A/N: Man, it's hard to write after so very, very long time! But here it is, finally, the next chapter of the magnificent journey to find Silver's joy of living (and maybe some love in the way…)! Hope you'll find the chapter exciting and enjoyable, lots of action in this one. And thanks for your patience, and for all the kind reviews. You, my readers, are beyond awesome!

Chapter X: Determination vs. Irritation

The rain was falling heavily down towards the small field with two boys on it, both a nice distance from another, gazing each other with focused eyes. One of them, the shorter one, grumpily swiped his red – and soaking wet – bangs aside and shifted his stance a little. Argh, I hate rain!

"You ready?" he called out, with a voice loud enough to reach through the prickling rainfall.

The other one lazily pushed his yellow and black cap off of his forehead. "Yup, all set!" the boy shouted with a hint of that oh, so familiar – and really annoying – grin in his voice. "But just to warn you, Silv, you're gonna lose for sure!"

Silver secretly grimaced while grabbing one of his own six pokéballs and throwing it into the air. Yeah, Gold… I certainly hope you're right.

…

'Chapter 9: Lose a Pokémon Battle.

Although it is fairly important to be able to feel success in life, it is also a very fine quality to sometimes put one's pride aside and just to give up. Yes, it is time to learn some humility today, and what would be more suitable situation than a nice match between two pokémon trainers? There is a saying that when two trainers' eyes meet, they have to battle. So you have to challenge the first pokémon trainer you encounter, and lose. You can choose the type of match yourself, as long as it is a proper pokémon battle. Just remember to have fun; winning is not the only thing that matters!'

Silver closed the Special Jewels for Life and wondered why and since when he had started to imagine the book's words in Crys' voice. Hm. Especially that last part. Strange.

Ah, whatever, the mission. Silver thought about the alternatives. He quickly abandoned the idea of challenging someone he knew – it would be better to battle against some random trainer if he had to fight poorly. Of course, if Crys had been around, he'd just challenge her. Oh, well.

So, a random trainer, then. Silver frowned and scratched his chin. Usually the routes in both Kanto and Johto were full of all kinds of people with pokémon with them, so it should be fairly easy to find one. So it'd be fine if he just took a stroll down the road.

That's settled then, the boy thought, made sure he had his pokémon with him, and stepped out through the door.

…

Yeah, it should have been easy. Silver had took quite a walk already, towards Viridian City, and he had seen no-one on the way.

Now that he thought about it, it must've been the weather; yesterday's bright sunlight was all gone and the sky was now full of blunt-looking gray clouds. It looked like it could rain any minute. Great. Just great.

Silver walked on and grumbled at his permanent lack of good luck. He went past a couple of old ladies clutching their umbrellas and babbling lively with each other, but they didn't exactly look like pokémon trainers, so he kept going.

He decided to circle the city and took a route to Pallet. A little town like that would probably be even emptier, though, but whatever. And besides, if I can't find anyone, there are always people like Red… He's so good battler that I bet I don't even have to try to lose. But on the other hand, that'd just feel like cheating, and for some mysterious reason he didn't want to do that.

He could distinct Oak's lab from distance. There it was, sitting on its vast hill, looking all sorrowful and abandoned. The gray skies kind of completed the picture. Silver's hands slumped deep into his pockets. Well, she said they might be coming back tomorrow…

But suddenly the boy's eyes caught something at the lab's entrance. Or rather, someone.

The figure seemed to be knocking at the door. And quite aggressively, as Silver could hear a sharp thumping noise as he approached the building. Maybe I'd better go and say there's nobody in there, before they break through the door.

The figure was still there, looking even more impatient. Apparently it was now yelling something towards the upper windows. Silver pricked up his ears and tried to listen.

It sounded something like this, "Oi, Anybody there? Gramps? Super Serious Gal?"

Eh? Super Serious…? "Oh, no. Not him."

A sudden idea to turn back flashed in his mind, but he was already too close. The figure had somehow sensed his arrival. It turned around and shouted, "Hey! Silver!"

Cursing under his breath, Silver had no other choice but to walk over to the last person he really wanted to see. "Gold."

"Yo! What're you doing here?" The black-haired boy grinned and lifted his hand into a salute.

Silver lifted his eyebrows. Yeah, what was he doing there, actually?

But Gold wasn't really waiting for an answer, since he just continued, "Anyway, where's Crys? Haven't seen her in ages, so I thought I'd give her a visit." At that point, the boy's expression suddenly turned into a thoughtful one. "But she wasn't home so I came here, and now that Professor-Uncle is missing too."

You visited her home? The thought felt somehow irritating, but Silver just assumed that it was because of Gold's natural habit of irritating him. "They went to Unova. Apparently Professor has some work there."

