The time slipped by again, two days later, in a private room of a restaurant in Nimbasa City.
"If Alder asks later, just tell the truth and push the responsibility onto me."
Damian sips pineapple juice, smiling.
"Uh, got it."
Elesa naturally understands. After all, when they were in front of Alder, Damian had already admitted he kidnapped her.
She can't exactly tell Alder that she's now a Team Rocket member, right?
Even if Alder is generous, her position as a Gym Leader probably won't be safe.
"And then, you take this and train it well." Damian pulls a Ultra Ball from his hand and hands it to Elesa.
Elesa's eyes flicker; she takes the Ultra Ball Damian gave, containing a Pokémon!
"Inside is an Ultra Beast, Xurkitree, not very strong in raw power but with decent potential. You like Electric-type Pokémon, right? But there aren't many strong Electric-types."
In fact, Damian does have a Zapdos; if Elesa's strength checks out, he could slip Zapdos to her through back channels.
But the key is Elesa's current strength isn't impressive; it's just normal Gym Leader level.
The Zapdos raised by Team Rocket on the farm, though, is Elite Four-level, and well-fed by Team Rocket, it's fat and fit, far stronger than in the wild.
Moreover, with its own species's strength, Elesa trying to Catch this Zapdos would be impossible.
And to be blunt, Elesa's Trainer talent is truly genius compared to ordinary people.
But there's a saying, right? A prodigy is only someone who hits my threshold.
Not counting monsters like Damian, Selene, Red; even compared with young Elite Four in various regions, Elesa can't match.
The world can be cruel at times.
If Elesa works hard, there's still a chance to reach Elite Four-level someday.
"Hmm~" Elesa's face is cool, but her voice is soft at the moment, and the corners of her lips lift slightly.
"Ultra Beast's strength isn't weaker than a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. If you train it properly, I think it could be your ace main roster."
"As for origin, you can say I kidnapped you and gave you this as a reward; Alder isn't the type to quibble."
Damian continues.
"Hmm~" Elesa's bright eyes sparkle.
"And if later you meet a Pokémon that suits your training, I'll get you one."
Damian takes another sip of pineapple juice. Electric-type Pokémon with high power aren't many; most are legendary.
Speaking of Electric-type, many would think of Pikachu, but Pikachu's power isn't that high.
Ash has a famous line: Pikachu is as common as street dogs.
Besides Ash and Red, who else has a strong Pikachu trainer? Because the strength isn't in Pikachu itself; it's in Ash and Red.
Some say Pikachu's talent is exceptional, but the fact is the game's hat-wearing Pikachu, its base stats are the same as ordinary Pikachu.
Whereas in the "Let's remove the fur" game, partner Pikachu's base stats are higher.
Pikachu's talent among its species is excellent, but Damian thinks if the trainer isn't Ash, but someone else trains Pikachu, its final strength wouldn't reach Ash's level.
In short, the talent isn't just about the Pokémon; it's the Trainer.
There are many examples: Ash and Red's Pikachu, Giovanni's Beedrill, Red and Leon's Charizard; there are many Charizards, but only they two reach Red/Leon's level.
Charizard helped Red beat Wild Mewtwo; Charizard helped Leon nearly beat Eternatus in its Normal Form.
Even Pryce's Swinub and Delibird are extreme.
And Elesa, at least for now, doesn't have a capability to train ordinary Pokémon to that level.
So of course Damian wants to give Elesa Pokémon with inherently higher base strength.
As for where to get them, Damian already has a plan in mind.
"Hmm~" Elesa sighs again, her eyes full of affection, truly captivating.
Then Elesa stands and moves closer to Damian, placing a light kiss or trace on his cheek.
Damian raises an eyebrow; on the other side, Caitlin's eyes drop a notch.
"I'm leaving now; if you have time tonight, video."
With that line, Elesa turns and walks away, her slender waist swaying; her tight shorts accentuate her shapely hips.
But just as she steps out of the room, Elesa can't help slapping her own cheek; she feels hot on the face, thinking, what exactly did she just do?!
