Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [284]

Mewtwo hovered in the sky, its cold gaze sweeping over the field.

Every Magma and Aqua grunt caught in its line of sight felt their hearts leap into their throats.

The commanders never said we’d be up against something like this!

But when they turned to look at their commanding officers, they were shocked to see even Lady Courtney and Lady Shelly’s expressions twisted with tension, ready for combat.

A creeping dread surged in their chests.

A terrible thought took root.

Don’t tell me… even the commanders didn’t see this coming!?

The Team Magma and Aqua forces sent to break their leaders out were quickly thrown into disarray by Mewtwo’s sudden appearance.

But Mewtwo, unmoved by their fear, continued its actions.

In one hand it held its psychic spoon; the other slowly rose high overhead.

As its psychic pressure surged, streams of dark energy from the surroundings gathered to form a sphere — a [Shadow Ball] pulsing with terrifying force.

“In accordance with League regulations, you are suspected of illegal activity and assaulting League agents. Return your Pokémon to their Poké Balls immediately and place your hands on your head.”

Mewtwo’s voice echoed directly into their minds.

At this point, Mewtwo was sounding more and more like a proper Interpol officer.

Still, despite being overwhelmed by Mewtwo’s power, the Team Magma and Aqua grunts — true to their chaotic reputations — had a way of turning panic into raw fervor.

“Illegal organizations? We’re not illegal! Team Magma (Team Aqua) is Hoenn’s future!”

A group of frenzied grunts broke ranks and charged the transport vehicle holding Maxie and Archie.

No matter how powerful that Pokémon was — their goal was clear.

Rescue the bosses. That’s all that matters!

Watching their subordinates rush forward, both Maxie and Archie felt a flicker of emotion.

They’re…

Idiots!

What are they even thinking? Against August? What do they expect to accomplish!?

August, however, was grinning.

If these idiots had tried to retreat into the woods, rounding them up would’ve been a real hassle. With over a hundred of them, all with Pokémon, and this much forest cover, it wouldn’t have been strange if one or two managed to slip away.

But now?

They were charging straight into his net.

Perfect.

August snapped his fingers.

Above, Mewtwo slowly lowered the massive [Shadow Ball].

All eyes followed it — but instead of flying at them, it drifted toward an open clearing beside the vehicle.

What’s going on? Did it miss?

Just as confusion began to spread — BOOM!

A thunderous blast erupted.

Before anyone could even turn their heads, a shockwave ripped through the clearing and slammed into the grunts.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Team Magma and Aqua members — along with their Pokémon — were sent flying like ragdolls.

Before they could get back up, darkness clouded their vision.

Unconscious.

Mewtwo’s glowing blue eyes slowly dimmed.

The only ones left standing were Courtney, Shelly, and a few elite grunts who had managed to weather the blast.

“You really thought this was enough to break them out? You’ve always been this bold?” August asked casually.

Had these people not heard that he’d single-handedly beaten Groudon and Kyogre?

Courtney and Shelly were tense all over.

Finally, Courtney asked in a low voice, “Who are you?”

August: “...?”

It took him a second to process what she was asking.

Then it clicked.

Right. Not every criminal organization has a Rocket-level intelligence network.

Still…

The way Team Magma and Aqua just charged in blind was truly something else.

There was a strange kind of innocence to it — a purity untouched by information.

August didn’t bother answering.

Instead, he waved to Mewtwo. “Deal with them.”

The moment August gave the order, Courtney and Shelly sprang into action.

“Ninetales, [Mystical Fire]!”

“Ludicolo, [Hydro Pump]!”

Twin attacks streaked through the air and slammed into Mewtwo, engulfing it in flames and water vapor.

Steam burst from the scorched ground.

“Did we get it?” a Magma grunt asked anxiously.

Their commanders were their last hope.

But the moment the words left his lips — THUD!

Mewtwo dropped to the ground.

A shimmering psychic barrier encased its body. Completely unharmed.

Its eyes glowed blue.

Courtney and Shelly flinched under its gaze.

No hesitation.

Both women released Flying-type Pokémon.

Swellow and Venomoth swooped down, grabbing them and pulling them into a hasty retreat.

BOOM!

A pulse of psychic force struck the ground where they’d just been, sending dust flying.

Mewtwo missed — and August raised a brow in mild surprise.

“Now that’s more like it...” he muttered, snapping his fingers again.

Mewtwo’s spoon elongated like a strand of psychic spaghetti and shot out after the fleeing women.

At that critical moment, the two enemies-turned-allies displayed a shocking level of coordination.

Shelly barked, “Ludicolo, [Knock Off]!”

Ludicolo slapped at the spoon.

The power gap was too wide for it to actually disarm Mewtwo, but the impact caused Mewtwo to momentarily lose control of the spoon.

Courtney followed up: “Ninetales, Inferno!”

Flames erupted from all nine tails, engulfing Mewtwo and blocking its line of sight.

Then—

Swellow and Venomoth banked sharply and dove — not away, but straight at August.

