Kanto Region, Saffron Gym.
Spotlights blazed to life overhead.
Bathed in the luminous pillar, Sabrina stood with waist-length black hair, pale skin, and an icy demeanor. A bent spoon—glowing faintly in her grip—guided the Poké Balls levitating around her.
Noticing Natsume's gaze, she explained flatly: "The Spoon of Destiny. It chooses my battling Pokémon."
Natsume crossed his arms.
Though Sabrina claimed this was a test of Trainer skill, her psychic advantage was undeniable.
Add to that—Sylveon was still at home running on its hamster wheel, and he hadn't even brought Squirtle's Dive Ball.
His available Pokémon…
"Growlithe (O_o)??"
Natsume sighed. "Yeah, you're up."
Growlithe's tail wagged furiously as it strutted onto the battlefield.
First pick against a powerhouse?
That's trust right there!
"Growlithe!!"
I won't let Trainer down!
Internally, Natsume grimaced.
Losing to a psychic is understandable. Just… don't get steamrolled.
The referee's whistle pierced the air.
"2v2 Gym Challenge rules! Four-move limit—"
A "four-move limit" meant each Pokémon could only use four moves max—forcing strategic depth over brute strength.
Unrestricted battles often devolved into level-checks, but this format?
It bred chaos. Trainers could pull off insane reversals with seemingly useless moves.
That said…
For Natsume, it was like taking an open-book test.
The System's cheat sheet laid out every possible move—he was just double-checking answers.
"Contestants, ready!"
Sabrina's eyes narrowed. A Poké Ball unsealed itself with psychic energy.
"Mr. Mime!"
The Barrier Pokémon bowed theatrically as light flashed.
[Mr. Mime – Psychic-type
Ability: Filter
Moves: Encore, Light Screen, Barrier, Psybeam]
Natsume's frown deepened.
Apprentices lining the arena gasped.
"This is Elite Four challenge difficulty!"
Gyms typically adjusted teams to match a Trainer's skill—yet Sabrina had only used this Mr. Mime against Koichi.
How strong is this guy?!
"Wait… is this his first Gym?"
The receptionist checked his device, paling. "According to records… yes."
Natsume recognized this Mr. Mime.
Though not Sabrina's usual lead, it had swept Bugsy's Bug-type team in Johto.
Growlithe had Touran League experience, but this demanded caution.
"Crunch," Natsume ordered.
Growlithe lunged—only for its fangs to clang against Mr. Mime's Barrier.
"Mr. Mime~" It tsked, wagging a finger.
Sabrina's eyes glowed blue. No command needed—Mr. Mime erected another Barrier, blocking Growlithe's charge.
Too slow.
"Flamethrower!"
Fire erupted, painting the apprentices' widened eyes crimson.
BOOM!
An unevolved Growlithe with this firepower?!
Smoke cleared. Mr. Mime lay scorched on the ground.
"What?!"
Leader's Mr. Mime—already hurt?!
Natsume's tension didn't ease.
"Move from your position!"
"Quick to notice," Sabrina mused. "But the cage is already built."
The Flamethrower had been a diversion.
Transparent walls now encased Growlithe—no matter how it rammed, escape was impossible.
Perched on an invisible stair, Mr. Mime grinned down.
"Mr. Mime!"
Psybeam struck, slamming Growlithe into the "walls." The apprentices cheered.
"Classic Leader strategy!"
"That'll teach it!"
Sabrina's brow furrowed. Something felt… off.
"Snarl," Natsume said coolly. "Exit's below Mr. Mime."
The soundwave ricocheted, amplifying as it rattled the cage.
"Mr. Mime!" Covering its ears, the Psychic-type winced—super effective.
The apprentices gaped.
"He turned the trap against her?!"
"How'd he find the weak spot?!"
Sabrina's pulse spiked.
Not just finding the exit—he had a plan.
Now, two choices:
Pursue or defend?
Her hair lifted as psychic energy surged.
"Mr. Mime!" Another Psybeam aimed at the exit—
But Growlithe didn't move.
It delayed, as if Natsume's order came late.
"Snarl."
A feint.
Against a psychic, timing was the ultimate mind game.
Wear Mr. Mime down.
Two turns passed. Sabrina gained nothing.
The apprentices' awe grew.
Who is this guy?!
Outplaying the Leader at every step?!
CRACK!
Another Psybeam sent Growlithe sprawling, legs trembling.
Even tanky Growlithe had limits.
Natsume reached for its Poké Ball—
"Tch."
Red light bounced off a Barrier.
Damn it! Forgot about that!
Sabrina seized the opening. "Psybeam."
Light gathered in Mr. Mime's hands—
"Roar."
Sound outpaced light.
Mr. Mime flinched, vanishing into its Ball.
Sabrina caught it, icy glare locking onto Natsume.
You held Roar… for this exact moment?
Calculated.
Recalling Growlithe, both Trainers sent out their next Pokémon simultaneously.
"Gengar!"
Sabrina's Ball opened—revealing the Gym's ace: Alakazam!
Natsume's face fell.
"My father's Alakazam," Sabrina clarified. "Not mine."
He exhaled.
Her Alakazam would've been Elite Four-tier.
Wait.
His stomach dropped.
"Your father's"… as in, a generational powerhouse?!
The apprentices shuddered.
Leader's serious now.
Even without Mega Evolution, this guy's done for!
"Think she… likes him?"
