Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 28: With age
It had been over a day since Ethan had left Ecruteak setting off for Olivine city, despite not having lost a single battle during his time at Ecruteak, Ethan still had his regrets, his treatment of his childhood friend, he hoped he might find her in Olivine city to apologize to her...
"As soon as we get to Olivine, I'm going to get some real food." Ethan sighed.
"Bay, Bay!" Bayleef agreed.
The two were walking through the plains when they saw a quick blue blur speeding past them.
"What is that?" Ethan said, he turned around to see what it was.
The blur crashed into the tree, instantly chopping it in two.
Bayleef began to feel uneasy and entered a battle-ready stance.
"Let's go check it out!" Ethan yelled to Bayleef as they ran to check what had done it.
When Ethan got closer, he saw a beetle like Pokémon covered in a blue exoskeleton. It had a giant horn which ended in a cross. Its two hands had sharp claws; it was tough looking.
The Pokémon turned to Ethan and Bayleef and screeched at them, it seemed like it was asking for something.
"That Pokémon..." Ethan said, taking out his Pokédex to scan it.
"Heracross, the Single Horn Pokémon. This Powerful Pokémon thrust its prized horn under enemies' bellies, then lifts and throws them."
"Heracross!" Heracross taunted Ethan with his finger, inviting him to battle.
"You want to battle me, Heracross?" Ethan asked.
"Heracross!" Heracross happily exclaimed.
"Alright then, this will be a perfect time to test my newly evolved Togetic!" Ethan said, pulling out Togetic's Pokéball. "Let's do this!"
"To, Togetic!" Togetic said upon being released. He spun around in the air before facing the menacing Heracross.
"Hereacross!" Heracross yelled, trying to intimidate the Togetic, but to no avail.
"Let's see, it says Heracross is a fighting and bug type," Ethan said, reading his Pokédex for information. "Meaning Togetic should do wonders here."
"Alright, now let's begin Togetic, use Extrasensory!" Ethan yelled.
Togetic's eyes glowed red as he sent a spiral at the Heracross, but the Heracross raised its wings and dodged it.
Heracross is quick, Ethan thought.
The Heracross lunged at Togetic, its horn grew white as it unleashed a Megahorn attack.
Togetic laughed and swiftly avoided it with a loop d loop, Heracross lunged straight through it.
Heracross landed straight on the ground before turning around swiftly and lunging once again, this time with its right hand raised, ready to use a Brick Break.
Togetic tried to dodge, but Heracross landed the attack right on his neck before he could move. Togetic came falling to the ground before shaking it off, catching itself in midair right before the moment of impact.
"You alright Togetic!?" Ethan asked.
Togetic looked back and smiled at Ethan, before returning his gaze at the Heracross, who once again lunged at Togetic.
Before Ethan could command Togetic, he came dashing at Heracross with a white aura around him. Togetic slammed into Heracross, causing Super effective damage.
"That was Aerial Ace!" Ethan said, stunned, even Bayleef was surprised to see such a powerful move.
Heracross got up after being hit, it was clearly in bad shape, but didn't want to back down.
"Hera, Heracross!" Heracross shouted, once again trying to scare the Togetic, but only managed to get a laugh out of Togetic.
Before they could continue, Ethan heard a voice calling for Heracross.
"Heracross! Heracross!" Said a man, he had dirty brown hair and was wearing a blue suit and tie and glasses. He looked middle age.
Heracross upon seeing the man turned away, not wanting to face him.
"Heracross!" The man said, kneeling to him. "You can't just run off me like that, you almost gave me a scare boy."
"That's your Pokémon?" Ethan asked to the man.
"Yes, I'm sorry about that," The man said. "I'm Matt, by the way."
"Ethan. Don't be sorry, it was an entertaining fight." Ethan said, returning his Togetic. As Togetic returned the Heracross gave him a stank face.
"Heracross you two, return." Matt said, returning Heracross. "Whew, I wish Heracross would just listen to me, like how he did in the old days."
"Can I ask what's wrong?" Ethan asked.
"Time kid, sometimes time changes us." Matt said. "It changed me, but my Heracross remained the same, and I think he hates me for it."
"Don't say that, if you were Heracross's Trainer then how could he hate you?" Ethan tried to cheer the man up.
It was then when Ethan's stomach growled, Matt noticed.
"Are you alright kid, forgive me for saying, but you don't look to healthy, can you come to my place and get some food?" He asked kindly.
"O-oh well, I have to hurry up and get to Olivine, so I don't know?" Ethan said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Please, you helped me find my Heracross, so it's the least I could do." Matt reminded him. "Come on, my place is just a short five-minute walk from here,"
Ethan looked at Bayleef, who nodded. "Sure, let's go."
