Kanto Chapter 39 - Amber vs Silver
*** Flashback ***
Silver found himself just north of Mahogany Town. Fresh off his training at the Dragon's Den with Elite Four Master Lance and Blackthorn Gym Leader Claire, the teenager was once again competing for Johto badges. Armed with a new resolve on his pokémon training approach and the aim to finally defeat his biggest rival Jimmy, Silver was ready for the upcoming Silver Conference, proving once and for all who the strongest trainer really was.
Daylight was starting to fade, but there was still enough warmth in the sun to enjoy basking in its dwindling light.
"Silver! I thought it was you. I haven't seen you since Azalea Town."
A teenaged girl around the same age as him walked out from the woodland behind them. She had brown hair styled in pigtails, covered by an eccentrically large white hat. She wore a short sleeved red top under blue dungaree shorts with knee high white socks and red pumps. Her skin was fair and her eyes a deep chocolate brown.
Lyra was becoming a well-known and talented trainer in Johto. Her pokémon journey had led her to cross paths with other Johto trainers - in particular Silver - several times now, with each encounter becoming more familiar with each other.
Silver didn't react to her presence and said nothing, but still she sat down by his side and the two soaked up the evening sunset together.
"So how many badges do you have?" The girl quizzed enthusiastically.
"6, not that it's anything to do with you." Silver replied not looking in her direction.
"6? Nice. I've got 5. I'm looking to challenge Morty next."
"I never asked."
Lyra, let out a small sigh as she leaned back further on her elbows. Before them lay a beautiful view of Lake Rage. The water reflected the orange and pink hues of the sky above them.
Silver gave the teen a side glance before looking forwards again.
Lyra noted the silent look. "Sorry, am I disturbing you?"
"Humph. No. You're not as intolerable as that pathetic boyfriend of yours." Silver pictured his dark-haired rival from New Bark Town.
"Boyfriend?" He couldn't mean …? After her initial confusion the girl let out a small laugh at the realisation Silver must have thought her and Jimmy were an item.
"Oh, hahaha you mean Jimmy? He's not my boyfriend. Far from it. If anything, I'd guess I'd class him as a friendly rival."
Silver raised his eyebrows slightly at the revelation but soon returned to his usual stoic expression. "Well, that's one thing we have in common. Except for the friendly part."
"Oh? I wonder if there's anything else we have in common?" The girl leaned gently into the red head and batted her eyelashes flirtatiously.
The boy stiffened his posture and blushed hard.
Lyra giggled and the two continued to sit in a comfortable silence just enjoying the moment.
*** End ***
Amber and Silver faced off.
Lance glanced around the stadium, the trainers and Gym Leaders were fighting admirably against the invading forces of Team Rocket, but the battle was far from over. He looked down from his position in the stands and shook his head sadly … Silver … such potential … I'm sorry how things have turned out for you my young friend. He then looked to Amber. But maybe your story isn't over yet … Amber, please save him from himself. Succeed where I failed all those years ago.
"Ash!" Misty jumped over the remaining barrier, a trail of knocked out Rocket Grunts lay in her wake. She ran to her husband's side, they tightly embraced.
"Thank Arceus you're ok." Ash burrowed his head into Misty's shoulder as he inhaled deeply on his wife's neck taking in her scent.
"You too." Misty squeezed him a little harder.
"PikachuPi" The electric mouse jumped onto Misty's shoulder. "Thanks Pikachu." The water trainer smiled and tickled the electric mouse under the chin appreciating his greeting.
Ash pulled back "And Cole. Is he alright?"
Elesa jumped the last barrier and walked over to her future in-laws. "Cole's up with the other Masters and your sisters. He'll be safe. The Kanto gym leaders and league trainers are taking out the grunts in the stands and securing the public. That's one less threat they hold over our heads. I'll help down here so that no grunts gang up on us."
"Good to hear Elesa." Ash nodded.
The four looked out onto the battlefield.
"Amber!" Misty went to run out to her little girl, but Surge placed a strong hand on her shoulder preventing her from interrupting. "It's OK Misty, she's got dis."
"It should be me out there." Ash locked his jaw.
"Piiii" Pikachu looked at his master sadly.
"Dis all may have started with you Ash. But Amber's tha one who going ta finish it." Surge stated confidently.
Ash looked at Misty, Pikachu, Surge and Elesa and then back out at Amber. He took a deep breath but despite what his heart wanted, remained on the side-lines.
"Are you ready Amber Ketchum?" Silver stood stoic.
Amber looked over to Freddie trapped in the ice and then back to Silver, she nodded silently.
"Wait!"
