"Dawn joining Team Rocket?"
Cynthia can hardly believe that such a kind, elegant girl like Dawn would join Team Rocket.
This—
"Yes, it's all because of me. If it weren't for me, Dawn wouldn't have made that choice."
Berlitz clutches his face in pain; he truly doesn't know what to do.
Dawn is a promising youngster, after all.
"Champion Cynthia, I beg you, please bring Dawn back to us, I'll pay any price."
Berlitz once again pleads with Cynthia, feeling a fierce self‑reproach inside, as if it were his fault.
"I understand. I'll do my best."
Cynthia wears a complex expression; she probably has a rough idea of what happened.
Cynthia sighs inwardly; she truly didn't expect this.
Caitlin and Dawn, one of her best sisters, one of her trusted juniors, both joined Team Rocket. Her heart sinks deeply.
"Professor Rowan, who kidnapped you? Was it someone from Team Rocket?"
Professor Rowan has been silent, perhaps in self‑reproach as well.
"Damian, who calls himself Damian, is Team Rocket's boss; he's backed by two girls, Caitlin and Zinnia."
Before Rowan can respond, Berlitz can't wait to speak.
"So it's Damian after all—"
Cynthia's expression grows heavy; after Alola, Hoenn, Unova, Team Rocket has finally targeted Sinnoh Region.
Cynthia had guessed as much; after Hoenn and Unova, facing Damian in Sinnoh is hardly wise.
As long as Damian doesn't cause trouble in Sinnoh, she can accept Team Rocket setting up shop here; Damian's power is terrifying.
"Mr. Berlitz, I'll do my best to bring Dawn back; please both of you rest for now."
Cynthia's mind races; she consoles Berlitz, but she isn't confident she can actually bring Dawn back.
"Thank you very much, Champion Cynthia."
Jubilife City, a city of happiness for many, the most modern and bustling city in Sinnoh Region, its streets full of people and activity.
And the four of them have arrived at Jubilife City, entering a tall, luxurious building.
"Lord Damian, the members are basically assembled now."
"Very good, Gladion; then send people to investigate Team Galactic's base location."
Damian sits in the president's chair, giving orders.
"We're newcomers; we should greet the locals first, colleagues and all."
Damian's smile is curious; Team Galactic's strength isn't that great—at most Cyrus is a Champion‑tier, and he has a point: why plant spies in Team Rocket?
"Understood." Gladion nods; he eyes a girl standing nearby who looks a bit uneasy.
"By the way, this is Platinum Berlitz's executive—though she seems to prefer Dawn as how others call her. She's our new colleague and a trainer of exceptional talent."
Damian introduces Dawn to Gladion.
Executives? That implies Elite Four–level training.
Gladion is surprised but accepts it as natural.
Though arriving in Sinnoh Region and recruiting such a talented freak is shocking, with Lord Damian it's not surprising.
"Dawn, this is Gladion, he's Elite Four–level as you are; spar with him if you have time."
Damian introduces Dawn.
"Hello." Gladion greets.
"Hello, pleased to meet you."
Dawn looks nervous, bowing politely to Gladion; she never expected Team Rocket's environment to be so formal.
And she's surprised that this place is a company.
"Dawn."
"Here."
"Don't be so nervous, there aren't that many rules in this organization; take it easy." Damian raises an eyebrow.
Dawn tightens her lips; she's not sure if this is truly true, and she still dislikes Damian pressuring her to join Team Rocket.
Damian understands, but the first thing is not to try to force it; he can't shake off the prior impression.
"Is your Sinnoh journey finished?"
"Yes, I've collected eight badges."
Dawn nods; collecting badges isn't too hard for her.
Although Sinnoh's gyms have strong contenders, for example Volkner of Sunyshore is Elite Four level, but Dawn could beat him.
But now that she's a Team Rocket member, she won't join Lily of the Valley Conference.
"Have you encountered any Team Galactic Admins on your journey?"
"Yes. I met Saturn at Lake Valor once."
Damian ponders; Team Galactic's moves aren't that fast.
Team Galactic captured the Lake Guardians in three teams led by Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn to pursue their goals.
Dawn hesitates.
"What do you mean?"
Damian notices Dawn's expression.
"Team Galactic seems to have a scheme; they captured the three Lake Guardians, Azelf especially was taken by them."
