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"Once I accept my weakness, I am invincible…"
Marnie murmured these words, her originally confused eyes growing brighter and brighter.
"That's right, by constantly pushing past your limits, one day you'll find that your initial goal has long been left behind."
Mammon took a sip of water, feeling content. He had said so much, his mouth was a bit dry.
Hmm, that's what chicken soup for the soul says.
But as for whether Marnie can surpass Gloria…
Mammon reserved his opinion. After all, effort is relative. It's not as if Marnie is working hard while Gloria is stagnant.
Mammon thought that after Gloria lost to Serena a few days ago, she was probably training even harder now.
And with both sides undergoing special training, in a sense, the gap between them was relatively 'static'?
Perhaps…
One day, when Gloria gets pregnant, Marnie might be able to use the opportunity of Gloria's ten-month pregnancy to catch up to her?
"I understand. Thank you, Mammon."
But Marnie had indeed taken Mammon's chicken soup to heart. She forced a slight curve onto her lips and thanked Mammon.
That's right, the emotionless Marnie rarely even smiled. Although she had been practicing smiling in private, it had been with little success.
"You're welcome." Mammon put down his teacup: "By the way, Marnie, do you know where Hop is?"
Mammon asked Marnie. Of Galar's rising 'Three Saints and One Emperor,' only Hop was left.
"Hop? I'm not sure." Marnie shook her head, her tone unwavering.
"I'm not familiar with Hop, and I don't have his contact information."
Marnie answered directly. Her acquaintance with Hop was entirely due to Gloria. As for Marnie herself, she had no particular feelings about Hop.
Therefore, although they had met, there was virtually no communication between them.
"I see."
Mammon was thoughtful. That was truly troublesome. He should have asked Gloria about Hop's location back then.
After all, at this stage, except for Bede, who was disqualified, the three, including Gloria, had basically obtained all the Gym Badges, so they were all undergoing special training to prepare for the Champion Cup.
Just like Gloria, who specifically went to the Crown Tundra for adventurous training.
So, even though he knew Hop's hometown was Hulbury Town, Hop might not necessarily be home.
"Mammon, could I ask you to battle me?"
Marnie suddenly looked up and challenged Mammon in a clear, cold voice.
"Battle me?" Mammon raised an eyebrow.
And upon hearing Marnie's words, the three women, Caitlin, Serena, and Platinum, looked at Marnie in surprise.
Holy crap! How brave!
"Yes." Marnie's tone remained calm.
"You must be incredibly strong. I want to know how big the gap is between me and a top Trainer."
That's right, Marnie knew that as the Team Rockets boss, Mammon's strength was absolutely astonishing.
Perhaps… even their Galar region's undefeated Champion Leon wouldn't be a match for Mammon?
But Marnie wanted to know how far she was from such a top Trainer like Leon.
"I see." Mammon gently tickled Terapagos's chin with his finger, chuckling softly.
"Since it's a request from the lovely Marnie, then I'll train with you."
Battling, Mammon hadn't had a proper battle in a very long time.
Now, he mostly guided Caitlin and the others. After all, for Mammon, ordinary battles were essentially meaningless.
"But you can handle the outcome, right?"
"Yes, I'm prepared."
Marnie's beautiful big eyes were full of determination.
"That's good."
Marnie's backyard had a training ground, and Marnie led Mammon and the others there.
Marnie and Mammon stood on opposite sides.
"Mammon's battle, this is the first time I've seen Mammon standing on a training ground!"
Serena's big eyes sparkled as she looked at Mammon, unable to help but exclaim.
She had been with Team Rockets for some time now. She had also witnessed that legendary chaotic battle that would be remembered for generations, and she had seen Mammon's magnificent demeanor as he commanded numerous Legendary Pokémon.
But truthfully, this was the first time she had seen Mammon stand on a battlefield.
"If it were you, Serena, asking Mammon, he would surely agree to battle you too." Platinum said with a chuckle, covering her mouth.
