Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 9: Enter Sprout Tower
Ethan and Chikorita after sightseeing finally made their way to approaching the large pagoda that was Sprout Tower. It was approximately over one hundred feet tall, while also being held together by a giant flexible pillar.
"It's huge..." Ethan said, using binoculars to get a better look at the behemoth of a tower. It was enough to intimidate him.
Chikorita nodded, yet still ready to face the challenges ahead.
"Well, let's do this already," he said, climbing up the stairs. Each step he took felt like going one step closer to doom, the tower from that far a distance had a fierce energy that would dishearten most young trainers, but Ethan fought past it.
Ethan and Chikorita finally made it to the front door, which was twice the size of himself. A normal beginner trainer would probably head back, but Ethan wasn't about to. However, a man was standing near the door, a man Ethan wasn't expecting to see, the same trainer he met at the forest who gave him insight on catching Pokémon.
"Hello again, Ethan. I've been expecting you." The man said, crossing his arms.
"It's you!" Ethan said, a little surprised. He ran up the stairs to get closer to the blue haired man, "You came to Sprout Tower to train as well?"
"Not quite, let's just say you're going to need this place to train if you're going to take me on." He said, grinning.
"Wait a minute, don't tell me... you're the gym leader?" Ethan asked, a bit mesmerized. "You're that Falkner guy!?"
He smiled and pulled out the Zephyr badge. "As you said, correct, I am Falkner, and yes, you are going to be fighting me if you want this badge, so I suggest you take your time, as you are now, you wouldn't hold a candle to me."
"Heh, is that so." Ethan said, laughing it off.
"You know, legend has it that a one-hundred-foot tall Bellsprout actually built this tower. Of course, there's no evidence, but that alone should be enough for you to understand the efficacy of training here." Falkner said, looking up at the tower. "If you can get to the top floor, you may be ready to face me."
"Don't worry about me, Falkner. I'll be getting that badge." Ethan said.
"Well, see you whenever you're ready, bye now." Falkner said as he head off.
Ethan looked back at Falkner as he left, he then kneeled down to speak to Chikorita.
"Wow, who would have thought that guy who helped us out in the forest was actually Falkner the gym leader? Not me." Ethan said.
"Chikaaa..." Chikorita said, just as surprised as him.
Upon entering the tower. Ethan was surprised to be confronted with Pokémon trainer after Pokémon trainer, it seemed every trainer in the city decided to go to train in the tower in order to be able to face up to Falkner. Over the next few days Ethan lost at the hands of many trainers. But whenever he would always come back, train some more, and eventually, beat those trainers. By four days in, he was already on the final floor.
Ethan and Chikorita were in the middle of a battle with a trainer right before the final test on the last floor. The opposing trainer had a Politoad with him.
"Alright Politoad! Go ahead and use Bubble Beam!" The trainer yelled; he was already losing the battle.
"Chikorita, knock it away with Razor Leaf!" Ethan yelled.
Chikorita's Razor Leaf easily overcame the opponent's water gun. Taking out the foe's Politoad with one move.
"Awe man!" The trainer said, saddened by his loss.
"Yayy! We did it Chikorita!" Ethan said, going up to grab his Chikorita and swing her around the air playfully. "We finally made it to the final test!"
After shaking hands with the defeated trainer, Ethan happily made his way to his final test, which was just across the pillar.
Before Ethan could cross the pillar to reach his final adversary, he noticed a Pokémon battle already happening. But he was surprised to see who was battling.
Ethan hid behind the pillar along with Chikorita. Silver's here, but why would a thief like him need to be training Pokémon for? Clearly nothing good, Ethan began to think
The red-haired boy, Silver, who had stolen the Cyndaquil from Professor Elm, was fighting the Elder, who was of course the final test. He was using that same Cyndaquil to battle.
"Gloom, now use sleep powder!" The old man said, his Gloom appeared to be all beat up."
Gloom, who was already tired and weakened, unleashed from the flower on its top special sleep powder that would put whatever Pokémon at its mercy to sleep.
"What a weak move, Cyndaqul! Ignore it and use fire spin let's go!" Silver said, proudly.
