"Yeah, I didn't expect to see you here today either, Sabrina," Ash said, his gaze fixed on the stoic girl before him. His mind briefly flashed back to their encounter two years ago, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of caution, especially with his sister right beside him.
Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "What's so strange about seeing me here?" she asked. "My Gym is located in Saffron City, so isn't it logical for me to be here?"
Ash scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, you're right. I guess I meant seeing you in such a crowded space."
Sabrina paused for a moment, then nodded slowly as if a realization had dawned on her. "Ah, I understand now. Your impression of me must still be based on our encounter two years ago. If that's the case, it's understandable that you're surprised. And I see now why you seem cautious of me."
Ash blinked, unsure of how to respond.
"To clarify," Sabrina began, "after you helped me escape the darkness of my mind, I realized that isolating myself in the Gym would only hinder my progress. So, I began working on improving myself. It took time, but now I try to spend more time in public and communicate better with my parents as well."
Ash was genuinely surprised and at a loss for words. "Oh wow... I honestly don't know what to say, but I'm happy for you."
"Thank you," Sabrina said with a nod, her tone calm as always. "So, what brings you here today? Are you perhaps here to challenge my Elite team?"
"Oh, no, nothing like that," Ash shook his head quickly. Although challenging elite Gym teams sounded interesting, he had other plans. "I'm just here for some shopping before I head out on my next journey."
"Ah, right," Sabrina said thoughtfully. "I had forgotten that you've been competing in various regional Leagues. I must say, your performance in the Silver Conference was commendable. It's a shame you didn't make it to the top 4."
Ash blinked again, surprised yet again. "Wait, you've been following my League matches?"
Sabrina tilted her head slightly. "Of course. Friends support each other, don't they?" her eyes were as stoic as ever, but Ash could spot a hint of joy behind them.
Ash was caught off guard by her words. "We're... friends?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
"Are we not?" Sabrina asked, a faint sadness creeping into her voice.
"No! No, of course, we're friends, Sabrina!" Ash quickly reassured her, not wanting to hurt her feelings. He figured she didn't have many friends, so if she considered him one, he was fine with that. Plus, he couldn't help but notice the small smile that appeared on Sabrina's face when he confirmed they were friends. He actually found it kind of cute.
Just then, Ash felt a tug on his sleeve. He glanced down to see Ashly looking up at him, curiosity clear in her eyes. "Brother, aren't you going to introduce us?" she asked, her head tilted slightly.
"Oh, right!" Ash said, pushing Ashly gently in front of him. "Sabrina, this is my little sister Ashly. And Ashly, this is Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron City and... my friend."
"Hi," Ashly greeted with a casual wave.
Sabrina nodded in acknowledgment. "Hello," she replied, and for a brief moment, her eyes glowed faintly. She turned her attention to Ash. "Your sister has great potential."
Ash grinned proudly, ruffling Ashly's hair. "Yeah, I know," he said.
After a brief pause, Sabrina looked back at Ash. "Since you're heading to a new region, may I ask a favor of you?"
Ash raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 'What could Sabrina possibly want from me?' he wondered. "Sure, as long as it's reasonable."
Sabrina's expression remained unchanged. "It's nothing too difficult," she assured him. "But why don't we continue this conversation at my Gym?"
Ash thought for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, okay, that sounds good."
Without warning, Sabrina placed her hands on Ash and Ashly's shoulders. In the blink of an eye, they vanished from the crowded street and teleported straight to Sabrina's Gym.
******
A split second later, Ash and Ashly found themselves standing in the middle of Sabrina's Gym, the large space filled with eerie silence and faint psychic energy lingering in the air. Ash had almost forgotten how unsettling the Gym could feel with its stillness amplified by the subtle vibrations of psychic power.
Ashly looked around, wide-eyed, as if stepping into another world. "Whoa... this place is so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. Ash, on the other hand, gave her a deadpan look.
Sabrina nodded slightly, gesturing for them to follow her deeper into the Gym. "Come with me. We'll discuss the favor I mentioned."
Ash exchanged a curious glance with Ashly before they followed Sabrina into a more private chamber. The room was quiet and minimalistic, with the same psychic presence lingering, though it felt more controlled here. Once they were seated, Sabrina turned to Ash, her expression more serious than before.
"What I'm about to ask of you might seem unusual," she began, "but I believe you're the right person for this task."
Ash leaned forward, intrigued. "What is it?"
Sabrina took a deep breath. "I've recently come across a Pokémon that I think could benefit from your help."
"A Pokémon?" Ash repeated, his curiosity piqued.
Sabrina nodded. "A few days ago, an injured Ralts wandered into the Gym," she explained, her tone soft yet serious. "At first, I thought it was lost, but when I tried to communicate with it telepathically, I realized it had been through something traumatic. Its psychic energy was unstable, and it seemed... frightened."
Ash's brow furrowed. "An injured Ralts? What happened to it?"
