Last time, Silver got three more badges, battled Ho-Oh, and put Suicune in a critical state in a fit of rage. Now, he continues on to the Seafoam Islands, and his next badge.

Chapter 11

A Mountain of Silver

Silver slid down the ladder and carefully avoided a patch of ice.

He was now within the Seafoam Islands.

He was glad the caves weren't pitch black like the majority of the Whirl Islands.

However it was freezing inside.

Literally; the cavern was coated with ice.

That was another thing that plagued Silver since his powers awakened; he had a very low tolerance for the cold.

He was shivering like crazy but forged on.

Eventually he found himself on the lowest floor of the cavern.

There were several holes letting in light, but the huge cavern was still very dark.

He caught movement out of the corner of his eye.

It was big whatever it was.

He readied himself, hunting for the Pokemon with his eyes.

Kros put its back to Silver's.

'There.'

Silver burst into Shell Forme and tackled the being into the wall, pinning it.

It turned out to be a bird Pokemon about his size that was blue in color... and ice cold, forcing Silver to release it.

"..Lugia?"

"Close. I'm his son, Silver. What are you?"

"Oh... I am Articuno, the eldest of my Trio. I live here in these islands. For a moment I was worried that Blaine had failed to keep a human out."

"I don't enjoy something trying to make my Heracross a snack. And for the record, I am human."

"I see... well, if you are looking for the gym, then take that ladder over there. It will bring you to the gym's entrance."

Articuno nodded to a ladder nearby.

"Thanks."

Silver instructed Kros to grab his "leg" and the two flew over to the ladder before Silver changed back and they left.

Eventually they made their way to the gym, and then its leader.

"Are you the 'Blaine' that Articuno mentioned by any chance?"

" You bet I am! My Gym on Cinnabar Island was burned down by the eruption! But I will not give up! Take a look at this cave. We have turned it into a Gym, and I am still acting as a Gym Leader! I will give you the Gym Badge if you manage to defeat me!"

"I'm Silver, the current Champion, from New Bark Town. Once I beat you, I just have to beat the last gym here in Kanto and then..." Silver shook his head. "Never mind. Let's get started."

"Here we go! Go, Magcargo!"

"Go, Feraligator! Use Surf!"

The move wiped out Magcargo with ease.

"Go, Magmar! Thunderpunch!"

Feraligator was left barely standing fom the hit.

"Feraligator, use Hydro Cannon!"

The Pokemon unleashed its strongest attack, instantly taking out its foe, but leaving it on its last leg, catching its breath.

"Go, Rapidash! Quick Attack!"

Feraligator went down.

"Go, Rusty! Earthquake!"

The cave shook and Rapidash went down hard.

"Awesome. I have burned out... Take this Volcano Badge!"

Silver frowned.

Feraligator was knocked out, so he couldn't ride his way to Cinabar.

"One thing to do then."

He stepped to the water's edge, stretched, and entered his Shell forme before diving into the water.

Eventually he got to the island and was somewhat taken aback by what he saw.

It was coated in Volcanic Rock, the Pokemon Center the only standing building on the island.

He landed on the dirt of the island and changed back before getting Feraligator healed and exploring what little there was of the island.

He then noticed a lone figure staring at the destruction.

Silver approached him.

"Hey."

The young man just nodded.

There was silence for a moment before the young man spoke up.

"Take a good look around you... A volcano erupts, and just like that, a whole town disappears. We can go on winning and losing in Pokemon, but if nature so much as twitches, we can be overwhelmed in a second."

"...I'm Silver, the-!"

"I know who you are. Word gets around real easy when a new Champion is crowned. That business you pulled in Ecruteak found its way here too."

The young man turned around.

"Name's Blue. I was champion once too... but it was short-lived. Red beat me not long after I got the title. But I'm still a trainer. If you want to battle me, come to the Viridian Gym. I'll be waiting. Come on, Pidgeot!"

He called out his Pokemon and took off.

Silver just kind of stared at the destruction around him for a while in silence, thinking.

Soul was leaned up against the side of the Viridian Gym.

She was going to confront Silver, and she knew he'd have to come here before he could be done.

Suddenly a young man landed on the back of a Pidgeot.

He noticed her.

"Eh? Who're you?"

