Chapter 3: Awakening abilities
Sabrina drifted into a fitful sleep, her mind buzzing with the revelation of her powers. She felt a mixture of wonder and anxiety, unable to shake the sense that her extraordinary abilities set her apart from the world she was beginning to understand. Her dreams were tumotulous, worries about the impending doom she was sure to suffer upon awaking. Thoughts of being dissected as a psychic clouding her thoughts, the rejection of her by her new family.
As Sabrina slumbered, a soft, lilting lullaby filled the room, emanating from her caretaker, Gardevoir. The psychic Pokémon watched over her charge with a tender gaze, ensuring the baby girl's dreams would be filled with soothing thoughts rather than the stress and confusion of babyhood. The embrace pokemon did just that, embrace Sabrina with open arms, cradling the child and filling her with a calming aura full of love and care.
Though, as Sabrina slept, Gardevoir's psychic awareness extended beyond their shared bond. She reached out, touching the thoughts and emotions of the two adults in the room, Sabrina's mother and father. They sat together on a couch placed nearby, sitting together, their expressions pensive, unaware that the psychic presence of the Pokémon could eavesdrop on their whispered conversation. Sabrinas cot was placed in the families living room, not needing to be too close to the parents due to the added caretaker in the form of Gardevoir.
"I can't help but worry about her, Simon," Grace, Sabrinas Mother, whispered, her voice filled with maternal anxiety. "She's growing so quickly. I know she's special, but a psychic? I knew it was possible, your one yourself after all, but to lift a doll without training? At such a young age? I thought you said you only achieved the same at 15!" her voice was plagued with concern unbeknownst to Sabrina.
Simon sighed, his face etched with a mix of fatherly concern and pride "I understand your fears, Grace, but we must also recognize that she's done something extraordinary. Her powers, her abilities as a psychic must be remarkable! We should at the very least help her in controlling her powers, for Sabrinas sake at the very least. She could hurt herself if left unchecked. We could get Gardevoir to help her understand her gifts as she grows. Slowly, one step at a time."
Grace nodded, her voice hushed. "I just want her to have a normal childhood, Simon. I want her to make friends, go to school, and experience to enjoy herself. But with these gifts, she might be seen as... different. It will be hard for her to relate to them, but its not like we can just ignore socialising her."
Gardevoir observed the unspoken concern that danced in the eyes of Sabrina's parents. She couldn't speak, but she was deeply attuned to their emotions. Years of training and battling alongside humans allowed any pokemon to understand them on a deeper level. Not quite to the same quality as being a human itself, but near enough that collaboration and greater comprehension was possible. This was also boosted by her mental connection with Grace as her pokemon. She could feel the worry and motherly concern regarding Sabrina.
Sabrina continued to dream, oblivious to the conversation unfolding between her parents, Grace and Simon. In the dream world, Sabrina's consciousness soared among the stars. Silver constellations glittered like celestial jewels in the velvet expanse of space, their cosmic brilliance casting an ethereal glow that enveloped her. She floated weightlessly through the astral panorama, feeling as if the universe itself were her playground. Planets, each with its unique aura and colours, danced around her, their gravitational forces mere whispers against her newfound psychic prowess. The sensation of boundless freedom and the grandeur of the cosmos merged into a vivid tapestry of wonder.
Back in the living room, Grace rested her head against Simon's shoulder, seeking comfort and reassurance. "I know, Simon. I just want her to be happy and safe. But she's already showing signs of her powers, and she can't help but worry about how the world will perceive her."
Simon gently squeezed his wife's hand, trying to offer solace. "We'll do everything we can to ensure she has a normal, happy childhood. We'll teach her to use her abilities wisely and discreetly. And she doesn't have to face the world alone; she has Gardevoir to guide her, to help her understand her gifts."
Gardevoir, her ethereal presence invisible to Sabrina's parents, felt a swell of affection at the mention of her role in Sabrina's life. She knew that, as a psychic-type Pokémon, she could help Sabrina learn to control her powers and provide her with guidance. Whilst Simon could do the same, he himself was unrefined, not intrinsically linked to the world of the mind on the same level as Sabrina seems to be. Even the smallest of power shown by Sabrina cemented her as a powerful psychic in the mind of Gardevoir, seeing her indepth link to her own mind, seemingly being centred deep within her beyond her physical limitations even as a child. But the unspoken fear in Grace's eyes, the fear of her daughter being different, echoed within Gardevoir as well.