Ethan had made it to his house, which was in the right outside the plains area he was walking past. The house looked lonely, with no other houses in the area.
"Nice house." Ethan said, eying his large white house.
At the door where Matt's two kids, they were both girls and looked to around Ethan's age. They both ran up and hugged their dad.
"Daddy!" They both exclaimed. "Did you bring Stag Stag back?"
"I'm here, Kate, Julia. And yes, I did bring Stag Stag back!" He said, hugging them back.
"And who's that boy?" Kate asked, pointing at Ethan.
"Don't point that's rude," Matt lectured. "This kind young man is a Trainer named Ethan, and he helped me retrieve Heracross."
Kate and Julia started running towards Ethan, looking like they were about to hug him.
"H-hi," Ethan said, he was a little nervous around Matt's pretty daughters. It didn't matter though as they passed him and went straight to Bayleef.
"My my, what a cute Bayleef!" Kate said, petting Bayleef's head, making her laugh.
"This Pokémon is so adorable Evan. I've always wanted to see a Bayleef before!" Julia said, turning her face to Ethan.
"I-it's Ethan, never mind." Ethan said under his breath.
"Now now, Ethan and his Bayleef are just going to stay with us for a little while until he gets some food, isn't that right Ethan." Matt asked.
"No I think I can stay a while." Ethan said with a deviant smile, turning to Kate and Julia.
"Oh, I thought you said...?" Matt said confused.
"W-wait." Ethan said, coming back to reality. "Yeah, after eating I've really got to head off to Olivene."
"Ah, well Kate, you have some food going on in the kitchen, right?" Matt asked his daughter.
"Yes, it's almost done, I'm sure you'll like it." She told Ethan.
"Sure thing," Ethan said.
Ethan, Matt, Kate and Julia went into the house, which was quite large on the inside.
Ethan sat on the kitchen table grabbing a spoon. Bayleef stayed right by him near the table.
"Alright Heracross, come out!" Matt said, releasing Heracross from his Pokéball.
Heracross came out, immediately giving Matt a fowl face.
Julia immediately went up to Heracross and hugged him.
"Oh, Stag Stag, please don't ever run off like that!" She said, hugging the Heracross, making him annoyed. "We were so worried."
Kate came to Ethan with a bowl of hot stew. "It's nice and hot Ethan, please enjoy." She said, placing the bowl on the table.
"Thank you, it smells good." Ethan said, he took a big spoonful of it.
"Mmpf." Ethan groaned as he realized it tasted like Ponyta manure.
"Do you like it," Kate asked. "It's my first-time making stew, and everyone always tells me my cooking could be better... so I really put my all in it!"
Ethan cried from how bad it tasted, but he couldn't tell her to its face it was bad. "I-it, it taste... pretty good!" He said, giving a thumbs-up.
Bayleef snickered seeing Ethan lying his ass off like that, annoying Ethan.
"Oh Bayleef, you should really try this, it tastes soooo good!" Ethan said enthusiastically, raising his spoon to Bayleef's mouth.
"B-Bay, Bay!" Bayleef said shaking her head, not wanting any part of it.
"Anyways I'm really glad you like it." Kate said, sitting down on the table.
Julia continued petting Heracross, but he eventually got to fed up.
"Hera!" He yelled, shoving the girl off of him.
She fell and landed on her bottom. "Ouch Stag Stag! You hurt me!" She said, starting to cry.
"Heracross! Why did you do that!?" Matt said getting up, slamming his hands on the table, surprising Ethan, making him drop his spoon.
Heracross crossed his arms turning away from Matt.
"Fine then Heracross, cool off in your Pokéball." Matt said, throwing the Pokéball at Heracross.
Heracross shook his head and smacked the Pokéball, sending it back to Matt.
"H-Heracross, what's wrong." Kate said worried.
Heracross ran off past the front door and dashed away from the house, making a scene.
"Daddy, you have to get Stag Stag back!" Julia cried.
"Alright, let's go Ethan." Matt said, asking for help.
"Of course." Ethan said, getting up to follow the Heracross. "Bayleef, stay with Julia and Kate for now, cheer them up, okay?"
"Bay!" Bayleef agreed.
Matt and Ethan dashed for Heracross, who was sitting on a large rock, wanting to be alone.
"Heracross," Matt said, he tried to put his hand on Heracross but Heracross made it clear he shouldn't.
"What's going on between you two?" Ethan asked, placing his hands on his hips.
"Heracross!" Heracross said, trying to talk to Ethan.
"Alright, you deserve to know, a long time ago I was a Trainer on a journey, and the Pokémon I traveled with was Heracross." Matt said. Heracross listened and nodded.
"I figured that." Ethan told Matt.
