Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [386]

Lillie was convinced she still hadn’t fully woken up—she must be dreaming.

Not only had her always-strict mother suddenly turned so gentle, she’d even found Lillie a young new father...

“Uuuh...”

Lillie squeezed her eyes shut, clutching her head and curling into herself, desperately hoping to shake herself awake from this bizarre dream.

But after a dozen seconds, when she opened her eyes again—

What she saw was still her mother’s concerned face, and her so-called “father.”

Realizing this wasn’t a dream after all, Lillie glanced uncertainly at Lusamine.

“Lillie, are you feeling unwell anywhere?” Lusamine asked, voice soft with genuine worry.

Lillie fell silent. “...”

The concern in her mother’s eyes was real—more real than anything she’d seen before. Compared to the way things used to be, she much preferred her mother like this!

Even if this new mother also came with a new father.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lillie turned to August, her voice small and hesitant: “Father...?”

Her words were barely above a whisper, but with August and Gardevoir’s keen hearing, neither missed it.

August: “...?”

What is going on with you?

Lillie, aren’t you supposed to correct your mother and tell her I’m not your father? Why are you going along with this?!

Now there’s no way to clear this up!

Sure, Lillie was adorable—but he’d never signed up to be her father...

Especially when he felt Gardevoir’s gaze shift his way.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: ...Let me explain, Gardevoir!

...

By the time Blue and the others caught sight of August again in the main control room, they found him slumped beside Gardevoir, looking utterly drained—like his spirit had been hollowed out.

“What happened? Did the rescue fail?” Blue asked, concerned.

August could only point feebly toward Lusamine and Lillie.

With so many people watching, Lillie hurriedly bowed. “Hello, everyone. I’m Lillie!”

Blue was puzzled.

Didn’t they rescue her just fine?

Then why does August look like that?

Sabrina and Cynthia, however, exchanged glances, watching August, Lusamine, and Lillie with knowing expressions.

Sensing the shift in attention—and not wanting Lillie to say anything unfortunate—August changed the subject. “How’s the situation here in the control room?”

“We’ve restored system control to most sectors... but Team Rocket’s infiltration was deeper than we thought. The B2 Research Area is still under Team Rocket’s control,” Blue replied, pulling up a 3D map of the Aether Foundation.

The research area on B2 was marked in bright red.

August understood—that research zone was probably where the last of Rocket’s forces were dug in...

“Let’s go finish the job. Time to wipe out what’s left of Team Rocket.”

...

Aether Foundation B2 Research Area

Faba was holed up here, alongside the remaining Rocket forces inside Aether Paradise.

But right now, Faba’s face was twisted in panic. He grabbed one of his subordinates by the collar:

“Still can’t reach Ariana?!”

The grunt bowed his head. “Sorry, Mr. Faba!”

Faba ground his teeth. “Damn it!”

He’d thought that selling out Aether Foundation as a Team Rocket mole and securing a Team Rocket executive’s position was a sweet deal.

But who would’ve guessed—barely a few days into his new role, and everything went straight to hell!

“Is the data downloaded yet?” Faba snapped at one of the researchers.

The staff member produced a hard drive. “Download’s complete, but—”

“No buts!”

Faba snatched the drive away, gave one last look at the restrained Cosmog, then—after a moment’s hesitation—bolted, issuing orders for the Rockets to hold the line as he dashed into a little-known escape tunnel.

Moments after Faba’s exit, a voice boomed from outside the research area doors:

“International Police! Everyone inside, stand down and step away from the equipment!”

Faba was already gone, but the former Aether Foundation researchers inside immediately raised their hands. The Rocket trainers, meanwhile, began directing their Pokémon in one last desperate stand.

The doors burst open—

“Arbok, [Acid Spray]!”

“Weezing, [Poison Gas]!”

“Golbat, [Supersonic]!”

Every Team Rocket Pokémon turned to unleash their attacks toward the entryway.

But facing Team Rocket’s last-ditch resistance, August just waved a hand. “Mewtwo.”

Mewtwo stepped forward, spoon in hand.

His eyes flashed blue. With a flick, he swung his spoon.

A surge of terrifying psychic energy erupted—a mental storm that swept aside every attack in its path.

Seeing this, every Team Rocket member fell silent.

August’s presence was the final straw, breaking what little resistance remained.

Giovanni himself had issued the standing order:

If you run into August without a Rocket executive present, you’re authorized to surrender. The organization won’t punish you for it!

Now Ariana was nowhere in sight, and Faba had already fled.

The Team Rocket grunts, utterly outmatched, raised their hands in surrender.

Maybe, with any luck, Giovanni would go easy on their bail once he came to bust them out.

They looked up just in time to see August’s face fall in disappointment.

“You’re actually surrendering...? Lame.”

...Lame?

So we’re just here for your entertainment, huh?

Thinking this, the Team Rocket members drooped their heads even lower, not daring to show any hint of indignation—terrified they might really end up as August’s playthings.

Just then, Wicke reported in, glancing around and not seeing Faba anywhere.

“Mr. August, Faba’s gone!”

“I know,” August replied—he’d recognized Faba immediately, after all.

“Should we pursue?” Sabrina asked.

“No need. I want someone to deliver the good news to Giovanni personally.” August’s lips curled in a smile.

Giovanni ought to hear this news, don’t you think?

As for whether Giovanni would make a run for it, knowing August was in Aether Paradise... Well, August had his ways of making sure Giovanni wouldn’t dare.

Everyone: “...”

You really are a devil, aren’t you?!

Of course, August had another reason for letting Faba go...

Glancing at Cosmog still restrained in its device, August turned to Lusamine.

“President Lusamine, could you release Cosmog?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lusamine nodded. “No problem, dear!”

Every Aether Foundation staff member in the room froze, eyes wide with shock. “...!?”

Lillie.jpg

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This is a fan translation of 我，宝可梦称号大师！ by 落唯 白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!