Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [283]

Spinda, still slumped on Slaking’s shoulder, suddenly stood up and began to dance.

Its staggering, off-kilter movements looked a little silly.

But with its swaying came a strange, rippling energy.

[Teeter Dance].

A chaotic dance that indiscriminately confuses all Pokémon nearby — allies included.

That meant Slaking would be affected as well.

However, thanks to the earlier [Skill Swap], Slaking’s ability had already been changed to [Own Tempo], rendering it completely immune to confusion.

Clearly, this was all part of Norman’s plan — a premeditated tactic.

Against a normal Trainer, the next step would likely see Swampert and Milotic fall into confusion, allowing Slaking to finish them off in a clean sweep.

But...

August reacted even faster than Norman had anticipated. Just as Spinda began to move, he had already sensed its intent through the aura it emitted and issued his command:

“Milotic, [Safeguard]!”

Milotic’s tail swayed slightly, and its scales shimmered with a brilliant iridescent glow. A veil of mystical light enveloped both Milotic and Swampert.

Your [Teeter Dance] is clever… but how will you respond to [Safeguard]?

The moment Norman saw the shimmering veil, he realized things had gone sideways.

The confusing aura released by Spinda was completely blocked.

And then, having completed its move, Spinda — still bound by Slaking’s former [Truant] ability — collapsed lazily back onto Slaking’s shoulder, once again in a state of blissful idleness.

The battle had returned to a two-on-one: Slaking versus both of August’s Pokémon.

Without missing a beat, August ordered a follow-up attack.

Three minutes later—

Caught in yet another trap set by Swampert, Slaking was finally defeated by a combined hit — a [Muddy Water] from Swampert and a [Hydro Pump] from Milotic.

“I lost...” Norman recalled both Slaking and Spinda into their Poké Balls.

August hadn’t relied on any obscure tactics — only fundamentals. What had truly won him the match was his uncanny sense of timing.

Norman, curious, asked, “How do you do it?”

He’d fought Steven before, whose battle style was all about calculated offense and exploiting weaknesses.

But this kind of preemptive prediction — this was a first.

August thought for a moment. “Talent, I guess.”

Claiming his [Aura] as “talent” wasn’t exactly wrong.

It was a system-gifted talent, after all.

Norman couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

No wonder this guy could tame Rayquaza… even earn its approval.

With the match over, the two returned to the tea table. As they sipped their drinks, August finally revealed his true purpose with a smile. “So, Norman… I heard you have a son?”

“Huh?”

Norman blinked, a little caught off guard. How did we suddenly shift to my kid?

---

Steel Valley Base

“What a shame...”

August sat in his chair, sighing with visible regret.

“What is?” Blue asked, puzzled.

August had said earlier he was going to Petalburg to exchange pointers with Norman. Now he was back — and acting like this?

“I was hoping to recruit a new member for our department, but got turned down...” August sighed.

“New member?” Blue raised a brow. “You mean Norman? He’s a Gym Leader — it’s not that surprising he wouldn’t want to join.”

Not everyone’s like Sabrina or Gramps.

But August shook his head.

“Not Norman.”

“Then who?”

“His son. Ruby.”

Blue: “.....”

Norman’s son? How old even is he? Judging from Norman’s age, he’d probably just become a Trainer...

Of course Norman would refuse. What kind of father would let a kid that age join something like the International Police?

Besides—

“Does Norman’s son even have any special talent?” Blue asked curiously.

“You’ll have to ask Zinnia about that...” August turned toward Zinnia, who had just barged into the office. “Zinnia, why don’t you tell us about the time you got beat by a kid while trying to rescue Rayquaza?”

Zinnia: “...”

She had barely set foot inside the office when August’s words dragged her right back into one of her worst memories.

She defended herself instantly: “I didn’t actually fight him! I just… my Salamence got taken out, that’s all...”

“Still, the fact that even you lost to him should tell you why I think he’s got potential.”

Blue nodded thoughtfully.

If he’s really got that kind of talent... then yeah, I can see why August made the trip.

“But Norman didn’t outright refuse,” August added.

Watching the other two ignore her completely — especially August — made Zinnia clench her fists.

Still, she had come here today to ask August for a favor...

Eyes gleaming with calculation, she sidled up beside him, beaming sweetly as she started massaging his shoulders. “Augus~t…”

She’s up to something.

August looked at her suspiciously. “...What do you want?”

“So… I told my tribe I’ve had close contact with Lord Rayquaza and that we’ve been getting along great… but they think I’m making it up. Can I… maybe just take one photo with Lord Rayquaza? Just one! Please!”

“A photo?”

“Mm-hm!” Hope blossomed in her chest.

“Just one?”

“Just one!” Her eyes lit up.

Is he actually gonna agree...?

Just as Zinnia was feeling a glimmer of hope—

August smiled. “No.”

If you’re already bold enough to ask for a photo, who knows what you’ll try next.

No way I’m encouraging this nonsense.

Zinnia’s heart crashed from heaven to hell. She glared at August with clenched teeth.

For a second, she even considered punching him right then and there to vent her frustration.

But August changed tune suddenly. “Still, you are part of my team. Can’t have your family thinking you’re full of hot air...”

“How about this: your people have an email address, right? I’ve got a couple of older photos that should help you save face.”

Zinnia’s emotions whiplashed. She instinctively blurted out the elder’s email address.

