The next morning.
"Welcome to Team Rocket, Miss Caitlin."
Damian smiled at Caitlin standing before him.
He'd woken up planning to do some "morning exercises" with Domino, but then Caitlin called.
A big surprise. Damian valued Caitlin a lot.
This genius psychic girl's ceiling wasn't just Elite Four—if properly trained, she could become a pillar of Team Rocket.
Team Rocket had plenty of executives, but right now, aside from Giovanni and Damian, there were no other Champion-tier members.
So a Trainer like Caitlin, with Champion-tier potential, was precious.
"I hope Sir Damian will guide me well."
Caitlin clasped Damian's hand, her clear eyes locked on him. She'd tossed and turned all night before deciding.
She chose to trust this boy, to witness the dark side of the world, to grow faster!
She would become strong!
"Of course. From now on, we're close comrades. Trust me, Miss Caitlin—you won't regret today's decision."
Damian grinned, then gestured for Caitlin to sit.
Caitlin was quiet. Since she'd chosen, she wouldn't regret it. Everyone should be responsible for their own decisions.
"Sir Damian, why has our Team Rocket come to the Alola Region?"
With elegant poise, Caitlin smoothed her dress and sat sideways, asking Damian curiously.
She was sharp—she even used "our Team Rocket" to show where she stood now.
In truth, Caitlin didn't know much about Team Rocket—only that there was an evil organization like that in Kanto.
But she did know this: any group that could grow under the Indigo League's nose and dominate Kanto's underworld wasn't ordinary.
"Kanto's development is saturated. The organization needs to expand outward. Alola is our first target."
Damian poured freshly brewed tea and handed it to Caitlin.
"Try it, Miss Caitlin. I had these tea leaves brought over from Galar."
"Thank you. Sir Damian, just call me by my name."
Caitlin accepted with both hands, very polite. She thought she understood.
"So here in Alola we're…?"
"That's right. Put crudely, we came to Alola to seize territory. Also, Caitlin, just call me by my name."
Damian took a sip, half joking.
Caitlin blinked, the corners of her lips lifting. She was curious how this "seizing territory" worked in practice.
"Speaking of timing, yours is great. Today we're going to 'greet' the local Team Skull."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Caitlin smiled lightly—she meant it. A strange "new world" was slowly revealing itself.
And for her, this "new world" would be interesting.
"And as a friend, consider this my personal welcome gift for joining."
Damian pulled a shrunken Poké Ball from his pocket and offered it to Caitlin.
If he wanted Caitlin firmly tied to Team Rocket's ship, he had to put in the work.
"I couldn't possibly…"
Caitlin demurred.
"No need to be polite. Open it—you'll like it," Damian said with a smile.
"If you see me as a friend, Caitlin, then take it."
At that, her prepared refusal stalled. How could she refuse?
"Thank you, Damian."
Caitlin pressed her lips together, her bright eyes reflecting Damian's face, a warm current flowing through her chest as she accepted the Poké Ball.
Maybe… this really was the right choice.
Caitlin opened the ball. A white flash—and a small blue-and-pink little one landed on the tea table with a cute chirp.
"Hatenna?"
Its bangs were long, covering its eyes. It had a round body, and its most iconic feature was its upturned tail with a pale blue orb at the tip—altogether like a hat on its head.
A Psychic-type—Hatenna.
Caitlin examined the little one with curiosity. She recognized it—being devoted to Psychic-types, she knew many from different regions.
"This Hatenna's from Galar. Lots of potential. Its final evolution is Hatterene, the 'Forest Witch,' a Psychic/Fairy Pokémon."
Damian gave a simple intro to Hatenna.
"I picked this Hatenna specifically. Its Ability is Magic Bounce—great against status moves. If you'd used a Hatterene yesterday, Mismagius wouldn't have had it so easy."
He added with a teasing note.
Magic Bounce: ignores status moves used by the opponent and reflects them.
It doesn't directly raise raw power, but immunity to and reflection of most status moves still makes Magic Bounce very strong.
Caitlin smiled, her eyes flowing toward Damian, then turned to the adorable Hatenna with a knowing smile—beautiful.
"Thank you. I like this child very much."
Caitlin picked up Hatenna, smiling softly. Yes—she liked it.
"I figured," Damian said with a laugh.
Just then, the doorbell rang, and Proton opened the door and walked in.
"Young master."
Proton bowed to Damian, his gaze landing on Caitlin in her elegant, luxurious pink dress.
Young master?
Caitlin noticed the way Proton addressed him.
"Proton, you're here. Come, let me introduce you. This is Caitlin, Team Rocket's new executive."
"Caitlin, this is Proton, one of the Four Admins—the only executive I wrangled from my Dad."
Damian stood to make the introductions.
Proton looked quite surprised. Executive? They'd only been here a few days and the young master had already recruited an executive.
And a noble lady type—elegant and regal. As expected of the young master. 10/10.
Proton didn't doubt Damian's eye—that's a subordinate's creed. And he believed Damian wasn't the type to let lust cloud his judgment.
"Hello, Miss Caitlin. I look forward to working with you."
Proton greeted Caitlin politely, very friendly.
"Proton sir, likewise. I'm new here—please take care of me." Caitlin stood and lifted her skirt slightly in a perfect curtsy.
Proton nodded with a smile. First impression: excellent. He liked colleagues with manners.
What he disliked most was Carr's arrogant, stinky shorty.