Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [443]

Malva? In trouble?

Diantha’s immediate reaction was confusion.

But she quickly remembered August’s earlier words. Could this be the "performance" he'd mentioned?

She glanced at August, who simply smiled back, then spoke into the phone:

“Don’t panic. Tell me exactly what's going on.”

Malva’s voice was tense. “It’s too complicated to explain over the phone. I'll come find you right now—where are you, August?”

“Let’s see…I’m at the Meowscarada’s Psychic Café on Lumiose Central Boulevard.” August paused deliberately. “Oh, Diantha’s here too! Perfect timing, we can discuss this together.”

On the other end of the line, Malva noticeably hesitated. Clearly, she hadn't anticipated Diantha being there.

But she quickly recovered, her tone suddenly relieved. “Diantha's there too? That's wonderful!”

Perhaps because of August’s earlier hint, Diantha now sensed something insincere in Malva’s words.

And indeed, Malva was entirely insincere.

She and Lysandre had planned solely for August! Diantha’s presence was completely unexpected—but the preparations were already complete, leaving them no choice but to proceed.

“There's no time to lose, I'm coming right away!” Malva insisted urgently.

“Alright, we'll wait for you here,” August replied calmly.

Ending the call, he looked up at Diantha.

“The ‘performance’ you mentioned earlier…” Diantha began hesitantly.

But before she finished, August nodded knowingly. “Exactly. This is all part of the show.”

“Malva has connections to Team Flare?”

“It’s much deeper than mere connections,” August explained casually. “She’s actually one of Team Flare’s Executives.”

Diantha froze.

Learning that Malva was a Team Flare Executive shocked her nearly as much as discovering Lysandre’s crimes.

As Kalos Champion, she'd maintained a close friendship with Malva. Discovering Malva’s true identity made her realize she’d never really known her at all.

But August interrupted her introspection: “Remember, don’t blow your cover.”

Diantha nodded instinctively, and moments later, the café door swung open.

Malva entered with convincing urgency.

“August! Diantha!” Malva smiled brightly, showing no signs of deception.

Diantha, an internationally acclaimed actress, matched Malva’s performance effortlessly, her own smile perfectly composed, betraying none of her newfound suspicions.

As Malva took her seat, August waved to the Meowscarada behind the counter and asked Malva casually, “Want something to drink?”

“Just coffee is fine.”

“One hand-brewed coffee, please!” August called.

Malva watched curiously as Meowscarada deftly manipulated the brewing tools with psychic powers. Moments later, the serious-faced Pokémon delivered her coffee.

As Meowscarada turned away, August impulsively reached out and rubbed its head.

“Meow!” Meowscarada’s expression instantly soured. With a disdainful feline glare, it pointed emphatically at a sign on the wall:

[This isn't a cat café! Do NOT touch the manager without permission!]

August immediately raised his hands apologetically. “Sorry, my fault! Here’s an apology gift.”

He swiftly produced a Secret Recipe Pokéblock from his pocket.

Initially, the dignity of being café manager prevented Meowscarada from accepting treats from patrons—

She wasn’t some shameless housecat, after all!

But…

It smells so heavenly!

Her eyes locked onto the tempting treat August was holding. After a brief internal struggle between dignity and temptation, Meowscarada decisively chose temptation.

“Meow~!”

Just a small nibble—

—and Meowscarada was suddenly rolling delightedly on the table, her cool demeanor replaced by blissful delirium.

Malva watched this odd scene with confusion, wondering if August had produced some new kind of catnip. But before she could comment, August's voice drew her back.

“Malva, you mentioned something important on the phone…?” August reminded gently.

Remembering her mission, Malva quickly composed herself. Meeting August’s and Diantha’s eyes, she launched into her carefully prepared story:

“It started with one of my investigative reporters…”

She told a suspenseful tale: one of her reporters had spotted suspicious activity at Kalos Power Plant on the outskirts of Lumiose City. Suspecting a big scoop, the reporter infiltrated the plant. He had regularly updated Malva until suddenly, communications ceased.

“This is the last picture he sent me.” Malva projected a blurry holographic image from her phone.

The picture appeared hastily taken, yet clearly showed figures dressed in orange-red suits gathered inside the power plant.

“I knew you were the expert, August, so I came directly to you. And with Diantha here too, everything should be easy!” Malva added with relief.

Had August not warned her earlier, Diantha might have believed Malva wholeheartedly and rushed to rescue this ‘investigative reporter.’ But now…

Instead, she calmly deferred to August. “August, this is your specialty. What's your take?”