"Old Leader did seem eager for a son-in-law—"
"Idiot! Sabrina's a movie star—zero scandals!"
Natsume tuned them out, focus razor-sharp.
Gengar vs. Alakazam.
Whoever struck first would win.
And Gengar's speed… was slightly slower.
Both Pokémon glowed—Shadow Ball and Psychic charging—
Alakazam moved first.
"Imprison!" Natsume barked.
Gengar tapped its forehead. Both attacks vanished.
Alakazam's eyes flashed—Psyshock manifesting instead—
But Gengar had already dodged, dark energy swirling in its claws.
"Shadow Claw!"
A physical move—exploiting Alakazam's paper-thin defense!
Sabrina's composure cracked.
Again.
He breaks every convention.
This… is a Strategist.
Her lips curled.
Interesting.
BAM!
Alakazam vanished—switched for Mr. Mime, who tanked the Shadow Claw!
Natsume gritted his teeth.
Psychics and their silent swaps!
The apprentices were breathless.
Each command was lightning—suffocating to witness.
This… is Leader level?
*No—higher.
Imprison faded. Gengar's Shadow Ball obliterated Mr. Mime.
Alakazam returned—Teleporting past the next Shadow Ball—
"Psyshock!"
Faster.
It's over.
The crowd winced.
Outsped…
Then—
Gengar's grin widened. A shadowy tether linked both Pokémon.
Natsume's voice was quiet.
"Destiny Bond."
His final move in the four-move limit.
BOOOOM!
Psyshock's damage shared—both Pokémon crumpled.
The referee's flag swung.
"Double knockout! Natsume wins with one remaining Pokémon!"
Silence.
Then—
"He… beat Sabrina?!"
"A rookie Trainer—how?!"
"That was insane!"
Sabrina sighed, tucking back her hair.
Even with psychic foresight…
Natsume-sensei outplayed me.
"You did great," Natsume murmured, kneeling beside Gengar.
"I got your win."
"Gengar…"
Weakly, it gave a thumbs-up.
...
Ten minutes later.
"Gengar? (⊙~⊙)"
Revived and chewing a Max Revive, Gengar blinked at Natsume.
"One's enough! Save some for Squirtle!"
He groaned. "Fine. Eat it. I'll buy more."
The apprentices' stares were now reverent.
Sabrina approached, arms crossed, the scent of shampoo drifting from her hair.
"Gengar can stay as a Coach."
Natsume nodded.
As long as it doesn't become Gym Leader.
"Gengar! (≧▽≦)"
Turning to its new boss, Gengar rummaged in its belly—producing a giant gift box.
Sabrina blinked.
"For… me?"
"Gengar!" It grinned.
[Present: A box that may heal or harm the target.]
Natsume missed the danger signs.
After all this time together, Gengar's luck is still cursed—
KABOOM!
Soot-covered, Sabrina and Gengar stared at each other.
"Gengar…" It sweatdropped.
Wrong gift. That was Togepi's prank box.
Sabrina's lips twitched.
Then—
"Pfft…"
Laughter burst free, her icy image shattering.
"Ahahaha—!"
The apprentices paled.
We saw nothing.
We'll die if we talk.
CLICK.
A camera flash lit the room.
They whipped toward Natsume—
"You dare?!"
He examined the photo. "Look—hilarious, right?"
Sabrina's aura turned glacial. "Excuse me?"
"Gengar's face," he said, pointing. "Priceless."
Her ears reddened.
In the shot, Gengar was mid-grin, utterly adorable in its sooty state.
"Don't… post it in the chat."
Buzz.
Natsume-sensei: [Image]
Natsume-sensei: My Gengar's the best.
Sabrina: ???
Gold: PFFT—
Sabrina: I'll kill you. (◠‿◠✿)
[Message recalled by Group Owner]
Yellow: What happened?
Lorelei: TOO FAST!
Gold: Don't worry—I screen-recorded!
Sabrina's smile turned dangerous.
The magnet train to Johto isn't far…
Tracking someone through the internet… should be easy.
Natsume coughed. "I'll, uh, head out now?"
"Your badge," she said icily.
A flick of her wrist—a golden badge landed in his palm.
"Heard you like crushing rookies at tournaments. Either way, this is all you're getting."
[Saffron Badge: A circular gold badge with dual rings. (Pure gold. Sell it if you quit training.)]**
Are you mocking me?!
Then—
Oh no.
System—she threw it! That doesn't count!
[Ding! Quest Updated]
[Badges Collected: 1/8]
[Reward: Keystone]
Natsume flinched.
A Keystone… meaning I'd need a Mega Stone too?!
Closer to bankruptcy—again!
"No need to thank me," Sabrina said sweetly. "We have boxes of these."
Natsume's eye twitched.
Mental notebook, entry: November 13th, clear skies. Sabrina gave me a badge.
This grudge is etched in stone.
🌟 Join My Patreon and Unlock Exclusive Pokémon Content! 🌟
👉patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
Are you a fan of the Pokémon series? Become a member today and enjoy amazing benefits!
🌟 Membership: Pokémon Series - Gold Champion
Unlock access to 60 Chapters in advance!
Enjoy daily updates with 2 new chapters every day!
🌟 Membership: Pokémon Series - Platinum Legend
Unlock access to 300 Chapters in advance!
Enjoy daily updates with 5 new chapters every day!
Join now and immerse yourself in the exciting world of Pokémon like never before! Your support means the world to me!