Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 47: The Power of the Champion
After a lengthy encounter with Team Rocket at their Mahogany headquarters, Ethan's rival Silver had challenged Lance, who was revealed to be the Pokémon League Champion, the lot relocated to a forest not too far from the village to have a full-on battle.
"I still don't see what Silver's expecting here, now way he's beating Lance!" Ethan said to Bayleef off to the sidelines away from the field the two would be battling on.
"Bay!" Bayleef agreed with her Trainer.
Lance stood about twenty-five feet away from Silver, him with a look of confidence and Silver with a look of fury.
"...I'll reveal my Pokémon first." Silver said pulling out a Pokéball. "If I'm correct, you'll be using that Pokémon, the one you called Dragonite first? I'll start with a type advantage!"
Silver tossed his Pokéball, and released a bluish-black Pokémon with three bright red feathers for its tail and a single on its left ear. Its narrow red eyes stared down Lance viciously.
"Silver caught a full team of six as well I see!" Ethan said taking out his Pokédex to scan it.
"Sneasel, the Sharp Claw Pokémon. Its paws conceal sharp claws. If attacked, it suddenly extends the claws and startles the enemy."
"Dragonite, stand by for battle!" Lance yelled as he threw his Pokéball.
Upon being released Dragonite yell out a roar that easily intimidated the Sneasel, it took one glance at his Trainer before looking back.
"We'll begin! Sneasel, Ice Beam!" Silver yelled, Sneasel listened and fired from its mouth a blue beam at rapid speed, Ethan could tell it was freezing cold just by being near it. The beam hit Dragonite directly, managing to freeze its arm.
"Draga-Dragonite?" Dragonite said trying to shake off the ice.
"That's Super effective." Ethan commented he looked over to Bayleef who was getting chills, probably because the move was also Super effective to her.
"Now Sneasel, Fury Swipes!" Silver ordered.
Sneasel leaped into the air and proceeded to slash the powerful Dragonite with scratch and slice after scratch and slice at tremendous speed, Dragonite seemed to be being overwhelmed.
Sneasel let out one last scratch, slicing Dragonite in the gut, but Dragonite simply responded by jabbing Sneasel in the jaw with its frozen hand, instantly breaking the ice upon impact.
"Sne-Sneasel!" Sneasel let out while falling back to the ground.
"That was just a mere love tap Sneasel, do not lose so easily!" Silver yelled, forcing it to quickly recover. "Now, Shadow Claw!"
Sneasel ran fourth at Dragonite with its claw engulfed in a dark aura, but Dragonite easily moved out of the way and with its tail managed to trip Sneasel.
Lance simply stood there, not saying a word, completely silent.
"He-he hasn't even commanded his Pokémon!" Silver yelled. "Err... Sneasel, Icy Wind!"
Sneasel let out a roar and a harsh wave of frost hit Dragonite, causing it to take a step back and cover its face. The frost began to overtake Dragonite and slowly began to freeze it.
"Keep it coming!" Silver yelled.
Dragonite kept taking steps forward, all while slowly being frozen, Sneasel kept the wind coming, but Dragonite finally took one step in front of Sneasel, and raised its fist, which was freezing at a rapid rate.
Sneasel began increasing the amount of wind even further, to the point where Dragonite was frozen from its raised arm, its wings, and parts of its body.
"Sneasel, now Mega Punch!" Silver yelled, Sneasel's fist glowed white as it smashed it into the Dragonite's chest, breaking small chunks of ice of its body, but Dragonite hadn't even moved a muscle, or groaned in pain in the slightest.
Sneasel let out a face as if it had taken a shit, as Dragonite's frozen fist began charging with flames, melting the ice, only on its arm. Dragonite swung the Fire Punch into Sneasel's jaw, sending Sneasel slamming into the ground, causing a huge smoke cloud.
Once the smoke cleared it was clear to see Sneasel was knocked unconscious.
"...What power!" Silver commented as he returned his Sneasel to its Pokéball.
"One down... five left to go." Ethan said as he watched carefully.
Lance stood still and looked away from the battlefield, which only made Silver madder.
"My second Pokémon, go! Gengar!" Silver yelled as he threw his Pokéball, releasing Gengar.
"Gengar!" Gengar yelled upon being released.
"So, he evolved his Haunter!" Ethan reacted.
