The Saffron gym, the only legal one as per the league since a year, stood before me as a daunting challenge. With Annihilape by my side, I couldn't help but acknowledge the advantage he held – strength, experience, and new moves as a surprise. However, a thought lingered within that she could turn that around if she puts her mind to it, literally.
Even for all the Canon unreasonable events between her family and her, the league won't tolerate blatant abuse of power from Gym leaders, especially the kind that would make the news. Of course, I am talking generally. I just hope the League still reservations leaning towards one side in the scale weighing the most talented new gym leader from generations of Psychics and current youngest breeder/ researcher.
Archer vs Sabrina
Despite my internal reservations, there was no turning back now. I entered the gym, only to find my surroundings abruptly shifting. Irritation surged through me as I realized I had been teleported against my will. A voice echoed in the air, cutting through the sudden disorientation. "Let's get the match started."
Sabrina's displeasure at the sight of my face was unmistakable, evident in the disdainful "tch" and the subtle crunching of her face. The psychic Gym leader's usually composed demeanor cracked for a moment, revealing a flicker of genuine irritation. I couldn't help but mutter under my breath, questioning the supposed emotionlessness that Sabrina was known for in canon.
"Isn't she supposed to be an emotionless woman who shed her emotions into her doll?" I mused internally, frustration simmering beneath the surface. A fleeting thought crossed my mind – Oh! Right, she wasn't a woman yet, in fact a long time away from being one.
The voice then announced the commencement of a 1vs1 battle, breaking through my contemplation and drawing my attention back to the imminent challenge.
The Saffron gym battlefield shimmered with an otherworldly glow as the match between Annihilape and Sabrina's Abra unfolded. Annihilape, with its ghostly aura, stood ready for the clash, muscles tense and determination etched in its eyes. Across the field, Abra hovered serenely, seemingly unperturbed by the impending battle.
"Annihilape, let's show them our strength! Start with Shadow Claw!" Annihilape responded, lunging forward with claws ablaze in eerie, spectral energy.
Sabrina, maintaining her calm demeanor, communicated with Abra through their psychic connection. With a subtle tilt of its head, Abra gracefully evaded Annihilape's Shadow Claw, a testament to the synergy between trainer and Pokémon.
Undeterred, internally recognising abra's move I called out the next move, "Time to show your training, buddy. Annihilape, use Encore." Abra, bound by the encore, found itself compelled to repeatedly attempt Calm mind, locked in a cycle of calming it's psyhic power.
"Annihilape, use Shadow Ball!" I commanded, hoping to exploit the opening. However, to my surprise, Sabrina and Abra glowed in unison. The unexpected synchronization hinted at a deeper connection, reminiscent of scenes from the anime. My headache only grew as Abra swiftly teleported across the field, employing the same attack as Annihilape – Shadow Ball.
In contrast to Annihilape, Abra seemed to have mastered the move better, strategically placing Shadow Balls at each teleportation point, creating blind spots for my Pokémon. Primape's years of experience allowed him to dodge most of the incoming projectiles, but a few managed to hit him, causing eruptions of rage from the seasoned fighter.
Now was the moment to showcase my brilliance in choosing him. As soon as I received the nod from Annihilape, a smile crept across my face. The maniac who had once pushed himself to the brink in pursuit of the punching philosophy had now revealed his true talent. He had mastered the rhythm of his opponents. Despite the despair-inducing damage taken and stored amidst his rage, "Rage Fist," I commanded.
Leveraging his experience, Annihilape skillfully discerned the patterns and unleashed his signature move, bringing the battle to a dramatic conclusion. The psychic link between Sabrina and Abra couldn't overcome the strategic prowess and battle-hardened instincts of my ghost-type Pokémon. The victory resonated with the culmination of years of training and battles, further solidifying Annihilape's passion.
I received the badge from a begrudging Sabrina, unable to resist the opportunity to inquire about her evident dislike. "Why do you not like me?" I asked curiously.
Sabrina, maintaining her monotone voice, responded, "Do you like somebody who beats you?"
"No, you didn't like me on the first meeting," I pointed out.
"Yes, that's what I explained just now," she confirmed. The confusion lingered for a moment before I grasped the implications based on what I knew of her abilities. "You mean, you saw this battle as a future event in the past?"
"Yes," Sabrina affirmed. I probed further, questioning why she didn't change the outcome. She snorted and replied, "You think I don't want to. First reason – I can't voluntarily search for the future, and even the glimpses I see are limited. I excel at connecting them, but I will see the entire future one day." I nodded in understanding.
"As for the second reason, the gap is wide to fill, or rather strictly speaking, Abra is still not mature enough to bear enough of my power to crush you." Annihilape gulped as he witnessed the raw psychic energy emanating from her. No one should wonder why I call her a monster. This woman possesses enough psychic energy to defy type advantages and intimidate even my ghost Pokémon.
Sabrina, unaffected by my Pokémon's unease, proceeded to take out the papers for video share. Sensing my doubt, she explained, "I'd rather share the videos than have the Crazy Old woman on my back for not passing the trainers. Anyways, at least you won, unlike those fools."
The mention of the Crazy Old woman sparked my curiosity, but I decided not to delve further into that mystery. I wouldn't want to meet this old monster who seemed to unnerve the young monster standing before me.