Chapter Sixty Seven: A Game of Strategy

So, this is what I have been waiting a week for, Alaska thought as she walked slowly towards the Saffron Gym battlefield. She had noticed that the gyms seemed to get grander and bigger with each one she visited, and part of her had been hoping for something exciting and unique from someone as bizarre as Sabrina. However, as she stepped towards the challenger's area, Alaska was disappointed by how identical the battle field was to rest of the gym: it had the same glowing walls and floors with the same swirling pattern, with only a fluorescent green outline marking both the pitch and the area as being any different to the dozens of other rooms in the building.

"I see you chose to save money on the decorations," she called out to her opponent, and the gym leader turned towards her, their eyes meeting for the first time in a week. Sabrina looked same as she had in their first and only meeting, wearing a similar purple shirt and black trousers combo and her face was plastered with the same look that Alaska could only describe as blank judgement.

"We gym leaders design our arenas to play to the strengths of our Pokemon and further test our opponents: a pool for Misty, sand for Brock, flowers for Alexis and Erika before her. With Psychic Pokemon, there is nothing physically I can create that will enhance their skills, so we battle differently to everyone else, while still having the necessary upper hand to defeat those who grace our battlefield."

It seemed clear to Alaska that there was a hidden meaning behind Sabrina's words, but she instantly stopped herself before she began over-analysing the statement, knowing doing so would only throw her off rather than help her win. She had been doing a lot of that over the past week: dwelling on what Sabrina had said during their sole meeting, wondering about what the gym leader had said, her warnings and her threats, and her parting message that had kept Alaska awake at night. Yet after a week of thinking about things, Alaska had had to put the information aside, knowing that if she focussed solely on Sabrina's apparent message, than there was no chance she would ever win the match, not when her mind was too distracted deciphering the warnings of a crazy girl.

Alaska snapped out of her thoughts as a referee stepped up to the middle of the field, one of countless, nameless gym attendants wearing the burgundy uniform. Behind him, Sandy, Looker and Alistair Melton sat on a long glowing bench, but there was no buzz of excitement coming from them. Even Sandy was worn out and bored after a week stuck inside the walls of the Saffron Gym, and Alaska knew they while they were watching to support her, they also wanted to ensure they too would be able to finally leave.

"This is a Saffron Gym battle between the gym leader Sabrina and the challenger Alaska Acevedo. The match will be four on four," the referee announced. Alaska had been expecting this, but it was no less annoying to know she may require all her Pokemon no matter who Sabrina sent out. "The first trainer to successfully knock out all of the opposing trainers Pokemon will be declared the winner. It should be noted that, in this case, should the challenger not win, they will be required to remain inside the gym until they do win. For the sake of transparency, the challenger will be given a headband embedded with the ruby of a Sableye, which will prevent the gym leader Sabrina from reading your mind."

"Not that I would do something so underhanded and petty, but we find it reassures the more unstable and imaginative trainers," Sabrina added as a second attendant suddenly appeared behind Alaska, a leather headband clasped in their hands.

"Well, thanks a lot; having a dead Pokemon's jewels on my head is really going to be reassuring," Alaska retorted. Sabrina merely smirked but otherwise ignored the jibe, and Alaska put the headband on, the ruby glittering as it reflected the glowing patterns.

"Is the challenger ready to begin the battle?" The referee asked. Alaska opened her mouth to say 'yes', ready to get this over and done with. However, despite her desperation to win and be done with this gym, she paused. Instead, Alaska turned and stared across the pitch at her opponent. Sabrina looked disinterested by the whole thing, her expression neutral hindering on bored, but Alaska had a feeling the Psychic trainer was as interested in the outcome as she was. Of all the gym leaders she had met so far, Sabrina was the most difficult one to work out, and it made her the most dangerous and unpredictable opponent Alaska had faced in this arena.

