"I wanted to ask... if I want to join Team Rocket, what conditions do I need to meet?"
Gloria asked with anticipation.
This wasn't some passing whim. As Gloria had said herself, ever since she saw Damian's interview, she had held a lot of goodwill toward him.
And she also greatly admired his vision.
"If someone has to change the world, then why can't it be me?"
That was also why so many people online liked Damian.
What Gloria had said at the start wasn't a lie to Damian. She really was basically one of Damian's fans.
Especially after the Team Flare incident in the Kalos Region, when Team Rocket assisted the Kalos League in crushing Team Flare's scheme.
That also proved Damian hadn't been lying in that interview. His Team Rocket really was making the world better.
Then there was nothing left to hesitate about. Gloria felt she was also someone who wanted the world to become more beautiful.
"Join Team Rocket?"
Damian raised a brow at that and chuckled.
"There aren't really any conditions. As long as you share our ideals and dreams, then you're one of our like-minded teammates."
Damian answered like that.
"But once you join Team Rocket, you'll have to work together toward the organization's goals, Gloria. Have you thought that through?"
"Of course! Mr. Damian, my goal is to make the skies of this world clear and beautiful too!"
Gloria answered very firmly. She liked journeys and adventures, because they let her see this world's brilliance and beauty even better.
As for the shadows and evil hidden beneath all that beauty, Gloria knew very clearly that she didn't like those things.
After learning about Team Rocket and Damian through the interview video, she truly admired Damian's courage and dreams.
The only thing Gloria found regrettable was that the Galar Region didn't seem to have any well-known evil organizations, but that was also a good thing.
As for Team Yell?
At first, when Gloria met Team Yell, she didn't like them, because they went too far in interfering with Gym challengers.
But later she learned that the so-called Team Yell were actually just Marnie's fans, and they genuinely liked Pokémon too. In a way, those Team Yell members were actually kind of adorable.
So Gloria let it go.
"Good! That's the kind of partner who can move forward with us!"
Damian nodded in relief and patted Gloria's shoulder.
"Then, as Team Rocket's boss, I warmly welcome your joining. As for the contract, let's sign it after we leave these ruins."
"Huh? There's a contract too?"
Gloria was quite happy, but also a little puzzled.
"Of course. We're a proper organization, so naturally we sign contracts." Damian gave Gloria a strange look.
Gloria's face went red. She really hadn't thought of that.
"Then the organization will grant you a monthly salary and permissions according to your post level. With the strength you've shown in Gym challenges, Gloria, it shouldn't be bad."
"Oh, oh, oh, I'm pretty confident in my strength."
Mentioning what she was good at, Gloria was very confident.
After all, she was a Trainer recognized by Champion Leon!
"Then later, you can spar with Serena. Serena is one of the organization's executives, so let's see what level you're at now. If you can reach executive level, I can even give you a surprise."
Damian smiled. Of course, he knew very well that Gloria's strength was absolutely at Elite Four level.
It was just unknown whether she or Serena was stronger now.
Among the many protagonists, Gloria's talent was definitely in the upper tier.
"Okay!"
Gloria blinked and looked at Serena, another girl who seemed about her age.
She definitely wouldn't be worse than this girl. Even Champion Leon had said she was more of a genius than he had been when he first debuted!
The only question was, what surprise would she get if she became an executive?
Gloria was very much looking forward to it. After all, a surprise from Mr. Damian definitely wouldn't be simple, right?
"Gloria..."
Serena looked at this sweet and pure girl, and suddenly had a strange instinct that this girl was probably also a "monster"...
Yeah, even though that instinct came out of nowhere, Serena trusted her sixth sense a lot.
She felt a little helpless. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that her old title as the strongest among her Kalos peers didn't seem special at all anymore...
But people got used to that kind of thing. The world was this big, and there were countless geniuses. Still, precisely because of that—
If you can stand out from so many "monsters," that's what's truly worth being proud of and remembering!
Serena's gaze turned firm. That's right, and the first thing she needed to do next was give this newcomer a proper lesson.
Back when she first joined Team Rocket, hadn't Dawn "educated" her the same way?
You really are the best among your own age group in the Galar Region. I'm not nitpicking you here—who isn't the top among their region's peers?
But once you join Team Rocket, it's different.
Come experience Team Rocket's pressure and intensity!
Up on the stage, the battle between Dawn and Regieleki was still going on, and Entei was fighting fiercely under Dawn's command.
But Regieleki's speed was just too fast!
It was terrifyingly fast, especially since this damn Regieleki could also use Extreme Speed.
Dawn was really glad she hadn't used Pheromosa, or else Pheromosa would probably already be lying on the ground right now.
Pheromosa's speed was absolutely top-tier among all Pokémon too; there were only a handful that could outpace it.
But Regieleki was one of them.
And for a glass-cannon like Pheromosa, with high speed and high attack, the worst matchup was exactly a high-speed Pokémon like Regieleki.
If it couldn't match the opponent in speed, Pheromosa basically had no way to counter Regieleki, and would only get one-sidedly beaten down by Regieleki's Extreme Speed until it gradually fell into despair.
But Dawn had considered that, which was why she used Entei.
Although Entei was nowhere near as fast as Regieleki, Entei had a lot of wide-area moves, like Eruption, Smokescreen, and so on.
It also had moves like Smokescreen that could mess with Regieleki's vision. Besides, Wild Pokémon battle styles were really straightforward.
Even though speed was very troublesome, with steady, solid play, Dawn still won in the end.