Cyndaquil listened to its owner, forming a ball of flames, which managed to get by the sleeping powder and knock into the poor gloom, sending it flying back.
"Gloom!" The old man said, concerned for its safety.
"Cyndaquil, now finish this battle with Ember!" Silver yelled.
With the fire from its snout, Cyndaquil launched a heavy load of fire with made a direct hit on the Gloom, causing a miniature explosion.
Once the dust was cleared it was clear to see the Gloom was unable to battle.
Chikorita's face lit up with horror, the timid and shy Cyndaquil, becoming that powerful.
"Gloom return, you did phenomenal out there." The old man said, returning the Gloom to its Pokéball.
"Hmph, this was bound to happen." Silver said, in a triumphant tone. When he took another look at Cyndaquil, he noticed Cyndaquil was so drowsy it could barely stand up straight. The sleep powder it took head on worked, which ticked Silver off.
"Cyndaquil to me." He said returning it. "You may have won, but that does not excuse you from allowing that pathetic slumber move to work on you, you disappoint me, Cyndaquil."
The old man took note of Silver's behavior here. "You showed us what you got, and it is indeed good... However, you should care more about your Pokémon. The way you treat your Pokémon can be too harsh... Remember, Pokémon are not tools of war..."
"That is none of your concern, I decide how I treat my Pokémon, not you!" Silver cried, right before he left.
Silver did not notice Ethan from the other side of the pillar as he walked off. Ethan wasn't sure what to do, should he pursue him? Should he contact Professor Elm?"
It was then when he heard the voice of the old man. "Please come out, no need for you to hide behind that pillar."
Ethan slowly walked from the pillar. "You knew I was there?"
"Of course, so good of you to come here! Sprout Tower is a place of training. People and Pokémon test their bonds to build a bright future together. I am the final test." He said, readying a Pokéball.
"So, if I can defeat you that means I'm ready to take on Falkner?" Ethan asked.
"That is up to you, now allow me to check the ties between you and your Pokémon!" He said, throwing a Pokéball.
Out from the Pokéball came a Bellsprout, it appeared to have been in perfect condition for battling.
"How many Pokémon do you have on you currently?" The old man asked.
"Two, currently." Ethan told him.
"Then I'll only use two as well." He spoke.
"Alright, let's do this Chikorita!" Ethan said, his starter getting in battling position.
The old man smiled. "Let us begin with Acid!"
The Bellsprout shot from its mouth many acid projectiles, hurling it at Chikorita.
Crap, poison type moves could really mess up Chikorita. Ethan thought.
"Ugh, Chikorita, hurry and dodge." Ethan said, not sure what to do.
Chikorita leapt from side to side in order to dodge the sprinkling of poison from the sky, which she managed to do successfully. It was then when he noticed the move took a bit of a toll on Bellsprout, who needed a second to recharge.
"Alright Chikorita, take advantage of this and use tackle!" Ethan yelled.
Chikorita bashed herself into Bellsprout, smashing him to the ground, it slid a few meters away from her after the hit.
However, Chikorita suddenly began to be shocked by what appeared to be purple electricity. The effect of poison worked on her.
"What!? But how, she dodged it!" Ethan muttered.
"You fell for my trap Ethan, Bellsprout wasn't aiming for Chikorita with that last move." The elderly man said, pointing to the ceiling.
Ethan looked up to see sludge on the ceiling slowly pouring down. Ethan realized one of the droplets hit and affected Chikorita.
"Using the area to your advantage huh, an amazing strategy. You're really something else old man." Ethan said. "Alright Chikorita! Come here a second!"
"Giving up Chikorita?" The old man asked.
"Not a chance," Ethan said, pulling out a Cheri berry, causing Chikorita's face to glow up. She ate straight from his palm, which removed the effects of the poison.
"Oh I see, so you know about certain healing items then." The old man said.
"Yes, now we can continue." Ethan said, as Chikorita went back to facing Bellsprout.
The old man smiled. "Bellsprout, use Giga Drain!" He said, his Bellsprout followed through and started absorbing Chikorita's energy.
Chikorita started losing chunks of her energy, she instantly began sweating heavily and panting as she was getting drained.
"M-Mega Drain!?" Ethan said, not expecting that kind of move.