If they couldn’t beat the Pokémon, they’d take out the Trainer.

“Crap!”

August put on his best look of panic, stepped back—

—and hid behind Sabrina.

Sabrina: “.....”

She gave him a long-suffering sigh.

“Alakazam, [Psybeam].”

Alakazam crossed its spoons.

Vrrrm—!

A beam of rainbow-colored psychic light blasted toward Courtney and Shelly, hitting them squarely.

They both cried out in pain, shocked to realize that the woman who had been mostly silent until now had Elite Four-level strength.

Behind them, Swellow and Venomoth faltered, unable to support their Trainers, and dropped like rocks.

Faces pale, both women knew — at that height, a fall meant serious injury, or worse...

But then —

A force caught them midair, softening the fall and pinning them in place.

Stiffly, they turned.

August was smiling calmly, stepping out from behind Sabrina.

Above, the Pokémon trapped by Ninetales’ flames descended, carrying an unconscious Ninetales in one hand and a limp Ludicolo in the other.

“Surprised?” August asked.

Courtney and Shelly could only stare, stunned.

They’d come here based on intel that the League was transferring their leaders. Their plan had been simple: even if there was a strong escort, they had numbers and surprise on their side.

But now—

Who was this guy!?

“Allow me to introduce myself. August. I’m the one who defeated Groudon and Kyogre.”

Watching their eyes widen in disbelief, August nodded in satisfaction.

Sabrina raised her hand—

—and the two lost consciousness.

August turned and called Steven.

Steven sounded concerned. “What happened? Something go wrong?”

It’s only been half an hour… Did they really show up this quickly?

“There was a small incident,” August said, glancing around. “Hard to explain over the phone. Just come see for yourself.”

“I’ll be right there.”

When Steven arrived, he stood in stunned silence.

He checked his watch.

It’s only been thirty minutes.

“Y-You... this...?” he stammered, speechless.

Thirty minutes. That was all it had taken.

August shrugged. “Wasn’t expecting it either. They practically delivered themselves. What was I supposed to do, let them go?”

He gestured toward the unconscious grunts.

“I’ll leave these Magma and Aqua grunts to you. I’ll take the executives — and Maxie and Archie — back with me.”

His base didn’t have room for so many prisoners.

Steven nodded stiffly, only regaining his composure long after August and Sabrina had departed.

He let out a long breath.

Then turned and waved to the League officers behind him. “Take them in. Sort and process. We’re moving them to lockup.”

...

Back at base—

August immediately spotted Zinnia, cheerfully humming a tune, dutifully wiping dust off Rayquaza with a towel.

The Legendary Dragon sparkled under her care.

Sweat trickled down her forehead, but her beaming expression made it clear — she was loving every second of it.

If no one interrupted her, she could probably clean all day.

But—

ROAR!

Rayquaza, seeing August return, immediately launched Zinnia off to the side and zipped to his side.

It nudged the Master Ball on his belt — and vanished into it with a flash.

“.....”

Zinnia, still holding the towel, stood frozen.

She’d spent all day caring for Rayquaza…

Prepared its favorite foods, according to the ancient records of her clan...

Polished every last scale...

And all it took was one wordless glance from August?

Defeat settled heavily over her.

She suddenly felt like nothing mattered anymore.

Just then, a hand gently patted her shoulder.

She looked up to find August standing before her.

“Don’t take it too personally,” he said. “Ancient Pokémon process emotions differently from us humans…”

Zinnia went silent.

For a moment, August thought his words were working.

Then Zinnia raised her head, eyes blazing. “Lord Rayquaza could never be wrong. So clearly you’re the problem. I’ll win back its favor — even if I have to beat you to do it!”

BONK!

August smacked her on the head, black lines running down his face.

So much for comforting her…

She was a lost cause.

He turned and looked around. “Where’s Gary?”

Ever since August had smacked her, Zinnia had been acting... weird.

She played it normal when he was around, but his gut told him she was plotting something behind the scenes.

He hadn’t planned to watch her closely, but Mew had volunteered to tail her — probably just for fun — so he let it be.

After a quick spar with Gary, August headed to the interrogation room.

Rocket had them beat in this area — one-way mirrors, lie detectors, the whole setup was professional.

August sat down.

Across from him sat Courtney, chin resting on one hand, blowing bubbles with her gum.

“Don’t bother,” she said. “I’m not talking.”

August grinned.

The last one who said that? Matori.

The one before that? Sabrina.

“Relax,” he said, leaning back. “I’m not here to interrogate you. Groudon’s already down. Team Magma’s basically defeated. Your boss is in custody. What else is there to know?”

Courtney froze.

He wasn’t wrong...

Then August added, “I hear you like Pokémon Contests?”

Courtney’s face instantly changed.

How the hell does he know that!?

It felt like he’d just peeled her open like a book.

August smiled slightly. “No need to be tense. It just so happens I know the brother and grandfather of someone you used to compete with.”

Then he took out his communicator and said:

“Gary, come here a sec.”

---

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!