In case you guys are wondering, the students of school except for Marcus, Flara, and Xero, are actual characters in the Pokemon world.
Wes is from Pokemon Collesium, Lana is from Sun and Moon, Bianca is from Pokemon Heroes, Alain is from the XY anime (obviously), and Goh is from Journeys.
Just wanted to get that out of the way.
Pokemon is owned by Gamefreak and all Pokédex entries are from Bulbapedia.
"Butts"- Humans speaking
"Butts"- Pokemon speaking
'Butts'- thoughts
"Butts"-Pokedex entries/TV commentary
Psi Of The Beholder
Inside the mess hall, Ash shows his schedule to the students he hung out with. It showed that Ash had one class which lasted from nine thirty in the morning until eleven. The rest of the day he had free time, and he planned to spend it training hard for his rematch with Sabrina, which would be in a week.
Wes: Oh, awesome! You're in my class!
Misty: While you're in class tomorrow, I think I'll check out the shops. Goh said there was a really nice mall here.
Flara: My class doesn't start until one. Mind if I come with you? I really need a new pair of sandals. I uh…. *sheepish* accidentally set fire to my old ones.
Misty: Not at all. That sounds like fun.
It would be great to spend time with another girl for once, and she and Flara had a lot in common.
Brock: I heard there's a Breeder's convention going on for the next few days. I'm going to check it out. There's even a cooking contest and I think I'll enter some of my recipes.
Ash: That sounds great, Brock. If the contest is still going on when I'm out of class, I'll come check it out. *Wes* Speaking of class, what's the class like? Is there anything I need to know?
Wes: Don't fall asleep during meditation. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.
Ash: *chuckles* I'll try not to. Do I need to bring anything?
Wes: No, just yourself. One good thing about Psychic school; you never have to take notes.
Brock: How long have you been at Psychic School?
Wes: Not very long, just a few-
Wes stopped talking and looked at Espeon, his eyes widening, then looked behind Ash. Ash turned to look where Wes was staring, but Wes stopped him.
Wes: Ash, what do you think of this CD?!
Wes said this a little too loudly as he put some headphones on Ash's ears. The song 'Peanut Butter Jelly Time' burst out of the CD player. Azula covered his ears and Greem rolled his eyes. Cobalt just looked amused, actua;;y grooving inhis seat to the tune. Wincing, Ash tried to take the headphones off.
Ash: Um, it's…
Wes: *whispers* Yeah, I know, it's an annoying song. Keep your mind on the lyrics. Don't look now, but Marcus was watching you.
Despite Wes's warning, Ash's eyes flicked to Marcus, who was sitting by himself in the table furthest from them with his Houndoom, Umbreon, Gengar, and an Alakazam next to him, but the cloaked boy's eyes were on his Pokémon, not Ash.
Cobalt: Well, right now, a lot of people are staring.
Ash: Wes, what's-
Wes: Keep your mind on the song lyrics. He snoops.
Ash: Um, what we were saying wasn't that-
Wes: No, he snoops in people's minds. Reads them without permission. Solana sensed that he was reading your mind since you came in here. I know you'd prefer to keep your thoughts secret, so I decided to warn you.
Flara: *sarcastic* In the most subtle way possible.
Wes: Hey, at least he's warned now.
Flara: *rolls eyes* Next time just say "Marcus is reading your mind. Block him out with an annoying song." You'll make less of a fool out of yourself that way.
Wes: Well, this way Marcus doesn't become suspicious.
His Espeon rolled her eyes, used to her trainer's antics.
Flara: Wes, you're such a bad actor, you'd make a Slowpoke suspicious! And he's a kid like us, not a career criminal or something…. At least, as we know of. Why's it matter if he knows we don't want him reading our minds?
Wes couldn't think of a comeback to that. Ash had barely heard the argument, thinking about earlier today. When he had been frightened of Goh's Pikachu and all the psychics had been watching him, had Marcus read his mind? And if he had, did that mean he knew about what had happened with Ash's former starter? Did a complete stranger, one who had no regard for people's personal thoughts, find out one of his worst memories? Feeling that Ash was a little panicked, Green took Ash's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Wes: Ash, you okay?
Ash: Hypothetically, if Marcus was to find out something someone wanted to keep secret, would he tell everyone or blackmail the person with it or something?
He remembered what Wes had said about the song lyrics and tried to think of them.
Bianca: No. Marcus may be cold sometimes and he doesn't respect people's private thoughts like he should, but he's not petty or mean, not like that. He's a pretty polite guy; he just likes to keep to himself.
Misty: And if he tries to do that to you, he'd have to deal with me. Mind reading is nothing compared to my Misty Mallet.
She pulled her mallet from out of nowhere.
Flara: Nice! I'm more of a mideaval flail kind of girl.