"...So you're the one who took over the gym?"

"It was empty, I was here. Tell me what your name is."

"Soul. I'm waiting for Silver. I need to have a word with him, to put it nicely."

"I see. Well he should be along shortly. I've got to get ready for my match with him."

Silver stepped onto the dirt of the small town of Pallet.

"So, this Pallet huh? Reminds me a little of New Bark Town."

Silver remembered that Oak had mentioned having a lab here, so Silver decided to drop by and say hello.

"Ah, Silver! It's been a while."

He noticed Silver's badges.

"Ah, you have seven Kanto badges already? My goodness... you remind me of Red and my Grandson, Blue."

"Wait... Blue is your grandson?"

"You've met? Ah yes, he does travel to Cinnabar often, doesn't he? He's the Viridian Gym Leader you know."

"Yeah, I'm headed there now. Just thought I'd stop in along the way. I'd better go; shouldn't keep him waiting, right?"

"Of course not. He's very impatient, and always has been."

Silver ran the short Route 1 and made it to Viridian.

However, he was met with someone... unexpected.

Before Silver could even say a word, Soul had grabbed his ear and pulled him aside.

"Ow! What do you want? I haven't been having a good couple of days recently."

"I want a name."

"You already have a name don't you?"

"I mean her name you smartass."

"I'm not at liberty to disclose that information right now. I'll tell you soon. Right now I have a battle to fight."

Silver had readjusted his team once more.

This time he held Feraligator, Raikou, Noble, Umbreon, and Crusher.

He somehow managed to navigate the gym and reach Blue without throwing up.

"Yo! Finally got here, huh?"

"Ugh... yeah. Seriously dude, someone's gonna have a seizure with this layout if the movement doesn't make them puke first."

"Ha! A wimp like you beat the Johto League and became Champion? Are Johto's Gyms really that pathetic?"

"Do you want to find out how Lance went down?"

"Heh. Humor me."

"I took out his most powerful Dragonite myself. This power is my birthright and rather than reject it I've accepted and embraced it! I won't lose here!"

"Interesting! Well, I'll see if you're any good or not in battle! Go, Eggecutor!"

Silver downed some of the bitter juice that prevented the crippling damage from Dark Type moves and drew a Pokeball.

"Go, Umbreon! Dark Pulse!"

The move sent Eggecutor reeling, but it was stubborn.

"Eggecutor, use Leaf Storm!"

Umbreon took the attack but was injured.

"Umbreon , Dark Pulse again!"

The attack took out Eggecutor, but Silver felt the attack, although not all of it.

He gritted his teeth and sparked black.

"I'm...fine! Send in your next Pokemon!"

Blue smirked and nodded.

The fire in his eyes was the same fire he'd seen in Red's when they battled for title of champion three years ago.

"Go, Rhydon!"

"Get back... Umbreon! Go, Feraligator! Use Hydro Cannon! We can't afford to hold back!"

Rhydon went down fast.

However, Feraligator was once more left winded.

"Go, Machamp! Thunderpunch!"

And down went Feraligator.

"I'm sorry this keeps happening old friend... once this is all over you'll get a good rest, okay. Go, Noble! Use Fly!"

The Pokemon glowed white and shot to the highest point in the gym before diving back down and ramming into Machamp.

"Machamp, Thunderpunch!"

"Dodge it and use Air Slash!"

The flying type flapped its wings and got just out of reach of the Fighting type before sending blades of condensed air at its foe, taking it out.

"Go, Gyarados!"

"Get back, Noble! Go, Raikou! Spark!"

However, instead of the normal jolt of electricity, a large beam of yellow energy fired and took out Gyarados.

Suddenly, there was a flash and Raikou was engulfed in a beam of light.

When the light faded, Raikou's coloration had changed, black on orange and a shimmer was around him.

"Woah... What just happened...?" Silver was partially in awe but partially confused.

"It's... It's Shiny! What the hell just happened?" asked Blue

In the Cerulean Pokemon Center, the same thing happened to Suicune, and it was now on its feet.

"It's... It's incredible! Suicune is even more glorious than it was before!"

Eusine once more started gushing fanboisims.

"Don't tell me he was the one who brought me here?"

Eusine's Hypno nodded.

