"Are there any requirements if I want to join Team Rocket?"
Gloria asked hopefully.
This was not just a sudden whim. Just as Gloria had said herself, she had already started liking Damian a lot after watching his interview.
She also truly admired Damian's vision.
'If someone has to change the world, why can't that person be me?'
That was also the reason so many people online liked Damian.
Gloria had not lied to Damian at the start. She really was one of Damian's fans.
More specifically, after the Team Flare incident in the Kalos region, Team Rocket had helped the Kalos League stop Team Flare's plan.
That proved Damian had not been lying in the interview. The Team Rocket he led really was making the world a better place.
Because of that, there was nothing to hesitate over. Gloria felt that she was also someone who wanted the world to become more beautiful!
"Requirements to join Team Rocket?"
Damian raised an eyebrow when he heard that and let out a soft laugh.
"Actually, there are no requirements. As long as you share our ideals and goals, then you are someone walking the same path as us."
That was Damian's answer.
"However, once you join Team Rocket, you must work hard for the organization's goals. Gloria, have you thought that through?"
"Of course! Mr. Damian, my goal is also to make the world's sky clear and beautiful!"
Gloria replied with complete certainty. She liked traveling and adventure because they allowed her to see the world's brightness and beauty more clearly.
As for the darkness and evil hidden beneath that beauty, Gloria knew very clearly that she did not like them.
After learning about Team Rocket and Damian through the interview video, she had truly come to admire Damian's courage and ideals.
The only thing Gloria found a little unfortunate was that the Galar region did not seem to have any famous evil organizations. Still, that was also a good thing.
Did you mean Team Yell?
Actually, when she first met Team Yell, Gloria did not like them. That was because they had gone a bit too far when blocking Gym Challengers.
But later, she found out that the so-called Team Yell members were really just Marnie's fans. On top of that, the people in Team Yell actually liked Pokémon very much. From a certain point of view, Team Yell's members were actually pretty cute.
So, Gloria let it go.
"Very good! This is exactly the kind of partner who can move forward with us!"
Damian nodded in satisfaction and patted Gloria on the shoulder.
"Then, as the leader of Team Rocket, I welcome you to join. As for the contract, we can sign it after we leave these ruins."
"Eh? There's even a contract?"
Gloria was quite happy, but also a little confused.
"Of course. We are a formal organization, so naturally we need a contract." Damian looked at Gloria strangely. That look was not especially polite.
Gloria's face instantly turned red. She really had not thought about that.
"Then the organization will give you a monthly salary and permissions based on your rank. With strength good enough to clear the Gym Challenge, your evaluation should be pretty solid," Damian said to Gloria.
"Oh, oh, oh! I'm very confident in my own strength."
When it came to something she was good at, Gloria had plenty of confidence.
She was a trainer personally acknowledged by Champion Leon, after all!
"Then in a moment, you should have a practice battle with Serena. Serena is one of the organization's Executives. Let's see what your current level is. If you can reach the level of a High Executive, I can even give you a surprise."
Damian smiled. Of course, Damian knew very well that Gloria's strength was definitely at the Elite Four level.
He just did not know who was stronger between her and the current Serena.
Among many protagonists, Gloria's talent was definitely top-tier.
"Okay!" Gloria blinked and looked at Serena. Serena looked about the same age as her.
There was no way she would be worse than Serena. Champion Leon had even said she was even more of a prodigy than he had been when he first started!
She just wondered what the surprise for becoming a High Executive was.
Gloria was looking forward to it a lot. After all, if Mr. Damian called it a surprise, then it definitely would not be something simple, right?
"Gloria, huh..."
Serena looked at the sweet-looking girl in front of her. She suddenly had a strange feeling. Gloria was probably a prodigy too...
Well, even though the feeling came out of nowhere, Serena trusted her sixth sense quite a lot.
Serena felt a little helpless. More and more, she felt that her "title" as the former number one of Kalos's generation was not all that special...
But she would get used to it. The world was huge, and there were countless geniuses. Still, because of that...
If she could stand out among so many prodigies, that would be something she could truly be proud of!
Serena's eyes turned firm. Yes, and the first thing she needed to do now was give this newcomer a proper lesson.
Thinking back to when she had first joined Team Rocket, hadn't she also been "educated" by Platinum?
You might be number one among the people your age in the Galar region. I won't argue with that, but who here wasn't the best of their generation in their own region?
But things are different once you join Team Rocket.
Come and experience the pressure and intensity of Team Rocket!
Up on the stage, the battle between Platinum and Regieleki was still going on. Under Platinum's command, Entei was fighting fiercely.
However, Regieleki's speed was simply too fast!
It was so fast that it was scary. Especially since this Regieleki could even use Extreme Speed.
Platinum was really fortunate she had not used Pheromosa. Otherwise, Pheromosa would probably be flat on the ground by now.
Pheromosa's speed was definitely among the highest tiers of all Pokémon. There were not many Pokémon faster than Pheromosa.
But Regieleki was one of them.
And for a "glass cannon" like Pheromosa, built around high speed and high attack, the thing she feared most was facing another high-speed attacker like Regieleki.
In a situation where her speed could not surpass the opponent's, it would basically be impossible for Pheromosa to deal with Regieleki. She would only be hit one-sidedly by Regieleki's Extreme Speed until she slowly fell into despair.
But Platinum had already taken that into account, which was why she had chosen Entei.
Even though Entei's speed was nowhere near Regieleki's, Entei had plenty of wide-range moves. For example, Eruption, Lava Plume, and so on.
There was also Smokescreen, which could disrupt Regieleki's vision. Besides, the battle style of wild Pokémon was really straightforward.
So even though Regieleki's speed was indeed troublesome, Platinum still claimed the final victory by fighting steadily.
