"Did you know I was coming?" Cynthia turned her head to ask.
"I can foresee the future," Sabrina answered softly.
"Stop pretending to be all-knowing! Do you think you're Celebi?" Caitlin suddenly interjected, her long hair almost brushing the ground.
Cynthia rubbed her temples helplessly.
"Caitlin," Sabrina looked at her calmly, "just because you can't do something doesn't mean others can't."
"What kind of skill is knowing my name?" Caitlin raised her chin. "Your psychic powers are far inferior to mine, how could you possibly foresee the future?"
As the heir of a family renowned for psychic abilities, she had long heard of Sabrina. The two young psychics were often compared, but she never envied this rival from a non-traditional background.
To Caitlin, the rumors about Sabrina's ability to foresee the future seemed laughable. Even her grandfather, whose strength rivaled champion-level Pokémon, couldn't do it, let alone Sabrina.
"You think I'm inferior?" Sabrina's eyes turned cold, her powerful psychic energy bursting forth.
"Caitlin, you're too arrogant," Sabrina said, stretching out her hand coldly.
A blue glow instantly formed a psychic field, filling the air with a suffocating pressure.
"Elite-level psychic power?" Caitlin raised her hand calmly. "For a civilian to have this kind of strength is indeed commendable."
A hint of disdain flashed in her eyes. "But that shouldn't be your reason to challenge me."
The two powerful psychic forces clashed fiercely in the air, causing the calm river surface to churn.
"Impressive!" Cynthia genuinely admired, her gaze fixed solely on Sabrina.
Caitlin hailed from a prestigious family, possessing a rare talent seen once in a century. She had been trained by champion-level trainers since childhood, reaching elite level by eighteen.
Though Sabrina's parents were also psychics, she came from an ordinary family. Yet, a few years older than Caitlin, she could match her evenly.
Perhaps, in terms of talent, Sabrina held the upper hand.
"We're not here to fight." Cynthia gripped a Pokéball, her voice a plea for peace. Sabrina and Caitlin both looked puzzled.
They noticed Cynthia holding a Garchomp Pokéball.
"What do you plan to do?" they asked in unison.
Caitlin was the first to relent, "For Cynthia's sake, as long as she stops, I'll stop."
Sabrina followed, "I will too, if she stops first."
"Sabrina, don't be so arrogant," Caitlin intensified her psychic output.
"It's you who's arrogant." Sabrina stood her ground.
"You think with Cynthia's plea, I'll let you go?"
"I should be saying that."
"I'll make you disappear!"
"Such poor manners for a young lady? I just want to turn you into a doll."
"Watch my power!"
"Let me show you my strength!"
Their psychic clash intensified, creating a psychic storm over the river, even triggering a tornado.
Cynthia shook her head as she watched.
Why were these two so serious?
Would she really have to intervene herself?
"Carl, are you just going to watch?"
Cynthia turned to the tree beside her where Carl lounged, a watermelon in hand, enjoying the spectacle.
"You, a champion, don't intervene, so how could I?" Carl looked innocently at her.
Cynthia pressed on, "But this is your territory. As the gym leader, you should take responsibility."
"Cynthia, don't joke around," Caitlin interjected. "Does he think he can stop us?"
Carl chuckled to himself: Was this girl getting jealous?
But he wouldn't let anyone underestimate him.
Carl tossed the watermelon aside, clapped his hands lightly.
Instantly, Sabrina and Caitlin's psychic powers were nullified.
"Is that enough?" Carl asked, meeting Caitlin's gaze.
In the villa's dining room, Carl sat at the head of the table. To his left were Serena, Lillie, and Sabrina, while Cynthia and Caitlin sat to his right.
Lunch was unusually quiet. Cynthia focused on her meal, while Lillie and Serena were stifled by the tense atmosphere. Sabrina and Caitlin were silent, their psychic powers sealed.
As elite-level psychics, they had never faced a situation where their abilities were rendered ineffective by a mere gesture. This overwhelming power intimidated Caitlin, who dared not speak much. Though Sabrina remained outwardly calm, she was equally shaken inside.