Gengar met eyes with Dragonite, who was still partially frozen after the battle with Sneasel, making Gengar grin.
"Gengarrrrr!" Gengar said poking its tongue at the Dragonite. Dragonite however showed no anger for the taunt.
"Now begin! Gengar, Confuse Ray!" Silver yelled, Gengar shot out a quick beam at Dragonite, making the Dragon Pokémon see stars as it waddled around in confusion.
"Good it's confused, then go and use Dark Pulse!" Silver ordered.
Gengar raised its mouth open and blasted Dragonite down with a dark beam. Dragonite could not dodge as it saw three beams coming for it and had no clue which was the real one.
Dragonite almost instantly recovered from the damage, now free from the ice as the Dark Pulse had blown it away, however still lingering from the confusion.
The Pokémon attempted to strike someplace but accidentally hit itself hard in confusion, making Silver smile.
"Now Gengar, Sucker Punch!" Silver yelled, Gengar happily levitated over to the confused Dragonite and smashed in the gut with the move hard, causing Gengar to spit up.
"A direct hit!" Silver smiled.
Although Gengar had landed the blow, Dragonite now knew where Gengar was, it pulled its head back and blasted at the Gengar a close contact Twister attack which engulfed Gengar entirely.
"Gen-Gengar!" Gengar screamed in pain as it was hurled by the tornado to the ground before Silver.
Gengar lay flat on its face. The poor Pokémon tried to move its hand up, but it quickly dropped it to the floor, defeated.
It was then when Dragonite was struck with a dark aura, causing it to groan in pain, surprising even Silver.
"It appears Gengar at some point managed to use Curse without even my knowledge, how unfortunate for your Dragonite." He said as he returned his unconscious Pokémon.
Dragonite let out a strong cried out, trying to show it was dominant.
"Next up, Magnezone!" Silver said throwing a Pokéball, releasing a fully evolved Magnezone.
"Magnezone!" Magnezone screeched.
"Magnezone, Flash Cannon now!" Silver began, Magnezone listened and fired a steel type energy wave, to which Dragonite charged through easily. Magnezone levitated to the sky to try and get away, but Dragonite was faster.
Dragonite appeared right before the Magnezone, who flinched in fear. The Dragon type even unleashed steam from its nostrils, scaring the Magnezone even more.
"Don't just stand there, Electric Terrain!" Silver yelled, Magnezone listened and fired a field of electricity which instantly immersed Dragonite as it was blasted with the lightning.
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef said to Ethan.
"You're right Bayleef. That's the same move Jasmine's Magnezone had." Ethan realized.
Dragonite blocked his face as it made its way closer and closer into the electricity, Magnezone tried moving back, but it was to no avail.
"How is this even possible!" Silver screamed.
Dragonite raised its fist and charged another Fire Punch, smashing the Magnezone in its face sending it crashing into the ground.
"Pathetic!" Silver yelled at his Pokémon, who struggled to get up.
Dragonite slowly flew back down to the ground was then when Dragonite was blasted by the aftereffects of Curse once more, inflicting even more damage.
Magnezone slowly got up, surging with electricity, albeit heavily damaged.
"Magnezone, do not fail me! End Dragonite with Gyro Ball!" Silver commanded.
Magnezone listened, although it was frightened by the Dragonite it was far more frightened by the wrath of its Trainer. Magnezone spun like a top at the dragon type at full speed.
Right before the blow could land however Dragonite caught it in between its palms. Magnezone continued to spin rapidly but began to slow down as it was forced to stop.
"How could this be!?" Silver freaked.
Magnezone stopped moving entirely in the clutch of Dragonite. Dragonite finally raised the Pokémon to the air and smashed it over its knee, fainting it.
Dragonite went and tossed the knocked-out Pokémon over back to its Trainer.
"An utter disappointment!" Silver cursed as he withdrew his unconscious Magnezone to its Pokéball.
Lance hadn't even taken a glance at Silver or the battle during its entirety. Enraging Silver even further.
"What are you looking at!? This is a battle, and you will not underestimate me!" Silver said throwing another Pokéball, unleashing his Scizor.
"Scizor!" Scizor shrieked upon being release.
"Lance, get serious!" Silver finally yelled. "Scizor, X Scissor!"
