Here's Chapter Three. Enjoy
Usual Disclaimer: I don't own the Pokémon franchise, I'm just doing this for fun, I make no money. Pokémon belongs of Nintendo and associates.
Chapter 3: Violet City or Bust!
Upon reaching the Cherrygrove City Pokémon Centre, Gold and Crystal made their way up to the desk, placing Phanpy and the Pokéballs containing their Pokémon on the counter.
The nurse eyed Phanpy questioningly.
"You know, it's normal for trainers to keep their Pokémon inside Pokéballs, at least when handing them over for healing."
"It's wild." replied Gold "I think something may be wrong with it."
The nurse nodded before taking the Pokémon off to be healed.
Crystal took a worried Gold by the arm and led him to the cafeteria for some lunch.
As they ate, neither said anything. Gold was far too worried about Phanpy, and Crystal decided now was not the best time to interrupt his musings.
His musings, however, were interrupted by two people they recognised entering the room.
"Aha. If it isn't Gold and Crystal." said Professor Oak "I trust you are well?"
"We're okay Professors" Crystal answered for both of them "But-" she broke off, glancing at Gold, who took over.
"We found a Phanpy. Something's not right with it."
Professor Elm frowned "I've heard numerous trainers use that sentence when referring to what they consider a weak Pokémon-"
"It's not weak." interrupted Gold "Actually it's strong. Too strong."
"What do you mean?" asked Oak.
"We found it on Route 46. I know Phanpy are rare there, and I don't think you usually find Phanpy there that are strong enough to know Take Down and Fissure."
"Yes, that is puzzling." said Elm "Normally any Phanpy found in that area know little more than Tackle, Growl and Defence Curl. To find one knowing Take Down... well, I suppose it could have wandered south from Route 45 where they are naturally stronger, but Fissure?"
"It used Fissure to take out my Cyndaquil." said Gold "And Take Down against Heracross for a rather quick win."
"Hmm." hummed Oak, thoughtfully "Phanpy do not normally learn Fissure. The only way to get one to know those moves is by breeding with Pokémon it won't normally encounter; Camerupt and Dugtrio for Fissure. Where is it now?"
"With the nurse." replied Crystal.
"You caught it?" asked Elm.
Gold shook its head "After it keeled over, I was too worried about it to even think of catching it."
"What happened?" asked Oak.
"At first I fought it with Cyndaquil. Instead of trying to dodge its Ember, Phanpy used Take Down to charge straight into it, then Cyndaquil. I had Cyndaquil use Quick Attack, Phanpy used Take Down again. Then Phanpy used Fissure. Cyndaquil didn't stand a chance. After that, I switched to Heracross. Phanpy wasn't even intimidated. It just charged into Heracross' Horn Attack with Take Down. Heracross fainted instantly, but Phanpy collapsed shortly after. When I battled it, it seemed to be eager to take on anything, almost to the point where it seemed to be trying to prove itself. But when I approached it after it collapsed, it was so frightened. It used Defence Curl to try and hide. It was almost like it thought..." he trailed off.
"Like what?" asked Oak.
Gold shook his head, eyes on the floor.
"Like it thought Gold would hit it." answered Crystal.
Elm looked at Oak "An abusive trainer?"
Oak nodded "Sounds like it."
Just then, the nurse came up to the group, carrying two trays of Pokéballs.
"You're Pokémon are healed. But the Phanpy will have to be kept in overnight. If I didn't know it was a wild Pokémon, I'd have to say it seemed to be under the ownership of an abusive trainer."
"It may well have been, and in the not too distant past." replied Oak "Might I see it?"
"Of course, Professor." replied the nurse, leading Professor Oak out of the room.
Crystal watched them go, before turning to Professor Elm.
"Have they had any luck catching the kid that broke into your lab?"
"No. No, there's been nothing. Since Oak saw him here, no one has seen anything. It's as though he just disappeared into thin air. But, I suppose if he had a bicycle, or a Pokémon that he could fly on, or even access to a car, he could be anywhere in Johto by now. For all we know, he could be in Kanto by now."
