Chapter 65: Mammon, I'm Going to Challenge the Kanto Elite Four
Originally, Mammon had intended to catch Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu before leaving Alola.
But thinking it over now, it just didn't seem worth the trouble.
Capturing them would've simply added two more Legendary Pokémon to the organization's roster, but Mammon himself had no plans to train them.
That would've meant feeding them, managing them, and constantly watching to make sure they didn't escape. It just wasn't worth it.
First, having Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu stay behind to manage the four Alola islands would soften the resistance from Kukui and the others. After all, people tend to settle for compromise.
Compared to Rocket taking all four Tapus, leaving two of them in the wild wouldn't cross their psychological threshold. It wouldn't provoke Kukui and the island kahunas into going all-out against Team Rocket.
Second, Ultra Beasts really did show up randomly across Alola. Having wild Tapus around to guard the region would help minimize the casualties and destruction from such incursions.
Because Tapu Koko and the others would take action to stop them.
After all, damage to Alola's well-being was, by extension, damage to Team Rocket's interests too—wasn't it?
"Tch~ good thing I didn't bother. Otherwise, I'd just have to release them again. What a waste of effort."
Mammon clicked his tongue and gave himself a mental thumbs-up for the foresight.
With the Tapus gone, the trio descended from the Altar of the Moone. It was getting late, and they decided to rest for the night on Poni Island.
"Mammon, you recognize Nebby's current form, don't you?"
On the road, Lillie turned to ask Mammon.
"Yeah." Mammon nodded.
'Lunala. Psychic/Ghost-type. The Moone Pokémon.Ability: Shadow Shield.Known as the "Beast That Invites the Moon," it sustains itself by converting all forms of light into energy.'
Mammon casually recited Lunala's Pokédex entry. Speaking of which, he really should go have a talk with Kukui before leaving Alola.
"'Beast That Invites the Moon'—that's one of the Legendary Pokémon of Alola, right?"
Caitlin seemed thoughtful. She didn't know much about Alola's history, but she'd definitely heard that title before.
"That's right. The 'Beast That Invites the Moon' and the 'Beast That Devours the Sun'—those are both Legendary Pokémon recorded in ancient texts."
Lillie nodded quietly, her eyes slightly unfocused. She still couldn't believe Nebby was actually the legendary figure described in those records!
'Since ancient times, it has been revered as the moon's emissary. People of old honored it with awe as the Beast That Invites the Moon.'
Just… what kind of being had she been caring for all this time?
Even though all of the Tapus were considered Legendary Pokémon, they weren't even in the same league as Lunala.
To put it simply: Lunala's historical and cultural significance to Alola was like Ho-Oh or Lugia to Kanto, or Dialga and Palkia to Sinnoh.
This was about legendary weight in regional lore—not battle strength.
"Mammon, did you know about Nebby's origins from the beginning?" Lillie suddenly asked.
"Not really. I didn't think of it that way at first either," Mammon shook his head. "But after Nebby's first evolution, its appearance looked too much like the 'Cosmic Cocoon' described in the texts. That's when I started to suspect."
Lillie fell silent, but quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Otherwise—even if she didn't want to think that way—she'd have to suspect Mammon had approached her and Nebby on purpose.
As they chatted, the three of them arrived at a nearby town and booked three rooms at a local inn.
"Hey, old man."
After his shower, Mammon got a call from Sakaki.
"The three Legendary Birds have been secured. Want to raise one?" Sakaki asked calmly, as if he were talking about three caught Pidgeys.
"Oh? Natsume and the others sure worked fast."
Mammon raised a brow. The three Kanto birds naturally referred to Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
The mission had been assigned to Rocket's three top executives.
"My team's already full. Let me think... Keep Zapdos and Articuno. Just send Moltres to the ranch," Mammon said after a moment. He honestly wasn't all that interested in the birds.
"You planning to send one to Mizuki?"
Sakaki saw through him immediately. Mammon had deliberately kept two birds—that made his intentions obvious.
Too easy to guess. That guy never held back when it came to Mizuki.
"Hah~ as expected of you, old man."
"Mammon, are you sure Mizuki can accept who you really are?"
Sakaki sighed. After all, he had spent a few months with Mizuki last year, and he knew just how exceptional that girl was.
No exaggeration—he thought Mizuki's potential as a Trainer was no worse than Mammon's. In some areas, she might even be better.
With both Mammon and Mizuki being "monsters" in talent, Sakaki sometimes felt like common sense itself had been thrown out the window.
But the good news? One was his son. The other, his future daughter-in-law.
Sakaki liked Mizuki a lot. But the big question was: would she accept Mammon's identity with Team Rocket?
If not, Mammon would've created a future super-boss with his own hands.
"You just don't get it, old man. It's our bond." Mammon shook his head, completely confident in Mizuki.
Even if his true identity was revealed, Mizuki would firmly believe that the Pokémon League was the villain for persecuting Mammon. To her, the League would be the evil one.
"All right, all right." Sakaki chuckled.
"By the way, old man, I've caught a bunch of Ultra Beasts. Want to train a couple? They're pretty strong."
"Any Ground-types?"
"Nope."
"Let's wait until there's a suitable Ground-type," Sakaki replied, sipping his tea.
His team was already full.
Plus, he had a clear preference for Ground-type Pokémon and little interest in anything else.
Even ordinary Legendary Pokémon like Moltres didn't appeal to him.
He was confident his own hand-trained aces were no weaker than a so-called Legendary like that.
The organization had originally created an "artificial god" through genetic research just for him, but Mammon seemed to like it too—so Sakaki let him have it.
"Got it." Mammon didn't push. He already had ideas about what kind of Pokémon to prepare for Sakaki.
"Alola's mostly wrapped up now. I'll head back to Kanto soon," Mammon added.
"Good." Sakaki's mature, somewhat shadowy face showed a rare smile.
"Mammon, I've signed up for the Kanto Elite Four Challenge this winter."
Mammon froze.
"Old man… are you serious?!"
(End of chapter)