Wes: *eyes widen* Where is she keeping that- never mind, I don't want to know. *to Ash* I'm sorry for freaking you out. I just…
Ash: No, I'm glad you told me he was doing it. And let me know how to block him out. How'd you figure out to do that anyway?
Wes: I heard the idea in some book series about sparkly vampires my friend, Rui, is obsessed with. Moonlight or Starlight or something. Tried it out and it actually works if you concentrate. And if you don't like the song idea, just think a bunch of random stuff like one plus one equals two and he'll be bored enough to get out of your head. Heard that on the Twilight Zone.
Ash: Thanks.
Wes: You're welcome.
After dinner, Ash, Misty, and Brock discussed getting a room at the Pokémon Center, but Wes let them know there were dormitories at the psychic school. Sabrina gave them permission to stay in the school for their stay, and Flara and Bianca told Misty there was an extra bed in their room while Ash and Brock would share a room with Wes.
That evening, Ash, Cobalt, Green, and Azula went out to spend time with Aiden, Yami, and Psi. It was growing dark, so everyone was inside and they pretty much had the place to themselves. Azula told Ash that Green had told her what happened with Pikachu, then reassured her trainer that it didn't change anything between them; and that the only thing that had changed was that she now wanted to drown a certain yellow rat. Ash was relieved that Azula didn't pity him or act differently around him. They spent the rest of the evening playing tag and having a splash fight which Aidan stayed out of. Once it grew cold, Ash reluctantly recalled his larger Pokémon and headed for the dormitories.
The room Ash and Brock would be staying in had two bunk beds and two sets of plain dressers. Wes was already asleep on the top bunk of the first bed, his Espeon and Umbreon curled beside him, while Brock was reading on the top bunk of the second bed. Ash changed into his pajamas and climbed into the remaining bunk, falling asleep almost instantly with Cobalt, Green, and Azula curled up next to him.
—-
Ash woke up at eight the next morning. Brock was already gone, but Wes was still asleep. Ash woke him up, but Wes mumbled, "Five more minutes." and promptly went back to sleep, so Ash got ready and headed down to the mess hall. Neither Misty or Brock were there, so Ash figured that they must have already left.
As Ash and his Pokémon ate their breakfast, they began discussing the Saffron Gym.
Psi: I still do not get why the Dark Pulse I have and the Ghost type moves Yami has didn't work as well as they should have.
Ash: Maybe their defense is really high.
Green: *scoffs* Mr. Mime having high defense with those stick limbs? In your dreams.
Wes: *sleepily* Morning.
Now awake, Wes walked over to them with his overloaded breakfast tray and his Espeon and Umbreon beside him.
Wes: What are you guys talking about?
Ash: The Saffron gym. We lost to Sabrina and we're trying to figure out a strategy to beat the gym.
Wes: *sighs* Wish I could help you, but we lost too. Her Mr. Mime defeated Dusk and her Kadabra was able to beat my Beedrill. We're trying to figure out a new strategy ourselves.
He scratched his Umbreon's head and gave him a piece of sausage before doing the same with his Espeon.
Wes: Sabrina told me not to rely so much on type advantage or what we think is type advantage.
Ash: That's the exact same advice she gave me! I think I might have an idea what she means!
He pulled out his Pokédex and checked it out.
Ash: Okay, Kadabra is fully Psychic Type, and Mr. Mime is Psychic and…Fairy?
Wes: Fairy type? What the hell is a Fairy type?
Ash: I'm not entirely sure. I've heard the Pokedex say Clefairy and Gardevoir are that type, but I wasn't sure what it was… Psi?
Psi: Fairy type?... AHyes, I think I know what you are referring to. The Fairy type is a type that was recently discovered in Kalos. They are resistant to Bug, Fighting and…..
As the memories flooded back, Psi slapped their face with their hand.
Psi: Dark! That is the answer! My Dark Pulse wouldn;t work on Mr Mime because it's a Fairy type! That was why we were having so much trouble at the gym! And now only that, they are completely immune to Dragon Type moves.
Ash: *as he translates* Wow, that is one powerful type.
Wes: Are they weak to anything?
Psi: Yes, I believe they are weak to Poison and Steel.
Cobalt: Well, Yami knows Poison type moves, I have Metal Claw, and Green has Iron Tail.
Green: So if we power those up, we'll have the advantage.
Ash: In a way, but Sabrina also told us not to rely completely on type advantage. Psi, your Thunderbolt and Psyshock are really strong and Disable will really come in clutch, we should use those as well.
Wes: Kadabra can learn Thunderbolt?
Ash: Yeah, the Pokedex told me.
Wes: I didn't know the Pokédex could do that. Maybe I can find a good strategy for us to use at the gym!
Ash: I didn't either until a friend showed me the search feature.
He showed Wes how to use the search feature and the silver-haired boy began looking through his Pokédex.
Ash: Wes, is there a training room here?
Wes looked up from the Pokédex.
