Kanto Region, Saffron City.
The majestic Silph Co. building, the landmark of Saffron City, stood tall at the heart of the commercial district.
The emblem atop the skyscraper pierced the clouds, gleaming in radiant gold.
From the vantage point of the city center's high-rise, two Gym buildings could be seen at the northeastern corner of Saffron City, locked in a silent rivalry.
These two Gyms—the Psychic Gym and the Fighting Gym—had clashed for years.
That was until the sudden emergence of the psychic prodigy, Sabrina, who single-handedly crushed the Fighting Gym led by Koichi.
From then on, the Psychic Gym solidified its legitimacy.
However, Sabrina herself had little interest in managing the Gym.
Instead, her father established a psychic training program within its walls.
Since Sabrina was also a renowned film star, Trainers flocked to challenge or enroll in the Gym.
She entrusted all Gym affairs to her father, only returning occasionally to check in.
Inside the Saffron Gym Leader's room…
A hat-wearing uncle sat meditating, eyes closed, when his daughter's voice suddenly reached his ears.
"No challengers today?"
Opening his eyes, he saw the black-haired, ice-cold beauty materialize in the room via Alakazam's Teleport.
"The apprentices from the psychic training program turned them away."
The uncle sighed. "With the training program and the Gym, managing things should be easier for you."
"Being a Gym Leader was never my intention."
Sabrina leaned back, arms crossed.
"I'd much rather act."
Compared to the monotony of Gym leadership, Sabrina preferred losing herself in the roles she played on screen.
Perhaps it was her way of making up for regrets.
But for Sabrina, "guidance of fate" might have been a more fitting description.
"With your talent, you could've even become a Psychic-type Elite Four—"
The uncle started to say more but stopped, smiling wryly.
"Never mind. Keep chasing your dreams. I'll always support you."
Sabrina's gaze flickered.
Memories flashed through her mind—
Her mother, passing away in distress.
Her father, who once abandoned home in pursuit of greater power, only to return in remorse.
A childhood spent solely with Pokémon, enduring the constant fear and pain of her psychic abilities.
All of it shaped Sabrina into the emotionally detached person she was now.
In a way, her decision to join Team Rocket stemmed from seeing a shadow of her father in Giovanni…
Finally, Sabrina let out a quiet sigh.
"I'll take a look outside."
A blue glow flickered as she Teleported away, reappearing outside the Leader's room, her sleek black hair swaying.
After all these years, she had forgiven her father.
Becoming a film star was her way of moving forward.
People shouldn't live forever in the past.
The revolutionary Red, the reborn Team Rocket, even the man hailed as a mentor…
These were all fresh, intriguing encounters worth exploring.
A cool, elegant smile curled on Sabrina's lips as she strode toward the training hall.
Poké Balls levitated around her, glowing faintly.
"Today, I'll be the one accepting challenges at the Saffron Gym!"
...
Knock knock!
The Saffron Gym's doors were abruptly disturbed by an unexpected visitor.
"Hello…?"
The receptionist opened the door, forcing a professional smile—only to freeze.
Staring down at the Gengar, the receptionist blinked. "Where's your Trainer?"
"Gengar~"
Gengar scratched its head sheepishly.
Looking for a job? Of course its Trainer couldn't know yet!
It'd be a nice surprise when payday came!
"Gengar! (o?▽?)o"
After a series of energetic hops, gestures, and exaggerated pantomiming, the receptionist finally understood.
Pointing at the Help Wanted sign behind them, the receptionist's expression twisted.
"Wait… you're here to apply as a Coach?!"
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned wide, nodding vigorously.
Not only could it go out job-hunting, but it even knew how to apply?!
This Gengar was practically sentient!
The receptionist gulped, then put on a stern face.
"The Psychic Gym's evaluations are extremely strict… Not like those third-rate Fighting-type Gyms next door. You get what I mean?"
"Gengar?"
"...Guess not. Fine, I'll show you the Gym's strength myself!"
With a smug smirk, the receptionist hurled a Poké Ball.
A Hypno materialized, swaying its pendulum—silently casting Hypnosis.
The commotion drew the attention of nearby apprentices.
"Another challenger getting turned away?"
"Where's the Trainer? I don't see anyone."
As murmurs spread, the crowd suddenly fell silent.
Hypno's prideful Hypnosis—not only was it negated, but the Psychic-type itself had been put to sleep instead?!
The blue glow in Gengar's eyes faded as it lazily waved a claw.
"Gengar (￣▽￣)~"*
"A new challenger?"
From the crowd, the towering Coach Tsukishima stood, voice calm.
"Leave this to me."
...
The noise from the training hall irritated Sabrina.
Calm Mind required silence—what was with all this racket?!
With a flick of her hand, psychic energy thudded the door open—just as a shadowy projectile shot past.
A Shadow Ball exploded violently, blasting an Alakazam backward.
Boom!!
Alakazam crashed against the far wall, its scorched stomach evidence of an instant knockout.
The watching apprentices, seated on tatami mats, collectively swallowed hard.
"Coach Tsukishima's Alakazam… taken out in one hit?!"
"How is it this strong without a Trainer?!"
"And that Growlithe—it's huge!"
Sabrina blinked in surprise.
Her gaze shifted to the battlefield at the center of the hall.
Coach Tsukishima, drenched in sweat, had already been forced to send out his second Pokémon.
"Gengar!"
Gengar wound up like a baseball pitcher and threw a Poké Ball.
"Growlithe~~"
A beefy Growlithe pounced, pinning Tsukishima's Baltoy beneath it.
Crack!
Growlithe's jaws clamped down on Baltoy's head—the sound of splitting ceramic unmistakable.
The apprentices winced.
Did… did that just break it?!
Defeated so effortlessly, Coach Tsukishima paled, and the Gym fell deathly silent.
"Gengar!" Gengar proudly planted its hands on its hips.
Back in Tokyo, bullying Takuya had given it plenty of practice with this strategy.
Now, facing the Psychic Gym again, Gengar was in its element.
"Gengar!" It nodded in satisfaction.
This should be enough to secure the Coach position, right?
Amid the stunned silence…
Even the ever-composed Sabrina found herself staring.
Today's challenger… was a Gengar?
BAM!
The Gym doors burst open.
All eyes turned toward the Trainer silhouetted against the sunlight, panting heavily.
"I… think I made it?"
Leaning against the doorframe, Natsume caught his breath, then tentatively added:
"...In time?"
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