Team Rocket has come to the Kalos region, and the boss of Team Rocket is right before my eyes. What should I do?
I'm waiting for an answer online, and it's really urgent.
This was exactly Diantha's mental state right now.
As mentioned before, the Kalos region currently appeared quite stable on the surface. Although Lysandre had extreme ideals and was already operating in secret, he had not yet exposed his hand as he did in the games. Therefore, Lysandre's research institute was not yet considered a villain team.
In fact, in the Kalos region right now, besides small-time hoodlum groups like the Lumiose Gang, there were essentially no villain teams that were difficult to deal with.
However, this did not mean Diantha did not understand how powerful Team Rocket was.
Communication between different regions was indeed limited, but it wasn't non-existent.
Moreover, a few months ago, the Hoenn region had asked the Kalos League for help. At that time, Diantha was busy filming a movie. Since she heard that Champions from other regions had already gone to help, she didn't go herself.
However, she had followed the situation afterward.
Even with the Hoenn League and a group of Champions, they still couldn't take down Team Rocket. It was even said that they had compromised with Team Rocket.
The Hoenn League compromising with Team Rocket!
This alone was enough to prove how powerful Team Rocket was.
Furthermore, the Chief of the Kalos Officer Jennys had mentioned to Diantha just a few days ago that Team Rocket had already established itself in the Unova and Sinnoh regions as well.
It was simply terrifying!
Diantha had been sighing with relief back then, thinking it was a good thing Team Rocket hadn't come to Kalos; otherwise, she wouldn't know what to do.
And then, didn't they show up today?
What should she do? Should she attack this Team Rocket boss right now? But this was inside the city.
Besides, there were so many innocent customers nearby. Furthermore, was she even a match for Damian?
Diantha's thoughts were incredibly messy right now. Tiny beads of sweat had already appeared on her face.
She was truly breaking out in a cold sweat.
To be honest, Diantha was incredibly nervous right now, even more nervous than when she had challenged the Kalos Elite Four to reach the top of the region.
Serena, however, was completely unaware of Diantha's inner thoughts.
"The Kanto region? That's very far from Kalos," Serena said with some curiosity.
"My name is Serena. I'm from Vaniville Town. I just started my journey this year, and I'm currently traveling as a Trainer."
Serena shook Damian's hand gracefully. She gave a nice smile and introduced herself.
"I'm sure Miss Serena will become an excellent Trainer," Damian said with a smile.
Traveling as a Trainer meant this was undoubtedly the game version of Serena.
That made sense. Looking at her serious attitude just now, she was exactly like the game version of Serena.
In the games, Serena had a serious personality and really disliked people who weren't on time. Calem had mentioned that if someone was even three minutes late, Serena would never wait and would simply leave.
At the same time, Serena chased after great strength.
Because her parents were very famous, she hoped to step out from under their shadow. She would always emphasize that her strength came from her own training and experiences.
"Thank you. I'm working hard on it."
Hearing Damian's words, Serena felt validated. A sweet smile appeared on her face.
In fact, she had already obtained eight Gym Badges and was preparing for the Lumiose Conference at the end of the year.
She believed she would definitely make a name for herself in this tournament! She even hoped to challenge the Kalos Elite Four and Diantha to jump to the top of Kalos.
But after all, none of that had happened yet. Besides, she was just a rookie.
Words were never as effective as actual results. Therefore, Damian's pure validation without any hidden meaning was very pleasing to Serena.
"Since you are a Trainer, I think we should have more to talk about. Let me introduce you to someone."
Damian introduced his two companions to Serena.
"These two are my companions, and they are also Trainers. This is Caitlin, and this is Platinum."
"Platinum is also a rookie who just started her journey this year, but her strength is very impressive."
Damian introduced them with a smile.
Of course they are powerful Trainers. And they must be Team Rocket High Executives too, right?
Diantha looked closely at Caitlin and Platinum after hearing this. Now she remembered; she seemed to have seen Caitlin's file before.
This was a High Executive of Team Rocket!
As for Platinum, she really had no memory of her, but she surely wasn't a simple character either.
"Hello."
Caitlin gave a shallow, elegant smile and nodded to Serena.
Platinum also greeted Serena very politely, looking at her with curiosity.
How should she put it? Although it might sound a bit calculated, Platinum felt that Damian was not the type of person who would just befriend anyone for no reason.
Damian seemed to value this pretty girl quite a bit. Moreover, Platinum's subconscious told her that this girl named Serena was likely very strong!
It was a vague sixth sense, but Platinum always felt her sixth sense was quite accurate.
"Hello, Caitlin and Platinum. You are both so beautiful."
Serena wasn't shy, but she wasn't exactly outgoing either. Because of her serious and strict personality, she actually always felt that she was quite difficult to get along with.
Suddenly meeting three friends who gave a good first impression made Serena feel a bit... flattered?
Especially since these three did not look like ordinary people in terms of appearance or aura.
Serena wasn't arrogant about her looks, but she knew she was a fairly outstandingly beautiful girl.
However, looking at these two girls in front of her, it wasn't that she felt inferior, but they were just so beautiful.
