Here's the next chapter.
I'm sorry to say that I can no longer accept any more Pokemon recommendations as I'm starting to lose track of them all and it would be unfair to those who have submitted Pokemon if I start forgetting them.
Once the 'Potential Pokemon List' is shorter I will start accepting them again. Thanks you so much those who have submitted requests. You have been a great help in the development of this story. Thank you for understanding.
All of Charles', Flo's, and Alice's Pokemon and their names can be found on my profile.
Kunoichi69 - Yeah, Titania did have a lot of issues, but luckily they were able to sort it all out. Hopefully, she will contribute more to the team in the future. I like how you pointed out Boa because she also has quite the character development. Thanks for reading.
Sonic07 - It sure was. It was like Tyche had gone with them or something. Titania defiantly needed to vent and what better way to do that was at her greatest fear. Thank you for asking about my cat. She's back to her normal (miserable) self. Thanks for reading.
BigEater - It's good that I finally get to present Titania in a different light. In the next few chapters, you will see that Titania will need some time to get used to her new form, especially since sylveon are not known in the Kanto. Maybe she'll be a sister type figure along with Cleo, that's a good idea. Enjoy the next chapter.
Djinn - Thank so much. Titania will definitely need to get used to her new form. Enjoy the next chapter.
Guest - Thank you. I thought it would be appropriate for a Pokemon who was so bitter and hateful to evolve into a Pokemon known for giving out good emotions. Titania's siblings are scattered across the regions and it will be a running theme in this story that they'll try to find 'em all. Thanks for reading.
pokemonking0924 - Charles certainly did have good intentions with Titania. It was such a shame that none of them seem to work out. Still at least Titania finally evolved and their relationship can improve. Titania's ribbons will be a useful weapon against anybody who annoys her. Marina finally returns and she'll get to see her first battle in this episode. Hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.
TurboDriver07 - It sure was an eventful day for the both of them, but at least it ended well. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter and the gym battle.
Guest -Ha ha. I feel like Tyche will always get himself into trouble or some shape and form. He's a very fun character to right.
SkullGreymonX - Yeah, the activities were great, but the results...not so much. At least everting turned out alright in the end. The reason why I didn't include Fleur, Lilly and Kani in the chapter was because there were too many characters for me to keep track of. I'm sure they get to see her later. I love you name suggestions. I can totally picture Alice naming her rattata Nibbles. Thanks for reading.
Lovely - I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter. This may be the last instalment of the year so I hope you enjoy it. Happy holidays
Thanks for reviewing. Enjoy the next chapter :)
Chapter 26: Sabrina The Teenage Gym Leader
Pokemon Centre, Saffron City
Saffron City was the largest and busiest city in the Kanto Region.
It was packed with skyscrapers, wide roads, cars, people and Pokemon of all shapes and sizes. It was something that our team, who were brought up in rural towns, were not entirely used to. It had been an uneventful journey, but the children couldn't help but marvel as fields and forests gradually turned to tarmac and cement. There was so much to see, hear, smell that was almost overwhelming. Alice was able to lead them to the familiar grounds of the Pokemon Centre with some difficultly. Even with her navigational skills, she found it hard to figure out what was where. Eventually they found it and now they had gathered in the reception, resting in the waiting room chairs.
"Saffron City is way bigger then I was expecting," Flo sighed as she slumped in her seat.
Alice folded up her map and stuffed it in her bag, "Sorry for getting us lost, guys."
"Don't worry," Charles told her as Benny sat beside him, "You still got us here."
Flo looked around the reception and raised her eyebrows when she noticed the lack of trainers. Surely, an urban area like Saffron which had one of the most prestigious gyms in Kanto would mean that the Centre was packed.
"Strange. Where is everybody," Flo mused our loud, catching the others attention, "the Centre is almost deserted."
"That is weird," Charles said, "you don't think it's a down period or the gym is closed."
Alice hummed in irritation, "I hope not. We came all the way here."
("Hey Charles,") Benny called out, tugging on his sleeve with his paw, ("Maybe we should start training now.")
"But we just got here. There's no need to rush."
("I know but other then Cleo and Titania, the others don't have much battle experience. If the Psychic gym leader is powerful then we might need to put in extra work,") he told him.
Charles hummed thoughtfully, 'He might be right. Miko, Mahad, Tyche need to do some training. Marina is still too young, but I guess she can watch and learn,' he thought before he turned back to Alice and Flo, "I know I promised we take it easy for a day or two, but I feel like I need to focus on training. After the gym battle we can see the sights together."
"That's alright," Flo told him.
"But I wanted to go this cafe that-" Alice began to complain before Flo sent her glare, "-fine. We can go after " she mumbled.
"Where are you going to train?"
"I think there's a park nearby," Alice suggested.
"That sounds great, let's-" Charles suddenly stopped as he felt a chill go down his spine.
He felt as if something or somebody watching them and he looked around the area. He thought he saw a flicker of a red dress and dark green hair in the corner of his eyes and snapped his head towards it. However, there was nothing there. Or rather there was never anything there.
"Charles," Alice called out, snapping the trainer out of his stupor and turning back to his concerned friends, "you alright?"
"Err...yeah," he hesitatingly replied, "I just thought I saw something."
("Saw what?")
"I don't really know...anyway, Flo are you coming with us?"
Flo shook her head, "I'm a little tired so I'll just book our rooms. You two go on ahead."
Charles stood up and Benny jumped onto his shoulder, "Good idea. Let's get going, Alice."
The trio exited the Pokemon Centre while Flo made her way to the front desk. Nurse Joy gave her friendly smile as she approached.
"Hi Flo. Would you like a room for the night?"
"Yes please, aunt Joy," Flo cheerfully said, before she looked around the foyer again, "Where is everybody. I thought this place would be full."
Nurse Joy frowned sadly, "It should be, but trainers tend to not stick around once they had battled the Psychic gym leader."
Flo blinked in surprise, "Is she really that difficult to defeat?"
"Yes...but there's something...wrong with her," Nurse Joy admitted, nervously looking around just in case she happened to be there, "I don't know everything, but it all happened about eight years ago. There used to be a family who ran the gym, Archie, Mellisa and their daughter Sabrina. They seemed normal enough, but then Melissa disappeared and then Archie left the gym suddenly leaving Sabrina in charge of the gym."
"Disappeared?" Flo repeated, "What happened."
"Nobody knows. Archie hasn't said anything. It's almost as if he's scared. In fact, everybody seems to be scared of Sabrina and the gym."
"Did the police do anything?"
Nurse Joy sighed, "They tried. They even got a warrant to search the gym, but they said they couldn't find anything. Then again..." she leaned in close to Flo and whispered, "...I heard that the officers investigating didn't even make any notes or search for evidence. Some of them don't even remember entering the gym in the first place. It was as if they just walked in, did nothing and then just walked out again."
She turned away so she could book in their rooms, leaving behind a concerned Flo.
'Something is definitely weird about that gym,' she thought, 'I should warm Charles when they get back. Anyway, I wonder if Ash, Misty and Brock are here. They said they were heading to Saffron as well.' She turned to her aunt curiously, "You wouldn't know if my friends are here as well. One is boy with black hair and a pikachu on his shoulder. Another is girl with orange hair in a ponytail and the other is...Brock. The infamous Brock," she asked, rolling her eyes at the last name.
Nurse Joy looked up at her thoughtfully, "I think so. They didn't stay over, but they stopped here to rest, but they said they were heading to Lavender Town."
"Lavender Town?" Flo repeated, "Where's that?"
"It's north west of here," Nurse Joy said, "It's said to be haunted."
Flo raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Why would they go there?"
Local Park
Charles had lined all his current Pokemon team in a line while Alice, Marina and Apollo sat under a nearby tree. From left to right there was Tyche, Mahad, who was sleeping peacefully, Cleo, Miko, Titania and Benny. Charles stood before them all, closing his eyes in thought.
