Chapter 115: Psychic Showdown in Saffron

The golden lights hung high above, casting long shadows that stretched across the gleaming polished floor. I could feel the weight of Sabrina's gaze before I even looked her way, her intense eyes locked on me as though she was already inside my head, picking apart my strategies. She stood at the far end of the arena, calm, poised—ready. 

Alakazam hovered in front of me, his spoons reflecting a faint shimmer of psychic energy. His stance mirrored the quiet confidence I felt radiating from him. On the other side of the field, Sabrina's Kadabra stood motionless, its spoon twitching every few seconds, tail stiff with anticipation.

I exhaled slowly, loosening my shoulders as Shadow perched on my shoulder. His sleek, dark body emitted soft, crackling streaks of electric-blue energy.

"I'm Punit," I said, my voice calm, not a trace of doubt. Sabrina didn't respond, her eyes narrowing slightly as if my introduction was irrelevant. Fine. Let the battle speak for itself.

In the quiet of the gym, I see Sabrina's her lips never moved. Kadabra's eyes flashed, and a twisting, multicolored beam shot toward Alakazam with vicious speed.

"Teleport." The thought barely formed in my mind before Alakazam vanished, reappearing behind Kadabra in a flicker. 

Sabrina's thoughts were quick, sharp, and just as I'd expected.

A counter. Kadabra spun around, its beam ripping through the air like a blade. But I had already given the next order. "Reflect."

A shimmering, transparent barrier flared up between them, and the Psybeam crashed harmlessly against it, scattering into a burst of light. Alakazam remained still, his focus unwavering.

The gym was silent for a breath, both Pokémon resetting their positions. Sabrina's thoughts sharpened again, faster this time.

Kadabra's spoon glowed, bending the very air around Alakazam. The space distorted, twisting like a heatwave. I felt the pull of it in my gut, but Alakazam didn't waver. "Teleport," I commanded, my voice steady. 

In an instant, he flickered out of existence again, reappearing to Kadabra's side. Sabrina had no time to react. "Psychic," I thought, my voice echoing in Alakazam's mind like a thunderclap.

The force hit Kadabra hard, invisible power crushing it from all sides. Sabrina's eyes narrowed.

The barrier shimmered around Kadabra, the psychic pressure mounting as Alakazam pushed harder. For a moment, the two Pokémon were locked in a battle of sheer willpower. The gym trembled under the weight of their power, the polished floor vibrating beneath my feet.

Then Sabrina's voice sliced through the tension. "Disable."

Kadabra's eyes glowed, and a pulse of energy shot toward Alakazam, targeting his Psychic ability. I felt it take hold, like a door slamming shut in my mind. But I didn't flinch.

"Recover," I whispered. Alakazam's form glowed with a soft light, his wounds fading, his energy restored as though nothing had happened. Kadabra's focus flickered, frustration emanating from Sabrina.

Another command, Sabrina pressing harder.

This time, I was faster. "Confusion," I ordered, my thoughts cutting through the psychic haze between us.

The two beams collided mid-air with a violent explosion of energy. The colors twisted, swirled, and clashed in a storm of power, the entire arena trembling under the psychic assault. But I saw it—Kadabra's focus faltered for just a fraction of a second, its concentration breaking. 

That was all I needed.

"Kinesis," I thought with sharp precision. 

Alakazam's spoons twisted, and the psychic distortion slammed into Kadabra, warping its perception. Its eyes darted wildly, unable to keep track of the battle, its form flickering as it stumbled.

Sabrina's frown deepened. She tried to regain control, but I didn't give her the chance. "Psychic."

The final command hit the field like a hammer. Alakazam's eyes flared with blinding light, and with a forceful wave of psychic energy, Kadabra was lifted into the air before being slammed into the ground with brutal impact. The Reflect barrier cracked, then shattered under the overwhelming power.

The gym fell silent. Sabrina exhaled, her psychic link with Kadabra dimming as she recalled her Pokémon. The dust settled slowly, the echoes of battle fading into the stillness.

Alakazam floated back to me, his spoons still hovering around him as if the fight had barely challenged him. I recall him in his Pokeball.

Sabrina broke the silence, her voice calm, controlled. "Impressive. But next time, Punit... I won't be so easily countered."

I let a faint smile curl my lips. "I look forward to it. Now, my badge."

Her response surprised me—a small, genuine smile. I wasn't sure if she was impressed or amused. I almost blinked in confusion when the world around me flickered.

Without warning, I was outside the gym, teleported away. Shadow, still perched on my shoulder, chuckled, his voice low. "You're the first to win her badge, and she likes you."

Dumbfounded, I reached into my pocket, feeling the cold metal of the badge. Victory, but something else lingered in the air. I shrugged it off as we headed back to the hotel.

Later, in my room at the five-star hotel, I found Erin and Raichu sleeping on the bed. Her hand rested lightly on Raichu's fur, her face calm in sleep. I tossed my jacket and bag aside, my mind still on the battle.

As I lay down, Shadow curled up beside me, the day's events replayed in my head.