Pokemon: A Gym Leader's Rise(SI)

Marcus had spent years watching his daughter build walls around herself, turning into what many praised as the "perfect psychic" – controlled, emotionless, powerful. But as both a father and a veteran psychic, he saw what others missed: the cost of such perfection. Every suppressed laugh, every hidden tear, every moment of joy turned into studied indifference... they all took their toll.

He wanted his daughter to have fun and most of all smile just like she did when she had not awakened her psychic powers. Someone who can express all kinds of emotions.

When he met Gladion, he saw something rare: a psychic who embraced both power and emotion, who proved that control didn't mean suppression. The boy's power rivaled Sabrina's, yet he could joke, show annoyance, express himself freely – all while maintaining perfect psychic control. He was everything Marcus had tried to teach Sabrina: that true mastery meant balance, not sacrifice.

The moment he saw Gladion rile up his daughter, Marcus recognized a unique opportunity. Sabrina had built defenses against stern teachers, worried parents, and concerned friends – but she had no defense against someone who could match her power while cheerfully dismantling her carefully constructed walls with wit and irreverence.

'Finally,' he thought, watching their verbal sparring, 'someone who can challenge not just her power, but her perspectives. Someone who can show her that being a strong psychic doesn't mean stopping being human.'

His hope wasn't just for a friendship – it was for a catalyst. Gladion's very existence challenged everything Sabrina believed about psychic power and emotional control. Whether as a friend or a rival, he could be exactly what she needed: proof that there was another way.

And if that proof came wrapped in sarcasm and accompanied by a philosophically sadistic Umbreon... well, Marcus wasn't going to complain about the method if it got results.

Both Gladion and Sabrina took their positions. Marcus stood as referee, though his eyes sparkled with poorly concealed enthusiasm.

"This will be a two-on-two battle," Marcus announced. 'Though I suspect the entertainment value will exceed the format's simplicity.'

[How fascinating,] Nyx commented from beside Gladion. [A battle between suppressed potential and realized power. Though I do hope you'll let me philosophically deconstruct her defeat afterward.]

'What the fuck does philosophically deconstruct even mean?' Gladion thought

"Your Umbreon's commentary is irrelevant to this battle," Sabrina stated, though a slight twitch of her eyebrow betrayed her irritation.

"Aww, is someone afraid of a little philosophical criticism?" Gladion grinned, grabbing a Pokéball. "Zeus, let's show her what emotionally balanced power looks like!"

The Electabuzz materialized with crackling electricity that rained down over the entire battlefield.

*Cough* *Cough*

"Emotionally balanced power was for me. Not him." Gladion said embarrassed

Across the field, Sabrina's expression remained unchanged as she released her Jynx.

"A predictable choice," Sabrina commented. "Electric types are often favored by trainers who lack subtle strategy."

"Funny," Gladion retorted, "I was about to say the same about Psychic types and trainers who lack personality."

As Marcus said Start, Gladion did not wait too long.

"Zeus, Quick Attack!" Gladion commanded. The Electabuzz shot forward with impressive speed.

"Primitive," Sabrina stated.

'Jynx, Psychic on the battlefield.' She telepathically ordered unlike Gladion

With a wave of her hands, Jynx's eyes glowed blue. Rocks and debris from the arena floor suddenly lifted and arranged themselves in Zeus's path like a deadly obstacle course. The Electabuzz tried to weave through but caught a floating rock to the chest, sending him tumbling.

"Interesting," Gladion thought, noting how Sabrina used the environment itself as a weapon. "She's good... but so are we."

'Lovely Kiss,' Sabrina ordered, her voice as emotionless as ever.

Gladion seeing the move was too late to command Zeus as the move was telepathically given. But he still shouted the command.

"Zeus, dodge!" But the Elekid was still recovering from the impact. Jynx's move connected, and Zeus's eyes began to droop as he started snoring.

"As expected," Sabrina stated. "Perhaps now you understand the difference in our levels."

"Oh, I understand something alright, But you are not the only one with Psychic Powers." Gladion smirked. Then, focusing his psychic power, he shouted directly into Zeus's mind:

'WAKE UP!'

Zeus jolted awake, electricity crackling around him with renewed vigor. Sabrina's eyes widened slightly – the first crack in her facade.

"Using psychic powers to counter sleep effects... unexpected," she admitted. "Though ultimately futile'

"Zeus, Thunderbolt!"

'Jynx, prepare Light Screen.'

The electric attack crashed against the mystical barrier, its power diminished but not negated.

"Now close in with Thunder Punch!" Gladion ordered.

'Counter with Ice Punch,' Sabrina commanded, a hint of concern creeping into her voice as she sensed Zeus's raw power.

The two Pokémon met in the center of the arena, their elemental punches colliding in a shower of sparks and ice crystals. Zeus's superior physical strength won out, sending Jynx skidding backward with electrical burns visible on her arm.

For the first time, Sabrina's expression showed a flicker of genuine interest. "Your Electabuzz's physical power exceeds expectations. However..."

'Trick Room,' she commanded. The battlefield shimmered as reality itself seemed to twist.

'Her Jynx knows Trick Room?'Gladion thought, gritting his teeth. 'This is bad.'

"Surprised?" Sabrina asked, and was that a hint of smugness in her voice? "Perhaps now you'll reconsider your earlier assertions about emotional suppression and power."

"Zeus, Thunder!" Gladion called out, knowing they needed to end this quickly in the literal sense.

"Blizzard," Sabrina countered, her voice carrying an edge of satisfaction.

Gladion grimaced at that. He knew her move would strike first. Trick Room was a move that let the slower Pokemon attack faster than the faster Pokemon. In this case, Jynx was the slower Pokemon.

In the reversed space of Trick Room, Jynx's attack manifested first. The freezing wind howled across the battlefield, ice crystals forming on Zeus's body as he struggled to maintain his Thunder attack.

"You see," Sabrina stated, "true power comes from perfect control, not emotional-"

She stopped mid-sentence as Zeus still fighting the blizzard, launched Thunder, powered by his determination and pain, cutting through the Blizzard like a golden spear.

"You were saying?" Gladion grinned. "Something about perfect control?"

The two attacks created a spectacular collision, filling the arena with mist and electrical discharge. As it cleared, Zeus was knocked out while Jynx stood standing though pretty injured.

Something flickered across Sabrina's face – frustration? respect? – before vanishing behind her mask of indifference.

"Perhaps," she admitted quietly, almost to herself, "there is something to be said for alternative approaches to power."

"Was that almost a compliment?" Gladion teased. "Quick, someone mark the calendar!"

"Do not mistake acknowledgment for approval," Sabrina responded, though her tone lacked its earlier dismissiveness. "This battle is far from over. And you are losing."

Marcus watched from the sidelines with undisguised glee. His daughter was showing more genuine emotion in this one battle than she had in months of training. Whether she realized it or not, her perfect mask was developing cracks, and through those cracks, something real was beginning to shine through.

The battle was only half over, but already it was achieving exactly what he'd hoped for.

---Author Notes------

Thankyou cshami for supporting me.

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