Kelley Cascade's Story

Almost as if on cue, a woman walked back into the main hall, holding a clipboard as she approached Matthew and Lori. She was wearing a headset, plus glasses, and had long brown hair and blueish-purple eyes. Her attire was a tight white dress shirt and a black buttoned vest over it for the formal look. A black pencil skirt, black silk gloves, darker sheer silk pantyhose, black heels, and a black necktie all completed the outfit. The necktie was notably tucked beneath the vest.

Lori would know her as one of Zoltan's many Secretaries. Kelley was her name, and she was responsible for Zoltan's Alolan operations. Unlike most of the others, she was rather enigmatic and thoroughly enjoyed teasing others, as well as playing tricks and generally being a bit of a sly woman overall.

Good afternoon, Lori. I heard you had a friend you were recommending to us? I take it this is he.

She looked to Matthew and gave a greeting nod.

A pleasure to meet you. May I have your name?

"Uh...Oh! You're talking to me! Heheh." He reached out a gloved hand that was on its way to being fingerless. "Matt. Matt Carpenter. Oh, I'm so excited!"

He looked like he was expecting Kelley to shake his hand, even though none of the rest of his ensemble was exactly fresh off the rack at the mall. "Oh, I do hope I get the pleasure of working with you guys, you've done so much for me. Can't wait to give back."

Kelley shook his hand. Her grip was loose, but it sufficed.

Matt Carpenter. I'll remember that name. Well, if you'd follow me. The Chairman has already ascertained the details about you that he needs to make an informed decision. Follow me please. He shall conduct the interview in person.

Kelley lead Lori and Matt up a flight of stairs to the second story, and from there guided them to a special room, separate from the rest. She knocked lightly.

Oh, Lord Zoltan. I've brought the interviewee here. One "Matt Carpenter".

With barely a skip of a beat, a voice rang out from the other side. It was deep, affable, and tinted with a hint of upper-class mannerisms.

Ahh, Kelley. Please, do welcome him in. I'm already prepared.

Kelley then lead Matt and Lori inside. The room was fitting to the decor and theme of the base, but it was dark in tone with dark purples and blues being the primary colors. Bright yellow trim and light trails accented the darker colors.

Standing behind a fancy and upscale desk was a Pokemon that resembled an upside-down squid. Several purple tentacles with bright blue undersides were sprouting from the top of its head, and it had yellow eyes with black sclerae. It also had a dark pink beak-like mouth and light purple eyelids. Its main body was dark purple and featured six circular yellow lights on both the front and back. There were also yellow stripes that nearly encircled its entire upper body. Covering its main body was a transparent mantle with two white fins on the bottom that seemed to function as legs. On each side of the mantle was a long tentacle with dark pink tips at the top, as well as white, scythe-like fins.

The Pokemon then spoke. It was the owner of the voice heard earlier.

Welcome to the Alolan Z-Force HQ, Matthew Carpenter. I hope your visit has been a pleasant one so far. As you can see, many other young Trainers like you and your friends have liked it here so much that they've decided to stay. A wise decision- marahahaha! A similar sentiment is found among the Pokemon who have passed our rigorous self-sufficiency test and also work for me.

Lori was, likely for the first time, standing before Zoltan. The Chairman. The Zoltan that was her boss. In person.

Lori was kind of excited that she gets to actually see Zoltan. She was slightly taken by surprise by Kelly saying "Lord" but that was a minor issue.

Upon entering the room, she spotted the Malmar, wondering if that was him. When he spoke, she knew for sure.

"Eek! Oh my gosh! M-Mr. Zoltan, sir! It's really a big pleasure to see you! A-Ah! Where are my manners? U-Um, sorry... it's just I've heard so much and always wanted to see you and and... I'm going to be quiet, sorry."

Lori went silent and stood up straight with her hands behind her back. Lily simply looked at Zoltan curiously, not sharing Lori's excitement. It more or less made her think of seafood and gave her odd thoughts about it.

"Er...uh...Lord Zoltan, was it? I see we've already been introduced. I've already made use of your organization's services for low-income families a few times." Matt was visibly off-put by the sight of a talking Pokémon.

"Rigorous self-sufficiency test? So...you're going to test me before you let me join you? That's fine, I'm no stranger to hard work and learning fast. It was my friend Lori that gave me the courage to even apply...I was getting by on working in a malasada shop, but the chance to really make a difference in the world...if it means I can rescue myself and my family from the slums, then it'll be worth it."

