Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 37: A Rematch to remember
It had been about a week since Ethan had his first match with the Gym leader Jasmine and suffered from a harsh defeat. After meeting his old friend and rival Lyra by chance, the two decided to train together, and today exactly seven days after was the day Ethan knew he was ready.
"I'm here, anyone home!?" Ethan said as he knocked on the doors of the Gym.
"You think you've got this Ethan?" Lyra, who wanted to watch the battle, asked.
"Course, we did do some serious training after all didn't we, I just know I'm ready to take her on." Ethan said confidently.
"Bay, Bay!" Bayleef said jumping up and down confidently.
Finally, the door to the Gym was opened, and Ethan and Lyra were face to face with the referee, Coral.
"Hello Ethan, you've come for your rematch?" Coral asked.
"Yes, I've gotten some training in and now I think I've got this!" Ethan declared.
"Wonderful, well come in, but..." She said turning to Lyra. "I'm sorry, but only one Trainer may battle at a time."
"Oh I know, I'm not here to challenge Jasmine, not yet at least." Lyra said. "I'm just here to spectate, is that okay?"
"I suppose it is, well Ethan, whenever you are already." Coral said, leading the way.
Ethan and Bayleef made it to the stadium, standing on the opposite side was Jasmine, who gave him a smile.
"You won't need this, but good luck Ethan." Lyra said, raising her hand.
"Thanks," Ethan raised his hand back and gave Lyra a high five, she went and stood to the side of the battle near Coral to watch.
"Um... hello again Ethan, how are you...?" Jasmine asked. "Who's your friend?"
"Oh, that's Lyra, the girl I asked if you have seen, she's just going to observe our battle if you don't mind." Ethan told her.
"I didn't realize I'd have people watching..." Jasmine said, turning to Lyra. "E-excuse me if I have a little stage fright."
"O-oh, please don't mind me!" Lyra said. "Pretend I'm not even here."
Jasmine smiled and nodded. "Okay then, allow us to begin."
"This will be a rematch between Challenger Ethan and Gym leader Jasmine!" Coral announced. "May you both bring out your first of three Pokémon."
"Alright, go Heracross!" Ethan said, throwing Heracross's Pokéball.
"Heracross!" Heracross screeched, he went on all fours, eager to battle.
"...Okay, I've decided to use you." Jasmine said, revealing a Pokéball. "Magnezone, please do battle!"
"Magnezone!" Magnezone said in its robotic tone of voice.
Upon seeing Magnezone, Heracross grew even more determined, making Ethan smile.
Heracross is always getting pumped when battling opponents, he previously fought. Like when he had a rematch with my Togetic before I caught him. Ethan thought.
"We shall start, Magnezone use Supersonic!" Jasmine yelled, Magnezone listened and fired an invisible ray, but Heracross managed to avoid it by dodging.
"Starting off the same way you did last time?" Ethan realized. "Then we will too, Heracross use Megahorn!"
Heracross's horn shined white as it came in for the hit, but Magnezone managed to dodge the hit, surprising Ethan.
"I can tell your Heracross has gotten much stronger, but so has my Magnezone!" Lyra said. "Lock On now!"
Magnezone shot the red X at Heracross instantly making contact, meaning Heracross would be hit with whatever Magnezone's next move was.
"Oh no!" Lyra reacted. "That's bad news!"
"Heracross, you can take it, right?" Ethan asked, Heracross turned his head and nodded.
"Magnezone, Charge Beam!" Jasmine yelled.
Magnezone fired off what appeared to be a bright yellow ray, containing properties of heat and electricity at Heracross. The beam was powerful enough it crumbled the ground below it without contact.
"Tch, alright Heracross fly to Magnezone quick with Aerial Ace!" Ethan yelled just in time,
Heracross, using Aerial Ace managed to dodge the terrifying Charge Beam, but before it could crash land into the ground it reversed and continued its concentration on Heracross.
"Sorry Ethan, but there's no getting past the Lock On... Heracross will be hit no matter what!" Jasmine declared. "Try and hit my Magnezone... it won't change a thing you'll find."
Jasmine was confident the Aerial Ace wouldn't do much damage thanks to Magnezone's typing, so it came to a surprise to her when Heracross instead flipped around Magnezone and grabbed it tight.
"W-what are you thinking...?" Jasmine reacted.
"Woah, does Ethan plan on having both Heracross and Magnezone getting blown back by the Charge Beam, its harsh, but if Heracross will be hit no matter what..." Lyra said, nodding her head.
The Charge Beam landed on both Magnezone and the clutching Heracross, causing an eruption of smoke in the sky, causing Ethan and Jasmine to look away.
