Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [451]

"Archer" stretched out an arm to block Lysandre, instantly turning the atmosphere on the scene tense and hostile.

Lysandre narrowed his eyes at "Archer," then glanced at Giovanni standing behind him.

Given their pleasant cooperation thus far, Lysandre hadn’t expected Team Rocket to suddenly make a move at a time like this.

"So this is how Team Rocket treats its allies?" Lysandre snapped at "Giovanni."

He didn’t address Archer, believing Archer’s actions were merely following Giovanni’s orders.

Sabrina, disguised as "Giovanni," remained silent: "…"

Would you even believe me if I said I had no control over Archer?

Whether or not Lysandre would believe it aside, Sabrina certainly wouldn’t say such a thing—doing so would utterly shatter Giovanni’s formidable image.

Within Team Rocket, Giovanni was absolute authority!

Thus, Sabrina calmly met Lysandre’s gaze, quickly sending a telepathic message to August behind her facade of serenity.

[Psychic_Pretty_Girl]: What should we do now? Flip the table?

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Have you collected enough evidence to lock Lysandre up for good?

[Psychic_Pretty_Girl]: Not yet…

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Then follow my lead!

As soon as the exchange finished, Lysandre saw a hypocritical smile appear on Archer’s face: "Don’t misunderstand, Mr. Lysandre. I stopped you only for your own good!"

Lysandre's expression immediately darkened at Archer’s words.

For his own good?

"Look—Xerneas is still entwined with Yveltal's lingering power. Surely, you've seen the damage this kind of energy can cause, haven’t you, Mr. Lysandre?"

"So, I suppose I should thank you?" Lysandre replied icily.

August thought for a moment, then nodded calmly under Lysandre’s furious glare: "Exactly!"

Lysandre's face went completely blank.

However, the tightly clenched fists clearly betrayed the immense self-control he was exerting to keep his temper in check.

"We genuinely want to help you! You and your people struggled just to handle one Yveltal—what if Xerneas also lost control? Given your current state, I’m quite worried!"

"So, why not let me hold onto Xerneas for now? Once you’ve recovered, I promise to hand it back to you."

"You can trust Team Rocket, Mr. Lysandre—we keep our word! We'll definitely help you fulfill your plans."

Listening to Archer, Lysandre couldn’t see even a trace of sincerity, only hidden threats between his words.

Still, the situation gave him no choice.

On one side was "Giovanni," who'd saved him from August earlier; on the other was "Archer," who’d just defeated Yveltal. Lysandre took a deep breath, ultimately deciding to endure.

"I hope you'll honor your promise," Lysandre said coldly, signaling to his tense subordinates.

The Team Flare members reluctantly retreated.

[Psychic_Pretty_Girl]: If Giovanni ever learns you're using Team Rocket’s reputation like this, he'd probably want to kill you himself.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Ha! Giovanni’s wanted me dead for ages, and yet here I am! He couldn't do anything about me even when he was around—nowadays, he has to watch his own step around me.

Chatting with Sabrina telepathically, August calmly approached Xerneas under Lysandre's murderous gaze.

Suddenly, Xerneas, who’d seemed unconscious moments ago, snapped its eyes open!

Its body erupted in multicolored radiance, scattering the lingering crimson energy completely.

The Team Flare members, closely watching from behind, felt their hearts tighten simultaneously.

They’d thought Archer’s earlier warning had been an exaggeration, merely to intimidate them—but he’d actually told the truth!

Even Lysandre started to reconsider.

Had he misjudged Archer?

August felt stunned too—you were actually playing dead! Good thing I stayed cautious, or you might have fooled me.

August took out a Master Ball, beckoning Xerneas with a casual gesture. By all logic, Xerneas should’ve felt insulted and attacked him immediately.

But while pretending unconsciousness earlier, Xerneas had clearly observed how August defeated Yveltal with a Pokémon it had never seen before.

Moreover, unlike Yveltal’s destructive aura, Xerneas sensed a familiar energy emanating from August—especially strong from his hair.

Xerneas stared at August curiously…

August followed Xerneas’s gaze downward to himself.

Is there something weird about me? Why are you staring like that?

However, Lysandre was still watching, so he had to maintain Team Rocket’s intimidating style.

Seeing Xerneas hesitate, August waved casually at Miraidon, who stepped forward decisively…

Just before Miraidon launched an attack, Xerneas swiftly lowered its head, decisively pressing its tree-like antlers against the Master Ball held in August’s hand.

Swish!

Xerneas was drawn into the Master Ball.