It was not just the unreadable personality that had Alaska worried. The past week had been one of the strangest experiences of this entire journey. Staying within the gym was meant to protect them, but Alaska instead felt like she was being watched every minute of the day, as if the glowing walls were hiding something sinister. After a long day of training, Alaska wanted nothing more than to sleep and forget about life, but instead she lay awake, unable to shake the feeling that someone was watching her every movement. And it was in those moments that her debate with Sabrina came crawling back, the questions and truths the gym leader had cast into the universe. It was in those moments that Alaska had to ask herself if Sabrina was right, if she had really let her early wins get to her, if she had caused herself to hit this streak of depression and fear…

Standing opposite her enemy now, Alaska knew now what that feeling had been: it had been the look in Sabrina's eyes while she psycho-analysed every aspect of Alaska's personality. The way the gym leader had stared at her, the way she delivered all her opinions like fact, it had been cold and unnerving, and Alaska was not surprised she was unable to sleep properly where everything that made her who she was had been torn apart.

Now, as she looked Sabrina in the eye, Alaska knew she had to win this battle. She had to prove to Sabrina that she was not afraid, prove that the psychic had not worked her out just yet, and prove that she could handle anything that came her way. Alaska was not going to let Sabrina control the battle; she was not going to let her change her, manipulate her, become just another person out to rule her life. Alaska wanted out of the gym, and she would do everything in her power to defeat Sabrina and win the badge.

"I'm ready," Alaska purred, and Sabrina nodded in approval. The referee raised his hands, both trainers grabbed hold of the PokeBall they send out first, and a quiet, tenser atmosphere took over the arena: there had rarely been a gym battle that had so much riding on it, and Alaska was prepared to ensure things ended her way.

"Let the battle begin!"

"Frances, let's win this!" Alaska yelled, and threw a Great Ball forwards. As blue light poured onto the field, a similar red glow shone on the opposite side. Alaska watched as a humanoid Pokemon formed opposite Frances, though this creature looked more like a caricature than anything else, with curled blue shoes, pink spots across its body and a wide, clown-like face.

"Mime Mime Mime!" The pink and white Pokemon chimed, grinning brightly at Alaska. She raised an eyebrow and exchanged surprised looks with Frances.

"I take it this is a Mr Mime?" She asked, receiving a brief nod in response. Alaska tried to look nonplussed, but Sabrina's use of such an unusual first Pokemon had her worried: Mr Mime were generally used in circus or street performances, and were not seen as the greatest battlers. There was obviously a strategy going on here, but Alaska did not have time to dwell on it.

"Hit him with X-Scissor!" She yelled. Frances nodded and scuttled across the field, her large pincers glowing with a magnificent green. She raised them in an X formation and let out a cry, but before she could get near Mr Mime, the Psychic type began waving his hands about in midair. The tips of fingers, which were usually pink, flashed yellow, and the glow extended like a wall in front of him. Alaska feared for a moment Frances would crash into the translucent barrier, but the Parasect managed to scuttle through and slam her claws into Mr Mime's legs.

"Mime!" The Psychic type wailed, stumbling to his knees, and Alaska managed a smirk at getting in the first blow.

"Again!" She ordered. Frances nodded and raised her claws, but before she could get in a close range hit, Mr Mime jumped to his feet and leapt backwards. Frances' pincers flailed wildly as her target disappeared, the yellow wall moving with him. The Parasect steadied herself and chased after, but Mr Mime ignored his attacker: instead, he waved his hands in front of him once more, this time his fingers glowing white, and a second wall erupted in mid air. While the first was a murky yellow like a stained window, the new one was clear but reflective, showing a faint version of Frances rushing across the field.

What the hell is going on, Alaska thought, and she stared curiously at Sabrina, certain the trainer had not uttered a single word so far in the battle.

"PARA!" Frances yelled as she jumped through the two walls and made for Mr Mime. Her X-Scissor hit, green striking white, but this time Mr Mime flinched but remained standing. Alaska was left stunned and wondering what had happened to suddenly weaken the power of X-Scissor like that.