Once they looked back, both Heracross and Magnezone were crashing from the smoke, Heracross was still conscious, albeit damaged, and so was Magnezone, making Ethan smile.
"Now Heracross, Close Combat!" Ethan yelled.
Heracross while still in midair and damaged, threw punch after punch after punch after kick at Magnezone, unleashing a full power frenzy, smashing Magnezone into the ground even faster.
Before hitting the ground, Heracross flipped and landed on his feet.
Magnezone meanwhile, hit the ground bad, and had fainted.
"Magnezone is unable to battle! Gym leader Jasmine, please bring out your second Pokémon!" Coral yelled.
"Magnezone to me, you did your job well, I thank you." Jasmine said, returning Magnezone to its Pokéball.
"One down Ethan, you're doing great!" Lyra yelled, cheering Ethan on jumping up and down, upon seeing her cheer for him Ethan's cheeks turned red, he looked away from her so she wouldn't see his blush.
"Um... everything alright?" Jasmine asked pulling out her second Pokéball.
"Nothing!" Ethan said speaking fast. "Y-you're doing awesome Heracross, keep at it!"
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef said cheering Heracross on.
"This will be a Pokémon you haven't seen me use before..." Lyra said, throwing a Pokéball. "Go, Skarmory!"
Skarmory was a silver and gray avian like Pokémon. It had a long metallic blue neck, legs, and tail. Its yellow eyes could be seen from a mile away, its sharp wings on top of that added to its intimidation factor.
"Skarmory!" Skarmory shrieked, flying circles in the air.
"A Skarmory aye," Ethan said, scanning it with his Pokédex.
"Skarmory, the Armor Bird Pokémon. Its sturdy wings look heavy, but they are actually hollow and light, allowing it to freely fly in the night sky."
"I see you're not battling with the same team you used last time!" Ethan commented.
"Correct, now allow me to begin! Skarmory, use Steel Wing!" Jasmine commanded.
Skarmory flew down at intense speed, its wings glowing a sparkling white, it smashed into the ground in an attempt to strike Heracross, but Heracross leaped back to avoid it.
"Hera!" Heracross roared.
"Skarmory, Air Cutter!" Jasmine yelled.
Skarmory flapped its wings at and beyond sound speed at Heracross, sending many shock waves, at Heracross.
"Heracross dodge and use Megahorn!" Ethan yelled.
Heracross dodged Skarmory's hit, and launched his Megahorn directly into Skarmory's body, dealing intense damage.
Skarmory was flipped in midair, but spun and landed on its talons, digging into the ground to avoid being flung farther.
"Heracross Close Combat!" Ethan yelled.
Heracross ran at full speed to Skarmory preparing his fist.
"Skarmory use Metal Claw now!" Jasmine yelled.
As Heracross got close, Skarmory's claw began to glow white, once Heracross was in direct contact he would unleash the fierce blow.
"Duck!" Ethan yelled.
Before Heracross could strike, and be struck with the Metal Claw, Heracross duck and slid right under the Skarmory.
"Awesome!" Lyra said.
Heracross smashed into Skarmory with multiple punches, sending Skarmory crashing to the ceiling.
"Skarmory!" Jasmine yelled.
The Skarmory fell from the wall and onto the ground, struggling to get up.
"Heh, alright, now Heracross, end it with Brick Break." Ethan said.
Heracross rushed forth to Skarmory once more, holding his hand in a chop position, but as soon as he got close, Skarmory swiftly struck Heracross with Metal Claw, sliding Heracross back to Ethan.
"Awe, Skarmory was just acting weak huh, I've seen tactics like that before..." Ethan said.
Heracross quickly got back up, it was clear, after the Charge Beam and Metal Claw he took, and all the Close Combats he used, Heracross was getting fatigued.
"Heracross! Are you okay!?" Ethan asked.
"Hera!" Heracross quickly responded.
"Let's finish this shall we?" Jasmine said. "Skarmory, Brave Bird!"
Skarmory charged at Heracross with its wings fully spread, it was covered in what appeared to be a blue flame as it aimed for the win.
"No way you're coming in contact with that Heracross, dodge it quick with Aerial Ace to boost your speed." Ethan yelled.
Heracross used Aerial Ace to leap off the floor and to try and dodge the Brave Bird, but Skarmory was simply too fast, it smashed into Heracross, causing a massive explosion that engulfed half the Gym.
"I-incredible!" Lyra said, looking away.
"Heracross no!" Ethan yelled.
