Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 20: Togepi and Metronome
Ethan sped to Goldenrod's Pokémon Center to heal up his Pokémon after his humiliating loss against Whitney. His Pokémon's injuries weren't too bad thankfully, especially Flaaffy, who just needed an emotional talk.
"Thanks for healing up my Pokémon." Ethan told her.
"No worries, but Ethan..." She spoke.
"What?" Ethan asked.
Nurse joy's eyes were red, and she had bags under them, as soon as Ethan noticed he got terrified. She pulled out his Togepi, who was crying loud.
"You're Togepi... I'm sorry but you need to take him!" She said, furious.
"Oh Togepi, no need to cry." Ethan said, shushing it. As soon as Togepi saw Ethan, he hugged him, Ethan picked up Togepi and made him laugh.
"I get it, sorry for that." Ethan apologized.
After not much longer, Bayleef and Flaaffy were released from Nurse Joy's care.
"Bay!" "Flaaffyyyy!"
"There they are, all better." Nurse Joy said, walking along them.
"Yes! Thank you!" Ethan said, still holding Togepi.
Later Ethan sat down alongside Pokémon on a bench, it was night, and not a lot of people were around. Ethan was trying to devise a plan to defeat Whitney.
Flaaffy was playing peekaboo with Togepi, Togepi was having a lot of fun.
Bayleef walked up to Ethan, holding something in her mouth. Ethan looked to see a wrapped beverage.
"You got this from the Pokémon Center Bayleef?" Ethan asked.
Bayleef shook her head no, it was clear she probably took it from somewhere, she really wanted Ethan to have it.
Ethan smiled and took it from Bayleef. "Thanks, I haven't eaten anything in a day." He said as he took the food.
"I gave up my whole wallet to that one Trainer, the one with the Charmeleon. After beating Whitney we got to rack up some wins against random Trainers to fill up my pockets."
Ethan took a bite out of a veggie burger, it was cold, but also the best meal he had in a while.
"Now that I think of it, my team wasn't the problem, it was that Cute Charm, now that I know about it, I can strategize around it." he said with a smirk on his face.
The next day when Ethan walked up to Whitney's gym he was met with a surprise. Some Trainer who looked to be around Ethan's age came bursting out of the gym, hands over his eyes crying.
"Wahhh! She broke my Pokémon's heart then broke mine!" He weeped
"Woah, looks like I'm not the only one having trouble with Whitney." Ethan said, not very surprised in hindsight.
Ethan and Bayleef walked in the gym. He was greeted by Amy.
"Hello Ethan, ready for a rematch with Whitney?" She asked.
"Damn right, I'm here to avenge my Flaaffy's feelings!" Ethan said, determined.
"All right, well as you know she's over there." Amy said.
"Got it, thanks." Ethan said.
After a short walk, he took one step on the stadium, apart from Whitney.
"Another challenger, huh?" Whitney said laughing.
"Yeah, I'm here for my rematch!" Ethan told her.
"Re-rematch? What are you talking about?" Whitney asked confused.
"W-we, we battled yesterday?" Ethan reminded her. "We met on Oak's show, remember?"
Whitney took a minute to think, she then shook her head. "Nope sorry, not ringing any bells."
"Whatever, you don't know my name now, but you will someday. I'm Ethan and I'm going to be the Pokémon Champion!" Ethan announced.
"Ethan!" She remembered. "Oh yeah, I remember now, we did meet on Oak's show. Sorry I forgot, I get like, ten challengers every day. It's hard to remember everyone I defeat."
"Then we'll see if you remember those you lose to, Bayleef, show them how it's done!" Ethan yelled, Bayleef jumped on the battlefield.
"Yup, I remember that Bayleef, I had to modify my team yesterday because of it." Whitney said. "This'll be my first Pokémon, Clefable!"
Clefable was released, it leaped on the battlefield.
"This is a rematch between Challenger Ethan and Gym Leader Whitney, may the battle begin!" Amy set forth.
"I had a feeling you'd start with Clefable. Alright then Bayleef, Charge and then Vine Whip!" Ethan said.
Bayleef charged and then smacked Clefable with a Vine Whip, doing intense damage to it. However, Whitney showed little care over it.
"Keep it up Bayleef with a point-blank Razor Leaf." Ethan said, but Bayleef didn't strike. She just stood there, immobilized.
"That seems like," Ethan said, scared at the thought.
"That's right, I have a second Clefable, and it's a boy, meaning Cute Charm works just fine on Bayleef." Whitney said, hands on her hips.
"Bayleef come to me," Ethan said, trying to return her. But Bayleef wouldn't listen, she was in love with the Clefable.
