Twin Meetings

The sun was starting to descend into the west as I re-entered Cherrygrove City. The breeze from the east was getting stronger, and an air of tranquility was beginning to set in over the world.

"Isn't this awesome, Seltzer?" I asked the Pokemon on my shoulders. "Just you and me, traveling together like this?"

Seltzer answered by scratching my head with his claws. I giggled, and began walking towards the east gate that would lead back to New Bark Town.

Suddenly, I froze. Directly in front of me was a boy, storming towards me. His hair was long, red, and unkempt, and his eyes had the piercing quality matched only by a snake. I took a step back, but he was faster, and soon he was standing before me.

"You…" he snarled, breathing heavy, "You got that Pokemon from Professor Elm, didn't you?"

I found my courage. "Yeah, so? What's it to you?"

"It's a shame. You're such a weakling."

"Excuse me? Who are you to say that?"

An evil smile formed on the boy's face. "My name is Silver. And I don't think you get the message. You see, I also have obtained a good Pokemon."

"Well, whoop-dee-do." I said, rolling my eyes. "Now, can I get past, please?"

"Not so fast." He said, blocking me. "We're going to battle right now!"

I gulped. I had seen trainers battle on TV, and trainer battles were a lot different than just battling in the wild like I had been doing. But it looked like I had no choice.

With his eyes glittering, Silver released his Pokemon, a Chikorita. My eyes narrowed. That was one of the choices from Professor Elm's lab…

"Okay, Seltzer, scratch it!" I said. But before Seltzer could raise his claw, the Chikorita knocked him aside with its head, and tackled it.

"Hey, that's not fair!" I cried.

Silver smiled coldly. "All is fair in Pokemon battles. Chikorita, do it again!"

I winced as Chikorita impacted Seltzer again, and again…

"Stop! Please stop!" I begged, throwing my hand out. "Leave us alone!"

Silver paused, as if considering what to do. Then he began to step towards me. "Maybe… if you gave me your Pokemon… we could forget this ever happened…"

I trembled as he got closer. "Come on, little girl… give me that Pokemon…"

"HEY!" shouted another voice from behind me, "Knock it off!"

I spun around to see another boy running towards Silver. In one swift motion, he released a Persian that pounced on Silver, knocking him to the ground.

"Ya wanna think twice about threating a girl like that?" The boy snarled, glaring down at Silver. "Or do you want to have to get stitches?"

Now it was Silver's turn to tremble. "Get… it… the f*** off me!"

"Promise me!" the boy shouted. "You gonna leave her alone?"

"…Fine. Whatever! Now let… me… go!"

The boy withdrew his Persian. "Now get out of here!"

Silver scrambled to his feet, grabbed his Chikorita's Poke Ball, and bolted off down Route 30.

We both stood for a few moments, catching our breath. Then the boy turned to me.

"Are you all right?"

I finally got a good look at him. He was about the same height as me, wearing a red sweatshirt and shorts, with a twisted-around baseball cap.

"Yes, I'm fine." I said. "Thank you! Who are you?"

"My name is Chris." he said. "And you are…?"

"Kristal, but everyone calls me Kris."

"All right then, Kris, where were you off to?"

I eyed him suspiciously. "Professor Elm's lab. Why?"

"I just figured I should go with you, in case that asshole comes back. Here, let me see your Pokemon." He picked Seltzer up in his arms and administered a Potion to him. Seltzer licked his cheek.

I laughed. "I guess he likes you."

Chris smiled. "Come on, let's go."