"Great. Now I have to thank him. Right now... I have to find out why this happened. I must find Silver, as I have a feeling he had something to do with this."

Suicune vanished in a blur, causing a gust of wind to roar through the center as Suicune sped out the doors.

"I'll tell you what happened. The only way to save Suicune was to gift it and the other Beasts with more power. Each is now Shiny, and also has a unique move. For Raikou, it is Zap Cannon. For Suicune, it is the powerful Sheer Cold. And for Entei, it is the mighty Flare Blitz. I was generous enough to fix your mistakes once. Next time I will not be so kind."

Blue was confused.

"Wha? Who said that?"

"Arceus..." spat Silver. "Fuck that overgrown Mareep. Let's get back to the battle!"

"Good idea! Go, Arcanine!"

"Return, Raikou! Go, Crusher!"

"Arcanine, Extremespeed!"

The dog-like Pokemon was a blur as it hit Crusher... and bounced off.

"Crusher... Horn Drill. Glancing blow."

The Pokemon hit the side of the fire type with its spinning horn and created heavy friction, leaving a portion of Arcanine's body fur-less and raw.

However, the blow dealt an unmatched amount of damage to Arcanine's stamina, and it hit the ground.

"Hm. Go, Pidgeot!"

"Crusher, Rock Blast!"

The Pokemon sent several rocks at its foe, but the Pidgeot dodged all but one of them.

"Pidgeot, use Whirlwind!"

Crusher was sent back into its Pokeball as if by an unseen force and (much to Silver's relief) pulled out Raikou.

"Raikou, Thunder!"

The attack took out Pidgeot in one hit.

"No way! How the heck did I lose to you? ... Tch, all right... Here, take this. It's the Earth Badge."

Blue handed him the badge.

"Hey... Thanks for holding back with your Rhydon. I've already lost one Pokemon to my own stupidity. I didn't want to lose another. Here, take this as thanks. It's the TM Trick Room."

"Don't mention it."

Silver left and was greeted by Suicune.

"Suicune. If it's about what happened to you, it was Arceus's doing. It happened to Raikou and, according to Arceus, Eneti too."

"I see..."

Silver's Pokegear went off.

"Hello?"

"I just heard about you getting all the Kanto badges! Come to my lab; I picked something up for you." Oak said.

"I'll be right there."

Silver headed to the Pokemon Center... and Suicune followed.

It remained outside as Silver healed his team, and continued following him after that as he walked down route 1.

"Why are you following me?"

"Why do you think? You need me."

"Like hell I do."

"For the challenges in the future... you will."

"We'll see about that."

He entered the laboratory and was greeted by the kindly professor.

"Ah there you are! You see, I heard of your victory over Blue, and I managed to get a little something together. This," he handed Silver a CD "is the Hidden Machine Rock Climb. It enhances a Pokemon's strength so it can carry you on its back to climb steep slopes!"

"Thanks, Professor. By the way, I was considering going to Hoenn to work on the Pokedex futher, since I know there have to be many types of Pokemon only found there, after I finished a few things up here and in Johto."

"I see! Very smart of you to do so! However, just to prepare, I think I'll grant you access to Mount Silver. Very powerful Pokemon live there, and it would be a perfect place to train before heading off to Hoenn." Oak offered.

"Sounds like a plan. Thanks for everything, Professor Oak. Oh, one more thing, do you have a colleague in Hoenn I should know about, just in case something comes up?"

"Yes actually. His name is Professor Birch, and his lab is in Littleroot Town, near the south west."

"Thanks again. Well, I'll be off."

Silver exited and headed back to Viridian; he'd go west from there.

Of course first he had to rearrange his team.

And Suicune was still following him.

"Leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you, Suicune. We've been over this."

"I disagree. You'd best take him up on his offer. The one who you will battle at is nothing like anything you've ever seen before."

Silver froze at the sound of this voice and slowly turned to face the source.

Leaning against the side of the building... was Arceus.

"Like I'll be taking any advice from you. You took apart my family you prick. I kicked your ass once, I'll do it again. In fact, I've gotten stronger since then."

"Simple minded child... as much as I hate to say it, you will become needed in the future; Giratina will rise again. But not yet. Not for some time in fact. Believe me or don't, but given those facts... can you afford not to?"