"Alright," he eventually said, opening his eyes, "We will soon be facing the Psychic gym leader, Sabrina. This will be a tough match, so do not worry about winning or losing. I just want you all to try your best. Am I clear?" the Pokemon nodded in agreement, "Good, Psychic Pokemon, like Mahad, are powerful but they still have their weaknesses and they are weak against Steel, Psychic and Dark types-"
("Which none of us are,") Titania pointed out blandly.
("Wait, what about Mahad,") Miko said, ("He's a Psychic type. I'm sure he'll be a good battler...") they all looked to the abra who still hadn't woken up yet, ("...when he... wakes up,") she finished with a sweat drop.
Benny sighed, ("I don't think it will be that easy, Miko. Abra are kind of a one trick ponyta.")
("How do you mean?")
Cleo gently patted Mahad's head and smiled down at the vulpix, ("He means that Mahad can only use teleport. Once he evolves into a kadabra he will be able to learn more moves.")
"Which is why we need to focus on our moves. "Psychic Pokemon are weak to Ghost, Bug and Dark type moves, so do any of you know any moves like that?"
Much to Charles surprise, Tyche stuck his leaf hand in the air and eagerly wiggled it about.
("Oh, I know a Dark type move,") he declared proudly.
"You do?"
("Yes, I know Knock Off,") he said.
'Well, it is an effective attack,' Charles thought, "Do you mind showing me?" he requested.
Tyche was more then eager to demonstrate and so Charles set up a stand and placed a red hand-sized ball upon it. Tyche wobbled his way to it, took a deep breath and raised his leaf hand. The leaf started to glow and once he was ready, Tyche smacked it down on the ball, sending it flying off the stump. It sailed through the air, bounced off the tree trunk that Alice was sitting under, soared back at the bellesprout. The ball hit him square in the face, knocking him off his roots. The ball, which bounced behind him, would have hit Mahad as well, but the abra just used Teleport to move out the way in time. Charles felt a tug on his coat and looked down to see Mahad clutching to him, still asleep.
("I'm fine,") Tyche called out as Cleo and Miko helped him up, ("I'm fine. How was that?")
Charles gave him a nervous smile, "That was...good Tyche. Well done."
("Brilliant!") he happily cried, ("I can also show you guys Stun Spore-")
"NO!" everyone shouted.
Charles cleared his throat, "We mean thank you, Tyche, but you're...also part Poison type and they're weak to Psychic types. Why don't we get you working on Acid...no on second thoughts, what about Gastro Acid...no that sounds worst...Razor Leaf...definitely not...Vine Whip. Yeah, Vine Whip. Let's keep to the basics."
Tyche nodded, ("That's a shame. Ah well, will do.")
("Do you mind if we train tighter?") Miko asked, wagging her tails excitedly, ("I want to work on my reaction time and I think your unpredictable bad luc- ahem - Vine Whips would be good for that.")
("Sure thing. Happy to help,") Tyche happily agreed, apparently not hearing her little slip up.
They wondered off the a more secluded area as Charles moved towards Titania and Cleo.
"Alright, you two, we need to focus on your Dark type moves. You should be practising Bite, but Cleo I also want you to learn Assurance and Titania I want you to learn Copycat. I also want you two to work together and support each other."
("Sounds good,") Cleo agreed.
("Yeah, alright,") Titania muttered before the headed of to a place to practise.
("So, how's the new form been treating you?") Cleo asked, earning a groan from the sylveon.
("I still haven't gotten use to these yet,") Titania said, waving her feelers around, ("I'm taller now and so I have to bend down to eat and for some reason I smell of strawberries.")
Cleo took a small sniff, ("I think you smell more like raspberries.")
("Whatever,") she grumbled, ("Still, the worst part is that everyone keeps on staring at me.")
Cleo looked around and saw that she was right. Humans and their Pokemon alike kept their eyes trained on Titania as they walked on by or sat from afar. Children pointed at her and asked their parents what she was, trainer's would scan her with their pokedex, only to frown in disappointment when it came up with nothing, a business man almost walked into a street lamp because he was so distracted. The persian could understand why she would get annoyed.
("Don't they have anything better to do?") she growled crossly.
("Well, think of it in their point of view,") Cleo said, ("They never seen a sylveon before so you can't blame them for being surprised. I think it's just something you have to get used.")
Titania sighed, ("I was afraid you would say that.")
"Pretty!"
The two Pokemon turned to see a toddler, making her way towards them. She had shoulder length black hair, pale skin and wore pink overalls. She was walking along with a wartortle, the evolved form of squirtle which looked similar to its pre-evolved from but was larger and had a fluffy tail and ears, when she spotted Titania. The sylveon backed away from the young girl before she wrapped her arms around her pink neck and hugged her tightly.
"She's so pretty!" the toddler squealed in joy while Titania looked uncomfortable.
("Cleo, help me,") Titania demanded through gritted teeth.
The persian grinned and shook her head, ("You're fine. Just stay still and try not to attack her,") she advised, much to Titania's annoyance.
The wartortle walked up to Cleo and scratched the back of its head sheepishly, ("Sorry about her. She's my humans' daughter and she doesn't understand boundaries yet.")
("It's fine,") Cleo reassured as they watched the sylveon and the toddler, ("My friend over there needs the practise anyway.")
("Cleo! Please! Her fingers are really sticky!") Titania shouted as the toddler giggled in delight.
Charles and Benny watched them in amusement from afar before they turned back to the abra still clutched to his coat.
("So, what are we going to with him?") Benny asked.
Charles hummed and picked Mahad off his coat and held him in his arms, the abra automatically latching onto his shoulder.
"I'm not quite sure. I don't want to force him to evolve, but I'm afraid he will be overwhelmed in the battle."
("Maybe we should let him to sit this one out,") Benny suggested sincerely.
"Yeah, you might be-"
Another chill ran down his back, making him shiver. At the exact same time, Mahad woke up suddenly and snapped his head over Charles' shoulder.
("Whoa! That's quite the Psychic energy,") he said out loud, making Charles and Benny turn in the direction he's looking at.
Standing and watching them from afar was a teenage girl about fourteen years old with long dark green hair, fair skin, and sharp purple eyes. She wore a red dress that had golden buttons down the front and knee-high boots. In her arms, she hugged a doll which resembled her but it wore a white Victorian style dress and hat which shaded the doll's eyes. The girl's face was plain and void of any emotion as she stared at Charles. She stood there for a brief second before she disappeared in a blink of an eye. Charles and Benny looked around for her in confusion.
("Where did she go?") Benny questioned.
("She was never there,") Mahad piped up with a small yawn, ("Oh good morning, by the way.")
("It's one in the afternoon.")
"Mahad, what did you mean she wasn't there?" Charles inquired, "It looked like she was."
Abra shook his head, ("It was a psychic projection. A very good one, might I add. That human must be very powerful psychic to be able to do that. Although, there was something weird about her.")
"Weird?"
("Yeah, the psychic energy seemed to have come from her and that doll she was holding. Sorry, she disappeared before I could get a better understanding.")
"It's fine. Thank you Mahad," Charles said before he turned to Benny, "I think I saw her earlier. You don't think that was Sabrina, do you?"
Benny leapt onto his free shoulder, ("Most likely. No doubt she's scouting the competition. This could be bad news for us,") Benny said as Charles hummed in confirmation.
("How about I warn you if she appears again,") Mahad suggested, ("I can sense psychic energy directed at you. I wish I could be more useful and set up a mental block or something, but this would have to do. Although, I will have to be out of my pokeball to do that, you know, until she lost interest.")
Charles chuckled, "Thanks. That's very helpful."
("No problem. Say, do you have any food? I'm starving,") he asked, making Charles and Benny roll their eyes.
"Charles!" Alice called out as she ran over to them, "What's the matter? You just turned and stared at nothing for a few seconds."
