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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_086_en

Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Beep Beep. Are You a Guy or a Girl?

2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)

Saffron Gym.

Ash and his companions arrived at the Gym's entrance, trembling as they scanned their surroundings. Every rustle of the wind in the grass made them jump as if it were an enemy.

Sure enough, just as Nurse Joy had said, the plot of land next to the Gym was scraped bare. That must have been the Fighting Dojo, crumpled into a ball and tossed away by Sabrina.

But the city itself felt too strange. They didn't see any passersby. It was said that the normal residents only lived in the areas outside the two main circles and would almost never set foot within them.

Originally, Brock and Misty had planned to just stay behind at the Pokémon Center, drinking water, sipping tea, and chatting while they waited for the good news of Ash's victory.

Ash clapped them both on the shoulders and said with a grin:

"You're my good brothers and sisters. I can't win without your cheers!"

And so, the reluctant pair had no choice but to tag along to cheer him on and give him courage.

As for why they came despite their reluctance, it was simple: his strength was slightly greater than theirs.

"It's fine, I've got this in the bag today," Ash said reassuringly.

With Gengar on his left, Metapod on his right, and a Butterfree in the middle, he had three Pokémon with a type advantage. As long as he fought well according to his Type Advantage Tactics, he was set.

Solid!

He took a deep breath and pushed open the Saffron Gym's slightly old, weather-beaten main doors.

"Creeeak."

The room inside was pitch black, save for a few faint beams of light that illuminated countless dancing dust motes.

As one of the older regions, the Kanto Region actually had more than eight Gyms. After hearing the recent news from Saffron City, many Trainers simply decided to give up on the Saffron Gym.

A life-threatening Gym? They'd try it in their next life, for sure.

Ash gulped hard and continued deeper inside, pushing open a second, inner door.

"Creeeak."

After walking a few dozen more steps, the view suddenly opened up. This time, the environment that greeted them was different from the outside; it was a vast Training Ground.

The Ground was covered with a red silk carpet, and golden crystal chandeliers hung from above. The entire room was filled with an air of extravagance. On the surrounding mahogany walls hung famous paintings that looked to be the work of a Master.

To be honest, it didn't look like a Competition Venue. It looked more like a banquet hall for some high-society party.

"Hiss..."

The three of them couldn't help but gasp at the magnificent sight, thinking to themselves that this was a big city Gym, all right—they really knew how to play with luxury.

"Hee hee. Welcome, three Trainers, to the Saffron Gym challenge."

A mechanical, female-like voice sounded out, speaking in a stilted, segmented manner.

The three subconsciously looked toward the source of the sound. At the far end of the Training Ground, they saw what looked like a lavish, velvet-wood chair, upon which sat a black-haired woman.

Her jet-black hair fell straight down her back, with neat, beautiful bangs across her forehead. Her Facial Features were delicate and lovely, yet carried a hint of noble mystery. She wore a tight-fitting, dark red outfit, and a pair of cold eyes were fixed on the three of them.

Her dark red pupils were so deep that staring into them for too long could make a person dizzy.

Ash, Brock, and Misty all shivered at the same time, shaking their heads as their hair stood on end.

When they looked again, they were startled to find that the voice from a moment ago hadn't come from the woman, but from a half-meter-tall, princess-like Puppet she was holding. It, too, was staring at them with a pair of round, wooden eyes.

The scene instantly became bizarre.

Any normal Human would have at least a slight fear of puppets, and Ash, Brock, and Misty were no exception.

This black-haired woman was none other than the Saffron Gym Leader, Sabrina.

She was a few years older than Ash. From the moment she was born, she had exhibited Psychic Powers far beyond those of an ordinary person, and she had been famous throughout the Kanto Region since she was a child.

In terms of commanding Pokémon in Battle, she might still be far behind the Kanto Region's Champion Lance.

But in a real hand-to-hand fight, she could crush ten Lances with a casual flick of her wrist, as easily as squashing a Durant.

Seeing this, Ash knew he couldn't back down. A Pokemon Battle was all about pre-battle Momentum. He thumped his chest and shouted:

"I'm Ash from Pallet To—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a corner of his belt suddenly vibrated, emitting the same mechanical sound.

"Beep. I am the Pokedex from Pallet Town. May I ask if you are GG or MM?" the Pokedex announced, flashing a red light.

The group was still trying to process what was happening when Sabrina's puppet suddenly replied mechanically:

"Hee hee. Is this your first day surfing the web?"