The two looked over at the voice. Elesa spoke up. "There's no ref here."
Amber looked at Silver and nodded. "We don't need one."
"What?!" The four trainers and Pikachu on the side lines dropped their jaws in disbelief.
Silver and Amber remained in eye contact.
"But Amber you've seen how he's been battling all tournament, right?" Misty questioned her daughter's choice. "He isn't going to play fair."
Silver sneered at the notion. "This is a battle of honour and pride, not your league rules. Your daughter gets it."
"Silver. Don't think for one second I won't step in if I have to." Ash frowned.
"Piiikkkkkaaaa" Pikachu growled in agreement with his trainer. Silver scoffed but was quickly interrupted.
"No Dad." Amber stared at Silver, her face stern and serious.
"Huh?"
"This is now between me and Silver. I don't need you or anyone to step in for me."
Ash's face fell. "But Kiddo …"
"Well said child." Silver smirked. Amber's frown deepened at the remark, but the man continued to talk down to her. "I wonder. You know you're representing the League now right? If you lose this match, girl, do you realise the consequences of your failure?"
Amber clenched her jaw, remaining silent. Silver continued. "No? Let me spell it out for you. The League will be forced to give up it's power and surrender itself to Team Rocket's will. I will have complete control." A glint appeared in Silver's eye. "And your father, along with the rest of the Elite Four will finally be held, shall we say, accountable for their previous actions."
"With you playing judge I assume!" Ash ground his teeth.
"Rich coming from you! Executioner!" Silver looked over to the spectators on the side and gave them a sly smile. "Jury's still out on Gym Leaders."
Misty, Surge and Elesa clenched their fists, a chill running down their spines at Silver's tone.
"Say what?!" Ash raised his voice to the threat against his wife and friends, Amber spoke up interrupting him. "Good thing I won't lose this then." The young red head pulled out a ball ready.
Ash steeled his jaw but took a step back. Misty grabbed her husband's hand tightly as she gave a nod to Amber.
Silver looked over to Ash and sneered. "You hear this Ash? Your fate now lies on the shoulders of your progeny. It's almost poetic when you think about it. The sins of the fathers passed down to corrupt the innocence of youth."
Ash frowned and let out a low growl. Misty squeezed his hand reassuringly, also glaring angrily in the direction of Silver.
"Enough! I choose you!" Amber threw out her first pokémon, Voltorb.
Elesa's eyes lit up with stars. "Oh, what a ballin' Voltorb!" Ash, Surge and Misty sweat dropped at the electric gym leader's enthusiasm, completely breaking the tension of the moment.
"Ursaring. You're up." Silver threw out his first pokémon.
The menacing looking bear towered over the small electric ball pokémon.
Freddie opened his eyes and lifted his head up. His rival was free from her vine whip confines and now his and everyone in Kanto's fate was in her hands ...
I hope you're as good as I think you are ... Red ...
Amber pointed her arm out to the field. "Voltorb use Thuderbolt. Let's show Silver how we do it!"
Silver growled but didn't miss a beat in his retort. "Scary Face."
Although affected by the intimidating face Ursaring pulled, Voltorb let out the electrifying move. Hitting head on, the giant pokémon was fried by the electricity and out in one blow.
Amber pumped her fist. "Yes Voltorb! That's the way."
"ALRIGHT!" The small crowd cheered from the side-lines.
Silver was taken aback. Ursaring taken out in one hit? I almost can't believe it. He felt his heartbeat start to quicken as he recalled his feinted pokémon and pulled out his second ball. "Now I choose Weavile."
"Voltorb, let's keep going with Thuderbolt."
"Weavile dodge it and Hone Claws."
The agile Ice pokémon dodged the incoming electric attack and began to rub together his claws sharpening them up.
"Keep up the Thuderbolt attacks Voltorb! That Weavile can't avoid them all!"
Electric bolts hit the battlefield as Weavile continued to successfully dodge the attacks.
"Now, Night Slash!" Silver commanded, really getting into the battle. The attack hit and Voltorb was KO'd.
"No … Voltorb return." Amber recalled her fallen friend and looked to it's ball. "You were great Voltorb." Her attention turned back to Silver. "Now I see the benefit of that Scary Face set up earlier, you slowed my Voltorb down and took full advantage of that. You're no run of the mill trainer I'll give you that Silver."
The man merely smirked in response. Amber pulled out her next ball. "I need more speed! You're up Electrode!"
The larger electric ball pokémon took it's place on the battlefield.
Not missing a beat, Electrode and Weavile faced off exchanging damaging moves. Both fully evolved pokémon going at it as hard as they could.
