"Could you please take care of this child for a while?"
Lugia's mother's Telepathy carries a strong reluctance, but she's made up her mind.
After all, she doesn't really have time to babysit Little Lugia from here on out.
And this human before her is at least Kyogre-endorsed, and in interactions Lugia's mother has a decent impression of him.
There's also such a fortunate thing?
Damian glances at Little Lugia again; though young, Little Lugia is still from the Lugia clan, and Damian is more than happy to help take care of it.
"No problem, rest assured, I'll make sure Little White stays safe."
Damian promises Lugia's mother.
"Thank you."
Lugia's mother uses psychic control to nudge Little Lugia over, affectionately rubbing its head with her mind.
Little Lugia giggles happily, completely unaware of what's happening.
"These are my feathers; if you need anything, Damian, you can contact me through these feathers."
Then Little Lugia and a silver-glimmering feather float to Damian's front.
"Okay."
Damian catches this special Silver Wing, likely serving the same function as Ho-Oh's Rainbow Wing.
Not only can Damian contact Lugia through the feathers, Lugia can locate Damian's location through the feathers as well.
"Next I'll go find the chief, goodbye."
Lugia's mother glances sadly at Little Lugia one last time, then spreads her wings and takes off.
"Goodbye." Damian waves farewell.
Lugia's mother's melodic call echoes aloud as the huge form circles in the air and disappears into the sea.
They're leaving …
Miki watches the waters gradually calm, feeling complex but mostly relieved.
There's a slight difference from what she expected—initially she asked Damian to help to obtain Ho-Oh's forgiveness, but now it's Lugia; no difference really.
Miki looks at Damian with soft, steady eyes; indeed, Lord Damian is remarkable.
By rights, Damian has completed the agreement; from now on, her life would be bound to Damian.
But how to put it? Miki doesn't regret it, and honestly she feels a bit lucky.
Damian is young, capable, handsome, and his personality is good.
The only issue is his identity—Upper echelons of Team Rocket. But as the saying goes, you ride the rooster, you ride the rooster; Miki is prepared for it.
"Aha, Kid, as expected it's you; you've become Lugia's caretaker."
Karen teasingly comments in a lazy, teasing tone.
"Not bad; a bit short of my expectations."
Damian gently pats Little Lugia's head; those smooth, silky feathers feel amazing.
This is different from what he initially imagined; at first he wanted to bundle both Lugia mother and child together.
With Kyogre around, Damian felt beating Lugia's mother wouldn't be difficult.
But once he learned about Shadow Lugia, his ideology shifted.
Compared to an ordinary Lugia, he now wants the Shadow Lugia more.
"From now on, you can roam freely; Karen, you and your team go and get to know the Team Rocket base locations; coordinate with Carr for specifics."
Damian tells Karen and Will.
Recently there hasn't been much high-profile activity for Karen, but Carr likely has many plans.
Whether Karen wants to participate is up to her.
"Sure~" Karen's lips curl slightly, that Dwarf indeed.
"Then we'll be off."
Damian leads Caitlin, Miki, and the others away from Ogi Isle.
"Karen?"
Will watches Karen after Damian leaves.
"We'll head back to the organization and hand this Silver Wing to the Masked Man." Karen lifts Little Lugia's Silver Wing; unsure if this feather will work.
If it doesn't, it's fine; Damian can contact Lugia anyway, and if she makes more contributions, he'll surely ask for Lugia feathers in return.
"Mm." Will nods.
"And then we'll go find Carr the Dwarf and deal with him."
Karen's expression hints at malice; she hasn't forgotten Carr's trash talk.
Now she's a top-tier Admin, and he's beneath her.
"Is that okay?" Will frowns slightly: "You've only joined Team Rocket for a day."
Will thinks Karen isn't ready to mess with Carr yet, given Damian values Karen.
"No, no, two days, Will." Karen shows a leisurely smile.
"And who says I'm going to pick a fight with the Dwarf? I'm just trying to build rapport with a darling colleague."
Karen's smile becomes nasty.
.....
