The two weeks had passed by in a flash and it was the day of departure. Eliana had already informed Gabriel she would be taking a trip and would be unavailable for a while. He seemed sad but quickly cheered up saying that he would have a Lucario by the time she got back and they'd have their battle.
Eliana was currently in her room waiting for Sabrina to come get her. She picked at the fancy outfit Sabrina had previously given her, Eliana personally preferred casual clothes but Sabrina said that she had to make an impression. The younger psychic didn't care much about first impressions but had already given up on convincing her teacher otherwise.
She looked over to her Gallade who was meditating peacefully in the corner, the blades on his arms gleaming even in the dim light. Raichu was dozing on her bed, and Starmie hovered silently near the ceiling, its core pulsing with a steady, calm light. Her team was mostly excited, Sabrina had put them through intense training, Gallade especially.
A soft knock on the door broke the silence.
Finally, Eliana thought as she returned her Pokémon to their balls and opened the door. Sabrina stood in the hallway, dressed in her usual attire, her expression as unreadable as ever. She gave a cursory glance at Eliana's outfit, a brief appraisal before turning and leaving.
Charming as always, Eliana muttered, following Sabrina down the long hallways of the gym.
They emerged from a back entrance into the cool evening air. A sleek, black car with tinted windows was waiting, its engine a low, almost silent hum. A man in a dark suit stood by the back door, opening it as they approached. He didn't say a word, simply nodded once at Sabrina.
The interior of the car was cool and smelled of leather and some faint, expensive cologne. And Eliana scrunched her nose at the scent, it was strong enough to be headache inducing.
Sabrina settled into her seat, her posture perfect and still. Eliana slid in opposite her, the plush upholstery feeling strange and confining after the familiar hardness of the gym floor.
The city thinned out, replaced by the sprawling countryside. The car eventually pulled into a small, private terminal, away from the main hustle and bustle of the Saffron City. There were no crowds, no security lines. Just a few other black cars and a small, sleek jet waiting on the tarmac, its stairs already lowered.
They boarded the plane without another word. The interior was just as luxurious as the car, all polished wood, cream-colored leather, and soft, recessed lighting. There were only a handful of other people on board, all dressed in similar dark suits, all exuding an aura of quiet competence. They glanced at Sabrina with a mix of respect and deference, their eyes barely registering Eliana's presence. She was just another shadow, another piece of the silent, moving machinery.
Eliana chose a seat by the window, watching as the ground fell away and the city of Saffron shrank into a grid of lights. Sabrina took the seat next to her, calmly crossing her legs. The plane banked, turning towards the north, and soon they were flying over a dark, empty expanse of ocean. The hum of the engines was a constant, lulling drone.
Hours passed. The flight attendants, dressed in impeccable uniforms, offered them drinks and small, exquisite meals that Eliana barely touched. She spent the time in silent contemplation, running through battle scenarios in her mind. She imagined different opponents, different strategies, different ways to break them. Her Gallade's blades, Starmie's swift water attacks, Raichu's surprising speed. She was a predator, and this tournament was just another hunting ground.
Sabrina seemed to sense her wondering thoughts.
Eliana closed her eyes, forcing her racing thoughts to still. She focused on her breathing, on the steady rhythm of her own heartbeat. She focused on the psychic link to her Pokémon. Raichu's excitement, Starmie's steady mentality, and Gallade's calm presence. They were an extension of her will, her instruments. She honed that connection until she got bored with it.
Turning towards Sabrina, she questioned the older psychic.
Sabrina gave the teenager a look,
Eliana's face fell slightly and they could feel Raichu's disappointment washing over them.
Sabrina sighed,
When Eliana didn't respond further, Sabrina continued.
…
Eliana's Current Team
Gallade
Ability: Sharpness
Gender: Male
Moves: Psycho Cut, Ice Punch, Draining Kiss, X-Scissor, Slash, Leaf-Blade, Aerial Ace, Night Slash, Sacred Sword, Magical Leaf, Charge Beam, Protect, Double Team, Teleport, Swords Dance, Life Dew
Starmie
Ability: Natural Cure
Gender: Genderless
Moves: Hydro Pump, Surf, Psychic, Swift, Recover, Confuse Ray, Harden, Power Gem, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt
Alolan Raichu
Ability: Surge Surfer
Gender: Female
Moves: Psychic, Thunderbolt, Electric Terrain, Electro Web, Iron Tail, Signal Beam, Light Screen, Reflect, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, Double Team