Chapter 115: Vs. Rival Silver [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Johto Region, Earlier, Violet City – Sprouts Tower]
Earlier inside Sprout Tower, Silver gets a call on his Pokégear saying that whether he can evolve Totodile is up to his skills.
Outside the tower, Gold wonders why it is called Sprout Tower, which is when he reads the signpost explaining the legend of the 100-foot-tall Bellsprout. He then proceeds to sneak into the tower through a window. He finds a lot of machinery inside the tower, almost getting hit by a gear.
Suddenly, a bunch of Sages appear out of the blue, thinking that Gold has come to train in Pokémon combat. They say that they must shave Gold bald. Gold says he likes his hair how it is and that he only came to catch a thief.
The Sages, however, attempt to force Gold to join. They attack him with their Bellsprout, slicing off the front of Gold's hair. This enrages Gold, and he has Aibo attack them. The sages have their Bellsprout form a tower and use Reflect.
Gold checks his Pokédex and sees that Bellsprout is skinny and quick. He begins to wonder if they even have a weak spot. The sages ask what formation Gold would like for the final attack. Gold tricks them into making the Bellsprout form a tower and has Exbo use the fire on its back to attack the Bellsprout.
The sages let him up to the second floor, finding another Sage. The Sage says the second floor is another training floor. He describes Silver to the Sage, and the Sage points to Silver, who is standing in the doorway.
Gold tells Silver to stop, but Silver has Totodile use Slash, causing the stairs under Gold to fall. Aibo helps Gold hold on to the staircase.
After catching himself, Gold's Cyndaquil, Exbo, fighting Silver's Totodile to get it back to Professor Elm. After an exchange of the basic attacks Scratch and Tackle, Gold seems to have the upper hand and tells Silver to return the Pokémon he stole.
When Silver refuses, Gold says that if he were just about to return a stolen Pokémon, he wouldn't have taken it to begin with, and then shouts that since he promised to get Totodile back, he intends to keep it no matter what. The two then use the Water and Fire-type moves Water Gun and Ember, with the water attack putting out Exbo's flames.
Silver admonishes Gold, saying that Fire can't beat Water, regardless of his feelings, as such an outcome is predetermined by its basic element. Gold then yells to Silver that, if that's what he thinks, he'll show what courage can do, and orders a Smokescreen from Exbo, and in the panic, tries to persuade Totodile to return to Professor Elm's side, but instead it bites him.
Gold, shocked, shouts 'What the heck the little Pokémon is thinking', and asks whether it wants to stay with him. Silver tells him that it seems to be, and adds that only a weakling would resort to such a cheap shot.
Gold tells Silver to shut up, but he replies that he's just telling the truth, and Totodile wants to stay with him to become stronger. The banter is quickly interrupted, however, as Exbo's smoke from earlier set off a set of traps the Sprout Tower Sages created, and though the two Trainers can avoid the first few traps, they get pushed into a tight spot when a massive metal ball starts to roll down the stairs they are on.
With the staircase torn by Totodile's Slash attack, Silver knows that there's nowhere to run, but then also adds that since these were for training purposes, their two Pokémon should be able to help.
Exbo and Totodile whisper to one another, and the former begins to set the iron ball on fire with its flames, after which the two Trainers figure out what it's trying to do. Silver eventually orders an Ice Punch, shattering it and saving them both. With the danger out of the way, Gold tries to thank Totodile but finds the two have vanished.
A good distance away, Silver opens his Rotom Phone and talks to Lance in a neutral tone about the situation, "We ran into a little trouble, but… mission accomplished. Totodile has evolved into Croconaw!"
From the other end of the call was Lance, who said in a calm tone, asking Silver, "Good. You managed that, but I want to ask… did you encounter Azure Sky? And was he training a new team?"
Silver replied yes to Lance over the Rotom Phone. Hearing this, Lance contemplates giving Silver a new mission, startling him, "Then for your next mission is to challenge Azure to a Pokémon battle. With his new team, you should be able to gain experience and see if you can learn from battling him."
Silver looked uncertain as he asked cautiously, recalling his two dangerous Pokémon, "And what if he uses his Pikachu and Eevee in our battle…"
Lance laughed, hearing Silver's concern as he said confidently, knowing his personality, "I don't think you know him as well as I do, Silver. He wouldn't want to overpower his opponents unless it were fair or fun for him. Besides this, you could learn something from his battling."
