I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
After two hours of shopping with Caitlin, Mammon also bought some clothes for himself.
Caitlin helped him pick them out, and some of the styles matched Caitlin's dresses perfectly.
It was intentional.
"Oh? Mr. Mammon! Miss Caitlin!"
Suddenly, a clear, surprised voice of a young girl sounded from behind them.
"Miss Lacey, what a coincidence."
Mammon turned around and saw it was the adorable Senior Lacey.
At this moment, Lacey was standing with Kieran and Carmine, seemingly also out shopping.
"And Miss Carmine, Kieran."
"Mr. Mammon, Miss Caitlin."
Kieran seemed quite excited, his eyes sparkling.
Ever since the Nimbasa City incident, Kieran had come to regard Mammon as his idol.
Seeing Lacey and Kieran's expressions, Carmine was very confused. She naturally recognized Mammon and Caitlin.
After all, they had met at Blueberry Academy last time, and their appearance and aura were so outstanding, making them highly recognizable.
But why did Lacey and Kieran seem so familiar with Mammon? Had something happened?
Recalling some recent news from the academy, Carmine looked thoughtful.
"I didn't expect to meet you here, Mr. Mammon! How lucky!" Lacey said happily, trotting over, her pink hair fluttering, full of youthful charm and very cute.
Caitlin still wore a faint smile, but deep down, she was quite unhappy.
After all, this was Mammon and her private time, and it was unexpectedly interrupted.
"What a coincidence. Are you also out shopping?" Mammon smiled at the three, his smile very warm.
"Yes, it's a holiday today, so I brought Kieran and Carmine to see my hometown."
"Oh? Isn't Miss Lacey from Driftveil City?"
"No, my father is in Driftveil City, but I grew up in Nimbasa City."
"I see." Mammon glanced at the time: "We're actually a bit tired from shopping. Would you like to join us for some juice and a chat?"
Mammon invited the three.
"Yes! I actually have a lot I want to talk about with Mr. Mammon." Lacey immediately nodded vigorously, looking very excited.
Carmine looked at Lacey strangely; it was the first time she had seen Lacey act so girlish.
After all, at the academy, Lacey usually appeared very calm and mature, so... the contrast was quite significant.
They found a nearby juice and milk tea shop.
Mammon gestured for them to order anything they liked, then ordered some pastries and small cakes.
Jirachi, Victini, and Tapu Fini were also released by Mammon.
"Tapu Fini! So cute!"
Lacey, who loved Fairy-type Pokémon, saw Tapu Fini and instantly couldn't take her eyes off it.
Tapu Fini glanced at Lacey, very aloof, and did not respond, simply elegantly eating her strawberry mini-cake, her eyes happily narrowed.
"Today is actually quite a coincidence; Caitlin and I are leaving Unova tomorrow." Mammon took a sip of juice and opened the conversation.
"Huh? Are you leaving, Mr. Mammon?" Lacey was surprised.
"Yes, because the company here is already on track, and Team Plasma has been largely eradicated, with only some remnants left, so we don't need to stay." Mammon nodded.
"That's a shame. I wanted to go on another mission with you, Mr. Mammon." Lacey sounded quite disappointed.
She admired Trainers like Mammon, who were powerful and cared for their juniors, and she really wanted to go on another mission with him.
It would also allow Mammon to witness her growth during this period.
"There will likely be other opportunities in the future." Mammon replied with a smile.
"Will Mr. Mammon come back in the future?" Kieran asked expectantly. In fact, compared to Lacey, he admired Mammon even more.
Because in Kieran's eyes, Mammon was the first strong person to encourage and acknowledge him.
After the Nimbasa City attack on the Team Plasma base, he returned to Blueberry Academy and trained himself frantically.
And it was precisely this determination that his strength had been rapidly improving recently, even reaching a point that shocked Drayton, Carmine, Lacey, and others.
He wanted to become stronger! Both for himself and for Mammon, who had acknowledged him!
"If I have time, I will, Kieran. Your eyes seem to have changed, and this hairstyle suits you very well; it's very handsome."
Mammon looked at Kieran, easily sensing his change.