"Right now, Bellsprout is absorbing Chikorita's nutrients, if this keeps up. Chikorita won't have any to continue.
Bellsprout was regaining some of its lost energy, it was getting stronger. It continuously took the poor Chikorita's energy.
Ethan began to worry. If Chikorita kept losing energy, she would no longer be able to stand. He needed something to do, and fast.
"I got it! Chikorita, poison powder!" Ethan yelled. Chikorita followed through, and spread her poison gas, it wasn't as much, since she was weakened, but it was enough.
Bellsprout lost its hold on Chikorita, it was shocked with purple electricity. Poisoned.
"Just as I thought, if Bellsprout continued draining, it would be vulnerable to the poison particles Chikorita released, and you fell for it hook line and sinker!" Ethan said, regaining his composure.
The old man laughed. "What an interesting plan, and it worked too, you should be proud. It's not every day a trainer puts me through this much trouble young man!"
"We're just getting started! Now Chikorita! Use Razor Leaf quick!" Ethan yelled.
Before Bellsprout could dodge the many razor leaves coming its way. It was once again affected by the poison, immobilizing it from moving. Causing it to get hit with the move head on. And like that, Bellsprout was unable to battle.
"Good job Chikorita! You're doing great!" Ethan reassured her.
The old man returned his Bellsprout, and pulled out another Pokéball. He gave a quick smile before throwing it. "Go now! Victreebel!"
Victreebel was released from its Pokéball, instantly grasping all attention in the room.
"That's Bellsprout's final evolution, right?" Ethan said, pulling out his Pokédex.
"Victreebel, the Flycatcher Pokémon. Acid that has dissolved many prey becomes sweeter, making it even more effective at attracting prey."
"Chikorita, can you still continue?" Ethan asked.
Chikorita turned to face Ethan, reassuring him she could still battle.
"Victreebel, begin with Toxic!" The old man yelled.
Victreebel shot out many toxic orbs straight for Chikorita, there was little else Chikorita could do but dodge it.
Eventually however, Victreebel used wrap, a vine broke from the floor, and reached, grabbing Chikorita from the leg.
"Chikorita!" Ethan yelled concerned for her.
"Victreebel, smash Chikorita to the ground then hit her head on with Toxic!" The adjured.
Chikorita was smashed to the ground, which was enough to crack the ground ever so slightly. Spitting out its acid from its mouth, it shot Chikorita, instantly poisoning her, and rendering her unconscious.
"Chikorita!" Ethan panicked, he ran up to go and grab her. She was completely unconscious. No way she was battling now.
"C-Chikorita," Ethan said, cradling her in his arms.
"She's out, nothing much for you to do for her now. Best you put her in her Pokéball. She'll recover faster that way until you can reach the Pokémon Center.
Ethan listened and returned Chikorita to her Pokéball. "You did amazing out there Chikorita, now take a good rest, you earned it."
Ethan pulled out his second Pokéball and threw it. "Mareep! I choose you!"
"Mareeepp!" Mareep cried out.
"Mareep, interesting choice." The old man said. "Unfortunately, I won't let Victeebel get his with any static, so I'll have to fight from long range."
"So, you know about Mareep's hidden ability huh." Ethan said.
"I'll end this fast. Victrebeel go ahead and use Wrap!" He spoke. Victreebel instantly sent its vines, breaking even more of the floorboard.
"Mareep, no time to think, just dodge!" Ethan yelled.
Mareep started dodging the vines coming for him. The vines broke through many pieces from the floor. Mareep jumped in all directions in order to get away from the vines. But when the vines started forcing Mareep to be backed into a corner, he dodged jumping back, and crashed into the large pillar.
"No!" Ethan yelled.
Victreebel's vines grabbed and lifted Mareep all the way into the sky. Mareep was still conscious, but it's hit to the pillar did damage it some.
"Victreebel, Giga Drain!" The old man yelled. And with that, Mareep's energy began to be absorbed to no end.
Damnit, Giga Drain. That must be even scarier that that Mega Drain. If we don't do something, then it's over for Mareep. Ethan realized.
"Mareep! Try and wiggle free!" Ethan said, panicking under pressure. Mareep tried, but as it lost its energy at a fast pace, it couldn't do much.