"I don't want to look for trouble. Instead of battling Mammon, I'd rather go find Mr. Peony and them."
Serena rolled her eyes at Platinum, surprisingly charming.
Although strong-willed, Serena also knew that the gap between her and Mammon was simply too vast right now.
Even if Mammon used his second-string or even third-string main Pokémon, it wouldn't be on the same level at all.
Losing could indeed provide a lot of battle experience, but it also depended on the nature of the defeat.
"Perhaps Miss Caitlin could battle Mammon if he doesn't use his top-tier main Pokémon?"
Serena thought for a moment, then looked towards the elegant and peerless Caitlin.
To be honest, Serena felt that Caitlin's strength should be among the strongest of the many top executives.
Especially now that Lugia had been initially trained, although it hadn't reached the level of the mythical 'Sea God' yet.
However, under Caitlin's careful cultivation, Lugia's strength would likely be hard to match even among Champion-level Pokémon.
Moreover…
Powerful Psychic users also boosted Psychic-type Pokémon!
Furthermore, as far as Serena knew, Caitlin's team strength had also reached an extremely exaggerated level.
Lugia, Tapu Lele, Metagross, Gallade, Hatterene, plus the newly caught Galarian Articuno, and other backup main Pokémon.
This team…
"Hmm, I also think Sister Caitlin can do it, right?"
Platinum blinked, also looking at Caitlin curiously.
"I'm not strong enough yet."
Caitlin was silent for a moment, then gently shook her head.
Huh?
Seeing this, both Platinum and Serena were stunned. Even Caitlin couldn't do it?
"Aside from newly caught Pokémon, Mammon's main Pokémon are at least top Champion level. His talent is truly unparalleled in this era."
Caitlin's beautiful eyes swept over Platinum and Serena.
Yes, Mammon always said that Platinum and the others' talents were 'monstrous,' once-in-a-century talent monster Trainers.
But in reality, Caitlin knew very well that Mammon himself was also a 'monster,' and in Caitlin's opinion, Mammon's talent was even more outstanding than Platinum and the others!
"Back in Rustboro City in Hoenn, Mammon's Mega Tyranitar could take on Steven's Metagross, Cynthia's Garchomp, Lucario, and Giovanni's Nidoking, four against one."
Caitlin added softly. Although Mega Tyranitar ultimately lost, Steven's side had also barely won after an intense battle.
This was enough to show the combat power of Mammon's main Pokémon!
That Tyranitar had never been Mammon's ace.
It could be said that, besides Akari, Mammon was the most exaggerated talent monster Caitlin had ever seen.
On the field.
"Now~ which Pokémon should I use?"
Mammon looked at the elegant Marnie opposite him, a bit troubled as he tapped his temple.
High-level Legendary Pokémon definitely weren't good to use. After all, Marnie was so cute; bullying her like that would be no fun.
Hmm, if he could make Marnie's eyes well up with tears, Mammon wouldn't mind trying, as Marnie would surely look beautiful with tears streaming down her face.
But Marnie had prepared herself mentally from the start, so that wouldn't be meaningful.
So Mammon was quite conflicted. After all, having too many Pokémon sometimes wasn't a good thing. Perhaps he should use Darkrai and Marshadow? He hadn't really battled with them since catching them.
Mammon was just about to stomp his foot to make Marshadow, who was sleeping in his shadow, come out to battle.
A Poké Ball in his pocket shook frantically. Was there one volunteering?
"Hmm?"
Mammon took out the Poké Ball and raised an eyebrow.
"Alright, since you want to show off, it's you then."
Mammon chuckled, then coolly tossed the Poké Ball backward.
"Glastrier, prepare for battle!"
"Hoo-hoo-hoo~!"
A flash of white light, and the strong Glastrier landed heavily in front of Mammon, rearing up and letting out an excited, spirited neigh.
