Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [268]

The Mossdeep Space Center, as a key institution in the Hoenn region, was responsible for nearly all space research and rocket launches.

But now, the place was completely unrecognizable, a scene of utter devastation.

Battle scars marred the lobby, signs of fierce Pokémon clashes, and the interior structure itself was riddled with damage.

Outside, on the open grounds in front of the center, staff gathered with despondent faces. Nurse Joy and her Chansey were busy tending to the wounded.

Since the establishment of the Space Center, it had never suffered an attack of this magnitude.

"Mr. Drake, we’ve completed the preliminary damage assessment..."

A Hoenn League staffer approached to report.

"Wait a bit."

Drake, clad in just a coat and a captain’s hat, raised a hand to interrupt.

"There’s someone important arriving soon. We'll hear it all together."

"Someone important?"

The twin Gym Leaders of Mossdeep City, Tate and Liza, asked in unison.

Someone Drake—a Dragon-type Elite Four member—called important... could it be Mr. Steven!?

As the thought crossed their minds, a green speck appeared far off in the sky.

At first, no one paid it much attention. But as it rapidly grew larger, it quickly drew every pair of eyes.

"That’s..."

Someone's face paled in terror.

That dragon-like form, that emerald body, the yellow ring-like markings, and the sheer, overwhelming pressure that could be felt even from a distance—

"It’s Rayquaza!"

The moment the words were shouted, panic swept through the entire crowd.

As researchers specializing in outer space, they were all very familiar with Rayquaza, who lived in the ozone layer and fed on meteors.

Many had admired its cool appearance from afar. But seeing it descending upon them in real life... was a whole different experience.

Even Tate and Liza tensed up, glancing nervously at Drake—only to find him showing barely any reaction at all.

Could it be... Drake knows something?

Before they could ask, Rayquaza shot down with astonishing speed, arriving directly over the Space Center.

Yet to their surprise, Rayquaza didn’t attack. It simply swept its gaze over them and chose an open area to land.

Under countless stunned gazes, a figure leapt down from Rayquaza's back.

"Thanks for the ride, Rayquaza."

August recalled Rayquaza into its Poké Ball, then, under everyone's watchful eyes, walked straight up to Drake with a smile and extended his hand.

"August of the International Police. It's an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Drake."

...

For the staff of Mossdeep Space Center, today was like something out of a fever dream.

None of them had ever imagined seeing Rayquaza captured by a trainer—just like none of them had ever imagined they’d be attacked by Team Rocket from Kanto, a group they had never even met.

Even though some time had passed since August’s dazzling entrance, people still couldn’t help sneaking glances at him.

Feeling their stares, August chuckled lightly.

"Everyone seems really... welcoming."

Well, when you make an entrance like that, how could they not notice you...

Tate and Liza thought inwardly, unable to resist studying August more closely themselves.

What makes him so special... to be able to capture Rayquaza?

"Even though Steven told me beforehand, seeing it with my own eyes is still shocking," Drake said with genuine emotion.

Earlier, he had remained outwardly calm only because Steven had informed him in advance about August’s feat.

But deep down, Drake was thoroughly shaken.

As someone who specialized in Dragon-types, he understood better than anyone how insurmountably powerful Rayquaza was.

The divide between mortals and gods—August had crossed it so easily. It made Drake feel like all his years of experience had been for nothing.

"I had a lot of help in capturing Rayquaza," August said modestly.

"But that's not what I'm here for. I came to assess the damage to the Space Center."

Hearing this, Drake nodded and motioned for the staff to proceed.

A worker stepped forward, swallowing nervously.

"Based on our preliminary findings, the Space Center suffered..."

The report was short—and frankly disappointing.

Team Rocket’s damage had been severe. Worse, they had erased the entire inventory database and all surveillance footage before leaving, making it extremely difficult to even figure out what had been stolen.

Looks like the Hoenn League can’t be relied on for this one.

"Can you show me the scene personally?" August asked.

If you want something done right, better do it yourself.

"Big brother, are you a detective too?"

Liza asked, wide-eyed.

August smiled.

"Just playing one today."

Led by the staff, August entered the ravaged building.

Surveying the chaos, he turned to Drake.
"Mr. Drake, could you have them stop the cleanup for a moment?"

Drake didn’t understand the request, but remembering Steven's orders, he nodded and clapped his hands for attention.

At once, all activity ceased.

August reached into his coat and drew out a Poké Ball marked with the GS symbol.

Bang—

A flash of white light—and in full view of Drake and the stunned workers, a Celebi appeared.

First Rayquaza, now Celebi—

Two legendary Pokémon, back-to-back. It was absurd.

Ignoring the shocked stares, August spoke calmly to Celebi.

"I need to see what happened here."

Celebi tilted its head thoughtfully, then grasped August’s hand.

A green glow enveloped them—and the world around them seemed to rewind.
Images sped backward: people moving in reverse, shattered equipment reassembling itself.

Until August spotted a familiar figure.

"Pause. Play from here."

"Giovanni."

Following Giovanni’s perspective through the rewind, August witnessed the full Team Rocket raid unfold.