"I'm sorry, Professor." said Gold.
"Don't be." said Elm, pulling up a chair "It's not your fault."
Moments later, Oak returned.
"I'd definitely have to say that Phanpy was once owned by an abusive trainer. The nurse is running scans and searching through records to see if she can find who it belonged to."
The group sat in relative silence for a bit, until Professor Elm decided to take their minds off the grim subject and onto other things.
"Well, you two, you've mentioned new captures, how about giving us a look see?"
Relieved to be able to think about something other than a stolen Totodile and an abused Phanpy, Gold and Crystal gladly showed off their Pokémon.
"Oho," chuckled Elm "Impressive, both of you. Yes, Hoothoot, Aipom and Heracross compliment your Cyndaquil nicely, Gold, and Sentret, Ledyba and Marill to team up with Chikorita, Crystal, very well done."
"How about a little battle to check out their strengths?" asked Oak.
"Good idea, Professor." chimed Crystal "I've waited ages to do this; Gold, I challenge you to a Pokémon battle."
Outside the Pokémon centre, the two professors watched as the two friends stood opposite each other, ready to do battle.
"Seeing as I challenged you, Gold, you can have first choice."
"Gee, thanks. Aipom, you're up."
"Sentret, go for it."
The two normal types appeared from their Pokéballs, ready for a fight.
"Aipom, use Scratch."
"Quick Attack, Sentret."
Sentret charged in, Aipom swung her tail. Both attacks met with a devastating force for two Pokémon at low level.
"Sentret, again, Quick Attack."
"Sand Attack"
Sentret sped in for another attack, but received a load of sand in her face for her efforts. Blinded, she tripped over her own feet and crashed to the ground, right next to Aipom, who, upon her trainer's command, swung her tail hand down to administer another Scratch.
"Defence Curl."
Sentret curled into a ball in order to take less damage, but Gold and Aipom were stronger. Another Scratch and it was over for Sentret.
Grumbling, Crystal recalled her Pokémon and sent out another "Go, Chikorita."
"Chikoh!" cried the small grass type upon appearing.
"Chikorita, use Razor Leaf!"
"Aipom, use Astonish."
As Chikorita began to wave the left on her head to attack, Aipom shouted loudly whist pulling an awful face, stunning Chikorita and causing her to flinch.
"Now use Fury Swipes!" commanded Gold.
Aipom jumped at Chikorita and began repeatedly scratching her, landing multiple blows.
"Poison Power." ordered Crystal.
Still reeling from the damage done by Aipom, Chikorita swung the left on her head and released a cloud of purple pollen. Unable to dodge, Aipom inhaled the toxic substance and quickly became rather ill.
"Let's see a Razor Leaf." shouted Crystal.
Another wave of the leaf on her head, and Chikorita sent a flurry of sharp leaves at Aipom, cutting into it and throwing it back.
"Aipom, get up and use Scratch." said Gold.
"Chikorita hit it with Tackle."
Aipom stood, ready to attack, but the poison coursed through its body, delaying the strike long enough for Chikorita to get in close and ram into Aipom with full force. Aipom reeled from the blow but still managed a swipe of its tail, scratching Chikorita's side.
Both Pokémon tumbled to the ground, exhausted.
"Use Synthesis to heal yourself." Crystal called to Chikorita.
Chikorita raised her leaf and angled it towards the sun. The leaf began to glow as it absorbed sunlight.
"Don't let it heal!" shouted Gold "Aipom, use Fury Swipes."
Aipom pushed itself up, but the poison coursed through its body again. Weakened beyond its endurance, Aipom fell to the ground with a thud.
"Nice job, Aipom." said Gold, recalling the fainted monkey-like Pokémon to its pokéball.
He grabbed another "Go Cyndaquil, use Ember."
Upon appearing from within his pokéball, Cyndaquil spat out small flames which sizzled against Chikorita's body.
The grass type cried out in pain.
"Chikorita, use Tackle." shouted Crystal.
Chikorita moved to charge forward, but a flame engulfed her body.
"Looks like Chikorita's got a burn." observed Gold "Cyndaquil, finish this with Quick Attack."