Ecruteak City.
They return to the mansion Damian arranged for them.
"Uww~"
Little Lugia looks around curiously at this unfamiliar place.
Caitlin follows closely, preventing the child from wandering off.
"Miki, our agreement is basically complete; we only needed to meet Ho-Oh or Lugia."
Damian looks at Miki and Zuki, smiling.
"Yes," Miki's gentle tone remains.
"According to the agreement, my life is entrusted to Lord Damian from now on…"
Miki wears a soft, polite smile, about to say "I'll be by your side for the rest of my life."
"No need for that," Damian shakes his head.
"Why? Is there something I've done you dislike…?" Miki freezes, then hurriedly asks.
"No, I still like you; but Zuki has already decided to honor her promise and has paid a portion of the payoff in advance."
Damian glances at Zuki; among the Five Sisters, she's the third sister, bowing her head, not daring to meet Miki's gaze.
"Zuki… you…"
Miki can't believe it; she didn't expect this from the usually calm, rational little sister.
And what does "advance pay" mean?
Zuki bites her lip, keeping her gaze lowered.
Elsewhere, Caitlin senses something and watches.
Of course, Caitlin isn't fond of either of these sisters—both are "naughty women" trying to woo Damian.
Their infighting amuses Caitlin.
"Zuki, why did you do that…?"
Miki's voice carries a note of unease; she can guess Zuki's ideology, but she wants to understand.
"Because sister always sacrifices for us."
Zuki's magnetic voice answers, calm.
"Even though we're grown, sister still believes as before that she should sacrifice for her little sister."
Hearing this, Miki's expression grows more complex.
"I'm grown; I have the right to decide my life, and I don't want to accept my sister's 'sacrifice' just to gain my freedom. I don't need it."
Zuki's tone shifts, but quickly returns to calm.
"And I love Lord Damian; serving him would be a happiness for me."
Is that really true?
Miki studies Zuki; Zuki doesn't meet her gaze, instead looking aside.
Miki sighs inwardly, knowing this is Zuki's good intention; Zuki sacrifices her own life to give them freedom.
But, alongside the emotion, a strange, disquieting feeling lingers in Miki's heart.
Because she doesn't feel she's been wronged at all…
And she was the first here, yet Zuki came later and moved ahead?
"I understand, Lord Damian; please treat Zuki well."
But whatever the ideology, Miki knows it's beyond salvage now, and she bows deeply to Damian.
"Rest assured; even if I can't grant Zuki a title, I'll treat her well."
"Furthermore, there's one more thing I was hesitant about, but now I can confidently request it."
Miki keeps a gentle tone.
Zuki also looks to her sister; what else would the eldest sister ask of Lord Damian?
"You say."
Damian is curious.
"Previously your deal was only partial, and now Lord Lugia has forgiven us, but Lord Ho-Oh hasn't yet."
"Lord Damian, I'd like to make another agreement; I'm willing to put the rest of my life as the price, please let us meet Lord Ho-Oh."
Miki's voice is soft, but utterly firm.
Originally she planned to request Damian later, but Zuki's sudden interjection gives them a stronger reason.
"!!!" Zuki's eyes widen.
"This… you're serious?"
Damian's expression becomes a bit creepy.
"I'm very serious," Miki says firmly.
"I don't mind; after all, I've benefited, but would the two of you serving me together be a bit much?"
Surveying the two sisters, Damian feels he's getting a good deal.
Such impressive sisters are rare, and they're family.
Most importantly, obtaining their terms isn't difficult for Damian.
Ho-Oh, you truly are my lucky star!!
Damian marvels; Ho-Oh's entry in the Pokédex is no lie—meeting Ho-Oh brings eternal happiness.
Since meeting Ho-Oh, Damian feels his life has grown more perfect.
That's the power of Ho-Oh!
No more sneaking to call it Shiny Fearow.
But elsewhere…
Damn! Using sisterly affection to lure Damian, huh? Do you have any shame?!
Caitlin expressionless.
These two dancers are just too cheap!
~~~
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