Psychic*Absol
Psychic Student
- 2,231
- Posts
- 20
- Years
- Age 35
- on earth
- Seen Dec 20, 2013
*bows* This is actually my fifth English fanfic and my 1827492018th in general (no kidding, I'm just bad at Math).
Love's best friend is Hate
Disclaimer: Seriously, if I owned Pokemon, would I sit in front of my Notebook writing fanfictions?!?
Genre: x-chaptered fic (means I don't know how many, I think 3-5)
Summary: After a bitter disappointment at the Gym Leader's Conference, Sabrina and her new, involuntary 'rival' William are the only ones left to save the gym leaders. Is Indigo doomed or will they learn to work together instead of bickering 24/7?
Rating: PG-13 for minor swearing, minor adult themes, a few droplets of blood might fall, too
Pairings: Psychicshipping (Will x Sabrina), Blackthornshipping (Lance x Clair)
A/N: Yeah, this is a translation of my original fic, which was written in 2003/2004. I re-wrote most of the parts, as the old plot was, *ehem*, crappy, too. ^^;;;
About my time line: Pokemon Anime started in 1997, Gold/Silver came out in 1999, so this fic *theoretically* takes place in 1999. Of course, this doesn't really work out with Ash's Sinnoh Journey, but heh, the anime's timeline is messed up. >>
1. Chapter: Meetings&Misbehaviours
A mixture of snow and rain was slowly falling against the windows of the train and flowing downwards in a bizarre pattern of miniature rivers. In the middle of the railway route between Saffron City and what could be called the City of Indigo Mountains, headquarters of the Pokemon League, the climate was changing abruptly. From the cold, but fluid water droplets of Pewter's late March to the frozen crystals of the mountains. The Magnet Train was stomping through them like some huge Donphan forcing its way through the undergrowth. For most people, this trip consisted of nothing of interest, maybe leafing through the clichéd romance novel just purchased at train station's book store to kill their boredom, or staring out of the watered window to gaze mindlessly at the rushing, rapidly shifting landscape. It wasn't a time to think of the future, even though train stations always had been a symbol of arrival and departure, which had a significant influence on people's lives.
But as common as most trains' passengers were, one of them was certainly an exception. Sabrina Bennett was on a trip that fit into the metaphor of changing, even though she didn't know it yet. To her, it was a business trip- as business as one could get. Even though the Magnet Train had been yet another, big addition to Saffron's ever growing importance to the Pokemon World, and she was happy for the common citizens to have such a fast and modern way to travel, she didn't use it herself regularly. Teleporting was just faster, and a good way of keeping her daily routine of training- a routine not affected even by her 'healing'.
But as Indigo Plateau was just too far away to teleport to and Gym Leader Conferences weren't happening all too often, she could afford this little slip into ordinariness.
She closed her eyes as yet another kindergarten group was bustling into the wagon, their babbles loud enough to block out the rain's rattle. With patience trained by her own classes, she shut out the noise and concentrated on the e-mail sent to her by Lance with an unwanted feeling of joy. Gym Leader Conferences weren't called for fun, publicity or paparazzi's joy; even though malicious tongues claimed the opposite, there had to be a reason behind. A good reason, for it wasn't easy and cheap to coordinate sixteen gym leaders' lives and safety. But Sabrina felt, and knew that the expenditure wasn't for nothing. This time, Lance would introduce them to the new Elites.
A small smile crept onto her face, one that used to never smile, then scare. She was sure to be one of them.
Grey snow was splashing against the window of the bureaus of the League's headquarters, slowly blurring the truly beautiful view one had over the mountains, bathing everything in its unity.
Lance Gray was staring outside, but at the same time, wasn't. He didn't seem to be on alert, his gaze tired and endless, his eyes receiving nothing but dreariness. He felt like it.
"Have I made the right decision?" He asked no one in particular, even though his new secretary and his girlfriend were present.
Clair answered for him. "You have, dear, you have. The public wouldn't have liked to see her as one of them. The Elites represent Kanto and Johto, our nations. Just imagine the scandal if a known schizophrenic enters!"
Lance didn't react, just kept on glazing outside. "She won't take this lightly."
"Final stop: Indigo City. Dear passengers of Indigo Train Company, we thank you for travelling with the Magnet Train and request you to..."
Sabrina grabbed her bag, not bothering with trying to get squeezed out of the overfilled wagon. Instead, she concentrated on the image of the League's headquarter, the grey building filled with so much power and coldness, and yet, stylish and modern. It was Lance's way of showing the world that they were more than just a bunch of trainers, intellectuals, business men, politicians. They ruled Indigo.
She grinned as a light tingle overtook her skin, the world around her changing into a spiral of colours fading into white. Every student of her described teleportation differently; some even felt pain when teleporting, yet she never did. Maybe it was for the experience she already had.
The world faded into view again, the colours re-arranging as if they'd been programmed to. No one was within the premises, with the great gates and fences keeping unauthorized persons out, being protected by security men and their Growlithe. Even outside, no spectators could be seen, as people crawled to their firesides during this cold weather. She was rather happy for that, as she didn't like her privacy being invaded, being photographed. She started to regret destroying the films afterwards.
Indigo City had too many hotels to count. It was a tourism magnet, the mountains used for winter sport activities, the city itself for persecuting the Elite Four. Sabrina laughed inwardly. The *Five* of them weren't even spending the whole year here, as they had so much better destinations than this cold, underdeveloped, hostile mountain range. Nothing, compared to the busy bustle of Saffron or Celadon. She would most likely come back from time to time, too, as a girl her age, born and raised in a big city, was not used to this utter boringness.
