Chapter 175: My Older Brother Mammmon Is the Best Older Brother in the World

"My dear little brother~"

Hearing these words, Silver's pupils trembled in shock, and he looked at Mammmon in disbelief.

Brother? Me?

I am his brother? In other words, this person is my older brother?

Silver was utterly shocked; in other words, he is my family?

Silver almost instinctively refused to admit it; although he had also been searching for his family, he never expected it to come so... simply?

So Silver fell silent.

At the same time, Catherina looked with surprise at the red-haired, seemingly cold and aloof youth; was this the younger brother of Mammmon who had been kidnapped since childhood?

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see your older brother? Or do you need your older brother to open his arms and let Silver feel the warmth of your older brother's embrace?"

Mammmon's smile remained very gentle as he teased the silent Silver.

Saying this, Mammmon spread his arms and stepped forward, seeming truly intent on giving Silver a hug.

"Stop!"

But as if by reflex, Silver stepped back, looking warily at the approaching Mammmon.

Mammmon stopped his steps and raised an eyebrow, looking at Silver.

"You say you are my older brother; what proof do you have?" Silver asked in a deep voice.

It was not that he was unwilling to admit he had family, but his upbringing had taught him not to trust anyone easily.

Although he did indeed feel a different kind of flutter toward the youth before him, Silver remained very cautious.

"Eh? You guy, what proof does family need to prove itself?" Axiang was shocked once again and couldn't help but speak out.

He had never seen such a bizarre person in his life; family is family, what proof is there?

And this is too strange; are there people who don't even recognize their own family?

Axiang scratched his head; he felt this red-haired person seemed a bit strange, otherwise it made no sense.

"Shut up!" Silver gave Axiang a cold glance; what does this guy know?

Axiang pouted, but he didn't continue to interrupt.

"You say you are my older brother, then who are our parents?" Silver turned his gaze back to Mammmon and asked in a cold voice.

"I see, you have already forgotten? But that is understandable, after all, it has been ten years." Mammmon sighed lightly.

Actually, according to the plot in the special episode, Silver was only two or three years old when he was taken away, so he had almost no impression of Giovanni, after all, he was far too small at that time.

However, in this world, Silver was five or six years old when he was taken away; normally speaking, he should still have a little bit of memory.

But forgetting is normal, after all, he was a child.

"Our father is Giovanni, the Gym Leader of the Pewter Gym; as for our mother, she passed away not long after giving birth to you."

"And I am your older brother, Mammmon; how about it? Do you have some impression?"

Mammmon patiently introduced himself.

"Giovanni... Mammmon..."

Silver murmured these two names in a low voice, frantically recalling his memories in his mind.

A few scattered memories began to flash through his mind: a middle-aged man with a crew cut wearing a suit, his face indistinct, and to the man's right was a boy with short black hair, and to the left was himself.

Silver's eyes were a bit dazed; is it real? It seems it really is true.

"Is that Sneasel still with you? Pokémon's memories are much clearer than humans'; if Sneasel is still here, it should still remember me."

Mammmon spoke up at the right moment for Silver.

"Right! Sneasel!"

Silver quickly released his Sneasel; this was his first Pokémon and the Pokémon that had accompanied him since childhood.

After he was taken to the Johto region, Sneasel had continued to protect him.

Sneasel appeared by Silver's side, looking up at Silver in confusion.

"Sneasel, that person... do you know him?"

Silver pointed at Mammmon and asked Sneasel in a low voice; even he didn't notice that his tone had already carried an air of expectation.

Although he had built a high wall in his heart, sealing away his true inner self, Silver also deeply hoped from the bottom of his heart to find his family.

Sneasel looked toward Mammmon; when it saw Mammmon, Sneasel's expression instantly changed, first hesitating, but after seeing the smile on Mammmon's face, it turned to joy.

"Sne~!"

Sneasel instantly turned into a black shadow and quickly arrived before Mammmon.

"Long time no see, Sneasel." Mammmon's tone was gentle as he gently rubbed Sneasel's head, with green lights flickering.

"Sne~"

Sneasel emitted a comfortable soft chirp, its eyes comfortably closed; this is the feeling!!

Sneasel turned its head excitedly, constantly calling out to Silver.

Seeing Sneasel's reaction, Silver naturally understood the result; his expression changed slightly, and he was somewhat unwilling to look at Mammmon.

After escaping the Mask Organization, besides becoming stronger, he wanted to find his family just like Blue.

But now that family had appeared right before him, Silver instead felt at a loss and awkward.

He didn't know what attitude to adopt to face this biological older brother...

It was Mammmon who slowly walked to Silver's front, with a gentle gaze, a gentle smile, and a gentle voice.

"Silver, long time no see."

It was still that same sentence, but this time, falling into Silver's ears, it was completely different.

"Bro..."

Silver raised his head; the gloomy expression that kept strangers away was now melted; looking at the biological older brother connected by blood before him, Silver pressed his lips tightly, and a warm current flowed constantly in his heart.

"You've suffered a lot these years. After you went missing back then, Dad and I kept looking for you for a long time, but we found no trace."

Mamon placed both hands on Silver's shoulders; his gentle voice made Silver's tear ducts ache.

"But it's fine. Even though it's a bit late, you've finally returned, Silver."