Ethan pulled out her Pokéball and forcibly returned her instead. "Okay Bayleef, we're still in the game."
"Now Flaaffy, I choose you!" Ethan said, throwing his Pokéball.
"Flaaffy!" Flaaffy yelled. He was surging with electricity.
Whitney smiled and hid Clefable's Pokéball behind her back, she threw another Pokéball with her other arm, unleashing another Clefable.
"Clefable!" Clefable yelled.
"I can do that too, Flaaffy, back to me!" Ethan yelled. He switched Flaaffy out for Bayleef.
"Bayleef!" Bayleef yelled, she was ready to continue battling.
Bayleef took one look at the Clefable, and instantly fell back in love with it, shocking Ethan.
"You didn't switch out you're Clefable!?" Ethan said, shocked.
"Haha, and you fell for it hook line and sinker!" She gloated.
"Fine, I can never tell if you truly switch out your Pokémon or not, so I'll just continue to battle with Bayleef. Bayleef, if you can hear me, use Vine Whip, you're in close range to Clefable!" Ethan yelled.
Bayleef heard Ethan's voice, but was too in love with Clefable to do anything, she tried to flatter it, but Clefable turned away from her.
"Good then! Clefable, use Fire Punch!" Whitney yelled, scaring Ethan.
"W-what, that thing can use Fire Punch, no Bayleef, run away!" He yelled, Bayleef shook her head and got over the infatuation, but as soon as she noticed Clefable's punch it was over.
"Bayleef is unable to battle! Challenger Ethan, bring out your next Pokémon." Amy said.
Ethan ran to Bayleef who was on the floor, she slowly started to come to.
"I'm sorry, Bayleef." Ethan said, kneeling to speak to her. "I thought because I knew about Cute Charm this fight would be a breeze, but I never took into account she had a male Clefable, are you okay enough to come with me and watch the rest of the battle?" Ethan asked.
Bayleef smiled and licked the side of Ethan's cheek.
"Alright I'll take that as a yes, now let's go." Ethan said, taking her with him.
Once Ethan got Bayleef to the other side, they were ready to continue.
"Flaaffy, let's continue where we left off!" Ethan said, throwing Flaaffy's Pokéball.
"Flaaffy!" Flaaffy exclaimed.
"You only have one Pokémon left right? I'll play nice and won't switch into my Female Clefable." Whitney said.
"You'll regret that! Flaaffy, go ahead and use Thunder Shock!" Ethan yelled.
Flaaffy shot a zap of electricity at Clefable, who jumped in the air and avoided it.
Clefable jumped back down but began to wobble and fight what appeared to be the air.
"Wha-why is Clefable confused!?" Whitney wondered.
"I had to be sneaky, earlier I told Flaaffy to use Confuse Ray after Thunder Shock, I didn't call it out because Flaaffy already knew." Ethan said.
"What!? Amy, is that legal!?" Whitney complained.
"Normally it would disqualify the challenger, using that level of deceit, but you did something very similar when you pretended to call out your Clefable. So I'll allow it this once." Amy said.
"Uhhh, annoying." Whitney cursed.
"Alright Flaaffy, Take Down!" Ethan yelled. Flaaffy listened and ferociously charged into the Clefable, who was still confused.
Clefable was knocked to the ground so hard it caused Flaaffy to be bounced to the air.
"Thunder Shock!" Ethan shouted. Flaaffy now zapped the Clefable, hard enough it broke up chunks of the ground. And like that, Clefable was defeated.
"Clefable is unable to continue! Gym Leader Whitney, bring out your second Pokémon!" Amy declared.
"Good job battling out there Clefable, Mama will heal you up later." Whitney said, switching into another Pokéball. "Okay, time for my other Clefable, go!"
"Clefable!" The female Clefable roared as she was released upon the battlefield.
Flaaffy instantly had memories of his last match with the same Clefable, he shook his head trying to forget.
"Flaaffy, I know how you feel, but... uh, you're too good for her anyways, now let's do this." Ethan said.
Whitney smiled. "As soon as Flaaffy hits my Clefable, it instantly falls in love with her, face it, you're on your last Pokémon, and it can't do a thing past one move to my Clefable." Whitney flexed.
"Then I'll have to end it in one move, Flaaffy Take Down!" Ethan yelled.
Flaaffy charged toward Clefable with that red aura once again, the force was enough to break the ground below it with each step.
"That won't be enough to take out my Clefable, plus it'll do recoil damage to your Flaaffy, who'll fall in love with my Clefable upon touching her." Whitney said, confident in victory.
"Oh yeah, Flaaffy, pull back and use Discharge!" Ethan yelled.
