Chapter 86

I placed my hand over my forehead, shielding my eyes from the harsh summer sunlight as I stepped out of the gate to Route 7. 

Route 7 was one of the shortest routes in the Kanto region, as generic as it can be.

There was nothing noteworthy about it, 

"Aiden," Astra's voice echoed in my mind.

"Yeah?" I said, already knowing where this was going.

"You never told me about yourself. Your abilities," she said, calm but curious.

Right, I never did. Not like it mattered much, but now she was asking, so why not?

"I'm from another world," I said bluntly.

There was a pause in my head. "What?" Astra's voice sounded a little confused.

"Another universe," I clarified, stepping over a root in the dirt path.

"You're serious," she responded, clearly trying to process it.

I could feel her thinking it over. Silence stretched for a while, even in the Pokéball.

"How?" she asked, her thoughts sharp with curiosity.

"Long story," I replied.

"I have time," Astra said, her tone patient, almost amused.

Of course she did. She was a Mewtwo. What else was she going to do?

"Fine," I sighed.

"I'm not from this world," I said.

Each of them blinked at me. No surprise there. Pokémon don't really care about much unless it's food or a battle.

"I came from another world. A world with magic. Real magic."

I raised my hand, focused, and a small blue flame appeared over my palm. I let it burn for a second before snuffing it out with a flick of my fingers.

Zephyr tilted his head, looking more puzzled than impressed. Blaze blinked at me, clearly trying to figure out what just happened. Sun? Well, Sun just stared at me. Leviathan kept flopping around, totally oblivious. Yeah, they had no clue what magic was.

Astra, though, she was the only one really paying attention. I could feel her curiosity swirling in my mind.

So, I started talking. I told them about my life in Fairy Tail—how I ended up there, the people I met, the crazy adventures. I told them about the battles, the guild, and everything in between. It felt good, getting it all out. Maybe it was the whole "weird world" thing that made it easier, but I even shared why I was here, on this journey.

By the time I finished, they were all in. Everyone of them was pumped to come back with me.

Astra's voice echoed in my mind again, soft but steady. "I'm glad you captured me."

I glanced at her. "You are, huh? Thought you'd be a little more annoyed, being stuck with me."

"Not at all," she replied, her tone calm but sincere. "You're different. You understand what it's like to not fit in, to feel out of place. You're not like the others."

I snorted, shaking my head. "Yeah, I guess."

She was silent for a moment, and I could almost feel her presence shifting, like she was considering her next words carefully. "I've been alone for so long... but now, with you, I feel like I'm part of something."

I stopped in my tracks, looking at the Mewtwo. She was a powerful Pokémon, one of the strongest, but hearing her say that hit a little deeper than I expected.

There was a light pause before her voice flooded my mind again, warm and content. "Thank you, Aiden."

"Don't mention it." I shot her a wink, though I knew she couldn't see it.

—

After a few hours on the road, we finally arrived at Saffron City.

My heart gave a little tug—Saffron had that feeling of home, that mix of noise, lights, and movement. It was a bustling, modern city, the kind I hadn't seen in years.

It felt... weird. In a good way.

Astra's voice was quiet in my head. "You seem… nostalgic."

"Yeah, I am," I replied, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

Saffron was big. Like, really big. Buildings towered overhead, and the streets were packed with people and cars rushing by. Signs flickered with bright neon lights, and the air smelled of street food and fresh concrete. It was so... modern. Everything about this city screamed civilization, something I hadn't realized I missed until now.

I had all my Pokémon back in their Pokéballs. No need to have them out in the crowded city streets.

They were probably as overwhelmed as I was by the constant movement and noise.

We wandered through the city, the sounds of honking cars, bustling people, and flashing advertisements filling the air.

It was really nostalgic.

Anyways, it's time to explore; the gym challenge can wait.

3rd POV

She had never felt such strong psychic energy before; this was the first time she felt it.

Sabrina stood in the heart of the gym, her eyes closed as she meditated, a steady hum of psychic energy constantly swirling around her. Saffron Gym was her domain, and here, the power of her psychic abilities felt like second nature. But today… today, something was different.

It started faint, just a small disturbance, like a ripple in water. But then it grew stronger—much stronger. A heavy, almost suffocating energy, unlike anything she had ever felt before. Sabrina's heart skipped a beat as the energy washed over her. It was psychic, but it felt… overwhelming.

She opened her eyes, her focus sharp. What is this? Her mind reached out, trying to locate the source, but it was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. She couldn't pin it down, couldn't trace it. It was like the energy was tangled in the air itself.

