me?"
Guzma froze, pointing at his own face in disbelief.
Wait — he was going to run a Game Corner? As the boss?