Grace raised her head and wiped away a stray tear. "Thank you, Simon. I don't know what I would do without you. We'll support Sabrina every step of the way, no matter how extraordinary her abilities become. But it's a lot to take in, isn't it?"
Simon smiled warmly at his wife, his love for her and Sabrina shining through. "We may not have all the answers, but we have each other. And together, we'll make sure our little psychic has a happy and fulfilling life."
As their whispered conversation came to an end, Gardevoir continued to cradle Sabrina in her psychic embrace, providing the baby girl with a sense of security and love. Sabrina's dreams slowly shifted, guided by the soothing aura of her caretaker. She found herself drifting towards a more peaceful slumber, far from the anxieties of her parents' conversation.
Sabrina awoke to her father's gentle smile as he peered over her crib. His deep brown eyes met her curious gaze, and she felt a warm connection between them. It was a moment of fatherly affection that she hadn't seen in years even when she thought back to her past life. The sheer bliss etched on his face, full of nothing but love and care felt like it washed away her worries and stress. Her meaningless concerns were nothing Infront of the infinite and unconditional love of her parents. She felt connected to him, her father, on a deeper level. Some parts of her mind felt it was a betrayal. Betraying the trust of her previous family, but another said it wasn't. It was moving on, and accepting the situation she had found herself in. She was adapting, and the love and care shown to her was reciprocated as a result.
As she sat up her father began to play with her, cooing and cahhing at her like usual. It was a relief in parts, that she wasn't locked up in some cell underground. Nor was she being treated with disgust as she expected when she fell asleep.
"Play?" Her father asked, using a higher pitched voice. She nodded, 'might as well' she thought, it wasn't like had anything better to do, and whilst she wouldn't mind trying to level up in her 'system' and try out her psychic powers, its not like shes going to be able to do much as a baby anyways. Regardless, the original Sabrina had only started her psychic powers when she threw a spoon and it bent, meaning that she was far faster, considering she was only getting to use plastic spoons at this point, and thus they couldn't be bent, only snapped. She wasn't in any rush, though she might try lifting a few toys up and down.
Gardevoir followed behind, gracefully walking whilst occasionally peering at Sabrina, who was held with her head on her fathers shoulder as he walked. It was odd to Sabrina. Did Gardevoir tell her parents or not? She had seen her mother and Gardevoir stare at each other eerily before, and then randomly (atleast to Sabrinas Perspective) begin to do things, so it was likely that she could in fact speak to her mother at least, but did she deign it her responsibility to tell her parents? It left her conflicted. On one hand, she felt a little unbridled, having her actions monitored. On the other side, she was, at least physically, a child. It only makes sense for the caretaker to tell her parents if remarkable things had occurred. In contrast to that, she didn't even have certainty that her father even knew about her psychic abilities. Though wasn't Sabrinas father canonically also a Psychic in the Anime? It was all so confusing.
It wasn't long before she was placed into the play pen and let out to crawl around and smash toys together. Within the playpen, a vivid array of toys surrounded Sabrina, a spectrum of colors and textures waiting to be explored. Plush animals beckoned with their soft, huggable forms, and plastic figurines offered a variety of shapes and sizes. Sabrina's movements were a dance of curiosity, her fingers exploring each object with a childlike fascination. It was enjoyable to be a child, even if at times it felt a bit demeaning.
Though confusingly, unlike how usually her father left and gardevoir alone watched, they both stayed and took note of her actions. It made her flush a little, playing like the child she is with another human watching. With Gardevoir it never felt as though there was judgement. It's not like her parents would judge her for acting like a child, but when the person watching wasn't human it didn't feel the same as if another person was judging there every action. Maybe it was partially her older side feeling embarrassed, but it was harder to enjoy herself when her human parents were watching. It was unfair to them, and whilst she did share some of their unbridled joy, it was also awkward to be watched as you do stupid and meaningless things for your own entertainment.
After about 15 minutes of gleeful toy-smashing and cuddling, Sabrina decided it was time to introduce her psychic powers into the mix. She chose her largest plush toy, a Starmie. Although it was bigger than the Abra she had lifted previously, it still weighed under 5 kilograms, so she believed it should be manageable.