When he first met Kieran at the academy, he was a timid and gentle boy who often subconsciously hid behind Carmine, relying on her.
But now, Kieran's demeanor had clearly changed, and his hairstyle too; his hair was tied up with a band, making him look much neater, refreshed, and more energetic.
"Thank you..." Kieran froze, then shyly lowered his head, a blush even appearing on his face.
Mammon chuckled lightly, still the relatively shy child, it seemed.
"Kieran has indeed changed a lot recently; his strength has grown so incredibly, he's almost broken into the top ten in school rankings." Lacey interjected with emotion.
After returning from Nimbasa City, Kieran was like a completely different person.
He almost spent all his time on special training, and when his Pokémon needed rest, he would seek out Drayton or herself for guidance and arrange training sessions.
It could be said that Lacey had personally witnessed Kieran's growth, and because of this, Lacey and Kieran had a good relationship.
Because she genuinely hoped her schoolmates could become stronger and stronger.
Kieran awkwardly rubbed his nose.
"It probably won't be long before Kieran can break into the Blueberry Elite Four." Lacey's tone was quite certain.
In her opinion, Kieran's rate of strength improvement was truly a bit too terrifying.
"Kieran was originally very talented; he just needed determination and an opportunity." Mammon also acknowledged Kieran's talent.
It was no exaggeration to say that Kieran's talent was also among the top-tier geniuses, the kind who could become Champion in a year.
Kieran looked at Mammon with gratitude upon hearing this, his resolve to become stronger growing even firmer. He absolutely could not disappoint Mr. Mammon!
Hearing Mammon and Lacey praise her younger brother so much, Carmine's mood at this moment was quite complex and subtle.
There was the joy of her brother becoming stronger, the distress of being surpassed by her brother, and also... a tiny bit of jealousy that her brother was so popular.
Hadn't Kieran always been protected by her since childhood?
But it was only a small amount; Carmine genuinely cared for Kieran.
"As for me, I can't stand the existence of any other Evil Organizations." Mammon put down his juice, his tone faint.
"So, before I clean up all the other organizations in all regions and those filthy scumbags from the Hunter Organization, I won't stop."
Mammon's tone wasn't heavy, but Lacey and the other two felt a shock in their hearts.
Evil Organizations? Carmine was confused. Was Mammon a Trainer who fought Evil Organizations?
"Mr. Mammon!!"
Lacey gazed at Mammon excitedly, her eyes completely filled with the young man before her.
"I will definitely become stronger! To help you!" Kieran made his promise.
"Thank you, I will look forward to it." Mammon responded with a smile.
"There shouldn't be many missions left in the Unova region now, right?"
"Yes, it's quite frustrating. I've only participated in three missions so far, and I haven't even been able to exchange for a Ralts yet." Lacey's tone was quite resentful.
Missions?
Carmine looked utterly confused upon hearing this. This was the second time she had heard this word. What exactly were these 'missions'?
Could it be true, as rumored in school, that Lacey and the others had joined a company as temporary workers?
Carmine had initially thought it was just a rumor. After all, Trainers joining a company as temporary workers seemed too far-fetched, didn't it?
But now it seemed very likely to be true. Had Kieran also joined? Why hadn't he told her?
It seemed she would have to ask Kieran and Lacey later.
"Drayton and Kieran are really cunning; those two have hogged so many missions." Lacey couldn't help but complain.
Drayton was the strongest at Blueberry Academy, and his main Dragonite had great stamina and fast flying speed.
And Kieran was Drayton's good friend; the two often secretly teamed up to take on missions.
Kieran gave an embarrassed smile, not taking the bait.
"Actually, if you have time, you can also take on missions from other regions. I'll be returning to Kanto for a while, then heading to the next region."
"If there are major missions then, I'll contact you." Mammon said with a smile.
"Yay!!" Lacey was very happy.
"We will definitely go!" Kieran was also very excited. He would definitely let Mammon witness his change then!
"Mhm." Mammon smiled in response.
After chatting for a while longer, Mammon and Caitlin said their goodbyes.
It's worth mentioning that when it came to paying the bill, Lacey insisted on paying, stating that there was no way they could let the boss pay.