He frowned in worry, "We think we are being watched by the gym leader. According to Mahad she's a powerful physic."
"Damn," Alice muttered, "Does that mean we have to relocate to a more secluded area?"
Charles shook his head, "I don't think that will help. She'll probably find us again. Besides, we already here and she doesn't know our strategy yet," he said before realising something, "Where's Marina?"
"She's still at the tree," she answered, pointing with a thumb behind her, "I had Apollo keep an eye out for her."
As soon as she said that, loud barking sounded out from the direction of the tree. They all turned in shock, but Alice was the first to react.
"You stay here. I'll check what's going on," she ordered before she ran back to the tree. To her relief, she found that the dratini was safe and happy playing with Apollo's fluffy tail, however the growelithe was stood at attention, glaring and barking away from the tree, "Apollo what's wrong?"
Apollo stopped his barking and turned back to her. He pointed with his paw behind the tree before snapping his head away from it. Alice looked behind the tree before she saw what he was barking at. Running away, with their backed turned to them, was somebody wearing a green jacket, grey trousers and a yellow baseball cap. She didn't see their face, but judging by the physique it looked to be an older man. Alice frowned and petted Apollo's head to calm him down.
"Who on earth was that?" she muttered to herself.
Pokemon Centre
Flo, Alette and Manitari were sat at the Centre's cafeteria, taking it easy for the rest of the day. The two Pokemon were happily sharing a bowl full of pokefood while Flo sipped her tea and read the book 'Medicina Applinii'. However, she looked up from her book when the clefairy called out to her. She gave the Pokemon a confused look, but understood when she pointed to the outside.
"Oh, I'm sure they'll be back any time now. I'm sure Charles would want them to rest for tomorrow. I wonder what-"
"Excuse me," a gruff voice interrupted, making Flo and the Pokemon jump in fright.
They turned and looked up at man who looked to be in late forties. He had dark blue hair and a scruffy beard, fair skin, and blue eyes and he wore a green jacket over a white shirt, grey trousers and a yellow baseball cap. She didn't even notice him walk up to the table. He looked down at her with a serious look, his sharp eyes glaring down at her.
"...Sorry, I don't have spare change on me."
The man flinched at what Flo said, "I'm not homeless," he growled.
"You sure dress the part."
The man sighed, "Look kid, I'm trying to help ya. I've been watching your friend training his Pokemon. They look strong but its not enough to defeat Sabrina."
Flo raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?
"Sabrina's strong. Too strong. Her psychic powers make her an indomitable force. Nobody has won against her in years," the man told her, "But if your friend stands any chance of winning, he will need my help."
"How would you know that and who are you?"
"Because I know here, okay. I can't tell you how I know her or who I am. But you just have to trust me," he gravely.
"Oh Archie, I didn't see you come in," Nurse Joy called out as she happened to walk passed, causing the man to flinch again, "Flo this is Archie, the one I was telling you about. Sabrina's father, the one who used to run the Saffron City Gym. If you have any questions then you should ask him," she said before she continued to walk on by to her destination. Unknowingly shattering his mysterious persona.
Archie hung his head in defeat as Flo smirked at him, "Nice to meet you, Archie," she teased.
He sighed, rubbed his face tiredly before he took out a something from his pocket, "If he wants to use that abra, then he needs this," he told her, handing her the object.
She look down at the thing in her hand. It was a red plastic band attached to a small metal device. Flo had never seen anything like it before and she held it down for her Pokemon to see as well.
"It's called a Technical Machine," Archie explained, "It teaches some Pokemon how to use certain moves. This one is especially designed for abra since they only have one move. However, if your friend wants to know what his facing, then he needs to know what Pokemon Sabrina is going to use," he said, much to Flo's surprise.
The Room
Charles, Benny, Alice, and Mahad, who managed to stay awake, returned about an hour later and Flo told them all about her encounter with Archie. They sat on their beds as they all looked down at the Technical Machine in Flo's hand.
"So that who was behind the tree," Alice said thoughtfully, "he was spying on Charles' Pokemon and ways he could improve his chances against Sabrina."
("But why though,") Benny piped up from Alice's lap, ("Why does he want you to defeat Sabrina so badly?")
"I don't know Benny," Charles mused, "I just don't know. At least we know what Pokemon she would be using. They are very interesting choices."
"Does this ruin your original plan?" Flo asked.
"No," Charles answered, "but it certainly doesn't improve it. I may need to rethink some stuff. More importantly, Mahad what do you think about the Technical Machine. I don't really know anything about it but-"
("No, I don't mind,") Mahad said as he sat in his lap, glancing over at the Technical Machine, ("I wonder what move I'll be taught.")
Charles looked up at Flo, "Did Archie mention what move he'll be able to learn?" Flo shook her head, "I see. Well, if you want to Mahad then allow me to-"
"Actually," Alice interrupted with a sheepish smile, "I think Flo should put it on."
"Yeah, this looks really...high-tech," Flo said with a sweat drop.
Charles blinked, looked down at the Technical Machine, glanced up at Benny and sighed when he saw his brother nod, agreeing with them.
"Fine," Charles muttered.
Saffron City Gym
The Next Day
The gym was an unusual looking building.
It was round blue building, but the purple roof looked like a billowing cape that hung over the sides. Parts of the roof were held up around the building by pointed pillars. The gym was situated in the middle of grassy park, but the only difference between this one and the one they were at before was that it was eerily quiet. Not a single person sat on the lush grass or walked along the paved paths. The team couldn't help but shiver at the sight of the menacing building. A slight mist hung around it made the place seemed haunted.
"Well, no time like the present," Charles said as he led the others towards the gym.
Flo glared up at the building, "This place is way too creepy for a gym."
"It's just an aesthetic," Charles said, "I'm sure it's much better on..."
The stepped through the doors into a dark cavernous hallway. There was no sign of life, making the room much more ominous.
"...the inside," he finished uncertainty, his voice echoing forebodingly down the passages.
("Or maybe not,") Benny commented.
They continued to walk down the barren halls, listening to the echoes of their footsteps. They soon came across a door to the right of them and Alice ran over to take a peak through the window. She saw twenty older people sat around tables, their faces focused on what they were doing. One half half the room were staring intently at spoons or they were split in pairs where one group tried to guess the image on the back of a card.
"What are they doing?" she asked her friends as they looked through the window behind her.
"They are training," a deep voice said, making them jump,
The voice belonged to man in his mid-twenties. He had long brown hair that was tied in a large ponytail, fair skin and black eyes. Like the other people in the room, he wore a lab coat and a purple turtleneck sweater as well as a surgical mask over his mouth. He glared down at them as if they just offended him by walking into the place.
"Training?" Flo inquired.
"Yes, training their power and expanding their minds in order to bend physical objects to their will. Observe, children," he said dramatically, before pulling out a spoon from his pocket, "I'll shall command this spoon to bend using my telekinetic powers."
He held the spoon out in front of him. The team waited with bated breath as they watched this man, try and bend with his mind. He stared at it so intensely that his face became bright scarlet. He concentrated more and more until...
Eek!
The spoon bent by half a centimetre.
The team face faulted at how anti-climatic it was while the man took deep breaths as if he had performed a great skill. With his face still red and sweat pouring down his forehead, he presented the spoon to them.
"See children! See what I can achieve with the power of mind!"
...
...
...
"You can make a spoon slightly impractical," Charles suggested.
"No," the man denied, "well, I mean yes, I suppose I did make it impractical."
"Slightly impractical," Charles repeated, "I'm very sure I can still use it. Maybe for a shallow dish or for scraping the last bit of chocolate sauce at the bottom of a sundae glass."
"How many spoons do go through in a day?" Alice asked, "Must be expensive spending so much on stainless steel cutlery."
"Also does it have to be spoon or can you use a bit of metal wire or something?" Flo added.