But as soon as she calmed down, something clicked.

Wait… August guards Rayquaza like a dragon hoarding treasure. Did I ever take any photos up close?

She glanced at him, only to see him calmly opening his gallery and selecting several images.

She saw them clearly — photos of her being held in Rayquaza’s claws, screaming her lungs out...

He took photos!?

She reached out in a panic.

“No! Don’t!”

But August had already hit send.

Ding!

Message sent.

August turned and looked at her blankly. “What did you just say?”

Zinnia: “.....”

Tired. Let the world burn.

Ever since August sent those photos, a new ghost had begun haunting the Steel Valley base.

Each day, it wandered the halls muttering things like “Social death...” and “I can never go home again...”

“She gonna be alright?” Blue asked, poking August with her finger.

“Don’t underestimate people like that...” August said, feeding a fry to his Wingull. Then suddenly his gaze shot into the distance. “Rayquaza?”

“Rayquaza!?”

Triggered by the word, Zinnia instantly snapped out of standby mode and turned to look — only to see Gary, struggling to free his pant leg from a Larvitar’s bite.

“.....”

Realizing she’d been tricked again, Zinnia took a furious bite of her donut — as if it were August’s head.

One day, she swore, she’d pin that guy down and return every ounce of suffering — doubled.

“I’m a bit busy today,” August said casually. “Anyone want to take care of Rayquaza for me?”

Zinnia immediately tossed aside all previous grudges.

“Me! I’ll do it!” she shouted, hand raised high, eyes gleaming.

After August gave a lazy “Sure,” she felt like his words had melted the ice in her heart.

Overcome with joy, Zinnia felt like bursting into song.

August’s kindness... it never ends.

Blue, who had watched the whole scene unfold, covered her face in disbelief.

She’s beyond saving.

...

With the help of the Devon Corporation, Hoenn’s reconstruction was progressing quickly.

With Pokémon assisting, August figured it wouldn’t take long for the region to regain its former vitality.

“I’ll leave Maxie and Archie to you,” Steven said, signaling his team to hand over the two prisoners, their wrists bound.

August nodded, turning to study the two.

Both men glared back at him with intense hatred.

Clearly, they blamed him for the collapse of their plans.

August shook his head. “You two really don’t get it. If not for me, you'd both be dead by now. You think the [Red and Blue Orbs] are toys?”

In the original timeline, Maxie and Archie had attempted to control Groudon and Kyogre using the orbs — only to be controlled themselves. Their bodies eventually couldn’t handle the immense energy and began to disintegrate.

Only Archie had survived thanks to the armor Sird had provided — Eternal.

This time, August had helped them avoid that fate.

He had, in every sense, saved their lives.

Too bad they didn’t see it that way.

Glancing at their ungrateful glares, August didn’t bother explaining further. “Sabrina, load them up.”

Steven watched her do so, then asked, “So… what’s your plan?”

Their public prisoner transfer was bound to attract attention. The remnants of Team Magma and Aqua would likely already be on the move.

August gave him a puzzled look. “Obviously… bait.”

“.....”

Such blatant confidence.

Once again, Steven felt the gap between them. He really wasn’t cut out to be Champion — digging rocks was more his thing.

“Well, I’ll leave it all to you...”

When Steven’s team left, only August, Sabrina, and the transport vehicle remained.

August casually fed a fry to Wingull on his shoulder.

“Sabrina, wanna bet how long it takes them to show?”

Sabrina rolled her eyes and said nothing.

“Not even curious what the stakes are?” August prodded.

This time she did speak — two words: “Heh... heh.”

Her expression said it all:

“Do I look like Gary to you?”

“Tch. Boring.”

August popped the last fry into Wingull’s beak.

Then he raised a hand.

BOOM.

Swampert emerged and immediately fired a torrent of water toward the nearby forest.

A panicked cry followed as several Magma grunts in red uniforms were flushed out.

At the same time, Sabrina flicked her wrist. Her Alakazam appeared, spoons gleaming.

Whshhh—

A wave of psychic energy swept the field, sending Aqua grunts scrambling into view.

“Should I say you’re brave, or just stupid?” August mocked. “Steven just left. What, you thought he’d forget something and come right back to wipe you out?”

“And trying to steal prisoners from me of all people?”

The grunts instinctively gripped their Poké Balls.

“Let our leaders go and we’ll leave,” snapped a woman in a Magma cloak.

An Aqua woman — toned, confident, and sporting a short jacket over tight workout wear — stepped forward too.

“Release them!”

August chuckled. “So Team Magma and Team Aqua finally teamed up, huh? Maxie, Archie — thoughts?”

He glanced back at the two men, who said nothing — their mouths still sealed shut.

“Oh right, forgot we gagged you.”

He turned back to the trembling crowd.

From their trembling hands and rushed movements, it was obvious their elite forces had been wiped out at the Seafloor Cavern. These were the stragglers.

“If you miss them so much,” August said with a smile, “why not join them in prison?”

As his words dropped—

Mewtwo descended from the sky.

Its cold eyes swept the field, radiating oppressive force. The sheer psychic pressure made it hard to breathe.

A few grunts collapsed to the ground on the spot.

Sting operation?

No.

Fish-blasting operation.

---

T/N: i wonder when swampert evolved anyway OUGHH COURTNEYYYY

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!