Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [489]

Could Team Plasma have learned about my arrival and arranged this little welcoming stunt?

August briefly entertained the idea before shaking his head. Team Plasma might have decent intelligence capabilities, but Colress wouldn’t be foolish enough to provoke him openly this early.

While August pondered, Gary beside him was already growing restless. "August, what's our next move?"

As a champion of justice from the International Police, nothing irritated Gary Oak more than self-righteous troublemakers disturbing public order—especially when it personally inconvenienced him!

August looked at Gary oddly. "Since when did you become so passionate about justice?"

"What are you talking about?" Gary bristled. "I've always been a champion of justice!"

August turned casually to Zinnia. "Have you ever noticed?"

Zinnia shook her head decisively.

August spread his hands. "See?"

Gary: “…”

Is this really the time to joke around?

The plane couldn't land, and if the fuel ran out they'd all crash and die!

"Why are you panicking?" Zinnia leaned forward beside August, looking disdainfully at Gary. "Have you never flown before? Even the pilot isn’t panicking. Worst-case scenario, we’ll just land somewhere else—"

But before Zinnia could finish, the captain’s voice crackled over the intercom: "Attention passengers: Unfortunately, we don’t have enough fuel to reach another airport. We’re urgently coordinating with ground control for landing clearance, but please prepare yourselves for a potential emergency landing."

Zinnia’s disdainful expression froze instantly.

Gary stared at Zinnia in grim silence.

You’re a living jinx, aren’t you?

The cabin instantly filled with panicked cries from terrified passengers.

Even Professor Oak lost his composure. Sure, his Dragonite could safely carry him, Ash, and Delia away, but what about the hundreds of other passengers aboard?

"Pika!" Pikachu hugged Ash tightly.

Back in economy, Team Rocket descended into full-blown panic.

The only Pokémon they had capable of flight was James’s Weezing, and there was no way it could save them from a plane crash!

"Nooo!"

"We haven't rescued Boss Giovanni yet!"

"Someone save us, nya!"

The trio hugged each other desperately.

Up front, August suddenly tilted his head slightly backward, as if sensing something.

Gary asked anxiously, "What’s up, August?"

"I thought I heard someone yelling Giovanni's name."

"Are you seriously joking around right now?!" Gary exclaimed. "Think of something quick!"

August gave Gary a puzzled look. "When did you start believing I wasn't already doing something?"

"Huh?"

Gary suddenly realized that Hoopa, previously cradled in August’s arms, had vanished.

Just then, the captain’s relieved voice came through again: "Great news! Ground control just confirmed the Team Plasma members occupying the runway have disappeared—we’re cleared to land!"

The entire cabin fell silent briefly, then erupted into joyous cheers.

Team Rocket, moments away from passing out, now cried tears of relief.

"We’re alive!"

At that moment, a golden ring appeared again in August’s lap, and Hoopa proudly emerged from it, puffing out its chest. "How’s that? Hoopa’s amazing, right?"

"Amazing," August praised gently, handing Hoopa a Pokéblock as if rewarding a child.

Gary blinked. "What did Hoopa just do?"

Professor Oak, Ash, and Delia turned toward August in curiosity as well.

"Nothing much," August replied calmly. "Hoopa just opened a portal and relocated Team Plasma."

"Relocated? Where to?"

August stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Somewhere they can learn to become better citizens and acquire a proper worldview."

While Gary was still confused—

Back in Johto, Lance was working quietly in his office when suddenly a golden ring opened in the ceiling. Before he could react, a crowd of Team Plasma members and their Pokémon came pouring down, crashing chaotically onto his floor.

Lance stared in open-mouthed shock.

"What on earth…?"

As if to answer Lance’s question, his phone vibrated with a new message:

[GardevoirIsSupremacy]: These guys are Team Plasma members. I’m leaving them temporarily in Johto’s jail. I’ll pick them up later. Thanks!

"..."

Lance rubbed his temples. Had August just turned Johto’s prison into his personal dumping ground?

He sighed heavily, then picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Koga, get over here quickly. Yes, you're needed urgently. August’s orders. Hurry!"

Lance leaned back in his chair, sipping tea thoughtfully. For the first time, he truly understood what August meant by "the joys of delegating responsibilities."

Looking back at the countless days spent buried under paperwork, he realized he’d truly lived a miserable life…

...

The plane finally touched down safely, prompting enthusiastic applause from all passengers.

Clapping half-heartedly, Gary muttered under his breath, "Hoopa was clearly the hero here…"

Hoopa nodded vigorously, agreeing wholeheartedly.

August swiftly gave both Hoopa and Gary a flick to the forehead.

"Ow! What was that for?" Gary complained.

"Don't forget why we’re in Unova," August said firmly.

"But you’re so conspicuous! Anyone remotely familiar with Pokémon battles can recognize you!" Gary whispered, pouting.

August raised an eyebrow sharply.