Her heart rate picked up, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious. She had encountered many psychic forces in her time, but this was unlike anything from this world—or any other, for that matter.

With a frown, she stepped back a little, her mind still trying to wrap around the strange, pressing sensation. Sabrina's curiosity gnawed at her, but so did the unease.

This can't be good.

Her fingers twitched as she prepared herself, instinctively reaching for the nearest object to focus her mind. 

The energy wasn't just nearby anymore—it was starting to settle into the city. Saffron was filled with a restless energy, but this was different.

Sabrina stared out toward the door, the feeling of the psychic force swirling around her, growing stronger with every passing moment.

Something's coming...

—

God, it's been a while, I thought with a small grin as I looked at the towering buildings around me. The hustle of a big city had always been something I enjoyed, that feeling of being surrounded by people, all moving with their own purpose but somehow all connected.

I made a quick stop at a food stand. The smell of sizzling meat filled the air, and I grabbed something on impulse. After a few bites, I continued walking, taking in the city at my own pace.

Eventually, I found myself standing in front of the Saffron City Gym.

The large doors slid open as I approached, and the inside was just as impressive as the outside. 

Several individuals were wandering around, likely fellow challengers either preparing for their turn or nursing their disappointments from earlier attempts.

The attendant looked up from her phone at the counter, offering a polite but neutral smile. "Here for the Gym challenge?"

I nodded. "Yep"

She studied me for a second, probably trying to figure out if I was serious or just another rookie thinking they could walk in and take down a Gym Leader. "You know Sabrina's not someone you can take lightly, right?"

I shrugged. "I'll manage." I knew how strong she was; in my opinion, she was the gym where I had the hardest time in the games.

"She's currently with a challenger," the attendant continued, her eyes scanning something on her tablet. "You're fourth in line."

I nodded and stepped aside, letting the next trainer in line take my spot at the counter.

I leaned against the wall, watching as other trainers nervously paced around the waiting area. Some were reviewing strategy notes, others were whispering to their Pokéballs like that would somehow make their Pokémon stronger.

"Nervous?" Astra's voice echoed in my mind.

"Please. This is just a gym battle. I'm just excited."

"I can sense her energy from here," Astra said, her mental voice tinged with something like respect. "She's... different from other humans. Her psychic powers are extraordinary."

That was interesting. I knew Sabrina was psychic, but hearing Astra—a literal psychic powerhouse—sound impressed was something else.

"I would like to battle her," Astra continued, surprising me.

"You? Against Sabrina?" I raised my eyebrows. "I thought you didn't like to fight."

"It's not about fighting," she responded, almost sounding offended. "I'm... curious. A human with such psychic potential is rare. I want to feel her mind in battle, to understand how she developed such power."

"Okay then."

The doors to the arena opened, and a trainer walked out looking utterly dejected, his Pokémon probably fainted in their balls.

"Next challenger!" the attendant called.

Two more trainers went in, and two more trainers came out with that same thousand-yard stare. Sabrina wasn't playing around today.

"Aiden Leonhart?" The attendant finally called my name.

I pushed off the wall, feeling Astra's excitement build within my mind. It was strange—a few days ago, she was a bit withdrawn, but now we were sharing thoughts like old friends.

"That's me," I said, stepping forward.

"Sabrina will see you now." The attendant gestured toward the doors. 

"Good luck. You'll need it."

I nodded. "We'll see about that."

As I walked through the doors, Astra's voice came once more. "I'm ready when you need me."

I patted the Pokéball at my side. "Let's see what Sabrina's got first. I want to give the others a chance before bringing out the big guns."

The doors closed behind me with a heavy thud, and I found myself in a dimly lit arena that seemed designed to disorient challengers. Classic psychic-type mind games.

And there, at the far end, seated on what looked suspiciously like a throne, was Sabrina herself. Her long dark hair framed a face that was beautiful but eerily emotionless.

The moment our eyes met, I felt something shift in the air. Her gaze intensified, and I knew instantly that she'd sensed Astra.

This was going to be interesting.

3rd POV

Sabrina felt it the moment he entered the arena—the overwhelming psychic presence she had sensed throughout the city. It was coming from this trainer, this seemingly ordinary young man with an extraordinary aura around him.

Her eyes narrowed. He walked with confidence, but that wasn't what caught her attention. It was the energy emanating from his belt—specifically, from one Pokéball.

A Master Ball, she noted with interest. The purple and pink sphere was unmistakable, even from this distance. Only something truly powerful would warrant such a rare capture device.

"So you're the one," she said, her voice echoing through the arena.

"Huh?" She can see him confused.

