Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [460]

Just as Sabrina was about to ruthlessly expose August—

Meray and Hoopa, however, completely believed August’s current performance. Meray’s face was full of anxiety, while Hoopa nervously clutched her clothes, gulping fearfully.

Noticing he couldn't fool Sabrina, August decisively turned his menacing act toward Meray and Hoopa, adopting a fierce expression.

"Hoopa!"

Terrified, Hoopa cried out instinctively. In its panic, Hoopa threw out one of its rings.

A golden ring rapidly expanded in mid-air, glowing brightly.

At this critical moment, Hoopa unleashed its favorite move—calling for backup!

A torrent of seawater poured from the golden ring as a massive, white head emerged, followed by sleek black markings over its eyes, a long graceful neck, streamlined body with a dorsal fin, expansive wings, and a powerful tail.

Still dripping seawater, Lugia appeared in the cavern, bewildered and confused.

"Buu-wooo~?"

Lugia’s cry, echoing with the scent of the deep ocean, resonated through the cave, causing Sabrina’s eyes to widen in shock.

Lugia?!

Having joined August previously in rescuing Lugia from Pryce, Sabrina naturally recognized this Pokémon. But she'd never imagined seeing Lugia again—especially underground in the middle of a desert!

Her gaze shifted to Hoopa.

Hoopa, having successfully summoned Lugia, waved its fists behind Lugia triumphantly, celebrating with joy:

"Hoopa is the strongest!"

Meray, who had spent her life with Hoopa, stood speechless at the scene. She had no idea Hoopa could even summon legendary Pokémon.

But this is good news.

With Lugia here, surely it could rescue the "possessed" August?

With anticipation, Meray and Hoopa both stared expectantly at Lugia, hoping it would suppress the "possessed" August.

But what happened next completely overturned their expectations.

Lugia stared blankly at August, clearly taken aback. It had not expected to encounter August here—and certainly not in this scenario.

August tilted his head slightly, eyes meeting Lugia’s. Yep, definitely an acquaintance.

Since it was an acquaintance, things were simple. August, who had been planning to command Gardevoir and Mew to battle Lugia, now smiled faintly.

August’s lips moved subtly. Meray and Hoopa couldn’t hear what he whispered, but immediately afterward, Lugia—originally summoned as Hoopa’s ally—suddenly spun around, turning against Hoopa instead.

"Hoopa?!"

Facing Lugia’s intimidating glare, Hoopa’s pink hair shot straight up in fright.

Hoopa couldn’t comprehend why Lugia, who had been its ally moments ago, had suddenly switched sides to help August—the one supposedly possessed.

"Heh heh heh…" August cackled evilly. "Your helper is mine now. Go ahead, summon more friends!"

Each chilling laugh deepened Hoopa’s terror. Hoopa frantically called Lugia’s name, desperately trying to wake it from August’s "control," but Lugia merely stared back with an oddly apologetic expression.

Though Hoopa couldn’t understand, Sabrina knew exactly why Lugia had sided with August.

[Psychic_Pretty_Girl]: Stop bullying Hoopa. It’s almost crying…

Although not directly involved, Sabrina felt guilty watching Hoopa’s frightened face, as if she herself was complicit in bullying a child.

[The_Punisher]: Whatever do you mean? I don't understand!

[Psychic_Pretty_Girl]: …Act like a human being, please.

[The_Punisher]: Thanks for the compliment!

August’s sinister laughter echoed once more. Influenced by his act, Gardevoir and Mew "joined" him, pressuring Hoopa alongside Lugia.

Gardevoir stood coolly, her dress fluttering with psychic energy. Mew adopted a convincingly "evil" smirk—perhaps not entirely an act!

Seeing not only Lugia but now Mew and Gardevoir "controlled" by August, Hoopa, in desperation, threw out two more rings at once.

Controlling two rings simultaneously exhausted Hoopa’s energy, sweat beading on its forehead. Under the watchful eyes of Sabrina, Meray, and August, two fierce roars emerged from within the expanding rings.

Feeling an overwhelming aura, Meray’s spirits lifted.

More legendary Pokémon?

Sabrina’s expression became strange.

Why does this sound so familiar?

In the next instant, one blue and one red Pokémon burst through the rings into the cave.

Kyogre’s sleek blue body still dripped seawater.

Molten lava dripped from Groudon’s crimson form.

Both legendary Pokémon appeared extremely irritable—understandable, as anyone rudely awakened would be annoyed.

Immediately, Groudon and Kyogre turned angrily toward Hoopa. Over countless years, Hoopa had repeatedly summoned them through its rings as battle pawns.

"Hoopa…!" Hoopa shrank nervously, scratching its head with an embarrassed grin.

If Hoopa had its original Unbound form, Groudon and Kyogre would have fought it immediately—but now, seeing Hoopa reduced to a tiny form, they felt attacking would tarnish their pride as ancient Pokémon.

Yet their anger still needed venting. Since Hoopa had summoned them, a powerful enemy must exist. From a certain viewpoint, that enemy was also responsible for disturbing their rest.

With grumpy, sleep-deprived faces, Groudon and Kyogre turned toward Hoopa’s opponent.