"And Saturn said his partner was at Lake Verity, perhaps to capture Mesprit."
Dawn worries; Saturn spoke of birthing a new cosmic order.
"Relax, Team Galactic won't succeed; once we locate their base, we'll deal with them."
Dawn sighs with relief; though she dislikes Team Rocket, if Team Rocket can dispose of Team Galactic, that's a good thing.
"And Dawn, you don't need to feel any guilt about joining us."
Damian looks at Dawn; Team Rocket isn't a hope-free organization, and he vows that Team Rocket won't do those awful things.
"Gladion, send people to Lake Acuity to monitor Team Galactic; if we spot them, report immediately."
Damian pauses; he must guard against Team Galactic's plans; if Cyrus summons Dialga and Palkia to control space and time, it would be no joke.
Evil organizations aren't powerful on their own, but they're very skilled at causing trouble.
"Yes." Gladion orders.
Soon, the group leaves the building for a villa they've purchased.
We will also spend some time in Sinnoh Region, so of course there will be a few places to rest.
In fact, Caitlin locally in Sinnoh Region does have a private villa.
However, her villa is fully exposed to the Sinnoh Region League's view, so it might be better to buy a new one.
As they pass by a training ground, Damian's steps pause.
Inside the training ground, a boy in a long-sleeve jacket and long pants is giving his Pokémon a special training.
He has purple hair and a mature, cold face.
"That's interesting."
Damian raises a brow, surprised to see this purple-haired boy.
Because he's Ash's rival Paul in the Sinnoh arc of the anime—the founder of the famous line "useless stuff."
"Aren't you on a journey in the Kanto Region? Looks like there are some changes."
Damian watches Paul's training with keen interest. In the anime, when Paul first meets Ash, he's already no longer a rookie Trainer.
Because his Brother Reggie had revealed that Paul's first journey was in Kanto; by the time he journeyed in Sinnoh, Paul wasn't a rookie anymore.
But during the Sinnoh journey, besides Torterra, Paul centers his team on Electivire, entirely raising a new main roster.
Ash has many rivals, but aside from Blue, his childhood friend, Paul is absolutely a standout rival.
Not only does he possess overwhelming strength, but in the early to middle stages of the Sinnoh arc, his personality was so cold and harsh it could make you itch to punch him.
But that's Paul—the Brother Man's defeat had broken his brother's heart, leading him to quit being a Trainer.
Paul became a Trainer who pursues power, a strength-first type.
Even the Pokémon he catches are chosen first by catching, then checking their talents in the Pokédex, selecting the best one to train.
The rest are released; a prime example of choosing a main roster by strength.
Ash, on the other hand, doesn't value a Pokémon's talent and strength as much; he focuses more on bonds and feelings with Pokémon.
So the contrast between Ash and Paul is inevitable, because their core Pokémon-training philosophies completely clash.
Yet through continual contact with Ash, Paul's mid-to-late Sinnoh arc clearly reflects Ash's influence, gradually valuing the bonds with Pokémon.
During Lily of the Valley Conference's quarterfinals, in the decisive battle with Ash, Electivire was beaten by a aggressively bred Infernape, and Paul comforted Electivire and endorsed Infernape's power.
This shows Paul's change.
Without question, when you see that moment, it would move the audience who has followed the entire Sinnoh arc.
Paul's character is truly compelling.
In the Journey, Paul even caught three Pokémon specifically to come find Ash, to train him under the banner of battle.
That's Paul's deep "love" for Ash.
Damian thinks for a moment, and heads toward Paul inside the training ground.
Meanwhile, Paul finishes a round of special training with Mamoswine; no, to be precise, Mamoswine couldn't hold on.
"Come back, useless stuff ."
Paul's expression remains impassive as he recalls Mamoswine, then gazes at the Mamoswine Poké Ball in his hand.
It seems this Mamoswine isn't right for him; it can't even endure this level of training, and this has happened several times.
Since he decided from the start to raise them, Paul wouldn't simply give up at the first sign of dissatisfaction; he'll push himself to train the special training.
But after several failed attempts to complete the training, he can't accept it,
"It seems you're pretty troubled, aren't you? Is that Pokémon not meeting your expectations?"
A sudden, sharp voice makes Paul furrow his brow, turning to look at the approaching boy.
"Who are you?"
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