The man groaned, "We straighten them out at the end of the day and yes it has to be spoons. It helps us amplify the Alpha waves in our brains, improving our telekinetic powers. Now what do you want?" he furiously demanded.
Charles stepped up and smiled in determination, "I would like to challenge the gym leader for the Marsh Badge, please."
The man laughed and turned his back to them dramatically, "Ah...as predicted," he drawled.
"Well, yeah. I just told you."
"I didn't predict it, you brat!" he shouted at him before he coughed and spoke calmly again, "Our glorious lady Sabrina predicted it."
("I wish we predicted you, otherwise I would have stayed at the Centre,") Benny muttered.
Charles ignored his brother's comment and said, "If Sabrina predicted that we'll come here then she must know why we're here. Can you lead us to her?"
"Fine," the man darkly said, "follow me. So our lady Sabrina can defeat you," he said with a small chuckle.
"You don't get many normal people here do you?" Alice questioned as they followed the man down the dark hallways.
"Speaking of people. What were they doing in that room?" Charles asked, "I know you said that they were expanding their minds, but what does that mean?"
Looking over his shoulder, the man answered, "Lady Sabrina allows a talented few to study the supernatural. They are honing their skills in order to become great psychics like Lady Sabrina. For years, we train and study. Opening our minds further then any normal person can do. We are truly blessed individuals," he said proudly.
Flo hummed, "So, a bunch of self-absorbed portentous people stay in a room all day and try to achieve something that nobody will ever understand nor will be applicable to anything in the real world...sounds like you're studying for an Art Theory degree."
"At least for an Art Theory degree, you get a diploma," Alice added, causing the girls to laugh.
They stopped as soon as Charles gave them a severe look that said 'Don't be rude' before he turned to annoyed gym employee.
"Can you tell us a bit more about Sabrina?" he asked politely.
He sighed in irritation as they came to a large wooden door at the end of the hallway, "Lady Sabrina's hold on the paranormal exceeds anyone and is by far the most powerful among us. She uses her psychic links to communicate to her Pokemon when she's battling and is therefore a ferocious opponent," he placed his hand on the door and turned back to Charles, "She hasn't been defeated in years...and I don't need my powers to know that you will not win."
Charles frowned seriously, "We'll just have to see...won't we?"
Flo, Alice and Benny determinedly nodded in agreement, making the employee growl. He pushed open the door and allowed them into the main gym.
"I shall not go any further," he said, casting a worried look into the room, "May lady Sabrina have mercy on you," he said as he walked away.
The team watched him leave before they shared a concerned look. Taking a deep breath, they stepped into the room. The battleground was a large room with a blue marble floor, brown walls and eight purple stone pillars holding up a red tiled ceiling. At the end of the room, between two lit torches, was a screen hiding another smaller room behind it. The team climbed down the stone steps and onto the floor, looking across the standard Pokemon battle pitch you would often see at gyms. Charles was about to call out when he girlish giggle rang out across the room.
"You're here," the voice said as the screen raised up to reveal Sabrina and the doll sitting on red throne, designed to look like a blazing fire, "We've been watching you," she said with a small giggle.
What was really weird was that it wasn't Sabrina who said it. Her face was just as emotionless as the last time Charles saw her, but she didn't at all move her lips. Instead the voice seemed to come from the doll itself, its simple smile seemed to be menacing in a way. Charles ignored the weirdness and stepped up to the battle pitch.
"I've notice. Do you do this to all the trainers who want to challenge you or is there a particular reason?" he asked.
"We don't have to answer your question," Sabrina finally said in a cold voice, "If you want answers then you have to win."
Much to their shock, a blue aura surrounded her and Sabrina began to levitate off her throne. She floated over the stone steps and landed gently onto the battle pitch, the doll still clutched in her arms. However, they noticed that the doll now had a pokeball in her arms that they were sure they didn't see earlier.
"It will be a one on one battle-"
"Three on three," Charles interrupted Sabrina, "If we're going to battle then I want to do it properly."
Sabrina stared at him for a few seconds, thinking about his request. Flo and Alice were worried that she was going to deny him and were going to step in at any moment.
"So be it," Sabrina reluctantly agreed, "prepare your first Pokemon."
Charles nodded and walked back to Flo and Alice. Taking one of his pokeballs, he released Marina into his arms and smiled happily.
"Marina, I want you to stay with Alice and Flo," he calmly told her as he handed her to them, "You're going to see mama do his gym battle. So be a good girl and keep quite, okay?" he said, scathing her little head and making her purr in delight.
("Okay, mama!") she cried happily as she got comfortable in Flo's arms.
Charles chuckled a little but as soon as he turned back to the pitch, his smile was replaced with a focused look. With Benny on his shoulder, Charles approached the pitch and pulled his goggles over his eyes. Seeing that he was ready, the doll in Sabrina's arms lifted the pokeball and released her first Pokemon. It was an unusual looking Pokemon which resembled a woman. It had a purple face, pink lips, round eyes, and long blonde hair. It wore a red gown with two gold circlets on its chest. Charles instantly recognised it as a jynx and took out his pokedex. It read:
Jynx: It seductively wiggles its hips as it walks. It can cause people to dance in unison with it.
("I don't think 'seductively' is a good word to describe it,") Benny commented as he looked over at the creepy-looking Pokemon.
"Hey, I thought jynx had black skin?" Flo asked curiously.
"Yeah," Alice agreed, "I was always taught that, because they are part Ice type, so little blood gets circulated around their body that their skin becomes black like frostbite."
"I thought they resembled the legendary monster the Yuki-onna," Flo said.
("Try telling Carole Weatherford that,") Jynx muttered bitterly as she rolled her eyes.
(A.N: Let's move on before I get cancelled.)
("Exactly what Archie told us, but are you sure we should use her now?") Benny whispered into Charles' ear.
Charles glanced at Benny before looking back at the jynx, "I know she's inexperienced, but she's strong. If she gets into trouble then I can switch her out," he told him before reaching for his pokeball and releasing the Pokemon he's battling with, "Let's go Miko."
The vulpix jumped onto the pitch and faced the jynx in front of her, glaring competitively at her. Originally, Charles was going to use Titania, but since he now knew that Sabrina was going to use jynx, Miko would have the upper hand...paw? Jynx was an Ice and Psychic type and Miko was a Fire type who can also learn Ghost and Psychic moves. The opportunity was too good to pass by. However, this was Miko's first battle ever and so Charles was really taking a risk here.
"Let the battle begin," Sabrina announced.
(Battle Start)
Miko and Jynx glared at each other, neither wanting to make the first move. Jynx was more focused on winning the match, but Miko still held a grudge against the smoochum at the nursery and so she was really determined to defeat her. Starting to feel impatient, Sabrina's and the doll's eyes glowed blue commanding Jynx to use a move through her psychological link. This made it impossible for Charles to what she ordered, but after years of training, he knew what moves they were based on the Pokemon's movements. Judging by Jynx's eyes glowing and the aura sphere building around her, Charles knew that Jynx was using Confusion.
"Miko dodge it by using Quick Attack," Charles ordered and the vulpix obeyed. Moving out the way before the blue sphere hit her, "Now use Disable."
Miko's body flashed for a moment and after a second Jynx's body did the same thing. Disable allows the user to prevent the last move its opponent used for a while. This meant that Jynx can't use Confusion anymore.
Sabrina's eyebrow twitched in annoyance before she telepathically ordered Jynx's next move. The Pokemon's mouth opened wide and spewed out flames of snow powerful enough to create a snowstorm.
("That's Powder Snow,") Benny reminded.
"Right, Miko use Ember on the Powder Snow," Charles instructed.
Miko nodded, opened her mouth and shot out balls of fire at the attack. The Powder Snow was quickly dispelled by the Ember, leaving Miko unharmed. The vulpix smiled proudly and turned back to Charles, much to his horror.
("I did it!")
