Chapter 21: Just Tell Me — Are the Tapus Wild or Not?!
"Gallade's been improving incredibly fast lately. I think it won't be long before he can serve as one of my main battlers."
Caitlin's smile was sweet. She was deeply satisfied with the version of herself that grew stronger each day.
"That's the best news I could ask for. Speaking of which, Caitlin — is your active team full yet?"
Mammon asked her.
Generally speaking, a trainer's active roster maxes out at six Pokémon — that's the standard limit any working trainer carries on them.
"Not yet."
Caitlin shook her head.
Her current lineup was actually only five: Metagross, Alakazam, Gothitelle, Gallade, and the Hatenna that Darach had given her.
"If you can set up Psychic Terrain, it's a massive boost for a Psychic-type team. If you're open to it, you might want to start raising an Indeedee."
Mammon offered the suggestion.
Why? Because the Indeedee line has the ability Psychic Surge — the moment one hits the field, Psychic Terrain goes up automatically.
It's a field-control ability. For Psychic-type Pokémon, an Indeedee is roughly what a Groudon is to a sun team, or a Kyogre is to a rain team.
Just not quite as essential as those weather setters.
"Indeedee, hm?"
Caitlin fell into thought.
"That's right. Only two Pokémon in existence have Psychic Surge, and Indeedee is one of them," Mammon said slowly.
"I see. Understood." Caitlin's faint smile returned.
"And what's the other Pokémon with that ability?"
She couldn't help being curious — why had he only mentioned Indeedee?
"The other one? Caitlin, you couldn't catch it right now even if you tried."
Mammon let out a soft laugh.
Caitlin tilted her head slightly, a question mark practically forming above it.
"Funny coincidence, actually — it lives right here in the Alola region. The island guardian of Akala Island, Tapu Lele. That one has Psychic Surge."
Mammon didn't bother dragging it out.
"Tapu Lele is a Psychic-type legendary. Perfect fit for you."
"A legendary… island guardian, then."
Caitlin understood. The Alola region had carried legends of the island guardians since ancient times.
No — calling them "legends" wasn't quite right, because the four Tapus actually appeared before the Alolan people in the flesh.
The traditions still preserved across Alola's four islands — the very institution of Island Kahunas — were built around the Tapus themselves choosing those leaders!
That alone showed how much the guardian Tapus meant to the people of Alola.
Forget the fact that Caitlin almost certainly wasn't strong enough to catch Tapu Lele yet — even if she could, if she actually went and did it…
Akala Island would absolutely lose its mind.
Alola might be modernizing on the surface, but the region still clung tightly to old traditions and beliefs.
The Tapus meant everything to the locals of those four islands.
"It would be very difficult. The island's Kahuna would never agree to it."
Caitlin shook her head. She was tempted, though — for someone specializing in Psychic-types like her, a Psychic legendary with Psychic Surge was almost too perfect a match.
But still…
"What does us catching our own Pokémon have to do with that woman? Since when do we need her permission?" Mammon scoffed, completely dismissive.
Was this a joke?
Mammon knew the Alola region treated the Tapus as sacred — but setting aside the fact that Team Rocket didn't take orders from outsiders in the first place…
Just tell him — are the Tapus wild Pokémon or not?!
Caitlin pressed her lips together, smiling silently, Mammon's profile reflected in her beautiful eyes.
"Even by League law, us catching a Tapu is completely legitimate and legal. If they try to interfere during the capture, or demand afterward that we release it, we can take them straight to the League. The law would be entirely on our side."
Mammon sneered. Alola's spiritual icons?
Sorry — they're wild!
And as long as a Pokémon is wild, forget the Tapus — by the letter of the law, even Arceus the freaking Original One is fair game for any trainer who wants to try and catch it.
Don't ask whether you can actually beat Arceus — that's not the point. The point is the right exists. I have the right to attempt the capture!
As long as a Pokémon is wild and unowned, a trainer is allowed to catch it. Period.
Caitlin couldn't help covering her mouth and laughing softly. Regardless of anything else, hearing the words "take them to the League" come out of Mammon's mouth was just genuinely funny.
"So you don't need to worry about any of that, Caitlin. All you need to do is keep getting stronger. Once you're powerful enough to catch Tapu Lele, I'll go with you to Akala Island myself."
"If they're willing to listen to reason, fine. If they want to throw a tantrum about it, we don't owe them any courtesy either."
Mammon's tone was light and unbothered. Clearly, he didn't think much of any Island Kahuna or Queen.
Just bottom-feeders, the lot of them. Did they think Team Rocket was going to roll over?
"Mm~"
Caitlin's expression softened, her gorgeous eyes shimmering with something heart-stopping.
Mammon…
Meanwhile, over at the Game Corner.
Guzma was slapping his own face. After a single morning, the muscles in his cheeks were practically cramping from forcing smiles all day.
Couldn't help it. According to what his assistant had told him, today was his "big grand opening day," so he had to crank up the smiles.
"Damn it. Once this stretch is over, I'm filing a transfer request with the boss. I need a different post."
Guzma bared his teeth, feeling like the muscles in his face had locked up.
And right at that moment —
"Guzma."
"The HELL!"
Guzma jumped at the voice that suddenly came from behind him, nearly kicking out on reflex.
He spun around to find — of all people — that eyesore Professor Kukui.
"Kukui! Are you out of your damn mind?! What the hell are you doing sneaking up behind me?! You wanna give a guy a heart attack?!"
Guzma cursed up a storm, not bothering with the slightest courtesy.
"Sorry about that. But I called your name several times already," Kukui shrugged helplessly.
"Guzma — why did you suddenly disband Team Skull? And on top of that—"
"Whether I disband Team Skull or not is none of your damn business. The hell is wrong with you?" Guzma snapped impatiently, turning to leave.
"Hold on a second, Guzma. I'm not here to pick a fight."
"Get your hands off me. Let go of my sleeve! Let go right now! This jacket is expensive, you bastard! Kukui, I'm warning you — keep grabbing me and I won't be polite anymore!"
"Just one question, Guzma. Did someone approach you? I asked a friend to look into it, and this Game Corner originally—"
Kukui hadn't let go of Guzma's sleeve.
"The HELL!! Security! SECURITY! Are you all blind?! Get over here and throw this troublemaker out of my building!"
Guzma exploded. His enormous bellow successfully summoned two distant security guards armed with stun batons.
Seeing how things were going south, Kukui beat a hasty retreat and bolted.
"Damn it! From now on, I want a sign posted out front — 'Kukui and Dogs Not Permitted Inside This Game Corner!' You hear me?!"
Guzma's face was still ugly with rage as he straightened out his jacket, fury unspent.
"Yes, sir."
"Tch!"
Guzma stalked toward his office. Damn that bastard Kukui — how the hell did his nose pick this up so fast? He needed to report this to the boss.
Guzma's expression darkened.
And right then, Guzma's phone rang. Already in a foul mood, he pulled it out — and the moment he saw the screen, his brow shot up into a knot.
A call from Lusamine!