*Beep*
The call ended as Silver contemplated his next course of action. He sighed, asking people around where the man with a Pikachu and Eevee had gone to seek out a battle.
/////
[Johto Region, Present, Route 36]
Returning to the present, Azure recalled his Skarmory as he looked at Silver, confused as to why he challenged him. But smirked, adjusting his cap, accepting the challenge regardless of the reason, "I don't know why you challenged me, but I'm game! What's the battle format, and I won't be using Pikachu and Eevee. I want this to be fun."
Silver blinked momentarily, baffled that Azure wanted a fair match-up. But recalled how Lance managed to get his personality replied, "4 on 4. Switching is allowed. I want to see how strong the Champion of Kanto and Johto truly is with a new team."
Azure smirked as his Pikachu and Eevee cheered on. Moving some distance aside for their battle, Azure grabbed one of his Poke Balls as he said, "Better be ready, Silver. I'm not one to lose to anyone before, and it ain't happening now."
Silver simply nodded. Both eyes narrowed as Silver and Azure hurled their Poke Balls, bringing their respective Pokémon, "Go! Murkrow/Wooper!"
*Pop*
The Darkness Pokémon Murkrow flew above the battlefield. Wooper materialized from the ground, looking happy with its dull-witted expression, "Wooopa!"
Silver checked his Pokedex quickly, seeing the level difference between the two. He saw that Wooper Lv.18 and Murkrow Lv.20 as he commanded, "Wing Attack!"
*Swooosh*
Murkrow dived down as its wings glowed white, using Flying Type Energy dive bombing on Wooper. Azure easily countered, "Ice Punch."
*Krackle*
Silver's eyes widened, seeing ice form around the limbless Wooper, taking the ice shape into arms it could use. It was too late to call off his attack as he saw his Murkrow get slammed with Ice Punch to the face while trading blows against Wooper.
*SMACK*
*SMASH*
Both were hurt and sent flying as Wooper stood its ground, skidding across. It still had a dull, witted, happy expression, but a noticeable bruise showed.
Murkrow was hit by an Ice Punch, not doing any better as its body got covered in ice. Silver frowned, seeing the status condition, but narrowed his eyes as he heard Azure order, "Good job, Wooper! Recover!"
*Shiii*
Wooper's body glows a green energy around its body as its previous wounds recover. Silver eyes narrowed, seeing this, 'It can use Recover? This is not a good sign.'
Azure then ordered smugly, "Now! Strong Style! Water Gun!"
Wooper's eyes cutely narrowed, giving a battle cry, "Woopa!"
*SPLASH*
A highly concentrated Water Gun attacked the frozen Murkrow out of its ice. But in the process fainted from being hit by a powerful Water Gun.
Silver recalled Murkrow as he switched to his next Poke Ball, hurling out, "Go! Sneasel!"
*Pop*
Sneasel appeared at the ready, raising its claws for battle. Azure smirked, recalling his Wooper bringing out his next choice, "Good job, Wooper. Take a good rest. Now then… I'll choose you! Houndour!"
*Pop*
Houndour materialized, standing on the ready, howled, "Awoo!!"
Having brought out Houndour Silver, quickly ordered, "Slash!"
*Swooosh*
With superior speed, Sneasel dashed ahead, landing the first blow. Houndour barely had enough time to react and inflict damage.
Skid across from the attack, Azure commanded, "Agile Style. Smog!"
*Pooof*
Unleashing poisonous black gas cloud into the air from its open mouth, it filled the area, blocking both Sneasel and Silver's vision. Sneasel moved aside, not getting hit as Silver thought, baffled, 'It was luck that it survived. Houndour has bad Def. Stats against my Sneasel high Atk. Stat. One more Slash should do it.'
Silver then commanded confidently, "Slash again! Cut through the smog!"
*Shinng*
Using its claws, it slashed through the smog as it lunged forward. But Silver's eyes widened seeing Houndour prepare a powerful Flamethrower as Azure countered, "Strong Style. Flamethrower!"
*Sssss*
Houndour unleashed a widespread flamethrower towards the lunging Sneasel. Silver's eyes widened as it clicked in his head, 'The Smog is a distraction! Using it blinded our vision, and if he used Odor Sleuth to know the direction from which Sneasel would attack, then – '
*BOOOOM*
But his thoughts were interrupted when the Flamethrower met the smog. It reacted violently, creating an explosion, making Silver's eyes widen as Sneasel was engulfed by the impact.