Cyndaquil charged at high speed towards Chikorita and collided with it. Chikorita flew through the air and crashed to the ground a few feet behind Crystal, out cold.
Scowling, Crystal recalled Chikorita and sent out her next choice.
"Marill, Water Gun."
The round blue Pokémon appeared in a flash of light from the pokéball and spewed a stream of water at Cyndaquil before Gold could react.
Cyndaquil never stood a chance.
Gold recalled Cyndaquil and sent out his next choice.
"Heracroh!" growled Heracross upon appearing on the battlefield.
"Heracross use Horn Attack." shouted Gold.
"Water Gun!" shouted Crystal, frantically.
The jet of water that Marill sent at Heracross splashed harmlessly at the bug type's glowing horn, which slammed Marill into the ground moments later.
"Now Night Slash." shouted Gold.
Heracross' horn turned black and Heracross swiped it at Marill, sending the smaller Pokémon soaring, only to stop abruptly when it crashed into the side of the Pokémon centre.
Getting a little mad now, Crystal recalled the fainted Marill to her pokéball and then sent out her final option.
"Ledyba, Comet Punch."
The bug-type Pokémon flew towards Heracross with its fists raised.
"Fury Attack." commanded Gold.
Ledyba launched a relentless attack of repeated punches, all of which were easily parried by Heracross using his horn.
Frustrated, Crystal decided to change tactics.
"Ledyba, use Supersonic."
Ledyba fell back and then emitted a high-pitched noise, which accompanied several light blue rings that struck Heracross, confusing it.
"Yeah, how d'ya like me now?" taunted Crystal as Heracross wobbled around dizzily.
Gold recalled Heracross to its pokéball to end the confusion and sent out Hoothoot.
"Hypnosis." ordered Gold.
Hoothoot's eyes glowed red. Ledyba's eyes did the same, and then the bug Pokémon fell asleep.
"Now Peck." ordered Gold.
Hoothoot flew forward and jabbed Ledyba with its beak.
Ledyba continued to sleep.
"Peck it again." said Gold.
Hoothoot jabbed Ledyba with its beak again.
Ledyba continued to sleep.
"Peck it again." said Gold.
Hoothoot jabbed Ledyba with its beak again.
Ledyba continued to sleep.
"Peck it again." said Gold.
Hoothoot jabbed Ledyba with its beak again.
Ledyba woke up.
"Peck it again." said Gold.
Hoothoot jabbed Ledyba with its beak again.
Ledyba fainted.
"Damn it!" cursed Crystal, loudly.
"What's all this noise?" demanded the Nurse, stepping outside "There are sick Pokémon trying to sleep in here."
"Sorry." mumbled Crystal.
Shaking her head the nurse turned to Gold "The Phanpy is healed."
"Did you find anything that might point to who it belonged to?" asked Gold.
The nurse shook her head.
Gold went inside the building and quickly found the room where Phanpy lay resting on a bed.
He sat down on a chair.
"What kind of trainer would be abusive to their Pokémon?" he wondered aloud. Phanpy heard him and raised his head to look at him.
Gold reached out gently and placed his hand on Phanpy's head. This time he did not flinch.
"You know if you were my Pokémon, I'd never hurt you."
Phanpy tilted his head to the side, giving Gold a considering look.
Gold took out a pokéball from his pocket.
"Well, what do you think Phanpy? Do you wanna be a part of my team?"
Crystal looked up when the door to Phanpy's room opened and Gold stepped out. He was holding a pokéball.
"Well?" she asked.
Gold grinned and held up the pokéball "Got him."
"Yay!" cheered Crystal loudly and excitedly before throwing her arms around Gold.
"Ahem!"
Blushing furiously, Gold pushed Crystal away from him and turned to look at Professor Oak.
"Take good care of that Phanpy." the Professor said, before turning to leave.
Gold and Crystal decided to leave as well. They bid farewell to Professor Elm and then headed off back to Route 30. Perhaps this time they would finally arrive at Violet City, which would be nice, given how many times they had walked this route in an attempt to get there before.