Wes: Huh? Oh yeah, it's right outside. I'll take you to it before class starts.
After breakfast, Wes led them outside to the training area, which was dirt-packed with several targets to aim at and an obstacle course. It even had a small pond. Ash released Aiden and Yami.
Ash: I'd like for all of you to do some training while I go to Empathy class. Yami, I'd like for you to practice your Skudge Bomb. Azula, practice your Mud Shot and U-Turn. Aidan, you can work on your Dragon Claw, and Green, I'd like for you to work on Iron Tail. Psi, work on powering up your Thunderbolt and Co, you can start mastering Metal Claw.
They all nodded.
Ash: Thanks, guys. I'll meet you at noon. Remember to take breaks if you get tired.
He looked at Aidan and Psi as he said this. Wes released his Togetic, Croconaw, Ponyta, and Beedrill and asked them and his Umbreon to train as well while he and Espeon were in class. Both boys said goodbye to their Pokémon before heading back. They nearly collided with Goh on their way to class as they zipped out of their room, their Pikachu and Scorbunny at their heels. Ash blocked out an involuntary twinge of fear as their Pikachu looked at him.
Goh: Oh man, I overslept! My stupid alarm didn't go off again! And now I won't have time for breakfast!
Wes took a granola bar out of his backpack.
Wes: Here you go.
Goh smiled and thanked him, eating it quickly before they entered the classroom. The classroom was a room almost as large as the gymnasium at Ash's old school, more than big enough for a Fearow or even a Scpetile like Arthur to comfortably be in. There were no desks or chairs, but there were several yoga mats and cushions. The room was candlelit and there was a faint smell of incense in the air. Their teacher was a friendly middle aged woman with red hair who had a floating green ball Pokemon with her. Noticing Ash looked confused and a little lost, she came up to him and introduced herself as Ms. Brown and the green ball as her partner, Solosis. She instructed him to take a seat on one of the yoga mats. Ash sat between Wes and a tall boy with curly dark brown hair named Nigel who had a Golduck seated next to him. Wes's Espeon lay beside him, and Goh's Pikachu, Zina, sat in their lap.
The class started with a guided meditation. Ash nearly did what Wes had done, almost falling asleep during the relaxing but somewhat boring meditation, but managed to stay awake. After the meditation, they started several different mental exercises meant to hone their empathic abilities, one known as Memory Sharing. Each person was to pick a partner and write three memories down on a piece of paper, then hand the sheet to their partner. Then they would think of a specific memory that was listed, focusing on the emotions they had felt at the time, while their partner was to guess what the memory was.
Goh: Want to be partners, Ash?
Ash: *nods* Sure, it'd be like back at camp.
Goh wrote their three memories down before passing the paper to Ash. Ash wrote down "Ghost story at Summer Camp", "Playing with my Pokémon" and "Rocket Ride at Funland," on his own piece of paper before passing it to Goh and concentrating on the memory he had chosen.
Goh: Whoa. Definitely the scary story. Must have been a good one. What was it?
Ash: Don;t you remember? The one with about the Vengeful Fox?
Goh: …Oh yeah. *chuckles* I was traumatized.
Pushing past that, Goh then concentrated on their own memory. Ash concentrated as hard as he could, but could only get the barest flicker of emotion from Goh. Mrs. Brown's Solosis noticed and walked over.
Solosis: Ash, you're trying way too hard. You need to relax. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. *Ash does so* Good. Now let your mind reach out and hear what's around you like we showed you in the first exercise.
Even with Solosis's help, it still took almost ten minutes before Ash could get a reading from Goh, but finally, he was able to read and pinpoint the emotion Goh was sending out. Exhilaration, a hint of fear, but also enjoyment…
Ash: Riding your first roller coaster.
Goh: You got it!
After the exercise was finished, they took a break. Class ended with a cool-down meditation and then Mrs. Brown dismissed them. As they walked out the door and Ash conjoined with Wes, he rubbed his head as he yawned.
Ash: Wow, why do I feel so tired?
Wes: You're new to this and not used to using your powers. It'll get easier as you go. At least you were able to get a reading from Goh. I still can't read any emotions from people, just Pokémon, no matter how hard I try. I may just not be… Bianca, what happened?!
Wes ran over to Bianca, who was coming out of another classroom, supported by another girl as she held her head in pain and her nose was bleeding.
Ash: Are you okay? Should I get one of the teachers?
Bianca: It's nothing. I just used my powers a little too much today. But I was finally able to move the book across the table!
Ash: Bianca, maybe you should stop using your telekinesis for a while if it hurts you like this.
Bianca: Ash, telekinesis absolutely has to be trained. It could be really dangerous for me if it isn't. Once I train my powers more and they stabilize, I'll be fine. A lot of students went through this and so did Sabrina when she was first starting out.
Wes: Need me to get you any Tylenol or anything?