Flaaffy, who was just about close enough to contacting Clefable jumped back just a few feet, preparing a surging blue electricity.
"No, don't let it hit you Clefable, dodge!" Whitney ordered.
Clefable tried to move out the way, but she was already well in range, she was blasted by all of Flaaffy's remaining electricity in his system. Completely immersed into the blue light.
"Clefable no!" Whitney yelled, unable to look at the bright shine the attack made.
By the time she looked back, Clefable was in a small crater in the ground, unconscious.
"Clefable is unable to battle! Gym Leader Whitney, bring out your last Pokémon." Amy said.
"Y-you jerk face! I'm gonna enjoy taking apart that Flaaffy!" Whitney said with a tear in her eye, returning her second Clefable.
Flaaffy won't have any electric moves left after using Discharge, but I didn't have any choice, right? If I couldn't end it in one hit, Flaaffy would've been hit by Cute Charm. Ethan thought, making him gulp.
"Go, Miltank!" Whitney said, releasing Miltank from its Pokéball.
"Miltank!" Miltank uttered. Whitney called Miltank up to her and had a small talk with it.
Crap, Flaaffy's only hope is Confuse Ray, but she's going to be more cautious around that move since it's not hidden anymore. I could use Take Down, but it'll hurt Flaaffy, and what if it doesn't land. Ethan thought.
Whitney jumped on the battlefield; it was ready to battle.
"Flaaffy, Confuse Ray!" Ethan yelled, Flaaffy shot out the invisible ray, but Miltank jumped out of the way.
"Now Miltank, Stomp!" Whitney ordered.
Miltank jumped back to the ground, causing the floor to shake underneath Flaaffy knocking him down.
Flaaffy fell to the floor but rolled and got back up. "Fla, Flaaffy!"
"Flaaffy, Confuse Ray!" Ethan yelled. Flaaffy shot another ray, but Miltank easily avoided it.
"Miltank attract!" Whitney yelled.
"Dodge it!" Ethan yelled terrified of the move.
Flaaffy managed to avoid the hearts Miltank had sent at it, it was still back in the battle.
"Flaaffy, Confuse Ray once more!" Ethan yelled. Flaaffy shot another ray, and Miltank dodged it, just as it did before.
"I know, your Flaaffy must have ran out of electric moves, all you have our two moves, and since one is too risky, you're forced using Confuse Ray!" Whitney assessed.
"Oh really let's test that theory, Flaaffy Thunder Shock!" Ethan said.
"What, I was wrong! Flaaffy, just dodge it, jump back!" She yelled. Miltank jumped back to dodge, but Flaaffy had other plans, Flaaffy instead shot out a Confuse Ray, which hit Miltank directly.
"Y-you sneaky liar!" Whitney barked at Ethan.
"Sorry, but I plan on winning this!" Ethan smirked.
Miltank started wobbling around, it looked clearly confused.
"Now Flaaffy, Take Down!" Ethan yelled.
Flaaffy charged at Miltank with everything it had, but before it could hit Miltank slid under him, much to Flaaffy's surprise.
"Rollout!" Whitney yelled.
Miltank shot a rock blast straight at Flaaffy, knocking it far up in the air.
"Flaafffy!" Ethan shouted.
"Now, Miltank, jump!" Whitney shouted.
Miltank followed her command and hopped in the air, just as Flaaffy was falling down.
"Now, finish him with Stomp!" Whitney said.
Miltank stomped, landing straight on Flaaffy, causing intense damage, almost enough to destroy the ground below, many cracks formed from the attack. A dust cloud puffed up; Ethan had to look away.
"Fl-Flaaffy." Ethan said.
"Flaaffy is unable to battle! Challenger Ethan, bring out your final Pokémon." Amy declared.
"Flaaffy return, you did great out there. Thank you, really." Ethan said, returning his Pokémon. "How... how did you get past that Confuse Ray from earlier?"
"Haha, I figured you may do something sneaky, so I gave Clefable a Persim berry earlier, so while it was confused it managed to take a nibble out of it. And you didn't notice!" Whitney said cheerfully. "Now you didn't have a third Pokémon, right, so is this battle over?"
"No way..." Ethan sighed.
"Yay me! I win again!" Whitney said jumping up and down playfully.
It was then when a shine came out from Ethan's pocket. Ethan tried to cover it, but out from the shine came Togepi.
"To, Togepi!" Togepi said gladly upon seeing Ethan.
"T-Togepi!?" Ethan said, not expecting him to have come out of his Pokéball so soon.
"Woah, what an adorable Pokémon!" Whitney said, mesmerized by the Togepi.
