Chapter 189

Sabrina's reasoning was reasonable, and she also felt that this behavior was in line with the Pokémon League's consistent style. If there really was a crisis, the Pokémon League would not put all its eggs in her basket.

"If only... I could meet a Champion."

The next day arrived.

Qiao Ran had originally planned to visit a Gym for a challenge, but when he woke up in the morning, he was greeted with a sore back and aching muscles.

"..."

Sleeping on the floor is definitely not a pleasant experience.

Furthermore, since Sabrina was also there, they couldn't go to the Wild Area for breakfast and had to order takeout with Sabrina, who couldn't cook at all.

None of the people present had any culinary skills, and even if they did, there were no ingredients stored in the room.

"Don't think that just because you've accepted the Punishment, I've completely forgiven you."

While eating the fast food delivered to her, Sabrina didn't forget to utter a few harsh words.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Qiao Ran rubbed her slightly sore arm and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

So, you really are planning to hold this grudge for a lifetime, just like you said before?

"... What are your plans next?" Sabrina suddenly asked.

"I was planning to challenge the Gym, but I'm afraid I won't be able to today."

Qiao Ran shook his neck, making a series of cracking sounds.

"So let's train here today. I just happened to see that there are training Battle Court in this Community."

Generally, Qiao Ran and his group would go to the Wild Area for training, but today, because Sabrina was also there, Qiao Ran changed his approach.

Lillie and Mei understood this too; it was a matter of common sense.

"Alright." After hearing Qiao Ran's words, a faint smile appeared on Sabrina's face for some reason.

"That just so happens to be what I was planning to do today."

"So... how about a Pokémon battle with me?"

Pokémon battles.

Among Trainer in the Pokémon World, this is the highest priority for communication.

By considering a person's attitude towards Pokémon, their cooperation with Pokémon, and their performance in battle, one can gain a comprehensive understanding of them. Compared to superficial interactions that only reveal a person's appearance, this more direct approach is clearly more readily accepted.

Of course... they might just simply want to fight.

"... OK."

Looking into those eyes, Qiao Ran could no longer refuse. In those eyes, he seemed to see Sabrina from back then, who had also looked at Mei with those eyes, inviting him to a battle.

Moreover, given what happened last night, the only way to settle their grudges is through a fight.

"Hmph, why are you so surprised? Do you think I'm incapable of fighting?"

Seemingly sensing Qiao Ran's emotional fluctuations, Sabrina let out a soft hum, but the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

The persona she presented to Qiao Ran was always that of a Performing Family, but in reality, her identity is much more than that.

"Don't forget, I'm also a Trainer, and the Gym Leader of Saffron City in the Kanto Region."

She coughed lightly and assumed a familiar pose from her memory.

Back then, she hadn't fallen to this state. Even the mayor of Saffron City and the head of the Chamber of Chamber of Commerce had to consider her opinions and thoughts.

"If you want the Golden Badge, then Defeat me."

A community exclusively for trainers wouldn't be complete without competition venues, and it even boasts some of the best amenities in Shanghai, which trainers residing here can use at discounted rates.

Here, Sabrina doesn't need to hide like she does outside. Most of the Trainer in the Gym already know of her existence. However, the Miss Sabrina would appear here still spread like Whirlwind among the Trainer.

After all, Sabrina had never appeared here before; today was the first time she had ever done so.

"Hey, did you just see Miss Sabrina? She's here! Does that mean she lives around here too?"

"Really? We're now living in the same neighborhood as Miss Sabrina?"

Why would I lie to you? I was just at Training Ground 3...

In another Training Ground, a woman with long black hair also learned the news from other Trainer coming and going. She looked at her sister standing beside her, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

"Sabrina is here, and... does she want to battle a male Trainer?"

"Sister?" Standing beside her was a quiet-looking little girl, and in front of her Levitate a small stone brick. If Qiao Ran were here, he might recognize her name.

--Nian Xiaoxiao.

However, Nian Xiaoxiao's appearance was clearly different from yesterday's. Her hair was tied into a neat ponytail at the back of her head, and she was wearing a clean training uniform.

"If you want to go, sister, let's go together. I also want to see Sabrina's battle."

"Um."

As if by telepathy, the two exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.

Nian Xiaoxiao was perhaps more interested in Sabrina herself, as was the case with the woman with long black hair.

However, that wasn't all she was considering. Yesterday, when she saw Sabrina in the lounge, that girl was packing her things and leaving in a very unusual way... Was it all just to come here and do something like this?

Could it be that it has something to do with that male Trainer?

"..."

Could it be that it was a powerful being so formidable that she would abandon her training conditions at the Gym just to challenge it?

Trainer can only become stronger through constant challenges, and her rival Sabrina wanted to break through at this crucial moment, which is why she made this unusual move.

The woman with long black hair stared wide-eyed.

So, this was her plan all along!

Training Ground No. 3 --

The Battle Court, which originally had only a few Trainer scattered around, was now bustling with a large crowd. Not only were there Trainer from the Gym, but many family members had also rushed over, crowding around the Battle Court.

"There are quite a lot of people."

Standing at one end of the Battle Court, Qiao Ran looked at Sabrina on the other side and couldn't help but sigh.