The hotel Lance had chosen for them was at the south edge of town, at least a five minute walk away from the headquarters. Thank God he had called taxis, for teleporting around a few times a day was exhausting and the other gym leaders were probably not willing to walk every time.
Surrounded by mighty firs, the branches carrying huge amounts of snow, everything felt...tranquil. Peaceful. Shuddering unconsciously in the wet snow, she pulled the black coat closer to her and quickly marched over to the glass doors. Tracks of humanity could still be seen, as the other gym leaders and staff had imprinted their footprints into the newly fallen snow earlier in the day. Yet she wasn't late. The meeting was announced to start tomorrow afternoon; the gym leaders present here just wanted to enjoy the company of themselves, as friendships had been built between them over the years. Sabrina sighed as she walked through the lobby, the floor covered by white tiles, shining like Donphan's tusks. Apparently that had been a thing she had been late for; after her healing, no one trusted her enough to dare befriend her. Of course, after a while, the fear had ebbed down a bit, but not enough to make her get up hours earlier in order to make it to the welcoming party in time. Lonely? Yes, maybe she was lonely. But she didn't feel lonely, so the facts couldn't bother her less.
Walking up to the likewise white reception desk, she shushed these thoughts out of her mind. What did it matter if she was lonely or not, when she was about to be introduced to the highest council of Indigo, the true political power, a position she had always dreamed of? She didn't mind that she would have to leave her family, her gym, her students behind for a long time, for this kind of power was just too much to deny it. Power was addicting, especially for someone who already had much power in her hand, physical and psychical.
"The hotel keys, please." Lance was always keen on keeping his herd of Mareep together, a measure both born out of safety reasons and control addiction, so it was him who chose the hotel, the floor, even the rooms. That didn't mean that they were about to spend the night in rooms resembling tons or huts, no. The League's champion had enough money to buy the whole hotel if necessary, and seen realistically, that's what he did. Sealing them off in a golden cage for the time being.
The blond, curly haired girl at the reception- certainly bleary-eyed and filled up with caffeine, trying her to keep her head from bumping onto the desk, slowly pulled out a small cardboard box, grabbed a random plastic bag with a key inside and pushed it over. She didn't ask for the application form, or even the name, but gym leaders were popular and Sabrina didn't mind getting over with this quickly. Neither her or the girl were in the mood for arguing over various forms and signatures and she knew she wouldn't refrain from using her powers if irritated too much. The girl had most likely fought with the other gym leaders previously and didn't deserve a pounding headache- if she wasn't suffering from one already.
Taking a deep breath of air, fresher than it would ever be in Saffron, Sabrina went to the hotel's lift, hoping to find the same serene atmosphere that had been outside in her hotel room. How wrong she was.
"Whoa!" Will ducked as yet another cushion flew his way. "Karen! Please, believe me, I didn't steal any of your...eek.... hair spray!" The woman gasped, jumped over the sofa armrest and hit him yet again. "Oh yeah? Then tell me why the bottle's empty when I just bought it a week ago!" "Umm, maybe you're using it too much?" He knew before that it was a mistake to suggest this, but there was no other strategy of defending himself.
Diving out of the way, Will cursed Lance for locking him up with his new 'partner'. All he did was make it out of the employment battle alive at the same time as her, by chance. That was enough to make him deserve this punishment? Silently, he prayed that he would survive this week and never have to stay with her in one room again. Psychic and Dark did just not mix.
Sabrina already knew that something was wrong when she arrived on the 4th floor and there was screaming. All the other floors had been as silent as death, covered by snow outside; but not this one. She growled, wondering what young spirits were making this noise and praying that they would stop soon enough to escape her punishment.
Her mood didn't get any better when she found out that her room was dangerously close to the one where the sound came from. She growled, but she was yet too polite to go inside and silence whoever was inside. She would just wait...but not forever. She was respectful, but not deaf. And just like everyone else, she deserved her peace. Maybe even more than others. A psychic's mind was fragile, the stronger the frailer; and before the conference, she needed all the focus she could manage to raise. Unfortunately, the noise didn't help at all. She snorted and took out the key. Whatever was wrong with these people, it would soon stop- be stopped by her. She wouldn't allow anyone to disturb her presence.
A quiet click and the wooden door opened to lead her into the pleasantly big room, just like she had expected it from Lance. He was a show-off- a special kind of show-off that liked to impress his own peers, his gym leaders instead of paparazzi and reporters that would only tear apart every single pokedollar he had spent on already rich trainers instead of the poor. But she wasn't one to let herself be influenced. She didn't enjoy this opulence; psychics shouldn't cling too much to worldly possessions. It was a reason for her to despise luxury, though she didn't in reality. Her own family was too wealthy for her to ignore it.
Sabrina dropped her bag on the carpet and the keys on the small round tablet next to the bed. The room was well kept and tidy, just like she had expected it from this price range. The hotel manager- being given hell by Lance for sure- had instructed his subordinates to be even more accurate than usual. It wasn't hard to see that the cleaning men had overdone themselves; everything looked artificially pure, the wood smelling of polish spray mixed with the window cleaner. The tiles reflected the light of the gilded bathroom lamps, almost mirroring her pale face. The bathtub- of course the biggest model one could find- had several whirlpool nozzles pre-installed. Sabrina sighed and walked out of the bathroom again, plunging onto the bed, closing her eyes. Only the best for the most well-known elemental trainers of the continent. Who asked if they even needed it? Who asked if they were worth the money? She didn't care. For them, all that mattered was going uphill, going to the top. From junior trainer to gym trainer to gym leader. To Elite Trainer. She allowed a small smile to triumph over her stoic expression. It was time for her next step.
