Chapter 133: A Grand Stage for Munchlax
Sabrina’s heart pounded wildly, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. That terrifying man had shown up at her Gym’s doorstep—undoubtedly here to destroy their Team Rocket operation in Saffron City. Even the immensely powerful Boss Giovanni had fallen to him. How could she possibly stand a chance?
Without a second thought, Sabrina retreated back inside the Gym and addressed the Team Rocket grunts posing as Gym trainees:
"Close the Gym! Close it today! Everyone, prepare for battle!"
One trainee asked in confusion: "What’s wrong, Gym Leader Sabrina? We just opened today—why close again?"
Sabrina shot them a cold glare: "If we don’t close, all of us will be sent to the police station to meet General Archer!"
The trainees erupted in murmurs, panic spreading among them. Sabrina scoffed and pulled out a Poké Ball. With a flash of light, Alakazam appeared. She was contemplating whether to have Alakazam Teleport her away when a voice came from above:
"Gym Leader Sabrina—you’re overreacting. No need to be so nervous. I’m not here to send you to prison today."
"Gengar—Mean Look."
"Gengar~"
Sabrina’s head snapped up, her pupils contracting in disbelief as she saw Rio hovering above her, with Gengar’s glowing eyes locked onto her Alakazam.
"Ala~" Alakazam’s expression shifted as it was trapped.
Sabrina felt as if she’d fallen into an abyss. It’s over—there’s no escape now.
"Don’t worry—I’m just here to challenge the Gym," Rio said with a smile.
He had been chatting with Munchlax outside when he sensed something and turned to see Sabrina’s figure hurriedly retreating. He knew he needed to come inside.
"You... want to challenge the Gym?" Sabrina stared at him, utterly baffled. The man who had defeated Boss Giovanni—challenging a Gym? Was she dreaming, or had the world gone mad? What was the point? He could steamroll all eight Gyms—even the Elite Four might not stop him. He didn’t need Gym battles to sharpen his skills anymore. His goal must be to become the League Champion—to lead the Kanto and Johto Leagues.
Sabrina’s eyes widened as realization dawned—she felt like she had uncovered something monumental.
"That’s right—just a Gym challenge," Rio shrugged. "But if you’re unwilling, I don’t mind shutting down your Saffron Gym under the pretext of wiping out Team Rocket. You haven’t exactly been fulfilling your Gym Leader duties, after all."
"I’m willing!" Sabrina nodded frantically, cold sweat pouring down her back.
Rio smiled at her reaction, remembering their first encounter—her cold, arrogant demeanor, her air of superiority, her overwhelming presence. Compared to her current terrified, desperate state—it was truly satisfying.
Strength truly determines how others treat you.
"Oh, and one more request."
"Name it—I’ll do everything in my power," Sabrina said respectfully.
"Broadcast today’s battles live on the big screen for everyone to see."
"Huh?"
"Is that a problem?" Rio’s brow furrowed slightly.
"No, no—of course not!" Sabrina immediately agreed, though she looked at him with confusion, wanting to ask why but too afraid to.
"Then go make the arrangements. I’ll wait in line outside." Rio signaled Gengar to float him back out.
Sabrina called after him: "You’re not going first?"
Rio glanced back. "You talk too much."
Sabrina’s face stiffened, and she fell silent, watching Rio and Gengar leave.
"Gym Leader—are we really going to follow all his orders?" a nearby trainee asked once Rio was gone.
"Otherwise? Do you want to fight him yourself? Or call Boss Giovanni to save us?" Sabrina sneered. The trainee fell silent—fighting Rio would be suicide, and Giovanni was too busy with the legendary bird capture plan to bother with them.
Outside the Gym, Rio returned to Munchlax and patted its head. "Munchlax—today, I’ve prepared a grand stage for you."
That was exactly why he’d asked Sabrina to broadcast the battles—to give Munchlax a moment in the spotlight, for all of Saffron City to see. Regret is a powerful emotion—once it takes root, it lingers forever. And Rio wanted its former trainer to taste the ultimate regret.
Half an hour later, the man they were waiting for arrived—accompanied by a Pikachu, he took his place at the back of the line. Munchlax spotted him, and the man noticed them standing off to the side. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly masked.
Munchlax stared without blinking. Watching this, Rio raised an eyebrow and laid out two options:
"Munchlax—you have two ways to confront him and express your feelings. The first: go talk to him now. Get your pain off your chest. He’ll react in one of two ways—either he’ll have a conscience and apologize, or he’ll ignore you, insult you, call you crazy. But after you perform on the stage I’ve set up for you, he’ll be consumed by regret."
"The second: wait until after you’ve performed, then talk to him. By then, his reaction will almost certainly be regret—he’ll beg for forgiveness, maybe even ask if you’ll go back with him. But with this option, you’ll never know if he ever felt regret after abandoning you, or if he was always just pretending."
"Ka~" Munchlax responded immediately.
"The little fatty says it chooses the first option. It wants to know if that guy will apologize after hearing how it feels," Gengar translated.
"Then let’s go." Rio smiled. "Go confront him now. Tell him how you felt after being abandoned."
"Ka~" With Rio’s permission, Munchlax charged toward the man. Rio followed behind, watching its back.
Honestly, from a selfish perspective, he hoped the man wouldn’t apologize—because then Munchlax would more clearly see how much better Rio was by comparison. But from Munchlax’s perspective, he hoped the man would apologize—it would help heal its emotional wounds.
Because no wounded soul doesn’t want a genuine apology from the one who hurt them.
"What do you want?!" The former trainer looked startled when Munchlax reached him, then scowled. "Get lost, you glutton—I don’t want you anymore!"
His words made Munchlax turn back, its expression wounded. Rio crouched down and spoke gently:
"It’s okay, Munchlax. Just say what you need to say. Whether he wants to listen or not doesn’t matter right now. Your only goal is to get the emotions you’ve bottled up off your chest. I believe in you."
Rio straightened up and locked eyes with Munchlax’s former trainer. "My Pokémon was deeply hurt after you abandoned it. I hope you’ll listen to what it has to say."
"Are you crazy?! I don’t care if it was hurt—I don’t want it anymore! If you want to keep a useless Pokémon, keep it—but don’t bring it near me!" the man snapped.
Rio frowned. Gengar’s face twisted with fury, its gaze darkening.
Munchlax took a deep breath, summoning its courage—and let out its first cry:
"Ka~"
"I want you to apologize for abandoning me!" Gengar’s translation echoed across the square.