Once the smoke cleared, Heracross dropped from the sky and landed on the ground near Ethan, unconscious.
"Heracross is unable to battle, Challenger Ethan, please bring out your second Pokémon!" Coral announced.
"That hit was brutal..." Lyra sighed.
"Heracross, you did your best, thank you." Ethan said, returning Heracross to his Pokéball.
"...Who will be next?" Jasmine asked.
"Okay, I choose you!" Ethan said, pulling out a Pokéball and gritting his teeth. "Go, Eevee!"
"Eevee!" Eevee roared as he pounced on the stadium ground.
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef cheered her on.
"I see... you're using the same exact team you used last time, am I right?" Jasmine asked.
"You'll just have to find out!" Ethan told her. "Alright, Eevee, use Swift."
Eevee shook her tail and launched several stars at Skarmory at insane speed.
"Dodge!" Jasmine yelled.
Skarmory easily dodged between the stars and spun in midair before letting out a foreboding shriek.
"Now Skarmory, Steel Wing!" Jasmine yelled.
Skarmory zipped down as its spread wings glowed a bright white, it came forth for Eevee in a blinding silver blur.
Eevee quickly ducked her head as Skarmory flew just above her, barely missing her. Skarmory's sharp wing managed to slice a single hair off Eevee's scalp it was so close.
"E-Eevee," Eevee exhaled deeply after being so close to coming into contact with a move that dangerous.
Skarmory before hitting the wall reversed and flew up, spinning and once more aiming for Eevee.
"Eevee, Quick Attack!" Ethan yelled.
Eevee leaped from the ground with Quick Attack, hard enough to shatter the ground below it.
Skarmory was coming in close with Eevee, and if that happened Eevee would surely be overpowered.
"What is Ethan thinking...?" Lyra couldn't help but fear.
Just when Eevee was a meter away from smashing into the Skarmory, Ethan gave a smirk.
"Eevee, Reflect!" Ethan yelled.
Skarmory crashed face first into the barrier Eevee had formed, this move was different from Bayleef's Light Screen. After all the move only reflected special moves, but Skarmory despite using a physical move crashed into the shield, which instantly caused Skarmory to fall face first into the ground.
"S-Skarmory," Jasmine cried.
Skarmory began to struggle to get up, but Ethan wouldn't give it the chance.
"Eevee, Swift let's go!" Ethan yelled.
Eevee turned around and spun, with a shake of her tail she once again launched heavy hitting stars at Skarmory from midair, it hit like miniature grenades exploding on a battlefield.
Once the smoke cleared, Skarmory fell into the ground, no coming back from that one.
"Skarmory is unable to battle, Gym leader Jasmine, please bring out your final Pokémon!" Coral yelled.
"That's great Eevee, you did amazing!" Ethan told her. "Now return!"
Eevee listened and jumped back to Ethan's side, Ethan kneeled to pet her on her scalp.
"Good job Ethan! Break a leg!" Lyra urged him on.
"Um... good job so far, Ethan. But you know who this next Pokémon is!" Jasmine said, pulling out her Pokéball.
"Bayleef Bay!" Bayleef said jumping eagerly wanting to do battle next.
"Sorry Bayleef, you know I'd love picking you, but I had already planned on battling with the same three I used last time." Ethan apologized.
"Now let's rock!" Ethan said, pulling out his Pokéball as well.
"Please battle by myside Steelix!" Jasmine said, throwing her Pokéball.
"Flaaffy, let's do this!" Ethan said, throwing his.
Flaaffy and Steelix both faced off upon being released, Flaaffy had been trained up significantly in the past week, he had to win this.
"Flaaffy!" Flaaffy roared at the Steelix.
Steelix shook its head and roared back, its voice enough to shake Flaaffy a bit. But it was not able to shake Flaaffy's will.
"Ee, Eevee!" Eevee said, cheering on Flaaffy.
"Immediately begin with Autotomize!" Jasmine commanded, Steelix glowed with a white light, vastly boosting his speed.
"Now Iron Tail!" Jasmine commanded, Steelix raised its large tail which also glowed white to crush Flaaffy.
Flaaffy dodged the move by sidestepping to the right, avoiding the heavy attack.
"Flaaffy! Now use Fire Punch!" Ethan yelled.
Flaaffy leaped into the air directing its fist as the Steelix, his fist was engulfed by flames, this made Jasmine smile.
"Steelix, use Dragon Breath!" She spoke.
Steelix opened its mouth wide and fired a Dragon Breath directly at Flaaffy, sending Flaaffy crashing to the ground.
"Flaaffy!" Ethan yelled.