"Miko! Don't-"
But it was too late. When Miko was distracted, Sabrina had ordered Jynx to use Pound on the the vulpix, sending her flying back towards Charles. She yipped in pain as she skidded along the ground, but shakily got to her paws.
"Miko, don't get distracted," Charles reminded, "There's always time to celebrate after, okay?"
Miko nodded her head, ("S-sorry, I forgot,") she called back before facing her competitor, ("And that will be the last mistake I make.")
Jynx chuckled haughtily, ("My, my, so passionate. Are you perhaps so jealous of my beauty that you're taking all your out at moi?")
("Of all the reasons I have for wanting to beat you, that had never crossed my mind,") Miko said with a sweat drop, ("If anything I want to now beat you more because you suggested it.")
"Miko use Flamethrower," Charles instructed.
The vulpix opened her mouth and jet of flames spewed towards Jynx. Sabrina's eyes glowed blue once again and Jynx calmly held her hand out in front of her and directed the flames upwards, using the move Psychic. Once the Flamethrower had died down, Jynx lowered her hand and looked back at Miko, only for her eyes to widen when she saw she had disappeared.
Jynx looked around the pitch and saw a small hole where the vulpix once stood. Charles tapped his foot onto the ground, signifying Miko to attack. The ground in front of Jynx opened up and Miko broke through the pitch and slammed her paws into Jynx's body, the force and the unexpectedness sending her staggering back.
"Now, Flamethrower!" Charles ordered.
Miko's mouth opened up again and Jynx could do nothing as she was hit with the attack at point blank range. Sabrina was just as surprised, but as Jynx was submerged in flames, she mentally ordered Jynx to do one thing.
Miko leaped off Jynx, ending the Flamethrower assault and took a few steps back. Jynx was on her last legs, breathing heavily in pain. Flo, Alice cheered at Miko's move while Marina, Who didn't really know what was going but just happy because her mother was happy, squeaked in joy.
"Well done, Miko," Charles called out, "One more attack and that should be it."
Miko's tails wagged happily at that but she looked felt underneath her chin with her paw in disgust, ("Ah gross. Why would she do that?")
Charles and Benny shared a look, ("What do you mean?") Benny asked.
("She licked me,") Miko explained, shocking them both.
"What!?" Charles exclaimed.
("Calm down it was only a little bit-")
Suddenly, she yipped in pain as he muscles seized up, causing her to collapse on the floor. She gritted her teeth, trying to get back up, but her efforts were in vain.
Charles glared up at Sabrina, "You ordered Jynx to use Lick when Miko was using Flamethrower?"
Lick was a powerful attack that some Pokemon can do. Not only does it harm the opponent, but it can also cause paralysis. Jynx may have only tapped her with the attack, but it looks like the paralysing aspects were just as effective.
Jynx, despite also looking like she was going to feint, smirked victoriously. Sabrina remained her stony visage while the doll in her eyes giggled in joy.
"We tricked you," the doll mockingly said.
"One more attack and you're finished," Sabrina added before her eyes glowed blues again.
Jynx resisted the pain and charged at Miko with a glowing fist. However, Charles frowned, trying to figure out what to do. He noticed that, despite being paralysed, Miko was trying to stand to her feet to fight back. Charles had no choice, Miko was going to lose...
...but that doesn't mean that they were going down without a fight.
As Jynx Pound attack was about to hit her Miko, "Charles ordered, "Use Spite!"
The Pound hit Miko but right before it, the vulpix's body glowed for a second before she was sent flying back. She landed on the pitch painfully before she slid to a stop.
Miko had fainted.
Alice and Flo sighed sadly at the lose. Marina frowned and cooed softly, obviously upset with the defeat.
Jynx smiled triumphantly at her victory, but suddenly her body glowed for a brief second. Once it was done, Jynx blinked in surprise, staggered back and fell over. She too had fainted, much to Sabrina and the doll's annoyance.
As the trainer and the gym leader returned their Pokemon, Alice leaned over to Flo.
"What just happened?" she asked in a whisper.
"Spite is a move that lowers the health of your opponent," Flo whispered back, "Charles must have realised that Miko couldn't win and use it as a last resort. Jynx must have been very weak, because it was just enough to make her feint."
Charles looked down sadly at Miko's pokeball, "I'm sorry Miko. We'll train more. I promise."
("You did all you can,") Benny told him as he put the pokeball back on his belt, ("Sabrina really is a tough opponent.")
Charles hummed in agreement and waited for Sabrina to release her second Pokemon. A pokeball appeared in thin air and landed in the doll's arms and it proceeded to release a Pokemon. It resembled a slowpoke, but it was bigger and stood in its back legs. On its tail was another Pokemon which resembled a cone-shaped grey shell with glaring eyes.
"That's her slowbro," Charles gently muttered to herself as he scanned it with his pokedex.
Slowbro: The shellder that is latched onto slowpoke's tail is said to feed on the host's left over scraps.
Charles put his pokedex away and took out his second pokeball, "Come on out, Cleo," he said as he released the persian.
Cleo raised an eyebrow as she saw her opponent, ("Nice to meet you. I hope you're prepared to lose.")
The slowbro blinked blankly at her words, ("I as...sure you...that I...intend...to win...this match...madam.")
("Oh, so slowbros speak two syllables at a time...I suppose that's an improvement,") Cleo mused.
("Improvement?") the shellder squawked from his tail, ("Try being attached to him.")
Slowbro looked slowly back at the shellder, ("Hush you...now.")
('This is the slowest double act I have ever seen,') Cleo thought with a sweat drop.
"Let's begin the second match," Sabrina declared as her eyes glowed once again.
Instantly, Slowbro's body began to glow as small orbs briefly surround it before they disappeared.
("That looked like Curse,") Benny commented, ("Sabrina's sacrificing Slowbro's speed for defence.")
"I know," Charles whispered, "Let's wait for her to react first."
Sabrina mentally ordered Slowbro to attack. The Pokemon opened his mouth and an orb of water appeared before his face. The Water Pulse fired at Cleo, but she expertly dodge with little trouble.
"Cleo use Thunderbolt," Charles instructed, using a move Benny taught her a while ago.
Electricity sparked around the persian before she shot it at Slowbro. However, the Pokemon and his trainer were prepared as Slowbro lifted his hands and created a Light Screen in front of him, stopping the Thunderbolt from hitting him.
Cleo growled in annoyance but smiled nonetheless, ("Not bad.")
("Thank you,") the Slowbro said.
("She meant me, you dolt,") the shellder cried.
("I think...you'll find...that I...was the...one who-")
("Can we please not do this now,") Cleo sighed.
Sabrina mentally gave another order and Slowbro opened his mouth and released a stream of bubbles at Cleo.
"Cleo, that's Yawn. Don't let the bubbles hit you," Charles told her, "when you get a chance, use Power Gem."
("Right,") she agreed before she started manoeuvring through the bubbles.
She dodged, leapt and jumped until she was close enough to shoot a beam of light out of the gem on her forehead. Slowbro used Protect and set up a blue aura dome around him. The Power Gem attack bounced off the Protect, but Charles and Cleo weren't done yet.
"Use Feint to break through the Protect then use Assurance," Charles ordered.
Cleo pounced at Slowbro, broke through the Protect and hit the Pokemon across its face. With her other paw she punched Slowbro under the jaw sending him back. He didn't go far because of his large tail, but the two attacks were powerful with the Assurance doing extra damage.
Sabrina frowned slightly at the attack, but before she could do anything Charles had given Cleo another order.
"Use Taunt," he calmly instructed.
Cleo smirked at the Slowbro, ("You know, you're using a lot of defence moves. What's wrong? Scared that I'll hurt you?")
Slowbro's dopey expression changed to an insulted frown, ("How rude...That was...not nice...at all.")
Alice leaned over to Flo again, "What did that do?"
