A/N: I always thought it was a shame the "Battle Frontier" arc in the anime never expanded more on Ash's Kanto adventures; ergo the incentive for this story.

Disclaimer: "Pokémon" is property of Nintendo, Pokémon USA, Satoshi Tajiri, Game Freaks, etc.

Arguably the largest metropolis in the Kanto region, Saffron City is home to many businesses and industries. The people work, they learn, they play. Amongst the usual throng of locals a girl in red with a kerchief around her noggin was going to take advantage of the town's shopping districts.

"I can't believe we nearly left Saffron City without buying anything!" May dashed down the street wondering which store they should go to first.

"Geez, first noodles and now shopping." Max sighed at his older sister's exuberance. "We're never going to leave Saffron City at this rate."

The eldest member of their group was sympathetic. "Well, it can't be helped. Maybe we should get something for our families while we're here."

"Hey…" Ash paused and looked around. "Where'd May go?"

There wasn't much time to waste. May knew that Ash wanted to move on to get his next Frontier Symbol, but she wouldn't allow an opportunity such as this to pass her by. In the back of her mind though, the coordinator thought maybe they'd have to stay in the city for another night. She thought all this while she rounded a corner, bumping into someone coming from the other side.

May felt herself fall back and prepared for the impact; a feeling that never came. With her eyes closed, May thought she was imagining things, but when she opened them she realized she was sitting in midair. Her eyes widened in shock and she looked up at the person standing before her.

It was a girl older than herself; long, dark jade tresses fallen around the fitted crimson and ebony ensemble she wore, trimmed with gold. Added to her flawless milky skin contrasting with sharp sapphire eyes, May felt in awe of the presence this mysterious person carried.

Her body was lifted back to its feet, but as May gazed at the girl it was as if she were still floating. Not until she spoke did May break out of her reverie.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah!" May blinked and quickly made a bow. "I'm sorry!"

In a clear but soft tone she heard a reply of, "It's fine."

When May straightened she found herself being looked at carefully by the other female.

"Aren't you the girl from the pokémon contest? Your name's May… correct?"

For some reason it surprised May that this person would be watching contests, let alone recognize her. "Y-Yes, that's right."

She nodded in confirmation. "I watched you compete. It was very impressive."

"Thank you." Feeling more at ease now after the brief exchange, May ventured to ask, "Are you interested in pokémon contests?"

"It's a relatively new concept for me. I've been in pokémon battles more often."

"Then, you're a pokémon trainer?"

"Actually, I'm –"

"May!" Ash's voice resounded from a few meters away. "Where are you - Ahhhh!" After he had turned and found the pair, the sight of the taller girl caused him to stumble back a couple of steps.

Confused by his reaction, May inquired, "Ash, what's the matter?"

"I-I-" He was pointing a shaky finger with Pikachu perched on his shoulder, wearing an alarmed expression to match his trainer's. "It's Sabrina!"

"Sabrina?" May echoed.

A look of recognition appeared over the ESPer's face. "Oh, you're…"

- - -

Thinking it would be better to converse somewhere more private, Sabrina lead the group to a nearby café after joining with Max and Brock. It was a place she visited on occasion with her mother, and they sat in a booth by the front window with a simple order of tea.

"I didn't think we'd run into you here," Ash commented after their servings had been laid out.

Sabrina lifted her cup, preparing to take a sip. "Well, I am Saffron City's gym leader after all."

"You're a gym leader?" The earlier impression May had felt from the girl now seemed justified in this light.

Her younger brother seemed animated upon learning Sabrina's position. "Then that must mean you and Ash battled before when he started out as a trainer here!"

"That's correct." There was a soft clink as Sabrina replaced her teacup on its saucer. Slightly pensive, she added, "It wasn't a very conventional battle however."

Bewildered by her remark, Ash and Brock proceeded to explain to the siblings what had conspired. Everything from Ash's first defeat, to the dollhouse, to the Lavender Town exploits was related to them.

The reminiscence reminded Ash of the ghost pokémon he had looked to for help. "Hey, is Haunter still around by the way?"

As if on cue, Haunter materialized directly in front of Ash's face, cackling as Ash jumped and gave a yelp of surprise.

"Yes, Haunter is still here," Sabrina answered almost sardonically.

"How are your parents?" Brock recalled that the circumstances surrounding Sabrina's parental relationship were fantastical to say the least.

She responded with an unimposing smile. "They're doing fine." The truth was that after Ash, Misty, and Brock had left her family, there was a period when Sabrina repented what she had done and her parents consoled her. She wouldn't have blamed them if they were frustrated, distraught, but during and even after her obsession with her power, her parents' feelings had never changed. She considered herself very fortunate in this case.

Brock was apparently satisfied with her obligatory reply. "Things must be going quite well for you these days."

For a second Sabrina appeared startled by his comment, her expression shifting to something uneasy.

Her reaction didn't go unnoticed by May. "Is something wrong?"

The prompt made Sabrina remember herself and she shook off whatever had possessed her. "Ah, it's nothing." She slipped out of the booth and stood to leave. "I should be returning to the gym."

Ash suddenly sprang up himself, his attention focused on the ESPer. "Sabrina, I challenge you to a battle!"

His friends all gawked at him in surprise and confusion.

"Ash, what are you saying?" May's gaze switched between the trainer and gym leader.

"Don't you already have the Marsh Badge?" alleged Max. "Besides, I thought you were done with the Kanto League."

"It's not that, it's what was said before," Ash clarified. "It's true that I didn't earn the badge by knocking out her pokémon like gym battles are usually won. I've thought about it before, and now that I have this chance I want to win that way."

Though the others still seemed unconvinced, Sabrina was studying the boy's unwavering disposition.

She closed her eyes and spoke. "Understood…" They flickered open to reveal her sapphire eyes once more. "I accept your challenge."