Suddenly, unexpected, the noise next to her room started again. The words were muffled through the walls, but it was still annoying, like the buzz of an ever present insect. It could be seen as a small speck in this oasis of serenity, a small disturbance compared to the amenities here. Until, equally suddenly, the door was flung open and through her own ajar door, Sabrina could see a pale, tall woman, her wavy, flax-coloured hair settling down on her back. She looked angry, and her eyes, just as pale as her hair, flared with an intense fume.
"I don't care what the hell Lance said, Will. Never again will I share a room with you." Sabrina cocked an eyebrow. So apparently, this woman had something to do with Lance. Could it be...? No, Sabrina didn't really want to think about it, even though the possibility wasn't deniable.
There was an answer from out of the room, for sure, but it was too soft to recognise or understand the words. Either way, it only seemed to irritate the woman even more. Instead of barking at her previous prey, though, she took notice of Sabrina's existence, snorting as gentle as a prosperous woman could without endangering her status. "What're staring at, *****?" Sabrina, if at all, reacted only slowly and faintly. "Nothing." Karen growled. "You've been eavesdropping on us, haven't you? God help you if you lie to me, because I won't avoid punishment. I'm no sensitive, moralistic girlie." "That's one thing I see." Sabrina wasn't overly afraid, for the fighting trainers next to her gym had spelled out worse threats that hadn't affected her at all yet. "And no, I wasn't eavesdropping at all. It's hard to miss your quarrel if one's not deaf. What happened?" "As if I'm one to tell you, weirdo." Karen exhaled deeply. "Don't dare to do that again, unless you want my Umbreon to kick your ass." Sabrina looked up, interested now. "Umbreon? You're a dark trainer?" For a moment, Karen fought with herself, for she wasn't sure if she should continue this conservation or not, but finally, she answered reluctantly. "Yes, I am. And damn proud of it!" Sabrina closed her eyes. "I don't trust in prejudices and yet, you seem to fit in quite well into the chart of a typical dark trainer which says only people with no morals and sinister souls could take control of equally dark pokemon." She opened her eyes again. "Aren't you ashamed of bringing such disgrace over the guild of dark trainers?" "I am the leader of the dark trainers! And they're proud to have me as their head." A few moments passed by in total silence. Sabrina waited.
"You're a psychic trainer, aren't you?" "Yes." She wouldn't be so foolish to deny it; her arrogance didn't allow it anyway. Sabrina and this new woman weren't as different as they thought they were, as false pride was one of humanity's most common flaws. Karen snorted. "Hmpf. You psychics are all the same. Weirdos with an outsized ego. Mistake of Lance to allow one of you into the elites' position, regardless of your power." The young trainer walked out of Sabrina's view. Unbeknown to her, she had only fuelled the psychic's hopes.
The next day started brightly, the rain-snow having finally subsided, as the clouds passed by to allow the sun to shine on the glazing, new snow that decorated everything. Sabrina woke to the sound of the janitor's cursing and the scraping of his snow shovel on the ground. She was almost blinded by the bright light, reflected both by the white walls of her hotel room and the snow on the yard outside. She decided that this day would turn out good, had to turn out good, starting like this. Even though she first had to deal with the annoying pack of other gym leaders, hanging out in the hotel's dinner room, enjoying breakfast. The hotel was all-inclusive; it would be a waste not to use all the offers, especially if it was unlikely to get a better breakfast in town.
She didn't bother with dressing formal, knowing her colleagues; they were probably still wearing their night wardrobes. Heading towards the stairs, she glanced at the door next to her room. It was quiet, almost too quiet. Faintly, she wondered where the woman had gone to, but dismissed these thoughts quickly. Not her concern.
Will sighed; slowly running this hand through his slightly messed up violet hair. He didn't know why Lance had insisted on keeping them away from the gym leaders, as it seemed silly; after all they were going to meet today either way. It was a dreaded thing to be alone with Karen again, eating breakfast in total silence, while downstairs; he could hear the chatter of the other hotel guests. He really wanted to get to know them, but no, he was kept and outcast. And Karen even seemed to enjoy it.
Sabrina did not known what was worse. The noisiness or the complete senselessness of the conversations around her. Or, third option, that there was no table left. She would have to share her meal with some of the others. Closing her eyes, she weighed the alternatives. Skipping breakfast was not one. Aside from the others accusing her of not eating enough, the opportunity was just too good to miss. She would just have to choose the table with the people accepting her, or at least those who were less bothersome.
Finally, she walked up to the table of her fellow Kanto leaders Forest, Misty and Erica. They were chatting and laughing, only noticing her when she already moved the last remaining chair aside. Sitting down without asking, she looked around the group. They had fallen silent, gulping and staring at her. "Good gracious, I know I'm not best company, but don't act as if I'm a witch or something." She had actually been called a witch too many times to like the term anymore, but now and then, she even used the word to describe herself, too.
"Okay, whatever you say." Misty slowly started, chatting being a bit more difficult when knowing that a mind-reader was sitting next to you.
"So, what did you say is Ash doing right now? Sinnoh's league?" Erica continued, glancing sideways. Misty nodded. "Yeah, he's giving it a try and from what he wrote, he's doing pretty good. Even got a new rival. Must be a real jerk, that Paul." "Do you miss him?" asked Forest, his small eyes focussed on the butter. "Hm? Yeah, I think I do. Ash might be dumb, but he's cute." Sabrina rolled her eyes. Dumb was the right word: the kid was lucky Haunter had 'sacrificed' itself for him; otherwise, he might have been another doll in her collection.