"How do I know this isn't some trap by you to get rid of me?"

"I just explained it. There is no other being strong enough to combat Giratina. Without my plates I cannot harm him, and therefore cannot stop him. We've been over what happens if I die... but the seal is weakening thanks in part to your actions. Finish your business here and got to Hoenn to get stronger. Take Suicune."

"Fine."

"Here."
Arceus threw him a completely red Pokeball.

"What's this?"

"A Cherish Ball. Use it to carry Suicune. Now... I have grown tired. I must rest until the time is right."

Arceus vanished in a pillar of light.

Silver lobbed the device at Suicune and he willingly entered it.

Silver's Pikachu ran to his other shoulder.

The Pokemon was very friendly by nature.

He entered the Vermillion Gym.

"Surge! I'm headed off to take on Zapdos. You can tag along if you want, maybe catch it. Oh yeah, meet Sparks, my Pikachu, newest member of the team."

"That's great! Well then, let's not waste any time!"

Silver flared into his Shell and let out a roar of challenge.

And Zapdos heard it.

The electric type came flying at him, forcing him to maneuver in mid air, something he wasn't too suited for.

He mostly used Telekinesis to bolster his untrained flight, but for dogfights of this speed, that wasn't practical.

That, and the way Zapdos was sparking was worrying him somewhat.

However, he had one defensive advantage, one he hadn't employed for quite some time:

Light Screen.

The bolt of lightning hit a wall of green energy and diffused into nothing.

Silver returned fire with a Dragon Pulse and sent Zapdos reeling.

The electric type recovered and fired another Thunder attack, the powerful lightning bolt making contact this time.

Silver sparked but wasn't done.

He would win this.

He fired his most powerful technique, Aeroblast.

Zapdos went down hard.

Surge saw his opening and lobbed an Ultra Ball at the Pokemon.

It clicked shut.

Silver landed next to the man and dropped his shell.

"Ow... and also, ow."

"Impressive. Thanks fer' getting that thing ta show up. I know, we should have a rematch some time. Let's trade Pokegear numbers."

"Sounds good."

The two traded numbers and went their separate ways.

Sparks ran back over to Silver and hopped on his shoulder before they headed to Mt. Silver.

However, they weren't going to enter the mountain just yet.

Silver wanted to make sure his team was ready, and had selected a combination of Drai, now a powerful Dragonite, Suicune, Sparks, Crusher, now a Rhyperior thanks to some help from Jasmine, Noble and finally Snorlax, the obese wall of a Pokemon.

After fighting some wild Pokemon that were indeed powerful, Silver healed his team once more and headed into the mountain.

However, he used Max Repels to keep the wild Pokemon at bay.

It was a good thing he'd purchased several cans, because he got lost... and ran into the youngest of the legendary bird trio, Moltres.

The Pokemon almost burned him to ash with a powerful fire blast.

"Shit!"

Silver called out Suicune.

"Suicune, Surf, go!"

The Pokemon let loose a wall of water that sent Moltres crashing into the rock face of the large cavern.

"Careful, you could start a cave-in!"

"I know that. We cannot afford to hold back against him, however."

"In that case..."

Silver flared into his Shell Forme and sent out a high powered Hydro pump that launched Moltres into the wall.

"Wha...?"

"I don't have time for this. How to I get to the summit?"

"L-Lugia?"

"No. His son, Silver. Answer me."

Moltres gave him directions, and a warning:

"There's a really strong kid who comes here all the time to train. What was it... Red or something like that?"

'Red... so this is my final challenge? Fine.'

Silver and Sparks continued onward, riding on Snorlax's back as he climbed the rock faces.

Finally they arrived at the summit.

Through the blinding blizzard, Silver made out a lone figure:

Red.

"So this is where you come to train? Kind of cold, isn't it?"

"... this is nothing."

"Fuck off man, you aren't part flying type Pokemon. I'm freezing my ass off, even with my jacket!"

Silver was shivering.

"Still... I'm not leaving now. I challenge you, Red, for the title of strongest trainer in all of Tojoh!"

"...Alright. Go, Pikachu."

"Get in there, Crusher! Use Earthquake!"

The Pokemon let loose a stomp that sent Red's Pikachu flying.

"Pikachu. Iron Tail."