With a focused expression, Sabrina tried to replicate what she had done with the Abra. She extended her small hand towards the Starmie, closed her eyes, and pictured it floating gently towards her. But nothing happened. The plush doll lay there, stubbornly unmoving, devoid of any hint of magic or psychic aura.
Frustration and confusion welled up in Sabrina. She tried once more, but the result was the same – the Starmie plush remained as stationary as the first time. Maybe it was the hand motions? Or perhaps she had been arrogant in thinking her powers matched that of Sabrina from the Pokémon franchise? Was the Starmie too large for her to lift as a second try? Was the system not completely accurate in its predictions? Its not like she had much reason to trust it in the first place.
Switching her focus to a smaller, softer Ralts toy, she gave it her full attention, yet the outcome was no different. Sabrina was quickly growing exasperated. She had "Level 1 Telekinesis" according to the system, so why couldn't she seem to use her telekinetic abilities when she wanted to?
In frustration, she waved her hand at the Ralts plushie dismissively and turned back to the other toys, no longer concerned with the Ralts. It had become a source of embarrassment rather than an object of experimentation.
Then, a minor noise, a soft "thud," came from the direction of the white wall. Sabrina's attention was drawn to the floor, where her Ralts toy now lay, quite a distance from where she had placed it initially.
Crawling over to inspect the toy, Sabrina prodded it, trying to decipher what had changed between her previous failed attempts and this outcome. She considered whether her emotions played a role in her success.
She tried to lift the toy again, channelling her happiness, but it remained stubbornly still. Her frustration was building, the sense of powerlessness gnawing at her. "I can do this," she told herself, her inner voice determined. She knew she should be able to do this, to command the Ralts to move with her psychic power. Every failed attempt only fuelled her desire to succeed. "Come on," she silently urged the toy, her focus unwavering.
And then, with her newfound resolve, the toy obeyed her unspoken command, hovering in the air. Triumph and exhilaration washed over her like a tidal wave. A powerful rush of accomplishment surged through her tiny frame. It was a moment of pure magic, her very being infused with the thrill of success. She felt a newfound connection to her own abilities, a realization that with determination and belief, she could conquer any obstacle.
In that instant, Sabrina's world expanded. Her powers were no longer an abstract concept; they were real, tangible, and under her control. She was no longer the helpless baby she appeared to be; she was a force to be reckoned with. The world had just become a playground of possibilities, and she was ready to explore every inch of it.
As Sabrina achieved the impossible, a radiant smile illuminated her cherubic face. Her eyes, alight with a profound sense of accomplishment, sparkled like twin stars in a sea of infinite possibilities. The touch of her psychic powers was a delicate dance of energy, a gentle caress from an unseen force. With each successful command, her small frame trembled with raw power and delight. Her heart raced, her tiny fingers tingled with newfound sensations, and her spirit soared with the exhilaration of pushing the boundaries of her existence.
It was a finicky feeling using psychic powers. It was like extending your mind into reality. It was deceptively simple, as though moving a thought effortlessly from one place to another. But it also felt like reaching for something submerged in water. You knew it was still you exerting control, yet there was a subtle resistance as the world and reality itself rippled and undulated beneath the influence of your will.
[Ding! Telekinesis has levelled up. 10 XP gained for leveling up a skill.]
The notification rudely interrupted Sabrina's inner monologue, causing a mild irritation to spring up within her. She felt like a child in those moments, an annoyance welling up within her tiny frame. Her brow furrowed slightly, but she quickly squashed the fleeting irritation. She had to maintain control, always. After all, she wasn't really a child; she was an adult trapped in a child's body. It was a bizarre existence, one that required her to balance the impulses of her childlike exterior with the wisdom and understanding of her true self.
Despite the annoyance at the abrupt interruption, Sabrina swiftly reached to check the skills section of the menu. It was important to ensure that her achievements were accurately recorded on this seemingly omniscient system. She couldn't help but marvel at the strangeness of it all. It was as if she had been thrust into a world of gaming, where her skills and progress were meticulously tracked and displayed for her to see. Each level gained; each percentage of progress meant something. She was no longer bound by the limitations of her previous world; instead, she was stepping into a new reality, one where her potential was limitless.
[Skills]
[Telekinesis] Level: 2 || 15% to next level
+2% To telekinesis ability. Represents skill at telekinesis.
*Can lift approximately 5.61 kilograms of weight
[Crawling] Level: 28 ||62% to next level
+28% to crawling efficiency. Represents skill at crawling
*You crawl pretty well, for a baby.