Despite his layered, bundled appearance, Matthew was shaking like a leaf. It didn't take an expert Trainer to realize that he was standing in the presence of a Pokémon of overwhelming strength and capability. Just what might this Zoltan make him do to prove himself worthy of joining the organization...? "This is more nerve-wracking than any island trial," he added weakly. "But I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"You'll do great, Matt! No matter what is thrown at you, you'll come out on top!"

Lori gives some cheery support from the back. Lily chipped in as well with an affectionate cry.

Do not be so amazed, Lori. Do your work well as you do; that will suffice for me. Additionally, relax, Matthew. You do not need to take the test. You are not a Pokemon upon my last observation, done just now. Ongoing. I am pleased that you've fully used the resources we make available. It adds some familiarity between us already. I had my Secretary, Kelley, handle all the paperwork. I don't spend too much effort on it. Everything I need to keep tabs on concerning you are tabs already kept. We'll see you out of your state of living current.

Zoltan laughed once more.

Marahaha! If Lori is recommending you, then that is a valid vouch for I can accept. However, I will not have you begin unattended. General Sheed! Please, come forth!

Entering the room quickly, a young Trainer in model military-inspired garb stepped forward and briefly struck a pose invoking a familiar Z-shape, apparently a salute of some kind.

Sir...!

General Sheed, I am assigning our new Associate to your supervision. His name is Matthew Carpenter, though I am certain he prefers, "Matt." Ensure he does suitably; Lori speaks highly of him, and her opinions carry weight. I'll also leave his training and introduction to you as well. I will transfer Lori to your supervision, so he has a good friend to lean on while he learns.

Understood... I will make sure he succeeds.

She struck the odd Z-shaped pose once more briefly, then turned to Matt and Lori. Zoltan addressed Matt one more time.

Do not fail us, Matthew. You will be given all the opportunities you require, and all the tools you need, to succeed. Success and merit will be earned by you alone; no one else can do it for you. Work hard, and you will go far- marahahaha! Now go!

Victoria would have Lori and Matt follow her out of the room, and back down the stairs to the main hall. From there, she lead them both down a second set of stairs to an underground Training Area. Aside from having a small arena, there were also all sorts of devices and other items that were no doubt used as a part of work.

It was here that Matt and Lori got a good look at Victoria. She looked young, and couldn't be older than 14. She was shorter than them, but she had long blond hair, piercing red eyes, and a stoic look that nonetheless created a striking presence. Along her belt, four special Poke Balls resided, each with a unique design based on the Z-Force colors. The medallion she wore reflected the badge that indicated her rank of General and it had slots for a Keystone and a Z-Crystal, of which both were present. Lori would know the General rank was rare and awarded only to a select few. Only Secretaries enjoyed as much merit within the Z-Force as Generals did (Secretaries did the paperwork, while Generals did the fieldwork) and being made a General was exclusively Zoltan's choice; it could not be earned through doing the work or earning promotions.

Associate... You are new. I must assess your strength, so we shall do battle. Take your place at one end of the arena. The area for you to stand is marked. I will be looking at your potential, and this battle will tell me much of what I need to know...so do not hold back. I will work you fitting your performance, but Lord Zoltan is expectant. Winning or losing is of no importance here... I only wish to see your full strength.

Victoria then walked to one end of the arena and stood.

I will use a single Pokemon... Use a single one of yours. The most common battle you will encounter will be Single Battles.

Victoria was no-nonsense it seemed.

"Sorry, sir. I will keep my enthusiasm better contained next time. Do forgive my outburst."

Lori seemed fascinated with the General rank that Victoria had when she entered. She kept quiet and let everybody else talk, seeing it a bad idea to interject again. When led out of the room, she looked at Victoria better and was shocked to find her so young and to be a General. She did think on something she heard though, "My opinions carry weight enough that even Mr. Zoltan takes it into account? That's really cool! It'd be best to not betray that and let him down."

"Wow! You must be really strong to be handpicked to be a General! That's pretty neat! And your hair is really pretty too... O-Oops! Sorry, i-it slipped out."

After hearing that Matt would be battling she stepped out of the way so they'd have room to do so.

"Give her all you got, Matt!"

"I...I do prefer Double Battles, but I guess I can do a Single if you insist." Taking his stance in the indicated area, he took a deep breath. Lori and even Zoltan himself were confident that he could do well...he just had to convince the stupid part of his brain that.

"Okay! I've decided! Let's go, Bagon!"

A small dragon with an oversized cranial crest hit the field in front of Matt, letting out a high-pitched roar...more like a battle cry? It didn't seem very intimidating.

"Time to show me your power."