Chapter 123: Mammon, Do You Really Think You're Invincible?!
Guess what?
Guess your ass!
Steven's composure was cracking. His mind was a mess right now — Mammon was holding his father's phone, which was genuinely terrifying.
"Friendly reminder: I'm currently at Devon Corporation, Steven-sensei."
Mammon's voice was leisurely and completely at ease. He strolled over to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out over Rustboro City — a city that prided itself on the harmony of nature and technology, and the greenery really showed. Trees and vines wove between every building in sight.
The whole city lay at his feet. Mammon was in an excellent mood.
"President Stone is right here beside me, by the way."
"Mammon! Calm down — do you have any idea what you're doing right now?!"
Steven's breath caught, but he forced himself to stay calm.
He couldn't figure it out. Why had Mammon gone to Devon Corporation? Why take his father hostage?
"I'm perfectly calm. I'm here mainly to discuss some old personal business with President Stone."
Old personal business?
Steven blinked. What kind of grudge could Mammon possibly have with his father? That didn't make sense — Mammon had never even been to Hoenn before, had he?
"Whatever it is, I'm asking you not to hurt my father." Steven's voice was heavy.
"That has nothing to do with me. What I have heard, though, is that you've been recruiting people to come after me, Steven-sensei?"
Mammon patted the armrest of the chair. Joseph Stone, reading the room perfectly, stood up. Mammon sat down without a second thought.
Not bad. Devon Corporation's CEO chair. Very soft. Very comfortable.
Steven's expression darkened. Mammon's words meant he already knew about Hoenn calling in Champions from other regions.
That wasn't right — how did he know? An informant? Had Team Rocket infiltrated the League internally?
Steven's mind raced. The Kanto League connection? Rocket had only just arrived in Hoenn — they couldn't have planted moles inside the League infrastructure this fast.
"I really didn't expect this, Steven-sensei. Are you that desperate? Borrowing Trainers from other regional Leagues?"
Mammon's voice was light and amused, completely unbothered, as though none of this put the slightest pressure on him.
"Mammon, if you're willing to surrender now, I'll personally speak to the League on your behalf." Since Mammon already knew, Steven decided to just say it plainly.
"Oh?" The corner of Mammon's mouth curved upward. "You bring in a handful of Trainers and you think you can go toe-to-toe with Team Rocket? Steven-sensei, you're really underestimating us."
His voice dripped with mockery.
"Stop talking big, Mammon. Do you really think you're invincible?!"
Wallace's voice came through, sharp with barely-contained fury — apparently he was standing right next to Steven.
"Is that why you're using Uncle Stone as a hostage?!"
"Ha~ So that's what you two think." Mammon's laugh was light. "Well then, in that case — I'll be waiting right here at Devon Corporation. Come prepared, gentlemen. President Stone is in my hands, after all."
A quiet chuckle, and the line went dead.
"What exactly are you people trying to do?!"
Joseph Stone was completely lost. Weren't these three here to deal with him? How had his son suddenly gotten dragged into this? And — Team Rocket?
Joseph had caught that detail in Mammon's words. Team Rocket was that criminal organization from Kanto, wasn't it?
"No need to panic, President Stone. Kagura asked, so we won't be harming you." Mammon settled back in the chair with leisurely ease.
"That said, you are Team Rocket's prisoner now. Can't have you sitting around doing nothing."
Mammon thought it over. He had, after all, just kidnapped the president of Devon Corporation.
Joseph Stone: "…"
"A company as large as Devon Corporation — investing a little capital in our organization shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"…No problem." Joseph was quiet for a moment. This was the first time he'd been robbed by someone this polite about it.
But if it was just money, that was nothing to him.
"Then please transfer the funds to this account. As for the amount—"
"Ten billion all right?"
"Pff — now that's the Devon Corporation president. Generous." Mammon let out a short laugh.
"I know my crimes cannot be repaid." Joseph turned to look at Kagura, his voice quiet. "This money is personal compensation from me to you, miss. That part, at least, you can trust."
"Heh—" Kagura's laugh was cold. Not a flicker of emotion moved behind her eyes.
"I don't want your money, Joseph Stone. If you actually feel guilty about what happened to my sister — give me the names. Everyone who participated in that incident."
"Understood." Joseph was silent for a long time. Then he nodded.
He made the call to authorize the transfer, then reached into the bottom drawer of his desk and withdrew a sealed document folder. Inside: the complete participant list for the Rayquaza Capture Operation from all those years ago.
"If possible," Joseph said quietly, "I'd like you to leave now, before Steven arrives. When he gets here, I'll tell him you did nothing."
He paused.
"I don't know how strong you are. But you won't be a match for the Hoenn League."