The move sent Crusher reeling.

"Crusher, Horn Drill!"

Pikachu went down, heavily wounded.

"...Go, Lapras. Brine."

the move took out Crusher.

"Go, Sparks! Use Thunder!"

The attack came down on Lapras, but the Pokemon stayed up.

"Psychic."
"Dodge it!"

The wave of magenta energy was dodged with relative ease.

"Sparks, Thunderbolt!"

The move took out Lapras.

"Snorlax, Giga Impact."

The move took out Sparks.

"Go, Snorlax! Return the favor!"

Silver's Snorlax hit its foe hard, but the Pokemon withstood it.

"Snorlax, Blizzard."

Thanks to Silver's Snorlax having Thick Fat, the move did little damage.

However it caused Silver to grit his teeth; the attack was mixed into the weather.

Red noticed this and looked down at Silver, who was hunched over.

Silver's Snorlax looked at him as well.

"I...I...I'm not done!"

"...Go, Venasaur. Frenzy Plant."

Snorlax went down.

"Go...Drai. Flamethrower!"

Red's eyes widened for a second at the sight of a Dragonite.

He remembered the hell he'd gone through with Lance... and if Silver was using this against him... it was significantly stronger.

Sure enough, Venasuar went down.

"Blastoise. Blizzard."

"Protect!"

The dragon type covered itself in a bubble of cyan energy and the attack did no damage.

"Go, use Thunderbolt!"

The move brought Blastoise down.

"...Charizard."

"Get back, Drai!"

Both the dragon type and Red seemed somewhat confused by that order.

"Go, Suicune... Sheer Cold."
Suicune let out a roar and Charizard was frozen in place before the ice shattered and the fire type hit the snowy ground.

"..."

Red simply called back his Charizard and walked past Silver into the cave.

Silver walked to the edge of the cliff.

He called back Suicune and let himself fall forward.

As he fell he controlled his descent and finally erupted into his Shell Forme seconds before becoming a splattered mess and pulled up.

Unfortunately, when he arrived home, he found someone he didn't like seeing.

"Arceus... What do you want now?"

"My, my hostile, aren't we? I came here to congratulate you and with a peace offering no less. Meet me in the Ruins of Alph in ten minutes. Don't be late."

Arceus vanished.

"Silver!"

Lyra came running over to him.

"Did you get bigger?"

"Did I?"

"Of course you did. The shell is proportionate to your current power. Your body is adapting to your new power and thus allowing you to use it more liberally."

Lugia proper appeared.

"Right now you're about on par with me."

Lugia changed Forme.

"See? And you aren't even done growing yet."

Silver changed back into his normal forme.

"So, what did you do in Kanto?"

"Of course I beat the gyms. But the real battle was here, in Johto, at Mt. Silver. I beat Red."

"Wow! That's super awsome! What're you going to do now?" Asked Lyra.

"First, I have to meet up with Arceus. I have a feeling it isn't good to keep him waiting. Then I'm going to try and find a way to Hoenn to continue my work for Professor Oak's National Pokedex."

"Good luck with that. I think you can do anything you put your mind to!"

"Thanks, Lyra."

"I'm here."

"So I see. Come with me."

Arceus and Silver entered the ruins.

"These hieroglyphs are based on the Pokemon Unknown."

"Eh? Wait, what are you-!"

Arceus used his power to knock Silver out.

Then several Unknown swarmed and the two vanished.

Silver awoke in the snow.

"You finally woke up. Come with me, there is someone I'd like you to meet."

Silver rose and followed Arceus to a small cabin.

"Cynthia, I have brought the boy. Let us make haste to the Mysteri Stage."

"Alright." the blonde looked to Silver.

"Hello, my name is Cynthia. I'm the Champion of Sinnoh, and an avid researcher of Pokemon Myth and Lore."

"Name's Silver. Currently the strongest trainer in all of Tojoh. Also the son of Lugia, legendary Beast of the Sea. Let's see what the overgrown Mareep wants to show us."

Arceus glared at him, but took no further action.

When they arrived, Arceus changed into his Pokemon Forme.

"Now for the reason I have brought you here. I shall use my power to create for you one of the three who helped shape this universe. Palkia, the Pokemon of Space, Dialga, the Pokemon of Time, or Giratina, the Pokemon of Antimatter."