"You're the one bringing that overwhelming psychic energy into my city."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by understanding. He glanced down at the Master Ball on his belt.

"Look," he said, raising his hands slightly. "I'm just here for a gym battle. No trouble."

Sabrina studied him intently. There was no malice in him, no ulterior motive she could detect. Just a trainer on a journey. But that Pokémon... its psychic signature was like nothing she had ever encountered.

"The psychic presence you carry... it's unlike anything I've ever felt. Powerful." Her gaze locked on the Master Ball. "That Pokémon... what is it?"

Aiden sighed, seeming to debate how much to reveal. "Her name is Astra. And yeah, she's strong."

Astra. The name meant nothing to Sabrina, but the power radiating from that Pokéball suggested a legendary Pokémon. Perhaps one not yet documented in Kanto.

"I see…then let's begin!" she called, tossing her first Pokéball into the arena. It burst open in a flash of light, revealing her Mr. Mime, who took a theatrical bow before assuming a battle stance.

"Blaze, you're up!" Aiden called, tossing the ball into the arena. 

A Growlithe emerged with a fierce bark as it took a battle stance. The fire-type looked eager for battle, its eyes focused on Mr. Mime with predatory intensity.

"Mr. Mime, use Psybeam!" Sabrina commanded.

"Dodge and counter with Ember!" Aiden called back.

The Growlithe darted to the side with impressive speed as a beam of psychic energy split the air where it had been standing. Without missing a beat, it unleashed a spray of fiery embers that caught Mr. Mime on its left side.

Mr. Mime stumbled but recovered quickly, raising its hands to create an invisible barrier.

"Reflect, then Confusion," Sabrina ordered, her voice calm but her mind racing.

This trainer's first Pokémon was well-trained, a bit exceptional.

The battle with Growlithe continued, each Pokémon landing hits and dodging attacks in a well-matched contest. When Mr. Mime finally fell, Sabrina recalled it without emotion, already reaching for her next Pokéball.

"Kadabra, go!" she called, releasing her trusted psychic partner.

Aiden recalled his Growlithe, praising it briefly before selecting his next Pokémon.

"Zephyr, time to fly!" he announced, throwing another Pokéball.

A Pidgeotto burst forth with a proud cry, soaring in a circle around the arena before hovering in front of Aiden, ready for battle.

Sabrina observed the flying-type with a critical eye. Again, a well-trained Pokémon. 

"Kadabra, Psyshock," she commanded, her eyes never leaving Aiden's face.

The battle between Kadabra and Zephyr was intense from the start. Sabrina's Kadabra launched a Psyshock that cut through the air like violet lightning, forcing Zephyr into a spiraling evasion.

"Quick Attack, then follow with Gust!" Aiden commanded.

Zephyr disappeared in a blur of motion, reappearing only as he struck Kadabra with enough force to make the psychic Pokémon stumble backward. Without pausing, the Pidgeotto beat its wings furiously, creating a powerful windstorm that further disoriented Kadabra.

Sabrina's eyes narrowed. "Recover, then Psycho Cut."

Kadabra closed its eyes, a faint glow surrounding its body as it healed some of the damage. Then, with a swift motion, it slashed the air with its spoon, sending a blade of psychic energy hurtling toward Zephyr.

"Dodge and use Wing Attack!" Aiden called, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of battle.

Zephyr barrel-rolled to the side, the psychic attack missing by inches. Then, with precision, the Pidgeotto swooped down, wings glowing with energy as it struck Kadabra across the chest.

Kadabra staggered, clearly taking significant damage.

"Confusion, full power!" Sabrina called, her voice betraying a hint of urgency.

Kadabra's eyes glowed blue, and Zephyr suddenly froze mid-air, caught in the psychic grip. The bird Pokémon struggled, its wings beating frantically against the invisible force holding it in place.

"Zephyr, focus!" Aiden's voice cut through the arena. "Remember what we practiced – channel your energy!"

Something in his tone seemed to reach the Pidgeotto. With renewed determination, Zephyr's body began to glow faintly, and with a powerful cry, it broke free from Kadabra's psychic hold.

"Now, Quick Attack into Wing Attack!" Aiden commanded.

The combination was executed flawlessly. Zephyr shot forward like a bullet, then transitioned the momentum into a devastating Wing Attack that sent Kadabra flying backward. The psychic Pokémon crashed to the ground, struggling to rise before collapsing in defeat.

Sabrina recalled Kadabra without a word, her face impassive but her mind racing.

She reached for her final Pokéball, the one containing her strongest partner. "Alakazam, it's time."

The evolved psychic Pokémon materialized with a flash, its twin spoons already glowing with power. Alakazam's eyes, ancient and wise, fixed on Zephyr with calculating intensity.

