Pokémon: I’m Really Not a Team Rocket Spy

After finishing the batch of Pokéblocks, Maki contacted Lance using the communication method he'd left earlier. Since Lance had seemed particularly sharp before he left, Maki figured the Pokémon League might have some pressing matters for him. Maki had even prepared for the possibility that Lance wouldn't answer, but to his surprise, the call went through.

"Hello, Maki. What's up?"

Lance's puzzled voice came through the phone. A late-night call like this was bound to raise questions.

"Didn't I mention this morning that I'd prepare some Pokéblocks for your Dratini? They're ready now. When can you come to pick them up?"

"That fast?"

Lance was stunned by Maki's speed. It hadn't even been a few hours since they parted ways. For a moment, Lance assumed Maki must have been working tirelessly to complete the Pokéblocks. This only strengthened Lance's belief that he hadn't misjudged this friend.

"It wasn't too much trouble," Maki said honestly. For him, crafting intermediate Pokéblocks wasn't particularly challenging.

But Lance, hearing Maki's modest explanation, felt even more moved. He was convinced Maki had gone out of his way to prioritize the Pokéblocks for him while downplaying his efforts.

"The problem is, I don't have time to come and get them right now."

"No problem. Just tell me where you are, and I'll deliver them to you."

"That's too much trouble. How about the day after tomorrow? We can meet up, and while we're at it, my Dratini wants a rematch with your Charmander. Let's have a battle then!"

Lance politely declined Maki's offer but sounded thrilled at the idea of a match. Maki, however, could tell that picking up the Pokéblocks was secondary to Lance's real intention—arranging a battle.

Doesn't the League have enough trainers to keep him entertained? Why does he keep coming to me?

Feeling mildly exasperated, Maki tried to reason with Lance. "Are you sure you don't want me to just deliver them?"

"Do you have plans the day after tomorrow?"

"Not really, but—"

"Great, it's settled then. See you in two days!"

Before Maki could finish, Lance hung up with practiced efficiency, leaving Maki speechless.

He's way too into battling. If that's the case, why not just hang out at the Battle Tower or something?

Realizing there was no way around it, Maki turned to his Charmander. "Hey, Charmander, you did well today. As a reward, you'll get to battle Dratini again in two days."

Charmander froze mid-bite on a cookie, which promptly fell to the ground. This counts as a reward?!

As the evening deepened, Maki decided it was time to head back to Sabrina's place. The reason he chose to go back at night was simple: fewer people around meant less attention.

Walking openly into the Saffron City Gym during the day would only fuel rumors about his relationship with Sabrina. He didn't need that kind of scrutiny.

Approaching the back entrance of the gym, Maki recalled his Charmander into its Pokéball. Ensuring no one was watching, he slipped inside.

The gym's vast interior was as he remembered it. After navigating the corridors, he arrived at Sabrina's room and knocked on the door.

If there was one thing Maki had learned from experience, it was that doors should never be opened carelessly. You never know what you might walk into.

As a kid, he'd once walked in on Sabrina taking a bath. Her psychic retaliation had sent him flying across the room, leaving him with a bruised backside and a temporary fear of bathrooms. To this day, he made sure to knock first.

"Come in," Sabrina's voice called from inside. It lacked the frailty she'd exhibited before.

Pushing open the door, Maki frowned slightly at what he saw.

"You've been training your psychic abilities again, haven't you?"

Sabrina sat on the bed, seemingly calm, but she was wearing her usual training outfit—a clear giveaway.

"I just took a bath and changed into this out of habit," Sabrina replied, adjusting the loose neckline of her outfit, revealing her pale skin underneath. While there wasn't anything particularly revealing, Maki instinctively looked away.

Sabrina, however, stared intently at him after her explanation.

"Boring," she finally said.

"Huh?"

"Without psychic training, there's nothing to do in the gym. It's dull."

Maki glanced around her room. It was exactly as he remembered—filled with plush dolls and devoid of any real entertainment. Compared to the cozy private space Mew enjoyed, at least Mew had Nidoking to mess around with.

If Sabrina's plush dolls started moving, though, it would be more horror story than fun pastime.

"Doesn't the gym have a TV or something?"

"Such things would only distract the trainees. They serve no purpose," Sabrina replied firmly. In some ways, she was every parent's dream child—no TV, dedicated to "studying," and spending hours meditating to train her psychic abilities.

But now that she couldn't train, she was finding herself at a loss.

"Take me out tomorrow," Sabrina declared, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Maki sighed and rubbed his temples.

"That's not possible. You can't honestly think you're not recognizable in Saffron City. The locals might not know who the Elite Four are, but they all know you."

Sabrina realized she was making an unreasonable request and lowered her head slightly in disappointment.

"If you're feeling lonely, I'll stay at the gym tomorrow to keep you company," Maki offered. He had originally planned to take Charmander to the Battle Arena to earn some points, but if Sabrina needed him, that could wait.

"What about the day after tomorrow?"

Maki thought Sabrina would accept his offer, but instead, she hit him with an unexpected question.

"The day after tomorrow… I've got something planned. I've arranged a battle with Lance," Maki explained.

Sabrina's expression shifted subtly, prompting Maki to quickly add, "It's nothing serious—just Lance being, well, Lance. He's kind of a battle fanatic."

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