Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [224]

Charizard beat its wings and soared into the air, circling above the battlefield, searching for an opening in Nidoking’s defenses.

But Gary hadn’t been a Gym Leader this long for nothing.

With a sharp gesture, he raised his hand.

Whoosh—!

In perfect sync, Nidoking launched a barrage of glowing, violet-tinted poison needles skyward.

Charizard quickly opened its mouth, firing off a [Flamethrower] to intercept. The sky lit up as the poison needles were scorched mid-air, vaporizing into threads of greenish smoke.

But before Charizard could celebrate—

Nidoking, like a living catapult, tore a chunk of rock from the ground and hurled it skyward.

A jagged stone flew just past Charizard’s wingtip, startling it. In that instant, Charizard realized—this Nidoking wasn’t anything like Sceptile.

Its eyes sharpened, and it quickly pulled back, widening the distance between them.

The higher it flew, the less accurate Nidoking’s throws became.

Despite its power, even Nidoking couldn’t keep lobbing boulders at ceiling height with consistency. After a few attempts, it gave up on brute force and began conserving energy.

Watching Charizard circle above, Gary didn’t seem the least bit bothered.

He hadn’t wasted his time as a Gym Leader.

With a sweep of his cloak, he gave his next command: “[Sandstorm]!”

The moment the order left his mouth, Nidoking stomped the ground, and a spiraling wind kicked up from around its feet.

“Hm?” August raised an eyebrow as he observed the motion. “That technique… it looks a lot like Giovanni’s.”

And the next moment confirmed it.

The miniature sandstorm rapidly expanded outward, flooding the entire battlefield—and it wasn’t stopping. Within seconds, the storm had engulfed the whole arena, including the sky above.

Charizard hadn’t even had time to react before it was swallowed by the churning sand.

Grit lashed against its scales—not enough to cause real damage, but enough to disorient and irritate. Charizard narrowed its eyes, forced to squint against the swirling dust.

Even Sabrina furrowed her brow. “Is it just me, or does this feel like Giovanni’s battle style?”

She had witnessed many of Giovanni’s fights. This was familiar—the sheer speed with which Nidoking summoned the sandstorm, far beyond what a typical Ground-type could manage.

“He probably read Secrets of the Earth,” August said.

As a Ground-type expert, Giovanni wasn’t famous for nothing. Nobody really knew why he’d written that book, but it was filled with real strategy and insight.

He’d once given a signed collector’s edition to August, but the standard version was widely available. It wouldn’t be surprising if Gary had studied it while preparing to take over the Viridian Gym.

Tension built on the battlefield. Ash was visibly anxious, while Gary radiated confidence.

Charizard, too, now realized its earlier mistake. Gaining distance hadn’t just made it safer—it had also left Nidoking unchallenged.

Now, as Nidoking began gathering power, Charizard knew it couldn’t wait any longer.

At this rate, the sandstorm alone would wear it down.

Charizard made its move.

It tucked its wings and dove, slicing through the sand-choked air like a blade, eyes locked on its opponent.

On the way down, it launched several [Air Slashes]—but Nidoking batted them aside with its fists, never taking its eyes off the rapidly approaching Charizard.

And then Gary’s voice rang out:

“Nidoking, [Thunder Punch]!”

Nidoking roared. Sparks burst from its clenched fist as it wound up for a devastating blow.

Charizard's eyes flashed with fury.

Fire ignited around its jaws. Fangs blazing, it lunged.

Boom!

Electric sparks exploded—flames roared—

They clashed in a brutal, close-quarters brawl.

Nidoking’s [Thunder Punch] struck Charizard squarely, the crackling energy lighting up its scales. Charizard jerked, the impact leaving burn-blackened patches where it hit.

But its [Fire Fang] clamped down on Nidoking's arm, forcing a wince from the massive Pokémon.

Charizard had taken more damage, no question. Not just because of the super-effective [Thunder Punch]—but also because of Nidoking’s ability.

Charizard’s body trembled. A strange purple hue crept up its neck.

“It’s [Poison Point],” Sabrina muttered. “Charizard’s been poisoned.”

Nidoking’s passive ability, [Poison Point], activated on contact—Charizard had touched it directly during the bite. Poison was inevitable.

And if they couldn’t end this quickly, the poisoning would only get worse.

Ash’s expression tightened.

Gary, meanwhile, looked calm—almost triumphant.

This one’s in the bag.

