Saffron City, Pokémon Store.
Maen walked out of the store, accompanied by the sweet farewell of the shop assistant. As a high-spending customer, he was naturally treated with extra warmth. Not only had the Poké Balls on his waist been replaced with Luxury Balls, but he had also stocked up on a high-end tent and various camping essentials, all tucked neatly into his space backpack.
As he strolled down the bustling streets, Maen debated whether he should head straight to the Saffron Gym. However, as he continued walking, he slowly became aware that something felt off.
The lively streets gradually became eerily quiet. The usual crowd had vanished, and a faint mist had begun to spread around him.
A moment later, a small doll in a white dress emerged from the fog, standing silently in his path. Its lifeless, expressionless eyes locked onto Maen.
Suddenly, an invisible force wrapped around his body, paralyzing him in place. He recognized it instantly—Psychic energy. More importantly, he recognized the doll itself.
It was the same doll that Sabrina held in the animated series.
With no hesitation, Maen tapped into the dark power coursing within him, using it to break free from the Psychic hold. The constricting sensation vanished instantly.
The doll, however, remained unfazed. Instead, it mechanically spoke in a monotone voice:
"Come to the Saffron Gym. I'll be waiting for you there."
With those words, the surrounding mist dissipated, and the doll disappeared.
Maen frowned. He knew that Sabrina's Psychic abilities were unparalleled, whether in the anime, manga, or games. But what truly unsettled him was the fact that she had anticipated his arrival.
She had likely used Future Sight.
In the animated series, Sabrina had foreseen Ash's arrival in advance. Now, it seemed she had predicted his as well.
"What did she see?" Maen murmured to himself.
Regardless, if she had invited him, he had no reason to refuse. He was determined to meet this Psychic master in person.
Just as he made up his mind, he suddenly sensed an energy fluctuation behind him. Without hesitation, he conjured a Shadow Ball in his palm and spun around, ready to attack.
"Wait! I mean no harm!"
A deep voice called out urgently.
A bearded man stood before Maen, frantically waving his hands in surrender. His presence had appeared out of nowhere, without a single sound.
Maen narrowed his eyes, his Shadow Ball still crackling with dark energy. However, upon sensing residual Psychic energy from the man, he quickly deduced his identity.
There was only one person in Saffron City who could possess such Psychic abilities—
Sabrina's father.
Seeing Maen lower his guard, the man sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Then, in a pleading tone, he spoke:
"I originally wanted to warn you against going to the Saffron Gym… but now, I see that I was wrong. Your abilities are just as strong as Sabrina's."
"So what do you want from me?" Maen asked, folding his arms.
"I need your help. You might be the only one who can help Sabrina find herself again."
Maen raised an eyebrow.
"Why me? Shouldn't you, as her father, take responsibility?"
The man shook his head with a bitter smile.
"I can't. My Psychic abilities are weaker than hers."
Maen scoffed.
"You expect me to believe that? You were the Gym Leader before Sabrina, weren't you? You've handled countless challengers, even the Fighting-type Gym next door. You're telling me you can't even handle your own daughter?"
Sabrina's father fell silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his tone filled with guilt and regret.
"I am partly responsible for what Sabrina has become. If I forcefully defeat her, I fear she will lose what little humanity she has left."
His expression grew darker.
"But that's not the only problem. Lately, I've noticed… more and more people approaching her. And I fear she may soon join a dangerous organization."
Maen's eyes sharpened.
"You mean… Team Rocket?"
The man nodded gravely.
"Yes. Team Rocket has been trying to recruit Sabrina. They know how powerful she is, and they want her on their side."
His fists clenched as he continued.
"I've done everything I can to keep them away. I've chased off their recruiters and cut off their attempts to contact her. But I can't watch her all the time. If they manage to get through to her…"
He exhaled sharply.
"If she joins Team Rocket, she will truly fall into darkness. And there will be no bringing her back."
Maen fell into thought.
Based on what Sabrina's father had said, it seemed that this Sabrina was still the emotionless girl from the anime, not the Team Rocket Executive from the manga—at least, not yet.
If things continued as they were, she would likely end up like her manga counterpart, one of Team Rocket's most powerful Executives.
Sabrina's father took a step forward, desperation in his eyes.
"That's why I need your help. You're the only one who can reach her!"
Maen crossed his arms.
"Have you tried using Future Sight to see how this will end?"
The older man sighed.
"I tried… but I can't see your future clearly. Your presence disrupts Psychic predictions. I can only glimpse fragments of possibilities."
He paused before adding:
"Sabrina will have the same problem. She won't be able to predict too much about you. Your abilities—your connection to the dark energy—naturally counter Psychic powers."
Maen nodded slowly. It made sense. His affinity with Ghost and Dark-type Pokémon must be interfering with Future Sight.
After all, Ghost-type moves had only become effective against Psychic-types from the second generation onward. The first-generation mechanics had been flawed. But in this world, things seemed to align with the newer rules.
Sabrina's father looked at him hopefully.
"So? Will you help her?"
Maen shrugged.
"I'll go to the Saffron Gym. But waking Sabrina up from her emotions? That's not my responsibility."
He smirked.
"I'm only going because she invited me."
Sabrina's father looked disappointed but said nothing.
Maen turned and walked toward the Saffron Gym, his mind already racing with possibilities.
Whether Sabrina would become his ally or his enemy, he had no idea.
But one thing was certain—
This was going to be interesting.
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