Sabrina couldn't help but stare at her newly updated skills. It was incredible to see her progress quantified like this, displayed in percentages and levels. Her telekinesis had reached level 2, and she could lift around 5.61 kilograms of weight. The numbers held a strange fascination for her, as if they offered a concrete measure of her growth. It was instant gratification, knowing that she had improved her abilities by such a drastic extent in such a short time.
As she pondered her achievements, Sabrina considered the system's role in her development. It seemed that her initial ability was to lift approximately 5 kilograms of weight, and the system had initially boosted it by 1%, resulting in a capability of 5.05 kilograms. However, with her newfound determination and a system boost of 2% at level 2, she had pushed her own abilities beyond the system's support to a total of 5.61 kilograms. It was as if her real potential outstripped the system's limitations, a tantalizing prospect that left her eager to explore her abilities even further.
Thus, Sabrina became absorbed in the act of lifting the toys, her focus unwavering as she repeated the process again and again. She forgot about her observers, her parents, and Gardevoir, as she poured her entire being into her psychic practice. She was on a quest for understanding, a journey of development, a desire to witness the satisfaction of the numbers increasing, and to feel her grasp of this mystical power that people of Earth could only dream of grow stronger.
For five minutes, Gardevoir and Simon observed the astounding sight of Sabrina, a child who was just over half a year old, practicing her psychic abilities with unwavering determination. Most people took decades to develop such skills, and yet here was a baby showing remarkable promise. Their hearts were filled with a sense of duty to protect her and guide her safely as she explored her extraordinary powers. As the time passed, Gardevoir, after a quick mental exchange with Sabrina's father, entered the playpen and approached the small child.
Sabrina was so deeply engrossed in her telekinesis practice that she didn't even acknowledge the presence of her watcher or realize how she was demonstrating abilities that far exceeded her age. Her complete immersion was only broken when a new notification popped up:
[Acting under the guidance of an experienced psychic. +100% to all skill growth when under instruction]
Gardevoir's ethereal presence permeated the room, its psychic aura an enchanting melody that enveloped Sabrina in an invisible embrace. The air seemed to shimmer with faintly glowing energy, casting delicate ripples of light and shadow that danced with every subtle movement of the Pokémon. Gardevoir's tender gaze spoke volumes, a silent language of protection, wisdom, and unyielding devotion. In the depths of its amethyst eyes, the reflections of a thousand emotions and thoughts created a captivating kaleidoscope of understanding.
This message gave Sabrina pause, and she felt a foreign psychic energy interact with her own. It was a sensation both strange and oddly comforting, even though her inexperience kept her from fully recognizing it. Slowly, she turned around, curiosity lighting up her big, innocent eyes, and found Gardevoir sitting behind her, a gentle and reassuring smile gracing the Pokémon's features.
Gardevoir's ethereal presence permeated the room, its psychic aura an enchanting melody that enveloped Sabrina in an invisible embrace. The air seemed to shimmer with faintly glowing energy, casting delicate ripples of light and shadow that danced with every subtle movement of the Pokémon. Gardevoir's tender gaze spoke volumes, a silent language of protection, wisdom, and unyielding devotion. In the depths of its amethyst eyes, the reflections of a thousand emotions and thoughts created a captivating kaleidoscope of understanding. Sabrina's gaze met Gardevoir's, and she cocked her head, silently asking the Pokémon if she should continue. In response, Gardevoir offered a calm nod, silently encouraging Sabrina to press on.
With Gardevoir's psychic presence alongside her, Sabrina resumed her practice. She allowed the Pokémon to guide and influence her psychic powers, gradually refining her telekinesis and making it more effective. The connection between them allowed Sabrina to understand the subtleties of psychic abilities in a deeper way.
Sabrina moved Ralts up, down, left, and right, exploring the possibilities of her budding telekinesis. After leveling up a few times, she decided to challenge herself by attempting to lift the Starmie that had eluded her earlier. With unyielding determination, she focused her thoughts, visualizing the plush toy floating in the air. To her delight, the Starmie slowly began to ascend.
Triumph washed over her, and she grinned in sheer amazement. "It's working!" she thought. Encouraged by her success, she decided to try lifting Ralts alongside Starmie, hoping to showcase her growing proficiency. However, her excitement was short-lived as Ralts fell to the ground.