Entei beat Regieleki.
Beep Beep Ding!
Along with a crisp chime, the Ultra Ball finally locked shut, and Regieleki was caught.
"That's great! Entei, you're amazing, you did so well!"
Picking up Regieleki's Ultra Ball, Dawn was overjoyed. She hugged Entei's neck, even though it was badly injured, and her happiness was obvious.
Entei snorted, lifted its head proudly, as if saying:
"Of course. I'm Entei, one of the Legendary Beasts!"
Seeing the interaction between the girl and Entei, Damian couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Ugh—so jealous.
Gloria was very envious in her heart. Entei and Regieleki—this girl had two legendaries.
And her strength was so strong!
Gloria blinked her bright eyes. Purely this Entei alone, this girl was much stronger than her.
"Congratulations, Dawn."
Damian stepped forward and said with a smile.
"Thanks~ It's all because you were willing to give me the chance, Mr. Damian."
"It was your own effort that led to the capture. There's no need to be that formal between us." Damian waved a hand.
"Mm~"
Dawn's little face immediately turned red. Damian's words were a little too suggestive.
But the girl's heart felt sweet. Yes, her relationship with Mr. Damian really didn't need to be this polite.
Picking up on the warming atmosphere between the two, Gloria's gossip radar immediately went into overdrive, while Serena subtly curled her lip.
Caitlin remained expressionless.
"Since Dawn has completed the capture, let's head outside first. Gloria also wants to join our organization, so we'll talk out there."
Damian glanced at Split-Decision Ruins. Because of the intense battle between Entei and Regieleki, the ruins were already a mess.
"Mm~"
The group came outside Split-Decision Ruins, then found a clean patch of grass and laid down a picnic blanket.
"Because we still don't know how strong Gloria is, the organization's treatment for you is all at the most basic level."
"As for the exact salary and treatment, that'll depend on your battle with Serena next."
"I feel like we're meant to be together, and the organization isn't stingy either. But how many perks you get depends on your own performance. That's the same no matter where you are. You understand that, right, Gloria?"
Damian handed Gloria a contract, letting her take a look first.
"Ah~ I know!"
Gloria nodded naturally, then carefully went through the contract. She was kind-hearted, but she wasn't clueless.
Stuff like contracts had to be taken seriously.
After reading it, the contract didn't seem to have any problems, and even the normal treatment was already very generous in Gloria's eyes.
She didn't even dare imagine the treatment for those Admins. Was Team Rocket really this humane? But that was exactly the kind of organization she liked!
"Since this is a test, a full-team battle would be best. That way your level and strength can be shown more clearly. Is that okay?"
"No problem! Mr. Damian, just watch. I'm really strong!"
Gloria patted her chest with confidence. Even if she might not be as good as Dawn, Gloria felt she wouldn't be weaker than Serena.
After all, she was No. 1 among her age group in the Galar Region!
That was personally confirmed by Leon and all the Gym Leaders!
"Good, then I'll look forward to it. But let me give you a friendly reminder: Serena's strength is very strong too, so don't let your guard down."
Damian chuckled softly and gestured for the two girls to begin.
Gloria and Serena made eye contact, then slowly walked apart, leaving enough battle space in the middle.
A blood-red energy point was not far from the two of them.
Dawn acted as referee and announced the simple battle rules.
After that, Dawn left the battle arena and continued bonding with the Regieleki she had just caught.
"Miss Serena, please guide me!"
Gloria's sweet and adorable face gradually turned serious. Even though she was confident in herself, this was an "interview" battle, and she had to perform as well as possible.
"Just call me Serena. From now on, we're all teammates."
Serena's pretty face was also quite serious. She took off her hat and tied up her beautiful wavy long hair with a black hairband, instantly changing her whole vibe—clean and sharp.
"Then you can just call me Gloria too, Serena."
Gloria thought Serena was a little odd. She looked like a cool girl, but her attitude was surprisingly nice.
"Good, Gloria. I hope your level won't disappoint me."
Serena raised her Poké Ball, her beautiful eyes reflecting the silhouette of the girl across from her.
"My first Pokémon is this one!"
"Greninja!"
The Poké Ball opened in midair, and with a flash of white light, a cool-looking Greninja landed gracefully and slowly stood up to stare at Gloria.
"Greninja, huh? That's one of the starter Pokémon from Kalos."
Gloria recognized it immediately.
"Yeah, I'm from Kalos."
Serena nodded.
"In that case, I'll use this one too!"
Gloria was fired up and decisively threw out her own Poké Ball.
"Rillaboom! Go!"
With a flash of white light, a sturdy Rillaboom landed in front of Gloria and set a wooden drum down before it.
Rillaboom, the Grass starter of the Galar Region's starter trio!
Serena's eyes shimmered slightly. This was her first time seeing Rillaboom.
And then...
"Rillaboom!"
Gloria called out to Rillaboom.
Rillaboom let out a low growl, and green motes of light lit up over its body, a wave of green energy spreading outward.
On the already grassy ground, green motes of light dotted the area.
This was Rillaboom's Ability, Grassy Surge, which could spread Grassy Terrain.
"Tsk~ If Serena doesn't switch Pokémon, this'll be hard."
Seeing that, Damian clicked his tongue softly.
With Grassy Surge, Rillaboom could definitely be counted among the best of all the starter trio Grass types.
Of course, Greninja wasn't bad either, but the problem was that Serena's Greninja had the Torrent Ability.
And even hiding Ability Protean wouldn't help. Did anyone even still use Protean these days?
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