Silver stepped on the top icon.

"I see... Very well. I shall begin the process."

The symbol glowed and Silver's mind was overloaded with images of various locations and things before the process finally completed itself.

A ball of energy appeared and shot into Silver's arms; an egg.

It was red and black with gray on the top and bottom.

Then another ball of energy appeared in his arms; a Golden diamond-shaped item.

Silver blacked out.

He awoke in the ruins, alone with the Egg and Strange Object by his side.

The egg then proceeded to hatch, revealing a rather small grey and black Pokemon with gold parts and shadowy tendrils coming form its back, the golden object glowing.

Silver stashed the orb in his bag and observed the being.

Even with the degree of levitation, it was only about as tall as his waist.

"This shaped the universe? Oh well, it is freshly hatched. What are you?"

Silver pulled out his pokedex and got info on it, surprisingly.

It was Giratina, the Renegade Pokemon. It was Ghost and Dragon, and had the ability Levitate. Apparently this was its "Origin Forme".

"Arig. That's your name. Hm... I can't very well take my entire team with me to hoenn... I know just who to leave you with."

"It's so cute! Of course I'll take care of it while you're in Hoenn," exclaimed Lyra.

"Great. Thanks a lot, Lyra." Silver knelt down to the Pokemon.

"I'll be back in a few months or so. Lyra will take care of you. Play nice with Maril now. Oh!"

He handed Lyra the Girseus orb.

"This is important somehow. Don't lose it."

"Got it!"

Silver's Pokegear rang.

"Hello?"

"Ah, yes, Silver was it? This is Giovanni. A fellow stockholder in Silph wanted to see you for some reason at their HQ in Saffron."

"I see... Thanks I guess."
Silver hung up and headed off.

"Ah, Silver hello there!"

"Steven?"

"Yes, I heard you wanted to head to Hoenn to work on the Pokedex, correct?"

"That's right."

"I though I'd help you with both of those goals. Tell me, if you had three stones in front of you, which would you pick: The Green one, the Blue one, or the Red one?"

"I'd go with the green one personally, but what does this have to do with anything?"

"Here," Steven handed him a Pokeball and a Boat Ticket. "That Pokemon is Treeko, one of the three starter Pokemon given to Trainers in Hoenn. That ticket will get you to Hoenn from Vermillion City. Also, I hear Professor Oak was looking for you, so perhaps you should check in with him before you leave."

"Good idea. Thanks, Steven."

"I heard you wanted to see me, Professor Oak?"
"Ah yes, Silver! Red informed me of your victory, and as such we've prepared a little reward that will also aid you in filling your pokedex! These are the three starter Pokemon of Kanto. You may choose one."

Silver decided on Charmander before heading to Vermillion.

He deiced he'd take three Pokemon with him.

He'd bring Charmander, Treeko, and Suicune.

Any others? Well, he'd have to catch them. That's kind of the reason he was going to Hoenn anyway, but starting with one unfamiliar Pokemon wasn't the way to do it. He'd keep Suicune handy for fast transport (the beast owed him) and someone to talk to that wasn't one foot high and spoke... Pokemon.

He checked his bags once more before heading to the dock.

"Hold it!"

'Right on time.'

Soul ran over to him and stopped, panting.

"Oh no... you don't! Not until... you tell me who she is!"

"You mean you haven't figured it out by now? I already gave you a huge hint."

"What? No you didn't! You said-!"

She was cut off by Silver pulling her close and pressing his lips against hers for a moment before breaking apart, keeping his arms around Soul's waist.

"I told you; you have a name."

Soul was bright red and unable to respond.

"I'll be gone for a month or so, two tops. When I get back we'll start doing things normal couples do, okay? I've got to go now though."

He released her and headed off to the boat.

"You'd better come back in one piece!" she yelled.

Silver waved a hand behind him as he boarded the vessel.

Elsewhere, Eusine was back in his home town of Celadon.

After Suicune choosing Silver, he wasn't sure what to do with his life.

However, that all changed when he saw a blue and white blur race overhead.

He grinned widely; he had a new target now.

And so Silver departs for Hoenn. What new adventures will he find and what new enemies will he face in this foreign land? Find out in the upcoming sequel!