Silver smiled enjoying the challenge. This fire, this passion, this feeling. It's been so long. I haven't felt like this since …
*** Flashback ***
Silver exited the bushy patch and onto the road where he bumped into someone. Regaining his composure he narrowed his eyes, it was the same dark haired boy he'd seen before coming out of Professor Elm's Lab.
"You!"
"Me?" The dark- haired boy pointed at himself, confused. "Do you have me confused with someone else? I'm Jimmy."
"You. You got a pokémon at that lab. What a waste, giving a weakling like you a pokémon."
The boy merely stood dumbfounded at the rude stranger before him.
The absence of retort annoyed the young red headed boy. "Grrr … Don't you get what I'm saying? Well, I too have got a good pokémon! I'll show you what I mean!" He pulled out Totodile's pokéball.
Jimmy smirked and pulled out his pokéball. Now they were speaking the same language.
The battle between Totodile and Cyndaquil was drawn out, with each trainer giving it their inexperienced all, neither wanting to lose to the other. Eventually Cyndaquil won out, much to the totodile's trainer's disgust.
Silver recalled the feinted pokémon and looked at pokéball with disgust.
Weak.
He then turned his attention back to his opponent. "Humph! Are you happy you won?"
Jimmy merely retrieved his Cyndaquil and smiled confidently, nodding.
This riled the angry boy up even more. "Know this. My name is Silver. And I'm going to be the world's greatest pokémon trainer!"
With those words Silver shoved roughly past Jimmy and quickly marched on into Cherrygrove City.
A fierce rivalry was cemented.
*** End ***
Electrode launched a fast and powerful Electro Ball attack, Weavile was hit head on and fell. Silver recalled the pokémon without saying a word.
Amber smirked triumphantly. Silver took in the teenager at the other end of the battlefield. Her expression matched his exactly, as her face morphed into his.
*** Flashback ***
"Yo! You finally got here! Now we'll decide things once and for all!"
The Silver League Conference in Johto was once again underway. It was down to the finals, with Silver and Jimmy facing off once again in a rival battle a long time coming.
Marina a promising young coordinator from New Bark Town with aqua blue hair and teal eyes sat in the crowds along with other Johto trainer Lyra, who'd been eliminated from the tournament earlier. With them sat another budding pokémon trainer Vincent - a tall teenaged boy with light ash brown hair who started his journey with Marina and Jimmy. Also pokémon breeder Khoury, a travelling partner of Lyra.
The four trainers watched with bated breath for the outcome of this battle, them all knowing this meant more to these two than just a Championship title …
Jimmy sent out a Donphan, Silver smirked "Prepare to lose!" He threw out his Crobat.
Lyra clasped her hands to her chest. Based on type Silver had a big advantage over Jimmy. Marina silently noted her friends body language and smiled knowingly before cupping her hands to her mouth and cheering loudly for Jimmy.
The six-on-six final raged as the on-lookers watched on in amazement at the battle between these two rivals. Neither trainer's or pokémon giving an inch. Finally, it boiled down to Jimmy's Typhlosion vs Silver's Feraligatr. The two pokémon each got as their starters, the pokémon that battled each other in their first rival battle years before.
"There's room for only one Champ! I'll make you understand that!" Silver roared as Typhlosion and Feraligatr clashed head-to-head.
*** End ***
Silver sent out his next pokémon, Gengar, as the battle continued. The ghost pokémon released a powerful Shadow Ball, sending Electrode reeling.
Amber winced. "Electrode come back with Thunderbolt!"
Ignoring it's trainer once again, the electric pokémon was not one for taking damage. It began to charge up it's energy, glowing a bright white. "Electrode!"
Amber's face paled. "No Electrode! Not Explosion! It won't!"
"EleccctroddeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
Ash, Pikachu, Misty, Surge and Elesa went wide eyed. This did not look good!
The ball pokémon blew up and covered the battlefield in thick smoke. As it cleared the scene revealed a fainted Electrode and completely unharmed Gengar.
The five spectators on the side-lines covered by black soot. Only their wide eyes visible.
"… Work." Soot from the explosion covered Amber's face. She tilted her head to the side, tears streaming. "Normal attacks don't affect ghost pokémon …"
Freddie coughed and spluttered as smoke from the explosion covered him and his pokémon. "Hey! Watch it will ya! Some of us are trying to breath here!"
"Sorry!" Amber put her hand behind her head and sweat dropped.
Silver let out a hearty laugh as the girl's misfortune. He was really starting to enjoy himself.
Up in the stands, Gary paused his onslaught against the Team Rocket grunts to see Amber's Electrode explode. He rolled his eyes. "She still hasn't trained that Electrode properly! Ugh like Father like Daughter alright."
