"Hmm, a Magmar would be perfect for my team," he mused. Silver looked around the Burned Tower. The place was a complete wreck. Rubbles were everywhere. The floor was shaking and creaking. There were even some wild pokemon making the place their home.
Silver moved slowly as he walked inside the tower. His heart began to race as the creaking sound was getting louder. Man, this whole place is about to break apart!
Suddenly, he heard laughter – one was a guy's voice and the other was a girl's. Silver froze. He knew that girl's giggle anywhere. Quickly, he ran towards the sound and hid behind a statue. Silver gritted his teeth. He was right – it was Kotone.
And she was laughing with a guy.
Kotone was laughing happily in front of the man. Silver recognized him – it was Ecruteak City's gym leader, Morty. And they were talking to each other. Whatever Morty was saying to her, Kotone was giggling as she playfully pushed him.
And the sight alone made Silver gritted his teeth – hard.
Wait…what? Silver snapped back into reality. Why the hell do I care? She's just some weak pest. So what if they're flirting? He shook his hard as fast as he can. Silver chuckled vilely to himself. Stupid iridescent thoughts.
Silver almost moved away from his hiding spot to continue his search when suddenly, "Oh Morty, you are so sweet."
That completely enraged Silver. Without thinking, he punched a dusty-looking statue – breaking the bones in his fist. "Fuck!" the red head yelled in pain. Oh my Arceus! What is this statue made of? Metal bricks!
The agonizing yell took Kotone by surprised. I know that voice. She looked behind Morty and saw a jumping redhead. Kotone gasped. Morty raised his eyebrow in confusion. "What's wrong Kotone?"
Kotone looked up at the leader. "Ah, nothing. Say, Morty, I think I wanna look around in here for awhile. You know, to prepare my battle for you." She winked.
Morty laughed. The girl wasn't just cute, but a cheerful and an ecstatic fellow. He patted Kotone's huge hat before walking away. "I'll be waiting, you cute little being."
Kotone smiled. As soon as Morty was out of her sight, she dashed towards the groaning Silver. "Hey Silver."
Silver jumped and turned around – Kotone was standing right in front of him with her Quilava. She was flashing a bright, white smile – a smile that made his heartbeat move in a speedy rhythm. He growled quietly. With a loud grunt, he stood valiantly – completely ignoring the swollen pain on his fist.
"What do you want?" he asked sourly.
Kotone giggled. She was getting used to his nasty attitude. "I just arrived here a few minutes ago. I wanted to battle the gym leader but he was at this tower. So, I decided to stop by. I didn't expect to see you though."
Silver scoffed arrogantly.
"But I am kinda happy to see you again."
Silver didn't expect that to come out of her mouth. He looked at the girl in shock. But soon regained his ego and led out a huge 'Hah!'.
Kotone frowned. Egoistic jerk. "What are you doing here?"
Silver smirked. "I'm finding the legendary pokemon to put in team. That way, I can easily wipe out all the pathetic trainers that get in my way." He stared at Kotone. "And that also means you."
The female trainer's frown got bigger. "I am not weak! How many times do I have to remind you in that big stupid head of yours?" she hissed.
Silver rolled his eyes and reached for his pokeball. In seconds, Gastly popped out and stood between the trainers. "You're just some runt who got lucky. But sooner or later, that luck will run out," he spat the words out like venom.
Kotone clenched her fist in anger. She looked at her Quilava. "Kick his ass."
Her starter nodded tenaciously and roared at his pokemon – the battle had started.
Magnemite crashed and fainted on Silver's feet. He lost the battle again. But what he couldn't believe is that in front of him was a huge, wicked-looking Arbok. Since when did she has an Arbok!
Kotone smirked. Her Arbok purred on her head. His trainer smiled and petted him. "Good boy." She returned her Arbok and sneered at Silver. "So…am I still lucky?" she asked sarcastically.
Silver gritted his teeth. He glared at Kotone. He was mad at himself – at his pokemon. No matter how many times he tried, he can't defeat her. And it intimidated Silver to the bone. "Shut up you pest."
Kotone smiled innocently. Sometimes she felt sorry for him. Then again, the way he battled was quite harsh. Kotone could see the tired expression in his pokemon everytime they battle. Yet, it was as if Silver doesn't care. She sighed. Slowly, Kotone moved her feet to the disappointed boy.
"Hey, you okay?"
Silver clenched his fist as he heard Kotone's soft voice. His heart began to beat faster – and it wasn't because of the battle. He glared at Kotone.
"Get out of my way," he hissed and shoved Kotone away. Suddenly, he felt a sharp sting on his fist. It was the impact from the punch before. Silver gritted his teeth, bearing the pain he felt.
Kotone looked at her rival. His forehead was furrowing. His lips were pursed. She wanted to ask what's wrong – until her eyes caught red blood oozing out of his fist.
"Oh my Arceus!" she gasped; her hands holding his fist. "Silver, you're bleeding!"
The redhead pulled his hand away from her, only to regret it sooner as the pain stabbed him again. He hid his hand behind his back. "No I'm not."
