Violent currents of water clashed with psychic shockwaves, sending towering waves surging through the artificial pool beneath them. Green staggered back a few steps, droplets splashing onto her delicate features, adding a glistening sheen to her already porcelain skin.
'This woman really lives up to her reputation as Saffron City's Gym Leader and Kanto's most renowned Psychic-type expert. On top of that, we're fighting on her home turf—her offense and defense are practically flawless. Beating her head-on is impossible.'
Kneeling in the shallow water, Green wiped the moisture from her face with a rough swipe, silently analyzing the gap between their strengths.
Her strongest combatant was Blastoise. Though her first partner was Jigglypuff and Ditto had been with her for years, neither was suited for direct battles. Only Blastoise, a starter Pokémon, could hold its own in this kind of brute-force clash.
'That guy has zero shame, running off like that... But there's a reason he had me create this pool.'
Her gaze dropped to the flooded battlefield, and realization dawned. This entire nightmarish landscape was an illusion—in reality, they were still inside some kind of Pokémon battle arena within Silph Co. The pool Blastoise created wasn't just for Ryuuske's escape; it physically anchored her to the room's actual dimensions!
Without this reference, Sabrina's illusions would've disoriented her completely, guaranteeing defeat.
'Typical of him. Even while ditching me, he set things up so the gap between me and Sabrina shrinks to almost nothing, neutralizing her illusion tactics entirely.'
Green couldn't help but admire Ryuuske's brilliance. Despite his absence, a few casual remarks had turned this into a deadlocked brawl between two women—one where neither could gain the upper hand anytime soon!
Besides... I still have a chance.
Her head snapped up, locking onto Sabrina with newfound conviction.
"...Why aren't you using any other Pokémon? Just that Alakazam? Even if it's your strongest, relying on just one is reckless. Let me guess—you don't have any others right now, do you? That city-wide barrier must be draining your entire Psychic corps, with your other Pokémon scattered as anchors across Saffron!"
Sabrina hovered midair, arms crossed. After a long silence, she smirked.
"...So what if that's true? This Alakazam alone is enough to crush you, little girl."
"Tsk tsk, overconfidence isn't cute~"
Green batted her eyelashes, suddenly breaking into a sugary laugh. "...Hey, Sabrina-neechan, can I ask you something?"
Her voice dripped honey—enough to melt any man's resolve.
But Sabrina, being a woman herself, only felt a wave of disgust at the blatant 'fox spirit' act.
"...What scheme are you plotting now? Not that it matters—I've got all the time in the world to humor you. Ask away."
"Sabrina-neechan, do you... like honey~? Aww, don't blush! If it's true, well—sure, I love him too. Like, obsessively. But it'd be a shame if we ruined our sisterly bond over a man. So how about this? Even though I was first, I'm generous! Let me go, and I'll share him with you—50/50!"
"Shut up. There's no way I'd—"
"Wow, Sabrina-neechan's a tsundere?! If you like him, just admit it! Let me teach you something—tsunderes never get happy endings."
Sabrina's retort was cut short. The ice-cold woman fell silent, her piercing eyes flickering with contemplation.
But soon, a glint of cold amusement surfaced.
"...That man just abandoned you. And you still like him?"
"That's why I'm negotiating! Look—he ditched me, and he's ditching you too. Total scumbag behavior! So let's team up, hunt him down, and split him in half—I'll take the right side, you take the left. Deal?"
Green pouted, her eyes shimmering with faux heartbreak—the very picture of a jilted lover.
If I can actually trick her into teaming up, not only do I escape this mess, but we can gang up on that bastard and pay him back for screwing me over!
She grinned inwardly.
Unfortunately, Sabrina's pride was too towering to consider cooperation.
"...I'll handle the 'revenge' part myself. After I finish you here, I'll inherit your share of hatred too."
Tch. This woman's too cold and domineering!
Green seethed, baffled as to how Ryuuske had provoked someone like this. Seeing her act wasn't working, she dropped the pretense, her voice frosting over.
"...Fine, hag. I tried being nice as the senpai here, giving you a chance. Since you're ungrateful, don't blame me later."
"'Senpai'? I knew him before you did. You're the latecomer."
Sabrina's stare was glacial.
"Says who?! I've been—"
Green clamped her mouth shut. Stealing his stuff wasn't exactly a bragging point.
"Hah. Even you know you're just a thief. Country bumpkins should stay in the countryside picking berries instead of embarrassing themselves in the city."
The venom in Sabrina's voice struck like a whip.
Green's face flushed crimson, her fists trembling. This was her deepest insecurity—the shame of being parentless, of scavenging for meals, of doing whatever it took to survive. Beneath her cunning facade, she'd always believed herself unworthy of luxury, of love, even of nice clothes.
How could a gutter rat ever become a princess?
But how had Sabrina—?
Then she noticed it: the faint violet glow in Sabrina's eyes.
Psychic insight. Not quite mind-reading, but enough to glimpse the fractures in a person's soul.
Panic set in. Desperate, Green lashed out.
"...Oh, wow, big-city elitism! News flash—you're a menopausal old maid cosplaying as some pure, untouched saint!"
Sabrina's composure shattered. Rage burned across her face, veins bulging at her temples.
"...I'll break your limbs. Carve up that pretty face. Let's see how sharp your tongue is then."
"Ooooh, the fossil can't handle being roasted by a real beauty, so she resorts to violence? Bring it!"
Green flicked her hair, deliberately flashing the Eternal Moon Stone dangling from her ear.
"See this? Honey gave it to me specifically to beat you. Now witness the power of our love—Pippi, evolve! Clefable!"
With a radiant burst of light, her Clefairy transformed into Clefable!
To be continued…