"Aww, man…" Gold gave one last disappointed glance at the lifeless windows. "Nobody ever tells me anything important!" Silver silently scoffed. I'm not surprised.

"Well, then. If she's not here, I'm heading back home. To think I even left my copy of PokéWorld: Total Destruction all untouched. Now that's a cool game, with pokémon that turn into zombies…" Gold flashed a grin and grabbed his skateboard, which had been leaning against the wall next to the door.

He's leaving, good… Oh, wait. Silver mentally punched himself in the stomach for mere stupidity. Why on Celebi had he wandered just here, just on that time of day? Gold was a pokémon trainer. No, correction: Gold was the first pokémon trainer he had seen today. Argh, why does my life have to be so hard?!

"So, see you around, Silv!" By the time of Silver's contemplations, Gold had already fixed his cap, put on his goggles and was now standing one foot on the skateboard, ready to go.

The first drops of rain had started to drip down from the sky. "Gold, wait."

He had to do it. No matter how annoying, and irritating, and traumatizing, and plain horrible it might be. Silver gulped. "Let's battle."

The black-haired boy cocked his head and eyed Silver for a second.

"Hm, a pokémon battle? Sure thingy."

…

By the time they had taken their positions, facing each other across a small field next to the lab, a heavy rain had started to fall, hammering against the building's roof and windows. Silver sunk his hands deep into his pockets and gazed gloomily at his opponent.

"Alright, I don't want to stick around for long. Just one pokémon each?"

"Fine by me!" Gold shouted back and gave a relaxed thumbs-up.

I'll go first, just so he can choose his pokémon after me. It's a definite advantage in a battle, especially for a jerk like him… Silver slid his fingertips over the row of pokéballs on his belt, picked one and then released the pokémon it was containing.

"I'm counting on you, Feraligatr", he muttered to it, lowering his voice so that Gold couldn't hear. "This time, we're going to go easy on him." He glanced at the boy. "That means, uhm, that we're letting him win, so just tone your attacks down and don't make them faint, okay?"

Feraligatr looked a bit confused, but made a low, agreeing growl.

Silver needed somebody he could trust completely. Otherwise he'd have chosen Weavile, his very first partner, but he didn't quite dare to get it into another embarrassing battle after the Magikarp incident. Now, let's see what Gold's going to pick.

"Woah, that guy's sure gotten huge!" Gold said and let out a whistle. "Okay, I know just the opponent for you…" He reached for a pokéball and threw it into the chilly air.

Silver felt his jaw drop as Gold's pokémon materialized. No way. That guy's an idiot.

"Look who it is, Explotaro! Your old pal Feraligatr!" Gold said enthusiastically to his enormous Typhlosion.

Typhlosion. Seriously. "Uhm…" Silver cleared his throat. Fire against water in this weather? "You sure, Gold?"

"Hm?" Gold turned his head towards the other boy. "Yeah, Explo's wanted to battle Feraligatr again for a long time, you know. So it's pretty psyched up."

… Right. Silver wasn't that hopeful. What if he accidentally knock out Explotaro and won? He took a deep breath. "Okay, whatever. You can start."

"Yeah! Explotaro, straight-on, Flame Thrower!"

"Stay put, Feraligatr!" Normally, of course, he would've just countered the attack with another one, preferably water type.

Silver watched as the typhlosion let a mighty roar and then shot flames out of its mouth, right towards its opponent. The sight was pretty impressive, the boy thought, seeing the flare piercing through the raindrops. But it's a shame it's not gonna work. The rain was stronger; by the time the attack had reached its destination, it had weakened considerably. Feraligatr seemed unharmed. Silver glanced at Gold, who looked a little thoughtful.

Silver frowned. This battle was going to take a while.

Okay, something weak… "Alright, Water Gun!" He was almost sure that Feraligatr gave a small glance at him before obeying. "Just try not to make it faint, Feraligatr", Silver tried to convey his feelings to his pokémon telepathically.

"Hey! Battle seriously!" he heard Gold shouting. "You don't think we can handle it? Explo, Swift!"

Explotaro released a stream of spinning stars that shot right through the water attack and hit Feraligatr.

"Or maybe it's that you're a bit rusty", Gold snickered. "After all, it's been a while since you've had to battle for real, Silv!"

Gah, you smug brat! If this was a real battle… Silver grumbled inside his mind and ordered Feraligatr to shoot another water gun.

This time the typhlosion hopped smoothly aside and launched a large cloud of black smoke from its back. Soon the whole field was covered with it. Smokescreen. Like the visibility wasn't bad already…

Feraligatr was looking about with a careful, determined expression. Good, just hold on, and let it come to you, Feraligatr. Although, he didn't really want the two pokémon to be engaged in a close-range battle, since he knew his feraligatr was stronger in both physical defence and attack. But an element of surprise is always a plus. Maybe something good can come of this, after all.