He knew that most of these people were not very interested in him; their arrival was probably only because they were attracted by Sabrina.

The result.

No wonder he's a superstar in the Pokémon World.

"Isn't it good to have more people? Or... are you afraid of losing face?"

Sabrina narrowed her eyes slightly, her words filled with sarcasm towards Qiao Ran. In her hand, a Poké Ball Levitate quietly. For her, using Psychic was as natural as breathing. Moreover, she did not believe that she would lose to anyone in Pokémon battles. Even the Kanto Elite Four of Kanto could hold their own in one-on-one battles in the wild.

"You should be the one who's scared."

Like Sabrina, Qiao Ran was also confident enough. After all, he had the upper hand in their previous encounter. Although it was a ruthless Wild Battle in the open, it was enough to prove something.

"Hmph... stubborn."

Sabrina chuckled. Last time, she had simply been careless and hadn't considered Qiao Ran's special abilities, which prevented her from dodging his counterattack. But this time, on the competition field, as the gym leader, she had no reason to lose.

Moreover...

Sabrina's gaze drifted towards the area below the Battlefield.

A woman with long black hair was standing there, and the person next to her... looked very similar—was it her sister?

Sabrina's Confusion had already Frisk the arrival of the other party, but Sabrina somewhat difficult to understand was that the two sisters were not looking at her at this moment, but were staring intently at Qiao Ran opposite them.

You said... you know him?

Below the Battlefield, the woman with long black hair frowned. When did her younger sister's social circle become so extensive?

He even met people he didn't know?

"Yes, I saw him yesterday."

Nian Xiaoxiao nodded, a little confused.

She never expected to see him again in this setting and in this place.

Moreover, she was now positioned as Miss Sabrina's rival.

"He... is my classmate's cousin."

"My classmate's... cousin?"

What kind of strange interpersonal relationship is this?

The black-haired woman's doubts grew stronger; she even suspected that Sabrina had been in secret contact with her younger sister.

Why is it that the man connected to Sabrina happens to be her sister's classmate's cousin, and they even know each other?

Strangeness.

Doubts took root in their hearts, while the Competition began on the Battlefield.

Mei volunteered to be the Referee this time. Since her family had their own people available, there was no need to pay extra for Referee. Besides, if anyone engaged in any malicious behavior that disrupted Pokémon Competition, Mei wouldn't mind stepping in and fighting it herself.

"Both sides are ready. Please send out your Pokémon."

Since it's a one-on-one Competition, Qiao Ran and Sabrina can only choose one Pokémon, and there's no option to switch them midway. However, there is actually a specific order to "send out Pokémon".

"As Gym Leader... I'll send out my Pokémon first."

Sabrina stood on the Battle Court as the challenger. Although the scene was not the Gym in Saffron City, Qiao Ran could still feel Sabrina's aura as the Gym Leader by looking at that Pressure figure.

"Come out, Alakazam!"

Sabrina sent out the Alakazam that had slept in the living room with Qiao Ran the night before. However, while Qiao Ran was lying on the floor, Alakazam was floating in mid-air Calm Mind. Qiao Ran had also checked its level, so this must be one of Sabrina's ace Pokémon.

--Level 53.

This Alakazam is undoubtedly Elite Four-level fighter, and the Psychic that fill its body further prove this point.

"Miss Sabrina... seems to have sent out some really powerful Pokémon..."

"Yeah, what exactly is that Alakazam...?"

Below the Battlefield, whispers seemed to rise. Unlike Qiao Ran, they couldn't accurately determine the level of the Pokémon Sabrina had sent out. They could only sense that it was a very strong Pokémon, but they didn't know just how strong.

At least—before Sabrina, in her battles at the Gym, she had never shown her true strength. Her intensive training, besides wanting to compete for the Gym Leader in her best condition, was also for a bigger goal.

She never expected to have the ability to save the Pokémon World, but at least she would do her best.

"Come on, let me see which Pokémon you'll send out!"

Sabrina narrowed her eyes, staring at Qiao Ran with those perpetually cold gazes. She had seen Qiao Ran use surprising Pokémon before, but no one knew if Qiao Ran had any other tricks up his sleeve.

"..."

However, Qiao Ran didn't hesitate much when asked by Sabrina. In his current team composition, Zacian was undoubtedly in the top tier. With a level of over 50 and base stats that surpassed most Legendary Pokémon, it was enough to give it a significant lead over other Pokémon. Although it had never truly challenged a real Champion, Qiao Ran believed that Zacian in its "King of Sword" form might not be without a fighting chance.

Below her are Yveltal, who can rival the Elite Four-level, and... Dianxi in her Mega form.

As for the other Pokémon,...

They might still be a little short of those goals, and while there's a possibility of a comeback from the brink of defeat, Qiao Ran doesn't want to lose this Competition.

Since Sabrina has already sent out Alakazam, the Alakazam she has the deepest bond with, her choice has already been decided.

"Come out, Dianxi!"

With a flash of light, the pink Diamond Pokémon appeared on the Battle Court.

Pink specks of light, like stardust, swirled around her. Her small arms were gently folded across her chest, and she slowly opened her eyes as if waking from a dream.

"So cute..."

What Pokémon is that?