"Well, Heracross loved battling and so did I, leading me to do things, I'm not proud of." Matt said sitting on the ground, putting his hands over his face and sighing.
"Like what?" Ethan asked.
"Along my journey I met a beautiful Trainer in Olivine city named Selena, and we quickly became good friends, more than friends, and one day, she was pregnant." Matt said.
"This Selena was Julia and Kate's mother, right?" Ethan asked.
"Correct, but I was a fool, I didn't want to take responsibility, and I'm not proud of it so I left..." Matt said. "I'd rather be a Pokémon Trainer, and I made the worst mistake of my life."
"I see." Ethan said.
"I thought it was okay at the time, my dad had done the same when I was a boy, so I guess that was my twisted reasoning..." Matt lamented.
"I get it, my dad, well... he didn't exactly run off, but sometimes it feels like he did, he's always off on training trips and never goes home, me and my mom lived off our bills with the prize money he accumulated, but sometimes he'd forget to send it... so my mother occasionally would have to, do things... she isn't proud of, to keep the house." Ethan admitted, sitting right by Matt.
"I'm sorry, that must have been tough..." Matt told Ethan.
"But you're now fully committed to your children, right? That's something to be proud of, isn't it?" Ethan asked.
"I don't think so kid, I returned to Selena about six years ago, wanting to rekindle our relationship and meet my kids, and she was nice enough to let me, turned out she had never told her kids their father ran off, and told them he was dead, so when I came, of course it was a shock, but I soon earned their love, I guess..." Matt said. "Selena died of disease not to long after, I'm all they have left, and I have to tell them truth one day, when they're ready to know."
Heracross crossed his arms, knowing what would come next from Matt.
"Basically, I took away Heracross from the life of battling and pretty much made him a house pet." Matt said.
Ethan looked at Heracross then turned back to Matt. "Matt, you might not like what I'm going to say, but I think this is the truth, Heracross should be released, Heracross wants to battle, and you want to stay responsible to your kids."
Matt looked at Ethan and smiled, he then got up to face his Pokémon.
"Heracross, I know you're mad at me, but please, just this once, listen to me." Matt asked.
Heracross put his arm down and decided to listen.
"I would love to go on a Training journey with you again like old times, but I can't, I have to stay loyal to my kids. So... if you want, you can go." Matt told him.
Heracross looked down, realizing what was happening.
"It's for the best, Heracross, what do you say?" Ethan asked.
Heracross looked at Matt, who was had a single tear in his eye, and Heracross began to feel bad. Heracross got up from the rock and nodded his head, he knew it was time.
"You were my first Pokémon Heracross, you can go, have a journey of your own, but don't think this has to be goodbye forever, if you're ever in the area, you'll always be welcome to visit." Matt told Heracross, they finally hugged, bringing a tear to Ethan.
"Well, goodbye Heracross, be safe." Matt said, finally letting go of Heracross.
"H-Hera!" Heracross said, with a look of sadness on his face.
"Now let's go back and make sure your kids are okay, huh Matt." Ethan suggested as they walked off.
"Let's." Matt said.
It was then when Heracross let out a screech, getting Ethan's and Matt's attention.
"Hera!" He yelled, now in a better mood, he was facing Ethan.
"What's the matter Heracross?" Ethan asked. "Weren't you going to go on your way?"
Matt smiled as he realized what was going on. "Ethan, I think Heracross wants to go with you."
"Really!" Ethan said surprised.
"Definitely. You remind me a lot of my younger self, and I just know Heracross sees that in you as well. Plus, you are going on a journey as well, right? It's perfect."
Ethan smiled and nodded. "Alright Heracross, you can come with me if you want!" He said, putting his hand out for Heracross to tag.
Heracross shook his head and formed a battle stance.
"Haha, I think Heracross wants to battle first, he wants you to try and catch him." Matt said. "Am I right?"
"Hera!" Heracross confirmed.
Ethan smiled and pulled out a Pokéball. "Go, Togetic!"
"Togetic!" Togetic busted out with.
Heracross smiled, he wanted to finish up this battle from earlier.
"Let's see what you're made of Heracross, Togetic, aerial ace!" Ethan yelled.
Togetic listened and came rushing down from the sky with a white aura, trying to crash into Heracross, but Heracross managed to dodge by leaping up.
Togetic turned around, only to see Heracross come back down, unleashing a fierce Close Combat, unleashing many fierce blows to Togetic, sending Togetic smashing to the ground.
"Togetic!" Ethan yelled.
Togetic slowly began to get up, that was when Heracross came leaping with a Brick Break, it smashed straight into Togetic's belly, causing a huge dust explosion.