Bianca: No, I'm fine now.
Misty: *off-screen* Hi, Ash.
Ash heard Misty call and turned to see Misty, Brock, and Flara coming up to them.
Ash: Hi guys. Did you have fun?
Brock smiled as he held up a ribbon.
Brock: I won third place in the cooking contest.
Ash: Congratulations, Brock! *to Misty* How was shopping?
Misty grinned as she handed Ash a flyer.
Ash: "The HopHopHop Town Water Tournament"?
Misty: It starts in a month and the grand prize is the latest Super Rod, a Gold Nugget, and a set of Lure Balls. I've got to enter!
Ash: That sounds awesome. Where's HopHopHop Town anyway? Will we be able to make it in time?
Misty: Right past Celadon, so we'll have more than enough time and you'll be able to try for your next Badge.
Ash: That will be great then. You'll have time to train for your tournament, and I'll be able to train and go for my next Badge.
The group went their separate ways after that; Ash, Wes, Brock, and Misty heading for the training field as Goh and Bianca went for the cafeteria.
—-
Ash;s party made princess on perfecting their moves, with Cobalt now able to use Metal Claw like a pro and Aiden finally managing to use Dragon Claw. Azula's Mud Shot had improved and she had also done some speed training and Psi was seen with Yami, using Dark Pulse on the Shadow Balls the Gnegar would launch up as if they were at a shooting range. Though, Ash culdn;t help but notice Psi had been really working hard lately…. Maybe a little too hard.
They stayed there for many more days, Ash getting more in tune with his empath abilities and his Pokemon only getting stronger. However, Ash's worry for Psi overcame the good mood from the time he got out of class. Though Psi was making some progress with Thinderbolt, they still were having a lot of trouble powering it up. The Kadabra had become so fixated upon learning the move, they were exhausting themself and barely taking any rest. They were acting irritable, didn't want to play their usual evening game of tag with them, and didn't even make a joke when Ash blushed upon seeing Misty in her new swimsuit.
The next day, Ash woke up at five in the morning. His Pokemon were in their usual spots, but Psi was missing.
Ash: Psi?
Green: *sleepily mutters* What's the matter, Ash?
Ash: Have you seen Psi? He's not here.
Green: No, I was asleep. Where would Psi be at this hour?
Cobalt heard them and woke up.
Cobalt: Maybe they're in the bathroom.
Green: No, they're not in there. Door's wide open and I can't see them.
Ash got out of bed and looked around the dormitory, the two brothers tagging along. He didn't see Psi anywhere but the door opened a crack. Ash was beginning to get a little worried.
Cobalt: Where would Psi wander off to this early?
Ash: We're about to find out. Come on.
As Ash passed the cafeteria, he suddenly bumped into someone. Upon closer inspection, Ash found out he had bumped into Marcus.
Ash: Oof! Sorry!
Marcus: That's okay.
Ash: By any chance have you seen Psi, my Kadabra? I can't find them anywhere.
Marcus: They're in the training area practicing Thunderbolt. They've been at it since before I got there and they're exhausted and really frustrated. I was actually about to come find you.
Ash: Thanks.
The three ran over to the training area where lo and behold, Psi was near a target, their spoon glowing. They sent a Thunderbolt to hit the target, only for it to come out as a small spark, causing them to growl in frustration.
Ash: Psi?
Psi: Huh?... Oh, Ash. What are you doing up?
Ash: I could say the same for you. We came looking for you.
Green: Why are you out here? It's 5 in the damn morning.
Psi: Sleep evaded me. Besides, I need to get this move mastered.
Ash: Psi, you need to sleep. You're exhausted.
Psi: I do not need sleep, I need PROGRESS! I am fine, Ash.
Cobalt: Psi, you need to take a break.
Psi: *glares* Cobalt, I have told you already. I. Am. Fine. Leave me alone!
Ash had had enough as he stepped up.
Ash: No, you are not! You're obsessed with this stupid move! You're irritable, you're exhausted, and you're too damn stubborn to take a break! Well, I'm making you take one!
Psi: I will rest when I master Thunderbolt or when I am dead!
Green: The way you're going, it's probably gonna be the latter!
Ash: I'm your trainer and you need to listen to me! And if you don't, I…I won't let you battle in the gym!
Psi looked at him in shock and so Cobalt. Their normally timid trainer had never raised his voice or scolded any of them before. Even Ash looked shocked a little at what had come out of his mouth. At this, Psi sighed, both ashamed and a little embarrassed.
Psi: Ash…. I'm sorry. You were right and for once…I was wrong.
Wow, did he hate admitting that. Psi hated being wrong.
Ash: So, you'll take a break and get some sleep?
Psi: *sarcastic* Yes, Father.
Ash cracked a smile, glad his Kadabra was starting to act like their old self again. Ash decided to pick Psi up, and now they suddenly discovered how tired they really were. Yawning, they shifted to a more comfortable position and fell asleep in Ash's arms just as Ash returned the to their Pokeball.