Before Flaaffy could crash to the floor, he recollected himself, flipping to land on his tail, which softened his landing.
"Flaaffy!" Flaaffy cried out.
"Steelix use your new move, Dig!" She yelled.
"W-what, a Pokémon as big as Steelix using dig!?" Lyra said shocked.
Steelix dug his tail in the ground, rather his whole body.
"Err... Flaaffy, I don't know what it's doing, so leap back and gain some distance!" Ethan yelled.
As Flaaffy leaped back, he noticed the ground beneath him breaking, the tail of Steelix came forth and in the blink of an eye, smashed Flaaffy, inflicting Super effective damage.
"Flaaffy no!" Ethan yelled.
Flaaffy fell to his knees, struggling to get back up after that last hit.
"Steelix, end Flaaffy with Iron Tail!" Jasmine commanded, Steelix's tail once again began to glow a terrifying white, like the color of death.
"Ethan..." Lyra said under her breath worried.
Steelix raised its tail and tried to smash into Flaaffy, but Flaaffy hit Steelix with a Confuse Ray before dodging, making Steelix confused.
"Steelix!" Steelix roared, not sure where or who it was fighting anymore.
"Good thinking Flaaffy, now hit it with a direct hit Fire Punch!" Ethan yelled.
Flaaffy pounced into the air and formed a Fire Punch as Ethan asked, Flaaffy came down and struck Steelix in the forehead, but it barely managed to make Steelix flinch.
"So durable!?" Ethan fret.
Steelix realized where Flaaffy was and used Iron Tail to strike Flaaffy back, sending him back to the wall under Ethan.
"Flaaffy are you alright!?" Ethan asked, he was sorry to see Flaaffy thrashed around and beat, he knew how much Flaaffy wanted to win this battle.
"Now Steelix, once more, Iron Tail!" Jasmine yelled.
Steelix let out a screech before his tail increased with power, Ethan could feel the radiance from off the stadium, making even him shiver.
"Flaaffy, can you get up!?" Ethan asked.
Flaaffy quickly got on his feet, he was shaking slightly and badly bruised, but still unwilling to give up.
"Now, Fire Punch, this time has to do it!" Ethan yelled, out of options.
Steelix slithered over to Flaaffy at full speed, Flaaffy responded by doing the same as he jumped forth charging a Fire Punch.
As Steelix unraveled itself, its tail charged white, as it raised its tail to use the move the ground shook, but Flaaffy didn't care. Flaaffy's fist and Steelix's tail came in full contact of one another, now both Pokémon were trying to push each other back.
"Steelix!" Steelix screeched.
"F-Flaaffy!" Flaaffy screamed in pain as he tried to push back the Steelix's tail.
The sparks went flying everywhere from their power struggle, but Steelix was clearly the stronger of the two, slowly managing to overpower and push back Flaaffy.
"Fla-Flaaffy!" Flaaffy grunted, he fell on one knee while still trying to beat Steelix.
"Don't give up Flaaffy!" Ethan yelled.
"Flaaffy is done for... victory over my Steelix is impossible for it..." Jasmine proclaimed.
"I've heard those words plenty of times, we've heard that plenty of times, and I'm tired of hearing that, we'll prove you wrong!" Ethan shouted.
Flaaffy began to charge further with more flames, managing to push back Steelix, albeit just slightly.
"F-Flaaffy!" Flaaffy cried, starting to get back on his footing while continuing his struggle.
"Flaaffy, let's show Jasmine what you and I are about." Ethan said. "I know you can do this; I believe in you!"
Upon hearing Ethan's words, Flaaffy began to glow with a bright blue light, causing Steelix to be taken aback, moving his tail to see what's going on.
Flaaffy began growing, his neck appeared to be elongated and he his tail got longer, while he was still coated in the white veil.
"Woah, Flaaffy is..." Lyra said.
"Bay...!" Bayleef gasped.
"Flaaffy is... evolving!" Ethan said, with a big grin on his face.
The light had left Flaaffy, revealing a Pokémon Ethan had seen before. He was now yellow, with a yellow and white belly. He had conical ears with black stripes and a red orb on his forehead. He was now surging with electricity, many jolts surrounded him.
"That's the Pokémon from the Lighthouse, Ampharos?" Ethan said. "I had no clue Flaaffy evolves into an Ampharos!"
"Amphar!" Amphraros said, the electricity surge left him, and he got ready to continue.
Steelix stared Flaaffy down, not so sure if it could take the new Ampharos.
Ethan instantly pulled out his Pokédex to scan Ampharos.