Oh my gosh!!
Elesa feels deeply embarrassed right now, though she and Damian have a close, intimate relationship.
Even though they're about to be apart, Damian has spent the last two days with Elesa in a private room rather than with Anthea and Concordia.
But doing that in front of others…
"Gym Leader Elesa?"
A sudden, surprised voice reaches Elesa's ears.
Elesa returns to herself; her face returns to its usual cool, then looks toward the source—a young female server.
"Hello." Elesa nods, keeping a cold demeanor.
privately she's not much of a talker, except when dealing with challengers or on stage.
"It really is you! Oh my god! I'm your fan, Gym Leader Elesa! Where have you been lately? Are you traveling to other regions...?"
This fan is excited, Elesa being a city icon in Nimbasa City with a huge following.
She greets, then looks at the Love Ball in her hand with a faint smile.
Then, taking a deep breath, Elesa strides out of the restaurant, back to being the dazzling Elesa of Nimbasa City.
I wonder...
Elesa touches her belly, hoping she might get pregnant soon; Damian's sperm has been in her for days, hoping to secure a baby.
She heads toward Nimbasa Gym with hope that if she has a baby, that arrogant woman will envy her!
And she'll have the confidence to live with Damian!
Shortly after Elesa leaves, Damian and Caitlin settle the bill and also exit the restaurant.
Damian feels good, but the psychic girl beside him isn't smiling.
Though she still wears a slight smile, Caitlin's eyes show dissatisfaction at Elesa's actions in front of her.
That woman! Dare to flirt with Damian in front of me!
Doesn't she realize I'm the one who will marry Damian? How shameless!
Unova women are truly shameless; this is crossing a line.
Ugh… I've not even kissed Damian yet, and that filthy woman dares to kiss his face, right in front of me, ugh...
If I see Elesa again, I'll make sure that bitch doesn't get away with it!
Caitlin mumbles, pouting unhappily.
"Let's go shopping, buy some new dresses? You've worn that dress twice already."
Damian considers then smiles at Caitlin.
Caitlin loves wearing fitted long dresses; in Damian's view, aside from Team Rocket missions, she mostly wears dresses in daily life.
She prefers simple dresses without patterns; elegant and poised.
"Mm~ sounds good." Caitlin's mood lifts; she keeps up the young lady vibe, smiling with a bend of her eyes.
The two head toward a nearby mall, planning one last stroll through Unova before leaving.
"Damian, how's it going?"
In the fitting room, Caitlin emerges, wearing a dress she's examining, and asks Damian.
Damian turns and sees the sight: the psychic girl stands there, one hand lifting the skirt slightly to reveal her waist, showing off the elegant dress.
It's a simple long dress, white as Caitlin's favorite, with a white sash at the waist, highlighting a slender waist.
The dress is form-fitting, showing off her graceful figure; her long hair cascades behind her, lifted a bit by Damian's psychic influence.
Elegant, beautiful, with a natural air of poise and nobility.
"So pretty, like a fairy," Damian praises.
"Yes, your boyfriend has excellent taste; I've never seen a dress that suits you so well."
The saleswoman keeps praising.
"With someone as gorgeous as you and your boyfriend as handsome as him, you two will be the center of attention when you walk out."
Caitlin glances at Damian; his face is calm, no obvious rebuttal, and Caitlin's heart beats faster.
"I like all the clothing in your shop." Caitlin turns to the saleswoman and enters the fitting room again.
"I'll take it all."
"What?"
The saleswoman is stunned.
"Pack up the white, pink, and black dresses in my size, please."
Caitlin gives a faint smile, elegant and gentle.
She mainly prefers white and pink, but Damian loves black, so she's also liking black.
Besides, she looks surprisingly good in black.
The saleswoman, revived with excitement, sees an ultra-wealthy customer.
"Miss, you and this handsome man will be happy together!"
"Here's wishing you well," Caitlin replies softly.
Yes, she's in a good mood now, very good indeed.
~~
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