"So he's your boyfriend?" Erica teased Misty, causing her to blush a bright pink. "Wha-what? Boyfriend? What're talking about? No, of course not!" "Oh, come on! One can see that you like him, eh?" Misty started to growl. "I said he's cute, so what? Many boys are cute, Forest here is also cute!" Forest suddenly started to choke on his cornflakes, his skin flashing red and blue at the same time. "Yeah, but he's not the 'cute' kind Ash is, eh?" Erica answered back, hitting Forest's back to help him breathe. "Of course not! Ash is the mature kind of cute! Forest is childish cute!" "I am not childish!" Forest spit out. "Ah, so you think Ash is mature?" "No, I think..." "You're radiating with compassion for him. You're embarrassed by this topic because you recognize your feelings for him, yet you're too timid to proclaim them out loud."
Misty froze, staring into space. Forest blinked and Erica tilted her head, not really knowing what was going on. "Um, Sabrina?" She shrugged. "It's way too easy to read it in your aura, and, of course, actions. I don't even need to read your mind."
"You...!" Misty's face was now even redder than her hair and she was fuming at the psychic gym leader. "You're one to tell! With all your powers and mind tricks, how should you know anything, anything about love?! You didn't even have a boyfriend yet, am I right?!" Sabrina gulped silently, lowering her head. She shouldn't have interfered. "Yes..." She answered finally, glancing into another direction. "Not as if it matters anyway."
Hours normally seem to pass by much slowed if you're ardently longing for something. For Sabrina, this didn't seem to apply. The conversation with Misty, Erica and Forest only seemed to be minutes away when she was already getting dressed for the meeting. Searching for her best suit, she felt her hands trembling slightly. She was, in fact, nervous. She knew how the others thought about her, so what would happen when they found out she was going to be an Elite? Would she make a fool out of herself? Would Lance make a fool out of her? The possibilities were there and she tried to think of them all. Only did she forget one.
It wasn't her who would be celebrated today.
A slight coughing went through the conference room. Waves of tenseness crashed against her mind. She tried to keep them out as good as possible, but even she felt her hands become wet with sweat. The reporters outside the building, having now finally arrived in masses, were ripping the microphones and cameras out of each other's hands to catch the newest rumours. It seemed the whole world wanted to know who the new celebrities were, and the world was paying a lot to see their faces first. Lance had done well to keep them away for the long; after all, he was the one who pocketed the securities for the photos. One way to pay for the hotel.
Then, he finally arrived. His long, black cape, theatrically wiping in the non-existing wind of the hall was shining in the artificial light of the neon valves.
He strode through the lines of saluting gym leaders as if he was a war leader, piloting them into battle. The metaphor wasn't farfetched, as Kanto had been in wars before, and previously, the gym leaders had fought in these.
So if Lance was the theoretical leader, the Elites were the generals.
He smiled when he arrived at the head of the table, the only place suitable for him. His girlfriend Clair smiled generously at him, daring to cross his eyes in this moment of glorifying. "I won't waste any time with useless speeches, as I know what all of you", And probably a flock of reporters and two thirds of Indigo's population, "are waiting for. You all want to see the three new Elite Four Members, after Loreley's and Agatha's retirement." He didn't need to mention that the third space offered was left by him, as he had been 'promoted' to champion. For a second, Lance glanced around, his eyes resting on the seat were Koga was sitting, legs and arms crossed, not caring in the last. It was a facade; the gym leader knew what was facing him now.
"First, I'm pleased to announce that one of the gym leaders volunteered to take up one spot." Sabrina could feel her heart almost stop beating. "From now on, Koga Kiyo will take up the spot as the second Elite Four, coming before Bruno. His daughter Janine will take up the gym leadership." Lance closed his eyes, gulping. He didn't want to look into the eyes of the gym leaders, of a certain gym leader, now, because he knew he had already hurt her. And it would only continue to get worse.
"Secondly, we, the council of trainers, have chosen two new, aspiring, young elemental trainers out of the winners of the last years tournaments." She was going to rip his head off, he just knew it. Or rape his mind. Something around these things.
The doors were opened by a pale, ring less hand. "Let me introduce you to Karen Schwartz, twenty-six-years old, from Mahogany City, tournament winner of 1995 and dark trainer." Karen slowly heeled into the room, her Umbreon hissing quietly, cold eyes glaring at everyone that dared to question her almost transparent, shining black dress that only hugged her hips just as much so it was legal. Forest was suddenly very happy his brother was with Ash in Sinnoh.
"She will take the fourth spot. And now to the first Elite Four." A shy cough, polite, but still nice announced the arrival of the second person. A young man, one arm behind his back, the other in a pocket of his pitch black suit, leaned against the door frame, smiling nervously. Several gasps could be heard, only one of them shocked, the others amazed. "William Bender, twenty-four year old from Teak City, last year's tournament winner and psychic trainer." After only a short moment of silence, a chair was thrown back, the breaking noise startling everyone. It was Sabrina.
Lance took a deep breath, preparing for the apocalypse.
"How dare you..." She hissed, even bitterer than Karen's Umbreon before. "How dare you...a gym leader AND a psychic trainer...you wanted to shame, to disgrace me, didn't you, Lance?" Lance closed his eyes. "I know that you were sure to be promoted, Sabrina, but I'm sorry, it wouldn't have been a good choice, though you might disagree. The public wanted someone with more honour." She kept staring at him, then at the puzzled Will, who did not understand in the least what was going on. "Honour..." She spit, then walked through the room without looking back, shoving Will aside and down the stairs.
Lance glanced at Clair, who shrugged. "She'll get over it."
Will blinked. "Ehm, anyone who could tell me what was wrong with her?"