"Hang in there, Frances, don't lose any confidence!" She called to Frances, fearful that the only Pokemon she had with a type advantage could revert to the fearful state they had worked so hard to snap her out of. "Try another X-Scissor, aim for his chest!"

"Parasect Para!" Frances cried, and rushed forwards once again, her beady eyes burning with determination. But she had barely made it a metre before Mr Mime suddenly disappeared into red energy, sucked back towards Sabrina. Alaska seized up in shock as the gym leader quickly swapped PokeBalls, throwing the second one towards the middle of the field. The two walls shifted across the field as a second Pokemon formed, this one covered in golden fur with a sparkling spoon clasped in one hand.

"A Kadabra…," Alaska mumbled, unable to think of anything more intelligent to say as the speed and surprise of the battle overwhelmed her. She had been expecting Sabrina to be a tough opponent, but her strategy so far was the sneakiest and most mysterious Alaska had ever come up against. She watched as Frances ran back across the field, moving quickly despite the confusion that covered her face, and struck Kadabra with her X-Scissor, but the Psychic type simply looked down at the Parasect as if she was a small Caterpie getting in his way.

This is impossible, Alaska thought angrily. X-Scissor is about the only move I have that can bring down her Pokemon, yet it isn't doing a thing.

"What exactly did Mr Mime do?"

"I don't have to tell you that," Sabrina answered blankly, a sudden twinkle in her eyes, and Alaska felt like she had just been punched in the head, her mind spinning as the confusing battle took shape.

"Excuse me? What does that mean? Surely the rules state –"

"There is nothing in the official Pokemon League rulebook that states a trainer has to audibly give their commands," the referee interrupted, the tone of his voice giving off the air that he had been prepared to say this. Alaska felt a strong urge to punch something, but knew that would only prove some sort of point to Sabrina, and repressed her rage as she accepted that she had walked into a trap: the gym leader wanted to make Alaska win in a challenge she had no chance of predicting, and what better way to achieve that than by giving commands that Alaska could not hear?

"This is fucking ridiculous," she hissed.

"In your eyes it may be, but I am the one that has set the challenge, so you must play by my rules and find a way to defeat me," Sabrina responded simply. Alaska clenched her fists tight, wanting to run across the field and knock every ounce of quiet superiority out of Sabrina's system.

However, Alaska knew she was stuck in this battle, that the only way to free herself was to play Sabrina's little game and come out victorious on the other side. If she wanted to win, she needed to set aside her rage for now and concentrate on winning the battle.

"Stun Spore!" Alaska ordered, and she saw Sabrina nod , the gym leader clearly satisfied they were playing this game. Frances was right beside Kadabra and it would be an easy hit, one Alaska was certain the two strange barriers would not be able to stop. However, as Frances breathed in and readied to fire the cloud of yellow particles, Kadabra's spoon glowed white. Alaska tensed up, certain this would not be good, but she was not expecting the Psi Pokemon to shine a glorious white and disappear. Her jaw dropped, and a stunned Frances released the Stun Spore onto nothing in shock.

"Was that Teleport?" Alaska asked aloud, but Sabrina did not answer, purposefully avoiding eye contact. Infuriated, Alaska looked around the field, waiting for Kadabra to reappear, but the Pokemon seemed to have disappeared for the time being. It was unsettling, facing an opponent that could vanish like this, and Alaska could see Frances was becoming unsettled.

"Stay focussed, Frances, use Stun Spore again as soon as he reappears!" The Mushroom Pokemon timidly nodded in reply, but barely had time to prepare herself before something white flashed behind her. Alaska watched as Kadabra formed less than an inch behind her Pokemon, and she gasped as the Psychic type lunged with his spoon.

"Kadab," he whispered, and the spoon flashed blue as it touched Frances' head. The Parasect stumbled backwards, and Alaska feared confusion or something similar that would force Frances out of the battle. However, the Mushroom Pokemon steadied herself and looked up at Kadabra, her face screwed in concentration as she tried to release the pores, yet nothing seemed to be coming out.