Gary immediately clamped his mouth shut, pretending he'd said nothing.

Zinnia laughed at Gary’s panicked expression. See? As long as I stay quiet, August won't bully me.

Gary: “…”

Now even Zinnia dared laugh at him! Gary swore he’d get his revenge someday.

Ash’s voice suddenly rang out, snapping Gary back to reality: "Gary! We're getting off now—hurry up!"

"Coming!"

...

Castelia City.

Though they’d glimpsed Castelia’s grandeur from above, stepping onto its bustling streets was an entirely different experience.

Professor Oak, Ash, and Delia quickly parted ways, heading straight to Nuvema Town to meet Professor Juniper for the academic conference. August planned to stay in Castelia for a while, but before Oak left, August noticed Team Rocket lurking awkwardly in a corner.

Do these idiots really think changing into suits means no one can recognize them?
Red hair, blue hair, and a talking Meowth were unmistakable anywhere!

Seeing the trio, August finally understood who’d been yelling Giovanni's name earlier—and strongly suspected their presence explained the near-plane crash. After all, it was common knowledge that vehicles carrying Ash, Pikachu, and Team Rocket rarely ended well.

Walking leisurely through Castelia’s streets, August felt oddly comforted.

"Hoopa wants this!" Hoopa tugged August’s arm excitedly, pointing to a cake shop.

Meanwhile, Mew tugged at August’s hair, pointing insistently to a candy store. "Mew!"

As Mew and Hoopa squabbled, August turned decisively to Gary, patting his shoulder solemnly. "Gary, I have a crucial task for you."

Distractedly admiring the scenery, Gary froze instantly. "Uh…what?"

He had a bad feeling about this.

Prepared to outright refuse any impossible request August made, Gary stared nervously as August casually handed him Hoopa.

"Take Hoopa to the cake shop," August instructed.

Gary blinked dumbly—not because it was difficult, but because it was suspiciously easy. Far too easy for August’s style.

Could August really be this nice?

While Gary cautiously pondered, August firmly pushed Hoopa into his arms.

"Meet us at Silph Hotel this evening!"

Indeed, even Castelia City had a branch of the Silph Corporation’s luxury hotels. Staying within their own network was safest.

By the time Gary snapped out of it, August and Zinnia had vanished, leaving him alone with Hoopa.

"Hoopa wants cake!" Hoopa stared expectantly.

Seeing Hoopa about to burst into tears, Gary sighed. "Fine, let’s go buy cake."

Hoopa instantly brightened. "Gary, good! August, bad!"

Gary perked up immediately. He liked hearing that!

Glancing around cautiously to ensure August wasn’t nearby, Gary encouraged quietly, "Say more."

"August is a big dummy!" Hoopa chirped.

"Perfect! I'll get you a giant donut later!" Gary felt thoroughly refreshed, walking with newfound swagger.

Unbeknownst to him, August—disguised with a mask—watched silently from a nearby street corner.

After Gary had walked some distance, Zinnia whispered nervously from behind August, "Are you sure it’s okay to use Gary as bait?"

"For the sake of justice, small sacrifices are sometimes necessary," August replied solemnly.

August wasn’t entirely sure if Team Plasma was behind the airport incident, so Gary and Hoopa would serve as perfect bait. If Team Plasma truly intended harm, they'd never miss an isolated target like Gary.

Zinnia didn't believe a single word. In her eyes, this was clearly August’s petty revenge against Gary for their earlier conversation.

Still, she kept those thoughts carefully to herself. Ever since betraying Blue and Sabrina’s request, she and August were firmly in the same boat.

"So…what next? Do we follow Gary?" Zinnia asked.

"Gary’s already a seasoned officer; he doesn't need our protection," August declared. He lifted Mew off his head and held her gently. "We'll head that way."

Zinnia followed his gaze—straight toward the candy store Mew had previously pointed out.

While Mew eagerly selected candies, August’s phone suddenly rang.

Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was Caitlin. Though Zinnia had pledged loyalty, she instinctively strained to overhear their conversation.

"August!" Caitlin greeted warmly. "Have you landed safely?"

"I'm already in Castelia," August replied, idly playing with Mew’s tail.

Caitlin’s voice brightened immediately. "Great! I'll come see you. Where are you?"

August glanced around, naming a nearby café.

Hanging up, August turned to find Zinnia staring curiously. He raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

Zinnia quickly adopted a neutral expression.

"You seem curious," August noted casually.

"Nope, not curious at all!" Zinnia shook her head vigorously. She didn’t know if curiosity killed cats—but it definitely killed Gary.

August studied her carefully, then smiled faintly. "Relax, it's strictly business—Team Plasma business."

Zinnia nodded eagerly, patting her chest confidently. "Got it! If Blue and Sabrina ask, you spent the whole day with Mew!"

August: "…?"

I said it was business! What exactly do you think I meant?

---

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!