Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [273]

For the people of Hoenn, today was nothing short of a catastrophe.

At first, it was just minor, strange changes in the weather.

But in almost an instant, two extreme and utterly opposite phenomena struck the land at once: catastrophic floods that submerged entire cities, and searing droughts that cracked the earth open.

"...As you can see, the area around Sootopolis City is now experiencing extreme drought conditions. Air humidity has dropped to 5% — and is still falling!"

"...The League has officially upgraded the disaster level to Category 9. All Hoenn residents, please evacuate to your nearest shelter immediately."

"Wait—what is that?!"

A reporter’s panicked shout rang out as the screen began to shake violently.

And then, every Hoenn resident watching their televisions witnessed an unforgettable, soul-shaking sight:

Before the camera, the drought-scorched ground suddenly bulged upward, forming a mound.

Then, with the earth trembling violently, a massive, fire-red head burst forth.

Blade-like plates crowned the creature's skull, and as its jaws parted slightly, it exhaled a searing wave of superheated air — flashing its deadly sharp teeth.

The moment it appeared, the on-site reporter Gabby and her cameraman Ty felt the already suffocating heat spike sharply.

The sunlight overhead grew blindingly intense, as the last few wisps of cloud in the sky evaporated into nothing.

Is this the monster responsible for Hoenn’s destruction?

Gabby, her hand trembling around her microphone, tried to speak — to uphold her duty as a reporter — when suddenly the beast turned its head.

Those yellow-black eyes locked onto them.

In that instant, it felt as if their very souls were frozen.

It’s spotted them!

Across Hoenn, countless viewers' hearts skipped a beat.

Groudon opened its maw and unleashed a blast of heat so intense it twisted the very air around it.

Gabby and Ty — and everyone watching — knew they were finished.

But then, from far across the sky, a voice rang out:

"Mewtwo — [Shadow Ball]!"

Whoosh—!

A deep-purple orb of shadow hurtled across the screen at a speed the naked eye could barely track, striking Groudon squarely on the head.

Boom!

The explosion rocked the beast backward, throwing off its aim — the superheated blast shot harmlessly into the air.

Saved by a hair's breadth, Gabby and Ty collapsed to their knees, gasping for breath.

Ty, his hands still shaking, turned the camera shakily toward the voice’s origin.

And there — riding atop a Pidgeot, a caped, spiky-haired teenager soared through the sky, with a strange Pokémon floating at his side.

---

Not long after August and Sabrina had left for the Undersea Cavern, the rest of the group had returned to the Pokémon Association’s headquarters to await news.

But barely had they settled when reports came flooding in:
Groudon and Kyogre had both appeared — at Mossdeep and Sootopolis City.

Panic engulfed the Pokémon Association instantly.

Moved by the devastation unfolding across Hoenn, Blue volunteered to join the action.

Since Pidgeot was the fastest, Gary and Mewtwo had rushed ahead to scout the situation.

He hadn’t expected to arrive just in time to save two people from Groudon’s wrath.

Landing lightly, Gary glanced at the microphone and camera in their hands.
"...You’re reporters?"

"I’m Gabby from Hoenn TV, and this is Ty... Thank you so much for saving us!" Gabby said breathlessly, full of gratitude.

Ty, lugging his heavy camera, nodded emphatically.

If not for this Trainer, they’d be dead by now.

Hearing they were reporters, Gary instinctively straightened up, ready to say a few words.

But the searing heat around him reminded him this was no time for interviews.

His face grew serious.

"I’m Gary Oak, International Police, current Indigo League Champion. This area is extremely dangerous. You must evacuate immediately!"

No sooner had he spoken than the wounded Groudon, still dazed from Mewtwo’s sneak attack, shook off its disorientation.

It hadn’t even gotten the chance to fight Kyogre yet — and it had already been sucker-punched by some unknown Pokémon!

Groudon’s furious glare fixed on them, its aura of pure menace washing over the group.

Gabby and Ty shivered uncontrollably under that oppressive gaze.

But Gary — having already seen firsthand the power of Rayquaza alongside August — held his ground better than most.

Was he terrified inside? Maybe.

But outwardly, Gary Oak stood tall and unshaken.

And through the lens of Gabby and Ty’s camera — and into the countless homes of Hoenn residents watching — that image burned itself in:

This was the bearing of a true Champion.

Facing the warning of a true strongman, Gabby and Ty quickly retreated, though Ty kept his camera firmly trained on Gary and the floating Mewtwo beside him—

And, towering behind them like a skyscraper, the Pokémon whose awakening had upended Hoenn’s entire climate.

An International Police agent.

A calm, fearless Trainer.

As Gabby peered through the lens, her heart pounded — not from fear, but excitement.

If we survive this... the Wailord Journalism Prize this year is ours!

Gary, meanwhile, had no idea what they were thinking.

At that moment, all he could think was:

Why... why did I have to act so cool?! Now I'm stuck here...!

Facing Groudon’s increasingly murderous glare, alone, Gary felt a deep, gnawing regret.

For the first time in his life, he found himself desperately missing August.

Anxiously, he sent a mental plea to Mewtwo: Boss Mewtwo... you can handle Groudon, right...?

Against Groudon himself, Gary doubted he could even survive one attack.

But Mewtwo... Mewtwo had fought Rayquaza!

Mewtwo, watching Groudon warily, replied in his typical curt fashion: August isn’t here.

If August were present, coordinating and enhancing him with [Mega Evolution], Mewtwo could fight even without the aid of the Plates.

But without August—

Gary’s heart sank.

He opened his mouth to say more—
But Groudon, glaring down at them, lost its patience.

It stomped down, hard.

In Mewtwo’s psychic perception, an invisible energy pulsed into the ground.

Careful!

Mewtwo telekinetically yanked Gary into the air.

A moment later—

BOOM!

The ground beneath Groudon shattered like glass, exploding outward for hundreds of meters.

---

T/N: LMAOOOO

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!