End 1. Chapter
Authoress: *bows again and disappears*
Love's best friend is Hate
Disclaimer: Seriously, if I owned Pokemon, would I sit in front of my Notebook writing fanfictions?!?
Genre: x-chaptered fic (means I don't know how many, I think 3-5)
Summary: After a bitter disappointment at the Gym Leader's Conference, Sabrina and her new, involuntary 'rival' William are the only ones left to save the gym leaders. Is Indigo doomed or will they learn to work together instead of bickering 24/7?
Rating: PG-13 for minor swearing, minor adult themes, a few droplets of blood might fall, too
Pairings: Psychicshipping (Will x Sabrina), Blackthornshipping (Lance x Clair)
A/N: Yeah, this is a translation of my original fic, which was written in 2003/2004. I re-wrote most of the parts, as the old plot was, *ehem*, crappy, too. ^^;;;
About my time line: Pokemon Anime started in 1997, Gold/Silver came out in 1999, so this fic *theoretically* takes place in 1999. Of course, this doesn't really work out with Ash's Sinnoh Journey, but heh, the anime's timeline is messed up. >>
1. Chapter: Meetings&Misbehaviours
A mixture of snow and rain was slowly falling against the windows of the train and flowing downwards in a bizarre pattern of miniature rivers. In the middle of the railway route between Saffron City and what could be called the City of Indigo Mountains, headquarters of the Pokemon League, the climate was changing abruptly. From the cold, but fluid water droplets of Pewter's late March to the frozen crystals of the mountains. The Magnet Train was stomping through them like some huge Donphan forcing its way through the undergrowth. For most people, this trip consisted of nothing of interest, maybe leafing through the clichéd romance novel just purchased at train station's book store to kill their boredom, or staring out of the watered window to gaze mindlessly at the rushing, rapidly shifting landscape. It wasn't a time to think of the future, even though train stations always had been a symbol of arrival and departure, which had a significant influence on people's lives.
But as common as most trains' passengers were, one of them was certainly an exception. Sabrina Bennett was on a trip that fit into the metaphor of changing, even though she didn't know it yet. To her, it was a business trip- as business as one could get. Even though the Magnet Train had been yet another, big addition to Saffron's ever growing importance to the Pokemon World, and she was happy for the common citizens to have such a fast and modern way to travel, she didn't use it herself regularly. Teleporting was just faster, and a good way of keeping her daily routine of training- a routine not affected even by her 'healing'.
But as Indigo Plateau was just too far away to teleport to and Gym Leader Conferences weren't happening all too often, she could afford this little slip into ordinariness.
She closed her eyes as yet another kindergarten group was bustling into the wagon, their babbles loud enough to block out the rain's rattle. With patience trained by her own classes, she shut out the noise and concentrated on the e-mail sent to her by Lance with an unwanted feeling of joy. Gym Leader Conferences weren't called for fun, publicity or paparazzi's joy; even though malicious tongues claimed the opposite, there had to be a reason behind. A good reason, for it wasn't easy and cheap to coordinate sixteen gym leaders' lives and safety. But Sabrina felt, and knew that the expenditure wasn't for nothing. This time, Lance would introduce them to the new Elites.
A small smile crept onto her face, one that used to never smile, then scare. She was sure to be one of them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grey snow was splashing against the window of the bureaus of the League's headquarters, slowly blurring the truly beautiful view one had over the mountains, bathing everything in its unity.
Lance Gray was staring outside, but at the same time, wasn't. He didn't seem to be on alert, his gaze tired and endless, his eyes receiving nothing but dreariness. He felt like it.
"Have I made the right decision?" He asked no one in particular, even though his new secretary and his girlfriend were present.
Clair answered for him. "You have, dear, you have. The public wouldn't have liked to see her as one of them. The Elites represent Kanto and Johto, our nations. Just imagine the scandal if a known schizophrenic enters!"
Lance didn't react, just kept on glazing outside. "She won't take this lightly."
~~~~~~~~~
"Final stop: Indigo City. Dear passengers of Indigo Train Company, we thank you for travelling with the Magnet Train and request you to..."
Sabrina grabbed her bag, not bothering with trying to get squeezed out of the overfilled wagon. Instead, she concentrated on the image of the League's headquarter, the grey building filled with so much power and coldness, and yet, stylish and modern. It was Lance's way of showing the world that they were more than just a bunch of trainers, intellectuals, business men, politicians. They ruled Indigo.
She grinned as a light tingle overtook her skin, the world around her changing into a spiral of colours fading into white. Every student of her described teleportation differently; some even felt pain when teleporting, yet she never did. Maybe it was for the experience she already had.
The world faded into view again, the colours re-arranging as if they'd been programmed to. No one was within the premises, with the great gates and fences keeping unauthorized persons out, being protected by security men and their Growlithe. Even outside, no spectators could be seen, as people crawled to their firesides during this cold weather. She was rather happy for that, as she didn't like her privacy being invaded, being photographed. She started to regret destroying the films afterwards.
Indigo City had too many hotels to count. It was a tourism magnet, the mountains used for winter sport activities, the city itself for persecuting the Elite Four. Sabrina laughed inwardly. The *Five* of them weren't even spending the whole year here, as they had so much better destinations than this cold, underdeveloped, hostile mountain range. Nothing, compared to the busy bustle of Saffron or Celadon. She would most likely come back from time to time, too, as a girl her age, born and raised in a big city, was not used to this utter boringness.
The hotel Lance had chosen for them was at the south edge of town, at least a five minute walk away from the headquarters. Thank God he had called taxis, for teleporting around a few times a day was exhausting and the other gym leaders were probably not willing to walk every time.
