Hey guys, ComicfireSymphon here. Sorry this is so late, I've had a lot of schoolwork to do and I couldn't find the time or inspiration to finish this chapter quickly. I hope this was worth the wait!
Chapter 6: Consequences
The morning's first light began to filter through the room's window, brightening the room slowly. The light reflected off of a pair of emerald green eyes. Ethan was already wide awake, and he had waited for this moment all night. His body remained motionless on the stark white bed sheets, expectant. "Come on… Come on… Open the door…" He muttered quietly to himself. Today was the day.
Today he would find Locke and obtain the revenge he so dearly sought. For the damage dealt to Drowzee. For the brainwashing dealt to Totodile. To save every other Pokemon Locke may have come upon in his travels.
Ethan heard a small clicking noise from behind him. His heart began to race, someone was unlocking the door. One final click and the door creaked open. He heard footsteps coming closer to him. Instinctively, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. The footsteps came to a stop beside him.
"Ethan, are you awake?" Professor Elm asked. Ethan opened his eyes and met Elm's gaze. Judging from the shadows underneath of his eyes, it looked like Elm didn't get much sleep either. "Yeah, I'm up." Ethan responded, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Elm placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out a Pokeball, which he held in front of Ethan's face.
"This is Cyndaquil's Pokeball. The task I gave to you was completed successfully, and as a reward, I'll let you keep the Cyndaquil." Elm said. Ethan stared at the Pokeball. This is what he wanted, right? To go on his Pokemon Journey and explore all he could? He tried moving his arm to take the Pokeball, but he couldn't muster up the will to do so.
Elm sighed as placed the Pokeball next to Ethan. "Listen Ethan, what happened to Drowzee was not your fault. Locke used an underhanded tactic to win, and unfortunately, many trainers do. Pokemon will get hurt, it's the very nature of battling. But you can't panic and just let your Pokemon be mauled like that. You have the ability to switch your Pokemon whenever you want, use it. I have faith in you. Professor Oak has faith in you. You have the potential to succeed. Tap in to it." Elm told him, turning away from him and walking out of the room.
Ethan sighed as he placed his legs back onto the bed. The Pokeball brushed up against his thigh. He closed his eyes and let his hand slowly drift towards to the Pokeball. His fingers felt the cold metal of it. He opened his hand and enclosed the Pokeball inside of it. He rubbed his thumb over the large button on the front of it. "It all starts here." He whispered, opening his palm and pressing the button. It opened quickly and silently, letting loose an eerie red light. The light began taking shape. It slowly morphed into the shape of a Cyndaquil. The light yellow of Cyndaquil's fur began to appear, as did the dark green of his back. The transformation completed as a bright light flashed for a second, and Cyndaquil appeared on Ethan's leg.
Ethan opened his eyes to see Cyndaquil smiling atop his leg. Ethan smiled too before he noticed something different. Cyndaquil appeared to be a bit larger than before. He placed the Pokeball on the sheets before reaching into his pocket. He quickly dug out his Pokedex, opening it. He pointed it towards Cyndaquil and pressed the "SCAN" button. Binary flashed across the screen for a few seconds before a picture of Cyndaquil appeared. His stats began showing also. He noticed in particular its level. "It leveled up…" Ethan thought.
Cyndaquil began walking on Ethan, climbing from his leg onto his chest before curling up into a ball and resting on his chest. Ethan smiled again, though it had leveled up slightly, it was still just a baby. His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of Megadeth's "Sudden Death" piercing the air, his Pokegear's phone was going off. He snaked his arm down to his belt, removing the phone and bringing up to his ear, pressing the "Receive Call" button.
"Hello?" Ethan said.
"Ethan? This is Mr. Pokemon. Listen, I heard about what happened with Locke. I want you to stop by my house again, I have something I want to give you." Mr. Pokemon told him. "Alright." Ethan responded.
"One second though, what song was playing while I called you?" Mr. Pokemon asked.
Ethan rolled his eyes and smiled. "It was Megadeth's new single, "Sudden Death". It's kind of like their older stuff." He told him.
"I see. I really should invest in a CD player of some sort. Alright then, see you later then." Mr. Pokemon said before hanging up. Ethan pressed the "End" button on his phone and closed it, placing back on his belt with the rest of his gear. He allowed his arm to drop back on the sheets before groaning. He could never catch a break, could he?
