Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [271]

Standing at the doorway, Zinnia was wracked with nerves.

This time, she had brought out her most precious treasures: a collection of [Mega Evolution] stones she had painstakingly gathered over the years, originally intended to win the favor of the Dragon God. Now, she was offering them to August in exchange for a chance to join the International Police.

Even though she was confident no one could refuse so many [Mega Stones], the tightly shut, silent door left her heart pounding with unease.

What if August refuses...?

Though she was technically free to leave at any time, Zinnia couldn’t shake the feeling that she was standing trial, awaiting judgment.

And it made her miserable.

If not for the Dragon God, there’s no way I'd stay here!

"That damned August!!" she grumbled under her breath.

No sooner had she spoken than a familiar voice rang out in front of her.

"Sounds like you’ve got a lot to say about me."

Zinnia looked up in shock to find August standing in the now-open doorway, gazing at her.

"..."

Her vision went black.

I’m finished. She had been caught badmouthing him — now there was no way he'd let her join.

August watched the drooping, dejected Zinnia with an amused expression.

After a moment, he said lazily, "Alright, come with me."

Without waiting for a response — and ignoring the astonishment and disbelief on her face — he turned and walked into the base.

Panicked that he might change his mind, Zinnia hurried after him.

...

Returning once again to this familiar base, Zinnia found that everything looked different to her now.

Where once she had seen a den of the League’s lackeys, dark and oppressive, now it felt almost like... home.

Every breath she took seemed filled with the scent of the Dragon God.

"...?"

August gave her a puzzled look as she closed her eyes and deeply inhaled the air.

Did that ride with Rayquaza mess up her brain? he thought to himself.

Sensing his gaze, Zinnia hastily wiped the foolish look off her face and returned to normal.

Shaking his head, August led her to the lounge.

Gary was already waiting there. As soon as he saw August, he jumped up to pull out a chair for him.

Seated comfortably, August studied Zinnia, who now looked uncharacteristically stiff and awkward.

"So, you’re really that eager to join the International Police?" August asked.

Is this the real interview starting?
Straightening her posture, Zinnia answered with unwavering conviction, "Yes!"

Her faith in the Dragon God was unshakable.

August scrutinized her, staring so intently that Zinnia felt her skin crawl.

"If you're that determined... alright. You have five minutes to convince me why I should let someone who’s been hostile to the League join us."

Hearing this, Zinnia wasted no time. She flung open her coat and pulled out all the [Mega Evolution] stones she had hidden inside, piling them onto the table.

The dazzling heap sparkled under the lights, and Gary’s eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store.

But August only spared them a passing glance before looking away. "And?"

"...Eh?"

Zinnia had imagined that after seeing her offer, August would be moved beyond words, maybe even beg her to stay.

Why is this not going the way I pictured?

"These are [Mega Stones]!" she said incredulously.

[Mega Stones] were extremely rare — only a few had even leaked from Hoenn and Kalos — and yet August remained completely unmoved.

August, utterly calm, pointed at the timer next to him. "You’ve got four minutes left."

"You... I..."

Zinnia’s mind went blank; she had no idea what to say next.

"Stammering still counts against your time~" August reminded her, almost cheerfully.

Zinnia broke into a cold sweat as the timer continued ticking down.

Just as August reached out to stop the timer—

"I can make the Dragon God [Mega Evolve]!" she burst out.

Instantly, August’s hand froze, and he calmly hit the pause button.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

The slip-up brought Zinnia back to her senses — and immediately filled her with regret.

I just gave away the Draconid tribe’s greatest secret!

To the League's dogs, no less!

She nearly collapsed from the weight of her guilt.

Her face twisted in hesitation, but after a brutal internal struggle, she reassured herself: August is acknowledged by the Dragon God… it should be alright...

At last, she pulled out a scroll from inside her robes.

"This is a sacred secret passed down through generations of the Draconid people," Zinnia said solemnly. "It contains the legendary technique — the [Dragon Ascent]. With this, a trainer recognized by the Dragon God can awaken its true form."

She hesitated for a second longer, then, gritting her teeth, closed her eyes and handed the scroll to August.

August accepted the scroll, still faintly warm from her touch, and casually unfurled it.

The parchment was filled with ancient, indecipherable characters.

But feeling the faint tremor from the Pokéball at his waist — the one containing Rayquaza — August confirmed its authenticity.

This basically saves me a whole random draw...

Now he could directly choose a reward from the [Draco Plate] and the [Red Chain]!

All this just for a little bit of pressure on Zinnia...

Chuckling inwardly, August carefully set the scroll aside under Zinnia’s anxious gaze.

He admitted, "This scroll will definitely be useful. We might need it in the upcoming fight against Team Magma and Team Aqua... so I’ll make an exception for you."

"So..."

"Welcome to the Kanto Division," August said, extending his hand.

Zinnia shook his hand — but instead of feeling thrilled, she only felt the pain of loss gnawing at her heart.