"It must have used Disable, Alaska!" Sandy yelled from the sidelines. "He's prevented Frances from using Stun Spore aga –"

"Quiet in the stands!" The referee yelled. "This match is between the two people on the field, the challenger must work things out for herself." Sandy looked like she had been slapped, and another spat of rage rose up inside Alaska.

"You know, when I battle in the real world, I do tend to have help from Sandy: if you're trying to teach me a lesson, you really should tailor it to suit how I do things," she snarled bitterly.

"Getting help from others is not the lesson I am trying to teach you. Besides, I thought you were so desperate for independence that you would not let anyone tell you what to do: surely that extends to your friend as well?" Sabrina replied, and Alaska grunted and turned back to the battle. Frances was fearfully moving away from Kadabra, still trying to use Stun Spore despite the mental blockade placed upon her.
If she becomes afraid again I am done for, Alaska thought. "Slash, quickly!" Frances frantically turned to face Kadabra, her right claw turning white, yet she had barely moved before Kadabra flashed white again, and Alaska swore as the Psi Pokemon disappeared a second time. However, she hardly had time to be angry, as while Frances looked frantically about, Kadabra suddenly appeared behind her, left fist glowing red with fire.

"Behind you!" Alaska shouted, but Kadabra had already swung his fist. Frances yelled out as the Fire Punch squarely struck her mushroom, and she was sent rolling across the pitch.

"I must say Alaska, if this is how you normally battle, I am surprised you have managed to survive for so long," Sabrina said calmly. "I intended for this match to be difficult, but any attentive trainer surely would have realised my tricks by now." Alaska literally bit her tongue in order to stop the onslaught of insults that longed to burst from her mouth. She instead surveyed the two Pokemon standing on the field: Kadabra to her left looming over the weakened Frances to her right, who was struggling to get back to her feet with a fearful look in her eye.

I am never going to win if Francesbecomes scared again, and I can't shift her out either: she is the only one with the type advantage… if only those skills would actually work. Alaska thought back to the first move of the match, when Frances had managed to cause serious damage to Mr Mime before his second attack came up. Staring at the pitch, she could see the translucent and reflective barriers were in front of Kadabra, who simply looked straight through them as though they weren't even there.

X-Scissor was effective when it was just the one barrier, but when the second one went up it hardly did a thing…, Alaska thought, staring quickly between the two Pokemon. Whatever Mr Mimes first attack was, it did nothing to stop X-Scissor, but the second one did, which means Sabrina's strategy was to simply put both up as protection. Think Alaska, think…

THAT'S IT! Alaska's face lit up as inspiration suddenly struck. X-Scissor is a physical attack, meaning the second wall weakens those moves – it must be Reflect or something like that… and that means the first wall probably stops special attacks… Light Screen, maybe? Whatever it is, those moves both fade after a while, but Light Screen will probably fade first…

"Frances, charge for Solarbeam!" Alaska shouted. Sabrina raised an eyebrow but said nothing, and Alaska ignored her to focus on Frances. However, when she looked across to her Pokemon, she was dismayed to see the Parasect was shaking, fearfully staring up at Kadabra as he prepared to Teleport once again. Alaska knew her plan wouldn't work if Frances was terrified, and the success of this battle rested on her pulling off this strategy.

"I know you are afraid, Frances, but you have to get past it!" Alaska shouted, and Frances half opened one eye and looked towards her. "They are using mind games in order to defeat us, and if we let those games get to us then we are bound to lose! You are a strong Pokemon and you have the ability to win, but you have to believe in yourself!" As she let those words settle in, a white flash signalled Kadabra's reappearance, and Frances squealed in terror as a second Fire Punch collided. It looked painful, and Alaska could almost feel the blow herself. However, she finally noticed something she probably should have a while ago: the barriers were once again in front of Kadabra, when they had been shimmering before him in his previous position.