"Taunt means that Slowbro won't be able to use any Status moves, limiting Sabrina' choices. I think Charles is trying to restrict her movement, trying to make her slip up," Flo explained.
Alice looked towards Sabrina who was now staring daggers at Charles, "I hope Charles knows what he's doing. Sabrina doesn't seem the type of person to slip up."
Sabrina commanded Slowbro to shoot another Water Pulse at Cleo, but she dodged it. The Water Pulse was a distraction as Sabrina ordered Slowbro to use Focus Punch. It would have been more of a success if the Pokemon speed hadn't been reduced and Cleo dodged it as well. As the Focus Punch sailed over her head, Cleo was in the prime position to strike at the back of the Slowbro's head.
"Now use Bite and then Assurance," Charles ordered before Cleo pounced onto Slowbro and bit into the Pokemon's head.
The Slowbro cried out in pain and tried to hit her with her tail, but Cleo had already leapt over him and kicked him in the jaw once again. Slowbro staggered back, looking more exhausted then ever.
Charles looked up at Sabrina and grimaced at the sheer fury on her face. The doll in her arms were shaking as if it too was angry at him. They were both surrounded by a threatening blue aura that made him take a step back.
("I think we really angered her,") Benny said nervously.
"Thanks Benny...I gathered that," Charles sighed.
"Obviously, I have been too lenient with you," Sabrina coldly said, "I suppose I have to use more power to defeat you."
Her and Slowbro's eyes glowed blue. The Pokemon reached out his arm and immediately a blue aura surrounded Cleo. The persian gasped in shock as she began to float in the air, her legs frantically moving in the air."
("Damn,") she muttered quietly to herself, ("I can't get out.")
("Charles, you need to something. Slowbro is using Psychic on her,") Benny hissed at him.
"I know," Charles muttered, "I just need to think."
However, he didn't have the time. Slowbro brought his hand towards him, sending Cleo flying towards him. As she struggled to free herself, Slowbro reared back his head and as soon as he was close enough used Zen Headbutt. The hit was powerful and Cleo was sent flying back, skidded in the floor and growled in pain.
"Finish it off, Slowbro," Sabrina ordered cooly as the Pokemon produced another Water Pulse and sent it hurtling at Cleo.
The persian yowled in pain as the Water Pulse hit her directly, causing Charles to wince in fear for Cleo's health. Slowbro produced another Water Pulse and then another one, not allowing her stand to her feet.
Charles didn't know what to do. The best thing he could come up with was to send Cleo back in her pokeball. He didn't care about the match anymore, he just wanted Cleo to be safe.
However, while Charles was contemplating sending Cleo back to her pokeball and his friends on the sidelines looked at the bombardment in concern, Marina was getting more and more upset.
("Big sister,") she whimpered, squealing in fright as another Water Pulse hit her directly, ("big sister hurt.")
She watched in horror as the Slowbro approached her, ready to hit her with another Water Pulse. Cleo looked up and, despite being drenched in water and being exhausted, she looked up at him and growled aggressively.
("Just try it pal,") she muttered threateningly.
Tears began to well in Marina eyes as she saw Slowbro about to hit her once again.
She can't let that happen.
Not to her big sister.
("No! No! NO!") Marina shrieked, surprising Flo and Alice.
Charles was about to retrieve Cleo when in the corner of his eye, he saw Marina rear her head back and produce a tornado above her head. It got bigger and bigger until Flo had to hold her over her head to keep her and Alice from being hit by it. With a flick of her head, Marina sent a Twister attack at Slowbro, who only noticed it when it was too late.
Slowbro was sent flying across the gym, hitting the far wall and sliding down it. Judging by the swirls in his eyes, Slowbro had been knocked out by Marina. Sabrina's head snapped towards the dratini and levitated towards her. Marina whimpered and hid in Flo's arms at the sheer fury the gym leader was sending her.
"HOW DARE YOU INTERFERE IN OUR-"
Charles got in front of the levitating, stopping her in her tracks.
"HOW DARE SHE!?" Charles bellowed, "HOW DARE YOU THREATNEN MY BABY LIKE THAT! IT WAS A MISTAKE AND I SWEAR, SABRINA, IF YOU LAY A HAND ON HER THEN I'LL BATTLE YOU WITHOUT POKEMON THIS TIME! YOU GOT THAT!?"
Silence fell across the room as angry psychic faced furious mother. They glared at each other, neither daring to back down until, after a tense few moments, Sabrina's face turned back to her usual passive expression while the doll in her hands had stopped violently vibrating.
"Good," Charles sighed, as he calm down, "I'm sorry about Marina. She was only hatched a while ago and she got upset when she saw Cleo being attacked. As an apology, I will forfeit Cleo and we will each be down to one Pokemon."
"What!?" Flo and Alice cried in shock.
("Charles,") Benny said from his shoulder, ("Cleo can still fight.")
Charles hummed and glanced over at Cleo who had got up from her earlier bombardment. She frowned in disappointment, but she knew it was the right thing and nodded at Charles.
"It's only fair," Charles sighed, "I'm sorry Cleo."
The persian shrugged, ("Don't worry it's fine,") before she made her way to Marina to comfort her.
Sabrina glared at Charles once again and contemplated his decision, "Agreed," she plainly said before she levitated back to her side of the pitch, "Bring out your last Pokemon and let's finish this."
Charles turned back to where Marina was still shivering in Flo's arms, Cleo doing her best to calm her down. Once he was close enough, Marina jumped from Flo's arms and into Charles' wrapping herself tightly around his arm as she cried.
"Marian I'm so sorry. I didn't know that was going to happen," Charles softly apologised to her, "maybe it was too soon to see your first battle."
"Charles, maybe you should put her back in her pokeball," Alice suggested.
He looked at the others who nodded in agreement, "Okay, Marina. Why don't you get a little rest."
He kissed her gently on the head and returned her to her pokeball. He then returned Cleo and made his way back to his side of the pitch.
Benny looked cornered as he looked at his brother's opponent across the pitch, ("We were planning on using Cleo in the final. Now Mahad has lost his backup. I think we should throw in the towel.")
Charles shook his head, "Not yet. Let's see how he does before we decide to quit."
Another pokeball appeared in the doll's hands and it released the Pokemon Charles was dreading. It was a yellow, humanoid Pokemon with two long, pointed ears, a red star on its forehead, narrow eyes and a thin snout. At each side of its snout there was a long tuft of hair. It had bulky shoulders, a thick, brown chest, and a small abdomen marked by three red, wavy lines and attached to the abdomen was large, thick tail. In its right claw, it held a silver spoon which it brandish proudly. This was a kadabra, the evolved form of abra. Charles quickly scanned it with his pokedex. It read:
Kadabra: It emits special alpha waves from its body that induce headaches just by being close by.
Charles hummed at the description before he took his final pokeball and released his last Pokemon...
...and, of course, Mahad was asleep.
Benny groaned, ("He could of at least stayed awake for this.")
"His an abra, he can't really help it," Charles said.
The doll in Sabrina's arms giggled hysterically at his choice, "And we thought you stood a chance," she mocked.
"It seems we were mistaken," Sabrina added.
Despite this, Kadabra and Mahad faced each other.
Pre-evolved vs evolved forms.
This was going to be a difficult battle for Charles and Mahad.
"Alright Mahad," Charles confidently said, "Let's do th-"
CRASH!
"Sabrina, I want another battle with you!" a familiar voice cried as the doors swung open unexpectedly.
Everyone but Sabrina, who just glared in annoyance, jumped and turned to the door to see Ash and Pikachu standing there proudly. Misty and Brock quickly ran up from behind him, exhausted by their travelling partners antiques.
"Ash, you can't just barge in here," Misty scolded.
"Why not?" Ash questioned, "It's not like anybody-" that's when he noticed Charles and the others, "Oh hey guys. What are you doing here?"
Flo sighed, "What do you think we're doing. Charles is challenging Sabrina to a gym battle."