Even if Charizard didn’t go down immediately, the poison and sandstorm would take their toll. He could stall it out if he had to.

Ash’s Charizard is tough, sure—but it’s no match for my Nidoking.

Gary was already thinking ahead. Once Charizard went down, he’d just have Nidoking finish off Ash’s remaining Pokémon.

But right at that moment—

Charizard’s eyes burned with a violent light. The flame on its tail surged.

[Blaze]

Gary’s eyes widened. “Nidoking, careful—it’s [Blaze]!”

The [Blaze] ability kicked in when a Fire-type Pokémon was low on stamina, drastically boosting the power of its Fire-type moves.

Charizard was on its last legs—and more dangerous than ever.

Nidoking heard the command and immediately tried to back off.

But Charizard wasn’t letting go.

With a powerful flap of its wings, it accelerated through the wind, catching up to Nidoking in a heartbeat.

Disregarding the poison barbs raking its limbs, Charizard grabbed Nidoking, locking it in place—and a fireball began to swirl in its throat.

It was charging a [Fire Blast]—aimed right at Nidoking’s face.

At this range?

If it landed, Nidoking would be obliterated.

What do I do?!

Gary’s brain spun into overdrive.

[Protect]? No—too close. The shield might trap both Pokémon.

[Dig]? Maybe. But could Nidoking break free from Charizard in time? If not—KO.

And then, at the last second, a spark of insight.

“Nidoking, [Mega Punch]—aim for Charizard’s chin!”

August nodded slightly from the sidelines. Nice call.

Nidoking didn’t hesitate. It clenched its glowing fist and launched an uppercut straight into Charizard’s jaw.

At that very moment, the [Fire Blast] had just finished charging—

CRACK!

Charizard’s head snapped back from the force. The fireball shot harmlessly skyward.

BOOM!

The gym’s ceiling exploded as the blast ripped through it, sending chunks of debris raining down.

Charizard plummeted.

The referee raised his flag. “Charizard is unable to battle. Nidoking wins!”

Ash sprinted toward his partner. “Charizard!”

Thankfully, Charizard was just unconscious—no serious injuries. Ash let out a breath of relief.

Gary stood across the field, looking relaxed… but his shirt clung to his back, soaked in sweat.

That was close.

If he hadn’t thought fast, Nidoking might’ve gone down. And if Ash still had two Pokémon left…

He might’ve actually lost.

Whew…

Thank goodness August had made him a Gym Leader.

All that hands-on battle experience really paid off.

Gary scratched his head sheepishly. He’d spent hours online recently searching “how to sarcastically roast August,” but now?

He was a little embarrassed.

August did know what he was doing.

Ash’s Charizard, even after special training, still lost to Gary.

And the rest of the battle… unfolded with little suspense.

Ash’s Kingler wasn’t a match for Gary’s Nidoking—it was wiped out in one [Earthquake].

As for Pikachu—though it already showed hints of the legendary “Pikagod” it would become one day—its opponent was a Ground-type.

[Thunderbolt] was almost completely useless. And given that Pikachu wouldn’t learn [Iron Tail] until the Hoenn arc, the only move it had that could even scratch Nidoking was [Quick Attack].

The result?

Nidoking grabbed Pikachu by the tail with one claw, lifting it clean off the ground. Pikachu writhed furiously in the air, but Nidoking’s gaze was amused, even playful.

“Pika—CHUUUU!”

Pikachu fired off its strongest [Thunderbolt] in rage, but to Nidoking, it was nothing more than a tickle.

Nidoking flicked Pikachu with a claw. Pikachu was fuming—but utterly helpless.

“Well? Ready to throw in the towel?” Gary asked, glancing at Pikachu dangling in Nidoking’s grasp.

“Ugh…” Ash grit his teeth, unwilling to accept it.

He’d come so close to earning the badge.

If only Charizard had managed to take Nidoking down, things wouldn’t have ended up like this.

But there were no if onlys in a battle.

Ash stared at Pikachu, still being toyed with like a plushie. No matter how unwilling he was to lose to Gary, he knew—it was over.

“I forfeit.”

The moment he said the words, his whole posture drooped.

He had officially lost this Gym challenge.

Just as Ash was still brooding over the outcome, Gary casually reached into his pocket and tossed something to him.

Ash caught it on instinct.

He looked down—and froze. It was the Viridian Gym Badge.

