Chapter 16: Training and the Conference
Since Aaron had some time before the Silver Conference, he decided to spend some time training. He and Andy went over to the Ruins of Alph with Dan to visit Professor Hale who was doing some research on the Unown. Behind everyone's back, except for Andy and Static, Aaron caught an Unown that looked remarkably like the letter "A".
With one month left, Aaron decided to head on up to Mt. Silver for some training.
"I'll see you later Aaron." Dan said as he said goodbye to his son.
"See ya Dad." Aaron said.
"Thanks Mr. Ketchem." Andy said.
"No problem Andy."
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After two weeks of traveling the Victory Road, the two trainers made it to Mt. Silver.
"What do you want to do now?" Andy asked.
"I need as much training as possible." Aaron told his older friend.
"Let's head up to the park. One side of it is a reserve, and the other side is for trainers." Andy mentioned.
"Alright. We have two weeks before the Silver Conference. Let's get training."
Nothing much happened during the training except Andy caught a Ponyta and Aaron's Oddish and Geodude evolved into a Gloom and a Graveler.
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"Did you register?" Andy asked as Aaron walked up to him in the Pokemon Center two weeks later.
"You bet."
"Great. Are you ready?"
"I hope so. I'm a little nervous though."
"Don't be. Are you hungry?"
"You bet."
"I just hope there isn't a fiasco here like there was in Indigo." Andy said.
"What happened?"
"Didn't you hear? A couple of thieves from Team Rocket tried to steal the flame of Moltres."
"Really?"
"Yeah. But Moltres showed up and fried them."
"Serves them right."
"Well, well. Look who it is." A voice said from behind Aaron.
"Not again." Aaron said to himself.
"So, you made it all the way up here." Greg said.
"Of course I did. I'm the one who's amazed to see you here."
"I just hope you're ready to lose."
"Let's just hope you're not eliminated before we battle. I'd like to see you defeated by someone with the same amount of experience."
Andy was watching the argument like a tennis match. Aaron was doing pretty well on his own.
"I have to get going. I'm going to dinner with BOTH of my parents." Greg said with a smirk.
"Ouch." Andy said.
"Pikachu" (You said it)
"Andy. Why don't you and Static head on to dinner. I'm suddenly not hungry."
"Will you be alright?"
"Yeah. I'm just going to go check out the rooms."
"Well. Alright."
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A week into the Silver Conference,
"I can't believe I did that." Aaron said after winning his sixth battle.
"I know. Did you see Greg's face when Static fried his Feraligatr?"
"Of course. That was the best battle ever."
"And your Dad got to see it."
"Yep."
Dan had shown up about a day after Aaron registered.
"So, now what?"
"Simple. I keep up this winning streak."
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However, Aaron's winning streak was not one to last. He made it to the top 16 when Static was put up against a Golem that was at a higher level. The trainer had been training for 6 years.
"Aaron?" Dan called into his son's hotel room.
"What?"
"It's not the end of the world you know."
"I know."
"Can I come in?"
"Sure"
Dan walked into the room to find Aaron lying on the bed counting the ceiling tiles.
"Is this about the battle?"
"A little."
"Aaron. That trainer had been training for six years. You've only just completed your first year. There's still time."
"I know." Aaron said turning over to his side.
"There's more isn't there?"
"It's only Greg. He made a comment after I beat him. It was nothing."
Dan knew exactly what Aaron was talking about. Elm had overheard Greg teasing Aaron about the subject and told him. Aaron had no idea his father knew about the teasing, and Dan didn't want to do anything until Aaron came to him.
"Don't worry about it Aaron. Everything will work out eventually."
"I hope you're right Dad."
"C'mon. The closing ceremony will be tonight and then we'll go home and celebrate. Top 16 in your first league is very good."
"Alright."
0000
After the ceremony, Aaron and Andy stayed in New Bark to train for two months.
During those two months, Static had made it to level 50 and Typhlosion had reached level 40. About a week into the training session, Dan had to go on a business trip to the New Island area. There had been reports of confused trainers and weird weather.
"So, what do you want to do?" Andy asked as the two boys and the Pikachu were sitting by the fire in Aaron's house as Dan worked.
"We've been getting lazy. It's been two months since the league. I think it's about time to head on out."
"But you don't need new badges to participate in the next league." Andy stated.
"I do if it's the Indigo League in Kanto." Aaron smiled.
"Kanto? You really want to go to Kanto?"
"Of course. I just need to tell my Dad. Professor Elm was talking about it. I'm sure he can get us tickets on the S.S. Aqua."
"Ok."
TBC
A/N: Please review.