After bidding farewell to Lacey and the other two, Mammon and Caitlin walked out of the mall.
"They are truly vibrant children." Mammon thought of Kieran and Lacey from earlier.
"But Mammon, you're not that old either." Caitlin chuckled, covering her mouth.
"But is it really okay to keep it from them like this? It seems that girl and Kieran both admire you greatly."
Caitlin asked softly.
"Caitlin, do you know? A philosopher once said this."
Mammon gently rubbed the little belly of Jirachi in his arms. The little guy was nodding off, dozing.
It had eaten a lot of cake and drunk a large glass of milk, and was now feeling sleepy.
Yes, its belly was round and plump.
"?" Caitlin tilted her head.
"Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding." Mammon said slowly, a faint smile on his lips.
Caitlin's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she fell into thought.
"The me in their eyes is not the same as the real me, very different."
Mammon was used to presenting himself with a polite smile, but that didn't mean he was truly such a gentle and refined person.
"However, I still hope they can accept my true self. That day will always come, and I wonder what their thoughts will be like then?"
A mischievous curve slowly appeared at the corner of Mammon's mouth. That would surely be interesting.
"Then it depends on how much they value you." Caitlin thought for a moment and replied.
"Right, but it's also possible that by the time they know, everything will already be settled."
Mammon looked at the distant sunset. It was getting late.
Time moved to the next day.
Mammon and his group took a plane out of Unova, and the plane landed in Goldenrod City.
"Lord Mammon."
At the airport exit, Carr, disguised, arrived with a few people to greet them.
"Indeed, the feeling of one's homeland is different."
Mammon stretched, feeling the warmth of the midday sun on his body, and lazily uttered a sentence.
"It's been a while, Carr."
"Two months and six days, Lord Mammon."
"Tsk~ You remember very clearly."
Mammon walked towards the car Carr had prepared.
"How are things with the Radio Tower?"
"It's been handled. The station manager of the Radio Tower and several management personnel have been taken care of. You can go anytime." Carr grinned. As he thought about what Mammon was about to do, he couldn't help but get excited.
Carr, who always carried a 'bomb' with him, had a somewhat wild personality, and what he loved most was seeing others go crazy.
As for taking over the Radio Tower, it wasn't a difficult task. Carr was not a benevolent person.
He sent people to investigate the information of the Radio Tower's high-ranking officials, directly threatening them with their families. These people had to agree, even if they didn't want to, especially since it was only for a short period of time.
"Alright, let's go."
Mammon got into the luxury car, and Caitlin and the others naturally followed.
Carr was very thoughtful, bringing several cars to pick them up.
Everyone quickly arrived at the Goldenrod Radio Tower. As one of Goldenrod City's famous facilities, the Goldenrod Radio Tower was built quite grandly.
Carr had also notified the radio staff in advance, and by the time Mammon and the others arrived, someone was already there to greet them.
Mammon grandly entered the famous Radio Tower and was led by the staff to the broadcast room.
"What is Mammon trying to do?"
Zinnia curiously nudged Caitlin beside her with her arm. She had also asked Mammon, but he hadn't told her.
Zinnia was really puzzled. Was he here to broadcast the weather?
He couldn't possibly be here to Sing, could he?
"You'll know soon." Caitlin's lips curved slightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on the back of her beloved.
Because she knew that soon, the name of this young man she deeply loved would echo throughout the entire Kanto region!
"..." Zinnia pouted.
One after another, they all liked to be enigmatic, huh?
"Tune the broadcast to the most popular channels."
Mammon sat in the broadcast chair and spoke to a staff member nearby.
"Okay." Although the staff member didn't know who Mammon and the others were, the leader's instruction was to simply follow their requests.
"Sir, it's ready. These are the most popular channels right now." The staff member reported.
"Very good, then let's begin." Mammon nodded in satisfaction.
Then Mammon slowly took a sip of water to moisten his throat.
At the same time, across Kanto, from taxi radios, televisions, and loudspeakers placed on streets, a clear male voice simultaneously rang out.
"Hello everyone, I am Mammon, Mammon of Team Rockets."