Surrounded by mighty firs, the branches carrying huge amounts of snow, everything felt...tranquil. Peaceful. Shuddering unconsciously in the wet snow, she pulled the black coat closer to her and quickly marched over to the glass doors. Tracks of humanity could still be seen, as the other gym leaders and staff had imprinted their footprints into the newly fallen snow earlier in the day. Yet she wasn't late. The meeting was announced to start tomorrow afternoon; the gym leaders present here just wanted to enjoy the company of themselves, as friendships had been built between them over the years. Sabrina sighed as she walked through the lobby, the floor covered by white tiles, shining like Donphan's tusks. Apparently that had been a thing she had been late for; after her healing, no one trusted her enough to dare befriend her. Of course, after a while, the fear had ebbed down a bit, but not enough to make her get up hours earlier in order to make it to the welcoming party in time. Lonely? Yes, maybe she was lonely. But she didn't feel lonely, so the facts couldn't bother her less.
Walking up to the likewise white reception desk, she shushed these thoughts out of her mind. What did it matter if she was lonely or not, when she was about to be introduced to the highest council of Indigo, the true political power, a position she had always dreamed of? She didn't mind that she would have to leave her family, her gym, her students behind for a long time, for this kind of power was just too much to deny it. Power was addicting, especially for someone who already had much power in her hand, physical and psychical.
"The hotel keys, please." Lance was always keen on keeping his herd of Mareep together, a measure both born out of safety reasons and control addiction, so it was him who chose the hotel, the floor, even the rooms. That didn't mean that they were about to spend the night in rooms resembling tons or huts, no. The League's champion had enough money to buy the whole hotel if necessary, and seen realistically, that's what he did. Sealing them off in a golden cage for the time being.
The blond, curly haired girl at the reception- certainly bleary-eyed and filled up with caffeine, trying her to keep her head from bumping onto the desk, slowly pulled out a small cardboard box, grabbed a random plastic bag with a key inside and pushed it over. She didn't ask for the application form, or even the name, but gym leaders were popular and Sabrina didn't mind getting over with this quickly. Neither her or the girl were in the mood for arguing over various forms and signatures and she knew she wouldn't refrain from using her powers if irritated too much. The girl had most likely fought with the other gym leaders previously and didn't deserve a pounding headache- if she wasn't suffering from one already.
Taking a deep breath of air, fresher than it would ever be in Saffron, Sabrina went to the hotel's lift, hoping to find the same serene atmosphere that had been outside in her hotel room. How wrong she was.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Whoa!" Will ducked as yet another cushion flew his way. "Karen! Please, believe me, I didn't steal any of your...eek.... hair spray!" The woman gasped, jumped over the sofa armrest and hit him yet again. "Oh yeah? Then tell me why the bottle's empty when I just bought it a week ago!" "Umm, maybe you're using it too much?" He knew before that it was a mistake to suggest this, but there was no other strategy of defending himself.
Diving out of the way, Will cursed Lance for locking him up with his new 'partner'. All he did was make it out of the employment battle alive at the same time as her, by chance. That was enough to make him deserve this punishment? Silently, he prayed that he would survive this week and never have to stay with her in one room again. Psychic and Dark did just not mix.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sabrina already knew that something was wrong when she arrived on the 4th floor and there was screaming. All the other floors had been as silent as death, covered by snow outside; but not this one. She growled, wondering what young spirits were making this noise and praying that they would stop soon enough to escape her punishment.
Her mood didn't get any better when she found out that her room was dangerously close to the one where the sound came from. She growled, but she was yet too polite to go inside and silence whoever was inside. She would just wait...but not forever. She was respectful, but not deaf. And just like everyone else, she deserved her peace. Maybe even more than others. A psychic's mind was fragile, the stronger the frailer; and before the conference, she needed all the focus she could manage to raise. Unfortunately, the noise didn't help at all. She snorted and took out the key. Whatever was wrong with these people, it would soon stop- be stopped by her. She wouldn't allow anyone to disturb her presence.
A quiet click and the wooden door opened to lead her into the pleasantly big room, just like she had expected it from Lance. He was a show-off- a special kind of show-off that liked to impress his own peers, his gym leaders instead of paparazzi and reporters that would only tear apart every single pokedollar he had spent on already rich trainers instead of the poor. But she wasn't one to let herself be influenced. She didn't enjoy this opulence; psychics shouldn't cling too much to worldly possessions. It was a reason for her to despise luxury, though she didn't in reality. Her own family was too wealthy for her to ignore it.
Sabrina dropped her bag on the carpet and the keys on the small round tablet next to the bed. The room was well kept and tidy, just like she had expected it from this price range. The hotel manager- being given hell by Lance for sure- had instructed his subordinates to be even more accurate than usual. It wasn't hard to see that the cleaning men had overdone themselves; everything looked artificially pure, the wood smelling of polish spray mixed with the window cleaner. The tiles reflected the light of the gilded bathroom lamps, almost mirroring her pale face. The bathtub- of course the biggest model one could find- had several whirlpool nozzles pre-installed. Sabrina sighed and walked out of the bathroom again, plunging onto the bed, closing her eyes. Only the best for the most well-known elemental trainers of the continent. Who asked if they even needed it? Who asked if they were worth the money? She didn't care. For them, all that mattered was going uphill, going to the top. From junior trainer to gym trainer to gym leader. To Elite Trainer. She allowed a small smile to triumph over her stoic expression. It was time for her next step.