Ethan cradled Togepi in his arms playing with it.
"So, you did have a third Pokémon Ethan." Amy said.
"Uh, yeah but... well, I can't make Togepi battle, can I?" Ethan said, not wanting to hurt the little guy.
"Oh wow, I love it. Who would have known you have a cute Pokémon!" Whitney said.
"Hey, all of my Pokémon are cute." Ethan replied.
"You mean that ugly dinosaur Bayleef and that pin cushion Flaaffy, don't make me laugh." Whitney laughed.
"Cuter than your Pokémon at least!" Ethan declared, harboring shock from Whitney.
"Oh whatever, I can tell you're just messing with me." Whitney laughed it off. "Anyway, would you mind letting me consider keeping your Togepi if I beat you."
"Hey, first off, get your own, and second off, I haven't even decided if I want Togepi battling yet!" Ethan told her.
"Well please make up your mind, we need to know if the battle will continue." Amy said.
Ethan was about to say decline, but that was when Togepi jumped from his arms and onto the beat-up battlefield.
"No Togepi, you can't!" Ethan pleaded, but Togepi didn't care.
"To, To, Togepi!" Togepi laughed, it seemed ready to battle.
"Is that a yes then?" Amy asked.
"F-fine, what do I have to lose?" Ethan said. "Togepi! Make papa proud out there!"
Togepi jumped up and down laughing.
"Ooo, so cute. It's really going to have to pain me beating it into a pulp." Whitney said. "Look kid, I get what I want, and I want that Togepi! Any chance you'll let me keep it, I can pay you!"
"Sorry Whitney, but Togepi's staying with me." Ethan snickered.
"Shame, well anyways, Amy you know what to do." Whitney sighed.
"Alright, may the final round begin." Amy proclaimed.
"Alright Togepi, use Fire Blast!" Ethan yelled.
Togepi looked at Ethan confused.
"Fire Blast?" Whitney cried. "Since when can a Togepi use Fire Blast?!"
"I saw him the other day, he used it against a Pinsir, he shook his finger and did it. Alright then, agh I guess use Splash, that was your other move, right?"
Togepi looked even more confused now.
"Are you... talking about Metronome?" Whitney asked.
"Never heard of it." Ethan said.
"Haha. Well, this would only make sense if you're talking about Metronome, it's a normal type move in which a Pokémon can use any move from an extremely wide variety, it can be anything, Something insanely strong like Solar Beam, or something weak like Tail Whip. My Clefable used to have it, but I traded it out for another move after realizing moves based on chance are too risky." Whitney said.
"Metronome, huh." Ethan said. "Risky is just how I like it, Togepi use Metronome!"
Togepi waved its finger, and behind it came a huge giant wave of water, instantly crashing into the Miltank, sucking it up in the giant wave. The move was Surf. Once the water cleared, Whitney's Miltank was lying on the floor, it got up, but slowly.
Togepi shook and laughed once again, Ethan was proud of it.
"Bayleef, Bayleef, Bay!" Bayleef cheered her little teammate on.
"Looks like we're going to have to take it down rough! Miltank attract!" Whitney said.
Miltank listened, after winking it launched hearts at Togepi, to which had zero effect on the little guy, only causing him to playfully laugh.
"W-what!?" Whitney said confused. "Didn't you call Togepi a he, so why didn't attract work?"
"Hahaha! Togepi just hatched three days ago. It can't wrap its head around things like sex appeal!" Ethan said, giving a thumbs up.
"Togepi, Metronome, once more!" Ethan said.
Togepi wagged its finger, it began to blink with purple energy, it was then when it proceeded to lift the Miltank with only its mind. Miltank tried to break free by punching and kicking, but it didn't help. Togepi slammed Miltank into the ground, it picked it up, slammed it, then did so again, over and over, before dropping the poor thing face first to the ground hard enough to break it further.
"P-Psychic! No!" Whitney said, on the verge of pulling her hair out.
Togepi clapped and laughed, Ethan was hysterical as well.
"Oh man, isn't this great Bayleef, Togepi's giving Miltank a run for its money!" Ethan laughed.
"Bayayay!" Bayleef couldn't help but laugh as well.
"You've just got a little bit of luck, that's all!" Whitney said angry. "Miltank, get up and beat that Togepi into egg yolk with Stomp!"
"Not so fast, Togepi use Metronome!" Ethan said. Togepi listened and used the move again, but this time only got Leer, to Ethan's disappointment.
Miltank slowly got up, it was breathing, very slowly. It stomped on the ground, which only had enough to slightly shake the ground because of the damage it took earlier.
