The two new recruits were in the class breaking and entering. A situation was created in which they had to steal a valuable gemstone from a glass case in a museum without triggering the laser alarms. Ash being the physically stronger of the two lowered Iris down from an imaginary vent while the Dragon type trainer used her agility and instructed him on how to lower her through the beams without making contact.
Because they didn't have their assigned partners yet Boa instructed them to do cooperation missions together for now. That way they could at least build up some experience until they finally arrived. Not protesting in the slightest they did so.
The laser beams in the room shut off.
"Ash! Iris!" Boa interrupted their drill. Seeing their instructor the two of them were in no position to salute this time with Ash holding onto the zip line while Iris dangled in the air but the instructor received their full intention.
"Sir!"
"Ash. Your partner is waiting near the obstacle course. Her personal number is 12-10-2013. She's already instructed in some of the procedures here and today you'll start to know each other and create a partnership. Get her an uniform first."
"Yes sir!"
"Iris. Your partner is yet to arrive but he's on his way. Separate from Ash and continue with your private schedule."
"Yes sir!"
Hearing that the day finally arrived the Ash mentally rubbed his hands in anticipation. He can finally make the trouble double like his instructor promised him. Ash lowered down Iris to the floor and she undid the hook on her harness. Ash came down too from the ceiling vent and went to his training partner knowing that this was the last time they worked together for a while.
"So who do you think they selected for me that he isn't here yet?" Iris wondering what took him so long. All this team training with Ash made her want to get her own ally soon as well.
"Does it matter? As long as the boss sees value in them then we should be just fine. If not we'll just sell them out to Boa for disappointing performance."
Ash indifferent to the idea of a partner while also using his new speech pattern. While learning Boa insisted on the two to adopt certain terms while communicating and not use terms you'd normally use. So instead of place they have to say location and for the word finish they'd use complete. With the additional brainwash sessions the two received in between the classes they are being conditioned into only trusting people who belong to their organization. And to guess the value of people who aren't but can be of use to them.
"Still I'm going to give that guy an earful when he gets here keeping the boss waiting like that."
"Such a little kid he is."
He used a phrase Iris used a lot in Unova whenever he did something stupid he'd like to believe that they got over their childish bickering. These last couple of days studying together helped more then all the time spend on the road in creating an understanding. It didn't matter who called themselves friends because friendships were inadequate compared to Team Rocket's training.
"More like a twerp." Promising herself to be extra rough on the late recruit to make up for lost time Iris suggested that Ash got a move on.
"You better not keep her postponed." Iris imagining to be in the mystery girls boots told her fellow trainee to get a move on unless he wants Boa breathing down his neck more than he usually does.
"Got it. Success with your exercises today." Saluting each other thanks to the military discipline they were taught they said their goodbyes for now.
As the two made their way to the designated class where their objectives are waiting Ash looked for any kind of dirt that was on his uniform. He wanted to make a proper impression on her showing that this place commands discipline and tidiness. If the mission called for it he'll crawl through mud but until then he was taught that at all times he should be presentable for the boss.
Passing by some grunts at work he was envious of them. Already graduated to a degree the minions wore black uniforms with silver gloves indicating their higher rank than him. But if the boss wanted him as a grunt that point was already passed. He would've graduated already if that were the case since when he did battle training with some of them he'd decimate them.
Grunts graduated alone and eventually gathered in groups devoid of any competent teamwork but following the higher ups orders. Bringing patience since the boss assigned him a partner he knows Giovanni has bigger plans for him and he was not one to doubt the boss his intellect anymore.
Even going as far to think those three idiots who tried to steal Pikachu continuously had a purpose in his organization somehow.
Opening the door where according to his instructor the girl was waiting to be inducted properly he was shocked to see who they picked. Groaning and closing his eyes he is not satisfied with their pick at all.
"This can be a problem."
Seeing a girl with short honey blonde hair, blue eyes, a red waistcoat and a pink skirt underneath the coat the most recognizable thing about her was the blue ribbon she wore on her chest. Piecing the outfit together with the face he cursed his luck. Out of all the people in the world it had to be her.