"Did I take it too far?" Carl mused, wiping his mouth as he noticed their restrained demeanor, amused.
This was the power of the World Tree's domain. As it grew from seed to sapling, its range expanded to ten kilometers. Within this area, Carl could suppress any power, including those of special ability users and legendary Pokémon.
With mid-level psychic and aura powers, plus professional-level Pokémon, he was invincible here. Even Rayquaza would have to obey.
Earlier, Sabrina's resolution of the location lingered within the domain's range, allowing Carl to effortlessly seal their psychic powers. Deprived of their greatest asset, they were like declawed tigers, less than kittens.
"Still not convinced?" Carl raised an eyebrow.
Sabrina and Caitlin's eyes lit up simultaneously. They had long been fed up with this feeling of having power but being unable to use it. Yet, admitting defeat was too much for their pride.
"I admit you're strong," Caitlin turned her face away, her ears slightly red. This was the biggest concession she could make.
"I never doubted you," Sabrina casually deflected all responsibility. To her, she was merely dragged into this by Caitlin.
"What do you mean?" Caitlin bristled. Was Sabrina trying to pin it all on her, waiting for her to back down so she could take advantage?
"Just stating the facts," Sabrina remained indifferent.
"You started it!" Caitlin stamped her foot in anger.
"If you hadn't been so disrespectful, I wouldn't have acted." Sabrina retaliated slowly.
"Who asked you to spout nonsense!" Caitlin gritted her teeth. If Sabrina hadn't boasted about foreseeing the future, she wouldn't have cared. But she couldn't back down on a matter of psychic dignity.
"Ignorant," Sabrina's light words nearly made Caitlin choke in frustration.
"Enough, Caitlin," Cynthia intervened at the right moment.
"...Yes," Caitlin, who had been fierce moments before, instantly became as docile as a kitten. Sabrina watched with a slight smile.
Carl looked helplessly at Cynthia, "Enjoyed the show?"
"Isn't it interesting?" Cynthia winked.
"Didn't expect a champion to have such a sense of humor," Carl teased.
"Being a champion is tough, gotta find some fun," Cynthia replied playfully.
Knowing this, Carl found himself puzzled: Why did Cynthia only acknowledge Ash but overlook other trainers' abilities? Though he didn't ask directly, he joked, "I heard being a champion is just your side job?"
Cynthia was momentarily stunned. "Who said that? Nonsense!" She spoke with pride. "Sinnoh is much safer than other regions."
"Really?" Carl countered with a meaningful look. "Sinnoh's peace is thanks to Team Galactic lying low, isn't it? If Cyrus and his crew weren't keeping quiet, it wouldn't be so calm."
Cynthia immediately became alert. "Is there more to your words?" She knew Carl's identity; as the designer of the XY console, his intelligence was not to be underestimated.
"I can only say Sinnoh's situation is more complicated than you think," Carl shrugged, unwilling to elaborate. He didn't want to invite trouble.
Cynthia hesitated. As Sinnoh's champion and a member of the temple family, if she had to ask outsiders about her own territory, it would be embarrassing. But Carl's warning was enough to warrant investigation once she returned.
She shifted topics: "Can Sabrina really foresee the future?" This question was on Caitlin's behalf. If Carl confirmed it, the proud young lady might be convinced.
"Sabrina never lies," Carl took a sip of tea.
Though Sabrina showed no expression, a strange light flickered in her eyes.
Caitlin looked at Sabrina in surprise. "I didn't expect you to really foresee the future. Even our family's accumulated knowledge can't explain this."
Sabrina intended to mock her limited vision, but considering Caitlin's academic background, she held back. She understood that Caitlin's extensive knowledge led to her skepticism about such unique abilities.
Carl calmly explained, "It's quite normal. Just like Psychic Pokémon vary, human psychics can have different talent inclinations."
"I see." Caitlin nodded earnestly. Although the explanation was a bit embarrassing, it was the most reasonable. "I need to record this discovery." Her candid attitude earned Cynthia's silent approval.
Carl changed the subject. "Miss Cynthia, what's your purpose here? It can't just be a vacation to the States?"