"But I got here first," Ash complained.
"Yes, but you lost and we had to leave. Remember?" Brock told him firmly.
Ash bowed his head in disappointment, "Oh right...yeah. But I got a Haunter all the way from Lavender Town to defeat Sabrina."
Everyone looked around, but they couldn't see any Haunter floating around, "Where is it?" Alice asked.
Ash looked up and around as well, his eyes widening when he saw that it wasn't there anymore.
"Ah! Where did it go!?" Ash cried as ran out the room again, "Haunter, where are you!?"
Misty and Brock watched him and Pikcahu leave before giving Charles sheepish looks.
"Sorry about that," Misty called out.
"Good luck, Charles," Brock added as the began to run after Ash, the door slamming behind them.
Charles turned back to Sabrina and grimaced as she didn't look to pleased about what just happened. He coughed awkwardly before getting into his battle stance.
"Let the next battle begin," Sabrina announced.
("I shall be battling one of my kind,") Kadabra hummed, ("I shall not take pleasure with this victory.")
("He's asleep,") Benny called out to Kadabra.
The Psychic Pokemon chuckled, ("Oh, he can hear me well enough.")
Sabrina's eyes glowed blue once again, mentally commanding Kadabra to attack. The Pokemon outstretched his arms and fired a pink beam of light at Mahad, which Charles recognised as a Psybeam. Predictably, the abra used Teleport and disappeared to another area of the pitch.
Charles frowned suspiciously, 'She obviously knows that abra can only teleport so why would she use a range attack. She's planning something."
And Charles was right. Sabrina mentally ordered Kadabra to do something that made his body flash for a second. A moment later, Mahad's body flashed as well.
("Damn,") Benny muttered, ("That was Disable. Mahad can't Teleport anymore.")
"It looks like Sabrina took a leaf from my book," Charles muttered, glaring up at the gym leader and her smirking doll, "luckily, I have a plan," he said before declaring, "Mahad use Shadow Ball."
Kadabra's eyes widened in shock as Mahad unconsciously lifted his arms and produced a dark orb before shooting it at the Psychic Pokemon. It was a direct hit and sent Kadabra skidding back. Sabrina frowned irritably at the move. She wasn't expecting him to use a Technical Machine in the abra,
Seeing that Mahad is basically defenceless, Charles had to keep the assault on Kadabra up if he wants to win.
"Mahad use Shadow Ball," he ordered and Mahad hurled another dark orb at the Pokemon, "and again. Don't allow him to recover."
Mahad sent another Shadow Ball at Kadabra and it was a direct hit. The Pokemon groaned in pain as the powerful Ghost moves was wearing him down. Sabrina couldn't let him get away with this. She gave another mental command to Kadabra and instantly the Pokemon glowed bright before going back to normal.
("What did she order?") Benny questioned.
"I don't know," Charles said, "Mahad use Shadow Ball once again."
The abra produced another Shadow Ball and shot at Kadabra once again. However, much to their shock, instead of hitting the kadabra's abdomen, the Shadow Ball veered off away from the Pokemon and hit the opposite wall.
("What!? That was supposed to be a direct hit,") Benny exclaimed.
Charles stared intensely at Kadabra, his eyes widening when he saw an almost invisible barrier around it.
"It's Kinesis," Charles hummed, "It reduces the accuracy of attacks."
Benny frowned in alarm, ("So Mahad is now a sitting psyduck.")
"Yes. Until Disable's and Kenesis' effect is gone, Mahad is in trouble. I have no choice," Charles said before ordering, "Keep on using Shadow Ball. Don't worry about being accurate."
Mahad fired another Shadow Ball at Kadabra, but it too missed its mark. Sabrina ordered her Pokemon to use Recover, and Kadabra's health was restored. Charles ordered the abra to use Shadow Ball and then Shadow Ball again, but it was useless as Sabrina's eyes glowed once again.
"Kadabra, finish him off," she ordered as the Pokemon fist started to glow.
"Damn Focus Punch," Charles muttered, "She's not holding back now."
("Charles you need to do something,") Benny hissed as Kadabra got closer to Mahad.
Charles frowned, trying to come up with any idea. That's when his eyes landed on the spoon in Kadabra's hand. What did that man say about the spoon?
'It amplifies a psychic's Power!' Charles realised. He knew what to do. He focused, trying to project his thoughts to the abra, 'Mahad, I know this might be hard, but you need to fire another Shadow Ball at Kadabra's spoon. You need to focus all your energy on it an I'll tell you when you need to fire.'
The kadabra was almost on top of Mahad, ready to hit the him with a Focus Punch with its free hand.
He waited...
...and waited...
...until.
"Mahad now!" Charles shouted.
The abra lifted his arms and produced another Shadow Ball. Kadabra was expecting it to be a last ditch attempt. But to his surprise, the Shadow Ball wasn't aimed at his torso, but at his spoon holding hand. The kadabra yelped in pain as the Shadow Ball collided with his hand, knocking the spoon out of his grasp and flying across the pitch and landing with a clang.
The move was so surprising that Kadabra forgot his Focus Punch and just stumbled next to Mahad. He looked back and gasped.
("My spoon,") he said, feeling his psychic power diminish significantly.
"Get it back, Kadabra ," Sabrina instructed fiercely, making the Pokemon run over to pick it up.
Charles watched him chase after his spoon before turning back to Mahad. The abra flashed for a second, indicating that Disable was gone. He can now use Teleport again.
"Mahad use Teleport and grab the spoon then use Teleport again," he ordered,
The abra disappeared and appeared right next to the spoon, snatching it before Kadabra can and disappearing again.
Now that its spoon was gone, Kadabra's power has significantly lowered and his movements have become sluggish.
Mahad had the upper hand in speed and, with the use of his Ghost type moves, power. Charles couldn't help but smirk as the tables have turned in their favour,
"Mahad Teleport and then use Shadow Ball. Don't give Kadabra a chance to recover," he ordered.
Kadabra cried out in pain as a Shadow Ball hit his back. He turned to attack back, but the abra had already disappeared to fire another attack. This kept on and on with Mahad bombarding Kadabra with Shadow Ball after Shadow Ball. Sabrina couldn't do anything as when she tried to give an order, Kadabra would be distracted by an incoming attack.
This carried on for a few more minutes before Kadabra collapsed onto its hands and knees, breathing heavily. With one final Shadow Ball, Mahad attacked its evolved form and Kadabra fell to the ground with swirls in its eyes.
Kadabra had been defeated.
Charles and Mahad has won the battle.
(Battle End)
Flo and Alice cheered as Charles sighed in relief as they saw that Mahad had won. He took too many risks in the battle and it almost cost him. He won't be doing that again.
He calmly walked up to snoozing abra and picked him up, "Well done Mahad. You did very-"
("Err…Charles,") Benny nervously said, pointing to the other side of the pitch.
He looked up and instantly his smile dropped from his face.
Sabrina was beyond furious.
Her psychic powers swirled around her violently as she began to levitate off the floor. Charles returned Mahad and took a few steps back as Flo and Alice ran up next to him. They were just as astounded by what was going on.
"Cheat!" the doll shouted, her eyes lighting up furiously, "You cheated!"
"Talk about a sore loser," Alice joked nervously, but she only received stern glare from her friends.
"Cheater! Cheaters need to be punished!" the doll shrieked, "You will play with me! All of you! YOU WILL PLAY WITH FOR REST OF ETERNITY!"
Before they could do anything, however, the door swung open and Ash, Pikachu and a haunter entered the room.
"Sabrina, I demand a- whoa! What's going on?" Ash asked, taking in the scene playing out in front of him as Misty and Brock came up behind them.
"I…won," Charles answered uncertainly.
Everybody stopped and stared as Sabrina showed off her psychic power, the glowing aura growing bigger and bigger. However, the Haunter wasn't at all frightened. It zoomed up to Sabrina, giggling all the way, and got in her face. Before Sabrina could wonder what it was doing, the Haunter put its fingers in its mouth and pulled his lips wide and stuck its tongue at her.