Testing the waters they asked the other to identify themselves.
"27-2-1996. Recruit Ash. Status in the academy."
"12-10-2013. Recruit Serena. Status in the academy."
He never expected it to be the girl who kissed him. Serena in the past has proven to be trustworthy but that was before his change of heart. He didn't mind having her as a partner but if her feelings got in the way of their missions she wasn't going to be of much use to him or the boss in general.
Stunned at seeing him she wasn't exactly filled with happiness over their reunion herself. Ash could be a huge delay in her objective becoming a certified member of Team Rocket if he tried to convince her to quit and he was only here undercover to expose this base to Officer Jenny and other authorities like the League committees.
Hearing her number given in the same way he was ordered to identify himself he still wasn't at ease. How could he around her? Figuring out a way to avoid discussing that event at the airport he kept it strictly professional. The girl did not blush herself or brought it up immediately indicating that she didn't wish to talk about it as well. Or it was a ruse Boa created to test his commitment knowing the girl knew who her partner would be and acted all surprised to test him.
"So how did Team Rocket convince you to join?"
More interested in how she can become a valued asset to the team instead of her own desires. Even if Ash desired to be a Pokémon Master it was not important compared to Team Rocket's goal of world domination. By gaining it with Team Rocket he'd gain his title in the process.
"After one of my Showcases I was invited to do a photo shoot. It turned out to be a trap that Team Rocket set up."
It seemed legit at first when a woman introduced herself as a member of a famous magazine in the Hoenn region who wanted her and Pokémon to show off new clothes. Not one to deny fashion she eagerly accepted the offer and followed the woman to a building.
When she realized it was a trap Team Rocket set she was defiant at first but after a good 'talk' Serena saw the error of her ways and offered additional services. The Team Rocket recruiter had a way with the words they spouted and she realized that they instead can help her become Kalos Queen at a low cost of doing missions. Because it doesn't matter how you achieve it, just as long as you do. An idea that after a good talk Serena whole heartedly agreed with.
She didn't get why after such a wonderful speech a woman who aided in her capture became appalled at the idea of the criminal organization. But it at least left an opening for her in the team to join and the woman's loss turned into her gain.
"They made it sound so great that I wanted to join them. I fitted an uniform there and it was perfect and I made my mind up. I then talked to the boss himself and he promised me the world. I then came here to learn how to be an agent and was told by Boa to wait for the boy I'd partner up with. I never would've guessed it was you he talked about."
"You made the right choice being here." Ash thinking that Serena's common sense prevailed in the end. Another of his former companions joining him he was still amazed it was Serena.
"Let's get you your uniform since you liked your previous one." For now he'd grant Serena's wish because of her fondness for clothes.
Guiding Serena through the facility he showed her the accommodations she will be calling her home for the foreseeable future. Not interested in her Contest performances or any Pokémon she caught for her Contests he'd get to see them when they are converted.
"So why did you join?" Serena more eager to learn his motivation the trainer responded blankly.
"Collecting badges became boring. I needed a change of pace and Team Rocket offered me an escape. At first I always thought Team Rocket did only evil things but I couldn't be more wrong. Meeting and talking to the boss in person changed my mind. He's a very convincing man. You must've done great to impress him."
"All these Pokevisions I made really came in handy. That's how they got in touch with me for that modeling job."
"Then you won't mind modeling a blue one like mine."
Reaching the hallway with racks of uniforms Serena picked out a blue one like Ash's in her size. Going to the dress rooms she discarded her coat. Touching the blue ribbon on her chest she waited for a minute to think if she should throw it away in the bin.
The lack of a Pikachu on his shoulder Ash arguably gave up his greatest treasure when enlisting in the academy so she might as well do the same. It told her that she had to separate from her past just like he did giving up a prized possession of his. Her instructor might not realize the value of the ribbon but she knows that soon she will learn to gauge the value of things on a scale of items to Team Rocket.
Taking it off she figured it was a small price to pay if she eventually will rule the world with her new allies.
