Chapter 68: Sabrina Joins the Team
Seeing this scene (Sabrina's father nodding), Brock said to Ash beside him, "Ash, you've gotten the Saffron Gym badge now. I should be leaving here." After speaking, Brock started walking towards the main gate.
Ash, nearby, heard Brock, replied with an "Oh," then took out a Poké Ball and recalled the Haunter that was in front of Sabrina. He then followed Brock towards the main gate.
Seeing Brock and Ash leave, the uncle (Sabrina's father) shook his head and whispered softly, "What a pity... such great potential..."
Just then, Sabrina, nearby, had returned to normal. When she noticed Haunter was gone, she took out a Poké Ball and recalled the Kadabra from the battlefield. Then she whispered softly, "Teleport."
After Sabrina spoke, a power enveloped her, and subsequently, she vanished.
Meanwhile, with our protagonist Brock's group, they were heading towards the Pokémon Center. Ash, following behind, looked at the badge and asked doubtfully, "Brock... do you think I'm qualified to get this badge?"
Hearing Ash, Brock thought, Damn it! Someone gives you a badge, and you still complain?! If this were given to those trainers participating in the Kanto League, they wouldn't even have time to finish being happy! After finishing this thought, Brock answered Ash's question, "Ash... do you want me to tell you the truth?"
Hearing Brock, Ash thought for a moment and said, "Brock... I get it... You probably shouldn't say it! Next time, I'll try harder."
Shortly after, Brock and Ash arrived at the Pokémon Center. Just as they entered the door, they saw a beautiful woman. Seeing her, Brock was startled and casually spoke her name: "Sabrina!" Yes, the woman blocking Brock and Ash's path was precisely the Saffron Gym Leader, Sabrina.
Seeing Ash, Sabrina extended her hand towards him and said coldly, "Haunter?"
Hearing Sabrina, Ash understood her meaning. He shook his head and said, "Haunter... I definitely won't give it to you."
Hearing Ash, Sabrina continued, "Give me Haunter, and I'll give you Kadabra. Okay?"
Hearing Sabrina's offer, Ash shook his head again, then looked towards Brock.
Seeing this, Brock knew Ash was asking him for help. So, Brock stepped forward and said to Sabrina, "Miss Sabrina, I know you really want Haunter to play with you, but my friend doesn't want to lose Haunter. I have an idea that might satisfy both sides. Would you be willing to listen?"
Hearing Brock, Sabrina asked, "What method?"
Brock explained his idea, "Miss Sabrina, you want Haunter mainly because you want it to play with you, right?" Hearing Brock, Sabrina nodded. Brock then continued, "My method is this: you could travel together with us! That way, my friend and his Haunter won't be separated, and you can also play with Haunter."
Hearing Brock's suggestion, Sabrina said uncomprehendingly, "Travel? Friends?" As soon as she finished speaking, she vanished. Seeing this, Brock knew Sabrina had left using her psychic powers.
After Sabrina disappeared, Ash asked Brock worriedly, "Brock... are we really going to travel together with Sabrina?"
Hearing Ash, Brock nodded.
Seeing Brock nod, Ash added, "But... I'm afraid if I provoke Sabrina later, she'll turn us into dolls again! I'll never forget being turned into a doll!"
Hearing Ash, Brock thought, Being turned into a doll really had a big impact on Ash! After thinking, Brock said, "Ash, this was the only 'best of both worlds' solution I could think of! Unless... you just give Haunter to her?"
"There's no way I'm giving Haunter to her!"
"Then that settles it! As long as we don't provoke her, she probably won't turn us into dolls."
"But... I'll still be scared!"
"Then there's nothing else I can do! Judging by Sabrina's reaction just now, she'll probably join us on our journey."
"Brock! Then what should I do?!"
"Figure it out yourself!"
