" Dawn .""
Berlitz's eyes are complex as she looks at Dawn; she never expected that day would come when she'd need her own daughter to save her.
"放心, Dawn will win, her talent is the rarest I've seen in my life." But Professor Rowan sighs in relief instead.
battle? Battle sounds good!
Seeing the three of them are still quite young, Professor Rowan still has confidence in Dawn.
To be frank, he believes Dawn's Trainer talent is the strongest he's ever seen, far more terrifying than Cynthia when she first started.
Professor Rowan has always believed that the future of Sinnoh Region rests on Dawn.
Because Dawn will grow up and surely surpass Cynthia!
And the three of them? Professor Rowan believes they must also be strong Trainers.
But can they be stronger than Dawn?
Dawn, such a "talented freak," might not appear in decades!
In fact, Professor Rowan has heard from other regions' Professors as well; Professor Oak smiles and says a few super rookies came from their towns this year.
Professor Birch of Hoenn Region also notes a rookie monster from Hoenn.
Even Johto's Professor Elm says this year the rookies who came to his Research Laboratory to receive starter Pokémon are terrifying!
But Professor Rowan only sneers coldly and says nothing; when Dawn meets those Professors, he'll see how ridiculous those boasts are!
Dawn this year became an Elite Four–level Trainer in less than half a year, and by year's end certainly Champion-tier!
A year as Champion! This is the kind of existence Professor Rowan would proudly shout about as a "monster."
Professor Rowan has reason to believe Dawn could already beat the Elite Four in Sinnoh Region.
So could these two or three Team Rocket members—who look only about seventeen or eighteen—be Dawn's opponents?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Where did so many talent freaks come from? If there were that many talent freaks, how could Sinnoh Region only produce someone like Dawn in dozens or hundreds of years?
"Have you decided? Who will you pick as your opponent?"
Damian directly ignores Professor Rowan's words; can Dawn win head-to-head against the three of them?
"Talent freaks," Damian has seen plenty.
Dawn hesitates at this moment, her eyes lingering on Damian and the three; she understands the significance of her choice.
First, the boss Damian certainly cannot be chosen; as the boss, he's obviously the strongest in the organization.
Even if not the strongest, his strength must be outstanding to command the troops.
So to be safe, Damian must be passed over, leaving two options.
Dawn ponders and finally fixes her gaze on Caitlin.
"I choose—this one, Miss!"
Dawn stares at Caitlin and speaks decisively.
Zinnia's aura is bold and wild, Caitlin's aura noble and restrained, seemingly a young lady.
Dawn thinks Caitlin should be the weakest of the three.
"Ha— Caitlin, it seems you're considered the soft target," Zinnia quips.
Caitlin still wears a calm, gentle smile and steps forward a few paces.
"According to the agreement, Lady Dawn, if you defeat Caitlin, then of course we will leave, and won't regret it."
"And if I lose?"
Dawn, though not sure she would lose, still wants to know the terms of the agreement.
"If you lose, we still won't trouble your Dad and innocent members of House Berlitz, but you must join Team Rocket and work for Team Rocket," Damian grins.
Yes, he's after Dawn!
"What?" Dawn's pretty face changes.
And Berlitz and Professor Rowan also change their expressions drastically.
"No! Dawn, don't agree to him!"
Berlitz resists Dawn's potential agreement without hesitation; Dawn is their family's future glory.
And they also believe Dawn could become Sinnoh Region's Champion, standing at the pinnacle of Sinnoh Region.
So Dawn joining Team Rocket? That would ruin Dawn's life!
"Could you please be quiet? Mr. Berlitz, I'm talking to Lady Dawn here; you're being rude."
Damian turns his head, still smiling, but it's clear there's anger and danger in his words.
Shiny Gengar's blue glow lights Berlitz's mouth shut by psychic means; Berlitz struggles but cannot speak.
"Dad!"
Dawn's heart is in confusion and more anxious.
"Don't worry, I'm just keeping Mr. Berlitz quiet for now, Lady Dawn, please make your decision quickly."
"Otherwise, I can't guarantee what I'll do next, you know."
Damian's smile remains bright, pressuring Dawn further.
Without Berlitz's interference, Damian believes Dawn will agree.
