Chapter 47: Are You Farming EXP in My Gym?
Inside the brightly lit maze of the Saffron Gym, Ash was striding forward with confidence!
"Mr. Mime, Light Screen!"
The trainee in a white researcher's coat shouted in panic.
"Gengar, Shadow Punch!"
Ash swung his arm and shouted with power.
"Gen-gaa!"
A dark silhouette burst out from the shadow. Gengar shot through the Light Screen like it was made of paper and launched a barrage of brutal, rapid-fire punches.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The wild flurry of shadowy fists pounded the opponent's Pokémon so hard its whole body trembled—and then it collapsed instantly.
"Gengaaa—kehahaha!"
Gengar laughed triumphantly, imitating a boxer's fancy jabs.
Who's next!?
He was absolutely convinced he should sign up for a fighting tournament—he'd win for sure!
The poor trainee, who had been completely toyed with from start to finish, looked like his soul had left his body.
You call… this three-badge strength?
Even the top 8 of the Pokémon League wouldn't be this ridiculous!!
"S-Sorry about that."
Ash grinned sheepishly at him.
The trainee drooped like a wilted plant.
"...You pass. You may continue forward."
"Yay! That's five wins in a row for Ash!" Verity cheered loudly.
The two walked past the defeated trainer to face three new doors: straight, left, and right.
"There are nine rooms total. Ash, you've already beaten five of them.
You have to pick the door with Miss Sabrina this time!"
Verity clenched her fists and encouraged him.
Ash smiled.
"No rush. Good things are worth waiting for."
He placed a hand lightly on the nearest doorknob, then let his mind spread out.
A faint blue light flashed in his eyes.
Drip—
Like a drop of water falling into a still lake, Aura rippled outward in all directions.
Then Ash laughed softly and let go of the doorknob.
"This one's no good. Let's try another."
With that, he turned left and pushed open a different door.
"Hmm?"
On the other side of the maze, Sabrina lifted her head lightly.
"Interesting."
Is this boy farming EXP in my gym?
The maze constantly randomizes the trainers' and Sabrina's positions—
yet Ash was avoiding her perfectly every time.
At first Sabrina thought it was bad luck… until now.
That faint, subtle presence—
it must be the legendary Aura.
Ash opened the door. Inside, a bespectacled trainee stared at him in disbelief.
No way… how do you always barely miss the correct room!?
How!?
Ash cracked his knuckles.
"Well then—please take care of me."
"Hmph. Let me show you the Psychic-type Pokémon I'm proud of."
The trainee snorted, and the Poké Ball in his hand suddenly floated up and shot into the air by itself!
"Dustox!"
A Dustox fluttered up into the air.
Verity tilted her head.
"Waaait, that counts as a Psychic-type? Doesn't that mean Butterfree counts too?"
The trainee's face turned red.
"Kanto only has so many Psychic Pokémon!
If it can use psychic moves, it counts! You wouldn't understand—this is Psychic-specialist business!"
Ash fought the urge to laugh.
"Alright, Verity. Don't be mean. Don't hit a man where it hurts…"
"Enough talk! Even if it's a Dustox, it's a Psychic-user's Dustox! Bring it on!"
The trainee snapped.
"Yes, yes." Ash nodded and tossed a Poké Ball.
"Charmander, I choose you!"
"Ni!"
Charmander hopped forward energetically, waving his tiny claws like a baby trying to act fierce.
"Hmph. A baby Pokémon? This will be easy. Let's begin."
The trainee said arrogantly.
"Charmander— Flamethrower!"
Ash didn't hesitate— he opened with a point-blank ultimate attack.
"Cha!"
Charmander leapt up, tail flame flaring dramatically, then opened its mouth wide—
FWOOOSH!!
A massive pillar of scorching fire blasted across the battlefield.
"W-woah—hey! You're using that for real!? I wasn't prepared!!"
The trainee screamed.
Dustox, full of yet-untapped psychic techniques, didn't even get the chance to try a move before being roasted unconscious in one hit.
"Nice job!"
Ash lifted his hand for a high-five.
"Char!"
Charmander squealed happily and sprinted toward him—jumping straight into his arms.
But—
FLASH!
White light burst around Charmander mid-air.
Ash froze.
Huh?
Why does this scene look so familiar?
Before he could think, wham!
A heavy body landed on top of him.
"Waaaugh—!"
Fully red, horn on its head, limbs thicker and claws sharper—Charmeleon hugged Ash with a big, proud grin.
"Haha, look at you. Getting so strong I can barely hold you anymore…"
Ash laughed while hugging him.
"Wraaahwuh~"
Charmeleon squinted happily, smile bright.
"Wooow! Pokémon evolution is always so moving, no matter how many times I see it!"
Verity sniffled loudly—and grabbed the trainee's lab coat to wipe her nose.
"Are you moved too?"
Trainee: (:3」∠)
I'm terrified. Please get away from me…
"Alright, I'm counting on you from here too."
Ash patted Charmeleon's head and returned him to the ball.
Before going back, Charmeleon even bumped fists with Pikachu.
He was getting more outgoing by the day.
"Well then—time to keep farming—"
Ash's hand touched the next door… and suddenly, he vanished along with Pikachu and Verity.
Flash!
The scene shifted—
and Ash found himself in the central arena, under bright spotlights.
A beautiful woman with pale blue hair sat on a high platform, eyes gleaming with interest.
"So? How are my trainees? Pretty decent, right?"
Sabrina teased.
"Ahem… yeah this is awkward…"
Ash broke into a cold sweat.
She caught him. She really caught him.
"Alright. Since their training isn't enough, I'll handle you personally."
Sabrina stood—then descended from the platform.
Yes—she floated down.
Her feet didn't touch the ground.
Gulp.
Ash swallowed hard, then straightened up.
"Perfect. Just what I wanted!"
"Hmph. Then allow me to show you—
the true dominance of Psychic Pokémon."
Her long hair fluttered without wind as she raised her hand elegantly.
Right as the atmosphere reached peak intensity—
a notebook was suddenly shoved into Sabrina's face.
"Huh?"
Sabrina blinked.
Ash facepalmed.
"Sabrina! I'm your ultra super mega fan! Could you sign this~?"
Verity sparkled like a golden retriever begging for attention.
"Please please pleaaase~!"
"Thank you—but during gym matches, you shouldn't distract the Gym Leader."
Sabrina smiled gently and waved.
A pen floated, twirled, and drew a graceful signature on the notebook.
Then Verity was wrapped in a soft wave of psychic energy and floated happily to the sidelines.
"Sabrina's powers are so gentle~"
Verity swooned.
"I'll be cheering for Miss Sabrina!"
Ash twitched.
"HEY! Whose side are you on!?"
Verity crossed her arms boldly.
"I'm on my own side! Sabrina is my idol—I'll cheer for her all I want."
Ash looked to the sky in despair.
"Unbelievable… Verity, I swear…"
Sabrina giggled behind her hand.
"Thank you for the support. Now—let's begin the match."
Flash!
A referee teleported into the center of the field.
"The official Saffron Gym match is about to begin!
Rules: 2-on-2 single battle.
Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon.
When all Pokémon on one side are unable to battle, the match ends.
Gym Leader—please send out your first Pokémon.
Let the battle begin!"
To be continued…