I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 50 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Free Members will get 10 Chapters Ahead of the schedule on Patreon!!!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
"You little girl, you sure dream big."
Mammon couldn't help but click his tongue; Rosa, that woman, was truly a handful.
"This can't really be called a dream, and I can't guarantee it, so I suggest you pick another one."
Mammon replied to Rosa.
"Tsk~" Rosa rolled her eyes cutely.
"Then how about, when the time comes, Mammon, you introduce your girlfriend to us?"
Rosa's eyes darted around, and she immediately had another idea.
"Hmm? You want to meet Selene?"
Mammon raised an eyebrow.
"Yes~ We still haven't met the boss lady yet, that's not good, you know." Rosa said without hesitation.
But whether that was her actual thought, everyone knew.
"Mammon, Mammon~ You're not going to say no to this too, are you?"
"This is fine, as long as the timing is right, I can take you to meet Selene, but…"
Mammon, of course, guessed Rosa's little scheme, but to be frank, Mammon had to say.
Rosa probably wasn't Selene's match, even if she brought her sister Hilda along, it probably wouldn't work.
"Are you sure you want to meet Selene?"
Actually, Mammon wanted to say, 'Are you sure you want to go head-to-head with Selene?'
"Of course! Hmph hmph~ I've been thinking about this for too long!"
Rosa's eyes were filled with unconcealed excitement. Setting everything else aside, she had to let that Selene know how formidable Rosa was!
I'm already a full Champion, isn't dealing with Mammon's little girlfriend an easy win?
"Alright, I'll call you when I go to Alola."
"Yay~!"
Seeing Rosa's cheerful reply, Mammon couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.
This girl is really interesting.
After resting for a night in Freezington, Mammon and the others spent another day exploring the Crown Tundra the next day. Since they had come all this way, they had to see it.
Especially the ancient Crown Temple, which was the temple where Calyrex once resided as king.
However, with the passage of time, the weathered temple was now dilapidated, and Calyrex had never repaired it.
After staying for another day, Mammon and the others left the Crown Tundra.
Gloria had also temporarily left the team. She was going to the Isle of Armor next, where Leon had arranged for her to undergo Mustard's trial.
Mammon knew very well that if she could pass the assessment, Gloria could obtain Kubfu, the descendant of Mustard's Urshifu.
This was a great opportunity for Gloria, and as the former Galar Champion, Mustard's guidance was also very beneficial.
So Mammon naturally wouldn't dissuade Gloria.
Not long after leaving the Crown Tundra, Mammon's phone rang.
Mammon picked it up and saw that it was Chairman Rose calling.
"Yo~ Chairman Rose, you have so much free time."
"Hehehe~ Mammon, when are you coming to Hammerlocke for a visit?"
Chairman Rose's magnetic, mature voice was indeed very charming.
"I can go in a few days, what's up?"
"Mammon, you've done quite a lot these past two days."
"Chairman, what makes you say that?" Mammon feigned surprise: "I've been adventuring in the Crown Tundra these past two days, and I only just came out today."
Hearing this, Chairman Rose couldn't help but laugh.
"My stubborn younger brother, and Gloria, weren't they both instigated by you to join your Team Rockets? Mammon."
When he received these two pieces of news, Chairman Rose was truly shocked.
He really couldn't understand how Mammon had managed it?
Chairman Rose's attitude towards Peony had always been quite subtle. He really wanted to reconcile with Peony, whether it was for family reasons or because of Peony's strength.
Chairman Rose really hoped that Peony could let go of his grudges and return to the Galar League, but Peony's deep-seated impression of him made Chairman Rose very helpless.
As for Gloria…
Gloria was a newcomer personally recommended by Leon, and Chairman Rose had met Gloria several times. He was very optimistic about this cute and talented junior.
But he didn't expect that in just a few short days, Peony and Gloria had both been lured into Team Rockets by Mammon.
Chairman Rose was speechless.
