Chapter 18: Mind Games and Victory in Saffron City

Holly stood in front of the Saffron City Gym, staring at the massive golden structure with a mix of excitement and unease.

Sabrina was a legend—one of the strongest Psychic-type trainers in Kanto. She wasn't just a gym leader; she was a psychic prodigy, known for crushing challengers without so much as a twitch of emotion.

Holly tightened her grip on Sakumo's Poké Ball. This is going to be a test like no other.

With a deep breath, she pushed open the towering doors and stepped inside.

The Psychic's Arena

The inside of Saffron Gym was silent.

Not quiet—silent.

No echoes of trainers battling, no hum of conversation. Just a vast, empty space with gleaming marble floors and walls lined with golden accents. The atmosphere was eerily still, almost as if the air itself was holding its breath.

And at the center, on an elevated throne-like seat, sat Sabrina.

The psychic gym leader barely looked up as Holly approached, her piercing red eyes locked onto a floating spoon, which twisted and bent in midair without her touching it.

Holly swallowed. Yeah… this is going to be fun.

Sabrina's voice was soft yet sharp, slicing through the silence like a knife.

"You seek an Elite Badge?"

Holly nodded. "That's right."

The spoon in Sabrina's hand snapped in half.

"Two-on-two. No substitutions. Are you prepared?"

Holly took a steady breath. "I'm ready."

Sabrina lifted her hand, and the battlefield around them shimmered—walls of psychic energy surrounded the arena, warping the air like heat waves.

From the shadows, a Poké Ball floated on its own, glowing with a purple aura before clicking open.

A Kadabra emerged, its fox-like face emotionless, its mustache twitching as its spoons floated beside it.

Here we go.

Round One: Pidgeot vs. Kadabra

Holly grabbed Pidgeot's Poké Ball and tossed it forward.

With a burst of energy, Pidgeot spread his massive wings, his feathers ruffling as he took flight. His sharp golden eyes locked onto Kadabra, analyzing his opponent.

Sabrina's voice was calm.

"Kadabra, Reflect."

A shimmering barrier appeared, wrapping around Kadabra in a soft golden glow.

Holly's mind raced. Reflect weakens physical attacks… gotta hit him fast before he sets up more defenses.

"Pidgeot, Quick Attack!"

Pidgeot dove like a bullet, closing the gap between them in an instant—

And Kadabra vanished.

Shit—Teleport.

Before Pidgeot could even react, Kadabra reappeared midair, upside down, its spoon spinning lazily.

"Psybeam."

A spiral of psychic energy blasted forward, catching Pidgeot in the chest before he could dodge.

The impact sent Pidgeot spiraling, but Holly was already countering.

"Recover in the air! Tailwind!"

Pidgeot beat his wings furiously, creating a burst of wind that sent him soaring back upward, using the momentum to dodge Kadabra's follow-up Psybeam.

Holly gritted her teeth. Speed is our best bet.

"Double Team!"

In an instant, multiple copies of Pidgeot surrounded Kadabra, shifting in and out of the battlefield like mirages.

Sabrina didn't even blink.

"Calm Mind."

Kadabra closed its eyes, its body glowing as its Special Attack and Special Defense rose.

Holly knew she had to act before Kadabra became unstoppable.

"Wing Attack!"

Pidgeot's copies converged, attacking from all directions—

And for the first time, Sabrina's expression changed.

She frowned.

"Kadabra, Protect."

The psychic barrier flared, blocking the hit—but just barely.

Holly grinned. You can't Protect forever.

"Aerial Ace!"

Pidgeot disappeared in a blur of speed, striking Kadabra before it could react.

The attack connected hard, sending Kadabra flying backward.

Sabrina flicked her wrist. "Recover."

Kadabra's body glowed, healing some of its wounds.

Holly gritted her teeth. Fine. We'll just keep hitting you until you can't heal fast enough.

"Hurricane!"

Pidgeot's wings flapped with immense force, summoning a howling vortex of wind that engulfed Kadabra, trapping it in a whirlwind.

Kadabra's body twisted, tumbling uncontrollably in midair.

Sabrina's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Teleport."

But Kadabra couldn't.

The Hurricane's force kept it locked in place.

Holly seized her chance.

"Brave Bird!"

Pidgeot's body became cloaked in streaks of blue energy, and with a mighty screech, he dove straight through the hurricane, colliding into Kadabra with explosive force.

Kadabra crashed to the ground, unconscious.

Sabrina recalled her Pokémon without a word.

Holly exhaled. One down. One to go.

Round Two: Sakumo vs. Mr. Mime

Sabrina's second Pokémon emerged in a flash of red light—a Mr. Mime, its painted smile eerily unmoving.

Holly threw out Sakumo's Poké Ball.

Growlithe landed on the battlefield, his stance low, fire flickering in his eyes.

Sabrina's eyes gleamed.

"Light Screen."

A barrier shimmered into existence around Mr. Mime.

Holly clicked her tongue. It's setting up defenses.

"Agility! Get in close!"

Sakumo became a blur, zipping across the battlefield at insane speeds.

"Thunder Punch."

Holly's eyes widened.

Mr. Mime's fist crackled with electricity, and before Sakumo could react, it swung upward, landing a brutal strike.

Sakumo yelped, skidding back, his fur sparking from the electric current.

Damn… this thing hits hard.

Holly clenched her fists. "Shake it off, Sakumo! Flare Blitz!"

Sakumo charged forward, his entire body igniting, the flames burning white-hot as he barreled straight into Mr. Mime.

BOOM.

The impact sent both Pokémon tumbling, but when the dust settled—

Mr. Mime was still standing.

Barely.

Holly's heart pounded.

One more hit. That's all they needed.

Sabrina's fingers twitched.

"Psychic."

A telekinetic force slammed into Sakumo, lifting him off the ground and crushing him midair.

Holly's breath hitched.

But then—Sakumo growled.

His body flickered with fire, and with a burst of sheer willpower, he forced himself out of the Psychic hold, landing back on the ground.

Holly saw it.

The burning determination in his eyes.

She grinned.

"Finish it—Heat Wave!"

Sakumo howled, releasing a wave of scorching flames that rushed across the battlefield—

Engulfing Mr. Mime.

The Psychic-type staggered, its barriers shattering from the heat—

And then collapsed.

Sabrina blinked once. Then nodded.

"You win."

Holly felt the tension in her shoulders finally release.

She had done it.

Sabrina stepped forward, handing her a golden badge.

"The Elite Marsh Badge," she said. "You have strong Pokémon."

Holly smirked. "They're more than strong. They're the best."

As she stepped out of the Saffron Gym, badge in hand, she let out a deep breath.

Three badges down.

And she was just getting started.