Ash, You Really Dare to Challenge Sabrina!

Saffron City, Saffron Gym.

The heavy doors slowly opened.

Ash was the first to walk into the Gym, with Pikachu.

"Wow, this place is huge!"

He lifted his head and surveyed the spacious battlefield before him, his face full of excitement.

"Pika pika!"

Pikachu called out twice as well.

Misty, who followed behind them, was clearly not so relaxed.

She looked at the dim lights around them, then at the expressionless staff standing on both sides of the corridor, and couldn't help rubbing her arms.

"Hey, Ash, don't you think there's something strange about this Gym?"

"What's strange about it?"

"Don't you think it's too quiet here?"

Misty lowered her voice.

"And why do those staff members keep staring at us?"

Brock had also noticed their surroundings.

"Saffron Gym specializes in researching Psychic-type Pokémon. I've heard some of the Trainers here have psychic powers themselves."

"Psychic powers?!"

Ash immediately perked up.

"Doesn't that make them even more amazing?"

Misty couldn't help rolling her eyes.

"Can't you be a little nervous?"

"Why should I be nervous?"

Ash clenched his fists.

"We're here to challenge the Gym! No matter how strong the Gym Leader is, Pikachu and I will win!"

"Pika!"

Standing on his shoulder, Pikachu energetically raised a little paw.

Brock watched the boy and his mouse Pokémon and smiled helplessly.

He certainly admired Ash's fighting spirit.

But as the former Pewter Gym Leader, he knew better than Ash just how difficult a Trainer skilled in psychic powers could be to handle.

Especially Sabrina of Saffron Gym.

Apparently, many Trainers had challenged her, but very few had actually walked away with a Gold Badge.

"In any case, Ash, make sure you're careful during the battle."

"Got it!"

Ash waved a hand and continued forward.

Soon, the three reached the official battlefield.

At the other end of the field, a girl with long, dark green hair sat quietly in a chair.

She held a doll in her arms, her face revealing little emotion.

It was Sabrina, the Saffron Gym Leader.

"Ash."

Sabrina raised her eyes.

"You're here."

"Of course!"

Ash immediately took his place in the challenger's spot.

"Miss Sabrina, I'm Ash from Pallet Town! Today, I'm officially challenging you at Saffron Gym!"

Sabrina nodded lightly.

"Very well."

Her answer was brief.

But the doll beside her suddenly laughed.

"Hee-hee! It's that energetic boy from yesterday!"

Misty jumped in fright.

"Whoa! How can that doll talk?!"

Brock also looked surprised.

Sabrina slowly stood up as though she hadn't heard a thing.

"Let's begin."

As she finished speaking, a staff member came to the edge of the field and announced the rules.

This battle would be one-on-one.

The Gym Leader and challenger would each send out one Pokémon, until one side was unable to battle or a Trainer voluntarily conceded.

After hearing the rules, Ash eagerly took off his cap.

"All right! Pikachu, I choose you!"

"Pika!"

Pikachu leaped from his shoulder and landed steadily in the center of the field.

Tiny arcs of electricity flickered in Pikachu's electric sacs.

Clearly, Pikachu was ready for battle too.

Sabrina glanced at Pikachu.

Then she took out a Poké Ball.

"Come out, Abra."

Red light flashed.

A yellow Pokémon with pointed ears appeared on the field.

Its eyes were tightly shut and its legs were crossed, yet it floated right in midair.

"Abra?" Ash paused.

He took out his Pokédex.

"Abra, a Psychic-type Pokémon. It requires long periods of sleep every day. Even while sleeping, it can sense its surroundings and use Teleport to protect itself."

After hearing the introduction, Ash couldn't help scratching his head.

"What? So it's just a Pokémon that likes sleeping."

Misty quickly reminded him, "Don't underestimate it! It's a Psychic type!"

"I know!"

Ash turned back toward the field.

"Pikachu, start with Quick Attack!"

"Pika!"

Pikachu pushed off with all four limbs, becoming a yellow blur as it rushed toward Abra.

It was remarkably fast.

But just as Pikachu was about to hit its opponent, Abra suddenly vanished.

Thud!

Pikachu lunged at empty air and hurriedly adjusted its stance, barely avoiding a fall.

"What?!"

Ash's eyes widened.

A second later, Abra reappeared on the other side of the field.

Its legs were still crossed.

It hadn't even opened its eyes.

"Teleport..."

Brock frowned. "It really is hard to deal with."

"Hmph! I don't believe it can dodge every time!"

Ash immediately gave an order.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Pi-ka-chu!"