She pulled on her uniform and checked the gloves to see if they were correctly tightened. Even if she wore short gloves before for her outfits these ones were so much more comfortable and were much more flexible telling they were suited for handling tools. Pulling on the boots from it she secured her belt and liked the look of her new uniform. The R on her chest reflecting in the mirror Serena loved the feeling that she belonged a group working for a greater good like Ash.
Stepping out in the same blue uniform as he did Ash needed to know something. In hindsight of her goodbye kiss he couldn't fully trust her yet unlike Iris.
"It looks good on you." Giving out a compliment looking for an emotional response he got what he desired. No matter how hard Serena tried to ignore her feelings so far he still has an effect on her.
"Thank you." Seeing the small blush on her face he feared the worst. The girl's feelings were as strong as ever for him. He could use her feelings to manipulate her into doing everything he wanted but Serena's loyalty had to be towards the boss and not him.
"I better report this to Boa." Even if he was ordered to guide Serena he needed a moment alone with him.
"Here are your Pokeballs."
Ash handing back her old holster noticed she had more than three on them. She might've caught more Pokémon but he will see them during rheir exercises so was in no rush to see with which ones Serena expanded her selection. Serena took all the spheres and secured it to her new belt. Now with the proper look set Serena wanted to immediately start her education and rise in the ranks alongside Ash.
"I have to report at Boa's office after your tour. Follow me and wait outside."
Lying about the detour Serena thought nothing off it. Liking this new Ash he certainly matured a lot. She did make the promise to him that she's turn into a better woman and seeing how he turned out by just being here she'd looked forward to the prospect of receiving the same education.
Following him to the main office of the compound Ash in the meantime went over some things to do here. Arriving at Boa's office he registered himself according to procedure. Adter speaking his number, name and rank he got the instructor on the other side.
"Permission to enter recruit." The speaker sounding Boa's answer Ash stepped through the doors leaving Serena behind. He stepped forward and stood in front of Boa's desk. The instructor clasping his hands was annoyed at the sight of the recruit thinking he was here to complain.
"What is it?"
"It's about the girl you choose as my partner."
"There is no renegotiating your partner recruit. A careful screening process has been performed to pick her and you will live with her or else there will be consequences." Ash detected the annoyance in his voice. But he knew Boa would be more so at him withholding critical information.
"I accept her as the choice you made for me but I'm here to relay personal information about her that you should know."
"Explain."
"I traveled through the Kalos region with her. When we said goodbye she kissed me on the lips." Hearing Serena's actions Boa nearly dropped his usual strict façade and he tried not to pull a facial expression to the underling.
"Continue." Taking interest now Ash continued to detail exactly what his relationship is with Serena Boa took in every word.
"Excellent work in telling me this recruit. I'll take this into consideration with her training."
"I hope this information can be useful. Anymore you wish to know about her?"
"How do you really feel about her?" Without a second wasted Ash answered.
"If she performs her objectives correctly I will have no issue with her. If her standards don't meet your demands she's a disappointment and a hindrance and I will personally wipe her mind myself to remove any information about this facility. My loyalty is to Team Rocket and the boss if you give me the chance to prove it."
Smirking that so far Ash was so deep into the Team Rocket mindset in selling out anyone that obstructs his goal he had no issue betraying a girl who has massive feelings for him. Fancy words were ok but the instructor will keep an eye on him just in case o that he won't try anything funny and compromise this facility.
"For now pretend there's nothing wrong. Keep me updated daily on her progress and the moment you suspect she isn't performing her commitments by you distracting her take her to my office immediately. You may leave if you have nothing else to report."
Ash saluted before retreating to his dorm. For now he'd observe Serena's responses to him more closely than before and analyze if the Performer is as committed to Team Rocket's future as Ash and Iris had proven themselves to be and continue to do so.
Boa can see why Ash is low-key requesting a change in partners. The Performer isn't much use if she keeps losing focus by her partner doing the slightest thing that might impress her. But Giovanni himself chose the Performer and if they couldn't work together Boa would be even worse off than the two of them. He prided himself in training the new generation of agents and he took on the challenge of suppressing the emotions Serena could display and mold her into a proper agent.