Ash’s expression turned to shock. “Gary, you…”

Gary waved him off, annoyed. “Don’t get me wrong. You lost, sure—but your strength is up to par. I’m just following the rules. Don’t think I went easy on you or anything.” Then he turned toward August. “August, back me up here!”

August, who happened to be walking over just then, couldn’t help laughing.

Gary clearly wanted to throw Ash a bone, but still dragged August in to serve as his alibi.

With a personality like this…

There’s really only one word that fits, August thought. Tsundere.

Gary twitched under August’s strange look and quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, I’m planning to resign as Viridian Gym Leader. I want to focus on the upcoming Indigo Conference.”

With the League just around the corner, and most of the challengers already coming through, the number of new challengers had dropped sharply. Gary was ready to go all in.

He, Gary Oak, would be the first champion from Kanto's branch!

Confidence overflowed from every pore.

August smiled. “Preparing for the League? No problem. I’ll let Lance know. However...”

“However what?” Gary asked, suspicious.

“With your current strength? You’re nowhere near ready to win a championship... Coincidentally, I’m putting together a special training camp for Silver and Gold. You’re welcome to join.”

Then August turned to Ash. “You in too?”

Ash blinked, caught off guard. But once the invitation sank in, he immediately nodded.

He’d already lost to Gary once—he had to seize every opportunity to grow stronger if he wanted to win it back at the Indigo Conference.

Gary had initially intended to refuse. His last “special training” with August had left scars. Literal and metaphorical.

He wasn’t the kind of guy who forgot pain easily.

But when he saw Ash accept so eagerly, Gary hesitated.

Say yes, and he risked falling into another one of August’s psychological traps. Say no, and if Ash ended up improving dramatically from this training… and surpassed him?

After all his hard work to pull ahead?

No way he’d let that happen.

After a moment’s intense internal struggle, Gary clenched his jaw. “Fine. I’m in too!”

At least this time it’d be a group effort. Surely August wouldn’t only target him again, right? Even if it was brutal, misery loves company—he could live with that.

Off to the side, Blue and Sabrina exchanged a look—and both sighed.

Gary falls for it every time. No wonder August has him wrapped around his little finger.

August, meanwhile, gave Gary a satisfied pat on the shoulder. “Three days to hand over the gym. See you at the estate.”

Then he turned to Ash. “Same goes for you. Come with Gary in three days.”

And with that, he left Viridian Gym with Blue and Sabrina in tow.

...

Back at the estate.

Silver and Gold had already returned.

At the moment, Gold was ranting to August.

“That Pokémon Certification Exam was ridiculous! They had a section where I had to tell a Psyduck and a Golduck apart just by their cries...”

“And how’d it go?” August asked.

Gold puffed up. “Difficult? Maybe. But I still aced it without breaking a sweat!”

Silver, who had been quietly listening, didn’t say a word.

He’d watched Gold sneak in a Poké Ball disguised to look like an official item—and use his Ambipom to copy the answers off another candidate.

The only reason Silver wasn’t calling him out…

Was because Gold had passed him the answers too.

It couldn’t be helped. The written portion of the Pokémon Exam was absurd. Who the heck could identify Jigglypuff from an overhead silhouette unless they were doing practice quizzes daily?

Honestly, if it weren’t for Gold, they both might’ve flunked.

Silver didn’t say anything, but August could guess most of the story just from his expression.

He didn’t mind.

A little resourcefulness isn’t a bad thing.

“You two still have a ways to go. That’s why I’m putting you through some intensive pre-League training.”

Silver nodded—he didn’t really know what to expect, but he accepted it calmly.

Gold, on the other hand… had spent some time recently playing cards with Slowpoke—or rather, Slowbro now.

And from Slowbro’s stories, Gold had gotten a taste of what August’s training was like.

The kind of training that gave a Slowbro abs.

Gold already felt his knees go weak.

Still… if Silver was going through it, he couldn’t chicken out.

With a deep breath, Gold nodded as well.

“Excellent.”

August was pleased. Just as he was about to say more, the estate’s doorbell rang.

Huh? Who could it be at this hour?

Frowning slightly, August pulled up the video feed.

A deliveryman from Delibird Express was standing outside, holding a package.

Once the call connected, the courier asked, “Excuse me, is Mr. Gold here? You have a delivery.”

August and Silver both turned to look at Gold.

Gold blinked. “Me? But… I didn’t order anything.”

---

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!