Wincing slightly, he swung his legs back over the side of the bed. Cyndaquil tried to keep its balance, but failed. It stumbled and fell off of Ethan's chest and landed upside down on the white sheets, squealing quietly. Ethan stifled a chuckle before reaching over to Cyndaquil and placing his hands on it's side to upright it. He carefully placed it on it's feet. It looked at him and began humming to itself. Ethan's mouth pulled up at the corners in a small smile, the Cyndaquil was happy. He had to be doing something right.
Ethan slowly sat up, his stomach muscles clenching. He sat upright, his vision slightly darkening as he felt the headrush he had expected. The black dots that clouded his vision slowly vanished, and soon he could see clearly again. He brushed his bare feet along the pale linoleum floors. He winced again as he stood up. His legs were nearly numb. He threw his arms into the air and tensed his body, trying to bring feeling back into his unwilling legs. The blood flowed back into his legs quickly and he could feel them once more.
He turned his gaze back to the bed behind him. Cyndaquil was staring back at him. Ethan's ears pricked as he heard a small sound. The door behind him had opened.
He remained completely still. The sound of quiet footsteps came from behind him. He sighed as he reached for the Pokeball next to Cyndaquil. He grasped it firmly, pressing the large button on it. The red light shot from it and into Cyndaquil, who turned into red light and returned to the ball. Ethan placed it onto his belt as he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist.
"So what are you going to do?" Marina whispered from behind Ethan. Her breath slightly tickled the back of his neck, making him shudder slightly. He took a small breath.
"I'm going to find Locke and make him pay." Ethan answered quietly. Marina sighed and let go of Ethan, taking a step back. Ethan turned around to look at her. She had dark circles under her red-rimmed eyes. He felt his heart sink, she had been crying.
"Marina…" Ethan muttered softly.
"And how exactly are you going to do that? You couldn't stop him last time, why is this time going to be any different?" Marina stated accusingly. Ethan recoiled at this. Why was she being so hostile?
"Marina, why…" he started.
"Because you don't know what you're doing! You're just going to get you and your Pokemon hurt again! You can't just rush into everything without thinking!" She yelled at him, tears flying off of her face. Ethan shut his eyes quickly and turned back around, trying to hold back his own tears. What she was saying was true. All of it.
"I don't know… I just don't know, Marina." He whispered, a hard lump forming in his throat. He felt the familiar sting in his eyes as the tears began to roll out, slowly sliding down his cheek.
"Listen to me, Ethan. There is a Pokemon Training School in Violet City. The things you can learn there may help against your foes, even Locke." Marina told him, her voice cracking slightly. She turned around and began to walk out of the room. Ethan groaned. He turned around also and followed Marina out of the room.
The light of the main room of the Pokemon Center forced Ethan to squint his eyes, he wasn't used to the bright light yet. His eyes slowly adjusted as he began to look around the room. It was empty for the most part, only Nurse Joy was there in her normal area.
Nurse Joy came from a massive family of nurses, all with the same name and all looking exactly the same, pink hair that hung below her shoulders and a slender build. Each Nurse Joy owned a Pokemon Center in a city or town.
"Ethan? We aren't supposed to discharge you for another twelve hours." Nurse Joy said.
"Sorry, Joy. I need to go. Now." Ethan said, walking towards the door. Nurse Joy didn't attempt to stop him as he walked through the door.
Ethan looked around. He was back in Cherrygrove City. The sun was still hanging low in the sky and the clouds had a beautiful purple tint to them. For the first time today, Ethan felt peaceful again. His hand snaked down to his belt and grabbed Cyndaquil's Pokeball. He pressed the button and let Cyndaquil free. Cyndaquil quickly materialized next to Ethan's leg. Ethan reached down to pick Cyndaquil up and place him on his shoulder.
He nuzzled it's head gently. Cyndaquil hummed quietly, it enjoyed that. Ethan smiled and thought about what he had to do. "Alright… I need to stop by Mr. Pokemon's house to pick up whatever he wanted to give me, and then I'm off to Violet City." He thought. He adjusted his cap, his journey started here.