Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [266]

Gary had been watching August intently. Now, seeing him finally make a move, his spirits lifted.

Is it finally time for the most exciting part?

But...

Gary glanced up at the sky, at Rayquaza, who despite being at a disadvantage, was still fighting stubbornly. Now didn't seem like the best time to attempt a capture...

Master Balls, in theory, could capture any Pokémon, no matter the type or condition.

But that was only in theory.

Whether it could truly capture Rayquaza in its current state... was questionable.

If even Gary could see the problem, there was no way August wasn't aware of it.

Naturally, he had already prepared for this.

Before capturing Rayquaza, there was still one last step.

August handed the Master Ball to Gardevoir, summoned Gengar with a wave, and reached into Gengar’s belly, pulling out a box.

When he opened it, a soft green light blossomed in August's hand.

It was the [Verdant Orb] he had obtained earlier.

The moment the orb's energy leaked out, Rayquaza, who was entangled in battle with Mewtwo above, shuddered all over, instinctively turning toward August’s position.

Seizing Rayquaza’s momentary distraction, Mewtwo unleashed a surge of psychic power, condensing it into a shockwave that slammed into Rayquaza's body.

Struck hard, Rayquaza grimaced in pain but refused to cry out, its gaze locked firmly on the orb in August’s hand.

In Rayquaza's eyes, August saw a swirl of emotions.

Confusion, surprise... and a hint of annoyance.

...What the heck?

Was the orb really this effective? He had barely taken it out—it hadn't even been activated yet.

Thinking this, August poured [Aura] into the [Verdant Orb].

Immediately, he felt his [Aura] link to a vast consciousness.

[ROAR——!]

In his mind, Rayquaza let out a furious roar, its meaning plain as day:

[You had this the whole time—why didn’t you bring it out earlier?!]

Uh... what?

August looked at the orb in his hand, then back at Rayquaza in the sky, utterly unprepared for this turn of events.

So this orb wasn’t meant to weaken Rayquaza?

Mewtwo, hovering in the air, also sensed something had changed. It ceased its attacks and warily observed Rayquaza.

Then, slowly, Rayquaza descended from the sky...

Landing atop the stone platform.

It reverted to its dignified, commanding posture, raising its head to gaze down imperiously at August and Mewtwo, who had descended alongside him.

"ROAR——! (Human, you have passed my trial!)"

August: "....."

How did I not realize earlier... this Rayquaza’s actually kind of tsundere?

Still, Rayquaza voluntarily halting the fight was undoubtedly good news.

And August hadn’t forgotten his original goal.

Looking straight at Rayquaza, he seized the opportunity to propose boldly, "Rayquaza, be my Pokémon!"

...

Zinnia had witnessed everything, utterly stunned.

The so-called “servant of the League” named August had first sent out that bizarre Pokémon to overpower the Dragon God, then pulled out a mysterious orb that made the Dragon God stop fighting voluntarily.

For someone like Zinnia, who had been raised to believe the Dragon God was the strongest Pokémon in existence, the impact was immense.

Could the Dragon God actually be defeated?

The thought had barely surfaced before Zinnia shook her head frantically.

No! The Dragon God lost only because it hadn’t displayed its true power!

If the Dragon God had shown its [Mega Evolution] form, there’s no way that League lackey could have won!

Yes! That must be it!

Feeling slightly comforted by this thought, Zinnia looked back up at August—just in time to see him approach the Dragon God.

That wretched League agent! How dare he use the Dragon God’s kindness to get close!

Wait... is that a Master Ball he's holding? What’s he planning to do?!

Dragon God, don’t let him—

Before she could finish the thought, she saw it.

Rayquaza lowered its head... and willingly allowed itself to be captured.

In the blink of an eye, the Dragon God was sucked into the Master Ball.

Zinnia felt her entire world collapse. The light in her lively eyes dimmed to nothing.

Meanwhile, Gary gave her a curious glance. Seeing her wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, he had no idea what had caused her sudden breakdown. Shrugging, he saved the recording on his phone.

This would make a priceless memento for the International Police Kanto Division—proof they had captured Rayquaza.

And of course, Gary Oak intended to show it off to Ash with pride.

“Mew~!”

Just then, Mew floated to August’s side, rubbing affectionately against him and glancing with concern at Mewtwo.

During the earlier battle, even though Mewtwo had dominated, it had taken a few hard hits from Rayquaza.

Seeing Mew’s worried expression, Mewtwo hastily reassured it: it was fine, having already used [Recover] to heal itself.

But even as it spoke, August rested a hand on Mewtwo’s shoulder.

The power of [Viridian Power] surged forth.

Mewtwo immediately felt a warm, comforting energy suffuse its being.

...

The Sky Pillar, after the fierce battle, was left in ruins. Rayquaza’s [Twisters] and [Draco Meteors] had dealt considerable structural damage.

Luckily, built with ancient technology, the Sky Pillar remained sturdy enough to avoid complete collapse.

August released Rayquaza from the Master Ball.

With its head held high, Rayquaza resumed its usual cold, haughty demeanor.

Then it caught sight of—another Rayquaza?

Startled, the real Rayquaza watched as the "other Rayquaza" distorted and shifted, revealing itself to be Mew, giggling behind its paw.

Rayquaza: "....."

As a Pokémon who had survived from ancient times, it naturally recognized the Mew of the World Tree—among mythical Pokémon, only Hoopa loved causing trouble more than Mew.

Moreover...

Rayquaza's gaze drifted between Mew and Mewtwo, finally settling on Mewtwo.

No wonder that one’s aura had seemed oddly familiar...

“Hiss——!” Rayquaza growled at Mew.

“Mew~!” Mew darted behind Mewtwo and stuck out its tongue mischievously.