Giving up the [Dragon Ascent] scroll, sacrificing my cache of [Mega Stones]…

All just for a chance to stay close to the Dragon God.

Was it really worth it...?

...

Before joining the Kanto Division, Zinnia had believed she would never be able to work alongside the League’s lackeys.

But after truly becoming part of it, she realized — it was fantastic.

No endless, tedious missions. Perfect training facilities. Unlimited sweets. Total freedom over her daily schedule.

Even the "League lackeys" were surprisingly friendly.

Zinnia could feel herself gradually, irresistibly being corrupted by their sugar-coated tricks.

Zinnia, get it together! You can’t fall like this! Have you forgotten why you worked so hard to join?

She scolded herself fiercely as she stuffed yet another piece of cake into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out like a Pachirisu.

This is the last piece, she told herself.

And then, unable to resist, she grabbed another.

Why is this cake so good?!

"..."

August glanced over at her, for the first time seriously doubting his earlier judgment.

Maybe Zinnia didn’t come for Rayquaza after all… maybe she’s just here for the sweets?

Shaking his head, August turned back to Gary, who was happily fiddling with a [Scizorite].

He was just about to help Gary practice [Mega Evolution] when his communicator buzzed.

It was Steven.

Could it be that Steven already defeated Team Magma and Team Aqua?

August thought so, but as soon as the video call connected, Steven’s grim face filled the screen.

A sense of foreboding crept into August's heart. "What happened?"

If Steven had won, he wouldn't be looking like this.

Did they fail...?

Steven didn’t waste words.

In short: the beacon had led them to Team Aqua’s base. When Steven arrived, Team Magma — aboard the Deep Abyss I — was negotiating with Team Aqua.

A fierce battle broke out. Though many Team Magma and Team Aqua grunts were captured, the crucial leaders — Archie and Maxie — managed to escape by submarine.

For the Pokémon Association headquartered in Slateport City, this was a crushing humiliation.

Steven had captured a base and a group of prisoners.

Normally a major victory.

But now, it was almost worthless.

Steven’s true concern lay elsewhere.

"Given how closely Magma and Aqua are cooperating, I believe they’re preparing to awaken Groudon and Kyogre. I’ve already placed every city under emergency alert..."

"August... I need your help!"

---

Beneath the ocean, aboard a submarine

With a furious scowl, Maxie stomped a flashing red transmitter into pieces.

Tracked! he cursed.

Archie, his arm bandaged, made no effort to hide his mocking smirk.

"Couldn’t even detect a tracker on your own sub? Team Magma’s really slipping."

Maxie’s face flushed with anger, but he couldn't afford to lose face in front of Team Aqua.

Laugh it up while you can, he thought bitterly. When I control Groudon and Kyogre, you’ll be the one crying.

Remembering the two Orbs he had secured from Mt. Pyre, Maxie sneered coldly.

Though temporarily cooperating, neither team truly trusted the other.

The submarine continued its long journey through the deep.

Finally, it stopped.

"Boss, we’ve arrived!" the pilot reported.

Maxie and Archie disembarked into the Undersea Cavern, where, deep beneath the waves, the air was surprisingly breathable.

Before them lay two paths.

The scorched breath of earth and the icy chill of sea drifted from within.

Groudon and Kyogre.

Their gazes locked, each man seeing the same fierce competitive fire in the other.

Would land devour sea, or would sea engulf land?

Without a word, they each chose their path.

"Groudon/Kyogre — I’m coming!"

---

Team Rocket — Combat Airship

Aboard the airship, Giovanni watched with satisfaction as his researchers bustled around the cultivation tank containing Deoxys.

It reminded him of the early days of Project Mewtwo — filled with endless ambition for the future.

Ariana approached.

"Boss, news just came in. While Team Magma and Team Aqua were negotiating, Steven launched a raid on Team Aqua’s base..."

"Team Aqua's base was overrun, and many grunts were captured. However, Maxie and Archie escaped with their elite teams aboard a submarine."

Giovanni’s brow lifted slightly. "It seems I underestimated them... Escaping Steven’s grip is no small feat."

Steven’s Metagross would give even Giovanni pause.

That Maxie and Archie had fled successfully spoke to their strength.

As for what they intended to do now — there was no need to guess.

They were definitely heading to awaken Groudon and Kyogre.

Ariana hesitated. "Boss, should we retreat? Groudon and Kyogre's powers could wreak havoc across Hoenn..."

With Deoxys in hand, their mission was complete.

If Hoenn truly erupted into chaos, there was no telling what might happen.

Giovanni weighed the options carefully.

Though it would have amused him greatly to watch August struggle against the coming disaster, Deoxys’ safety came first.

"Return to Kanto. It’s time to settle things with Sird."

Sird had been a persistent thorn in Giovanni’s side for far too long.

With August occupied in Hoenn, it was the perfect opportunity to eliminate her once and for all.

Ariana’s eyes gleamed. "Understood!"

---

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!