Another notification flashed before her eyes:
[Insufficient skill to lift multiple objects. Learn skill 'Parallel thought' or reach Telekinesis level 20 to perform such actions.]
Frustration welled up within Sabrina, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of constriction from the system's restrictions. She had expected the system to be her ally in mastering her psychic powers, not a hindrance. Her determination, however, remained steadfast as she continued to push the limits of her telekinesis.
As minutes passed, Sabrina noticed her skills progressing at a slower rate. She was no longer making the leaps she initially had, and it became agonizingly slow to see any improvement. She could feel the first hints of a headache forming, but she ignored it, her determination pushing her to continue.
As Sabrina's powers continued to wane, a sense of fatigue washed over her. Her determination had pushed her to the limits, and she'd made remarkable progress in harnessing her psychic abilities. The growing ache in her head, a dull throb, was a clear sign that she needed to rest. She had exceeded the boundaries of what her small, developing mind could handle. Sabrina felt her telekinesis falter.
[Insufficient Mental power to continue]
Sabrina let out a small, frustrated sigh. Her ambitions and her tiny body were at odds with each other. It was a reminder of the complexity of her situation. She was an adult trapped in a baby's body, and her rapid progress didn't come without limitations and consequences.
Gardevoir, who had been guiding her patiently, recognized Sabrina's exhaustion. With a gentle touch, the psychic Pokémon cradled the tired baby in her embrace. Sabrina leaned into Gardevoir's soothing presence, her tiny fingers gripping the soft fabric of the Pokémon's skin.
As the baby drifted into slumber, her dreams were filled with visions of levitating toys and an ever-expanding world of psychic possibilities. Her parents, Grace and Simon, watched their child with a mixture of awe and concern. They had witnessed a display of power that defied explanation.
Sabrina, in the drowsy moments before sleep claimed her, was conflicted. The gentle lullaby that echoed in her mind was accompanied by thoughts that tugged at her consciousness. While she had undoubtedly made impressive progress today, a burning desire to continue her exploration of the limits of her psychic powers gnawed at her. The numbers in her notifications had become like a siren's call, and she couldn't help but be drawn to the prospect of leveling up her skills and gaining more attribute points.
[Ding! Telekinesis has levelled up. 10 XP gained for leveling up a skill.]
[Ding! You have levelled up to level 2. Two attribute points have been awarded!]
A soft, contented smile played on Sabrina's lips as sleep began to claim her. She was determined to continue pushing her abilities to new heights, to uncover the mysteries of her powers and the secrets of this enigmatic world. She knew that her journey was just beginning, and her insatiable curiosity would lead her to extraordinary places. Alas, rest beckoned her now, though she couldn't wait to embrace a new day of discovery and growth.
Sabrina's dreams were filled with visions of telekinesis, her consciousness dancing among the stars as she explored the endless possibilities of her psychic abilities.
System Stats for Sabrina as at the end of chapter 3 (not sure how to avoid this counting to word count, sorry)
Name: Sabrina Natsume
Level: 2 (0/150)
Type: [Psychic] Tier 5
[Strength]: 5 (.05)(-99% from body age)
[Dexterity]: 5 (.05) (-99% from body age)
[Vitality]: 5 (.05)(-99% from body age)
[Charisma]: 15 (Doubles in all cute interactions, -100% in all beauty and seduction, From body age)
[Intelligence]: 30
[Wisdom]: 10
[Energy]: 5
[Attribute points]: 2
*Note: Average Humans Base stats are 10 in all stats besides [Energy] which is base 1.
[Skills]
[Telekinesis] Level: 11 || 0% to next level
+11% To telekinesis ability. Represents skill at telekinesis.
*Can lift approximately 22.2 kilograms of weight (Base weight doubles every 10 levels. (ie at levels 11, 21, 31 etc)
[Crawling] Level: 28 ||65% to next level
+28% to crawling efficiency. Represents skill at crawling
*You crawl pretty well, for a baby.
[Perks]
[Extreme Psychic Affinity]
Raises Psychic Affinity by 4 tiers
[Heir of Saffron City Gym]
Raises Psychic Affinity by 1 tier
[Otherworlder]
Doubles the gain of Attribute points when levelling up from 1 to 2.
Obtains Perk points once every 10 levels to purchase new Perks. User can purchase new perks.