Suddenly, unexpected, the noise next to her room started again. The words were muffled through the walls, but it was still annoying, like the buzz of an ever present insect. It could be seen as a small speck in this oasis of serenity, a small disturbance compared to the amenities here. Until, equally suddenly, the door was flung open and through her own ajar door, Sabrina could see a pale, tall woman, her wavy, flax-coloured hair settling down on her back. She looked angry, and her eyes, just as pale as her hair, flared with an intense fume.
"I don't care what the hell Lance said, Will. Never again will I share a room with you." Sabrina cocked an eyebrow. So apparently, this woman had something to do with Lance. Could it be...? No, Sabrina didn't really want to think about it, even though the possibility wasn't deniable.
There was an answer from out of the room, for sure, but it was too soft to recognise or understand the words. Either way, it only seemed to irritate the woman even more. Instead of barking at her previous prey, though, she took notice of Sabrina's existence, snorting as gentle as a prosperous woman could without endangering her status. "What're staring at, *****?" Sabrina, if at all, reacted only slowly and faintly. "Nothing." Karen growled. "You've been eavesdropping on us, haven't you? God help you if you lie to me, because I won't avoid punishment. I'm no sensitive, moralistic girlie." "That's one thing I see." Sabrina wasn't overly afraid, for the fighting trainers next to her gym had spelled out worse threats that hadn't affected her at all yet. "And no, I wasn't eavesdropping at all. It's hard to miss your quarrel if one's not deaf. What happened?" "As if I'm one to tell you, weirdo." Karen exhaled deeply. "Don't dare to do that again, unless you want my Umbreon to kick your ass." Sabrina looked up, interested now. "Umbreon? You're a dark trainer?" For a moment, Karen fought with herself, for she wasn't sure if she should continue this conservation or not, but finally, she answered reluctantly. "Yes, I am. And damn proud of it!" Sabrina closed her eyes. "I don't trust in prejudices and yet, you seem to fit in quite well into the chart of a typical dark trainer which says only people with no morals and sinister souls could take control of equally dark pokemon." She opened her eyes again. "Aren't you ashamed of bringing such disgrace over the guild of dark trainers?" "I am the leader of the dark trainers! And they're proud to have me as their head." A few moments passed by in total silence. Sabrina waited.
"You're a psychic trainer, aren't you?" "Yes." She wouldn't be so foolish to deny it; her arrogance didn't allow it anyway. Sabrina and this new woman weren't as different as they thought they were, as false pride was one of humanity's most common flaws. Karen snorted. "Hmpf. You psychics are all the same. Weirdos with an outsized ego. Mistake of Lance to allow one of you into the elites' position, regardless of your power." The young trainer walked out of Sabrina's view. Unbeknown to her, she had only fuelled the psychic's hopes.
~~~~~~~~~
The next day started brightly, the rain-snow having finally subsided, as the clouds passed by to allow the sun to shine on the glazing, new snow that decorated everything. Sabrina woke to the sound of the janitor's cursing and the scraping of his snow shovel on the ground. She was almost blinded by the bright light, reflected both by the white walls of her hotel room and the snow on the yard outside. She decided that this day would turn out good, had to turn out good, starting like this. Even though she first had to deal with the annoying pack of other gym leaders, hanging out in the hotel's dinner room, enjoying breakfast. The hotel was all-inclusive; it would be a waste not to use all the offers, especially if it was unlikely to get a better breakfast in town.
She didn't bother with dressing formal, knowing her colleagues; they were probably still wearing their night wardrobes. Heading towards the stairs, she glanced at the door next to her room. It was quiet, almost too quiet. Faintly, she wondered where the woman had gone to, but dismissed these thoughts quickly. Not her concern.
~~~~~~~~
Will sighed; slowly running this hand through his slightly messed up violet hair. He didn't know why Lance had insisted on keeping them away from the gym leaders, as it seemed silly; after all they were going to meet today either way. It was a dreaded thing to be alone with Karen again, eating breakfast in total silence, while downstairs; he could hear the chatter of the other hotel guests. He really wanted to get to know them, but no, he was kept and outcast. And Karen even seemed to enjoy it.
~~~~~~~~
Sabrina did not known what was worse. The noisiness or the complete senselessness of the conversations around her. Or, third option, that there was no table left. She would have to share her meal with some of the others. Closing her eyes, she weighed the alternatives. Skipping breakfast was not one. Aside from the others accusing her of not eating enough, the opportunity was just too good to miss. She would just have to choose the table with the people accepting her, or at least those who were less bothersome.
Finally, she walked up to the table of her fellow Kanto leaders Forest, Misty and Erica. They were chatting and laughing, only noticing her when she already moved the last remaining chair aside. Sitting down without asking, she looked around the group. They had fallen silent, gulping and staring at her. "Good gracious, I know I'm not best company, but don't act as if I'm a witch or something." She had actually been called a witch too many times to like the term anymore, but now and then, she even used the word to describe herself, too.
"Okay, whatever you say." Misty slowly started, chatting being a bit more difficult when knowing that a mind-reader was sitting next to you.
"So, what did you say is Ash doing right now? Sinnoh's league?" Erica continued, glancing sideways. Misty nodded. "Yeah, he's giving it a try and from what he wrote, he's doing pretty good. Even got a new rival. Must be a real jerk, that Paul." "Do you miss him?" asked Forest, his small eyes focussed on the butter. "Hm? Yeah, I think I do. Ash might be dumb, but he's cute." Sabrina rolled her eyes. Dumb was the right word: the kid was lucky Haunter had 'sacrificed' itself for him; otherwise, he might have been another doll in her collection.