They Teleport with him… maybe I can then… yes! Alaska thought quickly, and looked back at Frances. "Don't give up yet, you need to keep charging, you need to put all your energy into this Solarbeam and then double it!" Frances looked at her shaking, her legs and claws and even her giant mushroom quivering with fear, and she looked as though she wanted to run behind Alaska's legs. But Alaska was not going to let her give up.

"Remember the day you evolved, when you learnt Solarbeam and helped defeat Gideon? I was so, so, sooo proud of you that day! It was amazing the way you defeated his Pokemon and saved our lives, one of the greatest things I have ever seen!" Frances suddenly stopped shaking, and looked at Alaska with an almost disbelieving look. "It's true, Frances! You have been with me for so long now, we have been through so much, and there is no denying the bond we have or how big your role is you on my team! I just need you to prove that you still have that fighting spirit in you!" Frances didn't look very confident, but she gave a tiny nod with her whole body, and the top of her mushroom began to glow.

There was a flash behind her, but Alaska was not afraid. "Watch out!" She called, and Frances briefly turned as the glow got brighter. Alaska watched carefully, and smirked as the two barriers suddenly shifted across the field a moment before Kadabra formed. She hardly even cared that another Fire Punch got in considering her theory was proven now: all she had to do was make sure the next hit was theirs.

"Run across the field, Frances, and keep charging!" Frances nodded, and she quickly scuttled away from Kadabra towards the middle of the pitch. Kadabra silently watched her go and began to glow white for a fourth time, and as he disappeared, Alaska intently watched the two barriers: the reflective one that Mr Mime had created second remained, but as she watched, the first one, the yellow one, began to fade away.

"Watch the Reflect, see where it goes!" Alaska yelled, pointing towards the remaining wall, and Frances nodded intently. Sabrina showed no emotion at her strategy being cracked, and Alaska held back her joy, waiting to see what happened next…

"You need to strike the moment Kadabra reappears; we cannot let him get another hit in! Focus on the wall, watch where it goes, find out where Kadabra is landing. You grew up inside a cave; put your… cave senses, if that is even a thing, to the test! Just concentrate and ready your attack!" Frances nodded, and she looked the most confident she had all battle. A tense silence fell across the arena as everyone waited, all eyes flickering between Frances and the Reflect, watching to see what happened next… You can do this, Francesjust focus… you can do this…

With the blink of an eye, the wall suddenly moved, sweeping across the field, over Frances, and coming to a stop right behind her, a white glow erupting in the middle.

"GRAB HIM!" Alaska roared, and Frances, her beady eyes having already seen the move, turned around with her claws raised and clasped onto Kadabra's legs the moment he had formed. The Psychic type looked stunned, pausing briefly with a flaming fist, and it was in that moment Alaska knew she had won this match up.

"NOW!"

"PARAAAAAAAAAA!" Frances screamed, and a brilliant beam of green exploded from the top of her bulb. The column of light and energy slammed into Kadabra from close range, and the Psi Pokemon roared as the attack washed over him. Yet he could not escape, Frances holding onto him too tightly, and everyone watched transfixed as the attack pulsated throughout the room. Alaska wanted to cheer, but as the attack died down she knew the hit would not be enough, and she stared through the glare, trying to see if her final obstacle remained standing, but if she waited too long it would be too late…

"X-SCISSOR!" She shouted. Frances did not even stop to take a breath, leaping up the moment Solarbeam had faded, and with a second yell she swiped her glowing green claws across the frazzled Kadabra's chest. The Psychic type merely grunted, his eyes wide and his fur on end, and he toppled to the field at the same moment Frances landed triumphantly beside him.

"Kadabra is unable to battle," the referee announced, and Sandy let out an explosive cheer from the sidelines. Alaska briefly smiled at her before looking down at her tired Parasect, giving her a broad grin as she swelled with pride.