?: You really care about them, don't you?
Ash jumped, looking up to see Marcus, his Houndour, Alakazam, Umbreon, Gengar, and Noctowl with him. At this, Ash nodded as he gave Cobalt a side hug and Green a head scratch.
Ash: They mean everything to me.
Marcus nodded, giving Ash a small smile.
Marcus: I feel the same way about my team.
At this, Marcus's Gengar, Shadow, floated up, being met by Yami, who's eyes lightened up.
Shadow: It's time.
Yami: Awesome! *both fly off*
Ash: What are they planning?
Marcus: Not sure. But since Shadow's been singing "The Song That Never Ends" in his head and Yami's singing some song he made up himself about being the king of puns or something, I'm guessing they're up to no good. Probably planning some dumb prank.
Ash's Pokémon and Marcus's began playing and talking, eventually drifting away from their trainers. As soon as Ash's Pokémon were out of earshot, Marcus turned to Ash.
Marcus: Can I talk to you? Alone?
Ash: Um, sure.
Ash said nervously, as he followed Marcus into a hallway inside the building, just on the other side of the door to the training ground.
Marcus: I'm going to be point-blank about this. The first morning you were here, when you were wondering if I had found out your secret…. I had. I know what happened with your former starter. *Ash stiffens* Look, I'm not going to tell anyone and I'd never stoop so low as to blackmail you. Your secret is safe with me.
Ash looked at him, trying to determine whether he was telling the truth. Finally, he decided he was.
Ash: Thank you. What happened…isn't something I want to be spread around.
Marcus: *dark laugh* Believe me, I understand. I understand better than you know. You're not the only one who was stabbed in the back by their starter. I was too.
Ash: You were? But isn't your Charizard…
Marcus: Like you consider Cobalt and Green your true starters, I will always consider Alleria, my Charizard, mine. But she was not the Pokémon I started out with. The Pokémon I started out with…was a Bulbasaur. I was like you once. I thought all Pokémon were good inside and I thought I could make that Bulbasaur my friend. But that little bastard absolutely loathed humanity and me especially. I tried everything I could-just like you did. But a few days after we started out on our journey, that worthless piece of shit attacked me, then destroyed his Poké Ball and ran off like the coward he was, leaving me this as a parting gift.
He pointed at an X-shaped scar under his right eye. Ash was speechless as he stared at the boy whose past had so closely mirrored his own, feeling a wave of sympathy and understanding.
Marcus: After my starter betrayed me, I made my way back home to Marconi City. And on the way I literally bumped into Alleria, then this tiny golden Charmander who was kicked out of her own colony just because she happened to be a different color than they were. I gave her some food and healed her wounds. She grew to trust me and I her. Both being betrayed by the ones who were supposed to care for us, we knew what the other was going through. We decided to stick together and help each other grow stronger. We vowed that someday we would find and take revenge on the ones that hurt us and to be there for one another when we do.
Ash was quiet as he thought over what Marcus had said. Marcus looked at him strangely.
Marcus: Ash, there is something I don't understand about you. Your starter hurt you, even worse than my starter hurt me, yet you haven't thought about revenge once. I've barely even heard any anger at your starter from you. Why?
Ash thought for a few minutes, trying to sort through his feelings. Was he angry at Pikachu? Truthfully, he knew he was, though he pushed it away when it came. Did he want revenge, even a little? Maybe in the deepest, darkest recesses of his mind he did, but he wanted to move on more. Finally, he looked at Marcus and gave his response.
Ash: I want to move on with my life, focus on what's really important; my friends and my Pokémon. Honestly, I don't want to see Pikachu ever again. I want to forget about him and what he did to me.
Marcus: But you'll never forget.
Ash: No, I won't. It's as much a part of me as my powers, especially since that's what unlocked them. But for as horrible as it was, good things came out of it. I've got the most wonderful Pokémon in the world as my teammates, two amazing best friends as well as several new ones, and a second family in the Sceptile Tribe who saved my butt and helped me even though they didn't have to. And until Pikachu decides to change, all he'll have is his hatred.
As Ash said this, he felt some of the hurt Pikachu caused begin to heal.
Marcus: You can just let go of what he did to you and move on that easily? You don't want revenge at all?
Ash remembered a quote he had heard somewhere.
Ash: They say the best revenge is living well and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to be the best friend and trainer I can be and enjoy my life with the ones who actually care for me.
Marcus: ….Ash, you're a very strange kid, but I respect your conviction, even if-
He was cut off by the pool door suddenly opening.
THUNK!
SPLASH!
Yami: It worked!
Ash and Marcus looked over to see that Morty was covered in plastic wrap, soaking wet and standing under a bucket that was attached to the door by what looked like a piece of string.