Rayquaza snorted at Mewtwo but chose not to stoop to Mew’s level.

Just then, August interrupted them.

“We caused quite a scene earlier. Let’s get moving…”

They’d already caused Steven enough headaches.

Since he had successfully captured Rayquaza, there was no reason to linger atop the Sky Pillar. Standing around in the wind wasn't exactly comfortable either.

August looked toward Gary, who was approaching, dragging along their captive.

"Let's go. Time to head back..."

He turned to Rayquaza.

Gary blinked, then grew visibly excited.

Mewtwo returned to its Poké Ball, and together with Gardevoir, Mew, and Gary, they all climbed onto Rayquaza’s back.

Of course, August hadn’t forgotten about Zinnia.

“AAAHHH——!”

Clutched tightly in Rayquaza’s claws, Zinnia screamed in terror as they soared through the sky. Never in her life had she imagined her first close encounter with the Dragon God would happen like this.

Help!

---

Meanwhile, back at Team Rocket’s Hoenn Base #2:

At the training grounds, Ariana watched in a daze as Giovanni directed his Beedrill to pierce through a steel humanoid target with a casual flick.

It had been a long time since she’d seen the Boss this serious.

Noticing Ariana’s arrival, Giovanni signaled Beedrill to stop and turned to her. "What is it?"

Ariana composed herself. "Boss, we intercepted critical intel from the League."

She handed over a dossier.

Giovanni glanced through it—and immediately frowned.

"Abnormal weather patterns at the Sky Pillar. Possible attempt to capture Rayquaza?"

For some reason, the first face that popped into his mind was that damn annoying August.

But Giovanni, ever cautious, didn’t jump to conclusions.

"Has the intel been confirmed?"

Ariana nodded. "Headquarters dispatched satellites to the coordinates. There were intense weather anomalies—it’s almost certainly connected to Rayquaza."

Still, that alone didn’t prove August’s involvement. Giovanni mentally ran through all the trainers in Hoenn capable of fighting Rayquaza.

"What about Steven?"

"We received reports that Steven appeared at the Pokémon Association headquarters shortly after the incident," Ariana said.

Not Steven—he wouldn’t have had time.

Could it really be...

If August had truly captured Rayquaza—

Given August’s strength, especially with Mewtwo, Giovanni had no doubt Rayquaza would lose.

And if August captured Rayquaza...

Giovanni could sit still no longer.

Originally, he had planned to wait until Team Magma and Team Aqua made their moves.

But now—it was too risky to wait!

"Prepare to move immediately. We’re heading for the Mossdeep Space Center!"

Ariana blinked in surprise, confused by the sudden change of plans.

"But security at Mossdeep has just been reinforced—"

If they rushed in, it would mean a head-on clash with the Hoenn League.

Giovanni waved her concerns aside. "Now is the best time!"

Despite the heavy security, Giovanni believed Mossdeep was currently at its weakest. August was likely occupied with Rayquaza; Steven was tied up at the Association.

Without those two, no one could stop him from stealing Deoxys.

If they missed this window—once August returned, then it would be hopeless.

As for possible retaliation by the Hoenn League afterward?

Ha! The League still had its hands full with Team Magma and Aqua. And even if they weren’t—what were they going to do, invade Kanto?

Seeing Giovanni this determined, Ariana said no more and rushed off to organize the team.

Left alone in the empty training grounds, Giovanni stared at Beedrill, feeling a rare, mounting urgency.

---

Meanwhile, in the Valley of Steel.

The daily battles among the Steel-types were in full swing. A group of Magnemite had just driven back a group of Aron when—

A green dot appeared in the sky.

As it grew larger, more and more Steel-types looked up.

Then—

Seeing Rayquaza hovering above the valley, even the most territorial and aggressive Aggron bowed their heads under the crushing aura.

Rayquaza swept its gaze over them indifferently and, under August’s guidance, descended onto the now-open helipad and entered the base.

...

Sabrina and Blue had already been waiting, having received advance notice.

But when they actually laid eyes on Rayquaza, they couldn’t help but feel stunned.

Unlike the humanoid Mewtwo or the birdlike Lugia, the dragon-shaped Rayquaza embodied a brutal, overwhelming beauty.

Still, the awe lasted only a moment.

Rayquaza, no matter how strong, was now one of theirs—a Pokémon captured by August.

Their attention quickly shifted to the unfamiliar girl Rayquaza had been carrying.

Wasn’t August just going to capture Rayquaza? How did he come back with a girl, too?

"Who’s that?" Blue asked.

Just jumping down from Rayquaza’s back, August glanced at the dazed, barely conscious Zinnia.

"Her? She’s a prisoner."

Prisoner...

Sabrina’s ears perked up. She eyed Zinnia warily.

You could capture a Rayquaza and end up with a prisoner, too?

"Her name's Zinnia," Gary supplied, helpfully. "She’s one of the Draconid people who worship Rayquaza. August told me."

Blue and Sabrina: "?"

Both girls grew visibly wary.

First meeting her and you already know her name?

August: "...."

He shot Gary a glare.

If you can’t speak properly, maybe don’t speak at all!

Realizing he’d messed up again, Gary hurriedly shut his mouth.

Though Sabrina remained suspicious, Blue decided to trust August.

Noticing the drooling Zinnia, Blue immediately called out Chansey.

"Chansey, take her to the infirmary first..."

Even if she was a prisoner, August had been a little too rough.

"Chaaansey!"

Somehow pulling out a mobile stretcher, Chansey carefully placed Zinnia onto it and, with Clefable’s help, pushed her away.

Facing Blue’s concerned gaze, August wore an innocent expression.

This really wasn’t my fault, he thought. Blame Rayquaza.

Rayquaza: "?"

---

T/N: lmaoooo yea rayquaza smh you shouldve been more careful

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!