Entei defeated Regieleki.
Beep. Beep. Click!
With a sharp clicking sound, the Ultra Ball stopped moving completely. Regieleki had been caught.
"Great! Entei, you're amazing. You did so well!"
Platinum picked up Regieleki's Poké Ball. She was extremely happy and wrapped her arms around the neck of the heavily injured Entei, her joy written all over her face.
Entei snorted and proudly raised its head. It was as if it were saying:
'Of course. I am Entei of the Ho-Oh Guard!'
Seeing the interaction between Platinum and Entei, Damian could not help letting out a soft laugh.
"Whoa... I'm so jealous."
Inside, Gloria was full of envy. Platinum already had two Legendary Pokémon.
And Platinum was so strong too!
Gloria looked on in amazement. Just from Entei alone, Platinum's strength was clearly quite a bit above her own.
"Congratulations, Platinum."
Damian walked forward and smiled at Platinum.
"Thank you~ It's all because you were willing to give me this chance, Mr. Damian."
"You caught it through your own hard work. Besides, we don't need to say things like that between us." Damian waved his hand.
"Mmm~"
Platinum's face turned red instantly. After all, Damian's words sounded a little too intimate.
But the girl's heart felt sweet. Yes, the relationship between her and Mr. Damian really did not need that kind of politeness.
Noticing the atmosphere between the two of them heating up, Gloria's gossip-loving heart instantly flared up. Serena secretly pouted.
Caitlin remained expressionless.
"Since you succeeded in the capture, Platinum, let's head outside first. Gloria also wants to join our organization, so we'll talk outside."
Damian looked around at the Ruins of Choice. Because of the fierce battle between Entei and Regieleki, the ruins were already a complete mess.
"Okay~"
The group left the Ruins of Choice. Then they found a clean spot on the grass and spread out a picnic mat.
"Because your strength hasn't been properly evaluated yet, Gloria, the benefits the organization can offer you for now will be the most basic ones."
"The exact salary and benefits will depend on your next battle against Serena."
"I have a good impression of you, and the organization isn't stingy. But how many privileges you receive depends on your own performance. That's how it is everywhere. You understand, right, Gloria?"
Damian handed Gloria a contract and let her read it first.
"Ah~ I understand!"
Gloria naturally nodded. Then she carefully read through the contract. Even though she was kind, she was not stupid.
Things like contracts still had to be taken seriously.
But after reading it, she found no problems with the contract. Even the basic benefits already looked very generous to Gloria.
She could not even imagine what the benefits for executives were like. Was Team Rocket really this humane? But this was exactly the kind of organization she liked!
"Since this is a test, an all-out battle would be best. That way, your level can be shown more clearly. Is that okay?"
"No problem! Mr. Damian, just watch. I'm really strong!"
Gloria patted her chest confidently. Even though she might not be as strong as Platinum, Gloria felt she would not be weaker than Serena.
After all, she was the number one of Galar's generation!
That was personally recognized by Leon and all the Gym Leaders!
"Good. Then I'll look forward to it. However, let me give you a friendly warning. Serena is very strong as well, so don't be careless."
Damian let out a soft laugh and signaled for the two girls to begin.
Gloria and Serena looked at each other. Then the two of them slowly walked apart, leaving enough room in the middle for a battlefield.
A crimson energy point was not far from either of them.
Platinum acted as the referee and announced the simple battle rules.
Then Platinum stepped out of the battlefield and continued bonding with the newly caught Regieleki.
"Miss Serena, please give me a good battle!"
Gloria's sweet and cute face slowly turned serious. Although she was confident in herself, this was an "interview" battle. She had to perform as well as possible.
"You can just call me Serena. We'll be partners from now on."
Serena's pretty face was also fairly serious. She took off her hat and tied up her wavy hair with a black ribbon. Her whole presence changed instantly, becoming sharp and focused.
"Then Serena, you can just call me Gloria too." Gloria found Serena a little strange. Serena clearly looked like a cool and distant girl, yet her attitude was unexpectedly good.
"Okay, Gloria. I hope your level won't disappoint me."
Serena raised a Poké Ball. Her eyes reflected the image of the girl standing across from her.
"My first Pokémon will be this one!"
"Greninja!"
The Poké Ball opened in midair. A white flash appeared, and a cool-looking Greninja landed stylishly on the ground. It slowly straightened up and stared at Gloria.
"A Greninja. Kalos's Water-type starter Pokémon." Gloria recognized it at once.
"That's right. I'm from Kalos," Serena nodded.
"In that case, I'll use this one!"
Gloria's excitement rose, and she decisively threw her Poké Ball.
"Rillaboom! Let's go!"
A white light flashed, and a powerfully built Rillaboom landed in front of Gloria. It took the wooden drum from its back and set it in front of itself.
Galar's Grass-type starter, Rillaboom!
Serena's eyes flickered slightly. This was her first time seeing a Rillaboom.
And...
"Rillaboom!"
Gloria called out to Rillaboom.
Rillaboom let out a low roar. A green light glowed across its body, and a wave of green energy slowly spread outward.
On the ground, which was already covered in grass, green sparks began to appear.
This was Rillaboom's ability, Grassy Surge. It could set up Grassy Terrain.
"Tsk. If Serena doesn't switch Pokémon, this is going to be a rough fight."
Damian let out a soft sound when he saw that.
Tigers, leopards, bears, and apes. None of them are easy to handle.
And a Rillaboom with Grassy Surge could definitely be called one of the best among all Grass-type starters.
Of course, Greninja was not bad either. But the problem was that Serena's Greninja had Torrent.
And even if it had the hidden ability Protean, it still wouldn't matter. Who even uses Protean anymore?