Gold- A Pokémon Story

Chapter Seventeen: Rematch

Jess seemed slightly taken aback by my request. "You sure, Gold?"

"Definitely! Chikorita and I have a score to settle after all!" I told her.

We agreed to battle in the center of Ecruteak after I healed up my Pokémon. Morty offered to referee for us and went off with Jess to the square.

"So Gold, you and Jess are rivals, so to speak?" Eusine confirmed.

I nodded. "Sure are! She's beat me in our last two battles, but this time I've got a plan." I explained as we entered the Pokémon Center.

I handed off my Poké Balls to the Nurse Joy and she took them to the machine. The Pokémon Center was packed full of people because of all the visitors.

Eusine bit his lower lip and spoke. "Jess has a bit of an inferiority complex. Given that she and Alex were best friends for so long and now he's on a completely different level to her." Eusine told me. "If you win and she's bitter, don't hold it against her."

I took in what Eusine told me and retrieved my Pokémon. "Alrighty. I won't." I assured him.

"This time Gold, you won't lose. I know it!" Silver told me as we walked out of the center.

I grinned at my friend. "Thanks, man!" The three of us walked to the town square where Jess and Morty were waiting.

"So," Morty said as we approached. "What type of battle would you like to have?"

I looked at Jess. "One on one, Chikorita versus Flaaffy?" I suggested.

A sly grin formed on Jess's face. "Sounds good to me. I guess you just really like losing over and over."

We took our places on opposite ends of the field and Morty gave the introductory spiel and stepped away. Jess and I sent out our Pokémon and locked eyes.

Jess shrugged her shoulders with the slyest grin she could muster. "Go ahead and go first, Gold. You need all the advantages you can get."

Despite the remarks, I wasn't going to give up the chance to move first. "Chikorita, you ready?" Chikorita looked back at me and I could see how nervous she was. "I have a plan, for real this time. Trust me." Chikorita smiled up at me and turned back to the opposing Pokémon.

"Alright Chikorita, use Razor Leaf!" My Pokémon began firing off sharp leaves at her foe.

The leaves pelted Flaaffy's body and left scratches where they struck it. "That won't stop us, use Take Down!" Flaaffy began to glow and charged straight ahead at Chikorita.

Chikorita's legs began to shake as the opponent rushed toward her. "Use Reflect and hold your ground!" I told her. A barrier briefly appeared around my starter and she steeled herself.

Flaaffy collided with Chikorita but to its surprise, my Grass Type hadn't gone anywhere. She had managed to be unmoved by the attack.

"See Chikorita, nothing to be afraid of! You're strong enough to take anything! Use Poison Powder!" Before Flaaffy could get away, Chikorita threw a cloud of purple dust in its face.

Jess crosses her arms as her grin faded away. "So what? Don't get all confident just because you landed a few attacks. Flaaffy, Iron Tail!" Flaaffy swung its tail in a sweeping motion at Chikorita's legs.

"Chikorita, jump right over it and use Razor Leaf!" I instructed.

As Chikorita leaped into the air, Jess's smile returned. "Cotton Guard." Chikorita brought her leaf down to strike Flaaffy but was stopped by a massive wall of cotton coming between Flaaffy's face and my Pokémon.