"That was amazing, I am so proud of you! I have never seen anything like that be – what the hell?" Alaska came to a stop mid sentence as Frances suddenly cried out and tumbled forwards. Confused, she looked around for the source of the attack, and was startled to find something small and green flying directly in front of her. For a second, she wasn't even sure if it was a Pokemon or not, but than the tiny tennis ball-esque creature looked at her and flew away with wings the size of sticking plasters.

"You could have waited a moment, I had not idea you had even released a Pokemon!" Alaska called out angrily.

"This is a battle, these are my rules, I do not have to wait for you to give your Pokemon compliments before sending out my next one," Sabrina replied plainly. "In war, your opponent would not kindly wait like that before putting a bullet in your head."

"You never know, they might be having an off day," Alaska replied caustically, frustrated that once again Sabrina's lesson was ruling the battle. She was even further dismayed to see Frances was struggling to get back up, all confidence gained from defeating Kadabra evaporated in one moment. Alaska looked around at the Pokemon zipping around the room, barely staying in one place longer than a few seconds, and knew this was going to be a challenge.

"Is that a Natu, by any chance?" Sabrina nodded, and Alaska sighed with annoyance, guessing it would have at least one Flying type attack to defeat any Bug types that came up in battle. She could always swap Frances out and bring her back later, but there was no telling who Sabrina would send out next, the chances high it would be something that would wipe the glowing floor with the Parasect before she even got one hit in.

"Slash." The single syllable echoed, the depression and anger behind it clear to everyone, and Alaska had to avoid Frances' gaze as she looked fretfully up at her trainer. What sort of trainer have I become when I disappoint my own Pokemon with my lack of skills?

Alaska didn't watch as Natu flew down, wings outstretched and glowing, likely an Aerial Ace, and cut across Frances before she could even move. She caught out of the corner of her eye something orange fall, and then the referee announced the loss to her side. Wearily, Alaska withdrew Frances and put the Great Ball away with a heavy heart: her best chance of winning was lost, and now she would have to defeat Natu, Mr Mime and a mysterious fourth Pokemon with no type advantage.

"Have you taken my lesson to heart yet?" Sabrina's voice called across the pitch, and Alaska cast her her deadliest side eye. "If you had trained this past week with my warning in mind, you would easily be able to win the battle. It appears, however, you have not focussed on it, and have instead gone blindly into battle with no hope of finding your way out." Alaska looked up as Sabrina finished her tirade, a dull feeling of pain and annoyance rising up. The gym leaders words echoed inside her head, all her warnings and judgements from a week ago sounding on top of one another, and Alaska decided than and there she was not going to take another second of Sabrina.

"You can take your bloody lesson and shove it up your ass," Alaska snapped, and she threw her second PokeBall onto the field, only the thinnest glimmer of a strategy in mind. She briefly caught Sabrina's empty but judging eyes look down at Shelley, who seemed to be positively brimming with joy at being chosen to fight. "I have fought hard to make it to the previous four gyms, and I fought hard to win all four badges, and I did it based on my own strategies. I do not need to be judged by you in order to win this match. All my strategies have paid off in the past, and I am not changing that for your benefit. You think you know me, but you have no idea who I am or what I have been through. I have every right to feel the way I feel after that, and I do not care what you or the league or anyone else expects me to do, but if I am going to keep fighting people like Buzz and Gideon, I am going to fight them MY WAY!" Silence followed her words, and Alaska only realised now how deeply and heavily she was breathing, her anger tiring her out. She glanced across at the trio on the sideline, hoping for support, but none of them met her gaze, all three looking either at the field or down to avoid eye contact.

"Do as you wish, Alaska, but be warned that this aimless strategy of yours will not work in the long run, no matter what you believe," Sabrina said after a few moments, and there was a cold rage behind her words that brought Alaska back to attention. Despite her annoyance at this charade, the words managed to sting, and Alaska had to literally shake her head to clear away the dark thoughts settling into place. This is just a mind game, I am not going to let her get to me, I am not letting her win like this, I can't be distracted, she told herself, but the way everyone had avoided her eyes lingered at the back of her mind.
"Icicle Spear!"

