"One-on-one, whoever's Pokemon falls first loses. If I lose, I'll give you the badge from the Saffron Gym, but if you lose, you have to stay here and play with me."
Misty: ???
What is up with this woman! Could it be she's really interested in Ash?
This is just her first meeting with Ash, is Ash's charm really that great?
Ash was also somewhat surprised by Sabrina's request. Previously, it was said that losing to Sabrina would have terrifying consequences. Is staying to play with Sabrina the terrible outcome? This doesn't seem so scary!
Although Sabrina is a bit cold, has a strong presence, and seems rather ruthless, apart from that, she's actually a stunning beauty. Playing with her shouldn't be too frightening, right?
"...Can I ask, what exactly do you mean by 'play'? A game?" Ash wanted to agree readily, but something felt off, so he decided to ask.
"It's a game."
"Oh, just a game, then there's no problem. Even if I lose, I can play with you. Are you really that bored? You need challenger to play games with you?" After hearing it was a game, Ash readily agreed.
Meanwhile, he thought that perhaps Miss Joy and Professor Oak had exaggerated a bit. The Saffron Gym doesn't seem that terrifying, it's just playing a game with an emotionless young girl. Is that really frightening?
"Is that so? Then you'll have to turn into a doll to stay and play with me."
Ash: ???
Once Sabrina said that, everyone felt a chilling sensation in their hearts. Turning into a doll to play with you, are you serious?
Ash quickly glanced at the doll in Sabrina's hand but didn't sense any aura coming from it.
This at least meant that the doll in Sabrina's hand wasn't a transformed human, which made Ash breathe a sigh of relief.
Although he didn't understand what turning into a doll entailed, it certainly wasn't anything good.
This might be the inhumane treatment Miss Joy and Professor Oak were referring to, the real horror of failing the challenge at the Saffron Gym.
"When I said play, I meant normal games, not turning into a doll to play with you. You better find someone else for that." Ash instantly retracted what he had said earlier.
That talk about playing with Sabrina even if he won was obviously not to be taken seriously.
He had thought it was just about playing regular games or having a Pokemon battle, who knew she meant turning into a doll!
"Ash, you must win!!"
"You absolutely can't lose, Ash!!"
Behind Ash, Misty and Brock also cheered him on, fearing what could happen if Ash turned into a doll and got played with as Sabrina wished!
"The rule is one-on-one, winner takes all. As the Gym Trainer, I'll send out my Pokemon first." Sabrina ignored Ash's comments and let a Pokeball levitate beside her, then sent it rushing into the field.
The Pokeball exploded open, revealing a golden-colored Pokemon.
"Kadabra!!"
The Pokemon looked like a fox, with a star on its forehead, whiskers extending from the corners of its mouth, a large bushy tail swaying behind it, and a spoon in its hand.
A Psychic Type Pokemon, Kadabra!
Seeing Sabrina send out Kadabra, Misty and Brock both breathed a sigh of relief.
Sometimes, whether a Pokemon has evolved can indicate its strength.
Generally speaking, Pokemon that haven't evolved to their final form aren't that powerful; only a few are strong before evolution.
Especially for Gym Leaders, powerful Pokemon are usually fully evolved, like Brock's fully evolved Golem in the Pewter Gym, which is Professional Level strength.
So normally, if a Pokemon's level is high enough, it will evolve to its final stage.
Since the battle hasn't started yet, neither could determine Kadabra's level, but it shouldn't be above Professional Level.
If it's this level of Pokemon, Ash should be able to handle it.
Speaking of which, Sabrina seems very young. Although she has the figure of a mature woman, from Brock's experience, she shouldn't be over twenty, likely around eighteen.
At eighteen, even without inheriting her parents' Pokemon, having Professional Level strength is quite impressive.
But compared to the rumored strength of the Saffron Gym, it seems a bit off.
After all, the Saffron Gym is renowned as one of Kanto's top four Gyms; their strength surely should be Elite Level.
Perhaps this isn't Sabrina's main Pokemon... Brock thought to himself.
However, while Misty and Brocks were relieved, Ash's expression turned serious seeing Kadabra.
This Kadabra's strength... is Elite!
And it's not just the initial stage of being Elite; its strength is intermediate! Not surprising for one of the top four Gyms in Kanto; their strength is indeed formidable... more serious than formidable. Bringing an Elite Pokemon to a Gym battle, that's a challenge above all challenges!
Normally, the Saffron Gym badge would be impossible to obtain. Who challenges a Gym and battles against Elite Level?
It's understandable why no one can take down the Saffron Gym's badge!
Not even veteran trainers, how many can handle an Elite?
Elite Level is already among the most powerful existences in this world!
Having one appear in a Gym, that's against the rules! And not just any Elite!
If he hadn't captured Gastly, Ash would've felt like he'd explode just by visiting the Saffron Gym!
Unless he goes himself, otherwise, what good are the Pokemon he had before against the Saffron Gym?
"It's up to you, Gastly!"
"Heh, heh, heh, this time the opponent is a girl? Wow, she's quite pretty. So you caught me to battle this girl, huh? Hey, you have to admit, this girl has deeply hidden superpower, quite like you, a monster."
As soon as Gastly appeared, it kept muttering, giving Ash a headache.
What do you mean like me, a monster? Can't you talk properly? If not, just 'heh heh heh'!
"Cut the chatter and prepare for battle! This opponent isn't to be underestimated, be careful not to make a mistake!"
"Yes, yes, got it~"
Gastly replied without any sincerity, then turned its eerie gaze toward the opponent.
Across the field, there was some emotional fluctuation on Sabrina's expressionless face. She seemed to want to appear surprised,
But her cold demeanor had been around for so long that she couldn't change her expression, even if she wanted to.
A talking Gastly, it's the first she's seen, and from her superpower's read, this Gastly seems stronger than her Kadabra.
In her future sight vision, she could only see Ash's arrival but nothing beyond, as if her powers couldn't predict anything involving him.
Seeing Ash in her vision was already the extent of her capabilities.
So she had no idea what Pokemon Ash would use either.
Now, seeing Gastly, Sabrina was even more interested in Ash.
She really wanted... really wanted to turn him into a doll to keep with her!
Sabrina's crimson eyes showed unprecedented emotional depth, she wanted to win!
"Go all out from the start, Kadabra."
"Kadabra!"
Going all out from the start? What does that mean?
Before Ash and the others could understand, Sabrina's eyes suddenly glowed with deep blue light, and Kadabra's body emitted a dazzling brilliance!
The light of evolution!