Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [448]

Blue’s expression turned odd as she watched Serena readily trust August after he mentioned Ash’s name.

She quietly poked August: "So… what's her relationship with Ash?"

[GardevoirSupremacy]: She has a crush on him.

Blue’s eyes widened in disbelief.

[Jigglypuff_Is_The_Cutest]: Ash likes Serena?

Blue couldn't picture it at all. From the few times she'd seen Ash, all she'd ever noticed in his eyes was pure, unfiltered stupidity. Ash didn’t seem like someone who'd ever have romantic feelings—Gary Oak, perhaps, but certainly not Ash.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Not Ash. Serena has a crush on Ash.

Blue grew even more astonished.

Ash has an admirer?!

If Gary heard this, he'd probably lose sleep for a week.

"Mr. August, can you tell me how Ash has been lately? I saw him on TV at the Silver Conference..." Serena asked eagerly.

August blinked. "Oh, so the Silver Conference already started?"

He'd been so busy dealing with Lysandre and Team Flare he'd completely forgotten about the Silver Conference.

But regarding Serena’s question about Ash...

"Ash is doing great—honestly, he couldn't be better," August reassured her.

With Pikachu on one shoulder and Bayleef affectionately glued to his side, Ash was essentially living his best life.

Serena was about to ask more details when a voice called out behind her.

"Serena! Do we have visitors?"

August turned to see a woman in athletic gear approaching with a Rhyhorn at her side.

"Mom!" Serena explained hurriedly. "This is Mr. August. He's with the International Police…"

"International Police?" Grace paused, instantly alert.

Unlike Serena, as an adult, Grace immediately grew cautious. Why would the International Police visit Vaniville Town? Did something happen?

She'd recently heard nonstop media coverage about Team Flare, and anxiety shot through her instantly. "Hello, Mr. August. May I ask what's happened here in Vaniville?"

August smiled lightly, relaxing her tension. "It's really nothing major..."

Grace had just begun to breathe easier when August continued casually, "Just two legendary Pokémon about to have a showdown here, and Team Flare’s leader, Lysandre, planning to capture them."

"No big deal, really… Rest assured, we at the International Police have it under control."

Grace stopped hearing clearly after "two legendary Pokémon"—her mind had instantly gone blank.

She hadn't seen legendary Pokémon firsthand, but she'd watched live coverage of Groudon and Kyogre nearly destroying Hoenn. If a mere brush of their powers had wreaked so much havoc there, wouldn’t a legendary Pokémon battle in Vaniville Town mean…

Overwhelmed by panic, Grace promptly fainted.

Seeing Grace collapse, August felt utterly helpless.

Was it really that big a deal?

All he’d done was give her the basic facts. Maybe Grace's reaction was a bit excessive?

...

When Grace finally reopened her eyes, Serena hovered anxiously nearby.

"Mom, you’re awake!" Serena exclaimed.

"Run, Serena!" Grace shouted desperately.

Serena stared at her mother in confusion, completely baffled by her reaction.

August’s calm voice interrupted, "Relax, Miss Grace. There's really no need to panic."

Hearing the International Police officer’s reassuring voice, Grace managed to settle her frayed nerves slightly.

"Mr. August, where should we evacuate to? Is Lumiose safe, or should we head to another region?"

"...?"

Evacuate? Had he mentioned evacuation at all?

Grace clearly misunderstood something…

Seeing August’s confusion, Grace quickly clarified, "Mr. August, didn’t you say legendary Pokémon would fight here? Shouldn't we evacuate?"

Realizing what Grace was worried about, August burst into laughter.

"You’re worrying too much. Trust the International Police—we've got it completely under control."

"But the Hoenn incident…"

The disaster involving Groudon and Kyogre had traumatized many, leaving lasting anxiety regarding legendary Pokémon.

"Xerneas and Yveltal aren't like Groudon and Kyogre," August patiently explained.

Comparing any Pokémon to Groudon and Kyogre was pointless—those two were catastrophically destructive outliers. Xerneas and Yveltal’s power, while impressive, wasn’t nearly as extreme, and individually they weren’t even as destructive as Dialga or Palkia.

"Rest easy. The International Police have extensive experience handling legendary Pokémon crises," August assured.

"Really?" Serena asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Absolutely," August confirmed. "Miss Grace, there's genuinely no reason to worry."

If he still allowed damage in Vaniville despite knowing in advance, he might as well retire and become a ranger in some quiet preserve.

Grace finally relaxed, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Sorry for causing you trouble, Mr. August."

---

Lysandre had scoured the entire facility top-to-bottom, but found no trace of any intruder or the stolen absorption disk component.

Recognizing the futility of further searching, Lysandre eventually ordered the search stopped.

At this, Sabrina—still disguised as Giovanni—pretended confusion.