Now, Explotaro! DynamicPunch!"

The typhlosion appeared out of nowhere, and within seconds, it was gone again. Feraligatr staggered a little from the sudden blow.

"What're you gonna do now, Silv?" Gold's voice said from behind the smoke, and let out an arrogant laugh.

Silver grimaced. "Hold on, Feraligatr. The rain will wash away the smoke." Okay, keep your cool, Silver. He's just being his usual, annoying self…

Swift, again. "Hey, what about we decide a prize for the winner? Make things more interesting?" Another laugh. Silver felt like strangling something.

The visibility was getting a little better. Silver saw a shadow of the typhlosion through the haze and hastily commanded Feraligatr to dash right at it, just for show. And partly because he just couldn't stand Gold's mocking.

Feraligatr missed, though, and got a straight slam into its side, as the opponent suddenly slammed itself towards it. Silver silently cursed, as Gold's joyful shout echoed in his ears.

"So the prize, Silv, any idea?" Gold still went on. "Hm, it'd be great if we had some pretty ladies who'd give us a kiss if we won! That'd be great, right? Wow, a shame Crys is not here… Hehe, just kidding!"

Gold, you dirty little… "On your right, Feraligatr! Aqua Tail!"

Feraligatr's tail, reinforced with a wave of raging water, slammed right at the typhlosion, who flinched in pain.

"Whoa! You okay, Explo? Swift!" Silver looked at Gold's surprised expression with some cruel contempt. But then the boy seemed to return to his usual self, as he just continued like there had been no interruption, "But anyway, I don't think she'd do it. I mean, If I tried and kissed her, she'd probably just smack me in the head, or maybe kick me…"

Mysteriously, with these words, something snapped inside Silver. That's it. You're dead. "Surf! Drown that bastard!"

A huge wave rose over the poor Explotaro.

"Counter it!" Gold was yelling. "Flame Wheel!"

"Don't let it get away! Aqua Tail, pin it down to the ground!"

"No, punch it before it does that!"

The two pokémon were wrestling with each other now, and their trainers were furiously cheering them on. A thunder rumbled somewhere near.

Both of the pokémon were considerably exhausted by now. Feraligatr was covered in bruises by all the punching, and Explotaro's fur was all muddy. But the two were enthusiastically fighting on.

"I'm still gonna win, Silv! DynamicPunch!" Gold shouted, huffing a little.

"Aqua Tail! And don't call me that!" Silver yelled back.

"Haha, what? Silv? But I had to come up with some nickname, you know! Okay, from now on, I'll – I'll call you Silly! How'd ya like that, Silly?"

"I'll strangle you, you douchebag!" Silver growled, his face red with fury. "Time to end this!"

"Sure it is! Full-on, Blast Burn!"

"Hydro Cannon!"

Both pokémon launched their attacks at the same time. There was a mighty explosion. The two pokémon, who had been wrestling face to face, seemed to be shot into opposite directions by the sheer power of the two ultimate attacks. A wave of pressure hit against Silver's face.

…Shit.

His rage already fading, and turning into shades of regret and embarrassment, Silver peered through the water, fire and smoke.

Oh, no! What have I done? The whole field was surrounded by a grave silence, save the continuous pitter-patter of the rain. Please, let Explotaro be conscious, please, please, please…

Please…

Suddenly, an orange flicker pierced the fog. Silver held his breath, and tried desperately to see the light better.

Yes. The smoke faded and revealed the bulky figure of Explotaro. The fire on its back was again in full flame. On the other side of the field, Feraligatr was lying unconscious. Yes. Yes!

Gold's victorious yell bounced through the field. Silver couldn't believe his exceptional good luck.

That was close. Thanking all legendary pokémon he knew, Silver took Feraligatr's pokéball into his hand, ready to call the pokémon back.

"Hey, what's going on here?"

Both Silver and Gold jumped. An old man wearing a long white lab coat had appeared from around the corner of the laboratory. And behind him, a shorter, more feminine figure showed up, carrying two heavy-looking bags.

"Gold, Silver, is that you? What on earth are you doing out here in this weather?"

Gold's expression brightened even more. Silver felt his heart making a sudden and very inexplicable additional jump inside his chest.

"Crys?"

…

'How was the task? Was it

a piece of cake

nothing special, or

difficult?'

Difficult. Damn that Gold… Just…Wait for the next time we meet.

'What happened?'

I battled Gold. That was a huge mistake. And he won. Scarcely.

'How did it make you feel?'

… I don't want to think about it. Ever again.

…

A/N: Crystal's back, yay! Oh, and expect to see some more Gold in the later chapters, he's just too great a character, and pretty crucial to Silver's progress and mental growth, I think, since he's an important friend (although a complete douche at times) and a boy of the same age as our Silly here. So, 'til next time!