Sabrina shook her head slightly. "I'm not entirely sure. The images I managed to glean from its mind were fragmented—flashes of a dark forest, a battle with stronger Pokémon, and the silhouette of what seemed to be a human figure, possibly its previous trainer. But the memories are too scattered to fully understand."
Ashly, who had been listening intently, now leaned in. "That sounds terrible... but why do you think Ash can help?"
Sabrina met Ash's gaze. Sabrina turned to Ash, her pink eyes steady and unwavering. "I've observed the bond you share with your Pokémon, especially Pikachu. You have a unique way of connecting with them, of helping them grow and thrive. Ralts needs a compassionate and skilled trainer who can not only train it but also help it regain its confidence."
"You want me to take care of this Ralts?" Ash asked, now fully understanding.
Sabrina nodded. "Indeed. Since you know my past, you also know that at the moment I neither have the time nor the patience or temperament to take care of and train this child. Besides, I think going on a journey with you would be beneficial for it rather than being cooped up here in the gym."
Ash paused to think. "If you believe I can help, then I'll do it. But first, I need to talk to Ralts to see if it wants to join me."
"Of course," Sabrina nodded. "Let's go meet Ralts then." She stood up and motioned for them to follow her as she led them to the Gym's backyard.
As they stepped into Sabrina's backyard, Ash immediately noticed several Psychic-type Pokémon scattered around the tranquil space, likely belonging to Sabrina. His eyes were first drawn to Alakazam, Sabrina's ace, who was quietly meditating under a large tree. Then he spotted a Metagross resting on the grass with an Espeon curled up comfortably on top of it. Near a small pond at the corner of the yard, Exeggutor, Slowking, and Sigilyph gathered calmly. Although Ash knew Sabrina also had a Hypno, Mr. Mime, and Jynx, they were nowhere to be seen at the moment.
What caught his attention the most, however, was the timid Ralts sitting alone in the far corner of the yard, its small body hunched as though trying to make itself invisible.
"There's the Ralts I told you about," Sabrina said, gesturing toward the small and lonely Pokémon. "Approach it slowly, Ash. Speak to it, and see if it's willing to trust you."
Ash nodded and began walking toward Ralts, but as he approached, he felt a wave of unease from the small Pokémon. Thanks to the [Enhanced Blessing of Viridian Forest], Ash was able to sense its discomfort, and he paused, realizing that a direct approach might not be the best idea.
Rethinking his approach, Ash decided to sit beside the Ralts without saying a word, giving it space to feel comfortable. Then, he reached into his pocket and mentally accessed his PokeMart, purchasing an item he had come across earlier while exploring the shop.
[Energy Candy: A candy made from specific energy. Loved by Pokémon that utilize this energy type. Has no additional effects other than pleasing their taste buds.
Price: 10 pts per unit/variant.]
Ash quickly spent 20 points and bought two candies—one Psychic-type and one Electric-type. He held them out in each palm, one for Ralts and one for Pikachu.
Ralts hesitantly looked at the psychic-type candy in Ash's hand. Its large red eyes were filled with curiosity, but fear still lingered. The little Pokémon could sense that Ash was different—his aura radiated kindness and patience, unlike the human who had abandoned it, breaking its Pokéball in front of its eyes. The painful memory was still fresh in its mind.
Just then, Pikachu hopped down from Ash's shoulder, sniffing the electric-type candy in his left palm. "Pika!" Pikachu cried happily before grabbing the candy and munching on it with delight.
Encouraged by Pikachu's reaction, Ralts hesitated for a moment before shyly reaching out to take the Psychic-type candy from Ash's hand. It started nibbling on it, making small delighted sounds as it ate.
"It's good, isn't it?" Ash asked with a soft chuckle. Ralts shyly nodded, its fear beginning to melt away. Sensing an opportunity, Ash decided to check Ralts's stats through his internal Pokedex.
[Name]: Ralts
[Gender]: Female
[Type]: Psychic/Fairy
[Ability]: Trace
[Hidden Ability]: Telepathy
[Nature]: Modest
[Held Item]: None
[Special Talent]: ???
[Moves]: Growl, Disarming Voice, Double Team, Confusion, Hypnosis, Draining Kiss, Teleport.
'Not bad, not bad at all,' Ash thought to himself. He smiled as he saw Ralts's potential, especially her Modest nature, which would be perfect for a powerful special attacker like her future Gardevoir. The hidden special talent made her even more intriguing. 'Whoever abandoned this Ralts must be the biggest fool in the world.'
Putting his thoughts aside, Ash focused on the timid Ralts, who had finished the candy and was now gazing at him with curiosity rather than fear. Sensing that she was more comfortable, Ash began telling her stories about his adventures, with Pikachu chiming in every now and then to add his own commentary.
Ralts listened intently, her earlier fear slowly replaced with wonder and excitement as Ash talked about his travels, battles, and the many Pokémon he had befriended along the way. Half an hour later, Ash finished his last story, and by then, Ralts was completely enthralled, hanging onto every word as if she were a small child being told a bedtime story.