Aiden recalled Zephyr, praising the tired bird before turning his attention back to Sabrina. His hand hovered over his belt, fingers tracing over several Pokéballs before stopping at the Master Ball.

A small smile played on his lips. "If I'm going to use Astra, I want to make sure your Alakazam is your strongest Pokémon."

Sabrina sensed the challenge in his words. "Alakazam has been my partner for fifteen years. There is no stronger psychic Pokémon in this gym."

Aiden's smile widened. "Good. "

With a fluid motion, he unclipped the Master Ball and held it for a moment, looking at it almost fondly. Then, with a decisive flick of his wrist, he tossed it into the arena.

"Astra, let's show them what real psychic power looks like!"

The Master Ball burst open, releasing a blinding flash of light that forced Sabrina to shield her eyes. When the light faded, she found herself staring at a Pokémon

hen the light faded, she found herself staring at a Pokémon unlike any she had ever seen.

Floating above the arena floor was a humanoid creature with pale purple-white skin. Its body was sleek and powerful, with a long, purple tail and three-fingered hands. Two horn-like protrusions extended from the back of its head, and its eyes glowed with an intelligence that seemed almost... human.

Sabrina's breath caught in her throat. "What... what is that?" she whispered, genuine surprise breaking through her usually stoic demeanor.

The unknown Pokémon regarded Sabrina with an analytical gaze before turning its attention to Alakazam.

"This is Astra," Aiden said simply. "And she's been looking forward to meeting you."

Sabrina felt a chill run down her spine. Now she understood the psychic disturbance she had felt. This was no ordinary Pokémon – this was perhaps the most powerful psychic entity in existence.

"Astra," Aiden called, his voice soft but clear. "Let's give them a battle they won't forget."

The Mewtwo – Astra – turned slightly to acknowledge her trainer with a nod, then faced Alakazam. The air between them seemed to shimmer with psychic energy, two immensely powerful minds sizing each other up.

Sabrina steeled herself, knowing this would be a battle unlike any she had experienced before. "Alakazam, Psychic!"

Alakazam raised its spoons, channeling its mental energy into a devastating attack.

Astra didn't move. She didn't need to. With barely a flicker of her eyes, she deflected the attack, sending it harmlessly into the wall.

"Impressive," Sabrina murmured.

"Astra," Aiden called. "Shadow Ball."

The Mewtwo nodded, gathering dark energy between her hands. The Shadow Ball that formed was perfectly spherical, pulsing with power but clearly restrained.

With a graceful motion, Astra launched the attack. Alakazam attempted to teleport away, but the Shadow Ball curved in mid-air, following the psychic Pokémon and striking it squarely in the chest.

Alakazam staggered backward but remained standing, its mental fortitude evident in its quick recovery.

"Focus Blast," Sabrina commanded, knowing they needed to counter with something powerful.

Alakazam gathered energy for its Focus Blast, the concentrated sphere of fighting-type energy forming between its spoons.

Astra watched the attack build with analytical interest, her eyes tracking every fluctuation in the energy signature. Just as Alakazam was about to release the Focus Blast, Sabrina's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on the strange, powerful Pokémon floating before her.

"This power..." she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "We need everything we have."

She raised her arm, revealing a bracelet with a gleaming stone embedded in it. Aiden's eyes widened slightly in recognition.

"Mega Evolution," he whispered. "Didn't expect to see that."

Sabrina touched the stone, which began to pulse with rainbow light. At the same time, a similar stone nestled in Alakazam's forehead responded with matching energy.

"Alakazam, Mega Evolve!" Sabrina commanded, her voice ringing through the arena.

Streams of energy connected the two stones, and Alakazam was enveloped in a cocoon of blinding light. The psychic energy in the room intensified tenfold, creating a pressure that even Astra seemed to feel.

When the light faded, Alakazam had transformed. Its body was more muscular, its mustache longer, and it flowed upward like tendrils. Most notably, it now wielded five spoons that orbited around it telekinetically. The power radiating from the Mega Evolved Alakazam filled the arena with dense psychic energy.

"I see you're pulling out all the stops," Aiden said with a grin. "Didn't think we'd push you that far."

"Your Pokémon..." Sabrina replied, her eyes never leaving Astra. "It possesses power unlike anything I've encountered. Normal tactics would be insufficient."

Astra's telepathic voice echoed in Aiden's mind with unmistakable curiosity. "This is interesting."

Mega Alakazam didn't wait for their conversation to finish. With a synchronized movement of all five spoons, it unleashed the Focus Blast—now significantly more powerful than before.