Dazzling electricity erupted from Pikachu and blasted toward Abra's position.

Boom!

The electricity struck the ground with an ear-splitting blast.

But Abra had already vanished.

When the lightning faded, it appeared on the other side again.

Ash stamped his feet in frustration.

"Darn it! It dodged again!"

Sabrina watched him calmly.

"Abra can sense danger."

"If your attacks remain this straightforward, you won't be able to touch it."

Her words only made Ash more defiant.

"Says who? I'll find a way!"

But Misty had already noticed the problem.

"This is trouble. Every time Pikachu gets ready to attack, Abra moves somewhere else."

Brock nodded.

"And it hasn't launched a single attack yet. If this keeps up, Pikachu will run out of stamina first."

While the two were talking, Ash had already launched another attack.

But the result remained unchanged.

Pikachu charged several times in a row, coming just short of reaching Abra each time.

Instead, Pikachu itself had begun to pant slightly.

Sabrina glanced at the field.

"It's about time."

Ash froze.

"About time for what?"

"Abra," Sabrina said softly, "evolve."

As she finished speaking, Abra, which had been floating cross-legged in midair, suddenly began to radiate dazzling white light.

"This is..."

Misty's eyes widened.

"Evolution?!"

Ash was startled too.

"Wait! How can it evolve in the middle of a battle?!"

Within the white light, Abra's body rapidly changed.

Its limbs grew longer, distinct markings appeared on its forehead, and a Twisted Spoon appeared in its hand.

A moment later, the light faded.

An entirely new Pokémon appeared before them.

"Kadabra!"

Kadabra!

"It actually evolved into Kadabra!"

Ash hurriedly checked his Pokédex.

Brock's expression, however, grew increasingly grave.

"This is bad."

"Ash, you're in even more trouble now."

"Why?"

"Kadabra can use its powerful psychic abilities more skillfully. You'll have to watch out for its attacks now!"

But Ash clenched his fists.

"So what if it evolved? Pikachu, let's keep going!"

"Pika!"

Although Pikachu was already somewhat tired, it still nodded firmly.

Sabrina gently raised her hand.

"Kadabra, Psychic."

"Kadabra!"

The spoon in Kadabra's hand swayed slightly.

The next second, an invisible force enveloped the entire center of the field.

Pikachu was just about to charge when its body suddenly froze.

Then it actually began to rise slowly off the ground!

"Pika?!"

"What?!"

Ash's eyes widened at once.

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu hung in midair, its limbs struggling constantly, but it could not break free of the psychic power.

Kadabra gently waved its spoon.

Bam!

Pikachu was flung toward the edge of the field and rolled twice on the ground.

"Pikachu!"

Ash hurriedly took a step forward.

Gritting its teeth, Pikachu climbed to its feet and shook its head.

"Pika..."

"Ash, don't panic!"

Brock called out immediately.

"Kadabra's psychic power is strong. You need to find a way to avoid its control first!"

Ash gritted his teeth.

Of course he wanted to dodge it.

The question was, how was he supposed to avoid this invisible psychic power?

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack! Get moving first!"

Pikachu moved again.

This time, however, Ash did not have it charge straight at Kadabra.

"Left!"

"Pika!"

"Now turn right!"

Pikachu rapidly changed direction, running around the field.

Ash kept his eyes fixed on the spoon in Kadabra's hand.

Just before its last attack, the spoon seemed to have moved briefly.

"Now!"

"Pikachu, jump! Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu leaped into the air.

Yellow electricity erupted from its body, blasting straight toward Kadabra.

This time, Kadabra did not use Teleport.

It raised its spoon, a pale blue light glowing in its eyes.

Boom!

An invisible force blocked the electricity a short distance away from it, scattering it in all directions.

"What?!"

Ash cried out in surprise.

Brock, however, could not help nodding.

"That was a good attack. Ash has started watching his opponent's movements."

"But..."

Misty looked toward the field nervously.

Pikachu had only just landed when Kadabra raised its spoon again.

"Kadabra!"

A powerful Psychic rapidly enveloped Pikachu.

Before Pikachu could pick up speed again, its body was caught once more.

This time, it could not even turn around.

Sabrina looked at Ash.

"Your judgment was good."

"But you still weren't fast enough."

As her words fell, Kadabra waved its spoon, pushing Pikachu to the other end of the field.

Bam!

The sound of the impact rang especially clearly through the silent Gym.

"Pikachu!"

Ash could no longer spare a thought for giving commands and ran straight toward the edge of the field.