"Mr. Lysandre, you're stopping the search?"

Although she held the stolen part herself, knowing the search would be futile, she maintained her cover convincingly.

Lysandre shook his head firmly. "The absorption disk can be replaced, but if we miss the chance to capture Xerneas and Yveltal during their battle, who knows when we’ll get another."

He would uncover the mole eventually—but not today.

"All operational units, gather in the hall!" Lysandre declared firmly. "This mission is crucial to our plans—failure isn't an option!"

"Yes, sir!" the Team Flare members shouted in perfect unison, unusually motivated.

Earlier, Lysandre had announced Team Flare would begin providing housing allowances to each member—clearly inspired by Giovanni’s example.

Sabrina, however, wasn't concerned about ordinary grunts. Having been through numerous legendary Pokémon incidents with August, she knew these elite agents were just slightly more capable cannon fodder.

Her attention was drawn to an oddly pale-skinned man with red eyes, wearing Bluetooth earbuds.

From overhearing the grunts, Sabrina learned this peculiar figure was Xerosic, Team Flare’s leading scientist.

Xerosic, sensing her gaze, turned slowly, their eyes meeting expressionlessly. Neither revealed a thing, quickly looking away.

Regardless, Sabrina swiftly forwarded Xerosic’s profile to August.

---

Sipping the coffee Grace prepared, August reviewed Sabrina’s intel.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: After Malva’s arrest, Xerosic became Team Flare’s second-in-command, overseeing all scientific operations. Keep an eye on him.

As he replied to Sabrina, August simultaneously messaged Cogita:

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Cogita, are you familiar with Xerneas and Yveltal?

A brief pause, then—

[Cogita (at home)]: Hmm? Asking suddenly about those two… Are you finally interested in eternal life?

Xerneas, the Life Pokémon, supposedly granted eternal life when its horns glowed rainbow-colored. Yveltal, conversely, drained life force and symbolized destruction.

Cogita naturally assumed August's sudden curiosity related to Xerneas’ immortality powers—but August had a different reason.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: I'll likely fight them soon, so just checking if they’re friends of yours—don’t want friendly fire.

In reality, August planned to use the [Summoning] feature in battle, checking in advance so Cogita wouldn't be unreachable later.

[Cogita (at home)]: I haven’t seen them in ages.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Then…

[Cogita (at home)]: You can smack Yveltal around freely. Xerneas is a good kid.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Got it.

Clearly, Cogita wasn't fond of destructive Pokémon. Just like Giratina before, Yveltal was getting the cold shoulder.

After settling that matter, August turned to Grace and Serena. "Could you find a way to gather all the townspeople together?"

Though confident in protecting Vaniville, having everyone gathered would minimize risk.

Realizing the gravity of protecting residents’ safety, Grace didn't hesitate.

"A festival should bring everyone together easily…"

August nodded. "Blue, help them."

"On it," Blue agreed.

Watching the trio depart, August gazed calmly into the sky.

Everything was prepared—just waiting for Team Flare’s appearance.

But before that…

August quickly donned a Team Rocket uniform, disguising himself expertly as Archer, one of the Rocket Four Generals.

---

Lysandre and Team Flare swiftly arrived in Vaniville, noticing immediately that something felt off.

Residents had gathered at a ranch for some impromptu festival—suspicious timing, but convenient for their mission.

Suddenly spotting a stranger in Rocket attire behind Giovanni, Lysandre frowned suspiciously.

"Is he yours?"

"Exactly," August boldly stepped forward, confidently meeting Lysandre's gaze. "Team Rocket Executive Archer—at your service."

Lysandre recognized the name, yet sensed something distinctly unhinged in "Archer’s" demeanor.

Giovanni coughed lightly, explaining smoothly, "He’s backup I called from Johto, just in case."

Trusting Giovanni’s recent rescue, Lysandre accepted it without further question.

Unbeknownst to him, Sabrina messaged frantically via their private channel:

[Psychic_Pretty_Girl]: This wasn’t our original plan! Weren’t you hiding until Team Flare captured the Pokémon, then arresting them?

[GardevoirSupremacy]: Changed my mind. Hiding is too boring.

[Psychic_Pretty_Girl]: Because you’re bored?!

[GardevoirSupremacy]: What's life without fun?

Sabrina paused thoughtfully, finding unexpected wisdom in August’s words.

But what was the new plan?

Before she could ask further, darkness suddenly blanketed the sky, heavy and oppressive.

[GardevoirSupremacy]: A dark aura… Yveltal’s here!

At August’s words, a crimson-and-black Pokémon resembling a massive, clawed avian emerged ominously from the clouds.

As it appeared, the surrounding trees seemed to wither slightly, drained of their vitality.

---

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!