Shadow: Of course it did. We thought of it after all.
Ash turned to Marcus in confusion.
Ash: You're the mind reader. What just happened?
Shadow: We couldn't decide between the 'plastic wrap covering the entryway' prank or the 'bucket of water over the door' so we decided to go with both.
Yami: Ash, I can't believe you guys missed that! That was awesome!
Ash just put his head in his hands, rolling his eyes at his weird Gengar.
Morty: Hey! Who thought it was smart to mess with the King Of Pranks?
Shadow: *laughs* You, the king of pranks? There's only one king of pranks around here and that would be me.
Umbreon: You tell him, Shads! Don't let him steal your title!
Houndoom: Amity, don't encourage him.
Amity: C'mon Atlas, don't be a spoilsport.
Being able to talk to ghosts, Morty could understand what both Gengars were saying, though he couldn't understand the others.
Morty: Well, your reign has now ended.
Shadow: Is that a challenge?
Morty: You and me. Prank war. Whoever lasts the longest gets the title of King Of Pranks.
Marcus: Oh crap. Is that guy a total idiot? No one challenges Shadow to a prank war! This is going to end in disaster. Or at least be really annoying to clean up. And yes, Ash, you might want to get a crash helmet.
—-
After many days of training, both for Ash and his team, the boy finally felt as if he was ready, as were his party as they thought up of the perfect strategy. Ash took a deep breath as he walked into the gym. It was finally time for the rematch between him and Sabrina. Cobalt and Green were beyond ecstatic and he could feel Psi's ball rocking in excitement. They, Ash, and Yami had trained their butts off. Their moves were much stronger and their new strategy worked very well. Ash had been careful not to do it or think of it around Sabrina, just in case she read their minds as they stepped into Sabrina's room.
Sabrina: Ready for our rematch? I can tell Psi is.
Ash nodded and they stepped onto the battlefield.
Referee: The rematch between gym leader Sabrina and the challenger Ash shall now begin! Each trainer shall only use two Pokemon for the battle and furthermore, there will be no substitutions allowed! Will both sides let out their Pokemon!
Sabrina: Mr. Mime, to the battlefront.
Ash: Yami, go!
Both Pokemon were released, staring each other down as their trainers steeled themselves.
Referee: Let the match begin!
Ash: Use Shadow Ball!
Sabrina: Reflect.
Mr. Mime put up a psychic shield that blocked some of the damage, though Mr. Mime was still hurt by the powerful attack.
Sabrina: Now Psychic.
Mr. Mime grabbed Yami with his psychic powers, then threw him in the air.
Ash: Use Shadow Ball on the ground to catch yourself!
Yami shot the purple balls of energy at the ground, giving him enough lift to adjust and reamian just above the ground. Ash gave Yami a thumbs up, their secret signal to begin to enact the plan. The Gengar's cheeks filled with poison as he rished towards the clown.
Sabrina: Hit him with Magical Leaf!
Ash: Destroy them with Shadow Ball!
Yami shot out a shadowy blob, destroying the leaves and kicking up dust. Just as they wanted….
Ash: Now, Shadowy Sludge Bomb!
Ash had thought up a new move combination which combined Sludge Bomb with Shadow Ball, creating a damaging move that not only could poison a target, but also lowered the foe's special attack. Yami opened his mouth and brought his hands forth, infusing a giant ball of black sludge with shadowy energy at the Mr. Mime, destroying his shield, lowering his special attack, and causing a great amount of damage with the super-effective move. But though severely weakened, Mr. Mime wasn't out yet, but the purple flush did indicate he was poisoned.
Sabrina: Psychic!
Mr. Mime threw Yami across the room. Yami landed hard, but got up quickly.
Sabrina: Now give him your strongest Psybeam!
Ash: Dodge it and use Venoshock!
Yami barely got out of the way in time, then hit the Mr. Mime with a strong Venoshock, amplified with the Mr Mime's poison status. Mr. Mime staggered, but then fell over as he fainted.
Referee: Mr. Mime is unable to battle! The winner is Gengar!
Sabrina silently thanked her Mr Mime, returnin him to the ball before sending out her next Pokemon.
Sabrina: Kadabra, to the battlefront.
Ash looked at Yami, who was panting and nearly touching the ground. This elicited him to return his Gengar and swap him out.
Ash: Yami, return! Go, Psi!
As Psi was released, both Kadabras stared at each other, their rivalry sparking up.
Kadabra: Will you actually put up a challenge this time?
Psi: You will see.
Sabrina: Psychic.
Kadabra lifted Psi into the air.
Ash: Use Thunderbolt to make him let you go!
Psi struck the Kadabra with a strong Thunderbolt, which amde him stagger backwards but was far from out.
Sabrina: Future Sight.
Sabrina said this very quietly to Kadabra so that Ash couldn't hear. But Ash had been on the lookout for this very thing and saw it when Kadabra's eyes glowed. But he pretended he hadn't noticed.