Any bugs they met were roasted by Cyndaquil and pecked to pieces by Hoothoot, Rattata's were pounded by Heracross and scratched by Sentret and Aipom, Birds and Bats were shot down by Marill's Water Gun, and an apparent swarm of the tadpole Pokémon Poliwag were hacked apart by sharp leaves courtesy of Chikorita. Gold and Crystal were getting to Violet City today and no-one and nothing was going to stop them.
Unless…
As the passed the entrance to Dark Cave, a figure came clambering out.
Gold's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in anger "YOU!"
Silver the Totodile thief turned his eyes to the pair and gave a dismissive snort "You again?"
"Hand over the Totodile!" demanded Gold.
Silver sneered and raised a pokéball "You'll have to fight me first. Go, Zubat."
Gold grit his teeth. If it was a battle this guy wanted, then it was a battle he was going to get!
"Hoothoot! Let's crush this jerk!"
The owl and the bat faced each other in mid-air, awaiting their instruction.
"Hoothoot, Hypnosis!"
"Dodge it and then use Supersonic!"
Hoothoot emitted a red ring from his eyes and it headed straight for Zubat, who flew in a corkscrew manoeuvre to avoid it and then let out a long, loud blast of sound. Hoothoot took a direct hit and dropped to the ground where it began thrashing about in confusion.
"Leech Life." ordered Silver.
Zubat swooped down and emitted a red beam at Hoothoot. The beam struck and then returned to Zubat, taking some of Hoothoot's health with it.
Seeing where this was going, Gold recalled Hoothoot to his pokéball before sending out a second Pokémon.
"That's enough, Hoothoot. Aipom, you're up!"
Silver snorted "What a pathetic looking animal. Zubat, Supersonic."
"Aipom, use your tail to jump."
As Zubat unleashed another confusing wave of sound, Aipom pushed off from the ground with her tail and launched straight into the air.
"Now use Scratch!"
Aipom flipped in the air and brought her tail hand around and scratched Zubat's side, leaving a vicious wound.
"Wing Attack." commanded Silver as Aipom landed. Zubat's winged glowed white and the bat Pokémon flew fast towards Aipom.
"Astonish." ordered Gold.
Aipom looked directly at the incoming Zubat, pulled an ugly face and shouted loudly. Zubat flinched and its Wing Attack failed.
"Now Scratch again."
Aipom leapt at Zubat and scratched it with his tail-hand again. Zubat let out a pitiful cry and dropped to the ground.
"Alright," said Gold as Silver recalled Zubat to its pokéball "I battled you. And I won so hand over the Pokémon that you stole."
"But we're not done battling yet." said Silver with a smirk as he threw another pokéball "Teddiursa, stand by for battle!"
In a flash of light, one of the cutest-looking Pokémon in the world stood before them, resembling a brown teddy bear, Teddiursa stood sucking on its paw.
"Cutie!" squealed Crystal rather inappropriately and Gold gave Silver a questioning look.
"A cuddly little thing like that? Really?"
Silver smirked "It's cute now, but a Teddiursa will eventually evolve into Ursaring, one of the toughest Pokémon around. Now quit stalling and battle. Teddiursa, use Fury Swipes."
With a vicious snarl, Teddiursa raced towards Aipom, the claws on both front paws aglow.
"Sand Attack." shouted Gold.
Aipom's tail swung, scooped up a load of sand and then threw it at the incoming Teddiursa, but it was too late. Even with its eyes full of sand, Teddiursa was too close to miss. It took one swipe, two, three and finally four swipes, each one landing a hit on Aipom, who reeled from the onslaught.
She stumbled. And then fell.
"Thanks Aipom, you did well." said Gold, recalling Aipom to her pokéball before taking another and throwing it "Hoothoot, you're back in."
"Huh. Pathetic." said Silver dismissively "Teddiursa, Faint Attack."
Teddiursa completely faded from sight for a few moments, and then something slammed into Hoothoot and sent it crashing into a tree. As Hoothoot tumbled to the ground, out cold, Teddiursa reappeared as it landed on all fours.