How many days had this guy been in Galar? Was he a succubus or something?!
"Chairman, I don't like what you're saying. What do you mean by instigating?" Mammon raised an eyebrow.
"We share common dreams and aspirations, which is why we hit it off so well. The same goes for both Peony and Gloria."
"Joining the Team Rockets and becoming partners is a natural progression."
Mammon spoke righteously, showing no embarrassment about poaching.
"Hehehe…"
Chairman Rose chuckled.
"Anyway, I still have to thank you, Mammon, for being able to get Peony back on his feet."
Chairman Rose skipped over the topic and said to Mammon with emotion.
"My younger brother, his thinking is too stubborn. Even if I wanted to talk to him, he wouldn't see me."
When Peony was mentioned, Chairman Rose's tone became much more complex. Regardless, Peony was his biological younger brother.
Mammon remained noncommittal. In reality, although the game plot didn't explicitly state it, Chairman Rose had definitely tried to communicate with Peony more than once during his years as Chairman.
Otherwise, Olivia wouldn't have known Peony in the Crown Tundra plot, and she even mentioned Peony's character being vastly different from Chairman Rose's.
"Chairman Rose, you're too kind. The reason he's willing to join Team Rockets, I actually have to thank you, Chairman Rose."
Mammon replied modestly.
"…" Chairman Rose fell silent upon hearing this.
He seemed to roughly understand how Mammon had persuaded Peony to join Team Rockets.
Could it be that Mammon said something about helping Peony get revenge on him? Even if it wasn't exactly that, it was probably close.
Anyway, Mammon definitely used his name to his advantage.
What could Chairman Rose say about this? It was just hard to describe.
"Forget it, as long as Peony can regain his fighting spirit, it's a good thing." Chairman Rose was too lazy to think further. His younger brother not continuing to 'fall' had already made him very relieved.
"Mammon, I welcome your arrival in Hammerlocke. There's a rather important matter I need to discuss with you face-to-face."
Chairman Rose said to Mammon.
"Alright."
Hanging up the phone, Mammon looked at his phone and fell into thought. An important matter?
Eternatus?
But no matter what it was, Hammerlocke was a place he should go anyway.
Ballonlea, this is a small town built inside a hollowed-out giant tree.
The Gym Leader of Ballonlea is Opal, the oldest Gym Leader in the Galar region. Fifty years ago, Opal was Mustard's rival, but she was not Mustard's opponent.
And this year, due to her advanced age, Opal was searching everywhere for a successor.
Of course, that had nothing to do with Mammon.
"This city is a bit magical, it's very beautiful."
Platinum looked around. The entire place was filled with beautiful decorations. If it were night, it would definitely be dreamlike and very beautiful.
"After all, the Gym Leader of Ballonlea is an interesting person who constantly talks about 'pink' all day long, and the style of this town follows her."
Mammon remained noncommittal. Opal's title was 'Dream Theater,' and she pursued 'pink' throughout her life. Only she knew what 'pink' meant to her.
But it's worth noting that Opal's mental state was a bit concerning.
For example, Bede, Bede was originally a sharp-tongued, arrogant, and self-important man. His personality was very unlikable, and he was therefore very unsociable.
However, it must be said that Bede's talent was indeed outstanding.
But even Bede, after Opal's 'guidance,' directly transformed from a spirited young man into a mysterious man who began muttering 'pink'.
One could see how terrifying Opal's 'magic' truly was.
The four strolled around Ballonlea. This town was very unique, so it really wouldn't get boring.
About an hour later, the street suddenly became a bit chaotic.
Mammon turned his head and saw a white-haired person dressed in green and pink, gritting his teeth and running. From his appearance, it looked like he was… fleeing?
His appearance was very delicate, with soft white short hair and fair skin, making one even wonder about his gender.
That's right, if it weren't for his completely flat chest, one might even suspect he was a girl.
"Eh? Bede, you ran out again. How many times has this been?"