August sipped his hot cocoa thoughtfully.

Pointing to the figures in the hologram, he remarked, “These uniforms look like Team Flare’s.”

“Team Flare?” Malva feigned shock.

Keep acting. Go on, August thought sarcastically, though outwardly he wore a thoughtful expression.

“I'd heard about Team Flare before coming to Kalos,” he began deliberately.

Malva leaned in eagerly, certain this confirmed August’s intent to investigate Team Flare—

But August continued smoothly: “I always thought Team Flare was just some kind of secret society. I never imagined they were involved in criminal activities!”

“I have no choice but to look into this now.”

Malva stared at August, dumbstruck.

August’s reaction was entirely different from Giovanni’s description. Had August truly not suspected Team Flare from the beginning? Had she just personally handed over evidence of her own group’s criminal activities?

Malva suddenly felt like the biggest clown in Kalos.

“I…maybe there’s a mistake,” she stammered awkwardly, attempting damage control. “I should go back and double-check with my team first.”

But August fixed her with an unusually serious stare.

“Malva, that attitude is exactly why I must criticize you!” he admonished earnestly. “Your subordinate could be in serious danger right now! What if the situation really is dire? While you double-check, your reporter could get killed!”

Killed? Impossible! Malva thought desperately. The reporter she sent was a Team Flare trainer, too. This was all just an elaborate performance—there was no danger at all!

Yet she couldn't tell August that. Forced to accept his stern rebuke, she lowered her head in shameful silence.

August pressed further, now entirely serious, “Since Diantha and I are here, let's immediately investigate the power plant. If Team Flare truly is committing crimes, I'll officially report them as a criminal organization.”

“You have my word as an International Police officer: no criminal will escape justice!”

Malva was utterly numb.

Of course Team Flare was criminal—she knew better than anyone!

She desperately wanted to warn Lysandre, but August never took his eyes off her, denying every opportunity to alert her boss.

Malva’s stomach churned uneasily, realizing she'd likely doomed Team Flare herself.

And the worst was yet to come!

Meanwhile, August was feeling supremely pleased, silently humming a cheerful tune.

Beside him, Diantha, who also knew everything, watched August gleefully torment Malva with an amused expression.

She secretly wondered exactly what Malva had done to earn such personal spite from August, but wisely kept quiet.

Privately, she found herself enjoying it immensely. After all, discovering she’d been deceived for years by Malva—someone she’d trusted deeply—still stung sharply.

“No point wasting time—let’s go!” August stood up abruptly.

Diantha calmly rose and followed him, composed and collected.

Malva trailed behind them, her face twisting miserably.

After settling the bill, August boldly petted Meowscarada’s ear one last time, darting away at lightning speed just as the Pokémon began to bristle angrily.

Fuming silently, Meowscarada glared after him.

It’s one thing to pet me without permission, but at least pay the touching fee!

...

Facing the sleek, futuristic architecture—so different from Kanto’s style—August turned to Malva.

“This is it?”

Malva nodded weakly, pale-faced. Throughout the journey, she’d repeatedly tried and failed to send Lysandre a warning under August’s watchful eyes.

Diantha interjected suddenly, looking concerned. “Malva, you seem quite pale. Are you alright?”

Surprised by Diantha’s subtle teasing, August glanced at her appreciatively.

Diantha returned his gaze, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Malva, oblivious to their silent exchange, quickly improvised: “I’m just worried about my subordinate. What if something terrible happened…”

She convincingly wore an anxious expression.

August patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Relax! With Diantha and me here, we can handle anything.”

That's exactly why I'm worried! Malva thought desperately.

Team Flare’s trap had targeted only August—but now Diantha, a regional champion, complicated everything.

Malva could only pray her earlier message to Lysandre would prompt adjustments. Otherwise…

Her heart sank in dread.

While Malva brooded, August enacted his "plan"—which was less a plan than an outright provocation.

Producing a loudspeaker, he shouted dramatically into the power plant:

“Attention! You're surrounded! Lay down your Poké Balls and surrender immediately, and I promise leniency! Resist, and we’ll treat you harshly!”

Malva gaped in disbelief.

Wasn't the International Police known for infiltration? What kind of tactic was this?!

Sensing Diantha’s incredulous look, August shrugged innocently.

“What? This is standard police protocol in Kanto!”

Diantha stared speechlessly.

Protocol aside, this situation was absurd—two trainers plus one traitor surrounding a whole criminal group?!

Though…considering August’s legendary strength, perhaps it made sense.

Moments later, a startled voice from inside answered August’s provocative challenge.

---

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!