After a well deserved trip to the Pokecenter, I headed to the gym. When I asked about it, I learned that they specialized in flying-type Pokemon.

As I was walking in, I saw that Silver was still fighting Falkner. It looked like his Totodile had fainted because he had a Zubat fighting the opponent Pidgeotto.

The Zubat hit it again, and knocked it out. Falkner returned his Pokemon, and congratulated Silver with the Zephyr Badge. "This badge is a symbol that you defeated the flying-type gym and it's leader. Go heal your Pokemon, then head towards the next gym. Might I suggest the bug-type gym in Azalea Town?"

He's heading to Azalea Town? Then I'll go there after I get my badge. "Hey, I also want to challenge the gym. I already climbed Sprout Tower."

The gym administrator looked over at me and said, "I'm sorry, but Falkner isn't accepting any more challengers today. Please come back tomorrow. He will be ready at nine in the morning." Without a hint of guilt, she shoved me out of the building.

Wait till morning!? "... That's bullshit! I don't have time to wait till morning, I have to get to Azalea!"

"What do you have to do in Azalea Town?" Silver was lingering in front of the gym, and he heard my little tantrum.

"Uh, hey Silver. I heard you are going to Azalea Town as well. Mind if I tag along? I'll just come back here later." This is perfect. If I stayed for the badge, then I would never catch up to him.

"Yeah, come on. Maybe you could teach Totodile a thing or two about being strong enough to survive a few Pidgeys along the way." He walked into the Pokecenter and gave his Pokemon to Nurse Joy.

"I feel like I'm talking to a rock when I tell you strength isn't everything. You don't listen to me do you?" I ask him as we leave the Pokecenter.

"I do hear you, but it feels like you aren't telling the truth. I don't see anything different you are doing, that I am not." He looks at me with a sceptical face.

"You don't care for your Pokemon. Each time one of them faints, you act like its a minor inconvenience. If you actually bond with your Pokemon, and care about them, you might end up winning more and more battles." Hopefully he'll listen to me this time.

"Really? You believe that stuff about 'friendship is power'? Ha! You're no better than that old fool in the tower. At least he had his age as an excuse." He looked very disappointed in me. "I bet I can even beat you, right now! I challenge you to a battle! Go, Totodile!"

Well, that backfired. "Alright, kid. I accept your challenge. Go, Blitzle! Use Shock Wave!"

"Don't call me 'kid'! Totodile, use Bite! Then use Water Gun directly at him." I must've struck a nerve.

"As he hits you, use Spark at the Water Gun!" The electricity travels up the stream of water and into Totodile's mouth. "Good job, Blitzle!"

"Get back up! Use Rage!" He looks determined to beat me.

"Dodge his attack, and use Shock Wave again!" Totodile was too close for Blitzle to dodge in time, but he did knock him out after getting hit pretty bad. "All right, Blitzle! You did awesome! Now, let's get you healed up, bud."

"Hold it!" Silver interrupts my victory. "I still have another Pokemon left! I can still fight. Or, do you give up?"

"No, I don't give up. I guess I forgot that you caught another Pokemon. All right, let's get back into it." Blitzle gets back into his battle stance.

Silver sent out his new Zubat. "Use Bite!"

"Blitzle, use Shock Wave! Knock Zubat out of the sky!" His Zubat fell to the ground but soon got back up.

"Zubat, use Swift at that Blitzle!" Silver's Pokemon sent razor-like stars at him.

One by one, they hit him in his flank. The last one knocked him down to the floor. He struggled to get up, but he was too weak. "It's okay, Blitzle. You did great." I returned him to his Pokeball.

"Ha! I am the better Pokemon Trainer! You keep fooling yourself with your 'friendship'. All Pokemon are meant to be tools. Tools to fight each other with. No-one who thinks Pokemon are friends can beat someone like--"

"Starly, I choose you!"

"I forgot you had another Pokemon. Zubat, use Leech Life!" Silver is definitely determined to win this fight.

"We aren't out of this fight yet! Starly, use Wing Attack!" His Zubat was already weak from the fight with Blitzle, so it was easy to dodge his attack. It was also easy to hit him a few more times with Peck. Needless to say, Zubat fell pretty fast.

"I lost... How could I lose to someone who pretends their Pokemon have emotions? I guess my Pokemon simply aren't as strong as yours." Silver looks up from his Pokeballs. "Just you wait, Elias! I will make them stronger, and I will beat you!"

"I look forward to your challenge, but let's make a deal? If you lose our next battle, you have to return that Totodile."

"Wha- how did you?" He is surprised that I knew about his theft.

"The cops were there when I went to get my Pokemon License. But that doesn't matter now. What does matter, is if you agree to the deal." I put my arm out to shake his hand.

"... OK. but... if I win, then I get to keep your Blitzle." After a bit of hesitation from me, we shake on it.

"Then this is where we part. I'm going to wait for my badge, and you are going for the next. I'll see you later?" Before I even finish talking, he walked off towards the Pokecenter.

He's a smart kid. If he actually cared for his Pokemon, then he might be a real threat. I hope he doesn't get himself into trouble with that attitude.