The attack moved with incredible speed. Astra raised a protective psychic barrier, but the enhanced Focus Blast partially broke through, sending her backward several feet in the air. She stabilized quickly, but there was a new interest in her gaze as she regarded Mega Alakazam.

"Psychic," Sabrina commanded, pressing their advantage.

Mega Alakazam's eyes glowed with intensified power as it unleashed a psychic wave that rippled the very air of the arena.

"Astra, counter with your own Psychic!" Aiden called.

The two psychic attacks collided in the center of the arena, creating a visible distortion as the powerful mental energies fought for dominance. For several seconds, they seemed evenly matched—Mega Alakazam's evolved power against Astra's raw genetic potential.

Then, gradually, Mega Alakazam began to push back Astra's attack. The Mewtwo's eyes narrowed in concentration, her whole body tensing with effort.

"Fascinating," Astra's voice echoed in Aiden's mind. "This evolution amplifies its natural abilities tremendously. I can feel its mind... so focused, so disciplined."

"Stay strong, Astra," Aiden encouraged. "Try Shadow Ball again!"

Breaking off from the psychic struggle, Astra quickly formed another Shadow Ball between her hands. This one was larger, darker, pulsing with more power than the previous attack. She launched it with precision, targeting Mega Alakazam's left side.

"Reflect!" Sabrina countered.

Mega Alakazam created a shimmering barrier, but the Shadow Ball—super effective against psychic types—partially penetrated it, causing the powerful Pokémon to wince in pain.

"Now, Astra, Aura Sphere!" Aiden called.

Astra formed a perfect sphere of blue energy and hurled it at her opponent. Unlike Shadow Ball, Aura Sphere couldn't be avoided—it would find its target no matter what.

"Light Screen, then Recover!" Sabrina ordered, her voice showing the first signs of strain.

Mega Alakazam's defenses minimized the damage from Aura Sphere, and the healing glow of Recover restored some of its energy. But the consecutive attacks were taking their toll.

"Psystrike," Aiden said quietly.

Astra's eyes glowed with intense blue light. The air around Mega Alakazam distorted as multiple waves of psychic energy crashed into it from all directions simultaneously. The attack bypassed Mega Alakazam's special defenses, targeting its physical body instead.

Mega Alakazam fought to maintain its stance, using all five spoons to try to deflect the overwhelming assault. For a moment, it seemed like it might withstand even this attack. Then, with a final psychic push from Astra, Mega Alakazam's defenses crumbled. The powerful Pokémon dropped to one knee, then collapsed entirely, reverting to its normal form in a flash of light.

The battle was over.

Sabrina stood in silence for several seconds, staring at the scene with wide eyes—a rare display of emotion for the usually stoic gym leader. Then, slowly, she recalled Alakazam to its Pokéball.

"In all my years," she said finally, "I have never encountered a Pokémon like yours."

Astra floated gracefully back to Aiden's side, her gaze still fixed on Sabrina with unmistakable interest.

"The Marsh Badge," she said, extending it toward Aiden. "You've more than earned it. But..." She paused, studying Astra once more. "I would very much like to learn more about your Pokemon someday."

Aiden accepted the badge with a nod. "Maybe someday," 

—

Aiden's POV

The battle with Sabrina had been, without a doubt, the most thrilling battle I'd had since arriving here. 

I didn't think she'd use Mega Evolution. I assumed it wasn't that widespread yet, but I guess I was wrong.

Sabrina's Mega Alakazam had gone toe-to-toe with Astra briefly. 

As we stepped out of the gym, the air outside felt cooler, and the city seemed quieter. My team, including Astra, was resting back in their Poké Balls. Still, we continued to talk.

"That evolution was intriguing," she said, her tone reflecting genuine curiosity. 

I smiled. "It's called Mega Evolution. First discovered in Kalos.. It's a kind of temporary evolution—stronger, faster, sometimes with a whole new form or ability. 

But it only happens when a Pokémon and their trainer have a really strong bond. There's a Keystone the trainer uses, and the Pokémon needs to hold something called a Mega Stone. "

Astra was quiet for a few seconds. Then: "Only certain Pokémon can do this?"

"Yeah. It's not universal. There's a specific list, something to do with resonance, genetics, I'm not sure on the details. But you can do it too."

"I can?"

"Not just capable," I said with a small smile. "You actually have two possible Mega Evolutions—X and Y forms. You get options."

There was a pause as she processed the information.

"Interesting," she said finally.

"I'd like to try it sometime," she continued.

I nodded, my smile softening. "When the time comes, we'll do it right. Together."

======

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