Sage took a deep breath as she ascended the stairs as each step echoed in the silence of the building as she had to keep moving forward as there was no time to waste and as she reached the eighth floor, she paused for a moment and began surveying her surroundings.
There were three doors which seemed to contain a sense of unease and overwhelming power as Sage immediately knew she had to prepare in case she had to battle someone strong.
Without hesitation, Sage reached for a Pokéball at her side and released Charizard who appeared in a flash of red light.
Charizard let out a low growl as Sage smiled as she proud of her starter for how strong it was and she was about to make it stronger.
I've got something special for you," Sage said as she took the Dragon Claw TM from her pocket and held it up as Charizard eyed the TM with interest.
Charizard touched the TM as it glowed for a moment before it shattered as Charizard roared a little as it learned Dragon Claw.
Sage quickly checked her Rotom Phone, which displayed the updated moveset:
Charizard's Moveset:
Flamethrower
Cinder Blast
Dragon Claw
Wing Attack
Seismic Toss
Sage smiled as she was proud of her Starter Pokémon.
You're going to be even stronger now" Sage whispered as she recalled Charizard into its Pokéball.
Before Sage could think further, she heard a ding as the elevator doors next to her slid open and out came Leaf and Blue who looked determined as ever.
Sage felt a wave of relief wash over her as her friends arrived.
Blue immediately began inspecting the doors with his sharp eyes searching for anything unusual.
Leaf glanced at Sage and offered her a reassuring smile but before Sage could speak, her Rotom Phone buzzed in her hand.
Sage looked at the screen and saw a new message from Red as her brow furrowed as she read the text aloud.
Once you arrive on the eighth floor, you will find three doors as each door contains Team Rocket's strongest members and you must defeat them in order to reach the top floor where I am.
Sage, Blue and Leaf exchanged a look as it was clear they were all thinking the same thing—this was going to be tough as they nodded in silent agreement.
Sage stepped forward first as she walked towards the purple door.
Leaf, without hesitation walked toward the black door and Blue took the white door as each of them knew that they had a challenge ahead but they were ready.
Sage took a deep breath as she turned the knob of the purple door as it creaked open, revealing a dimly lit tunnel stretching ahead of her.
She stepped inside as the air felt thick and also almost oppressive and she could sense that she was not alone.
As she walked deeper into the tunnel, she began to hear soft giggling echoing off the walls as her eyes narrowed as the sound grew louder as the giggles contained a hint of malice.
Sage cautiously approached the source of the noise and turned a corner and what she saw made her stop in her tracks
A woman stood there, wearing a Team Rocket uniform and her hair was dark and her eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity.
Sage's breath caught in her throat as she recognized her.
Sabrina?" Sage whispered with disbelief in her voice as she couldn't believe she was standing in front of the sixth gym leader.
The woman smirked and for a moment, Sage could have sworn her eyes glowed faintly.
So you've heard of me" Sabrina said with her voice dripping with disdain.
You must be one of the nuisances interfering with Team Rocket's plans" Sabrina said with a cold smirk.
Why? Why are you working with Team Rocket?" Sage asked in disbelief.
All my life, people have looked down on me and called me a freak, simply because of my psychic powers. I never fit in anywhere but then one day, the boss of Team Rocket approached me and he offered me a chance to get my revenge on those who treated me like an outcast" Sabrina said as her eyes burned with a fiery determination
Revenge isn't the way" Sage said quietly with her voice filled with empathy.
Sabrina's expression darkened, and she sneered.
What do you know about revenge? You've never been called a freak or an outcast" Sabrina snarled.
Sage stepped forward as she said.
That doesn't mean revenge is the answer. There's always another way" Sage said as Sabrina fixed her belt as Sage saw five Pokéballs as she winced as she knew that she was about to have a tough battle as she remembered all the times her father had said he struggled against Sabrina when he was young.