"Hey girl, what do you think?" Ash asked, his tone gentle. "Would you like to come on an adventure with me?"
Ralts blinked, her heart swelling with excitement. She wanted to say yes immediately but then hesitated, remembering the painful experience with her previous trainer. She shook her head sadly, doubting her own strength.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked, his voice still kind. "I thought you loved hearing about adventures. Don't you want to go on one of your own?"
"Ralts..." she murmured, her voice filled with uncertainty as she expressed how she didn't believe she was strong enough to travel with someone like Ash.
Ash chuckled softly and replied, "So? Don't you remember from my stories how I started out weak, too? There are still trainers stronger than me, but I'm working to become the best. It's not about how strong you are now, it's about how much you're willing to grow. So, what do you say? Want to join me and grow along with me?" With that, Ash quickly accessed the PokeMart and purchased a Premier Ball, spending 50 points. He then held the ball out to Ralts, offering her a chance.
Ralts hesitated for just a moment, then, seeing the sincerity in Ash's eyes and feeling the warmth of his offer, she made her decision. Gently, she reached out, tapped the Premier Ball, and allowed herself to be captured.
The ball clicked shut, signaling her decision. Ash smiled wide, lifting the Premier Ball into the air, striking his signature pose. "Welcome to the family, Ralts!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with joy. Pikachu jumped up beside him, equally excited.
"Well done, Ash," Sabrina said, stepping forward with a rare smile on her face. "I knew you were the right person for this task. Ralts has great potential, and under your care, I'm sure she'll flourish. I'd even go so far as to say she could one day rival Champion Diantha's Gardevoir."
"Don't worry, Sabrina. I plan to do exactly that," Ash replied confidently.
"I have no doubt," Sabrina nodded with a smile. "Now, with my request fulfilled, I believe you have some shopping to do."
"Yeah," Ash nodded, remembering his original purpose for being in Saffron City. "I still need to buy supplies and get back to Pallet Town before sundown."
"Then allow me to take you back," Sabrina raised her hand slightly. "It's the least I can do."
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Ash said. A few minutes later, Sabrina teleported Ash and Ashly back to the front of the mall. She wished Ash good luck in the Hoenn League and then teleported away, leaving the siblings to continue their shopping mission.
With Sabrina gone, Ash turned to his sister. "Alright, let's finish what we came here for."
Ashly nodded, and together, they headed into the mall to achieve their goal.
******
Later that night, Sabrina was meditating in an isolated room within her Gym, using the stillness of the night to calm her mind. Suddenly, a shift in the energy alerted her to another presence in the room. Opening her eyes, she saw a girl with long brown hair and piercing brown eyes standing near the window, leaning casually against the wall. Next to her was a Mismagius, hovering quietly beside her trainer.
"What a surprise," Sabrina said, her voice calm, betraying no sign of panic. "I didn't expect to see you here, or ever again for that matter. Though, I would have appreciated a little notice. I could have prepared tea."
The girl frowned, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm not here for your hospitality, Sabrina. I'm here for answers."
Sabrina scoffed lightly, a faint smirk playing at her lips. "And why do you think I owe you any answers? Remember, you're not my boss—never were. So, I'm under no obligation to answer to you."
"Still as arrogant as ever," the brown-haired girl clicked her tongue in frustration. "Don't forget, Sabrina, the people I work for now could make you disappear without a trace. Keep that in mind."
"Please. If I were that weak, I wouldn't be where I am today," Sabrina's eyes narrowed slightly, but her smirk never faded. "Your people can't touch me without facing the wrath of the Pokémon Association. I'm one of the key Gym Leaders of Kanto and a senior advisor to the Association. I'm not someone who can be easily removed."
"Forget it, Sabrina. I'm not here to bicker with you," The brown-haired girl shook her head in frustration. "I just want to know what business you had with that boy—the one with the Pikachu. The boy you met this morning."
Sabrina's smirk deepened, her tone dripping with amusement. "Oh, I didn't know you were interested in 13-year-olds now," she said, clearly taking pleasure in the way the girl's eye twitched in annoyance. "But since this involves him, I'll tell you, just so you don't trouble him."
Upon hearing Sabrina's reply, the girl's expression shifted into one of genuine surprise. "Go on."
"I met Ash Ketchum by chance in the market. I took him back to the Gym to ask him for a favor," Sabrina explained.
"What kind of favor?" the brown-haired girl demanded.
"That's not something that concerns you," Sabrina's eyes narrowed, a faint psychic glow beginning to emanate from them.
"It does," the girl insisted, her expression hardening. "I need to know whether you asked him for a favor as Saffron City's Gym Leader or if you forced him into something as a former Team Rocket Sergeant."
"Is that so?" she asked as the glow in Sabrina's eyes faded, replaced by a smirk. "Then let me ask you this, are you asking these questions in your official capacity as the Ghost of International Police? Or as a neighbor and friend of Ash Ketchum... Miss Leaf?"
To be continued...