2002.
Saffron City, Kanto.
Silph Co. Square Park
𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮 and I are walking through the park, holding hands. Sabrina's long jet-black hair shines in the sun.
"I don't understand. Why aren't you afraid of me?" Her deep pink eyes gaze into my soul. Her clairvoyance is potent but imperfect.
"You're not intimidating to me. When we ran into each other, I saw the eyes I see now. They are loving, they care. They see meaning."
"You aren't intimidated by my terrifying psychic powers? You don't think I can hurt you? My parents placed me in custody of the Gym. What if I get angry enough to lose control?"
"Your Abra trusts you like a mother. All your Pokémon trust you. They behave as if they are well-cared for. It takes a truly good heart to raise the Pokémon you have."
"You're the first person to treat me like this..."
"Then others don't know what they're missing."
Sabrina lifts her other hand to her face to cover her blush.
"Forgive me, I don't know what to do in a situation like this. It's all new to me."
"Just smile."
Sabrina tries to smile. Her face looks awkward and crooked. She turns as red as her shirt.
"That's... a start. Just relax."
We stop walking. Her eyes widen.
"What?" I ask.
"You really love me. I can see your mind. You think I am cute. There's even more there, please explain."
There really are no secrets with this girl. I've never dated an Esper before. I take time to come up with an answer.
"Well, love is a very powerful and mysterious feeling. It's very difficult to put into words. It's little things. You have these dimples under your eyes when you smile. There's the dazzling way your hair billows when you're levitating. You care immensely for and fight for your Pokémon's welfare, even in cases when it doesn't necessarily help the Gym. You're strong-willed and independent. You walk a certain way when you don't levitate, I can't wrap my head around it."
She turns to me and locks her gaze. Her eyes are glowing in a gentle rose-coloured light. She is very close.
"And?"
"You keep asking me these funny questions like you're trying to get me to like you when I already love who you are the way you are."
It happened so fast. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her lips to mine. It felt like small tingly feelings of electricity were shooting through my body. This is the embrace of an Esper.
***
2019.
There was no more holding back. The reason our relationship had failed before no longer mattered. This kiss is just like the first one 17 years ago. My eyes are closed, but I feel her embrace.
《The dark power will never break us again. I love you.》
I cannot speak telepathically, all I can do is hold her tighter. She seems to understand.
《I missed you, Randi.》
I have a vision that 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗯𝗲's eyes are filled with the stars in the sky as her friend 𝗚𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 hugs her. Phoebe seems completely enraptured by Sabrina and me. Through our mental connection with my Gardevoir, I am able to respond telepathically.
《I missed you too, Bri.》
***
AN: The climax of the first story arc brings Sabrina and Randi back together at last, 16 years after a social catastrophe split them apart. Phoebe's wish has come true, though she now has a new interest to defend as a Gardevoir: her Master's and Sabrina's relationship against the dark forces trying to drive them apart for an unknown reason.
All that's left to do now is follow through with the final step of her ancient technique training and Mega Evolve.
The next drawing will finally depict Phoebe as Mega Gardevoir. Keep following for more!
J