Glastrier, one of the 'King's Beloved Steeds'!
Glastrier's temperament was rough, arrogant, and very combative, but ever since being caught by Mammon, it had done nothing but eat and sleep every day, almost dying of boredom.
Now that it finally had a chance to battle, Glastrier naturally wouldn't miss it.
Moreover, it also wanted to earn some credit for Mammon! That way, it could eat more justifiably later, right?
I fought for Mammon! What's wrong with eating a bit more?
"Glastrier?"
Marnie tilted her head, looking at the white horse that was pure white but exuded an astonishingly fierce aura.
"The pure Ice-type Glastrier, the legendary 'King's Beloved Steed.' Marnie, you need to be careful. Glastrier is very strong."
Mammon warned Marnie.
Although it was just Calyrex's steed, in ancient times, both Glastrier and Spectrier were kings among Pokémon.
And Glastrier was definitely one of the strongest fighting Pokémon among Ice-types!
"A Legendary Pokémon, huh…"
Feeling the immense pressure brought by this Glastrier, Marnie tried her best to suppress her rapidly beating heart and took out a Poké Ball.
The black-haired, twin-tailed girl tightly pursed her lips, slowly closing her eyes. When she opened them again, there was no longer any hesitation in her gaze.
That's right, accepting her weak self made her invincible!
Trainer Marnie, here to challenge!
"Liepard!"
Marnie gracefully swung her right hand, and a beautiful purple leopard-cat skillfully landed in front of her.
It had captivating eyes, an elegant body, long legs, and a scythe-like large tail. It was the Dark-type Liepard.
"Good. Come on, Marnie, let me see your strength."
Mammon observed Liepard. He had to admit, from its appearance to its spirit, it was clear that this Liepard had been very well trained.
Marnie was very calm, a battle plan quickly forming in her mind.
"Fake Out!"
Liepard let out a low growl, its limbs tensed, and in an instant, its entire body shot towards Glastrier like an arrow from a bow.
The priority move, Fake Out!
"Tsk~ Glastrier."
Mammon couldn't help but click his tongue. This Fake Out should have been done by Suicune, so he could see Suicune huffing again.
Glastrier's fierce eyes, visible through its hard mask, stared intently at the approaching Liepard. A faint chill began to emanate from its entire body, especially around its hooves, where the ground was being intensely frozen by the cold air.
Bang!
With the acceleration of Fake Out, Liepard's movements were incredibly fast. It instantly rushed in front of Glastrier, its right paw slamming hard onto Glastrier's head.
With a bang, the ice that had somehow formed on the side of Glastrier's face was directly shattered by Liepard.
"Hoo-hoo-hoo~!"
Glastrier reared its upper body, its strong, sturdy shadow completely enveloping Liepard in front of it, its excited, furious neigh echoing in Liepard's ears.
"Body Press!" Mammon calmly commanded.
"Quick, dodge! Liepard!"
Marnie's expressionless face subtly changed. Why? Fake Out's effect didn't trigger?!
But now was not the time to think about that.
Liepard immediately tried to dodge. Its mobility was excellent, but Liepard instantly realized that it was difficult to move!
Because under its feet, frost had somehow condensed, freezing its legs to the ground!
By the time Liepard struggled free, Glastrier had already pounced down.
The Fighting-type move, Body Press!
Boom!
Glastrier's two massive ice hooves slammed heavily onto Liepard's body.
The entire battlefield trembled violently. The Fighting-type Body Press dealt extremely high damage to Liepard because Glastrier's physical defense was exceptionally good.
When the dust cleared, Glastrier neighed again, slowly stepping back to stand in front of Mammon.
A white light glowed on Glastrier's body. The effect of its ability, Chilling Neigh, boosted Glastrier's Attack.
And Liepard was already lying at the bottom of the pit, completely unable to battle.
Marnie stared blankly at the unconscious Liepard, her mind buzzing.
What happened???