Scizor glared at the Dragonite before quickly cutting it down with a fierce X Scissor attack, causing Dragonite to fall to one knee.
"Dra.. Dragonite..." Dragonite panted as it was zapped with a jolt of electricity.
"Woah, Magnezone managed to get off its Static!" Ethan exclaimed. "Maybe Scizor's got a chance in this case."
"Scizor, continue the onslaught with Fury Cutter!" Silver commanded.
Before Scizor could land the fierce slash however, the Dragonite flew into the air dodging the blow before reversing to face Scizor, it was then when it was again hit with Curse, giving Silver and Scizor an opportunity.
"Good, now use Air Slash and strike it down!" Silver yelled.
Scizor listened and struck the Dragonite from the sky, hurling it down to the ground starting a huge smoke cloud.
"Finally, that bastard's down!" Silver laughed, upon the smoke clearing however Dragonite was anything but down.
Dragonite had reappeared right in front of the Scizor to Silver's surprise. It quickly raised its fist and charged it with flames burning as bright as the Sun.
"Dodge it Scizor!" Silver screamed.
Scizor heard his Trainer's cry and managed to dodge the Dragonite's blow, instinctually it responded with a Fury Cutter, slashing the Dragonite in the eye.
"Drahhhhh!" Dragonite screamed out in pain, it would now be blinded in that eye for the rest of the battle until it could get help.
"That was smart... dirty but smart." Ethan said. He looked over to Lance, who was now watching the battle but remaining completely silent.
Dragonite raised its fist once more, going for another Fire Punch attack, clearly enraged. But it was paused momentarily with paralysis, giving Scizor another chance.
"Increase your speed, Agility now!" Silver commanded, suddenly ten afterimages of Scizor appeared all around the Dragonite, as Scizor moved at faster than light speeds.
Dragonite's unblinded eye lit up with fury, it let out a shout and unleashed vicious flames burning crimson all around it, instantly engulfing the circling Scizor.
"It even knows Outrage!? Shit!" Silver cursed.
Scizor leaped away from the flames damaged, still on its feet however, proving its resilience.
The flames subsided and Dragonite ferociously glared at Scizor, trying to intimidate the bug type.
"X Scizor once more!" Silver yelled, Scizor listened and rushed towards the Dragonite.
Dragonite pulled its head back about to unleash another Twister, Scizor was wise enough to pull back to avoid it. Dragonite pulled its head back as well and ended the move before it began.
"Scizor, what was that I said use X Scissor!" Silver ordered.
Despite knowing it was risky, Scizor went ahead and used X Scizor, rushing into Dragonite, Dragonite tried to land a blow back, but it was quickly cut down.
"Not so fast anymore it seems..." Silver smirked, finally starting to believe he had a chance.
"Dragonite needs a break, four nonstop battles in a row is bad for any Pokémon, even if it's a Champion's ace." Ethan asserted. "Hey Lance, why not call out Dragonite for now, it's pretty tired!"
Lance paid Ethan no mind, his eyes strictly focused on the battle.
"Dragonite, you will fall!" Silver declared. "Scizor, Air Slash from close range."
Scizor raised its right arm, quickly striking down to smash Dragonite in the face with the dreadful Air Slash, creating a smoke cloud which engulfed half the dragon type.
Dragonite managed to stand up however, standing face to face with the Scizor once the smoke cleared. It was then when it was once again hit with the paralysis.
"S-Scizor, don't just stand there, Fury Cutter!" Silver freaked.
Scizor raised its arm and slashed at Dragonite in the gut, however this time it barely managed to scratch a dent, shocking Silver.
"Impossible!" The boy screamed. "Scizor pull back!"
Before Dragonite could strike, Scizor leaped back about twenty feet.
"Now... X Scissor, this next move will be the end of Dragonite." Silver declared.
Scizor once more formed a cross with its arms, as the attack charged with a blood red aura which shined brightly.
Dragonite simply raised its arm and charged it with its flames.
"Do it!" Silver yelled, Scizor rushed at extreme speeds to Dragonite, Dragonite responded with its Fire Punch and at that point it was just a race to see which move landed first.
Both Dragonite and Scizor crossed each other in the blink of an eye, landing on the opposite sides of the battlefields where each other had stood just prior.
"It hit; it must have!" Silver screamed livid. "I saw!"
