At that moment, footsteps sounded, and a middle‑aged man wearing a baseball cap, a goatee, and casual clothes approached.
"What can I help you with?"
"Hello," Natsui said warmly. "I'm here to challenge the Gym Leader, Sabrina. Is she around?"
The man nodded, his gaze settling on Kirlia.
"You like Psychic‑type Pokémon too? Although you, personally, don't seem to have the potential to awaken psychic powers."
"Huh?" Natsui said, puzzled. "Why would I need psychic powers? I'm not planning to do magic tricks."
"Magic tricks?!" The man felt as though he'd been strangled. After coughing a couple of times, he turned and strode into the gym. "Follow me, but don't say I didn't warn you: someone without psychic powers can't bring out the full potential of a Psychic‑type Pokémon!"
I can't bring out her full potential?
Natsui stroked Kirlia's head without replying.
He was just saying that a Trainer without psychic powers can't form a mental bond with their Pokémon.
While that might limit other Trainers with Psychic‑type Pokémon, for Natsui and Kirlia it was no problem at all!
Passing down a long corridor, Natsui arrived at the battle arena.
The floor was tiled in marble, and two rows of stone pillars rose to the ceiling. Lit torches flanked the battlefield, making it feel more like a temple than a gym.
On the far side of the arena, a tall, beautiful woman with pale skin, long straight black hair, clad in a tight red leather outfit and long black stockings, sat calmly in a chair, watching him.
She was the Saffron City Gym Leader: Sabrina.
"Sabrina, you have another challenger," the middle‑aged man announced before stepping into the center of the arena to act as referee.
Sabrina's body rose slowly and floated over to the Trainer's side.
That she could do that with her own psychic power left Natsui both envious and impressed.
"I foresaw your arrival," Sabrina said in a serene, cold voice, as though she felt no strong emotions. "And I sense in you, besides psychic power, an annoying prankster's aura."
No wonder she's so powerful—she can even see the Gastly hiding in my shadow!
The impression had been so strong that Natsui still remembered her backstory quite clearly.
When Sabrina was little, she awakened her innate psychic powers early. Unfortunately, her obsession with training gradually closed her heart. She made no friends, destroyed her own home, even used her powers to drive out her father when he tried to stop her, and turned her mother into a doll.
From that moment on, Sabrina split into two personalities: one powerful and undefeated, the other lonely, playful, and longing for friends.
However, Natsui had arrived at just the right time. A few days ago, Ash, with the Haunter he brought from the Pokémon Tower, had managed to bring Sabrina back to her true self. Now, even though she still seemed cold and expressionless, her heart was no longer closed—she'd reconciled with her family and even smiled occasionally.
Thinking this, Natsui cast a quick glance at the middle‑aged man.
He must be Sabrina's father, right?
"Excuse me…" Natsui snapped back and asked, "what are the battle rules?"
Sabrina replied, "It's a one‑on‑one match. If you defeat my Pokémon, you pass the challenge."
With that, Sabrina slowly withdrew a Poké Ball. In a flash of red light, a whiskered, fox‑like Pokémon appeared on the battlefield.
Just as expected—it was the Kadabra that accompanies Sabrina in the anime!
Pokédex: "Bip. Kadabra, the Psychic Pokémon. A Psychic‑type and the evolution of Abra. It's said that strange things happen near a Kadabra, like clocks running backward. It can also emit special alpha waves from its body that cause pain to enemies who get too close. Very demanding of its Trainer; it won't accept anyone without strong mental fortitude. Additionally, without its spoon, it can use only half its psychic power."
Natsui closed the Pokédex and extended his hand. At his feet, Kirlia slowly stepped onto the battlefield.
"Aren't you going to send out your Ghost‑type Pokémon?" Sabrina asked.
Natsui shook his head without further explanation. After all, Gastly was too strong and had the type advantage. Using it against Kadabra wouldn't let his other Pokémon train, and it would leave Sabrina with no chance to counterattack.
At that moment, a Haunter flew out from the side. It circled Sabrina once, then, as if seeing the Gastly in Natsui's shadow, hurried toward him.
When Natsui's Gastly saw it, it also floated out of the shadow. The two Pokémon flew together, making faces at each other, clearly delighted.
Haunter is the evolution of Gastly. For first‑time acquaintances to be so friendly… it seems their species loves to play.
But…
This must be the Haunter Ash brought from the Pokémon Tower, right?
Just as I thought—it didn't return to the Tower; it stayed by Sabrina's side!
Seeing both Pokémon ready and Sabrina showing no intention of attacking first, Natsui took the initiative and shouted, "Kirlia, use Confusion!"
Kirlia raised her hands and unleashed her power instantly, striking first. An invisible force surged toward Kadabra.
Sabrina said nothing, but Kadabra lifted the arm holding its spoon and launched its own Confusion.
The two Confusion beams collided in midair, unleashing a brilliant light. Yet as both continued to push their power, Kirlia's expression grew strained.
Although both had evolved once, Kirlia's psychic ability was inevitably outmatched by Kadabra's!
Finally, Kadabra's Confusion struck Kirlia with full force, knocking her off balance and forcing her to step back.
Luckily, since both were the same type, their psychic attacks didn't hurt each other too much.
"Kirlia, use Magical Leaf!"
At Natsui's command, a green light formed in Kirlia's hands. A continuous stream of Magical Leaves then shot toward Kadabra at high speed.
Sabrina's expression remained unchanged, but at the critical moment, Kadabra suddenly used Teleport to dodge the attack.
She can issue orders to Kadabra telepathically, without speaking.
And that is Sabrina's true strength!
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