How to put it... setting aside the blatant illegality, their operation was damn professional.

First, they used Porygon to hack into the Space Center’s systems, disabling surveillance and defenses.

Then, they split into teams—some taking out security while Giovanni charged straight for the objective.

The execution was smooth, efficient, and ruthlessly well-coordinated.

No wonder they had pulled off the whole attack and retreat within just thirty minutes.

As for what Giovanni had stolen—

The meteorite containing the Deoxys virus was undoubtedly his main target.

He also copied the Space Center’s database—including critical classified information about the League’s previous attempts to capture Rayquaza.

Clearly, Giovanni was preparing in case August ever turned Rayquaza against him.

Lastly... Giovanni had stolen a half-finished prototype single-person spaceship.

...Was he planning to make Team Rocket literally a spacefaring organization?

In any case, the situation was pretty much as August had expected.

The only disappointment was that Giovanni hadn’t revealed any future plans during the raid, leaving August with no new leads.

Sighing, August signaled for Celebi to end the [Past Vision], then pulled out a notebook and wrote down a full report on the raid, handing it to Drake.

"That's the gist of it."

Drake immediately had his subordinates verify the information—and every point matched perfectly.

"Incredible!" Drake praised.

In just a short time, August had saved them days of work.

With ability like this, no case would ever stump him...

"And one more thing..." August turned toward the injured workers still gathered outside.

He gestured to Celebi.

With a chirp, Celebi rose into the air, scattering a brilliant green light over the crowd.

Those touched by the light found their wounds rapidly healing.

Under the shining gazes of Nurse Joy, Chansey, and the amazed cries of "A Miracle!" from the crowd, August bowed politely.

"I think my work here is done."

Before he left—

"Could you send me a copy of the research data on the meteorite?"

...

Riding Rayquaza, August left Mossdeep amid countless grateful stares and returned to the Valley of Steel base.

Flipping through the research files, he felt the trip had been well worth it.

He sent the documents to Professor Birch, hoping it would help advance their studies.

Then he looked up—and saw an unexpected sight.

"I thought I let you go? Why are you still here?"

August stared in bafflement at Zinnia, who was sitting in the lounge, cuddling a Swablu in her arms.

His memory wasn't that bad, right?

Turning to Blue, he asked for an explanation.

"She said she wants to join us," Blue said.

"...?"

August looked back at Zinnia.

"You feeling okay?"

He had been pretty rough with her, and she had made it very clear she was hostile toward the League agents like him.

And now she wanted to join them? Stockholm Syndrome, maybe?

Feeling August’s skeptical gaze, Zinnia burned with indignation. She clenched her fists but thought of Rayquaza and forced herself to endure.

"I want to join the International Police!"

She tried her best to sound earnest.

Surely August wouldn’t turn her down...

But August saw right through her.

"Sorry, I refuse."

Trying to make a move on his Rayquaza?

Immediate rejection.

Zinnia practically turned to stone.

After a long beat, she snapped back to life and blurted, "You said you needed more people! I'm really strong!"

Trying to argue her case.

"You strong?" August tilted his head, glancing over at Mewtwo, who was calmly meditating nearby.

Zinnia was instantly speechless.

"And we don't accept people with unclear backgrounds," August added righteously.

"I'm not suspicious! I'm Zinnia of the Draconid people, I—"

Before she could finish, August snapped his fingers.

A flash of blue light from Gardevoir’s eyes—

And the next second, Zinnia found herself outside the base, standing alone amid the floating Magnemite of the Valley of Steel.

Staring blankly, it took her a long moment to realize she’d been thrown out.

"Damned August..."

Grinding her teeth, pride burning in her chest, Zinnia turned to leave.

But after only a few steps, images of August riding Rayquaza kept flashing in her mind.

The nightmare wouldn't let her move.

No! I can't leave the Dragon God alone with that guy! I have to stay with Rayquaza!

Covering her face, Zinnia screamed at the sky.

Resolving herself once more, she steeled her gaze.

If persuasion didn’t work—then she would move August with sincerity!

She had just the right secret weapon to shock him.

...

Inside the base.

Sabrina eyed August curiously.

"You actually let her go?"

She still remembered vividly how August had strong-armed her into joining the Kanto Division.

Had August finally grown a conscience after coming to Hoenn?

August looked thoroughly unimpressed.

"Come on, we’re an official organization. Of course we can't accept random strangers."

Always strictly following regulations, obviously.

"Didn't seem like it before," Sabrina said bluntly.

Even Blue couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

Gary was about to chime in but quickly ducked his head under August's glare.

"...Forget it. Not worth explaining," August muttered.

Let the results speak for themselves.

He had been head of the Kanto Division long enough. His record spoke for itself—no need to argue.

Patting the Eevee in his arms, August pulled out his phone and sent a message to Giovanni:

[GardevoirSupremacy: Thought you could sneak in while I was gone? Hope you’re ready. Next time I see you in Hoenn, you’re done for.]

Apparently in a good mood after a successful heist, Giovanni replied almost instantly.

[Giovanni: Heh.]

---

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!