Kris checked her watch. 2:10 PM. Gold was a hour late for their training session. She sighed, watching her Meganium fire a solarbeam at Missy. The Misdreavus dodged too late and was struck by the Solarbeam, but it wasn't a direct hit. The Ghost floated back up and readied a shadow ball. She looked further up the route, toward Goldenrod. Two figures were making their way down to the breeding center. As they came closer, Kris felt like she had been slapped in the face.
It was Gold, easily recognizable in his backward cap. But walking next to him was a girl slightly younger than him, with light brown hair, a white cap and dungarees. She linked her arm around his and Gold blushed. Angry tears began to well in Kris's eyes and behind her, her Pokemon stopped sparring and came over to her, sensing something was wrong.
Gold finally noticed her, panicking. Kris angrily walked over.
"I see your finally here, Gold, and it looks like you've brought one of your fans along with you." She glared at the girl.
"Um...oh Mew...i'm really sorry Kris! Professor Elm wanted me to give Kotone here some tips, she's a new trainer." He said frantically, face red.
"I didn't think Elm had any Pokemon left?" Kris asked, confused.
"Oh, he caught some more for the new trainers. Gold got me mine early!" Kotone cut in, gushing, she opened one of her Pokeballs. It was a Chikorita. That stung. She bit her lip, willing herself not to cry. The linked arms, the gifted Chikorita...it slotted into place.
"Well i'll leave you to give your new girl some more 'tips' then, Gold" She said bitterly, turning to walk away.
"Kris! Kris it isn't like that!" he called after her desperatley.
She spun around
"Don't worry. I won't get in your way. I know where I'm not wanted anymore." Kris recalled her Pokemon and walked off. As soon as she was a fair distance away from Gold and Kotone, she broke into a run, tears streaking down her face. That stupid, good-for-nothing, oblivous idiot...that she was in love with. How...how could he be so blind? She'd known him since they were kids in Newbark, they used to be such close friends. But since the League, she'd felt like they were drifting apart, and she regretted never telling him how she felt. Too late now, she thought. This 'Kotone' was the final nail in the coffin of any chance she and Gold could ever be together.
Kris drifted through Goldenrod toward the Magnet Train station. She needed to get out of Johto, as far away from him as possible. Entering the station, she showed the conductor her pass and got on the train. Slumping down in the nearest seat, she rested her head on the window, sighing deeply, tears still running down her face. Gold didn't need her any more.
She had been replaced.