Lugia?

An excellent opponent!

Mew?

What was Mew doing here?

And Gardevoir…

Seeing the familiar Shiny Gardevoir, Groudon and Kyogre suddenly had a very bad feeling.

Then they saw August behind her, cackling wickedly.

Groudon and Kyogre: "…"

Excuse us!

Instantly, Groudon and Kyogre turned, attempting to retreat through the rings—but Hoopa had already exhausted itself summoning them, unable to sustain the portals.

As August’s sinister laughter echoed behind them, sweat poured down Groudon’s and Kyogre’s backs.

Before they could even try to clear up the misunderstanding, August’s voice rang out.

"This place is too cramped. We can’t fight properly here…"

Before August even finished speaking, Groudon and Kyogre quickly activated their powers.

Groudon unleashed its control over the earth, causing violent tremors that cracked open the ceiling above. Kyogre followed, sending a powerful stream of water upward, widening the gap enough for Lugia’s massive body to pass through.

Meray, who moments ago was cheering, now suddenly felt like Groudon and Kyogre were actually afraid of August.

Immediately, her suspicions were confirmed—

Groudon obediently created stairs to the surface with its power over earth. Kyogre swiftly washed away the sand with water, leaving a clean path.

Seeing Groudon and Kyogre act so subserviently, Meray and Hoopa were utterly stupefied.

Were these really the legendary Pokémon whose battles had nearly destroyed Hoenn several times?

Were Groudon and Kyogre also controlled by August?

"Wake up, Groudon! Kyogre!" Hoopa desperately shouted.

But neither Pokémon responded in the slightest.

Sabrina sighed.

Hoopa’s efforts were completely wasted.

Controlled? Well, in a manner of speaking—they willingly chose obedience!

Of all the Pokémon Hoopa could summon, it had foolishly chosen these two. After their battles in Hoenn, they’d never again dare oppose August.

After repeatedly failing to awaken Groudon and Kyogre, Hoopa finally accepted its fate: once again, its summoned helpers were now August’s.

August laughed coldly, "Heh heh, got any more helpers?"

Hoopa gritted its teeth, throwing another ring desperately—but summoning Groudon and Kyogre had drained it completely. Several attempts later, Hoopa failed miserably to summon any more legends.

"Looks like you're out of options. Heh heh~!" August teased, stepping closer with his Pokémon behind him.

Hoopa shivered, shrinking back fearfully, ready to flee—until it saw Meray by its side.

Gathering its last bit of courage, Hoopa held up a ring.

"Meray, run—Hoopa!"

"Hoopa!" Meray cried out sadly, knowing Hoopa couldn't pass through its own ring.

Before Meray could escape, Hoopa was frozen by Gardevoir’s [Psychic], the ring dissolving instantly.

August cackled again, reaching out toward Hoopa.

"Don’t touch Hoopa!"

"Hoopa!"

Ignoring Meray’s and Hoopa’s screams, August’s hand gently rested atop Hoopa’s head, patting it softly.

Instantly, both Meray and Hoopa froze, stunned.

What…was going on?

Hadn't August been possessed?

Then why—

Unable to hold back anymore, Sabrina sighed loudly. "August was never controlled… He was faking it from the beginning!"

Meray and Hoopa stood dumbly, like Slowpokes realizing their tails had vanished overnight:

"Faking…?"

Facing their shocked gazes, August smiled sheepishly. "Not entirely fake—I really did nearly get controlled by the [Prison Bottle’s] power!"

Hoopa and Meray: "…"

That still means you were faking it!

Meeting their indignant outburst, August sighed helplessly. "Really, just barely escaped! Anyone else might've actually been controlled—it's super dangerous!"

He showed them the [Prison Bottle]. Red energy visibly surged from the bottle, continually attempting to possess him, but a subtle golden glow on August’s skin neutralized it effortlessly.

Witnessing this, Meray grew fascinated. "What is this…?"

The dangerous power within the [Prison Bottle] could be felt even at a distance.

"This…maybe Cogita’s blessing?" August guessed uncertainly.

He had accumulated many buffs, making it hard to pinpoint which one was protecting him.

Hearing Cogita’s name, Sabrina’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

She sensed trouble brewing.

"What should we do next?" Meray asked nervously.

She worried whether Hoopa could withstand this power.

"It should be fine," August replied confidently. "This power has its own personality—but dealing with this kind of thing is my specialty!"

His "specialty" was simple:

There's no problem a good beating can't fix!

Unaware of August’s intentions, Hoopa eagerly pounded its chest. "Hoopa can do it!"

Already plotting revenge against August after regaining its power, Hoopa laughed wickedly, imagining August's pitiful state after its future pranks.

"Hee hee hee hee!"

August eyed it suspiciously. "What’s so funny?"

Hoopa quickly wiped its smile. "N-nothing!"

While Hoopa tried playing innocent, a shadow flew toward it. Instinctively catching it, Hoopa realized—it was the [Prison Bottle]!

August had tossed it over without warning!

Before Hoopa could prepare, the [Prison Bottle’s] power surged violently, flooding into its body.

---

T/N: poor hoopa

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!