A scratch appeared upon the dragon's cheek, to which it began to bleed from. On top of that Dragonite was once again hit with the curse, inflicting fierce damage, but it managed to stay on its feet upon recovering.
The same could not be said for Scizor however. The Pokémon fell to its knee's unconscious, making Dragonite again the victor.
"Dragooo!" Dragonite roared once more, with one eye closed.
"Another Pokémon that fails me!? Ridiculous!" Silver damned as he returned his Scizor.
"Bay Bay..." Bayleef said, shocked at just how powerful Dragonite was.
"Make sure you soak it all in Bayleef, cause one day soon, we'll have to fight that Dragonite." Ethan told her, sending chills down her spine.
Silver pulled out another Pokéball. "That's it, I know I have no chance of winning, but at least let me take that damn Dragonite down with me!"
"Go, Eevee!" Silver said as he threw his Pokéball.
"Eev, Eevee!" The Eevee said, upon landing to the ground it noticed the big angry Dragonite before it and was instantly scared.
Eevee turned its face to Silver, who didn't even look at it.
It turned back to face the Dragonite, it wanted to make Silver proud, it wanted to be praised by its Trainer.
"Eevee!" Eevee barked at Dragonite, getting not even a hint of fear or hesitation from the dragon type.
"That's Silver's Eevee, so he hadn't managed to evolve it yet." Ethan said.
"Eevee, it's weakened, you have this, if you lose, I will not let it slide!" Silver yelled at his Pokémon.
Eevee shook its head in understanding and growled at the Dragonite.
Dragonite's tail flowed with water as it tried to strike the Eevee down with its Aqua Tail, but Eevee used Quick Attack, leaping in the air and striking the Dragonite in the face headbutting it.
Dragonite was shaken up a bit by the blow. Upon landing back to the ground Eevee turned to see Silver, who hadn't batted an eye.
Dragonite formed a battle stance and anticipated the Eevee's next move.
"Eevee, now use Retaliate!" Silver commanded, with that Eevee swiftly passed Dragonite, having striked it with countless blows.
"It's a quick one, as I remember." Ethan commented.
Dragonite however was barely phased by Eevee's onslaught, it simply turned around and met eyes with Eevee.
"Ee-Eevee..." It said nervously.
Dragonite pulled its head back and exhaled a fierce Twister aiming straight for Eevee.
"Dodge!" Silver yelled.
Eevee leapt to the side avoiding it just barely, being only slightly faster.
"Now, Iron Tail!" Silver demanded, Eevee leapt from right to left as it approached the Dragonite, its tail glowing white.
Dragonite attempted to move but was then hit with not just the paralysis, but also the curse, making it groan out in pain.
Eevee flipped in the air above Dragonite and struck it above its head with Iron Tail, making Dragonite flinch its head down.
"Dra...Dragonite!" It yelled enraged. Dragonite suddenly grabbed Eevee by its tail, holding it in its arms.
"Ee, Eevee!" Eevee cried as it shook in Dragonite's clutch.
"Don't give up Eevee! Fight!" Silver yelled.
Eevee swung back and forth with its tail, finally landing its legs on Dragonite's belly, using the momentum it used Quick Attack to escape from the dragon type's clutch, landing safely on the ground.
"Now Eevee, Shadow Ball!" Silver yelled.
Eevee raised its mouth and began charging its ghost type move, expanding in size.
Dragonite wouldn't have it, it charged at Eevee as fast it could even while exhausted.
By the time Dragonite was an inch away from Eevee it finally jumped, just avoiding Dragonite's clutch, just barely above its face. Eevee shot at Dragonite with a point blank Shadow Ball causing an explosion.
Lance was repeatedly tapping his foot up and down, in anticipation of what would happen next.
The smoke cleared, and Dragonite was holding Eevee by the neck this time, Eevee couldn't move a muscle.
"Not again!" Silver cursed.
Dragonite's grit eats teeth as it unleashed its fury with its next attack. Flames raised and completely engulfed the two as it had unleashed its outrage move. All that could be heard other than the flames was Eevee's cry.
"E-Eevee..." Ethan stressed. Bayleef had to look away.
Finally, once the flames lifted Dragonite threw Eevee back at Silver, it had been scorched by the attack, and barely moving.
