Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [447]

Interrogation Room.

August sat at the table, flipping through the files without even looking up. "Do you know why you're here?"

"I was just stating my opinion! On what grounds are you arresting me?!"

"Looks like you understand very well…" August lifted his head, looking at the man.

"I have nothing to do with Team Flare!"

"Whether you're linked to Team Flare or not, you know better than anyone…" August tossed the file onto the table. "So much financial back-and-forth—looks like Lysandre invested quite a bit in you."

"Unfortunately, all this money will now be confiscated. You can kiss your editor-in-chief position goodbye."

Hearing this, the editor-in-chief of Lumiose Publishing felt like his heart was being ripped apart, every word dripping agony.

"Why single me out? I'm not the only one connected to Lysandre!"

In all of Kalos, countless people had tangled relationships with Lysandre—why did August only come after him? It wasn't fair!

August stood, walked over to his side, and patted his shoulder.

"Others didn't cover up Team Flare’s crimes… and as for why just you, remember that interview at the World Championship?"

The editor stared blankly, taking a few seconds to recall before disbelief flashed across his face.

"Oh? Looks like you remember now."

He felt like he was going insane—never imagining he'd become August’s target over something so trivial!

Only as August reached the door to leave did the editor finally shout after him, "This is personal revenge! I’m filing a complaint!"

Surprised, August glanced back, then laughed.

"A complaint? The International Police, Pokémon League, prosecutors—they’re all my people. Who exactly are you planning to complain to?"

Ignoring the editor's wailing, August exited the interrogation room.

Outside, Looker hesitated before whispering, "August, could you tone it down a little? The prosecutor passing by just now was giving me weird looks."

It wasn't just the prosecutor—even Looker himself felt something was off.

August’s earlier speech made it seem like they were the villains here.

"You're overthinking it. Those were looks of envy—you're lucky enough to follow such an outstanding boss." August patted Looker’s shoulder. Before Looker could respond, August added casually, "Oh, and don't forget to write up the operation report for me."

Looker: "...!?"

...

Ultimately, August never received a complaint.

This left him mildly disappointed—he’d wanted to experience what being complained about felt like.

Nearby, Blue was speechless.

Why was getting a complaint something to look forward to?

Holding back the urge to comment, she asked, "How’s Sabrina doing now?"

August glanced at his phone. "She's successfully gained Lysandre's trust and infiltrated Team Flare."

Blue’s face filled with concern. "Will Sabrina be alright…?"

"Mew and Deoxys are with her. Honestly, if anything, she's the dangerous one there," August replied easily.

After thinking for a moment, Blue realized August was probably right.

Compared to worrying about Sabrina, perhaps Team Flare needed more concern.

---

Team Flare’s Secret Base.

Having successfully infiltrated Team Flare, Sabrina—currently disguised as Giovanni—walked calmly through the base.

Earlier, Lysandre had shared his grand plans, weaving tales of eternal life. His scheme involved capturing legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal, intending to harness Xerneas' energy to activate the "ultimate weapon," purging Kalos according to his twisted vision.

Even Sabrina, a former Team Rocket Executive, had to admit Lysandre’s vision was excessively extreme. Giovanni, even at his most ruthless, never plotted indiscriminate genocide across an entire region.

Compared to Lysandre, even Maxie and Archie seemed reasonable.

Having already sent this information to August, Sabrina wondered how she could sabotage Lysandre’s scheme.

While she pondered—

A Persian appeared from nowhere, carrying something in its mouth.

"Mew, stealing snacks again? We're in Team Flare’s base! If August finds out, say goodbye to snacks for a week!" Sabrina warned.

Aside from August, nobody could handle Mew, so Sabrina resorted to threats in his name.

Mew, disguised as Persian, panicked and protested telepathically: [Mew]

Sabrina understood immediately. "You're saying you didn’t steal snacks?"

Mew nodded vigorously, then spat out the strange component it had carried.

Sabrina examined the peculiar part, puzzled.

What’s this thing? It looks like some kind of device component?

Just as she wondered—

An alarm blared sharply throughout the base.

Sabrina instinctively hid the component as she saw a group of Team Flare grunts rush past.

Maintaining Giovanni's composure, she stopped one. "What's happening? Is August attacking us?"

Recognizing the prestigious guest of their leader, the grunt quickly explained, "Not August—something’s been stolen from the base! Lysandre is ordering everyone to search."

Sabrina felt the stolen object burning in her pocket but remained impassive, dismissing the grunt before glaring at Mew.

Mew, utterly innocent, sat licking its paw as if it had nothing to do with anything.

Sabrina rubbed her temples, starting to empathize deeply with August’s struggles.

Carefully hiding the stolen part, Sabrina hoped Lysandre wouldn't suspect her…

If discovered, she'd have no choice but to summon August to finish him off!

Sighing inwardly, Sabrina headed toward the gathering area.

