Jan 22

There's not much to do in Saffron. Please make note that this isn't my personal opinion, as I find this city fascinating, but merely a statement of fact. With nearly a third of the world's population living within its borders, Saffron is almost entirely residential. The lure of safety has driven all these people to live in the exact center of Kanto, as far from the still untamed wilds as they can. Saffron folk tend to stay indoors as often as possible, rarely straying outside and staring down any visitors as if they might shatter their relative safety.

In fact, soon Saffron may forsake the outdoors all-together. The great Tunnel Project has entered its final stages and is expected to be completed by this time next year. Started four years ago as a way to travel from route to route without entering Saffron, it has grown into a complex maze of passageways connecting every building in the city's borders. The construction manager was unavailable for comment, but a representative said that the digging is progressing on schedule.

My interview with Sabrina came earlier than I was expecting. I had chosen to visit Saffron's old pokemon gym beforehand to prepare. I wanted to ask her about the time she had defeated every fighter in the dojo and claimed the Leader position, and I felt seeing the place myself would inspire some questions.

The building had certainly seen better days. The roof had fallen in along one wall and I had to struggle to pull the door open. Vandals had long ago broken in and defiled the once proud gym. Wall scrolls and posters lay ripped and crumpled against the walls, litter and debris were scattered everywhere, and several of the ornamental pillars had been broken. I stood amongst all that ruin, thinking about what a shame it was that such a historic building had become this devastated, when an earsplitting screech filled the air. I spun to see the doors slamming shut on their own accord.

Behind me, someone coughed. Spinning back around, I saw Sabrina herself at the head of the gym, staring down at two, decrepit scrolls barely clinging to the wall.

Gym Leader Sabrina: This building is a symbol. An example of what I can do.

Cool Trainer Allen: Ah…you startled me! I thought I was alone in here…

GLS: You were. Now you aren't. I understand you want to talk with me, Allen?

CTA: I…yes, I do. How did you know my name?

GLS: There's not much that is secret to me in this city. And let's make this quick, shall we? It won't take that accursed Aide long to figure out I'm gone.

CTA: You don't want Saffron's Aide to know where you are?

GLS: I don't believe the good professor needs to know every little thing I'm doing. His little helpers are always around somewhere, watching, and everything they hear eventually reaches Oak's ears. Truthfully, I'm amazed you're allowed to do this project at all. There're many things I'm sure he doesn't want coming to light…

CTA: That's…some dangerous talk. Are you sure you want me to write this?

GLS: Hahaha, go right ahead! The old codger can't touch me, and he knows it. But isn't this interview supposed to be about our history? Perhaps I should ask your questions for you.

CTA: Uh…no, it's alright. So, why did you want to be a gym leader?

GLS: Someone in power needed to be independent of the system. I chose to take over the Saffron gym because of how crowded this city is. The good professor may not like me so close to his inner circle, but he can't do anything overt with all these people around. And nothing covert can even come close.

CTA: You talk like you're at war with him.

GLS: I'm not a Rocket. I just choose not to follow blindly after the first illusion of security that comes by. Let's hurry this along. You were going to ask me about Bruce.

CTA: Yes, I was. What was…

GLS: Blackbelt Bruce was an idiot. All blind loyalty and stubborn pride. I assure you that the only reason he gained the leader title was because of how easily controlled he could be. He insisted that I had to fight each of his pupils before I could challenge him, so he could study my pokemon in battle. It didn't work out well, and even after I soundly defeated him he refused to give up his position. He even offered me his own pokemon to get me to leave. I'll admit I may have lost my temper then, as I had kadabra throw him through that wall over there.

CTA: But even after you gained control of the gym, Bruce stayed around for a while.

GLS: I said he was stubborn. He petitioned that since Saffron was so much larger than all the other cities, it should have twice as many gyms. Fool just couldn't bear to give up his power. And he proved annoyingly resistant to my persuasion…but he eventually caused enough of an embarrassment of himself that he got shipped off to Victory Road. Enough reminiscing about that idiot, though. Was there anything else you wanted to know?

CTA: About two years ago, didn't…

GLS: Ahh, Red! I remember him well. Bright boy, very talented. You could already see that his journey was shaping him into the stuff of legends. He was a bit confused about a couple of things when he came for me, though. I like to think that I helped…clear his mind on certain matters. It's been a pleasure talking to you, Allen. I must go now.

CTA: Just one more question! Several times you've seemed to know what I'm about to say. Are you…

GLS: I don't think I'll answer that. If it's really that important for you to know, why don't you ask my old friend Mr. Fuji? Hmm, that reminds me. Teleport.

A blinding light filled the room for a second, and when my eyes cleared an alakazam was standing next to Sabrina. And trapping within a shining sphere of energy above its head was my haunter! I hadn't seen it since I had arrived, and I had just assumed that it had wandered off on its own like it usually does.

CTA: Haunter!

GLS: I don't allow their kind to wander the streets of this city freely. I suggest you keep it on a tighter leash for the remainder of your stay. You're heading to Cerulean next, right?

CTA: Yes, but I didn't say…

GLS: I suggest you head south instead. You'll find some very interesting things down there very soon. Teleport.

Another flash, and she was gone. I gave haunter a quick onceover to be sure it was alright and left the decrepit building. As I was leaving, a man I recognized as Oak's Aide ran up and breathlessly demanded to know if I had seen Sabrina. I told him she had been here but disappeared a few seconds ago. He cursed and sped off around the corner towards the real gym's entrance.