Ash: Psi, use Dark Pulse!
Sabrina: Reflect.
Kadabra put up a psychic shield, which protected the Kadabra from most of the damage.
Sabrina: Now Psybeam.
Ash: Match it with Thunderbolt!
Ash's Kadabra shot lightning from their spoon which counteracted with the otherKadabra's Psybeam, causing a small explosion that damaged both Pokémon.
Ash: Now Psyshock!
Sabrina: Reflect.
Kadabra strengthened his shield, blocking most of the damage. The wind from Future Sight began to blow, but this time Ash was ready.
Ash: Psi, use Dark Pulse on Kadabra's hand!
Sabrina: His hand?
Nodding, Psi fired the dark beam at Kadabra's hand, making him yell as he dropped his spoon. With a quick teleport, Psi grabbed the spoon in his other hand and-
Ash: Now, use the spoons to deflect!
Smirking, Psi crossed both spoons, using them to catch the ball of psychic energy heading for them. He landed on Kadabra, knocking the Psychic Type to the ground.
Sabrina: What?!
However, Psi began to grow weaker. The force was too much for them to handle. But that was until Cobalt shouted from the stands.
Cobalt: Psi! Remember that night! Rest on it!
Psi: Rest…. On it?….. 'If I rest…. I may be able to gain more strength… And if I do… My strain on the power may diminish…'
Taaking the Lucario's words to heart, Psi took a breath and began to relax. He did this more and more before the power and strain seemed to fade. However, he was growing so calm… He didn;t notice that the psychic ball wasn't the only thing glowing.
Ash: Psi?
Sabrina: They're…. Evolving? But that's impossible! Kadabra can't evolve unless it's traded!
Ash: We kinda have a thing for making the impossible possible.
As the light from both Psi and the ball faded, Psi looked down on themself, seeing their mustache was now longer, their tail was gone, and they were now taller with more pointed ears as both spoons laid in their hands.
Psi: I….. I cannot believe this! I evolved!? But how- Oh, who cares? I managed to break the laws of evolution!
Ash chuckled at Psi's newfound excitement, scanning their status with his Pokedex.
Pokedex: Alakazam, the Psi Pokémon, and the evolved form of Kadabra. A Psychic type. Alakazam's brain cells are continuously multiplying, allowing its intelligence to grow even more than a supercomputer's. It is rumored that anything eaten with this spoon becomes immediately delicious. This Alakazam is level 35, Male, and has the ability Magic Guard. It knows the moves Psychic, Thunderbolt, Dark Pulse, and Protect.
Sabrina: Impressive, but you will need to try harder than that! Kadabra, Psychic!
The Kadabra summoned a new spoon as it tried to entangle Psi, but…
Ash: Use Protect!
Psi crossed their spoons, forming a force field around them and shaking off the psychic hold.
Ash: Use Psychic to hold it still!
Nodding, Psi used their own Psychic, sending Kadabra into a wall and hpldng him there.
Ash: Now Dark Pulse!
Using their other spoon, Psi hit the Kadabra with a blast of dark energy, knocking Kadabra out.
Referee: Kadabra is unable to battle! The winner is Alakazam! And as such, the match goes to Ash Ketchum!
Sabrina treated Kadabra with a Revive and Hyper Potion and the Kadabra shakily stood up, nodding to his opponent in respect.
Sabrina: Very good, Ash. Your observational skills won you the match. You actually surprised me with that trick, and with that sudden and should be impossible evolution?... It's nearly impossible to surprise me.
She handed him the Marsh badge, which she had gotten via telekinetically floating it into his hand.
Sabrina: Continue to keep up the good strategies, and remember, defensive and status changing moves are your friend. Not all matches can be won with sheer physical power.
Ash: *nods* Thank you.
Sabrina: Mrs. Brown says you're doing extremely well with your Empathy training. You're free to go, just keep up the mental exercises to keep you from being overwhelmed by it now that it's come out a little more. You should have a slight power increase when you reach your teenage years; it happens to most psychics. If it becomes overwhelming, feel free to come back. Oh, and one more thing….
She reached into her pocket, giving Ash something else besides the Marsh Badge. It was a small cream colored glass ball with a yellow and brown swirl within.
Ash: Is this…. A Mega Stone?
Sabrina: Correct. This would be Alakazite, the Mega Stone bonded to Alakazam. Once your's and Psi's bond truly finalizes, you will be able to unlock their true potential.
Ash: Thanks. For everything.
Sabrina: Happy to help. We psychics have to stick together.
Ash ran up to Misty and Brock, who congratulated him on winning his badge while Cobalt and Green congratulated Psi on their victory and evolution. Later, Wes battled Sabrina as well, and Ash cheered as he won his Badge using his Ponyta and Umbreon. It had been an extremely tough match, but Umbreon staggered through and won the match with Dark Pulse. The little group treated their Pokémon at the Center, then headed back to the Psychic School.