Zinnia's mouth bursts into laughter; Damian now looks like the villain in a TV drama using family threats to coerce a young girl.
What to do, what to do?
Dawn hesitates; she truly doesn't want to join Team Rocket, her dream is to become Champion of Sinnoh Region.
But then…
"Ugh—!"
Berlitz still tries to resist, but under Shiny Gengar's control cannot make a sound; she's utterly humiliated.
"I know! I'll agree!" Dawn takes a deep breath, her resolve returning.
No matter what, she must rescue her Dad, even if it means sacrificing her own future.
Dawn's eyes flood with tears!
"This is a truly touching display of family affection, then I'll welcome you, Caitlin, as our new partner," Damian claps cheerfully, his smile nearly too warm to be believed.
Does this mean she'll surely lose? What kind of nasty man is this!
Dawn glares at Damian, clearly hating him for his cruelty.
"I will not lose! I will not lose!"
A fierce desire to win rises in Dawn like never before.
"Hello— my name is Caitlin, please teach me well."
Caitlin maintains her elegant demeanor, extending a noble bow toward Dawn.
"Hello! my name is Dawn, please teach me well."
Dawn steadies herself.
Cynthia has taught her that in battle, one must stay calm; only calmness can keep her talent focused and her sense of judgment sharp.
"Then my first Pokémon—"
Caitlin's soft smile accompanies a graceful pose as a Poké Ball flies out.
"Tapu Lele."
"Lele~"
Tapu Lele descends gracefully before Caitlin.
Legendary Tapu Lele?!
Dawn clearly recognizes this Pokémon; the island guardian of Alola, right?
How could this girl have caught Tapu Lele?
And catching a legendary Tapu Lele means this girl's strength must be very high!
Dawn's pressure increases—psychic/fairy type.
"Froslass!"
Dawn quickly deploys her Froslass.
Froslass appears, a Ghost type, which would beat Tapu Lele.
This battle is crucial; Dawn won't allow any surprise.
Tapu Lele lets out a Psychic Surge, creating a Psychic Terrain that boosts Psychic moves on the ground and prevents opponents' first-strike moves.
For Psychic types, this is a powerful terrain.
"Legendary Pokémon, Psychic Terrain." Professor Rowan frowns; clearly this Caitlin is a Psychic-type specialist.
And the battle begins; unsurprisingly Caitlin defeats Dawn soundly.
Tapu Lele's strength is too great, and with Psychic Terrain's support, Dawn can mount only a few pretty counterattacks.
With Empoleon defeated by Tapu Lele, House of Berlitz's Dawn collapses weakly to the ground, staring blankly at her starter Empoleon.
She has lost, and it's an unquestioned defeat, completely pierced by Tapu Lele.
"How could this be—"
Professor Rowan cannot believe how strong Caitlin is!
"You lost, Lady Dawn; then according to the agreement, from today you are a Team Rocket member."
Damian steps up to Dawn's body on the ground, offering her a badge.
Dawn stares blankly at the R-shaped badge in front of her.
"Ughh!"
Seeing this, Berlitz's eyes redden, as she tries to intervene.
But Shiny Gengar's control remains stable.
"What happened? Do you want to back out?"
Damian raises a brow at Dawn's silence.
"Will you really release my Dad and Professor Rowan?"
Dawn's voice breaks.
"Of course, keeping a promise is one of my few morals, but the condition is that you must also keep your word."
Damian nods.
Dawn bites her lip, glances at her Dad, and slowly accepts the Team Rocket badge.
"Welcome, our new partners; rest assured, you won't regret this decision."
Damian smiles with satisfaction.
An hour later, a strong Garchomp descends in front of Rowan Research Laboratory.
"Professor Rowan, Mr. Berlitz?"
Seeing Berlitz's pale face and Professor Rowan's sigh, Cynthia frowns, sensing something bad.
"Where is Dawn?"
"Champion Cynthia, please, rescue Dawn for us."
Berlitz suddenly comes back to herself, rushing to Cynthia and pleading.
"What happened to Dawn?"
"Dawn to rescue us agreed to that evil man's request." Berlitz's voice chokes.
"She joined Team Rocket."
~~
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