Pikachu struggled to prop itself up on its forepaws, trying to stand again.

"Pi... ka..."

It raised its head and looked at its Trainer.

Clearly, it still wanted to fight.

"Pikachu..."

Ash crouched down, a complicated expression crossing his face.

Of course he wanted to win.

After traveling all the way from Pallet Town and finally reaching the Saffron Gym, how could he accept losing just like this?

Yet as he looked at the wounds on Pikachu's body, he could not bring himself to order another attack.

"Pikachu, can you keep going?"

"Pika!"

Pikachu barely managed a cry.

Ash reached out and stroked its head.

"I know you still want to fight."

He paused for a moment, then raised his head.

"But that's enough."

Sabrina stood on the other side of the field, waiting quietly.

Ash took a deep breath.

"Miss Sabrina!"

"Hm?"

"I forfeit this match!"

The Gym fell silent at once.

Misty froze for a moment, then let out a sigh of relief.

Brock looked pleased as well.

For Ash, being able to admit defeat of his own accord was already a considerable step forward.

Sabrina glanced at him.

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes!"

Ash nodded earnestly.

"You were stronger this time, but I'll come back to challenge you again!"

With that, he carefully picked Pikachu up.

"Thanks for all your hard work, Pikachu."

"Pika..."

Pikachu nestled in his arms and gently nuzzled his arm.

Ash lowered his head and smiled.

"Next time, we'll figure out how to beat it together!"

"Pika!"

Meanwhile, at Saffron City's central commercial plaza.

The promotional event for Pokémon Adventures was still bustling.

"Mr. Masuda, how do you usually plan out Pokémon battles?"

A reporter held up a microphone and asked curiously.

Seated in the interview area, Shiraishi Ritsu answered seriously:

"First, you have to consider the Pokémon's own characteristics."

"Different types and different moves can serve different purposes. Next comes how the Trainer makes decisions based on the conditions on the field."

The reporter nodded repeatedly.

"So what do you think is a Trainer's most important ability?"

Shiraishi Ritsu thought for a moment.

"I think it would be knowing when to attack and when to defend."

At that, he added with a smile:

"And when to admit defeat."

"Admit defeat?"

The reporter was a little surprised.

"Yes."

Shiraishi Ritsu nodded.

"Of course every Trainer wants to win, but Pokémon are their partners, after all. If you know there's no chance of winning and still make your partner keep taking damage, there's not much point."

Hearing this, Smeargle nodded beside him in wholehearted agreement.

"Smeargle!"

It suddenly recalled the time it had fought a wild Rattata.

That battle had really put both it and Shiraishi Ritsu through the wringer.

The reporter said with a smile, "It seems you also have a deep understanding of the relationship between Trainers and Pokémon, Mr. Masuda."

"Haha, I do have a Pokémon of my own, after all."

Shiraishi Ritsu reached out and stroked Smeargle's head.

"Although my battle record as a Trainer isn't very good, at least I know I have to take care of my partner first."

"Smeargle!"

Smeargle happily hugged his arm.

The interview continued.

Shiraishi Ritsu had no idea that, while he was discussing Pokémon battles, the boy who had excitedly shown him three Badges that afternoon had already suffered a crushing defeat at the Saffron Gym.

Nor did he know that the real headache for Ash was only just beginning.

Saffron Gym.

"This match is over!"

The staff member announced the result.

"The winner is Sabrina, Gym Leader of the Saffron Gym!"

Kadabra put away its spoon and quietly returned to Sabrina's side.

Holding Pikachu, Ash walked back over to Misty and Brock.

"Sorry."

He scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"I couldn't get the Badge this time."

"Idiot!" Misty reached out and poked his forehead.

"Pikachu's the one you should be apologizing to!"

"I already did!"

Ash replied indignantly.

Brock smiled and patted his shoulder.

"All right, let's take Pikachu to the Pokémon Center first. Once it's recovered, we can take our time studying Kadabra's tactics."

"Yeah!"

Ash nodded.

He rallied his spirits and turned to leave.

But just then, Sabrina's voice suddenly rang out.

"Ash."

"Hm?"

Ash looked back.

"Miss Sabrina, is there something else?"

Sabrina did not answer.

She merely lowered her head and looked at the doll in her arms.

The doll suddenly raised its head.

A radiant smile slowly appeared on that little face, which had been completely still.

"Hee-hee!"

Ash froze.

Misty also instinctively took a step back.

The rag doll waved her little hand, her voice full of anticipation.

"Ash, since you lost, you have to play with me for a while."