"Get up, you cannot fall here!" Silver said, almost sounding like he could break up.
Eevee twitched, surprising everyone, even Lance. It slowly tried to stand on its fours.
"Ee...Eevee..." It said while panting heavily.
Dragonite stood still, surprised by Eevee's endurance.
"Retaliate, now!" Silver commanded, Eevee heard and slowly took one step forward.
Before it could take another step, Dragonite raised its hand showing its palm, telling Eevee to stop while it was head, trying to tell it had no chance.
Eevee paused, before looking back at Silver, seeing the determination, anger, and sadness in his eyes.
It turned back again facing Dragonite, letting out a fierce growl. Eevee took step after step slowly, but with each step the faster it got, going from limping to running.
Eventually it began charging to Dragonite at full speed despite being injured, each step cracking the ground below it, causing Dragonite to respond.
Just as Eevee leapt to hit Dragonite with the Retaliate, it responded by bashing the Eevee with an Aqua Tail. An attack with equal force it canceled out Eevee's Retaliate.
"E-Eevee?" It cried out in midair as it lost all friction.
Dragonite roared and smashed Eevee in the skull with Fire Punch, sending the poor Pokémon down to the ground at intense speed back to Silver, breaking the ground below.
Eevee fell on its back before its Trainer.
"N-no way it could come back from that..." Ethan said sadly, Bayleef agreeing.
It was then when Eevee's eyes opened, it glanced at Silver wanting something, anything, even just a thank you, but Silver simply looked away closing his eyes with no words.
Eevee had a tear before closing its eyes unconscious, unable to continue.
That, Eevee... I shouldn't feel bad, it's Silver's Pokémon and brought my Eevee a lot of pain. Ethan reminisced.
….
"I like your Eevee, do you want to see mine?" Silver asked.
Silver threw is Pokéball, releasing an Eevee of his own.
"Eevee!" Eevee howled.
Ethan's Eevee walked back as Silver's glared directly at her, she looked back to see Bayleef knocked out on the bench, filling her with anger.
"Eevee!" She yelled, jumping on the court, facing off with Silver's.
"Eevee, you really want to battle, girl?" Ethan said surprised.
"Now that I see it up close, it looks weak and scrawny, no shape to fight mine." Silver said confidently.
"Oh yeah, Eevee show him he's wrong!" Ethan yelled. "Now Quick Attack!"
Ethan's Eevee rushed into Silver's however it barely managed to push it back.
"That's a Quick Attack? Eevee, show it ours!" Silver yelled.
Silver's Eevee ran at speeds Ethan's couldn't keep up with, it bashed into Ethan's smashing her into the air.
"Eevee!" Ethan yelled scared for her safety.
"Eevee, use Shadow Ball!" Silver yelled.
Silver's Eevee charged from its mouth dark energy, blasting Ethan's causing a large explosion.
"Eevee!" Ethan yelled. Ethan's Eevee fell to the ground, she was damaged bad and struggled to get up.
"Alright Eevee return, I don't want to see you especially, getting hurt!" Ethan told her.
Eevee shook her head refusing, she wanted to battle.
"Eevee..." Ethan said, unsure of what to do.
Eevee let out a roar and unleashed a swift attack, the stars were fast enough to land hits on Silver's without it even noticing in time, it managed to dodge only two stars, getting hit with the rest.
"E-Eevee!" It groaned.
"Eevee! Bite now!" Silver said.
Silver's Eevee pounced and bit Ethan's Eevee on the neck, causing Ethan's Eevee to scream in pain.
"No Eevee!" Ethan yelled.
"Now once again Shadow Ball!" Silver yelled, his Eevee listened, and while biting Ethan's charged a Shadow Ball, hitting her with direct contact.
….
"Eevee, now Swift!" Ethan yelled.
Silver's Eevee couldn't dodge as its tail was stuck into the ground after that last attack, Ethan's Eevee made direct contact with the Swift which sent Silver's crashing to the ground.
"Do not anger me Eevee! You will win this battle no matter what, you understand!?" Silver yelled. His Eevee got back up, despite its tire.
"Good work Eevee, we're winning this! Just keep it up alright!" Ethan told her.
Eevee nodded, not taking her eyes off Silver's Eevee.