"Ugh, use Thunder Shock!" Ethan said.
Mareep lit up with electricity. The electricity surged through the vines, shocking the Victrebeel, who was affected. It lost a hold of the Giga Drain.
"Victreebel, don't let go of the wrap, now end it with Energy Ball." The elder said.
The Victreebel began forming a ball of solar energy. It somehow managed to even when being directly hit with the surge of electricity. The Energy Ball was launched directly at Mareep, instantly swallowing it in a large explosion.
"It's over." The old man said, closing his eyes.
Mareep dropped from the sky, Victreebel had let go of it after that last hit. It dropped to the floor, appearing to be unconscious.
"No way..." Ethan said, viewing his beaten Pokémon.
"Give up, train some more. Then challenge me when you're ready again." The old man said, about to return Victreebel to its Pokéball.
It was then when Ethan noticed Mareep slowly getting up, it was shaking at first, but then it finally stood up firmly.
"Ma...Reep!" It yelled, giving a stern battle cry.
"It's not over till it's over, old man!" Ethan said, he still had hope Mareep could win this fight.
"Hmph, then let us continue," the old man said, smiling. "Victreebel, get ready!"
Victreebel formed a battle-ready stance.
"Mareep! Use thunder shock!" Ethan said. Mareep began to light up with electricity, but it wasn't its normal amount, the amount of electricity surging from its body was enough to light up the room, causing the old man to show some concern.
"Woah, that's no ordinary thunder shock!?" Ethan said, surprised at Mareep's new power.
The electricity changed from a yellow gold to a blue color, signifying its change. The lightning spread everywhere and wasn't just released in a single zap.
"That's move," The old man said worried. "Victreebel! Use Razor Leaf quick!"
Victreebel fired his Razor Leaf attack at the upcoming beams of electricity, but they instantly were overpowered by the move. Victreebel was blasted with the surging blue electricity, causing a radiating white light that overpowered both Ethan and the old man's sight.
After looking away, Ethan and the old man looked to see once the smoke cleared. Victreebel was still standing, albeit just barely.
Ethan smiled. "Now, Mareep! Use Take Down!"
Mareep bounced from wall to wall, gaining momentum as it formed with red energy around it.
"Victreebel, don't let it hit you, charge your Energy Beam!" The old man yelled to which it began to charge.
Mareep jumped and leaped forward straight for Victreebel.
"Now, fire!" The old man yelled.
Victreebel shot the Energy Ball straight for Mareep. The ball hit Mareep upon close contact, but it was quickly overpowered by the Take Down. Mareep broke through and smashed Victreebel, instantly knocking it out.
"Victreebel, excellent job." The old man said, returning his Pokémon. "That move it learned was Discharge, it's a move where the Pokémon pours all its electricity into a single move, also meaning it shouldn't be able to use electric type moves for at least a long while afterward."
"Really, then that means I should be able to hug Mareep without having to fret over being shocked!" Ethan said happily.
"Yay! Mareep! We did it, you did it!" Ethan said, tightly grabbing and squeezing Mareep for a hug. "Oh Mareep you're so cute! I'm glad to have you as my Pokémo-"
Before Ethan could finish Mareep, who could barely breath zapped Ethan, knocking him to the ground.
"I guess Mareep did have some electricity left in store after all." The old man said, surprised.
Ethan's hair was all messed up and spiky after being zapped. "Ha ha, ha ha... Guess I had that coming!" He said, lying on the floor. Mareep walked up to him and began licking him.
"Hmmm... the way you battle is quite elegant. The way you care for your Pokémon is clear for anyone to see."
"T-thanks, I do try." Ethan said, getting up and holding Mareep, this time more gently.
"Before you take your leave, take this." He said, holding out something in his hands.
Ethan took it, it was a funny looking seed he'd never seen before. "What, is it?"
"It's called a miracle seed, let your Chikorita hold it and her grass-type moves' strength will increase greatly." He said, happily.
"I will. Again, thanks." Ethan said, nodding.
Ethan turned and ran happily along with Mareep. "First stop Pokémon Center! Next stop, Falkner!"
And onto the next chapter!