*Thud*
Smokescreen covered the area as the wind dispersed it. From there, Silver's eyes widened as he saw his partner faint, covered in burn wounds, as Azure explained calmly, "Smog releases filthy gas when used. But it's also highly flammable, causing it to create small explosions. Remember, every move has its uses, Silver."
Silver frowned as he recalled Sneasel into its Poke Ball. He gazed at Azure as he thought, learning from this battle, 'His certainly not what I expected at all when I fought him. His so calm in his battles, trusting his Pokémon fully in their capabilities as well as using logic in his choices along with backup plans.'
He took a deep breath as he hurled his next one, "Go! Croconaw!"
*Pop*
Hurling his Poke Ball, materialized Croconaw, the Big Jaw Pokémon, let out its cry, "Arow! Croc!"
Switching out Houndour, Azure smirked. He saw how well Silver raised Totodile into Croconaw as he picked his next choice, but first said, "I see you raised your Croconaw well from a Totodile you took from Elm. You don't have to worry about returning it, as it's now my gift to you along with the Pokedex. You can tell your Big Sis Green she owes me one."
Silver frowned but did feel relieved hearing he won't be in trouble for stealing the Pokedex and Totodile. He always wanted one from the Professor, like the other kids, so he felt relieved seeing he could live that dream without worry.
But he returned to the battle as Azure called out, hurling his Poke Ball, "Let's do this! Go! Misdreavus!"
*Pop*
Misdreavus materialized as she appeared floating above Croconaw, "Mis!"
Seeing Misdreavus Silver quickly commanded swiftly, "Croconaw! Rapid fire Water Pulse in the sky!"
*PEW*
Unleashing a rapid-fire Water Pulse at Misreavus' direction. Misdreavus, seeing this, chuckled happily as Azure ordered, "Phantom Force!"
*Swf*
Opening a purple portal, Misdreavus entered, avoiding the volley of Water Pulse entirely, and flew into the open sky. Silver's eyes narrowed as he darted around, trying to locate the Screech Pokémon.
Croconaw also became alert, turning its head to locate the Ghost Pokémon. Unaware, its shadow made a sneaking smile expression as Misdreavus appeared behind it as Azure ordered, "Now! Strong Style! Energy Ball!"
Silver became alert, trying to locate the Misdreavus. His eyes darted towards the shadow clicking in his head, seeing a faint green light, "Protect!"
*CLANG*
Just in time, Corconaw created a transparent barrier protecting itself from the Energy Ball, blocking the attack. It gazed at its shadow as Azure said, "Hypnosis."
*Shiii*
*Thud*
Forced to look at the culprit by instinct, Croconaw slumped down fast asleep from Misdreavus's Hypnosis, looking at Croconaw as it looked at its shadow. Levitating herself proudly, seeing the sleeping croc, Misdreavus chuckled, "Mis! Misdreavussss~"
Seeing Croconaw was asleep, Azure ordered, "Mean Look. Nightmare."
Silver frowned just as he was about to recall Croconaw, he couldn't, thanks to Misdreavus using Mean Look as her eyes glowed. But then followed with Nightmare, a move that inflicts ¼ damage on a sleeping foe.
Misdreavus waves her hair like arms, and black energy comes out of her body and surrounds the sleeping Croconaw, giving it nightmares. The Croconaw flinched, sweating, dreaming a horrible nightmare, as Misdreavus used Lloyd's face to scare the poor Croconaw.
Azure ordered ending the battle, "Misdreavus. Strong Style. Energy Ball."
*Shiii*
Misdreavus forms an orb of light green energy from its mouth and fires it at the defenseless Croconaw. It blasted him out of the water as it fainted, skidding across the battlefield.
Just as Azure chooses his next Pokémon, Silver says, turning his back, recalling his Croconaw, "I surrender. Battling you any further would harm my Pokémon."
Calling off his battle, Silver clenches his fist, leaving. Azure frowned, seeing this as he rubbed Misdreavus' hair as he thought, baffled, 'He leaves just thinking he'll lose. Well… at least he cares for his Pokémon.'
Smiling, he began to leave as well, returning to Violet City as he recalled, bluntly looking at the sky above, "Oh right. Violet City's Gym Leader isn't here. Guess I'll go to the next town over then. Hopefully, by then, Falkner will become the new Gym Leader soon enough."
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A/N: Reach the goal of 100 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!