"Shell Shell!" Shelley cried happily, and the Shellder bounced about on the spot as she tried to find her opponent. Natu, however, was sitting still for once, its eyes glowing a faint white as a transparent ball appeared in the air above. Shelley opened her mouth wide, her tongue turning light blue, and five long, sharp icicles rocketed into the air. The tiny Natu winced as they slammed one after the other into her, shattering and sending the Little Bird rolling backwards. Alaska was pleased to get such a direct hit early on, but then she noticed the ball: it was simply floating in mid air doing nothing, like an ominous moon.

That can't be good, she thought grimly, but tried not to let it get under her skin. The Icicle Spear had been successful, but Alaska knew she could not rely on it again, not when Natu was normally so speedy.

"Bubblebeam!" She ordered, and her suspicions were instantly proved right: the command was barely through her lips when Natu shot forwards, becoming a green blur, and Shelley yelled as the tiny body slammed into her shell. It was clearly Quick Attack, and Alaska could see what Sabrina wanted: while it was not a powerful move, the speed allowed Natu to score a hit and then get away before getting attacked up close. Alaska had sent out Shelley on a whim, thinking her small size would be a nice counter to the minuteness of Natu, but she realised now what she needed was a Pokemon capable of taking up the chase, or one with an arsenal of long distance moves, something her Shellder could not do.

Don't tell me she was right after all… Alaska thought bitterly, and shook her head, trying to think of a way around her problem. She needed to give Natu less room to move around in and increase the chance of Shelley hitting her. Alaska watched as the BubbleBeam floated through the air, and while several hit the zipping Natu, most missed their miniscule target.

They sure do spread out though… Alaska thought, trying to think of something. She stared around, trying to look for inspiration in the glowing walls and getting nothing. However, after a few moments, she realised the glowing pattern reminded her of something…

"Shelley, BubbleBeam again, and then use Aurora Beam!" Alaska looked across the pitch as she gave the command and saw something like rage briefly cross Sabrina's face, and she smiled to herself in victory.

"Shell!" Shelley exclaimed happily, and she unleashed her barrage of bubbles once again. As soon as they were unleashed, the Bivalve Pokemon opened her mouth wider and fired a shimmering, rainbow coloured beam towards the attack. It looked as though the two attacks would collide, which was what Alaska wanted, but before they did, Natu swooped down, eyes narrowed and shining pink. Her mouth opened wide, and a ball of pink energy shot out, sparks flying and spinning about inside. Alaska tensed up as the attack soared past the bubbles and headed straight towards Shelley, unsure how effective the move would be. The Shellder saw the attack coming, and at the last moment turned, firing the Aurora Beam towards the ball rather than the bubbles.

A rainbow explosion illuminated the field as the two attacks collided, and Alaska threw her hands in front of her face as a cold shockwave washed over her. Through her outstretched fingers she saw endless flashes of colour, like a light show gone wrong, but did not get a proper look until the energy from the explosion had died away. When she lowered her arms, Alaska expected to find the worst, and she was taken aback to discover what had truly happened.

The collision of Aurora Beam and the Psychic attack had had an unprecedented effect: glittering chunks of ice now covered the field, walls and ceiling. It was what Alaska had been trying to do, but the collision of Psychic and Ice had doubled her desire outcome. She looked up at where the BubbleBeam had been, and saw a huge pack of jagged, misshapen ice across the ceiling: it was ten times better than what Alaska had anticipated, and when she gleefully looked across at Sabrina, the look of undisguised horror on her face made Alaska whoop in celebration.

"Oh, this is too good!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands and resisting the urge to dance on the spot. "I never expected this to happen – this is just perfect! Thank you, Sabrina, thank you so, so much!" The gym leader did not say anything in response, but her lips had thinned in annoyance, a look replicated by Natu. I probably shouldn't be pissing her off, since she can keep me here forever if she wants to, but I am not letting anyone push me around, not anymore, Alaska told herself, smirking back to Sabrina.

