Team Rocket has come to the Kalos Region, and the Team Rocket boss is right in front of us—what do we do?
At this moment, Diantha is feeling exactly this way.
Earlier it was said that, on the surface, Kalos Region still looks fairly stable, though Lysandre harbors sick, extreme dreams and is operating in secret.
But Lysandre hasn't yet come out and laid his cards on the table the way he does in the game, so Lysandre's research organization hasn't been treated as an evil team.
In Kalos Region right now, aside from ruffian small gangs like Lumiose Gang Members, there isn't really a formidable evil organization to deal with.
But that doesn't mean Diantha doesn't understand how powerful Team Rocket is.
Inter-regional exchanges are indeed limited, but not completely absent.
Moreover, a few months ago Hoenn Region even called for backup to the Kalos League, but at the time Diantha was filming, and upon learning that other regions had already sent Champions to aid, she didn't go.
Yet she has kept an eye on what followed.
Hoenn League, plus a group of Champions, still didn't take Team Rocket down, and supposedly they even compromised with Team Rocket.
Hoenn League compromised with an evil organization!
That alone should be enough to show how formidable Team Rocket is.
Besides, Kalos League's Jenny, the overall commander, had mentioned a few days ago that the Unova and Sinnoh Region Leagues had also been infiltrated by Team Rocket.
Truly terrifying!
Diantha had been sighing then, thinking how lucky it was that Team Rocket hadn't come to Kalos Region yet—otherwise she wouldn't know what to do.
And now they're here today, right in front of her.
What to do? Should she strike at this Team Rocket boss now? But this is inside the city.
And there are so many innocent guests nearby, not to mention, is she really Damian's opponent?
Diantha's thoughts are a tangled mess, and her radiant face is starting to show a fine bead of sweat.
Truly sweating buckets.
To be honest, Diantha is incredibly nervous right now, more nervous than when she first challenged the Kalos Elite Four to conquer the Kalos Region.
And Diantha's inner ideology is something Serena is completely unaware of at the moment.
"Kanto Region? It's a long way from Kalos."
"My name is Serena, from Vaniville Town. I've only just started my journey this year, and I'm traveling as a Trainer."
Serena confidently shakes Damian's hand, flashing a pleasant smile as she introduces herself.
"I think Serena Miss will surely become an excellent Trainer," Damian says with a smile.
If you're a Trainer on a journey, then you're clearly the game's Serena.
But given her earnest attitude just now, she seems identical to the game's Serena.
In the game, the protagonist Serena is serious by nature, and hates tardiness; Calum once mentioned that if someone is late by three minutes, Serena won't wait and will leave.
At the same time, Serena is very focused on strength.
Because her parents are famous, she wants to break free from their halo and always emphasizes that her strength comes from her own training.
"Thanks, I'm working hard."
Hearing Damian's words, Serena feels an endorsement, and a smile fluttering on her delicate features.
In fact, she already has eight Gym Badges and is preparing for the Lumiose Conference at year's end.
She believes she will definitely shine in this competition, even contest the Kalos Elite Four and Miss Diantha to ascend to the top of Kalos.
But nothing has happened yet, and she's only a rookie after all.
Words are no substitute for action, so Damian's clear endorsement is very helpful to Serena.
"If we're both Trainers, I think we'll have more common ground. Let me introduce you to my two teammates."
Damian introduces Serena to his two teammates.
"These two are my teammates, and they're both Trainers. This is Caitlin, and this is Platinum Berlitz, which you can also call Dawn."
"Dawn is also a rookie who just started her journey this year, but Dawn's strength is very strong."
Damian smiles as he introduces them.
Of course they're all strong Trainers, and they're certainly Admins of Team Rocket as well, right?
Diantha eyes Caitlin and Dawn carefully; she now has an impression—she seems to have seen Caitlin's data.
These are Team Rocket's top-tier Admins!
As for Dawn, she doesn't have an impression yet, but she's surely not a simple character.
"Hello."
Caitlin, with an elegant, faint smile, nods to Serena.
Dawn also greets Serena politely, looking curious at Serena.
Let's be honest—though it sounds a bit opportunistic, Dawn senses Mr. Damian isn't someone who would casually meet people.
Mr. Damian must value this beautiful girl, and Dawn's subconscious tells her that Serena's strength is likely very strong!
It's a kind of indefinable sixth sense, but Dawn's instincts tell her her own sixth sense is pretty accurate.
"Hello, Caitlin, Dawn. You both look lovely."