"This Heracross is something else, to do so much damage to my Togetic despite having a major type disadvantage." Ethan commented.
"Of course, after all I trainer Heracross." Matt added.
Togetic flew from the smoke, with some scratches and bruises. "To-Togetic!" He yelled, wanting to continue.
Ethan smiled, "Togetic, metronome!"
Togetic wagged his finger, and began to charge up an attack, he pulled his head back and unleashed a Hyper Beam straight at Heracross.
Heracross leaped and dodged the Hyper Beam, to Ethan's surprise. Heracross came at Togetic this time with a Megahorn.
"Togetic, get out of the way!" Ethan shouted, he was unaware that after using Hyper Beam, a Pokémon needed a moment to recharge.
Heracross crashed into the panting Togetic, slamming Togetic to the ground, erupting the ground even further.
"D-damn, Togetic retur-" Before he could finish, he noticed Togetic flying up from the smoke, much to Ethan's surprise, he was still able to continue.
"That's a strong Togetic you trained." Matt said nodding.
"Togetic!" Togetic shouted, sounding slightly angered.
Heracross laughed and started taunting Togetic, turning around and spanking his bottom.
Togetic, without Ethan's command, eyes began to once again glow red. He sent a Extrasensory, which this time was so fast Heracross was unable to dodge in time.
"H-Heracross!" Heracross said unable to break free of Togetic's hold.
Togetic smashed Heracross into the ground at insane speeds, then raised him into the air from high altitude before letting him go.
"Heracross!" Heracross yelled as he was falling to the ground.
"Good thinking Togetic, now use Aerial Ace!" Ethan said.
Togetic listened and charged a white aura, it came speeding at Heracross, crashing into the poor thing, causing an explosion.
Heracross finally fell to the smoke, conscious, but unable to move, he crashed to the ground, not able to continue battling.
"Now here goes nothing!" Ethan yelled, throwing a Pokéball at the defeated Heracross.
The Pokéball hit Heracross and took him inside, it shook once, twice, three times, before blinking, indicating Heracross had been caught.
"You did it Ethan, I knew you could." Matt said clapping.
"All right, I caught... a Stag Stag!" Ethan laughed as he grabbed the Pokéball from the grass. Togetic went and hugged Ethan, Ethan hugged him back.
"You did it Togetic, thank you!" Ethan said, finally returning Togetic.
"What do you mean you caught Stag Stag!?" He heard Julia's voice say.
Ethan turned around to see them running to him, Julia, Kate, and Bayleef behind them.
Julia came to Ethan, she was crying. "Y-you can't just come here and try to capture out Pokémon, we've had him for so long!"
"I-I" Ethan said, not sure what to do.
"Now Julia, this is what's best for Heracross, you saw his behavior from earlier, right? He wants to go and battle, who are we to tell him we can't." Matt told her, arm on her shoulder.
Julia moved his arm off her. "You mean you're just going to let him take Stag Stag!?"
"Well, yeah. It's what's right." Matt told her.
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef tried to plead with her.
She pointed to Ethan. "You, I hate you! Don't ever come back here again!" She yelled, before running off.
"Julia!" Her sister called out to her, but she didn't listen.
"I-I don't want to steal Heracross, but Heracross asked to go with me..." Ethan told Kate. "I know she won't want to hear from me, so could you please tell her I'm sorry."
"No, I'm the one that's sorry, you see, Julia's not mature enough to understand." Kate told Ethan.
"She'll understand one day when she's older, now go and make my Heracross happy Ethan." Matt said, shaking his hand.
"Goodbye, thank you for being so nice to me." Ethan told Matt. Bayleef walked over to his side, Ethan pat her.
"Oh, and goodbye Kate, I appreciate you giving me lunch." Ethan told her.
"Now that I think of it, you didn't finish it. A shame, if Julia wasn't in such a bad mood, I'd ask you to come in to finish it." Kate sighed.
"Y-yeah, what a shame!" Ethan lied. "Isn't that right Bayleef?"
"Bay!" Bayleef agreed.
Kate reached out and gave Bayleef one last pet, making Bayleef smile.
"Alright, well goodbye you two! I have to get going now!" Ethan said, saying goodbye to Matt and Kate.
Before Ethan walked past Matt, he whispered to him. "I know Kate will be able to take it well when you tell them the truth, you have a good daughter. And so is Julia, alright."
Matt nodded and waved goodbye as Ethan took off.
"Alright Bayleef, off to Olivine!" Ethan exclaimed as he and Bayleef ran off into the distance.
And now Ethan has his fifth Pokémon, the bug and fighting type Pokémon, Heracross. I had always planned for Ethan to catch a Heracross at some point in the story. Now he has one slot for his sixth Pokémon, who will it be...?