"If that's the best you can do, then you might as well give up training now." remarked Silver as Gold recalled Hoothoot to its pokéball.
Gold refused to rise to the bait, and instead unleashed his next Pokémon "Phanpy, crush this menace."
"Teddiursa, Fury Swipes."
"Take Down, Phanpy."
Claws aglow, Teddiursa charged in, but Phanpy was moving towards it at full power. The two Pokémon collided, but it was Phanpy that won out, throwing Teddiursa back. It tumbled across the ground, out cold.
Without comment, Silver recalled Teddiursa to its pokéball and sent out another.
It was the Totodile. Apparently Silver was banking on Gold not wanting to hurt the stolen Pokémon. It worked, and Phanpy was taken down by a powerful Water Gun.
"Sorry Phanpy." Gold apologised once the ground-type was back inside his pokéball. He grabbed another "Heracross, let's do this!"
"Totodile, Water Gun!" ordered Silver.
"Heracross use Horn Attack!" shouted Gold.
Horn aglow, Heracross charged towards Totodile, the spray of the Water Gun attack splashing harmlessly against the horn. With a powerful thrust Heracross had Totodile pinned up against the rocks of Dark Cave.
Resigned to having to take out Totodile in order to save it, Gold called out "Finish it with Night Slash."
Heracross' horn turned black and the massive bug/fighting Pokémon swiped it across Totodile's body, throwing the smaller Pokémon to the side.
Giving a growl on annoyance, Silver recalled Totodile to its Pokéball and sent out another.
Looking like some kind of plant with a yellow flower bud for a head, Bellsprout was a grass type.
Gold raised a questioning eyebrow "You think that little thing's going to bring down my Heracross?"
"That depends." answered Silver "Bellsprout, Stun Spore."
Bellsprout threw its head back and the jutted it forward, unleashing a cloud of yellow pollen across the battlefield at Heracross who, upon breathing it in, slumped forward, clearly in pain.
"Wha'?" exclaimed a dumbfounded Gold.
"That was Bellsprout's Stun Spore." explained Silver "It paralyzes an opponent, making it hard for them to attack. Now Bellsprout, Vine Whip!"
Two vines extended from Bellsprout's body and began striking Heracross like a whip.
Not wanting his Pokémon to faint, Gold grabbed up Heracross' pokéball and recalled it. Fortunately he had just the thing to bring down a grass type.
"Cyndaquil, come out and roast this guy! Ember!"
Cyndaquil appeared in a flash of light from his pokéball and immediately launched a barrage of small flames at Bellsprout. Silver had no time to react, and the grass-type Pokémon collapsed.
"There." said Gold "You got any more Pokémon?"
"Nope." replied Silver.
"Then hand over the Totodile." said Crystal.
"Nope." replied Silver, again "Bellsprout, Poison Powder."
Bellsprout might not have been able to battle anymore, but that did not stop it from emitting a cloud of purple pollen from its mouth. The cloud was a lot larger than the Stun Spore had been, and Gold, Crystal and Cyndaquil were left retching as the pollen filled their lungs.
When the air finally cleared, Silver and Bellsprout were gone.
Feeling sick, Gold recalled Cyndaquil and then headed off towards Violet City with Crystal. They passed a couple of eager looking trainers who, thankfully, noticed that the duo were in a bad way and let them pass unimpeded. They struggled through the city gate and, finally, took their first steps into Violet City.
At long last, they had made it.
Okay, I'm leaving it there. Gold now has Phanpy, and they had finally made it to Violet City, after that rather unpleasant encounter with Silver. Yeah, he's going to show up more often than in the games. Until I wrote Gold and Crystal's battle, I had no idea who tedious the early battles could be, especially when all they really know is Tackle/Scratch/Peck, Razor Leaf/Ember/Water Gun and Growl/Tail Whip/Leer/Sand Attack. Roll on Fire Blasts, Solar Beam, Hydro Pumps, Double-Edge's, Dragon Pulses, Shadow Balls and Blizzards! Awesome moves make battles awesome.
Anyway, until next time, see ya!