Serena isn't shy, but she isn't overly outgoing either; with her careful, disciplined personality, she's always felt she can be hard to get along with.
Suddenly meeting three people with a good first impression, Serena feels a little overwhelmed.
Especially these three—both in looks and bearing, they don't seem like ordinary people.
Serena doesn't boast of her looks, but she knows her looks are pretty outstanding.
And their bearing is elegant and noble, giving the sense of a well-educated noble lady.
"Thanks for the compliment—Serena, you're very pretty too."
Caitlin's manner radiates elegance as she smiles in response.
"Since you're all Trainers, Serena, would you like to spar with Dawn?"
Damian thinks today's luck is good—he just arrived in Kalos Region and happened to run into Serena, so he certainly won't let her go easily.
Moreover, Serena's serious, competitive personality makes it a good angle to start from.
"Battle? Sure, but… "
Serena naturally longs for it; as she aims to become Kalos' new Champion, she isn't afraid of any battle.
Especially since her opponent is another rookie Trainer, and showing her strength to new friends excites her.
But the key is…
Serena glances at Diantha, a little hesitant.
She knows Diantha; they've met twice on their journey, and Diantha has looked out for her and given guidance.
This time she meets Diantha, but suddenly Diantha heads off to battle, which feels a bit impolite.
"Don't mind it. Meeting travelers from other regions is a kind of fate."
"And I'm also very interested in your battle; you don't mind if I watch?"
Diantha speaks slowly with her signature kind smile.
Well, as an excellent actress, her acting speaks for itself.
Diantha's mind has become wary; this Team Rocket boss seems a bit too friendly toward Serena.
Could he be eyeing Serena?
No way! Absolutely not!
Diantha is truly fond of Serena—the junior—because Serena's talent is incredibly excellent, an extraordinary talent that even Diantha admires.
Diantha has decided that Serena will be her successor.
How could she let Serena fall into Team Rocket's clutches? That's simply unacceptable!
So Diantha decides to follow along—to protect Serena!
Serena is still young and unaware of human treachery; those who appear kind and gentle might hold dark ideologies.
Serena glances again at Damian and the three of them.
"Of course—I've long admired Miss Diantha on screen; today's meeting proves she's as beautiful and moving as in the shows."
Damian smiles.
"If Kalos Champion Miss Diantha is here to watch, it would be my honor."
Dawn respects Diantha; she's a good kid, and Diantha is Kalos Region's Champion after all.
Diantha's smile deepens; even though he's Team Rocket's boss, he's still polite.
Unfortunately, he's taken a wrong path—can she steer him back onto the right road?
After they settle the bill (noting that Serena paid), Damian is about to pay but Serena insists it's already settled; she's stubborn in her way.
Lumiose City, as the center of Kalos Region, has plenty of training grounds.
The group finds a nearby venue.
"Battle, Dawn, how would you like to battle?"
Serena ponders, asking Dawn.
"Serena, you decide."
"If you're not in a rush, a full-team battle would be more comprehensive."
Damian says Dawn is a strong Trainer; Serena really wants to know what "strong" means.
"Hmm—okay."
Dawn agrees, noting that Serena's personality tends toward being strong-willed.
But Dawn doesn't hate it—so long as it isn't self-centered.
"Then I'll be the Referee."
Damian steps forward; Dawn and Serena take their positions at opposite ends of the battle arena.
"Battle begins now; the sides are Serena and Dawn."
"The rule is 6v6; when one side's six Pokémon have all fainted, the other side wins."
"Battle start."
Damian announces the rules and steps back from the arena.
"Serena."
Dawn looks at Serena.
"Please go all out; I'm very strong, you know."
Dawn tilts her head slightly, raises a Poké Ball, and flashes a poised smile.
Yet the aura of confidence is unmistakably striking.
"Ah—you're the same, Dawn; be careful!"
Serena's erect posture tightens as she gazes at the poised Dawn.
She removes her pink hat and ties her ash-blonde hair into a neat ponytail, a habit she keeps before important battles.
"Serena is serious now."
Diantha, aware of this habit, nods.
"Ready? Then I'm going in."
Dawn grips the Poké Ball and hurls it with practiced flair—this is the move she learned from Damian, and she thinks it looks cool.
"My first Pokémon will be this one!"
"Pheromosa!"
With a proud, low chirp, the sleek Ultra Beast Pheromosa lands gracefully, lifting its chin and giving Serena a haughty stare.
Dawn is here to challenge!
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