"Hmph, Eevee, Quick Attack!" Silver ordered. His Eevee came rushing at incredible speed at Ethan's, it crashed into Ethan's, sending her flying back several feet to Ethan's dismay.
"Are you okay Eevee?" Ethan said, scared for her. Ethan's Eevee suddenly began to get up from the floor.
"Bayleef Bayleef Bay!" Bayleef said, trying to cheer Eevee on.
"Now Eevee, finish it with Retaliate!" Silver commanded. Silver's Eevee quickly rushed past Ethan's, inflicting fierce damage to Ethan's, causing an eruption when it finally landed.
Ethan looked to see his Eevee, who was clearly unable to battle, Ethan went down on his knees and slid to her.
"You did really good Eevee, I'm so proud of you!" Ethan said smiling.
….
His Eevee has caused mine a lot of anguish, so, why do I feel bad...? Ethan wondered.
Silver raised his Pokéball and returned his Eevee, without a word. Lance still not speaking a word.
"This... is my last Pokémon, and also my strongest." He said, holding his Pokéball. "Quilava, go!"
"Quilava!" Quilava roared as its flame burned viciously, it met eyes with Dragonite than gave a fierce grin.
"Do not fail me!" Silver said to his Pokémon, Quilava understood.
Dragonite panted heavily, having won five battles in a row, and now apparently having to throw down with Silver's strongest.
It has Aqua Tail, so I'll have to make sure Quilava isn't hit with it, how to battle... Silver thought. "Quilava, begin with Smokescreen!"
Quilava shot out smoke which blinded the already struggling to see Dragonite, neither Lance nor Silver could see their Pokémon in the smoke at this point.
The smoke however subsided not long after, as Dragonite smashed its arm into the ground unleashing Fire Punch, causing a heat wave that overpowered the smoke.
When they could see both foes could see that Quilava even after this managed to land a fierce Wild Charge on Dragonite, without Silver's command.
Dragonite groaned out in pain, it tried to move but was shocked again by the static.
"Lava, Quilava!" Quilava snarled. It took a second to glare at its rival Bayleef, with a smirk, trying to say this is what would have happened if Dragonite hadn't jumped in earlier.
"B-Bay..." She said nervously.
"Good, now Flamethrower!" Silver yelled. Quilava pulled its head back and enveloped Dragonite with a deep red flame, burning like a star.
Dragonite pulled back from the flamethrower covering its face, it was then damaged by the curse once more.
The curse and paralysis still linger, this has to be it... Silver thought. "Now Flame Charge!"
Quilava leaped forth to Dragonite enveloped in flames, smashing into Dragonite's belly.
"Dra-Drago!" Dragonite moaned.
Dragonite on top of the Flame Charge was hit with curse, making it fall to the ground.
"Dragonite!" Ethan said in awe, wondering if it was out.
"Don't give it a chance to move, Quilava, jump and use Wild Charge!" Silver yelled, Quilava listened and leaped into the air surging with electricity as it crashed, landing atop the Dragonite, causing a large-scale eruption.
"So powerful..." Ethan said in awe at the move.
The smoke cleared, and Dragonite was on both knees, suffering from not just the damage, but also the paralysis which shocked it.
"It's done, Flamethrower and end it!" Silver yelled, Quilava listened, and pulled its head back and exhaled a fierce flame.
Lance focused carefully on the battle, not even blinking.
The fire hit Dragonite head on once more, but it got up, albeit slowly, to Quilava's surprise.
"Stay down you beast! Quilava, unleash your full power!" Silver commanded.
Quilava used every bit of fire it had pouring it into the attack, but Dragonite stood on its two feet to its surprise.
Quilava could no longer use up any more fire type moves, it was burnt out and needed a breather, it took two steps back in fear of the Dragonite.
"Quil...Quilava, Quilava..." The poor Pokémon whimpered.
Lance finally raised his arm and pointed. "Dragonite, Aqua Tail!" Hearing Lance speak shocked Silver, as he hadn't even heard him breathe for the entire battle.
Using all the power it had, Dragonite swung the Aqua Tail and hit Quilava in the gut, sending it flying backwards.
Quilava was flung passed Silver and into a tree, completely knocking it and several trees down behind it. Quilava slid to the ground and landed unconscious.
Silver turned around, raised Quilava's Pokéball and returned it, having nothing to say.
"It's finally done..." Ethan said.