"Beep. Then can I add you? My Trainer has a house in Pallet Town."

"Hee hee. One bathroom here is worth ten houses in Pallet Town. I'm going to take a shower, bye-bye."

"Beep. I'll wait for you then."

Then, both the Puppet and the Pokedex fell silent.

The three of them: "..."

Sabrina: "?"

The Situation became strange again, but in a different way than it had been three minutes ago.

This interruption, however, shattered Ash's nervousness, and he began to look Sabrina straight in the eye.

He raised a Poké Ball and pointed it forward, his voice full of spirit.

"Hey! I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm here to challenge your Saffron Gym!"

Sabrina ignored him, still looking down and pondering her puppet's earlier words.

She was not a ventriloquist. The puppet could talk because, after long-term exposure to the Psychic Power she radiated, it had gained a degree of its own consciousness.

It represented a part of her Willpower, in a sense.

But what did "add you" mean?

Wait.

"Pallet Town?"

Sabrina raised her head to look at Ash, a faint, bewitching red light flickering in her eyes.

The Trainer from yesterday seemed to be from Pallet Town as well. He was pretty skilled, which made her interested in the Trainer before her now.

"Hee hee. The Saffron Gym challenge Rule is: if you win, you get the Saffron Badge. If you lose, you have to stay and date me."

The Puppet suddenly spoke again, its voice carrying a sinister tone.

"Stay here?"

Brock and Misty both gasped. They had long heard that many Trainers who entered the Saffron Gym never came out again. So this was why—they were forced to stay.

Terrifying!

But Ash, standing in front of them, let out a great shout, a confident smile spreading across his face.

"I have to date you if I lose? Then I absolutely will not lose!"

"Beep. I can stay and date you directly," the Pokedex added.

Everyone: "..."

Sabrina: "..."

The atmosphere became delicate once again.

Soon, Ash was in position at one end of the Training Ground. Sabrina, however, did not get up. A blue light suddenly flared in her eyes, and then her entire body, along with the chair, was enveloped by this light. They levitated together, finally landing at the other end of the Training Ground, facing him from a distance.

"So this is Psychic Powers... How convenient..."

A drop of sweat rolled down Ash's forehead. His expression was grave as he prepared for battle.

Immediately after, Sabrina's eyes glowed again, and a Poké Ball from her waist shot out on its own.

"Bang!"

A flash of red light, and a golden-yellow Pokemon sat on the ground. Judging by its head, it looked like a fox Pokemon. Its two eyes were narrowed to slits, as if it were sleeping.

It didn't give off a powerful feeling; in fact, it looked rather feeble.

But those slit-like eyes seemed somewhat familiar to Ash.

"Beep. Abra, the Teleport Pokemon. It sleeps for 25 hours a day but can battle even in its sleep. It is said that that children who don't sleep properly have a chance of turning into an Abra."

The Pokedex automatically reported, then added another line:

"Beep. Hey, GG, are you done with your shower?"

The Puppet, Sabrina: "..."

Ash violently stuffed the Pokedex back into his pocket. How could he let it cause a disturbance right before a big battle? He then threw his own Poké Ball with great force.

Losing this Battle meant he'd have to stay and play with Sabrina, so he absolutely could not lose. Even though his opponent looked weak, he planned to send out his strongest Ace right away!

"Bang!"

A flash of red light, but there was no Pokemon inside. Instead, a single piece of white paper fluttered to the ground.

On the left side of the paper was a crookedly drawn Gengar. In the middle were the familiar numbers "1" and "0". And on the right was a large crowd of Gengars, with a series of rectangles drawn behind them, representing Saffron City.

Ash: "..."

Damn it! It ran away again!

He really wanted to tear that Gengar to pieces right now!

It figured! Pokémon whose Levels were too different from their Trainer's always had these annoying habits!

Seeing the terrifying red light flaring up again in Sabrina's eyes, Ash swallowed and quickly threw out his other great general.

"I choose you, Metapod!"

The moment it appeared, Metapod's Battle Intent reached its peak. A White Light, unique to Evolution, immediately began to glow from its body, on the verge of erupting. This forced Ash to push his hand speed to the Ultimate State and press the Poké Ball's button again.

"Come back, Metapod!"

He had to calm down.

Sabrina: "..."

The red light in her eyes was also on the verge of erupting!

(end of chapter)

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