Togepi fell over and spun, only slightly. It spun around and laughed playfully.
Miltank is too weak to continue, I've won. I just need one last successful Metronome, it's the only attack I know Togepi has. Ethan thought.
"Togepi, one last time! Get back up and use Metronome!" Ethan yelled.
Togepi got back up, and wagged its finger, unfortunately only getting growl.
Whitney began to laugh. "See, what did I tell you! Metronome is a useless attack. So Miltank, use Rollout, it's a baby Pokémon, one Rollout should do it.
Miltank struggled to walk straight, it let out a roar trying to intimidate Togepi, it began to charge up with power necessary for Rollout, but it kept being interrupted by the strain, it fell back down.
"Togepi, Metronome," Ethan said. Togepi only managed to get Splash, it had no effect.
Miltank managed to get on one knee.
"Togepi, Metronome again." Ethan raised his voice. This time Togepi only got Tail Whip.
Miltank stood on both knees, ready to get up.
"Togepi, Metronome, please!" Ethan yelled. Togepi this time unfortunately got Mud Sport.
Miltank began charging up the energy required for Rollout.
"Togepi, METRONOME!" Ethan screamed. Togepi only managed to get Helping Hand.
Miltank's rock started to form, it could launch it any second.
"TOGEPI... Tackle?" Ethan said, having nothing. Togepi playfully ran up to the Miltank, and bashed his body into it. It was weak, but with Miltank's damage from earlier, it was enough to knock out Miltank, who fell backwards.
"Miltank is unable to battle! Challenger Ethan wins!" Amy announced.
"Ugh..." Whitney groaned as she returned her Miltank.
"Togepi! I knew you could do it buddy, you did it, we won! I'm so proud of you!" Ethan exclaimed, jumping up with one arm in the air.
"Bayleef, Bay!" Bayleef happily called out, congratulating Togepi.
Togepi turned to Ethan and jumped in his arms, Ethan hugged Togepi harder than he ever had before.
"I'm so happy we won! I'm sorry I ever doubted you!" Ethan said, raising Togepi to the sky and spinning it.
"To...Togepi," Togepi said, sounding tired.
"Bayleef?" Bayleef said surprised.
"Oh, well yeah, you can return to your Pokéball, here." Ethan said, returning Togepi. "Take a good rest, you've earned it. Man that's the first time I've seen Togepi sleep."
Ethan turned to face Whitney, who was just standing there, not saying a word. "Sorry, I don't mean to brag, it's just that I get really happy when I see my Pokémon accomplish great things."
Ethan noticed a tear coming from Whitney's face, he couldn't believe it.
"Waahhhhhhhh!" She began to cry. "...Snivel, hic. You meanie!"
"Woah, you don't have to cry!" Ethan said, not sure of what to say. "Losing... is just a part of being a Trainer as winning is, right?"
Whitney was ugly crying now, making Ethan even more unsure of what to do.
"Oh no, you made Whitney cry!" Amy said, starting to fear what would happen next.
"Okay I'm sorry Whitney, can you forgive me!?" Ethan asked Whitney.
Whitney looked at Ethan, it seemed she was starting to cheer up.
"So, you forgive me!?" Ethan asked.
"No!" Whitney yelled, blowing her tongue at him.
It was then when a bunch of boys walked in, about ten. All much taller and bulkier than Ethan.
"Run." Amy whispered to Ethan, but he couldn't fully understand her.
"What's going on here?" One boy said, he wore a shirt saying I love Whitney with a Miltank on it.
"Are you okay Whitney? Did someone make you cry?" Another asked.
"That, hic. Mean, hic. That boy hic, with the backwards hat... snivel." She said, trying to not cry anymore, but horribly failing.
"Did you make her cry?" The large boy said, grabbing Ethan by the shirt and pulling him close.
"Bayleef, Bay!" Bayleef said, trying to calm the crowd down.
"No. I would never make her cry!" Ethan said, trying to not get beat.
"Are you lying?" The man said, face close enough their noses touched.
"Y-yeah..." Ethan said with an uncomfortable smile.
The boy threw Ethan out of the door, he stumbled and fell down each stair and landed on his face, Bayleef followed him, scared he was hurt.
"Take this and never come back!" One of the boys said, throwing something at Ethan, it was the badge, it bounced and almost fell down a sewer grating, but Ethan caught it just a second before.
"Whew, a-alright, Bayleef. We got the Plain badge...!" Ethan said holding it up in the air, with a confused smile on his face and a black eye.
"Bay-Bayleef?" Bayleef said with a hint of shock.
Decided to add some comedy there at the end, next chapter will be a bit more comedic as well I think.