"Bay!" Bayleef sighed, relieved.
Dragonite again screamed out in pain upon being hit with Curse once more, again it fell to its knees.
"Return Dragonite, good job boy. You did fantastic." Lance told his Pokémon as he returned it to his Ultra Ball.
Silver took two steps stumbling before falling to his knees. "What have I been doing wrong all this time; I trained my Pokémon making them into complete units, yet I lose without even taking out his first Pokémon!"
Silver tried to hide it, but Ethan and Lance could hear his voice breaking up, he must have been about to cry.
"S-Silver..." Ethan said.
"I'll give you this, boy, you certainly have powerful Pokémon, however, that won't even matter, as you yourself lack something, Silver." Lance called out to the redhead.
"Y-you won... isn't that enough." Silver said, turning an eye to Lance.
"No, it was never about winning to me, you have potential undoubtably, but your approach to battling is flawed, I can see you lack the most important step." Lance declared. "Take it from myself, or your rival Ethan here."
"What...?" Silver asked. "What is it... I'm missing?"
"Trust, love, care, care for your Pokémon, I can see you view them only as tools and nothing more, as soldiers rather than your friends. I've seen many people like you along my journey, and I've seen what that can do to a Trainer and there Pokémon. Unless you change yourself, you and your Pokémon will never reach their full potential, nor will you surpass myself, or Ethan." Lance claimed.
Silver smiled and laughed.
"Trust... love... care... what nonsense." Silver spoke. "I never had any of those things, how could anyone expect me to treat my Pokémon how I never was! Listen, Pokémon are just tools to me, I am not like you pansies, I do not have an ounce of love or affection within me!"
"Then you will remain weak, and a fool." Lance said harshly.
Upon hearing this, Silver clenched his fist, but then dropped it.
"We'll... have a rematch someday, I promise you..." Silver said as he walked off with his hands on his pockets.
"I should, talk to him." Ethan said. "Wait, what am I saying, it's Silver!?"
"The boy will learn someday, perhaps not now, but hopefully in the deep future..." Lance said.
"I hope so," Ethan said rubbing the back of his neck. "But man is your Dragonite amazing, six battles in a row and he still could stand!"
"You'll be there someday Ethan; I just know it. And your father does, too." Lance told Ethan.
"On to one problem to the next, huh?" Ethan said, making Lance laughed.
"I recommend you go challenge the Mahogany gym, your father's arriving in three days, did he say? You should try out that Red Gyarados you caught, see how well it fares."
"Yeah, I probably should, he's been waiting in there for a while." Ethan said taking out his Great Ball.
"The Gym leader's a man named Pryce, Master of Ice types, and after him there's my cousin, Clair in Blackthorn." Lance informed Ethan.
"Well looks like I got my work cut out for me, especially if your if I'm going to have to face your cousin!" Ethan laughed.
"Haha, oh, and also thanks again for your help with Team Rocket, I'll never forget your kind actions today." Lance said, waving goodbye.
"See you." Ethan smiled.
Lance took off but turned back to say one last thing. "Ethan, next time we meet I am sure it will be as a face-off between Challenger and Champion, so good luck, and remember to train and love your Pokémon."
As he left, Ethan turned back to see the direction where Silver had gone, and he was already gone.
"Bayleef, if I don't say it enough... thanks, for everything." Ethan said to his starter kneeling down.
"Bay!" Bayleef said nuzzling her face next to his, making Ethan smile.
"Alright then, what do you say we meet our new friend Gyarados finally!" Ethan asked.
"Bay!" She happily agreed.
"Alright, Gyarados, I choose you!" Ethan said as he threw his Great ball.
There it is! In case anyone cares I didn't post a chapter yesterday even though I wanted to because my grandparents were going back home to Africa, and I had to spend time with them of course. Ethiopia, if anyone's wondering. Anyways I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I know it's only implied in the games that Silver battles with Lance and you never get to see it but I just had to include it somewhere, right? And Silver honestly probably did better than he had any right to since Dragonite is Lance's ace, but I gave him some wiggle room with Curse and Static. Also, if anyone's wondering I decided to give Silver Scizor since I think it makes an interesting rivalry with Ethan's Heracross, as Bayleef and Quilava have, as well as Ethan's and Silver's Eevee have, anyways, bye for now!