Behind her, Mew-as-Persian casually pulled a bag of cookies from nowhere, munching contentedly as it trotted along.

...

Lysandre was having the worst luck imaginable.

First, the ambush against August failed miserably, costing him crucial subordinates.

Then, after narrowly escaping August with Giovanni’s aid, he’d finally prepared to capture Xerneas and Yveltal, only to discover that a vital component—the core part for absorbing Xerneas' energy—had mysteriously vanished!

After exhaustive searches yielded nothing, as if the part had evaporated, Lysandre barked orders at his subordinates, "Search the entire base! Find the thief immediately!"

As the subordinates scattered, Lysandre glanced at Giovanni apologetically. "My apologies, Giovanni. You’ve seen something rather embarrassing."

Sabrina, recalling Giovanni's usual demeanor, smiled lightly. "Mistakes from subordinates are unavoidable. No need for anger."

Giovanni’s calm words helped Lysandre settle slightly. "Mr. Giovanni, how do you normally deal with subordinates who fail?"

"Me?" Sabrina recalled Giovanni’s actual methods. "Demotions, reassignments to remote areas, and in severe cases—cutting their housing allowances."

"Cutting housing allowances…?" Lysandre pondered thoughtfully.

Was this truly how Team Rocket handled their members?

Realizing the topic was drifting into management tips, Sabrina swiftly redirected it.

"Have you pinpointed the locations of Xerneas and Yveltal yet? My Deoxys can help capture them, though I'd request control over Yveltal," 'Giovanni' proposed.

Lysandre nodded readily. "That's fair."

He never assumed Giovanni’s aid would be free. Besides, Lysandre’s priority was solely Xerneas' power to activate the ultimate weapon.

"Team Flare has long tracked Xerneas," Lysandre said, raising a hand. Instantly, a holographic map of Kalos appeared, dotted with luminous points tracing two clear paths.

"These confirmed sightings trace the movements of Xerneas and Yveltal. My analysts predict their next appearance here!"

As his voice fell, the two lines converged.

The map zoomed, revealing the words "Vaniville Town," instantly transmitted via the encrypted International Police channel to August.

---

"Vaniville Town?"

August studied Sabrina’s message briefly, replied with acknowledgment, then pocketed his phone.

"We're heading out—to Vaniville Town!"

Serena stood humming happily in the garden, heart fluttering with excitement. Just moments ago, she’d spotted Ash during the Johto Silver Conference broadcast!

Despite the crowded lineup of participants, she'd recognized Ash instantly.

The thought of seeing Ash’s battles on TV over the next days filled her with joy, though she felt a tinge of regret.

If only I could cheer him on in person! she sighed.

As Serena pondered asking her mother about traveling to Johto, a shadow suddenly flashed overhead, landing in a clearing nearby.

A massive Salamence stood there, imposing and out-of-place in peaceful Vaniville.

Two figures gracefully dismounted.

"This is Vaniville Town, right?" one asked.

"Should be," the other replied, glancing around. "Let's ask someone."

Both turned simultaneously toward Serena.

Startled, Serena dropped her Wailmer-shaped watering can to the ground.

Seeing this—

"Do I look that scary?" August rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe impersonating Giovanni lately rubbed off some of his villainous aura on me?"

Blue retorted dryly, "I doubt Giovanni's aura is the problem here."

"Ahem… What? I didn't hear you." August coughed awkwardly, turning back to Serena, surprised when he recognized her. What luck—the first person they encountered was Serena herself.

Serena snapped out of her daze upon overhearing their exchange. "Ah, sorry for being rude… but who are you two? Why come to Vaniville?"

She eyed Salamence nervously; such powerful Pokémon rarely appeared here.

"Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself!" August dramatically struck a pose. "Since you've asked sincerely—"

He glanced expectantly at Blue, who sighed but played along reluctantly, "We'll graciously answer."

"To protect the world from devastation—"

"To unite all peoples within our nation—"

"Adorable and charming heroes of justice!"

"August!"

"Blue…"

"And that's us!"

"Psyduck!" Without Mew present, Psyduck jumped from its Pokéball to punctuate the act.

August appreciatively stroked Psyduck’s three goofy hairs.

Serena stared blankly, overwhelmed. Her first impulse was to flee immediately and call the police.

Strange people had invaded Vaniville Town!

Seeing Serena near tears, August sighed. Clearly, he'd arrived too early—this Serena didn't yet understand their Team Rocket joke.

Perhaps she'd need Ash’s friends, Jessie, James, and Meowth, to explain… Wait.

Did he… perhaps… accidentally leave those three back in Hisui?

Shaking that odd thought away, he quickly clarified, "We're International Police, currently on assignment," displaying his badge.

Serena eyed him skeptically. International Police act like this?

August quickly added, "Also, I'm a friend of Ash’s!"

Immediately, Serena’s attitude did a 180-degree turn.

Clearly, Mr. August was a trustworthy, honorable officer!

Love truly blinded people.

---

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!