—-
Ash: Good luck on your journey, buddy.
Ash told Wes, shaking his hand. He had found out Wes, Goh and Marcus were all ready to head off on their journey.
Ash: I hope I'll see you again sometime.
Wes: You will. We'll be battling each other at the Pokémon League. So it's not goodbye, it's just "see you soon".
Goh came out with their Pikachu, Zina, on their shoulder and their Scorbunny, Kix, by their side.
Goh: Hey, Wes, you ready to go?
Wes: Yep, just saying goodbye to Ash.
Brock: You guys traveling together?
Both Wes and Goh nodded, though Wes seemed to be blushing as Goh grabbed onto his hand in excitement.
Wes: Yeah, we uh… We thought it would be fun.
Goh: It was good seeing you again, Ash.
Ash: You too.
But that's when Ash looked at Zina. The Pikachu kept still and relaxed into a non-threatening position, knowing Ash was scared of her. Ash hesitantly raised his hand, then after a moment, placed it on Zina's head, gently stroking her. Zina leaned into the touch and began purring. Ash smiled, relaxed a little, and petted her some more before pulling away. Cobalt and Green smiled, proud of Ash.
Goh: Told you she was friendly. She loves being petted. You've just made a friend for life. Be seeing you at the Pokémon League, Ash.
Wes clasped Ash's arm and the two walked away after a last goodbye.
?: So what made you do that?
Ash jumped and turned to see Marcus.
Ash: Do what?
Marcus: Petting that Pikachu, even though you're scared of them.
Ash: Well, I need to get over my fears sometime, and it's not Zina's fault my former starter attacked me. All the other Pikachu in the world are not to blame for what he did, and it's time I realized that and stopped being scared for no reason.
Marcus: You're not exactly scared for no reason, there are bad people and bad Pokémon out there. Be careful not to trust too easily. It could get you hurt.
Ash: I know and I'll be careful. *holds hand out* Good luck on your journey. I hope you find what you're looking for.
Marcus: *shakes hand* You too. I'll be looking forward to battling you in the Pokémon League. *boards Carizard* Goodbye for now, Ash.
Ash: Goodbye, Marcus.
Ash waved to Marcus as he flew off while Flara gave Misty her Pokegear number.
Misty: Just in case you ever want to hang out.
Misty: I'll miss you, Flara. It was fun hanging out with another girl. Oh, I got you something.
She pulled out a mallet head that was attached to a chain and handle that looked similar to her own mallet.
Misty: It's even fireproof. Just in case Morty ever drives you nuts.
Flara: This is awesome! Thanks, Misty!
The group said goodbye to the others, then headed down the road, off to their next adventure.
—-
However that night as they set up camp, Ash got up, having the need to use the bathroom. After doing his business and returning to camp, he saw Psi still awake, looking up at the stars.
Ash: Couldn't sleep?
Psi: I… Guess you could say that.
Nodding, the boy sat next to his Psychic type, look up at the sky.
Ash: How are you feeling, Psi?
Psi: Better… Then before, I suppose. Ash, I want to… Apologize again for my behaviour. I just… I needed to master Thunderbolt. Not just to prove I was not wrong, but to be stronger. To protect you. To protect Cobalt and Green and the others. To stop people like those Rocket buffoons.
Ash: You know, you always get intense when they show up and it's not just because their plans are stupid, is it?
Psi: …No. I never told anyone this, but… I want vengeance…. *looks down* Members of Team Rocket… Killed my mother when I was really young.
Ash became wide eyed at Psi's confession, now realizing their want to practice wasn't simply to prove they were right, but to protect them all and not feel the same pain of the loss of their mother.
Psi: It happened so long ago. I could not think of a way to save her… Or bring her back even after I knew she was gone. Now.. I do not even remember what she looked like, but she was warm. And safe…You know, ever since that day, I wondered… Can you trulymiss someone you barely even know? *chuckles* What a fool I am. I mean, of course you can not-
The Alakazam is interrupted as Ash throws himself onto them, wrapping his arms around their waist. Seeing Ash feel pity for them and the years of remorse finally catching up to them, Psi trembled as they hugged back…. And they finally began to cry.
TO BE CONTINUED…..
—-
Ash's Team
Lucario: Cobalt
Grovyle: Green
Alakazam: Psi
Gengar: Yami
Charmeleon: Aidan
Sobble: Azula
Misty's Team
Staryu
Starmie (at gym)
Gyarados: Mel (Malestrom)
Butterfree: Alex (at gym)
Squirtle: Loki
Wimpod: Harold
Goldeen: Bella (at gym)
Horsea: Jeff
Tentacool: Charles
Brock's Team
Onix
Geodude
Zubat: Nightwing
Bulbasaur
Croagunk