Kotone buried her eyebrows – annoyed. She closed the distance between them and reached for his hand. "Give me your hand, Silver." Silver could feel her body against his. He growled silently. This woman seriously lacks personal space!
"H-Hey! Back off!" Silver scowled. He moved backwards, trying to push the girl away. But Kotone – being the stubborn girl that she is – moved closer to Silver. Quilava just sighed heavily as he looked at his persistent trainer.
Silver cussed under his breath as he felt a wall was against his back. He was out of options to run. Kotone stood in front of him and slowly pulled his injured hand. Silver bit his lip – resisting the pain and the shock waves in his body.
She shook her head in concern. His fist was bleeding. Without a sound, Kotone rummaged in her satchel for some bandages. Silver just laid his back on the wall. He was thinking of running away – dashing through the exit door while he had the chance. But his eyes were glued to her serene face. His nose twitched as Silver can smell the sweet scent of berries and flowers off her.
And he didn't like the fact that it made Silver shudder in delight.
"Yayy! Found it!" Kotone yelled happily as she found her small first aid kit. But her joyous voice stopped when she realized her rival was staring at him. It made Kotone blush uncomfortably. "Lemme see that hand," she whispered.
Silver didn't budge. But later he gave in, seeing that the girl just wouldn't give up. Silver hissed silently as her soft hands touched his wound.
"Sorry…" Kotone muttered. Slowly, she dabbed a bit of iodine on his cut – causing Silver to yell in pain and pull his hand away.
"Are you trying to kill me, woman!" he scowled. His eye glared at the iodine that made his fist burn ten times more. "What the hell is that anyway?"
Kotone rolled her eyes. "It's called iodine. You know, to treat wounds?" She flicked the cotton bud that has a dash of chemical on it. "Now stop being a big baby and let me heal it." Without waiting for an answer, she pulled his hand to her again – ignoring his painful growl.
Silver frowned. Kotone was treating him with care – something he hated. He bit his lip as the iodine sipped in his wound. The redhead froze as he felt her soft hands touching his skin. Silver cussed quietly as his body was betraying him.
Kotone kept her gaze on his bleeding fist. Her heart was beating faster as she felt his warmth against her. She gulped. "What happened to your fist anyway?" she asked – distracting herself from her needs.
"None of your businesss…" he muttered. Silver remembered a few minutes ago where he punched the cold statue. His mind envisioned the incident where Kotone was laughing cheerfully in front on Morty. The way her hand playfully pushing the leader back as he made her laugh. Silver growled. His anger was building up again.
Kotone looked up – confused. He had a raging look. The female trainer sighed. "You don't need to go Gyarados on me. It's fine if you don't wanna say it," she mumbled sourly.
Silence filled the atmosphere. Finally, Kotone put a few cottons on his wound. She pulled out a red fabric off her satchel and carefully wrapped Silver's fist, holding the cotton in place. With a small, pretty bow, Kotone looked up and smiled. "There you go! All healed!"
Silver frowned. He looked at the red bow bestowing on his palm. "I look like a weak twerp."
Kotone stuck out her tongue. "No you don't! And don't you dare untie it before the wound is healed. Or so help me Quilava will burn your ass again." Silver chuckled silently as Kotone threatened him.
He felt his chest tighten as he looked at the bow, and then at her. Kotone was making him feel all weird inside. She made him feel…loved.
And it irked Silver to the bone.
"Out of my way!" he yelled and pushed Kotone away. The trainer almost fell if it wasn't for Quilava supporting her. She watched as Silver barged to the exit. A small sigh escaped her mouth.
That boy will never lose his ego…
Silver scowled angrily during his journey to Olivine City. He ignored the stares and glares as he huffed out in rage. His heart was beating unevenly as he thought about his despicable rival.
"Ahh!" Finally, Silver yelled and stopped at a nearby lake. He looked at his reflection. All he could see was hatred and anger.
And then, to make it worse, he could see his old man.
"Fuck!" Silver picked up a rock and harshly threw it into the water – removing the image he loathes so much. He massaged his temples. His plans to be the very best and strongest was disturbed thanks to a certain pigtailed woman.
The redhead felt like punching everything he saw. Suddenly, a red light flashed through his belt. Silver opened his eyes. Croconaw was out – a concerned look on his face.
"Croco?" His eyes were fixed on the red material wrapping on his trainer's palm.
Silver scowled. "Who told you to come out!"
His water starter nodded apologetically. He was worried for his trainer. "Cronaw…" he muttered. I just wanted to make sure you're okay.
His trainer glared at his starter. "Stop being such a wuss! I don't need sympathy! I don't need love! And I certainly don't need some pathetic moron to whimper in front of me!" he yelled. Every word his trainer said was like a sharp dagger – stabbing into his heart. Croconaw felt his eyes getting wetter. But he fought it back from falling – not wanting his trainer to hurt him again the last time he'd showed tears.
Silver returned his pokemon back into his pokeball. He ignored his pokemon's sorrow and placed it at his belt angrily. "And I certainly don't need some weak feelings," he muttered acidly. His fist clenched tightly as the thought of the smiling Kotone danced around his mind.
His body was shaking – angry at his own unknown feelings. "I hate everyone!" Silver shouted into the skies.