"That's not how you practice Teleport."
Before Tetsuya even saw anyone, he heard a voice. Looking around, he extended his psychic powers to locate the newcomer.
Sabrina's father suddenly appeared in front of him. Tetsuya immediately assumed a fighting stance. After all, he had defeated Sabrina yesterday. Since his daughter had been beaten, it was only natural for him, as her father, to want to stand up for her.
Although Sabrina's father was not as powerful as Sabrina in terms of psychic powers, his Pokémon were certainly stronger than hers. After all, he was the true Leader behind Saffron Gym.
Seeing Tetsuya being so wary, Sabrina's father laughed and said, "Don't worry. I'm not here to cause you any trouble. On the contrary, I came to thank you for defeating Sabrina."
"…?"
Tetsuya looked at Sabrina's father with a puzzled expression.
"Sabrina had become completely obsessed with her powers and had lost all interest in everything else. She firmly believed that as long as she channeled her psychic energy into Psychic-types, they would be invincible.
But you shattered that belief!
Today, she actually started training her Abra. At the very least, her way of thinking has changed. That's why I came here specifically to thank you," Sabrina's father said.
"…There's no need. I had my own reasons as well."
Tetsuya waved his hand, making no attempt to hide it.
"You just want to learn Teleport, don't you? I can tell that your psychic powers aren't weak either. Among all the ways our family uses psychic abilities, Teleport is by far the most practical.
As for channeling psychic energy into Pokémon for battle, it requires complete concentration, making you vulnerable to surprise attacks. It's not really worth learning.
Controlling objects to attack is something anyone with psychic powers can do. So let me teach you how to use Teleport properly as my way of thanking you," Sabrina's father said.
Although Tetsuya did not know Sabrina's father very well as a person, he understood perfectly how much he cared about Sabrina. Otherwise, he would not have continued wandering around Saffron Gym, worrying himself sick over his daughter.
While Tetsuya could not be certain that Sabrina's father genuinely intended to teach him Teleport, he was certainly willing to hear what he had to say.
"Then thank you in advance," Tetsuya said.
Seeing that Tetsuya was still somewhat on guard, Sabrina's father smiled to himself. After all, he was a Gym Leader. Why would he deceive a kid like this?
"You've basically 'learned' Teleport already. The only problem is that you can't properly control the direction."
"Un, that's right. And the more I practice, the worse I get… Why is that?" Tetsuya asked.
"You're too impatient. Psychic abilities are something that must be practiced with a calm mind. The most important thing is to avoid impatience and restlessness. While you're using Teleport, your mind must have been thinking about other things, which is why your direction becomes unstable.
Follow my method. While using Teleport, your mind should contain nothing except the destination you want to reach. Don't think about anything else, then try again."
After Sabrina's father finished speaking, Tetsuya carefully reflected on how he had been using Teleport. Just as Sabrina's father had said, his thoughts had been far too complicated. He could not compare to those with pure and focused minds, which was why this problem had occurred.
Following Sabrina's father's instructions, Tetsuya only tried a short-range teleportation test. Sure enough, just as he had said, as long as he focused solely on the place he wanted to reach, he could arrive there accurately.
'There's no way! It can't be that simple… right?'
However, this was only short-distance Teleport. To teleport over long distances, he would not only need to channel even more psychic energy, but also train his mind. At the very least, during the teleportation process, the only thing that could exist in his mind was the destination after the teleport.
"It seems you've already verified my theory, huh? Mm, I won't disturb you any longer. I hope we'll meet again."
With that, Sabrina's father left.
"…"
---◓---
After leaving the Saffron City area, Tetsuya's next destination was one of the famous resort cities of Porta Vista, Acapulco. From there, he could take a ship to the coastal city of Vermilion City, then travel directly by train to Viridian City.
Having planned out his route, Tetsuya set off toward Acapulco.
After three days of traveling, Tetsuya arrived at a forest inhabited by large numbers of Bug-type Pokémon. It was currently the breeding season for Bug-types. As soon as he entered the forest, he saw groups of Butterfree flying together.
Tetsuya released Skorupi. There should be plenty of food suitable for it here. Since Beedrill was not with him now, there was nothing to worry about… right?
They had been traveling constantly recently, so training time had naturally been reduced. Skorupi's level had not improved either. Here, it could find some opponents to battle and gain more experience.
On the first day, Skorupi caught two Weedle. Naturally, that also attracted some Beedrill, but fortunately those Beedrill were not very strong, and Tetsuya was able to drive them away with ease.
On the second day, Tetsuya had Golurk, Houndoom, and Weezing complete their regular training, while Skorupi naturally went off once again in search of its own food.
Not long after leaving, it spotted two Venomoth embracing each other in a graceful dance as they were mating.
Without waiting for Tetsuya's command, Skorupi charged straight at them and fired Pin Missile.
The two Venomoth were completely absorbed in the peak of their mating and failed to notice the attack!
The Pin Missiles struck their… "sensitive", areas directly, instantly interrupting them.
Looking down, they saw Skorupi waving its pincers proudly, delighted that its sneak attack had succeeded.
The two Venomoth became even more furious and simultaneously unleashed Silver Wind toward Skorupi.
Without the slightest panic, Skorupi began weaving around the trees. The two Venomoth swept Silver Wind after it, stripping the bark from every tree in the surrounding area, yet they still failed to damage Skorupi in the slightest.
Skorupi poked its head out from behind a tree, mocking the two exhausted Venomoth.
Being toyed with by such a tiny Pokémon only made the two Venomoth even angrier!
Although they were capable of using Psychic-type moves, they were now far too enraged to concentrate. Suddenly, both Venomoth emitted a strange vibrating cry that made one's entire body ache and sent chills running down the spine…
It was Bug Buzz!!!
Tetsuya instinctively covered his ears. The sound was even more unbearable for humans.
Skorupi also clamped both of its pincers tightly over its ears, looking extremely uncomfortable. It was no longer in the mood to show off.
Seeing that their chance for revenge had arrived, the two Venomoth charged straight toward Skorupi!
The opportunity had come. Tetsuya fixed his eyes firmly on the two Venomoth as they drew closer.
"Now! Use Poison Tail on the one in front, then use Pin Missile on the one behind it."
Just as the larger Venomoth was about to crash into Skorupi, Tetsuya immediately gave the command.