"Aurora Beam again!" Shelley had been staring in awe of the frozen landscape that had appeared around her, and as such did not pay attention as Natu came hurtling towards her again. The speed of the Quick Attack was strengthened by Natu's rage, and the force of the attack sent Shelley hurtling across the pitch, skidding over patches of ice. Shelley cried out as she spun wildly, and she aimlessly fired off the Aurora Beam. However, the ice barrier had worked, forcing Natu to change path several times, and Alaska cheered as the attack struck the smaller Pokemon.

"I would not celebrate so quickly if I was you," Sabrina purred. Alaska paused, wondering what the gym leader meant, and then saw it: the hovering orb had suddenly shot forwards, having doubled in size and brightness since she had last looked at it, and the trainer gasped as a white beam like a spotlight was fired at the spinning Shelley.

"SHELL!" She cried, the attack exploding against her shell and sending her flying into the air. Alaska seized up, knowing that when Shelley landed it would not end well, and knew she had to improvise.

"Use Clamp on one the icicles!" She shouted, and Shelley responded just in time, stretching out and grabbing onto a jagged bit of the frozen ceiling formation. Now she was several metres above the field, Natu hovering weakly about underneath. Alaska was pleased to see her opponent was moving slower now, knowing one last move would be enough to wipe her out, but she had no idea what to do with Shelley now.

"You should have heeded my advice, Alaska, rather than trying to turn things to your favour," Sabrina called out. "Freezing the field was a clever move, but you need a better strategy than that if you want to win the battle." Alaska opened her mouth to reply, but Natu did not give her the chance: the Flying type was soaring towards Shelley with her wings outstretched, going in with Aerial Ace to ensure the attack hit. However, that was not the only part of Sabrina's plan, as Natu's eyes were glowing pink once again, and Alaska knew that the mysterious Psychic attack would hit this time unless she did something to stop it.

Shelley is not strong enough to survive two attacks at once… I have to do something, anything to help her survive, as Aerial Ace will hit no matter what… actually…

"Push yourself off the ice as hard as you can!" Alaska yelled. Shelley did not respond immediately, likely weary of falling so far, but with Natu coming in hot she had no choice: using her tongue, Shelley launched herself away from the ice, falling at an angle and forcing Natu to divert courser. Shelley fell faster than the minute Psychic type could fly, and Alaska watched attentively as her Shellder soared towards a curved bit of ice.

"Come on, come on, come on…. YES!" She cheered, watching as Shelley slid down the ice and rocketed off the other side. Natu turned a second time and sped after the flying Shellder, and Alaska knew it was time to initiate an attack. "Icicle Spear, GO!"

"Sheeellllllll!" Shelley wailed as she flew above the field, but she still managed to fire, shooting out five deadly looking icicles that raced to meet Natu.

"Tu Tu!" The Psychic was not willing to go down so easily, and it fired the pink blob to meet the ice. Alaska tensed as the attacks came towards each other, and winced as ice and energy met above the field. A shockwave of psychic energy was unleashed across the arena: Alaska shielded herself, Sandy yelled out from the sidelines, and both Pokemon shouted as chunks of ice began battering everyone. A white cloud of frost hung above the pitch, and Alaska stepped forwards and stared forwards, trying to see the outcome.

Come on Shelley, hang in there. We can't lose, I am not letting her win this battle. I have come too far, I have lost so much already that I cannot lose my freedom, I cannot let these people control my life anymore. We have to win this, Sabrina can't think she knows me, we can't let what she said be the truth… I am not like that, I am not afraid… I am not giving up my freedom… I am NOT LOSING THIS BATTLE


Yes, we have a two part gym battle on our hands! It was going to be far too long for people to read in one setting had I done it in one, and taken far too long to write, so I have split it up. The next part will see things carry on and the mind game carries on. And if you found Alaska a bit annoying this chapter, then don't worry, that was intentional - this Arc will really explore her psychology and why she acts the way she does. Expect a lot of home truths over the coming chapters.