"Maybe I'm just here for a holiday?" Cynthia smiled in return.
"Then why not study American history while you're at it?" Carl teased back.
"Could you guess even that? Don't tell me you can foresee the future too," Cynthia joked, half-seriously.
Carl smiled without answering. The information he possessed was far richer than foreseeing the future. In truth, Sabrina's ability was closer to intuition, allowing her to vaguely sense imminent events.
Sabrina suddenly interjected, "Did Chairman Damalanchi send you?"
Cynthia immediately dropped her playful demeanor, speaking seriously, "Did you foresee that too?"
"No," Sabrina said calmly. "I learned that reasoning ability from Carl."
Cynthia was momentarily speechless. Though it was a simple statement, it felt like a boast. Even more amusing, Serena showed envy, while Lillie quietly observed everything.
"Sabrina is amazing," Lillie whispered.
Serena gazed at Sabrina, feeling both envy and unease. She knew she couldn't be as brave as Sabrina, but then thought of her own strengths.
Carl handed her a drink, smiling, "Try this, Mango Sago."
His smile instantly lifted Serena's spirits. While she couldn't match Sabrina's courage, her culinary skills were unmatched. Her mom always said that to win a man's heart, you must first win his stomach. In this, she was confident.
"Still grapefruit?"
"Yes, thank you."
"No need to be so formal, it's my job."
"Then I owe you a bonus."
"Carl, there's no need for such formality between us."
"Alright, I'll give you a little surprise later."
"What kind of surprise?"
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you now."
Serena happily skipped to the kitchen, as light-footed as a bird.
Lillie watched, sighing internally. Was this sister too easy to please? They'd only known each other a week, and she was already so devoted. Lillie resolved not to become like that, setting herself a new goal.
"You mentioned reasoning?" Cynthia naturally picked up the conversation.
"Team Rocket," Sabrina said briefly.
Cynthia nodded, "It does involve Team Rocket. Chairman Damalanchi is concerned about the reliability of internal investigations, so he sought external assistance."
"As the representative for Sinnoh and Kanto cooperation, I was initially headed to Kanto. But before departure, the chairman personally called to have me stop you."
"Stop?" Sabrina furrowed her brow slightly. "That's an interesting word."
"Want to think again?" Cynthia gave a meaningful smile.
Sabrina closed her eyes for a moment, then suddenly opened them, "Am I a pawn?"
"Seems so," Cynthia agreed.
Beside them, Lillie, Serena, and Caitlin all wore puzzled expressions.
Carl sighed, "Giovanni sure acts decisively."
The situation was clear. Sabrina was sent by Giovanni to probe Carl's capabilities, but they were merely in a transactional relationship, lacking full trust. Sabrina had arrived at the American Alliance a day prior, yet failed to report back, prompting Giovanni to suspect an incident and report to the Alliance that Sabrina intended to assassinate the game developer.
Chairman Damalanchi, worried about a diplomatic incident, hastily sent Cynthia to intervene. Yet now they all sat peacefully, sipping tea and chatting.
"Giovanni is despicable!" Serena exclaimed angrily.
"After all, he's the leader of Team Rocket," Lillie echoed.
After hearing Carl's explanation, the two girls couldn't hide their anger.
Cynthia turned to Sabrina, "Can you explain your relationship with Team Rocket? I need a complete report for the chairman."
"Just a transactional relationship. Now my deal is with Carl," Sabrina replied calmly. "I've never done anything for Team Rocket."
Sabrina candidly shared her past experiences, including the incident of turning her mother into a doll. Cynthia, after hearing her out, chose to believe her, guided by intuition and Carl's assurance. The Alliance initially believed Sabrina was sent to assassinate Carl, but their current cooperation further exposed Team Rocket's plot.
"I'll call Chairman Damalanchi," Cynthia nodded to Carl, then left the room.
Caitlin remained behind, speaking with sympathy, "So you've also faced the struggle of uncontrolled power."
Sabrina glanced at her but didn't respond. Though both suffered from uncontrolled power, she knew their situations were vastly different.
Noticing the tension, Serena changed the subject, "Caitlin, have you had similar troubles?"