“The Gym Challenge is about to begin!” the referee announced. “On one side, we have the acting Saffron Gym Leader. On the other, the challenger, Ash from Pallet Town. Each trainer may use one Pokémon, and there is no time limit for the battle. Let the match officially begin!”

“Since you’re Red’s brother, you must also be an excellent Pokémon Trainer. Let my old partner battle you,” Sabrina’s father said, throwing out his Poké Ball.

As the dazzling white light faded, an experienced Alakazam appeared on the battleground.

“What kind of Pokémon is this?” Ash habitually pulled out his Pokédex to analyze the new opponent. A mechanical voice sounded: “Alakazam, the Psi Pokémon. Its brain is a supercomputer that allows it to freely control its psychic powers. It dislikes relying on physical strength.”

“So it’s a Psychic-type…” Ash pondered for a moment, a plan forming in his mind, then he shouted excitedly, “Alright, Pikachu, I choose you!” He sent the Pikachu on his shoulder into the fight.

“I didn’t expect things to get this absurd…” Red said helplessly. He had only decided to change Sabrina’s fate to make Ash’s Gym Challenge easier. He never thought her father would mistakenly believe Ash’s strength was on par with his own and send out his ace to battle him. The situation had become ridiculous.

Seeing that its opponent was Pikachu, Alakazam casually waved a hand, signaling Ash to make the first move.

“Looks really strong,” Ash muttered, but he showed no fear of Alakazam’s power.

“Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!” Ash commanded.

“Pika—chu!”

Pikachu’s body erupted with electricity, and the high-voltage current, like a lightning snake, tried to engulf the Alakazam in front of it. However, Sabrina’s father and his Alakazam showed no tension, appearing as steady as a mountain.

“Confusion,” Sabrina’s father ordered.

Alakazam’s eyes glowed blue. It used its telekinesis to seize control of Pikachu’s Thunderbolt, then, with a twist of the spoon in its hand, the controlled current was sent flying directly back at Pikachu.

“Oh no! Pikachu, quickly use Iron Tail to dig into the ground!” Ash urgently commanded.

Pikachu’s tail glowed white as it plunged its Iron Tail into the ground. The incoming high-voltage current was then entirely channeled underground, and it didn’t take any damage.

“A good strategy. He even remembered the method he used in the Vermilion Gym battle. It seems Ash hasn’t been idle,” Red nodded in satisfaction, a hint of a sigh in his voice. Finally, his brother wasn’t as foolish as he used to be.

“As expected of Red’s younger brother. It seems I need to get serious too,” Sabrina’s father said, his expression hardening.

(Actually, Ash isn’t as strong as you think…)

Misty and Brock exchanged helpless glances with Red. The development of events had clearly deviated from a normal Gym Challenge. Sabrina’s father was treating Ash as if he were Red in this battle.

“Alakazam, use Psychic!”

The previously lazy Alakazam suddenly vanished from its spot, reappearing upside down in mid-air. It crossed the spoons in its hands, unleashing a powerful psychic force that forcibly seized Pikachu on the ground. Then, it waved the spoons, repeatedly smashing Pikachu up and down against the hard floor.

“This isn’t even a fair fight!” Brock exclaimed in shock. This Saffron Gym Challenge was more terrifying than any of Ash’s previous ones. After all, most of those had been suspected of being rigged, unlike the serious attitude of Sabrina’s father now.

(Ash, forgive me…)

Red felt a pang of guilt for Ash’s current predicament. He never expected to accidentally increase the difficulty of the Saffron Gym Challenge by several levels. Although Ash wouldn’t suffer the tragic fate of being turned into a doll by Sabrina, it seemed unlikely he would get the badge now.

“Pikachu and I will not be defeated here!” Ash encouraged.

Upon hearing his trainer’s inspiring words, Pikachu relied on its sheer conviction to break free from Alakazam’s psychic control.

“Pikachu, since Alakazam uses Teleport to avoid attacks, let’s gather all the lightning above and use a full-area Thunder!” Ash commanded.

“Reckless,” Red shook his head. Blindly using all its electricity would only exhaust Pikachu’s stamina. Furthermore, releasing such a high-voltage current wouldn’t threaten Alakazam and might even be used against Pikachu.

Pikachu unleashed its lightning, spreading it around the battlefield. Alakazam, floating in mid-air, showed no sign of tension. Instead, it calmly raised a spoon, gathered all the electricity into a single, crackling mass, and then sent it hurtling toward Pikachu. To prevent Pikachu from using Iron Tail to dissipate the current again, Alakazam used its free spoon to cast Confusion, locking Pikachu in place.

Just as the current was about to hit Pikachu, Red silently threw out his Poké Ball. The Millennium Gengar emerged, using its own psychic power to channel the massive current into the ground.

“Let this farce end here,” Red said calmly. Although he had witnessed Ash’s growth, his current strength was still insufficient to defeat a veteran Gym Leader like Sabrina’s father.

“So, I misunderstood…” Sabrina’s father reacted, seeing Pikachu lying helplessly on the ground. He realized he had subconsciously misjudged Ash’s strength and looked apologetically at both Red and Ash.

“It’s okay, Uncle! I was too overconfident,” Ash said remorsefully. Blind confidence was one of the reasons for his failure.

“This is my responsibility. I raised the level of the Gym Challenge without your permission; this is a result of my personal oversight,” Sabrina’s father said apologetically, indicating that Ash could challenge him again.

But having witnessed the true strength of the Saffron Gym, how could Ash easily compromise with a so-called “easier” rematch?

“Actually, Ash, you don’t need to be so conflicted,” Misty stepped forward to advise him.

“Huh? Why, Misty?” Ash turned his head and asked in confusion.

“Because your previous three gym badges weren’t entirely earned by your own strength. Especially Brock’s Boulder Badge—Brock deliberately lost that to you,” Misty helplessly stated the truth, telling Ash not to take the authenticity of the Gym battles too seriously.

“How could this be…”

Ash knelt on the ground in despair, recalling his previous Gym Challenges. It seemed Misty was right; he hadn’t won a single one based on his true skill. The only Gym Challenge he could be proud of, the one in Vermilion City, was also won with Red’s help.

“Pika-pi…”

Pikachu, Ash’s loyal partner, came closer, patting his shoulder to comfort him.

(End of Chapter)

***

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