"This must be the seventh time, why bother? Gym Leader Opal is so good to you."
"Exactly, exactly, she likes you so much, just go with her. We also believe you can take over the Ballonlea Gym."
The passersby said to Bede with smiles, making the young man named Bede's face turn red and then pale.
"Shut up!!! I will never compromise with that old witch!"
Bede was furious and embarrassed, but his steps didn't falter in the slightest.
These guys were just enjoying the show, they had no idea what he had been through?!
Soon, Bede ran out of Ballonlea and into the Glimmering Forest, which surrounded Ballonlea.
"Damn it! Where's the exit?!"
After running in circles several times, Bede quickly grew tired, and he also noticed something was off.
Although the Glimmering Forest was huge, this cursed place shouldn't just have these few paths back and forth, right?
"This place has been shrouded in mist by those Fairy-type Pokémon. It's impossible for you to run out unless you can find the leading Pokémon."
A leisurely teasing voice came over.
"Who's there?!"
Bede instantly turned his head, his eyes cold and fierce.
What met his gaze was a combination of one man and three women. Bede frowned slightly.
"A grown man, running around outside in clothes like that, you're very brave."
Mammon examined Bede's attire, clicking his tongue in wonder.
"Nonsense! Do you think I like this?!"
Bede's face instantly turned red, and he angrily shouted at Mammon.
"Do you know what I've been through lately? Do you know what kind of torment I've suffered?! Pink! Pink! Everything is pink!!"
Bede grabbed his head as if he were collapsing, his face contorted.
What was he facing every day now?
All he saw were pink environments and puzzles, day after day with Fairy-type Pokémon. That old witch, she practically wanted to destroy him!
Although she would also teach him her insights and tactical designs for Fairy-types, what Bede wanted more was freedom.
And the most terrifying thing was, he was actually starting to accept pink!
How could a handsome man like himself like something like pink? Especially wearing such disgusting clothes.
Tsk~
Seeing Bede like this, Mammon couldn't help but click his tongue again.
And Caitlin and the other two women's expressions grew even stranger.
"Alright, it seems you are indeed quite troubled. So, how about we make a deal?"
Mammon thought for a moment and said to Bede.
"What deal?" Bede clutched his head. He felt that these people in front of him were all very mysterious.
And… it seemed like they were here for him?
"You battle Platinum. If you can defeat Platinum, I'll tell you how to leave this Glimmering Forest, and I'll also stop Opal from chasing you."
Mammon pointed to Platinum beside him.
Upon hearing this, Bede's expression instantly brightened.
"And if you lose, you join my organization, how about that?"
"No problem!"
Bede agreed without hesitation, his expression turning arrogant as he looked directly at Platinum.
As long as he could get rid of that old witch who kept tormenting him, Bede could agree to anything!
Besides, he didn't think he would lose!
That girl named Platinum looked about the same age as him, and among his peers, besides Gloria, he, Bede, had never lost to anyone else!
Moreover, he had now received the old witch's training. Although he hated the pink she instilled in him, he had to admit that his strength had greatly improved!
Even if he met Gloria again, he was confident he could defeat her.
"Okay, then it's a deal."
Mammon was very satisfied with Bede's answer.
Platinum took out her Poké Ball and slowly walked to Bede's opposite side.
"My name is Platinum, also known as Platinum. Please treat me well."
Platinum bowed elegantly to Bede, showing her excellent upbringing.
Bede also nodded slightly to her, then proudly lifted his chin.
"My name is Bede, Superior among Superiors! You must remember this name!"
Bede slightly turned his body, raising his left arm towards Platinum, graceful and confident.
"Let me show you the supreme pink!"
Trainer Bede, here to challenge!
But as soon as he finished speaking, noticing Platinum's strange gaze, Bede's face turned ugly, and he cursed inwardly, 'Damn it, sh*t!'
That hateful old witch, she must have cast a spell on him!!