Furthermore, their aura was very elegant and noble. They gave off the vibe of noble young ladies who had received a high-class education.
"Thank you for the compliment. You are very lovely too, Serena," Caitlin replied with a smile, her every movement showing her elegance.
"Speaking of which, since you are all Trainers, Serena, would you like to have a match with Platinum?"
Damian felt his luck was very good today. He had run into Serena right after arriving in the Kalos region, so he definitely couldn't let her "go" easily.
And it just so happened that Serena had a serious and competitive personality. Starting from that point was a good strategy.
"A battle? That's fine with me, but..."
Naturally, Serena wanted nothing more. As someone who wanted to become the new Kalos Champion, she did not fear any battle.
Especially when the opponent was a rookie trainer like herself. Plus, showing her strength in front of new friends gave Serena a lot of motivation.
But the key was...
Serena looked at Diantha, feeling a bit troubled.
She knew Diantha. She had met her twice during her journey, and Diantha had taken quite good care of her and even given her pointers.
Meeting Diantha today and then suddenly leaving to have a battle seemed a bit rude.
"Don't worry about it. Being able to meet these travelers from another region is a kind of fate."
"Besides, I am also very interested in a battle between you two. You wouldn't mind if I went to watch, would you?"
Diantha said slowly with her trademark friendly smile.
Well, as an excellent actress, her acting skills naturally didn't need to be mentioned.
Diantha was already feeling on guard. This Team Rocket boss seemed a bit too friendly toward Serena.
Could it be that he's interested in Serena?
No way! Absolutely not!
Diantha thought very highly of Serena as a junior. It was because Serena's talent was extremely excellent, a level of talent that even made Diantha feel she was not as good.
Diantha had already decided that Serena would be her successor.
How could she let Serena fall into Team Rocket's clutches? That was absolutely unacceptable!
So Diantha decided to follow them. She had to protect Serena!
Serena was young, after all, and didn't know how dangerous people could be. Those people who seemed kind and warm on the surface might have bad intentions in their hearts!
Serena looked at Damian's group again after hearing this.
"Of course that's fine. Speaking of which, I have admired Miss Diantha for a long time. Seeing you today, you are indeed as elegant and striking as you are on the screen."
Damian said with a smile.
"It would be my honor to have the Kalos Champion, Miss Diantha, come and watch the battle."
Platinum was still very respectful toward Diantha. Well, because she was a good girl, and Diantha was the Champion of the Kalos region.
Diantha's smile widened. Even if he's from Team Rocket, he's a very polite person.
It's a pity he took the wrong path. I wonder if I can talk them back onto the right path?
The group finished paying the bill. It's worth mentioning that the person who paid was Serena.
Damian had originally wanted to take the lead and pay, but Serena said this was what they had already agreed on. This girl had her own stubborn side.
Since Lumiose City was the center of the Kalos region, this metropolis naturally had plenty of training grounds.
The group found a nearby field.
"If we are battling, Platinum, how would you like to do it?"
Serena thought for a moment and asked Platinum.
"You decide, Serena," Platinum replied with a polite smile.
"If you're not in a hurry, then how about a full battle? A full battle is more comprehensive."
Damian had said Platinum was a very strong Trainer. Serena really wanted to find out just how "strong" she was.
"Hmm... that's fine."
Platinum agreed. She noticed that Serena's personality was, in a way, on the tougher side.
However, Platinum didn't dislike it. As long as it wasn't the kind of toughness that was purely self-centered, it was fine.
"Then I will act as the referee."
Damian stepped forward, while the two girls, Platinum and Serena, stood on opposite sides of the battlefield.
"The battle will now begin. The combatants are Serena and Platinum."
"The rules are a full 6-vs-6 battle. When all six of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle, the other side wins."
"Begin the battle."
Damian simply announced the rules and then slowly stepped back from the battlefield.
"Serena."
Platinum looked at Serena.
"Please make sure to give it your all. I am very strong."
Platinum tilted her head slightly. She held out a Poké Ball toward Serena, showing a reserved smile.
Even though she was still the same person and her smile wasn't wild but instead filled with the grace of a young lady...
That aura of absolute confidence was very striking.
"Ha! You too, Platinum. You'd better be careful!"
Looking at the elegant young girl across from her, Serena's face gradually became serious.
She reached up, took off her pink hat, and put it in her bag. Then she pulled back her loose honey-blonde hair and tied it into a ponytail, making it neat and efficient.
This was her habitual movement. Before a battle she took seriously, she would always tie her long hair up.
"Serena is getting serious," Diantha realized, knowing Serena's habit.
"Are you ready? Because here I come!"
Platinum gripped the Poké Ball in her hand tightly and threw it hard with a backhand motion.
This was a throwing motion she had learned from Damian. Platinum thought it looked very cool.
"My first Pokémon is this one!"
"Pheromosa!"
Accompanied by a proud, low cry, the slender and gorgeous Ultra Beast, Pheromosa, landed elegantly. It lifted its chin and gazed at Serena with an arrogant posture.
Platinum Berlitz has come to challenge!
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