("Bleh!") it jeered, ("What's with the sad face, huh. Looks like I have to try and cheer you up!") Haunter declared as he pulled an assortment of funny faces at her.
Meanwhile, the others just looked up at what was going on in confusion.
…
…
…
"What on earth is happening?" Flo questioned.
"Haunter is trying to make her laugh," Misty guessed.
"But its supposed to battle her," Ash said as he scratched his head.
Suddenly, Haunter brought out a round black bomb, the ones you would see in cartoons, from out of nowhere and held in front of Sabrina's stern face.
("Oh no it's going to explode,") the haunter said in a goofy tone, ("3…2…1…")
As Haunter said the bomb exploded in Sabrina's face. Luckily it wasn't powerful, but it was enough to coat her face with a layer of black soot. The humans and two pikachu honestly thought that the haunter had made things worse, but to their utter astonishment…
…Sabrina's lips curved upwards in amusement.
First it was a smile, then it turned into a giggle and then Sabrina began to laugh, her stoic expression falling away for the first time they had seen her. She began to levitate gently down, her physic power diminishing slowly but surely as she landed on the ground.
"No!" the doll cried as it began to slip out of her arms, "Stop laughing! No! Noooooooooo!"
The doll eventually fell and landed on the pitch with a heavy thud. As soon as it that the ground, no noise or talking came from it. It was just a normal doll once again.
As they watched Sabrina and Haunter laugh joyfully, they heard a noise from behind them and turned to see Archie standing at the door, smiling at the sight.
"Nice going kid," he said grinning at Ash, "you were able to free her from herself."
"It's you," Ash gasped, "the photographer from when Sabrina was born."
Archie face faulted when he said that while Misty and Brock groaned.
"He's clearly Sabrina's father, you moron," Misty told him.
Ash's eyes widened in surprise, "What no way!"
"He showed us a picture of him with Sabrina and her mother," Brock sighed, "He also has psychic powers. That's how he got us out of that doll's house Sabrina put us in."
"Huh," Ash uttered, "I honestly didn't know," he admitted, causing his friends and Archie to groan once again.
("Oh Ash,") Pikachu sighed from his shoulder.
Charles, Alice, Flo and Benny stared at the group in bewilderment.
"Are you following any of this?" Charles asked.
"No," they collective replied.
"Good," Charles sighed, "At least I'm not the only one."
Outside Saffron City Gym
Archie explained everything. Apparently, Sabrina's power far exceeded her father's even at a young age and was able to do amazing things with her mind. As her psychic powers increased, she grew more obsessed with developing them. This led her to become less emotional, using her abilities for destructive purposes and caused a deep psychological rift. The emotions she tried to shut off developed into a separate personality: a young girl who had was the doll that she carried everywhere. She had become cold and sinister, transforming her own mother into a doll and banishing her father from the gym.
Archie had hoped that if somebody had defeated her in a battle then her emotions will break away the shell she created and restore her back to her original self. However, her lost against Charles only just aggravated her, causing her to lash out at them. Haunter was the one who really helped Sabrina. Making her laugh was exactly what she needed to break through her own prison.
So you can understand why Charles, Benny, Flo and Alice were a bit annoyed for him not telling them before they entered. If they had known they would have definitely helped.
At least Sabrina was back to normal. She had returned her mother, Melissa, back to her normal form and now they could be a family again. They were a little concerned when Sabrina's plain and emotionless expression returned soon after her laughing fit, but Archie and Melissa reassured them that this was how she's normally was. Well, at least she wan't evil anymore. Even Haunter decided to stay with them, just to keep Sabrina in check.
The team and Ash, Misty and Brock left the gym to go back to the Centre for the rest of the evening. Charles and Benny looked down at the Marsh Badge with a small smile before they glanced at Ash's gloomy expression.
"Come on Ash, you're going to battle her tomorrow," Charles encouraged.
"Yeah, I know," Ash muttered, "But I want one now," he complained.
Flo chuckled, "I don't know why you want to even go back there again. That place is way too creepy."
Charles shrugged and closed his eyes, "I think it'll be nice to see Sabrina and her family again. Now that she isn't scary anymore."
"Hello."
"Ah!" Charles shouted in surprise, jumping back away from Sabrina who suddenly appeared in front of him.
The gym leader cocked her head, giving Charles a stoic look, "My apologies, I didn't mean to frighten you."
("Not scary anymore, huh,") Benny teased.
"Then why did you-" Charles sighed, "What's wrong Sabrina?"
Unexpectedly, Sabrina reaches her hands out and placed them on either side of Charles' face, leaning to inspect his eyes.
"Hey!" Flo shouted angrily, "What do you think you're doing!?" voicing what Alice, Misty and, to some extent, Brock were thinking.
Sabrina ignored her and continued to stare into his eyes for a few more seconds before she released him and leaned back.
"You wanted to know why I was watching you. I wasn't spying on you're Pokemon team," she plainly said.
"Then why were you?" Charles asked in confusion.
"You are able to speak and listen to your Pokemon, however I sense no psychic abilities within you. Why is that?"
Charles raised his eyebrow in surprise, "I-I don't know. I've always been able to do it."
Sabrina hummed and nodded in understanding, "Interesting," she murmured before she walked past them back to the gym, "If you find out why, please tell me. You are quite intriguing Charles Roberts."
They watched her leave with bemused expressions. Brock was the first person to break the silence.
"I can't believe it," he uttered.
"I know what you mean," Alice agreed.
"I can't believe a pretty girl touched you intimately," Brock wept, making everyone but Ash glare at him.
"Brock, you were saying that she was really scary earlier," Misty critiqued with a frown.
"Scary and pretty," Brock said, making her groan, "Charles how dare you attract Sabrina's attention."
Charles rolled his eyes, "Get a grip, Brock. She's like six years older then me."
"Yeah, but when you're older she'll be a mature beautiful woman," Brock complained.
"I don't get," Ash said, scratching his head, "Why does it matter how old she is?"
("I don't understand either,") Pikachu agreed from his shoulder,
("Like trainer, like Pokemon,") Benny sighed with a sweat drop.
Misty turned to Alice and Flo in exhaustion, "You see what I have to deal with every day," she said, pointing between the lovesick Brock and the oblivious Ash.
"Don't worry, we totally get it," Flo said with a giggle.
"I'm going to pretend I don't know what you meant by that," Charles muttered.
The six kids and two Pokemon laughed and joked with each other all the way to the Centre, ready for what tomorrow has prepared for them.
That was a long one. Hope you enjoyed it.
That battle was pretty intense. I know that only one of Sabrina's Pokemon was shown so I had to do some research. She also apparently had a Mr Mine, but I didn't want to include that Pokemon just yet.
Sabrina's father and mother didn't have names in the anime and so I decided to (like with the title) take inspiration from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Archie was named after the comics she first appeared in while Melissa was named after the actress who played her in the tv show, Melissa Joan Hart.
You may have noticed that not-so subtle reference to Jynx's skin tone and from, what research I have done, I honestly don't believe it was racist as Carole Boston Weatherfield said it was. There are hundreds of reasons why Jynx was designed like that relating to Japanese and Norse folklore and it was just an unfortunate coincidence. Anyway, sorry to lecture you about that, it just makes me a little mad that's all.
It would seem that Marina has a negative view on Pokemon battles. You will see the impact of that in later chapters.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time :)
Potential Pokemon List:
Charles
Nidoran (Female)
Gastley
Ponyta
Drowzee
Goldeen
Tauros
Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan
Aerodactyl
Flo
Chansey
Psyduck
Nidoran (Male)
Kangaskhan
Cubone
Diglett
Alice
Venonat
Farfetch'd
Machop
Rattata
Poliwag
Tangela