Chapter 273: “Blue: You Dare Treat Me Like This?!”

You want to hang me from a chandelier?

"Hah! Great idea—I'll hang you from a streetlight instead!"

Blue laughed out loud. Nice threat, but could this guy really back it up?

"Blue, right? Aizen's strength is no joke."

Cynthia and Geeta, as responsible seniors, gave Blue a serious warning.

They understood perfectly well that young people had pride—if not now, then when?

But showing off in front of Aizen? That was dangerous.

"Hah! He's strong? And I'm not?" Blue sneered.

"Blastoise!"

Even while talking tough, Blue didn't hesitate—he sent out his ace Pokémon, Blastoise.

He then raised his right arm—the Key Stone on his bracelet glowed brilliantly.

"Blastoise! Mega Evolve!"

Blastoise growled as evolution light enveloped its body.

"Mega Evolution…"

Cynthia and Geeta were surprised. Mega Evolution was still new to most people, and this power-up that let Pokémon evolve further had captured their interest.

They were both already searching for compatible Mega Stones, but hadn't had any luck yet. They didn't expect this young trainer to already have one for his partner.

Soon, Mega Blastoise stood proudly—its shell now armed with a massive central cannon and two smaller ones on each arm.

Its aura was fierce, and the sharp, aggressive intent unique to Blue's Blastoise was downright chilling.

Seeing that, Cynthia's eyes flashed. These young trainers might be cocky, but their strength was undeniable.

Unbelievable, considering how young he looked.

"This was a gift from my closest friend—a Mega Stone given to me by Dylan himself! He's known as the 'Rocket Executive Slayer'!"

Blue grinned. Back when Dylan had given him a choice between Blastoise's and Tyranitar's Mega Stones, he picked the one for his starter. Blastoise had always held a special place in his heart.

And sure enough, Mega Blastoise's power was incredible!

So much so, Blue even felt he could take on Lance!

"A Mega Blastoise, huh? Not bad," Aizen nodded approvingly.

"Come now, cocky kid—let's see what you've got. Don't disappoint me."

Hands in his pockets, Aizen smiled casually, standing tall and poised.

God, what a poser.

Blue scowled. He hated people who acted cool in front of him. He especially hated those who could do it better than him!

"Blastoise! Hydro Cannon!"

Blue shouted without hesitation.

Seeing him go on the offensive, Cynthia and Geeta also pulled out Poké Balls. Though they'd lost two of their core fighters, they still had others.

And to deal with Aizen, they'd have to team up.

Mega Blastoise lowered its head slightly. Its arm and back cannons glowed blue with Water-type energy.

Hydro Cannon!

Two small streams and one massive beam of water rocketed toward Koraidon.

"That's it?" Aizen chuckled softly.

"Koraidon."

Koraidon's massive claw gleamed with sharp blue light as it raised one arm and slashed diagonally downward.

Dragon Claw!

A streak of glowing greenish-blue energy cut through the air, shattering all three Hydro Cannons into a spray of mist.

The brutal guardian dragon stepped forward, its violent aura washing over them. Blue's face paled.

"No way!"

He was stunned. That was Mega Blastoise's Hydro Cannon! How could this unfamiliar Pokémon just tank it?

"That's Koraidon—it's a legendary Pokémon. Its strength is on a whole different level,"

Geeta said, her tone serious. If she recalled correctly, Koraidon had been summoned by Professors Sada and Turo using a time machine.

Very few people knew about this, but she was one of them.

But how did Aizen end up with it? Could this be the one that escaped back then? She would definitely ask the professors once she returned to Paldea.

"I see…"

Blue furrowed his brow. A legendary Pokémon—it made sense now. No wonder it was this strong.

Still, just because it was legendary didn't mean it couldn't be beaten.

"Aurorus!"

"Lucario!"

Geeta and Cynthia released their other core Pokémon.

"Tyranitar!"

Blue tossed out his second Poké Ball, and Tyranitar landed with a roar.

Four powerful Pokémon now faced off against Koraidon.

"Interesting… a three-on-one?" Aizen smiled, spinning his Poké Ball between his fingers.

"Don't say it's unfair—you're way too strong," Geeta said gravely.

"Not at all. I respect your teamwork,"

Aizen remained composed and refined, adjusting his glasses.

"But the result will be the same."

"You arrogant jerk!"

Blue couldn't take it anymore. He hated people who acted cooler than him—especially when they actually were!

"Let me show you what I'm really made of!!"

"Very well. I'll take you all on."

Aizen smiled faintly.

Then—

"You've gotta be kidding me! How is he this strong?!"

Blue stumbled back two steps, staring at his fallen Tyranitar and Blastoise in shock.

Koraidon had one foot on Tyranitar's chest, and both Aurorus and Lucario were down.

(Not a single one could fight back.jpg)

Koraidon stood proudly, its gaze looking down on all three trainers. Except for Big Bro, Second Bro, Third Bro, Fourth Bro, and the new Fifth Bro, everyone else was just trash!

"Looks like none of you could defeat my Koraidon."

Aizen chuckled, turning his gaze to Blue.

Blue immediately shivered. Something about that look made him uneasy.

Cynthia and Geeta said nothing.

Blue instinctively reached for his Poké Balls, trying to recall his fallen partners.

But the red beam of light was intercepted—Koraidon's tail lashed out, knocking it away.

"What the hell?! What's your problem?!"

Blue glared furiously at Aizen. This guy was deliberately stopping him from recalling his Pokémon!

"Losers need to accept their place. Think of this as a lesson."

Aizen's gentle smile curved as he adjusted his glasses.

"Since you lost, I don't think it's unreasonable to make a little request, is it?"

"…"

Blue's face changed instantly. He remembered what Aizen had said earlier. No way… was he serious?!

