Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [509]

Compared to when they'd first set out, August’s group returned from Liberty Garden Island with two visibly depressed members.

One was Gary, utterly heartbroken by Victini—the Pokémon he'd longed for—rejecting him outright to cozy up to August instead.

The other was Zinnia, whose previous excitement had evaporated, leaving her consumed with anxiety over August’s threats to reclaim Rayquaza.

Ignoring both of them, August turned his attention to Sage Rood, now thoroughly tied up like a dumpling.

“You know, Team Plasma really confuses me,” August remarked calmly. “I swept through six of your hideouts in Castelia without finding a single executive, yet here you are, practically walking straight into my arms.”

Rood kept his head down, remaining silent. He hadn't recognized Gary earlier, but he’d immediately identified August the moment he arrived.

“You Plasma members are stubborn, aren’t you? Clearly harming Pokémon, yet still pretending it's all for their own good.” August shook his head disdainfully.

At this provocation, Rood finally snapped, unable to hold back. “How could outsiders like you understand the greatness of Team Plasma’s ideals?”

“Oh? Including hurting Pokémon, you mean?” August gestured to Victini at his side, whose fur still bore scrapes and bruises from Plasma’s earlier attacks.

Rood opened his mouth to insist it was necessary for Victini’s safety, but seeing the legendary Pokémon’s ears perked up, ready to unleash a [V-create] at the slightest provocation, he wisely swallowed his words.

It wasn't fear, exactly—just a faint recognition that August might have a point.

Adjusting his approach, Rood tried again: “But countless Pokémon still suffer at the hands of humans and desperately need protection...”

“If that’s how you plan to protect Pokémon, maybe it’d be better if you did less ‘protecting’,” August retorted casually, again silencing Rood.

Regular Plasma grunts might shamelessly claim harming Pokémon was essential to protecting them, but as one of the Seven Sages, Rood still retained enough dignity to avoid such blatant nonsense.

Seeing Rood had fully withdrawn into silence, August stood up with a faint smile.

Rood blinked in surprise, confused by August’s sudden departure. “Wait…aren’t you going to interrogate me?”

According to normal procedures, wasn’t August supposed to question him thoroughly for intelligence?

Why was he ignoring protocol?

“Interrogate?” August glanced back, genuinely puzzled. “Why would I interrogate you? When did you get the mistaken impression that you're important enough for that?”

Rood stared speechlessly.

Leaving him dumbfounded, August approached Hoopa and Victini, who now had their arms around each other’s shoulders, cheerfully sharing Hoopa’s stash of donuts.

August raised an eyebrow curiously. “Since when have you two gotten so close?”

They'd barely known each other a few hours.

“Victini is Hoopa’s friend now—hehehe!” Hoopa announced proudly.

Had they met before? That couldn’t be right…Hoopa hadn't shown any recognition earlier. August shrugged internally, figuring Hoopa’s natural friendliness simply matched Victini’s easy-going nature.

Suddenly, a phone rang, drawing his attention—not his, but Caitlin’s.

“What? …Alright, I understand.” Ending the call, Caitlin turned to August excitedly, “August, Champion Alder has finally appeared!”

“Hm?” Alder was probably the only Champion August had yet to meet in person. “Where?”

“In Nimbasa City! Alder was invited to attend a battle event there.”

...

When it came to Nimbasa, August immediately thought of Elesa. The famous Gym Leader was also a widely adored fashion model, her online popularity once second only to Diantha—at least until Iono cracked the social media code and started posting frequent collaborations with August, rapidly overtaking Elesa in followers.

“So this is Nimbasa? Seems just as impressive as Castelia!” Gary remarked, looking around eagerly. “Actually, it feels even more relaxing here.”

August nodded. “Castelia is all about commerce, while Nimbasa is entertainment-focused. They naturally feel different—”

He was interrupted by Mew urgently tugging at his sleeve.

“Mew!”

Following Mew’s excited gaze, August saw the enormous Ferris wheel towering above them.

“You want to ride the Ferris wheel?”

“Mew!” Mew nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“But it says here the Ferris wheel is exclusively for couples…” Zinnia pointed out, reading from a tourist brochure.

“Couples only? Is that even allowed?” Gary was incredulous, snatching the guide from Zinnia to confirm. Sure enough, it clearly stated "Couples’ Ferris Wheel."

“That’s blatant discrimination against singles!” Gary grumbled indignantly.

August shot him a skeptical glance. “Don’t you already have a girlfriend? Since when are you single?”

Gary faltered briefly, then defiantly announced, “Well…I might have a girlfriend back in Kanto, but here in Unova, I’m single!”

Passersby threw him scandalized and contemptuous looks. Even August was astonished by Gary’s shameless declaration, giving him a sarcastic thumbs-up.

Zinnia and Caitlin stared at Gary oddly as well.

Realizing how awful he sounded, Gary coughed awkwardly. “Uh, I mean…I'm just looking for someone temporarily—to ride the Ferris wheel with!”

“Say no more, I get it,” August patted Gary's shoulder sympathetically. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your girlfriends.”