"So he's your boyfriend?" Erica teased Misty, causing her to blush a bright pink. "Wha-what? Boyfriend? What're talking about? No, of course not!" "Oh, come on! One can see that you like him, eh?" Misty started to growl. "I said he's cute, so what? Many boys are cute, Forest here is also cute!" Forest suddenly started to choke on his cornflakes, his skin flashing red and blue at the same time. "Yeah, but he's not the 'cute' kind Ash is, eh?" Erica answered back, hitting Forest's back to help him breathe. "Of course not! Ash is the mature kind of cute! Forest is childish cute!" "I am not childish!" Forest spit out. "Ah, so you think Ash is mature?" "No, I think..." "You're radiating with compassion for him. You're embarrassed by this topic because you recognize your feelings for him, yet you're too timid to proclaim them out loud."
Misty froze, staring into space. Forest blinked and Erica tilted her head, not really knowing what was going on. "Um, Sabrina?" She shrugged. "It's way too easy to read it in your aura, and, of course, actions. I don't even need to read your mind."
"You...!" Misty's face was now even redder than her hair and she was fuming at the psychic gym leader. "You're one to tell! With all your powers and mind tricks, how should you know anything, anything about love?! You didn't even have a boyfriend yet, am I right?!" Sabrina gulped silently, lowering her head. She shouldn't have interfered. "Yes..." She answered finally, glancing into another direction. "Not as if it matters anyway."
~~~~~~~
Hours normally seem to pass by much slowed if you're ardently longing for something. For Sabrina, this didn't seem to apply. The conversation with Misty, Erica and Forest only seemed to be minutes away when she was already getting dressed for the meeting. Searching for her best suit, she felt her hands trembling slightly. She was, in fact, nervous. She knew how the others thought about her, so what would happen when they found out she was going to be an Elite? Would she make a fool out of herself? Would Lance make a fool out of her? The possibilities were there and she tried to think of them all. Only did she forget one.
It wasn't her who would be celebrated today.
~~~~~~~
A slight coughing went through the conference room. Waves of tenseness crashed against her mind. She tried to keep them out as good as possible, but even she felt her hands become wet with sweat. The reporters outside the building, having now finally arrived in masses, were ripping the microphones and cameras out of each other's hands to catch the newest rumours. It seemed the whole world wanted to know who the new celebrities were, and the world was paying a lot to see their faces first. Lance had done well to keep them away for the long; after all, he was the one who pocketed the securities for the photos. One way to pay for the hotel.
Then, he finally arrived. His long, black cape, theatrically wiping in the non-existing wind of the hall was shining in the artificial light of the neon valves.
He strode through the lines of saluting gym leaders as if he was a war leader, piloting them into battle. The metaphor wasn't farfetched, as Kanto had been in wars before, and previously, the gym leaders had fought in these.
So if Lance was the theoretical leader, the Elites were the generals.
He smiled when he arrived at the head of the table, the only place suitable for him. His girlfriend Clair smiled generously at him, daring to cross his eyes in this moment of glorifying. "I won't waste any time with useless speeches, as I know what all of you", And probably a flock of reporters and two thirds of Indigo's population, "are waiting for. You all want to see the three new Elite Four Members, after Loreley's and Agatha's retirement." He didn't need to mention that the third space offered was left by him, as he had been 'promoted' to champion. For a second, Lance glanced around, his eyes resting on the seat were Koga was sitting, legs and arms crossed, not caring in the last. It was a facade; the gym leader knew what was facing him now.
"First, I'm pleased to announce that one of the gym leaders volunteered to take up one spot." Sabrina could feel her heart almost stop beating. "From now on, Koga Kiyo will take up the spot as the second Elite Four, coming before Bruno. His daughter Janine will take up the gym leadership." Lance closed his eyes, gulping. He didn't want to look into the eyes of the gym leaders, of a certain gym leader, now, because he knew he had already hurt her. And it would only continue to get worse.
"Secondly, we, the council of trainers, have chosen two new, aspiring, young elemental trainers out of the winners of the last years tournaments." She was going to rip his head off, he just knew it. Or rape his mind. Something around these things.
The doors were opened by a pale, ring less hand. "Let me introduce you to Karen Schwartz, twenty-six-years old, from Mahogany City, tournament winner of 1995 and dark trainer." Karen slowly heeled into the room, her Umbreon hissing quietly, cold eyes glaring at everyone that dared to question her almost transparent, shining black dress that only hugged her hips just as much so it was legal. Forest was suddenly very happy his brother was with Ash in Sinnoh.
"She will take the fourth spot. And now to the first Elite Four." A shy cough, polite, but still nice announced the arrival of the second person. A young man, one arm behind his back, the other in a pocket of his pitch black suit, leaned against the door frame, smiling nervously. Several gasps could be heard, only one of them shocked, the others amazed. "William Bender, twenty-four year old from Teak City, last year's tournament winner and psychic trainer." After only a short moment of silence, a chair was thrown back, the breaking noise startling everyone. It was Sabrina.
Lance took a deep breath, preparing for the apocalypse.
"How dare you..." She hissed, even bitterer than Karen's Umbreon before. "How dare you...a gym leader AND a psychic trainer...you wanted to shame, to disgrace me, didn't you, Lance?" Lance closed his eyes. "I know that you were sure to be promoted, Sabrina, but I'm sorry, it wouldn't have been a good choice, though you might disagree. The public wanted someone with more honour." She kept staring at him, then at the puzzled Will, who did not understand in the least what was going on. "Honour..." She spit, then walked through the room without looking back, shoving Will aside and down the stairs.
Lance glanced at Clair, who shrugged. "She'll get over it."
Will blinked. "Ehm, anyone who could tell me what was wrong with her?"
End 1. Chapter
Authoress: *bows again and disappears*
