Seeing how hard Greninja fought, Silas was proud.
"Good work out there. Your timing using Double Team was outstanding. Keep that up."
Greninja gave a tired nod.
Violet recalled Slowking.
She remained quiet for several seconds, then she laughed.
"Wow."
Silas looked toward her.
"You truly surprised me."
She glanced down at Slowking's Poké Ball.
"I can admit that I let my emotions get the better of me."
Violet looked back at Greninja.
"Taunt irritated Slowking, and honestly, it irritated me too."
She shook her head.
"I need to work with Slowking to fight better in Trick Room. I tried to overpower you with speed and then power instead of fighting the way Slowking performs best."
Silas smiled.
"You're one of the few trainers to actually outsmart me. That Trick Room was incredibly hard to beat. Without us having Double Team, we might have lost."
Violet reached for something.
"Still, you did win fair and square. I can proudly give you this."
She held out the Cascade Badge.
"And this, Water Pulse."
Silas accepted both.
"Thank you."
Silas left the gym after chatting for a few minutes with Violet. They exchanged numbers so they could battle again.
He had collected 2 Kanto badges within roughly a week; Pewter and Cerulean.
Combined with the Viridian, Saffron, and Vermilion badges he technically possessed through Team Rocket, his collection was progressing nicely.
However, Silas understood that things would become considerably more difficult from here.
Fuchsia, Celadon, and Cinnabar. Those gyms would present real challenges. He also considered challenging the Rocket gyms anyway for the experience.
Before continuing his Gym Challenge, however, Silas had another destination.
Lavender Town.
By flight, the journey would take around a full day.
Traveling entirely by land would take closer to 3 days for someone moving at Silas' pace.
Silas wanted to save time, but he also wanted to enjoy himself.
So he decided on a compromise. He would walk until Rock Tunnel and fly the remainder.
Best of both worlds.
Silas began walking through the familiar streets of Cerulean City.
There was a nostalgic feeling to the place.
He had changed tremendously since his previous visit.
While Silas was strolling through the city, a feminine voice suddenly came from behind him.
"So it is you!"
Silas stopped.
"I haven't been able to wipe away the shame of that day."
The voice grew closer.
"Today's my chance."
Silas turned around.
A beautiful, well-shaped girl stood behind him.
He recognized her immediately.
It was Beth. He could never forget. Silas remembered their previous meeting rather vividly, particularly the bikini.
Fortunately, she was fully dressed today, so Silas didn't have nearly as much difficulty focusing.
A mischievous thought entered his head. He decided to pretend he didn't remember her.
Silas tilted his head.
"Miss, do we know each other?"
Beth's expression immediately twisted.
"How dare you forget who I am!"
Silas maintained an innocent look.
"I battled you when you challenged the Cerulean Gym!"
Silas frowned thoughtfully.
"No."
Beth looked ready to explode.
"I battled and defeated a girl named Violet."
Silas shrugged.
"I think I'd remember that."
"Yeah, right."
Beth crossed her arms.
"With your strength, there's no way you beat her."
Silas reached into his pocket.
Then he casually displayed his newly acquired Cascade Badge.
Beth's eyes widened at the sight. Her expression shifted from anger to shock.
This wasn't one of the imitation badges occasionally awarded for minor gym challenges.
It was the genuine Cascade Badge.
Silas flashed a smile.
"It seems I have you mixed up with someone. I apologize."
Beth sincerely apologized. The shift in her demeanor was too much. She went from overbearing to meek in an instant. Silas couldn't hold the act anymore.
"Hahaha! No, you had it right. I remember beating you. How could I forget?"
Her eyes twitched, and Silas' smile widened further.
"I just beat the gym again, so I didn't actually lie."
Silas put away the badge.
"We can battle if you want. I do have some time to kill. I can give you some pointers if you'd like."
"You damned bastard."
Beth pointed at him.
"On top of being a lecherous man, you're also a liar. I'll enjoy knocking you down a peg."
"Those are big words. Can you back them up?"
Silas looked amused.
"Are you stronger than the Gym Leader?"
Beth's confidence returned immediately.
"Unless you faced her ace Kingdra, she was going easy on you."
Silas nodded.
"Fair enough."
Then he shifted to a more serious demeanor and spoke casually.
"But even still, I'm far stronger than you."
Beth's face reddened.
"THEN LET'S PROVE IT RIGHT HERE AND NOW!"
Silas knew she was quick to provoke, but this was almost too easy.
"You're very eager to take another loss."
He shrugged.
"But I don't battle for free. Unless something's on the line, I don't find it fun."
Beth narrowed her eyes.
"Fine. Let's have a wager."
Silas' expression became deliberately wicked.
"I think you know what I want if I win."
Beth immediately recoiled.
"Ewww!"
She stepped backward and stared warily at Silas.
"Never in a million years."
Silas shrugged.
"You are probably thinking of some weird request, but okay, that's fine."
He turned around.
"Take care, Miss Beth."
Silas started walking away.
"Wait!"
He continued walking despite her shout.
"I can agree to a date if you win!"
Silas stopped for a second.
Seeing this, Beth hurriedly added conditions.
"But that's it!"
She pointed at him.
"No touching, and you have to stay a few feet away from me."
Silas pretended to consider it for a few seconds before responding.
"I think I'll pass."
He resumed walking.
"You coward!"
Silas stopped again.
He slowly turned around and resumed walking. He did a good job of giving the air of a man who cared about nothing but relaxing.