With a crisp click, August successfully caught Xerneas, satisfaction evident on his face.

Just like Cogita said, you’re a good kid. Such a contrast to the rebellious Yveltal.

Take notes, Yveltal—there's a reason your boss dislikes you!

Meanwhile, Team Flare members who’d braced for another intense battle were utterly dumbfounded.

They could hardly believe Archer captured Xerneas—who had just fought Yveltal to a standstill—with such casual ease.

Realizing their plan to reap benefits from both sides weakening each other was now hopeless, the Team Flare members silently withdrew, becoming passive observers.

Lysandre: "…"

He watched helplessly as Archer approached with the Master Ball.

"Leader Lysandre? Shall we head to the base now? I'm quite intrigued by Team Flare’s grand plans…"

Lysandre remained silent, expression grim.

But August guessed his thoughts perfectly: Once I activate the Ultimate Weapon, you're the first one I'll destroy!

Oh, wait—August never intended to let Lysandre fully activate the Ultimate Weapon anyway.

Never mind, then.

...

Team Flare’s Base

Standing before Team Flare's base entrance, August thought ruefully that, without knowing the plot or Lysandre himself guiding him, finding the entrance alone would probably have taken weeks.

He wondered briefly who’d designed such an inconvenient location.

As they entered the facility, August glanced around, impressed by the technological décor clearly emphasizing scientific research.

"No wonder your organization employed so many scientists. Too bad they’re all arrested now, leaving only you, Lysandre—hang in there!" August patted Lysandre’s shoulder encouragingly.

Lysandre: "…"

Despite the seemingly supportive words, they stabbed painfully into Lysandre's pride, reminding him bitterly of Aliana and the others currently imprisoned.

He quickened his pace.

The group quickly crossed through the living quarters into the facility's central core.

A massive crystal loomed over the room, with a gigantic container nearby—clearly intended for Xerneas and Yveltal.

Lysandre’s original plan involved harnessing the legendary Pokémon’s power, supplemented by energy stolen from the Kalos Power Plant, to activate the Ultimate Weapon.

Yet plans rarely survive contact with reality.

Lysandre glanced at "Archer."

Due to Archer’s interference, whether the machine activated now depended entirely on August.

Unexpectedly, "Archer" casually handed over the Master Ball, looking every inch trustworthy.

Accepting the Master Ball, Lysandre was completely dumbfounded.

Had he truly misunderstood Team Rocket this whole time?

Handing back something already in his grasp so casually shook Lysandre’s deep-seated distrust in humanity, leaving him feeling oddly ashamed.

Sabrina, closely observing Lysandre’s expressions, silently confirmed another victim of August’s manipulation.

The first was Giovanni; now Lysandre had the honor of being the second.

But Lysandre’s newfound sentimentality quickly faded.

Whether or not he'd found some glimmer of human goodness, it was too late to retreat. Activating the plan was now imperative.

Placing the Master Ball into the machinery, Lysandre inhaled deeply.

"My friends, I am about to erase this corrupted world. All ugliness and foolishness will be swept aside! Bear witness—the birth of a new world!"

"No stupidity, no ugliness—only eternal beauty!"

His speech finished, Lysandre pressed the activation button.

A mechanical arm extended, opening the Master Ball within the container—

And in stunned silence, everyone watched as a huge crimson cocoon appeared.

Every eye turned accusingly toward August.

Especially Lysandre, whose usually controlled demeanor shattered into frustration: "What are you trying to do?!"

August scratched his head sheepishly: "Ah, my mistake—I grabbed the wrong one…"

Was this something you could simply apologize for?

Although Yveltal’s energy technically could activate the weapon, certainly not in its weakened cocoon state—meaning the activation speed would crawl at a snail's pace.

At this rate, Lysandre wouldn't see the weapon activated even within a year.

Lysandre glared furiously at August.

If you know you made a mistake, hurry and give me the right Pokémon!

But before Lysandre could speak again, August sighed dramatically: "Well, since I got caught—I might as well stop pretending!"

In full view of everyone, "Archer" wiped his face, revealing his true identity.

The sight sent chills down Lysandre's spine.

"August!?"

Why was August here, disguised as a Rocket executive!?

And Giovanni hadn’t noticed anything?!

Lysandre turned to "Giovanni," only to see the figure shimmer and shift into Sabrina, her long hair cascading freely.

Even Giovanni was a fake!?

The twin shocks plunged Lysandre into stunned disbelief.

---

T/N: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? THEY WERE FAKES?

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!