"Ampharos, the Light Pokémon. The tail's tip shines brightly and can be seen from far away. It acts as a beacon for lost people."
"Alright Ampharos, let's do this!" Ethan yelled.
"Bayleef Bay!" Bayleef continued to cheer.
"Hmph, congratulations Ethan... but as I said, the victory is mine... now go and use Dragon Breath Steelix!"
Steelix fired an intense Dragon Breath directly at Ampharos, but Ampharos managed to dodge it.
"Ampharos, Discharge!" Ethan yelled.
"What, Discharge?" Jasmine said. "Need I remind you... electric type moves won't hurt Steelix."
Ethan smiled. "Ampharos, put all your electricity into it and blast Steelix with it!"
Ampharos surged with blue electricity, it was enough to make the lights flicker for a few seconds. The electricity could be felt from even outside the building.
Ampharos unleashed a bright blue bolt at Steelix using all his electricity, upon hitting Steelix he hadn't even flinched an inch, of course electric type moves were completely ineffective. The electricity erupted with smoke, which covered the entirety of Steelix.
Once the smoke cleared, Ampharos was completely gone, seemingly having concealed his presence entirely, Steelix looked around to find the Ampharos, who has nowhere to be found.
"Where did that Ampharos go...?" Jasmine muttered.
"And now, it's over!" Ethan yelled.
Steelix and Jasmine looked up to see Ampharos, who was falling from the ceiling with a loaded Fire Punch, making Jasmine smile.
"Steelix, Dragon Breath!" She yelled.
Steelix opened his mouth and fired a huge frenzy at Flaaffy, he tried to force his way through with Fire Punch.
"Amph...Aros!"Ampharos grunted as he went in with the move.
"You've got this Ampharos!" Ethan yelled.
"Do not waver Steelix!" Jasmine screamed.
However, for Steelix, it was over, Ampharos's Fire Punch overpowered its Dragon Breath, Ampharos finally broke through Steelix's attack and smashed Steelix in the head with Fire Punch, causing a large explosion that engulfed them both.
"This is..." Jasmine said.
Steelix and Ampharos both fell to the floor, both panted heavily and were on the verge of fainting.
"Come on, come on!" Ethan said worryingly.
"Steelix..." Jasmine said.
Steelix fell knocked out, it was clearly unable to continue.
"Steelix is unable to battle, Challenger Ethan is the winner!" Coral announced happily.
"You did it Ampharos!" Ethan said, running along with Bayleef leaping on the battlefield.
Ethan ran up and hugged Ampharos, who was now almost Ethan's height.
"Ampha," Ampharos said.
"You evolved! And you won me my sixth gym battle, thank you Ampharos, I said we'd win this together and that's what we did!" Ethan exclaimed.
Bayleef used her Vine Whip to wipe some dust and scuffs off Ampharos, making Ampharos chuckle from being tickled.
"Steelix return, good job, as always." Jasmine said, returning her Steelix.
"Ethan, you did it!" Lyra said, jumping to the battlefield to talk to Ethan.
"Yeah, we did." Ethan said looking at Ampharos. "And thanks for cheering me on by the way."
"Of course, Ethan, that's the least I could do!" Lyra said happily.
Jasmine walked up to Ethan and Lyra with the badge in her hands.
"...You are a better Trainer then me, in both skill and kindness." Jasmine said. "In accordance with the League rules, I confer upon you this badge."
Jasmine grabbed Ethan's arm gently and with her other hand placed the Mineral badge in Ethan's palm, making Ethan smile at his accomplishment.
"Thank you, Jasmine." Ethan said, unable to hide his big grin.
"Um... I don't know how to say this, but good luck..." Jasmine said happily.
"Take a rest in your Pokéball, Ampharos, once again thank you!" Ethan said, he then turned to Lyra,
"As for me, I think I'll challenge you tomorrow, see you then!" Lyra said.
"Of course... as you wish." Jasmine replied.
"So, six badges huh?" Lyra said, turning to Ethan.
"Yup, and I'll soon be getting my seventh," Ethan smiled rubbing the back of his neck. They both head off together, walking to the door.
"Congrats Ethan, you really deserve that badge." Lyra told him once again.
Ethan snickered and wrapped his arm around her, she smiled and put her head against his as they exited the building.
And with the help of Flaaffy, who had freshly evolved into an Ampharos, Ethan wins the Mineral badge, meaning Ethan only needs two badges before making it to the Pokémon league. The story has some minor changes from the original souce material, but I feel like this will be the part of the story where I change the most stuff, so please, leave reviews so I know what you guys think, thanks...