"President Stone, you're really selling us short." Mammon was already flipping through a document with idle curiosity. "On another note — you can let your staff head home for the day."
The file in his hands was labeled: Infinity Energy.
∞ Energy — a specialized power source derived from the life-force of Pokémon, also known as living energy.
And it was the crown jewel of Joseph Stone's research program.
The first recorded use of life energy in human history, Mammon was reading, dated back three thousand years — to the Kalos region, where AZ had built the Ultimate Weapon, powered entirely by the life-force of Pokémon.
And what had AZ used it for? To resurrect Floette, already dead — transforming her into the Eternal Flower Floette through the process.
The weapon's light had granted both AZ and the Eternal Flower Floette immortality.
Later, consumed by hatred, AZ had turned the weapon to its other purpose and annihilated both sides of the war.
Worth noting: in the records, a Professor Sycamore of Kalos theorized that when the Ultimate Weapon fired three thousand years ago, the life energy released by Xerneas — or Yveltal — had spread across the entire Kalos region, transforming certain special stones, Evolution Stones among them, into Mega Stones.
And the reason the Rayquaza Capture Operation had ever succeeded at all? The main factor, it turned out, was the ∞ Energy device Joseph Stone had provided.
Devon Corporation had used a device called "the Flower" — similar in both appearance and operating principle to the Ultimate Weapon — to restrain Rayquaza. That was what had led to Shelly's death in battle.
Because without that device, even if this particular Rayquaza wasn't among the strongest of its kind, it was still a Rayquaza. How could it possibly have failed to break free? How could it have let its own Lorekeeper die?
Send this to Mr. Fuji. Should give him plenty to work with.
Mammon tucked the file away. He didn't know whether Professor Sycamore's theory was correct, but if Mega Stones really did have something to do with life energy, then this ∞ Energy research could be enormously valuable to Mr. Fuji.
As for it being Joseph Stone's proprietary technology?
Ha. Joseph Stone was a prisoner. Did his opinions matter?
Mammon not tying him up and throwing him in a corner was already an act of mercy.
"Understood." Joseph quietly called his personal secretary and passed the message along: full company holiday. All staff to leave. No overtime permitted.
Lilycove City — League Headquarters.
"Mammon. What is he planning."
Steven's mood was grim. His father was in Mammon's hands — that was the reality.
Yes, Mammon's father was on their side. But that was completely different.
Steven couldn't wait. He immediately called Cynthia and the others together for another emergency meeting.
"Mammon has surfaced. He's in Rustboro City." That single opening line made Cynthia, Giovanni, and the rest go still.
"I can't rule out a trap. But Mammon is holding my father hostage — inside the Devon Corporation building."
Steven's voice was flat and controlled.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Nemona's opinion was immediate. "We know where he is — let's go."
"To think Mammon has sunk this low." Giovanni's expression darkened.
"Steven, are you certain about the information?" Cynthia's brow furrowed.
"Certain. Mammon called me directly on my father's phone. He told me himself — he's at Devon Corporation."
"…Why would he tell us his location?" Nemona frowned. That didn't track.
"Exactly. Something's off. Mammon isn't careless. He's always been sharp, always deliberate." Giovanni's voice was low.
"Whatever he's planning, I can't leave my father behind. I have to go." Steven's expression was set.
No one argued. Giovanni, Cynthia, and Nemona all understood the urgency of a child who couldn't abandon a parent. And besides — they'd come to Hoenn to deal with Team Rocket. Now Team Rocket had shown itself. Were they supposed to not go just because they suspected a trap?
Impossible.
"Though according to Chairman Raoul Contesta's message," the League coordinator spoke up, "Champion Lance is already en route to Hoenn."
"We can't wait. We leave for Rustboro now." Steven turned to the coordinator. "Please arrange evacuation of civilians near the Devon Corporation building."
With Lance, their odds improved. But Lance was still hours out by plane.
Steven couldn't afford to wait.
"Understood." The coordinator nodded and immediately got to work.
"Then we move."
Steven walked out of the conference room without looking back. His urgency was written in every step.
We finally get to fight Team Rocket!
Nemona was on her feet instantly, falling into step behind him, heart already hammering. Team Rocket! An actual evil organization!
"Mammon! You're done!"
Wallace's energy was running high too. The image flashed through his mind — defeating Mammon, snapping cuffs around his wrists — and Wallace felt a hot surge of satisfaction before it even happened.
Sure, Champion Lance probably wasn't going to make it in time.
But it didn't matter.
How many Champion-tiers do we have here? Multiple Champions against three Champion-tiers from Team Rocket?
A complete steamroll.
This was basically already a win.
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