Ant stood completely still, staring at the cobblestone ridge that defined Route 22's sinuous path to the pokemon league HQ.
Inside, he was fuming.
I can't believe that butthead wouldn't let me fight the elite four just because I don't have any badges. That Rattata was right, the Pokemon league is a scam and the elite four are scaredy-cats. I don't even want to be the Pokemon champion! Beating Caspia over and over again is all I really care about. That will teach her to be more responsible than me.
Ant had a feeling she would show up soon to challenge him, but only if he stood completely still. His eye itched really badly, but he didn't dare scratch it. It felt like he'd been standing here for hours, but the shadows around him hadn't moved at all. In fact, it seemed like the sun was just as high as it was when he left Professor Oak's. I guess it's true what they say; time comes to a grinding halt when you go on a Pokemon adventure! He decided he'd stay here just until the sunset. If Caspia didn't show up by then, she probably just forgot they were supposed to fight on every route.
Ant's back was on fire and his knees felt like they would give out any second. The sun hadn't moved at all. What was going on? Whatever. I guess Caspia isn't coming. Ant decided to walk back to Viridian City and rest for a while. He took a step into the tall grass.
Suddenly, a giant Butterfree flew down from above the ridge and landed on his head. The butterfree started to pummel his head with his tiny fits.
"Hahaha, I bet you didn't expect the Butterfree maneuver!" It yelled out. "That will teach you to think two dimensionally. Ant struggled to pull his pokeball off his belt, but he couldn't see anything through Butterfree's wings.
"Okay, crew! Attack!"
At the Butterfree's call, a gang of Rattata ran out from the tall grass and started nibbling at his feet. Ant feel to his knees, but he finally managed to get a good grip on the pokeball. This will do the trick!
"Okay Hermione! Let's do this" Ant tried to smash the pokeball into the Butterfree as hard as he could, but it nimbly dodged and flew up to perch on the ridge, leaving Ant to conk himself on the head. The Rattata were biting him all over.
Maybe getting some more information will help. He pulled out his Spiritdex and aimed it at the Butterfree.
CAPTAIN KIRK
- SHREWD FEDERATION OFFICER
- BRILLIANT TACTICIAN
- SWARTHY
As Ant was reading the display, one of the Rattata managed to kick him in the head. Everything turned dark.
Ant woke up in the Pokemon center. Thomas Covenant was standing above him, replacing the cold bandage on his head with a warm one.
"What happened?" Ant asked.
"Apparently you lost a Pokemon battle. Assuming you believe Pokemon are even real…" Thomas groused.
"That's impossible! I'm not supposed to lose! I'm supposed to be the best." Tears started forming in Ant's eyes.
"It's okay. The nice old man who brought you here says he only took half your money. And everybody loses sometimes. I lost two of my fingers and the love of my life to leprosy, you know. Are you crying?"
Ant tried his best to hold back his tears, but it didn't help. They kept coming and coming.
"I didn't even get to use my Pokemon him and the Rattata just kept hitting me over and over it wasn't even a fair fight they used stupid tricks I hate captains and I hate the Spiritdex and I hate Pokemon!" Ant couldn't seem to control his high-pitched whining.
"Don't worry, Ant. It will be okay. There are worse burdens than losing a battle. Far worse fates that a human can be subjected to. You don't have the burden of white gold to deal with. This cursed ring is the one constant that follows me from world to world, taunting me with memories of the love I'll never feel again. Joan…"
Through his tears, Ant saw a beautiful ring wrapped around the Chansey's arm. How strange. Pokemon didn't wear jewelry…
Maybe Ant could beat him up and steal it! Thinking about assault cheered Ant up a little, and he managed to stifle the end of his sniffles.
"That's, uh. That's nice, Chansey. Thanks for talking to me. I feel better now." Ant reached toward his pokeball, preparing to launch a surprise attack on the Chansey like Captain Kirk had done to him.