"Incoming!"
Gary ducked down as a powerful wind attack blew over him, sending the rocket grunts he was battling flying. "What the?!" Gary looked up, there stood Elaine with her Pidgeot. "Now is no time for a break Gary-Kins!"
Gary grumbled. "I much prefer it when I give the nicknames."
The pair continued their seemingly uphill mission to clear Team Rocket out the stadium.
Amber recalled her fallen pokémon. I'm really on the backfoot here … Now I'm down to Magneton … and he still has 3 pokémon left.
She released her newly evolved pokémon and got ready.
With the type defensive advantage, Magneton was able to knock out Gengar with little trouble, leading Silver to send out his next pokémon.
Victreebel.
Magneton narrowed it's eyes. This pokémon had hurt it's trainer. It would not be forgiven.
"Ok Magneton, just like before! Let's do this!" Amber cheered on her pokémon. Filled with a new confidence in it's evolved form Magneton went straight at Victreebel, but the fully evolved grass pokémon was no push over and under Silver commands, fought back with powerful vine moves, pushing Magneton back to only defending and unable to attack.
"You're really something Silver. You have every making of a champion." Amber complimented her opponent earnestly.
"It's too late for such childish dreams for me, kid. My path is set before me."
"It doesn't have to be like this Silver."
Silver looked deeply at Amber. "I knew someone who thought like you once." He took in the girl's desperate expression and deep chocolate brown eyes. "Those eyes ... You remind me very much of her …"
*** Flashback ***
"I have to go Lyra."
Silver stood on the edge of Route 45 looking out towards Mount Silver.
Lyra stepped up to his side and gently grabbed his arm. "Go? Go where? I could come with you! I'm sure which ever region you're going to has."
"No Lyra." Silver roughly pulled his arm out of the woman's grasp and stepped away, much to her surprise and dismay. "It's not about what region I'm going to. I'm not continuing my journey anymore. Pokémon training is behind me."
"What? What are you saying?!" The young woman felt her heart sink.
"Something … happened." Silver turned to face her, his face grave. "My father … he's ... gone. And I have … a score to settle in his absence."
"Your father?"
"Yes. He is … was … Giovanni. Head of Team Rocket."
Lyra's face paled, her eyes widened in shock. "Team Rocket?! No. … But … you hate Team Rocket! You've always stood up against them with us."
Silver closed his eyes. "And now I will lead them."
"No … no I don't believe it!" Tears began to fill up in the young woman's eyes. "I don't understand! This makes no sense!"
"I don't expect you to understand …"
"If this is all true, you have the power to end Team Rocket, for good! Not lead them!"
Silver placed his hand gently on the young woman's cheek and wiped away some falling tears. "I'm sorry Lyra. We're very different people. You and I. I am a tortured soul. Dark and twisted, drawn back into a world I have no choice in."
Lyra clasped her hand over his. "You do have a choice; it doesn't have to be like this. Silver. You can be anything you want to be. Do anything you want to do. So, tell me. What do you want to do?
After a few moments of staring into her chocolate brown eyes, the young man removed his hand from the brunette's face and turned away.
"Goodbye Lyra."
Silver walked forwards into the mountains headed towards Mount Silver, as Lyra sunk down to her knees and broke down sobbing.
*** End ***
"My father abandoned me for Team Rocket. I hated him for that, hated Team Rocket. I vowed to destroy them to get back at him, to prove to him he made the wrong choice, choosing it over me. But when I found out your father destroyed my father, I came to a realisation. I only wanted Team Rocket out the picture so he'd come back to me. But now that was never going to happen. Because of him!" Silver flung around and pointed menacingly at Ash. "Him and the precious Pokémon League! They've made my life hell right from the start! And I bet I'm not the only one. How many other children did you exclude driving them into Team Rocket?! You think yourselves the solution, when really you are the cause. What a joke."
Amber looked from Silver to her father. Ash's expression looked disturbed at Silvers accusation.
The Rocket Leader continued. "The time I wasted on love and trust when true power was within my gasp the whole time. Team Rocket has offered me what years training under Dragon Master could not! Control. Status. POWER!"
Amber took a step forwards. "You're wrong Silver. About the League, about my father, and we'll prove it in this battle! Magneton use Return, let's show Silver the true power of a trainer pokémon bond!"
Magneton narrowed it's eyes at the wicked opposing pokémon. It was going to put everything into this attack for Amber. That Victreebel would never hurt her again! The electric pokémon bobbed up and down charging energy before unleashing the physical attack into Victreebel, who went reeling from the attacks impressive power. The Grass type was KO'd.