"I literally beat you until you cried last time, and now you call me a coward? What a joke."
Beth's face became red.
Silas sneered at her condescendingly as he continued walking away.
Beth clenched both fists while clearly struggling with a decision.
"Fine!"
She shouted.
"Let's battle! If you win, you get a normal date with me."
Silas immediately laughed.
"Haha, do you think I'm so desperate that this is how I have to get a date? Please stop wasting my time."
Once again, Silas began to walk away. He was far more interested in getting stronger with his pokemon than chasing beauty.
"How about you can ask me about anything regarding the League, and if I know, I'll likely tell you. You can have 2 questions."
"Now, that's a decent reward. I accept."
Beth almost seemed a little disappointed from his perspective but he didn't think too deeply.
Silas knew that she was from one of the old-money families of Kanto. They likely knew many secrets.
He reached for 2 Poké Balls.
"I hope you don't regret it."
Silas released the same 2 Pokémon he had originally used against her.
Electivire and Infernape.
The moment Electivire appeared, Beth froze. Her attention immediately shifted toward the massive yellow Pokémon.
"What…"
She stared.
"What is that yellow Pokémon?"
Silas raised an eyebrow.
"It looks like your Electabuzz."
"That's because it is."
Beth looked confused.
Silas smiled.
"Both Electabuzz and Monferno have evolved since the last time we battled."
Beth stared at Electivire. The species was still exceptionally rare.
The evolutionary method for Electabuzz remained unknown to the overwhelming majority of trainers.
As far as most people were concerned, Elekid evolved into Electabuzz.
That was it.
Seeing an entirely unknown third form was shocking.
Beth eventually recovered.
"Fine."
She reached for her own Poké Balls.
"Go, Gyarados and Sharpedo!"
The 2 Water types materialized.
Silas immediately scanned them.
Gyarados — Level 46
Ability: Moxie
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank B Dragon Rage, Rank B Flail, Rank B Aqua Tail, Rank B Thunder Wave, Rank B Hurricane, Rank B Dragon Dance, Rank B Crunch, Rank C Iron Tail, Rank C Thunder, Rank C Rain Dance, Rank C Hydro Pump, Rank C Twister, Rank C Hyper Beam, Rank C Flamethrower
Sharpedo — Level 43
Ability: Speed Boost
Potential: B
Moves: Rank B Liquidation, Rank B Crunch, Rank B Ice Fang, Rank B Night Slash, Rank B Aqua Jet, Rank B Waterfall, Rank C Screech, Rank C Poison Fang, Rank C Water Pulse, Rank C Ice Beam, Rank C Surf, Rank C Bounce, Rank C Earthquake
Silas stared at the scans, then shook his head.
He had forgotten something important. For him, nearly a full year had passed.
For Beth?
Only a few months. Of course, their Pokémon were no longer comparable.
Her team had improved. Actually, they had improved considerably, but Silas' Pokémon had spent nearly a year fighting.
The Trial Continent training allowed him to basically cram a year's worth of training and experience into his time away. It was also a highly stressful environment where everyone who survived became significantly stronger.
The gap had become enormous, unfortunately for Beth.
Silas didn't know that she'd been training hard for this moment.
"Beth, don't say I made it unfair. As the challenger, you may have the first move."
She looked begrudgingly at Silas but gave the command anyway.
"Gyarados, use Dragon Dance!"
Gyarados began moving rhythmically as power gathered around its body.
"Sharpedo, use Aqua Jet!"
Water immediately wrapped around Sharpedo.
The shark Pokémon launched forward like a torpedo.
Its target was obvious: Infernape.
"Infernape, use Mach Punch."
Sharpedo approached at high speed, but Infernape disappeared. His glowing fist struck out of nowhere at Sharpedo's face in the middle of Aqua Jet.
He'd used his superior speed to leap to the side, strike from that angle, and safely dodge Aqua Jet.
BOOM!
The surrounding water exploded.
Sharpedo was blasted completely out of the attack and sent flying into the air.
Beth's eyes widened, but she recovered quickly.
"Gyarados, use Aqua Tail!"
Gyarados surged forward. Water surrounded its enormous tail.
"Sharpedo, use Water Pulse!"
Sharpedo stabilized itself and began gathering energy.
Silas remained calm.
"Infernape, dodge it and use Psych Up."
Gyarados swung his water-covered tail, but Infernape jumped over it.
His eyes immediately glowed as if using psychic power.
The energy surrounding Gyarados fluctuated. Infernape copied the boosts from Dragon Dance. His Attack and Speed increased by 1 stage.
Beth realized what happened, but it was too late.
"Infernape, use Thunder Punch."
Electricity erupted around Infernape's fist.
Using the copied speed boost, he shot toward Gyarados.
Gyarados attempted to move away, but Infernape arrived first.
Thunder Punch smashed directly into its body.
Electricity exploded across the sea serpent's body as it was launched into the air.
Beth stared in disbelief.
Sharpedo's Water Pulse arrived.
The orb struck Infernape squarely in the chest.
Water exploded across his body.
Infernape slid backward several feet.
Beth's expression brightened slightly.
Infernape straightened and shook water from his fur.
He remained standing as though the direct hit had been little more than an inconvenience.
Silas smiled.
Although Infernape was definitely damaged by Water Pulse, he understood battle strategy.
Sometimes, one could demoralize an enemy Pokémon by giving the impression that nothing they do can hurt you.
He'd essentially been dominating this battle 1 versus 2.
The difference between their teams was already becoming painfully obvious.