Chapter 18 – Psychic Pressure at Saffron Gym
Saffron City greeted them with gleaming glass towers and streets so clean even Psyduck looked confused.
Kai stepped onto the pavement and stretched. "Biggest city so far."
Misty adjusted her bag, eyes wide as she took it in. "I forgot how shiny it was. No bugs here. Hopefully."
Psyduck waddled off to sniff a vending machine. Blaze followed behind, sighing like an exhausted babysitter.
Kai turned toward the city's skyline. The tall structure with the pointed spire—the Saffron Gym—loomed silently above them, as if watching from a distance.
"We'll check it out tomorrow," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "Today's for resting... and training."
---
After a quick visit to the Pokémon Center, they stopped by a small open park just outside the city. Kids were playing, and a group of Pidgey pecked around a bench. Kai let everyone out for some air.
Frogadier immediately took position near the water fountain, arms folded like a ninja guarding a royal pond.
Kirlia sat on a bench and began levitating flower petals one by one, arranging them in patterns with a look of deep focus.
Blaze lay in the grass with his eyes half-closed, flicking his tail lazily.
Psyduck... got his head stuck in a trash bin. Again.
Misty sighed. "Why is it always him?"
Kai chuckled. "Because the bin looked at him funny."
As Misty pulled Psyduck free, Kirlia suddenly stood up. Her red eyes were locked on the distant gym, her body tense.
Kai noticed. "Kirlia?"
She didn't respond. Instead, she took a single step forward—then stopped, as if remembering something. Then she looked back at Kai.
He met her eyes. "You sense something?"
A small nod.
---
That evening, Kai and Misty stood in front of the Saffron Gym. Its silver doors reflected the orange hues of the setting sun. There was no sign, no flashy decoration—just the heavy silence of the unknown.
Kai pushed the door.
Inside, the gym was eerily quiet. A faint hum filled the air, like invisible tension coiled around them.
"Creepy," Misty whispered. "It's like walking into someone's brain."
As they stepped further in, a challenger's match was already underway. A young man stood across from Sabrina, whose eyes glowed faintly as her Kadabra moved without being commanded.
The challenger's Growlithe attacked.
It didn't land.
Not even close.
With a simple glance from Sabrina, Kadabra twisted space. The Growlithe hit a psychic wall mid-air and slumped to the ground, defeated without even being touched.
Sabrina didn't speak.
The challenger recalled his Pokémon and practically ran out the door.
Kai blinked. "That was... intense."
Sabrina turned slowly. Her voice, when it came, was soft—but unsettling.
"You're next."
Kai stepped forward without hesitation.
---
But not yet. The Gym battle would wait. He wanted Kirlia to be ready—not just in strength, but emotionally.
So that night, they camped just outside the city near a grassy meadow. A few streetlights flickered in the distance, but the stars above were bright and comforting.
Kai sat with Kirlia by a patch of tall grass. She stared at the sky, silent.
"You okay?" he asked.
She nodded.
"You sensed Sabrina's power, didn't you?"
Another nod.
Kai looked up. "She's scary. But I don't think she's bad. Just... lost in her own thoughts."
Kirlia looked at him, her eyes shimmering faintly.
"I want to help," she said.
Kai froze.
It wasn't out loud—but it was there, clearly. The words were in his head, not spoken by mouth. Her voice was soft, like a gentle bell in his mind.
"You talked..." Kai whispered.
Kirlia smiled.
> [System Notification]
Telepathic bond initiated.
Synchronization rate: 42%
Psychic development: Stable
She leaned against his side.
Kai closed his eyes for a moment. "We'll do it together. You're not alone."
Frogadier stood nearby, listening silently. He gave a small nod, barely visible.
From a nearby bush, Caterpie peeked out with a single daisy in its mouth.
Misty groaned. "No. No flower offerings tonight. I just brushed my hair."
---
The next morning, the Gym felt no less intimidating.
Kai stood at the edge of the battlefield. Sabrina waited silently, her long lavender hair almost glowing under the arena lights.
"Two-on-two," she said. "Standard rules."
Kai nodded. "Let's go."
Frogadier stepped forward first. Calm. Focused.
Sabrina released her first Pokémon—Mr. Mime.
Kai frowned. "Tricky start."
The battle began.
Mr. Mime started with Reflect, creating a shimmering barrier. Frogadier dashed forward with Water Pulse, but it bounced off harmlessly.
"Use the walls," Kai said calmly.
Frogadier leapt up and launched Water Pulse toward the ceiling. It bounced down, bypassing the barrier.
Mr. Mime was hit directly and staggered.
Kai grinned. "Nice."
The fight continued. Mr. Mime was crafty, setting up Light Screen and using Psychic to throw objects from the battlefield.
Frogadier dodged, ducked, and eventually broke through the defenses with Double Team and a surprise Water Pulse combo.
Mr. Mime fainted.
Sabrina returned him without expression. "Next."
She released Kadabra.
"Kirlia," Kai said softly.
Kirlia stepped forward, breathing deeply.
Kai felt her nervousness through their bond. But he said nothing. Just gave a nod.
The battle started—and Kadabra was fast. It sent a shock of psychic energy that knocked Kirlia back instantly.
"Hang in there!" Kai called.
Kirlia stood up, shaking slightly.
Kadabra charged another attack.
Kai's heart pounded. "Kirlia, remember—focus. You said you want to help."
Kirlia's eyes glowed.
She moved suddenly, faster than before. Her body shimmered with light.
> [System Notification]
Kirlia is evolving…
Misty gasped. "Wait—right now?!"
In a swirl of light, Kirlia's form changed. She grew taller, her hair flowing longer, her stance graceful and strong.
When the glow faded—Gardevoir stood in her place.
Sabrina's eyes narrowed. For the first time, her calm cracked.
"Gardevoir?" Kai whispered. "Already?"
Gardevoir turned to him—and he felt it. A wave of warmth and reassurance.
Then she faced Kadabra.
The second round began.
This time, the difference was clear. Gardevoir moved like a dancer, her Confusion sharp and elegant. She used Synchronize when Kadabra tried to paralyze her, bouncing the effect back instantly.
A final Dazzling Gleam sent Kadabra flying.
Sabrina raised a hand. "Stop. The match is over."
Kai blinked. "I won?"
Sabrina stared for a long moment. Then she gave the faintest nod.
"You are not ordinary."
She handed him the Marsh Badge.
"Your bond... it's real."
Then she turned and walked away without another word.
---
Outside the gym, Misty was still gaping. "She evolved in the middle of battle. That's not fair!"
Kai just stared at Gardevoir, who looked back at him calmly.
"You okay?" he asked.
Gardevoir smiled. "Yes."
Psyduck stared up at her, dazed. "Psy?"
Frogadier nudged Kai gently.
They walked together down the steps of the gym as the city lights flickered on around them.
Another badge. A new evolution.
But more than that—something was shifting.
Their team was growing stronger.
Together.