Kanto Region, Saffron City.
The grand Silph Co. building stood tall as the city's iconic landmark, dominating the heart of the commercial district.
Its rooftop emblem stretched into the clouds, gleaming with a brilliant golden hue.
From the top of this skyscraper, one could overlook the entire city.
In the northeastern corner, two distinct Gym buildings stood in opposition, each representing their own domain.
The Psychic Gym and the Fighting Gym had once waged a long-standing rivalry.
For years, they clashed—until the emergence of the psychic prodigy, Sabrina, who single-handedly crushed the Fighting Gym, led by the Karate Master.
From then on, the Psychic Gym cemented its legitimacy and dominance.
However, Sabrina herself showed little interest in managing the Gym.
Instead, her father established a Psychic Training Program within the Gym, attracting aspiring trainers from all over.
Since Sabrina was also a renowned actress, challengers and students flocked in, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
Eventually, she left most of the Gym's affairs in her father's hands, only stopping by on occasion.
---
Inside the Saffron Gym's Leader Chamber.
A middle-aged man wearing a hat sat in deep meditation.
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"No challengers today?"
As he opened his eyes, a black-haired, cold-faced beauty materialized in the room, arriving via Alakazam's Teleport.
"The apprentices from the Psychic Training Program have already turned them away," the man replied.
"With both the training program and the dojo, managing the Gym has become much easier for you."
"Being a Gym Leader was never my intention."
Sabrina leaned back, arms crossed.
"I still prefer acting."
Compared to the monotonous life of a Gym Leader, she found more fulfillment in playing different roles on screen.
Perhaps, in some way, it was her way of making up for regrets.
But for Sabrina, calling it "the guidance of fate" might be a more fitting description.
"With your talent, becoming an Elite Four member for the Psychic-type isn't out of the question…"
Her father started to persuade her, then stopped, sighing with a helpless smile.
"Forget it. Keep chasing your dream. I'll always support you."
A flicker of emotion flashed in Sabrina's eyes.
Memories surfaced in her mind.
Her mother's passing, filled with uncertainty and unease.
Her father, once obsessed with power, who left their home only to later return with newfound clarity.
A childhood spent in solitude, with only Pokémon by her side.
The constant fear and pain that came with her overwhelming psychic abilities.
These experiences shaped Sabrina's distant, emotionless personality.
In a way, joining Team Rocket was her way of seeing a reflection of her father in Giovanni…
In the end, she let out a quiet sigh.
"I'm going outside for a bit."
A blue light flickered.
Sabrina reappeared outside the Leader Chamber, casually tossing back her jet-black hair.
After all these years, she had already forgiven her father.
Becoming a movie star was just another way of letting go of the past.
One shouldn't live in the past forever.
Red, the revolutionary.
The reborn Team Rocket.
And a certain someone, now regarded as a mentor.
All of these were fresh, intriguing, and worth experiencing.
A cool, elegant smile appeared on Sabrina's flawless face as she turned toward the dojo.
Blue light shimmered as Poké Balls floated around her.
"Today, I will be the one accepting challenges at the Saffron Gym."
Knock, knock!
The doors of Saffron Gym were struck by an unexpected visitor.
"Hello—"
The receptionist opened the door, flashing a professional smile, but suddenly froze.
Looking down at Gengar, she asked blankly, "…Where's your Trainer?"
"Gengarr~"
Gengar scratched its head sheepishly.
Of course, if he was out job-hunting, he couldn't let his Trainer find out.
He had to keep it a surprise until payday!
"Gengarr! (oﾟ▽ﾟ)o"
After a series of excited jumps and gestures, the receptionist finally caught on.
She pointed at the recruitment notice behind her, wearing a complicated expression, "You're saying… you're here to apply for the coach position?!"
"Gengarr!"
Gengar grinned widely and nodded enthusiastically.
A Pokémon that not only went out for part-time jobs but also applied for them on its own?
This Gengar was practically becoming a legend!
The receptionist swallowed nervously and put on a stern face, "The Psychic Gym has strict standards… It's nothing like that third-rate Fighting Gym next door, got it?"
"Gengarr?"
"…Looks like you don't get it. Fine, I'll show you what our Gym is capable of!" With a confident smirk, the receptionist tossed a Poké Ball.
A Hypno emerged in a flash of white light, lazily swinging its pendulum, silently casting Hypnosis.
The commotion caught the attention of the apprentices inside.
"Turning away challengers again?"
"Wait, where's the Trainer? Why don't I see anyone?"
As the crowd whispered among themselves, they suddenly fell silent.
The Hypno, known for its powerful Hypnosis, had not only failed to put its opponent to sleep…
But instead, it had fallen asleep itself!
A faint blue glow faded from Gengar's eyes as it lazily waved a claw.
"Gengarr~ (￣▽￣)~*"
"Is there a new challenger?"
From within the crowd, a tall, broad-shouldered man—Coach Atsushi—stood up.
"I'll take care of this."
The growing noise in the dojo irritated Sabrina.
Meditation requires silence. What kind of nonsense is this?
Stretching out her hand, she used her psychic power to push the door open with a resounding thud—only to see a black shadow hurtling through the air.
A pitch-black Shadow Ball exploded on impact, sending an Alakazam flying.
Boom!
The Alakazam crashed against the dojo wall, its abdomen scorched black. It fainted instantly.
The apprentices, kneeling on the tatami mats, collectively gulped.
"Coach Atsushi's Alakazam… got one-shot?"
"How is it so strong even without a Trainer?"
"And what's up with that Growlithe? It's built like a tank!"
Sabrina raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze to the battle arena.
Coach Atsushi, drenched in sweat, had already been forced to send out his second Pokémon.
"Gengarr!"
Gengar mimicked a baseball pitcher's stance and threw a Poké Ball.
"Awwooo~~!"
A muscular Growlithe leaped out and tackled a Baltoy to the ground.
Crack!
Growlithe clamped its jaws around Baltoy's head, and a clear, ominous snapping sound echoed through the room.
The apprentices' expressions grew increasingly complex.
Did… did it actually break?!
With such a swift and crushing defeat, Coach Atsushi looked embarrassed, and the dojo fell into complete silence.
"Gengarr!"
Gengar stood triumphantly, hands on its hips.
Back in Modu City, when it bullied Tang Hui, it had already refined this battle strategy to perfection.
Now, going up against the Psychic Gym, it was practically effortless.
"Gengarr!"
Gengar nodded in satisfaction.
With this performance, securing the coach position should be no problem, right?
In the dead-silent dojo, even the usually unshaken Sabrina blinked in surprise.
So today's challenger… is a Gengar?
Bang!
Suddenly, the Gym's doors burst open.
Everyone instinctively turned toward the source of the noise—
A panting, out-of-breath Trainer stood against the sunlight, catching his breath.
"This should count as…"
Lu Ye clung to the doorframe, exhaling sharply.
"…making it in time, right?"