"Here, put this on."

Aizen said softly, tossing a small bag toward him.

Blue caught it, opened it—and his face turned green.

"No way! You bastard! How dare you humiliate me like this?!"

He clenched his teeth. Inside the bag were a wig and a school swimsuit.

He was Blue Oak, a proud man, the future Champion of Kanto and maybe even the world!

How could he wear something like this?!

He didn't even have that kind of hobby!!

"You bastard! Do you know who my brother is?! You'd better not go too far!!"

Blue's voice rose. Did this guy not know who Dylan was?! How dare he treat him this way?!

"Oh? But I've got Tyranitar and Blastoise in my hands right now,"

Aizen chuckled, gesturing to the two Pokémon that had been "conquered" by Koraidon.

"You…!"

Blue's face turned dark. What a shameless guy!

He looked helplessly toward Cynthia and Geeta.

Cynthia: "…"

"Look at what we're wearing."

Geeta sighed, gesturing at her own cheongsam, indicating they couldn't help.

That's when Blue realized—these two champions weren't dressed like this because they enjoyed it.

They were victims of this madman before he got there!

Blue's expression froze. He was done.

—

25th Floor.

With a thunderous boom, a shadowy figure darted toward Lorelei's Dewgong, slashing it with purple-black claws.

It was Karen's Weavile.

Dewgong cried out and retaliated with an Ice Beam, but Weavile dodged with a graceful leap, grinning wickedly.

"My, my~ Lorelei, looks like you're not as tough as your reputation says."

"If you say sorry now, I might let you leave," Karen said sweetly, resting her chin on her hand.

"Hmph."

Lorelei pushed up her glasses and coldly returned Dewgong, sending out a Jynx instead.

"You really are disgusting. All your words reek like the sewers you crawled out of."

Karen's smile froze.

But before she could reply, a spring-loaded kick shot toward Weavile like lightning.

Normal-type—Mega Kick!

Weavile narrowly dodged, the wind from the strike sharp as a blade. If that had landed, it would've gone flying!

Karen narrowed her eyes.

The kick retracted, and a brown Pokémon leapt from the stairwell—Hitmonlee, the Kicking Fiend.

"A Hitmonlee? Then that means…"

Karen immediately recognized it. A moment later, heavy footsteps echoed—Bruno entered the scene.

"Of course it's Bruno. Ugh, what a pain."

Karen clicked her tongue. This was bad.

Bruno, the third Elite Four of Kanto, a master of Fighting-types. He was even stronger than Lorelei.

She hadn't expected Lorelei—ranked fourth—to already be Champion level. But Bruno was ranked above her, and Fighting-types countered Karen's Dark-type team.

"This isn't fair, Lorelei. Can't win, so you call backup?"

Karen readied another Poké Ball. Even she couldn't handle both of them at once.

She was already thinking about how to retreat. If it were just Bruno, she might manage. Despite the type disadvantage, she had her tricks.

But two-on-one? Too hard. She wasn't going to jail just to prove a point.

"Do we need to play fair with Rocket trash?" Lorelei said icily.

"Nice to see you're proud of ganging up on me," Karen scoffed. Time to get serious.

If it got too rough—she'd bail. No shame in that. She wasn't letting herself end up like Sosuke.

—

Back near Silph Co., the surrounding streets were a wreck.

Giovanni was currently fighting alone—against three people!

Lance, Agatha, and Red had surrounded him.

Even Giovanni was feeling the pressure. Lance and Red's Pokémon attacked head-on, and while Giovanni's Mewtwo and Mega Beedrill were powerful, it wasn't easy.

Especially with Agatha lurking in the shadows behind.

To avoid being sneak-attacked, Giovanni had to keep Mega Beedrill close at all times.

Just then, a pair of crimson eyes lit up in Giovanni's shadow—a ghostly claw reached out.

Agatha's Gengar!

But Mega Beedrill reacted instantly, its stinger striking Gengar in a flash of darkness.

Gengar retreated, melting back into the shadows.

Giovanni glanced toward Agatha, who leaned calmly on her cane.

"Lady Agatha, sneaking around like this… not very dignified, is it?"

"Hehehe~ I'm too old for direct combat, dear. I leave that to you youngsters."

Agatha chuckled, totally unbothered.

Shameless old hag…

Giovanni looked upward—Mewtwo was now locked in battle against Giant Dragonite, Lance's ace Dragonite, two Dragonair, and Red's Charizard X.

Mewtwo was fighting five-on-one!

Even Mewtwo was beginning to feel the pressure. Lance and Red's Pokémon weren't weak by any means.

And Giovanni couldn't help—if he got distracted, Gengar might reappear behind him.

Just then, Koraidon crashed down from the sky, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Well, well~ Baraggan, things aren't looking so good for you."

A magnetic voice rang out as a white-clad, elegant man stepped forward—Aizen.

Giovanni had been using the alias Baraggan.

"Aizen, you're here."

Giovanni relaxed slightly. With Aizen, things would get easier.

All three enemies turned their gazes to the newcomer.

"Aizen?"

"Lady Agatha of the Kanto Elite Four? A pleasure to finally meet you," Aizen said, turning to her.

"What about Cynthia, Geeta, and that Blue kid?" Agatha frowned.

"Oh, them? I already beat them. Gave them a little punishment for losing, too."

Aizen smiled and turned his gaze to Red. Yep—he already had those artistic photos of Blue.

Once this was over, he'd send them straight to Red, so he could fully appreciate his childhood friend's hidden charm.

And maybe… he'd send a copy to Professor Oak too.

Hmm~ Wonder if the good Professor would faint after seeing his grandson in such an elegant pose?

 (End of Chapter)