"That is the power of love and trust." Amber stood tall and proud with her Magneton.
Lance smiled from up in his viewpoint. That's it Amber, show Silver the way …
Silver sneered as he recalled his Victreebel. "Weak. Now Gliscor, settle the score."
A red light flashed onto the field and formed into the familiar ground flying pokémon.
Amber didn't miss a beat. "Magneton use Flash Cannon!"
"Gliscor Endure."
The flying pokémon braced himself and weathered the attack.
Amber, undeterred called out her next attack. "Screech!"
The electric pokémon let out a deafening noise, intent on lowering it's opponents defence.
Silver glared. She's seen through my strategy. This is getting risky; I need to shut this electric pokémon down asap …
"Gliscor, now Earth Power."
"WATCH OUT!" Freddie screamed out from his ice prison.
Amber turned her head to Freddie's outburst as the flying ground pokémon smacked the ground making the battlefield under Magneton erupt with power.
Nothing could be done, Magneton took the super effective ground attack and was still floating off the ground, it faltered but rightened itself to continue the battle. Gliscor, also floating above the ground, stood motionless. Magneton sparked showing it was still battle ready but shorted out. Amber's newly evolved pokémon had run out of steam.
Amber's heart dropped as Magneton fell to the ground. It was out and now she was severely out of options ...
"Make your next move." Silver smirked confidently.
Amber pulled out her last pokéball with a slight wince. "I never wanted it to come to this, but you're all I have left. It's all on you! Go!"
"Oooh I wonder what pokémon Amber will bring out next? I can't wait!" Elesa clapped excitedly. "Her team are all soooo dazzling and gorgeous!"
Amber released her final pokéball and out formed a pokémon with large thick muscular dinosaur like legs and tail, with a spindly thin torso, little flimsy arms and a jagged little beak.
"Draaaa"
Everyone in the stands and side-lines sweat dropped and fell at the weird looking pokémon before them. Elesa's face pulled a look of disgust. "Erm expect that one!"
"I like it." Ash exclaimed. Misty gave her husband a side eye look. "You would."
Dracozolt tried to scratch it's head but couldn't reach with it's short little arms.
Freddie grimaced at the sight. "Man she's really letting out the B team ..."
Silver sweat dropped at the sight. Amber winced slightly at her weird prehistoric pokémon, embarrassed by it's presence, but snapped back into her serious resolve.
"Gliscor use Acrobatics. Knock this thing out."
The prehistoric pokémon absorbed the attack and was still standing.
Amber jumped up and down excitedly. "Alright Dracozolt! Fight back with Dragon Pulse."
"Draaaa." The pokémon opened it's mouth but nothing came out.
Amber fell to the floor.
"It doesn't know that attack yet …" Misty deadpanned. Surge, Elesa, Ash and Pikachu all sweat dropped with embarrassment. Freddie lifted his head from his ice prison and shook it with disappointment at his rival.
Getting back up Amber commanded again. "Ancient Power!" But again nothing happened. The pokémon scratched it's head with it's large lower limbs. "Dracozolt …" Amber despaired with her pokémon.
"Stop wasting my time!" Silver barked. "Gliscor Fire Fang!"
Once again Dracozolt received little damage from the attack.
"What?!"
Dracozolt cant be harmed! But it also can't attack … Amber took in it's disproportionate lower limbs. Unless … "Dracozolt! Use Slam!"
The electric dragon swished it's large powerful tail and slammed Gliscor hard into the ground.
"Alright! Now Dracozolt use Dragon Rush!"
Dracozolt rushed forwards and tackled into the Gliscor with impressive force.
"Yes! Dracozolt might not know any special moves right now, but it's lower physical side is strong!"
"Grrrr! Enough! Gliscor return! It's upto you now. Feraligatr!"
Silver released his strongest pokémon. The fully evolved Johto water starter stood menacingly waiting for his trainer's command to attack.
"Feraligatr Crunch."
"Dodge it Dracozolt!"
The large alligator pokémon launched himself at the electric dragon, chomping his jaws fiercely. Dracozolt barely dodging each crunch of the jaws.
"Dracozolt fight back with Slam!"
Dracozolt launched its tail to smash the ferocious opposing pokémon, but Feraligatr dodged easily.
Silver smirked. "Now Ice Beam."
Being in such close proximity Dracozolt had no chance. The ice move hit and Dracozolt was out.
The young teenage girl paled. "No … this can't be …"
Amber fell to one knee. She was out of pokémon.
Authors note: If readers of this story are wondering where Dracozolt came from check out my short side story - A Rocket Story - runs cannon along side this one.
