Back in his room, Aomori took out his Laptop.
The moment it powered on, Kayaba Akihiko, who hadn't been out for fresh air in a long time, popped up. "Where is this? Have we moved to a new place again?"
Time is paused within the System Inventory, so his memory was still stuck in the internet cafe.
"You messed with the settings last time, didn't you? Connect to the network, and you'll know," Aomori exposed him.
However, once connected to the internet, Akihiko sent a dejected emoji: "It's gone. All the copied data packets I left behind have been completely wiped."
"It seems the System treats you as a whole. Separation from the source data won't work. We'll have to manufacture an entirely new individual."
"I've already started working on it."
Kayaba Akihiko is a competent scientist, so Aomori let him handle it, just as long as he didn't create another death game.
"Right, while you're online, help me keep an eye out for anything related to move TMs."
There's no such thing as having too many move TMs.
"Received."
After giving his instructions, Aomori ignored Kayaba Akihiko and first inserted the Reflect move disc into the Laptop to play.
"Hmm, place the Pokémon inside a pre-made sealed container and have the Pokémon attach its mental power to the inner wall of the container, connecting it into a single layer. Sustain this for ten to fifteen days, then remove the container, and the Pokémon should generally be able to construct a full-body Reflect barrier with its mental power."
The move's instructions were very simple, and Aomori understood them. He had seen equipment like that in the training room this morning. He could go practice there tomorrow, and it seemed like he could even learn it himself.
He then watched Steel Wing and Hyper Beam. Judging by the methods shown in the videos, they didn't seem too difficult to learn either.
"Absol, Pidgeot, Darkrai, these simple moves should be easy for you to learn. Don't let the other Pokémon at the Saffron Gym laugh at you."
"..." Absol, Pidgeot, and Darkrai all nodded in unison.
…
The training life was monotonous but fulfilling. For over ten days straight, Aomori and his three companions spent their time in continuous training.
Progress was satisfactory. Aomori and Absol both learned Reflect, Pidgeot mastered Steel Wing, and Darkrai simultaneously learned both Reflect and Hyper Beam.
Aomori's psychic power also improved, allowing him to move objects weighing up to 10 pounds, though he still had no clue about X-ray vision.
A few days ago, Sabrina brought him Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Brave Bird, and Substitute, which were just right for their next round of special training.
However, there was still no news about the three pseudo-Legendary Pokémon.
Just as they were engrossed in their special training, Sabrina sought him out again. This time, she wanted Aomori to fulfill his work duties.
"Someone is coming for a Gym challenge shortly. You handle them for me." Sabrina had already sorted out Aomori's identity documents.
"Who is it?" Aomori casually asked, not lifting his head as he made the chair in front of him float around.
"Two males and one female. The challenger should be the young boy with the Pikachu."
"Huh? So this part of the plot is finally here." To be honest, he was really looking forward to seeing what Sabrina looked like when she burst into laughter.
Aomori stood up. The chair, losing its psychic support, dropped to the floor.
Ash and his friends safely arrived here, so it seemed the Team Rocket trio had failed again. Even with Aomori's assistance, they truly weren't suited for villainy.
"I have a good idea. I hope you'll cooperate," Aomori said, flashing an innocent smile.
"Fine."
"By the way, how did you know they were coming to challenge the Saffron Gym?"
"It was a prompt from fate."
"You're a perpetual riddle-teller. Does that mean you knew about my challenge in advance, too?"
"..."
"Hey, why did you run off?" Aomori watched the vanished Sabrina, shaking his head in confusion. He had no choice but to head to the battlefield himself.
"Was I right?" The more he thought about it, the more likely it was. That would explain Sabrina's strange behavior that day.
"Could it be Future Sight?" Aomori decided to have Absol learn Future Sight next time.
…
"We finally made it into the Saffron Gym."
Ever since they entered Saffron City, Ash and his friends had been encountering strange events. First, they were teleported into a sealed room by the Team Rocket trio, then rescued by a strange little girl who teleported them to the front door of the Saffron Gym, and then they ran into a peculiar man who said some odd things to them.
"This Gym looks weird too, by the way," Misty said nervously, shrinking closer to Ash.
"I think it looks fine."
"Ash, I think we should still be careful," Brock said gravely.
On the way, they saw many people doing strange things in the laboratories. Then they met a person in a white coat who led them to the battlefield, where they met the Saffron Gym Leader—Sabrina, in the form of the little girl doll in her arms.
"Hey, it's the little girl we met before." Ash greeted her enthusiastically. "Thank you for saving us."
"Hehehe..." The little girl doll let out a silvery laugh.
"Ash, that little girl doesn't look ordinary," Misty tugged on Ash's sleeve.
Brock also noted, "A girl that young shouldn't be the Gym Leader. What exactly is her identity?"
"It's no use guessing," Ash said, asking directly, "Are you Sabrina, the Gym Leader here? I want to have an official battle with you, with your Marsh Badge as the wager."
"Hmm, battling you is no problem, but your opponent isn't me," the little girl doll said.
"Huh? Aren't you the Gym Leader?"
"I am, but you're not worthy of challenging me," the little girl doll giggled and pointed ahead. "Your opponent is him."
A figure suddenly appeared opposite Ash and his friends, standing in the Trainer's position on the battlefield.
"What?!" Ash was greatly shocked when he saw the familiar person. He blurted out, "Aomori-san, why is it you?"
Ash tried to walk over to catch up with Aomori, but Brock held him back.
"Hold on, Ash. Aomori-san seems to be in a very strange state," Brock said solemnly, his perpetually squinted eyes looking as if they were about to open.
Ash froze, looked at Aomori, and tentatively said, "Aomori-san..."
"I am not the Aomori you know. I am now a worker under Sabrina-sama. A laborer's spirit will never die!" Aomori's eyes glowed red as he spoke, completely devoid of emotion.
"Look at his eyes! Aomori-san must be under someone's control!" Misty cried out.
"What?" Ash was furious. "What did you do to Aomori-san? Turn him back to normal right now!"
"Hehehe." The light receded, and Sabrina's figure was revealed. She spoke in her usual cold voice: "He lost to me in a match. According to our agreement, he must work for me. And if you lose, you will be turned into dolls and stay with me forever."
"So she's the real Gym Leader, Sabrina!"
"You wicked woman! If I win against you, you have to turn Aomori-san back to normal!" Ash said angrily.
"Beat him first, and then we'll talk."
Aomori stepped forward and released the borrowed Pokémon, Jynx.
"This is trouble, Ash. Aomori-san isn't easy to deal with, and Sabrina, who defeated him, is even stronger. Maybe we should retreat and plan our next move," Brock suggested.
"I agree with Brock," Misty said, wanting to leave this place immediately.
"No, I have to try!" Ash was as reckless as ever. "Pikachu, it's up to you."
"Pika!"
————
You can read the ahead chapter on Patr-eon if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]