And so, Brock and Ash argued all the way back to the Pokémon Center lobby. Misty, Daisy, and Melanie, waiting for Brock and Ash in the lobby, saw them return and quickly walked up to Brock. Misty asked curiously, "Brock! Ash! Did you beat Sabrina?!"
Hearing Misty, Ash replied, "We won the battle, yes... but..."
"But what?!" Hearing Misty prompt him, Ash explained the whole situation. After hearing Ash, Misty pointed at Brock and shouted loudly, "Brock! What kind of 'good idea' was that?! Letting Sabrina travel with us?! I don't agree! I really don't want to become a doll again! Unless...?"
Hearing Misty, Brock saw a glimmer of hope and asked, "Unless what?"
He then heard Misty's condition, "Unless you can make sure Sabrina never turns us into dolls again! If you can do that, then I agree."
Hearing Misty's condition, Brock didn't say anything more but looked towards Melanie and Daisy. Daisy, nearby, saw this and knew Brock was asking her for help. So Daisy said, "Misty, don't be angry. I see everyone's hungry; let's all go eat dinner together!"
Melanie chimed in, "Daisy's right! Let's go eat dinner together!"
Daisy's suggestion passed unanimously, so Brock's group went to eat dinner. An unknown amount of time passed. Brock's group finished dinner, then returned to their rooms to sleep. Meanwhile, Brock lay in his bed, tossing and turning. He then thought, How can I get Sabrina not to use her psychic powers?!... I can't think of a way!... Forget it! I'll deal with it when the time comes!
After finishing this thought, Brock started to sleep. An unknown amount of time passed, and before he knew it, Brock fell asleep. The dawn's first light lifted the light veil of night, revealing brilliant morning rays, welcoming a new day.
After getting up, Brock rubbed his eyes, then left his room to wash up. Once Brock finished freshening up, he joined Ash and the others for breakfast.
A short while later, after Brock's group finished breakfast, they set off towards their next destination. Just as they walked out of the Pokémon Center, they saw a woman blocking their path. She said to Brock's group, "Companions. Travel."
Seeing this, Brock knew there was no avoiding it now. He said, "Sabrina. You can travel with us, but can you promise not to casually use your psychic powers? If you can do that, then I agree to let you join."
Hearing Brock, Sabrina didn't say anything but ran over beside Ash and whispered, "Call Haunter out to play with me."
Hearing Sabrina, Ash looked towards Brock. Seeing this, Brock nodded. Subsequently, Ash took out a Poké Ball and released Haunter.
Seeing Haunter come out, Sabrina ran over in front of it and started playing with it. And so, Brock's group set off towards their next destination: Celadon City.
Just as they were about to leave, a voice sounded in Brock's ear, "Young man! Come meet me behind the Pokémon Center. I have something to tell you."
Hearing the voice, Brock recognized it as Sabrina's father's voice. Without thinking too much, he said to Ash and the others, "Ash! Misty! Daisy! Melanie! Sabrina! And you too, Meowth! Wait here for me for a few minutes. I have some business to take care of. I'll come back after I'm done."
Hearing Brock, Ash didn't think much of it and just said, "Go ahead, Brock! Misty and the others and I will wait here for you."
Hearing Ash, Brock headed towards the back of the Pokémon Center. When he arrived behind the Pokémon Center, he saw Sabrina's father waiting there for him. Seeing him, Brock said, "Uncle! Why did you ask me to come here? I already told you, I won't become your disciple!"
"Today, I didn't come to accept you as my disciple," the uncle explained after hearing Brock. After speaking, the uncle took a Poké Ball from his person and said, "My daughter is going traveling for the first time. I hope you can take good care of her. Consider this Pokémon as a gift for taking care of her."
Hearing the uncle, Brock accepted the Poké Ball and said, "Don't worry! I will take good care of her."
After speaking, Brock started walking back towards Ash and the group. As Brock was walking away, the uncle's voice sounded again in his ear, "Young man! I quite like you! I hope the next time I see you, you can become my son-in-law!"
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