Silver's mind was still somewhat dazed, then he felt himself fall into a warm embrace—an embrace from his own older brother.

Though he didn't want to admit it, Silver truly felt a sense of peace he had never known before, a sense of security coming from family.

He had long since decided to cast aside all his weakness, to become strong by any means necessary, and to protect Sister Xiao Lan.

But now, he felt his "weakness" seemed to have returned.

"From now on, rely on your brother as much as you like. Your brother will definitely protect you. No matter who it is, I won't let anyone hurt you."

Mamon's gentle yet firm voice made Silver dazed once more, tears slipping uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes.

Brother...

"It's so nice."

Ah Xiang watched this heartwarming scene before him and couldn't help but smile on his face.

Come to think of it, this cold, aloof fellow with such a terrible personality, finding his own family, should be able to make him a bit better, right?

Ah Xiang silently left the Burned Tower; as an outsider, there was no need for him to stay here any longer.

His Pokémon had all just been defeated by Silver; he must hurry to the Pokémon Center to have Miss Joy heal them.

Come to think of it...

Ah Xiang scratched his head. Mamon? That name seemed somewhat familiar, but for the moment, Ah Xiang really couldn't recall it.

Reunited with his own younger brother, Mamon's mood was quite good.

He brought Silver to the best hotel in Ecruteak City, booked a private room, and ordered a table full of dishes for Silver.

"Brother, you don't need so much; we can't finish it all."

Silver felt the care from his brother and his heart was still very warm, but he still shook his head, wanting to refuse.

Having been strictly trained by the Masked Man since childhood, Silver had also developed the good habit of saving food.

"It's fine; if we can't finish it, we can pack it up. Today is the day of our long-awaited reunion; let's eat well."

Mamon replied with a smile.

"By the way, I haven't introduced her to you yet. This is Caitlin, one of my most important companions."

Mamon introduced Caitlin standing beside him.

"Hello, Silver." Caitlin held a gentle yet elegant faint smile and nodded to Silver.

"Hello." Silver also tried his best to show a smile; just now, he had subconsciously wanted to tighten his expression again.

"In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed. I thought I would never see you again in this life."

Mamon took out an old but well-preserved photo from his inner pocket and handed it to Silver.

Silver took it and looked; his eyes were stirred by waves once more.

The photo showed a family of three: the mature man standing in the middle was Giovanni, on his left and right were young Mamon and Silver, and beside Silver was that Sneasel.

Silver's fingertip gently stroked the photo.

"If Dad knew, I think he would be very happy too." Mamon sighed.

"... Father is at the Pewter Gym, right?"

Silver was obviously still a bit unaccustomed, but he still awkwardly uttered that title.

"Yes. After all, as a Gym Leader, he is quite busy. Silver, if you have time, go visit him."

Mamon said with a smile.

"I can go right now! But... Brother, won't you go with me?"

Silver replied almost impatiently; being able to see his father immediately, Silver was very eager.

Moreover, Xiao Lan is also in Kanto now; after visiting Pewter City this time, he can also go find Xiao Lan.

But very soon, he realized the meaning in Mamon's words.

"As for me, it's not convenient right now; I'll go back when there's an opportunity." Mamon declined tactfully.

"..." Silver fell silent. He couldn't figure out why Mamon resisted going home; was there some conflict with his father?

But that didn't seem right either.

"Let's eat first, Silver. Look how thin you've become; come, eat a piece of meat."

The waiter had already brought the dishes up; Mamon beckoned Silver to eat and served the largest piece of meat into Silver's bowl.

Silver ate silently, his heart infinitely warm. Is this the happiness only someone with a brother can experience?!

After the meal, Mamon took Silver to a nearby shopping mall, bought him several sets of new clothes and shoes, then took him to the Ecruteak Dance Hall to watch a performance, after which the three of them went shopping and chatting.

For Silver, this was absolutely the happiest and most fulfilling day of his life so far.

His brother treated him... really too well!! He was the best brother in the world!

Silver even felt he was sleeping with a smile on his face at night.

Early the next morning.

"Silver, send me a message when you arrive in Pewter City; be safe on the road."

Mamon straightened Silver's collar, smiled, and patted Silver's shoulder.

"Okay." Silver nodded.

"Alright, have a safe trip."

Mamon hugged him and patted Silver's back.

"Mm! Brother, bye-bye."

Silver, with a rare smile on his face, waved to Mamon.

"Bye-bye."

With a smile on his face, Mammon watched Xiao Yin's figure disappear from sight, then the smile slowly faded from Mammon's face.

"I wonder what attitude this child will have when he learns that the brother he just recognized is actually a member of Team Rocket?"

Mammon was very clear that Xiao Yin hated evil organizations very much.

When they reached Pallet Town, once Xiao Yin learned from Sakaki that Mammon was now a member of Team Rocket, who knows what expression Xiao Yin would have.

Hmm, probably the feeling that the sky has collapsed?

And then?

Will it be hatred born of love, destroying one's own kin for righteousness, or wanting to pull the 'foolish' self out of the 'quagmire'?

Poor Xiao Yin, having finally found his family, only to discover that his family is actually a member of the evil organization he hates most.

But Mammon had no choice; besides, he did have feelings for this younger brother, after all, they were blood-related kin.

Hmm, next time we meet, should I say, 'Oh, my foolish little brother'?

(End of this chapter)