Zinnia hurriedly nodded, claiming she’d keep his secret safe.

“I…” Gary nearly choked.

He genuinely just wanted a Ferris wheel partner! Also, Zinnia claiming secrecy? She’d been thrown into Hisui by August not long ago precisely because she’d snitched to Blue!

But seeing their teasing expressions, Gary knew protesting further was pointless.

Just as Gary resigned himself to humiliation, Caitlin calmly clarified, “Actually, the Ferris wheel just requires two people per cabin; they don’t have to be a couple.”

Gary: “……”

Couldn’t you have said that earlier!?

...

Standing in front of the enormous Ferris wheel and its winding queue, Mew practically bounced with excitement, tugging August’s arm to join the line immediately.

But first, they had to split into groups.

Each cabin held two people plus two Pokémon.

August, Mew, Gardevoir, and Eevee—who’d just been teleported from Kanto by Hoopa—would share one cabin.

Caitlin, Zinnia, Hoopa, and Victini would ride in another.

Seeing everyone else sorted, Gary asked anxiously, “Then what about me?”

“You’ll have to find your own partner,” August shrugged. “You can find someone willing to ride with you, right?”

Provoked by August’s mocking tone, Gary flushed bright red. “Of course I can! Just watch!”

Determined, Gary spun around confidently, grooming his hair stylishly and even releasing Suicune to impress passersby.

Watching his flamboyant display, August struggled to maintain a straight face.

Just then, a loud voice rang out nearby, “Huh?! Is that Pokémon really…?”

Turning to the source, they spotted a man with fiery red hair that made Lysandre’s mane seem modest by comparison, his beige cloak adorned with Poké Balls draped around his neck.

Without hesitation, he strode straight toward Gary—no, toward Suicune.

Suicune stared in confusion as the man leaned in closely, marveling, “It really is Suicune!”

“You—” Gary started to protest.

But the man eagerly interrupted, “May I pet your Suicune?”

Gary nodded instinctively before realizing his mistake. Wait, who even is this guy!? Why am I agreeing!?

Before Gary could object, the man already threw his arms around Suicune joyfully. “Incredible! Such silky fur, even softer than Bouffalant’s afro!”

Annoyed, Suicune shook him off roughly, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Rather than offended, the man laughed heartily instead.

At this precise moment—

“Mr. Alder, we’ve finally found you.” Caitlin’s soft voice echoed ominously.

Alder’s laughter abruptly halted. Stiffly turning around, he smiled awkwardly upon recognizing Caitlin. “Ah, Caitlin…”

To August’s eyes, Alder looked exactly like a student caught ditching class by his teacher.

“Please return to the League immediately, Mr. Alder,” Caitlin said with thinly-veiled resentment. “Without you, League affairs have stalled completely.”

“You guys can handle League matters—I handed things over to the four of you, didn’t I?” Alder deflected casually, noticing August beside Caitlin and brightening suddenly. “Wait, you’re August, right?”

Though neglecting his Champion duties, Alder was still connected enough to immediately recognize the reigning Pokémon World Champion.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Alder,” August greeted politely, curiously sizing up the famously laid-back Champion renowned for his legendary laziness.

“Just call me Alder!” He chuckled cheerfully. “Let’s have tea sometime!”

“Please don’t change the subject, Mr. Alder,” Caitlin sighed heavily. “Your prolonged absence has drawn criticism from the Council. Without your decisions regarding Team Plasma, we’re completely paralyzed.”

“Eh? Really?” Alder seemed genuinely surprised, as though only now realizing the gravity of his responsibilities.

Caitlin pressed a weary hand to her forehead, thoroughly exhausted by her Champion’s obliviousness. Even Diantha, busy filming daily, displayed more commitment.

Seeing Caitlin’s distress, Alder finally sobered. “Alright, tell me what’s wrong. You mentioned Team Plasma?”

“Team Plasma threatens all of Unova—”

“Threatening Unova? Aren’t they just environmentalists promoting Pokémon harmony?” Alder frowned, puzzled.

Caitlin stared, incredulous. “…You don’t see the obvious problem with their Pokémon liberation claims?”

Alder hesitated. “Well, liberating Pokémon might have some issues, but their basic intentions aren’t necessarily bad.”

Realizing Alder was dangerously uninformed, Caitlin scrambled to respond—but August calmly stepped forward first.

“Alder, you clearly haven’t checked with the League lately,” August stated bluntly. “Team Plasma is involved in smuggling, assaulting officers, inciting riots, and illegally capturing Pokémon. The International Police officially blacklisted them weeks ago.”

Hearing August’s authoritative words, Alder froze in shock.

He’d assumed Plasma was merely an idealistic group…but August’s words carried undeniable weight.

Faced with choosing between Plasma’s image and August’s credibility, Alder trusted August without hesitation.

“The International Police are never wrong about criminal groups,” Alder murmured gravely, quickly connecting the dots.

His relaxed demeanor evaporated, replaced by grim seriousness.

“So Team Plasma are criminals…?”

---

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!