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Chapter 72: War of Words between Psychics
🕑 Added 2025-01-15 17:13:29 +0000 UTCThe morning sun cast long shadows across Saffron City's Gym as Gladion approached the building. Nyx walked beside him, already preparing what she called her "morning philosophical advice."
'More like psychologically torturing people. Why am I having her walk besides me again and not Guy or Collosus? Right because she used baby doll eyes against me and psychologically tormented me.' Gladion gave a tired sigh
[The concept of morning itself is merely a social construct designed to...]
"Not now, Nyx," Gladion interrupted, though he couldn't help but smile. His Umbreon has also developed a taste for philosophy after the evolution and the philosophical ramblings had become oddly endearing.
Marcus was waiting at the entrance, and beside him stood a girl about Gladion's age with long dark hair and piercing eyes. She wore a formal red and black outfit that screamed 'CLASS,' and her expression could have frozen a Magmar.
Gladion instantly knew who the girl was. He found himself both irritated and intrigued by Sabrina. His memories from his previous life painted her as the emotionless psychic who turned people into dolls, but seeing her in person was different. Behind that carefully constructed wall of indifference, he sensed something else – not emptiness, but suppression. Like a pressure cooker of emotions sealed tight, ready to burst.
He was pretty sure that the turning dolls thing was just an anime thing because according to his grandpa Psychics can't do that. In the words of his Mankey that was more in the realm of Wizardry.
Unlike him, She taught herself to suppress her emotions to increase her psychic power and control. Gladion was completely against this method of using Psychic abilities.
What bothered him most wasn't her power or even her arrogance – it was the waste of potential. He could sense her incredible psychic abilities, but they felt... rigid. Controlled to the point of limitation. In his experience, both in this life and his previous one, emotions weren't weaknesses to be suppressed but tools to be understood. His own psychic powers grew stronger when he acknowledged his feelings, using them as fuel rather than fighting them.
'She's basically kneecapping herself,' he thought. 'All that power, all that potential, and she's locked half of it away because she thinks emotions make her weak. It's like having a Charizard but never letting it fly.'
The future gym leader he remembered from games and anime was powerful but isolated. Heck, she even joined Team rocket in the manga as a result.
Here was a chance to maybe change that trajectory, even if it meant being the most annoying person in her life for a while. Sometimes the best way to help someone was to irritate them until they finally snapped – and showed their true selves. Besides, he was pretty sure her father had her wait outside the gym to meet him for the same exact reason.
"Gladion!" Marcus beamed. "I'd like you to meet my daughter, Sabrina. She wanted to meet you after I told her about you being a psychic like her. Sabrina, this is the young psychic I told you about."
Sabrina's gaze flickered over Gladion with all the warmth of a Glalie. "Father, I fail to see why you insisted on my presence. His power level is... adequate, at best."
[Oh my,] Nyx commented but everyone present could understand her since they were all psychics. Now you might wonder, if they were not communicating telepathically, how can a psychic understand a Pokemon. A newly awakened psychic can't but a trained one can understand the mental ways of a Pokemon to interpret what a Pokemon was saying. This was not a intrusion of a body, otherwise it would not have affect on a dark type Pokemon.
[The emotional depth of a teaspoon combined with the charm of a Muk. How philosophically fascinating.] It seemed that Nyx did not take too kindly to the insult to her trainer. Gladion had told her about the Gym leader and her daughter yesterday. He might have told her she was quite emotionless and she would not be able to break her with words.
'Guess she took that as a challange and that's why she wanted to accompany me. Silly me and my stupid mouth.' Gladion thought
Sabrina's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your Umbreon's communication skills are unexpected. Though its attitude requires adjustment."
"Funny," Gladion replied with a sweet smile, "I was thinking the same about yours. Though I suppose being a prodigy comes with the side effect of a personality bypass?"
Marcus's eyes widened slightly, but there was an amused twinkle in them.
"A crude attempt at provocation," Sabrina stated flatly. "As expected from someone who learned their abilities through... what was it? Ah yes, 'natural development.'"
'It seems Marcus had also told her about me and how I learned and developed my Psychic abilities. Well , Dad's Alakazam helped me so it was not completely natural.' Gladion mused
"Better naturally developed than artificially inflated," Gladion shot back. "Tell me, does it take more energy to maintain that emotional wall or that air of superiority?"
[A fascinating question, master] Nyx mused. [Though one might question whether her emotional suppression is a defense mechanism or simply a failure to evolve beyond the emotional complexity of a Metapod.]
A muscle twitched in Sabrina's cheek – the first real expression she'd shown.
"Now, now," Marcus interrupted, looking far too pleased for someone watching two psychics verbally spar. "Perhaps we could channel this energy into something more productive?"
"Your suggestion is irrelevant," Sabrina stated. "I have no interest in-"
"Spending time with someone who might actually challenge your worldview?" Gladion interrupted. "I understand. It must be comfortable in that little bubble of superiority."
[Indeed,] Nyx added. [Though one wonders if her reluctance stems from fear or merely an inability to process complex social interactions. Much like a Magikarp attempting to learn how to move on land.]
Something remarkable happened then. Sabrina's left eye twitched. Marcus looked like it was his birthday and Christmas combined.
"Your implications are both incorrect and insulting," Sabrina said, her voice carrying the slightest edge. "Though I shouldn't expect better from someone who allows their Pokémon to speak so... freely."
"Oh?" Gladion raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought the mark of a true psychic was understanding and accepting all forms of consciousness. Or did they skip that lesson in prodigy school?"
[Perhaps we should explain it using smaller words?] Nyx suggested innocently. [I find that those who suppress their emotions often struggle with basic comprehension.]
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Sabrina's eyes now held something that, on anyone else, might have been called irritation.
"You..." she began, then caught herself. But Gladion had seen it – a crack in the perfect facade.
"Yes?" he prompted. "Please, finish that thought. I'm sure it's fascinating, assuming you can form complete sentences while experiencing an actual emotion."
Marcus was practically bouncing on his feet now, watching the exchange like it was the most entertaining thing he'd seen in years.
"I challenge you to a battle," Sabrina declared suddenly. "Two on two. When I win, you will cease these ridiculous assertions about emotional suppression."
"When you win?" Gladion grinned. "And they say psychics can't tell jokes."
"And when I win," he continued, "you have to smile. A real smile, not whatever this..." he gestured at her face, "emotional hibernation is supposed to be."
[A battle to determine the superior approach to psychic development,] Nyx mused.
[Though one might argue that she's already lost, given that anger is indeed an emotion. Quite a primitive one at that.]
"Agreed," Sabrina said through slightly gritted teeth. "We battle in one hour."
As she turned and walked away with perfect posture, Marcus turned to Gladion with an expression of pure joy.
"That's the most emotion she's shown in months!" he exclaimed. "Usually, she just..." he mimicked a blank stare.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Gladion accused.
Marcus tried to look innocent and failed miserably. "I merely suspected that your... unique approach might provoke a response. Sabrina's power is unprecedented, but her emotional suppression has always concerned me. Sometimes, the best way to crack a shell is with a well-placed irritant."
"Well," Gladion sighed, "I suppose we should prepare for the battle. Any advice?"
Marcus smiled mysteriously. "Just keep being yourself. It seems to be working perfectly."
"You owe me for this one, Gym leader Marcus." Gladion said to which Marcus just nodded. He was already planning a reward for the boy.
