Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 41: Legends of Ecruteak
After about twelve hours of tiring walking, Ethan and Lyra had arrived at Ecruteak City, where they had previously had a fallout in.
"Bayleef Bay!" Bayleef said as she was leading the way into Ecruteak while Ethan and Lyra followed closely behind. Azumarill followed shortly behind Bayleef as well.
"Hold up, Bayleef." Ethan said, stopping to take a breath. "Oh man, is this what getting old feel like."
"We... finally made it to Ecruteak..." Lyra panted heavily. "I'm never going to walk again..."
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef exclaimed jumping up and down at Ethan.
"Azu Azu!" Azumarill exclaimed, doing the same to Lyra.
"Yeah, I'm excited too Bayleef!" Ethan said starting to get up.
"So Ecruteak hasn't changed much since last time." Lyra said as she looked around. It appeared as if not many recognized them from the Burned Tower which of course was a plus.
"How about we head to the Pokémon Center now and drop off our Pokémon?" Ethan asked Lyra.
"Let's. And then some food." She smiled.
"Definitely. Bayleef, Azumarill, let's go to the Center, you guys have all battled a lot of times along the way after all." Ethan said.
"Bay!" Bayleef agreed.
"Azu, Azu!" Azumarill responded.
Not so long later Ethan and Lyra went to the front desk at the Pokémon Center.
"Hello, I'm Nurse Joy, welcome to the Pokémon Center." Nurse Joy said with a smile. "Oh it's you two!"
"Hi!" Ethan replied.
"Afternoon!" Lyra said.
"Weren't you two the ones involved in that fire incident?" Nurse Joy asked.
Ethan and Lyra looked at each other before looking back at Nurse Joy. "Yeah." They both said.
"I am so glad you are both alright, it's strange but somehow the fire was put out without even causing any damage to the tower. Maybe it's the work of Legendary Pokémon." Nurse Joy gossiped.
"Wouldn't that be nice..." Ethan muttered quietly, recalling his encounter with what Eusine said to be Suicune.
"You alright, Ethan?" Lyra asked, Ethan realizing he was getting lost in thought.
"Oh, sorry I got distracted there for a minute, Lyra." Ethan apologized.
"My, if you don't mind me saying young couples are always so cute!" Nurse Joy giggled.
"W-we're not a couple!" Both Ethan and Lyra yelled in unison, causing everyone in the store to look up to see the commotion.
"S-sorry!" Ethan apologized looking around while rubbing his neck.
"Anyways, could you fix up our Pokémon, their condition's not so bad but they might need to be looked at." Lyra said, taking out her Pokéballs, Ethan following suit.
"Of course, I see your Bayleef looks raring to go, and so does your Azumarill." Joy said as they went to her side.
Nurse Joy took Bayleef and Azumarill with her side by side along with both of Ethan and Lyra's Pokéballs as she headed to the back.
"We'll be back soon you guys, see ya!" Ethan said waving before they went left.
"So, Ethan. You want to try that ramen place again like you said, or something else?" Lyra asked as they head for the exit.
"What do you want Lyra?" Ethan asked as he held the door open for her.
"Hmm, well ramen tasted so good last time, we have to go again!" Lyra said.
"Ramen it is." Ethan said as they set off.
Ethan and Lyra stopped at the ramen shop and ate the same Miso Ramen they had last time.
"Man, I couldn't even take another bite if I wanted to!" Ethan said, dropping his finished bowl to the table.
"It somehow even tastes even better than last time!" Lyra said, still only halfway done with her bowl. "But I'm so full... I'm done."
"Woah, you're done, you're just going to waste a perfectively good bowl of ramen?" Ethan asked rambunctiously.
"I just have a lighter stomach than you." Lyra said, setting aside the bowl.
"That tears it, give it here!" Ethan said, trying to reach for her bowl, but she pulled it away from him.
"Didn't you say you couldn't take another bite even if you tried?" She asked jokingly.
"Yeah, but that was before you told me you were just going to waste it!" Ethan said as she handed him her half-eaten bowl.
"Take it, you need the food more than me..." Lyra said.
Ethan didn't even waste time switching chopsticks as he dug into the bowl, finishing the half-eaten ramen with one last big gulp.
"Awe, now I can't take another bite!" Ethan said as he lowered the plate from his mouth to the table.
"We ready to get the check?" Lyra asked.
"Oh right. Check please, check for one!" Ethan said trying to get attention from a waiter or waitress.
"Check for one?" Lyra asked.
"Yeah, remember you covered my meal and yours last time?" Ethan reminded her.
"Well, I can do it again, you don't need to pay Ethan." Lyra said.
"For starters I already hate half your meal, I should at least be spending three-fourths of the check." Ethan told her. "But I already told you I'd make it up to you, so don't worry about a thing."
"Ethan, you already made it up to me." Lyra pleaded making Ethan smile. "And it'll make me happy if I just pay for the both of us."
"I'm not doing this for your happiness then." Ethan remarked.
"Suit yourself..." Lyra said as the waitress came and delivered their check.
"Sure sure, here's the cash and the tip!" Ethan said as he covered both their meals.
"Thank you for dining here today." The waitress said as she took their bowls off their hands.
"You should be worrying about getting that gym badge, Morty's no slouch." Ethan warned Lyra.
"You trying to say I can't handle it." Lyra teased.
"Oh, I'd never say that, but you're in for a tough one if you underestimate Morty." Ethan lectured. "But we both know you can take it; I mean you're you."
The diner was quiet outside of their voices, it was then when they heard a familiar voice call out to them.
"Awe if it isn't Ethan and Lyra." A man said upon entering the diner.
Ethan and Lyra turned to see Morty. "Morty, hey we were just talking about you!" Ethan said.
"Hello Morty." Lyra waved at him. Morty walked to the two of them and took a seat beside Ethan.
"So, last time you were in Ecruteak we never got to have that Gym match Lyra, you think you're ready now?" Morty asked.
"Only time can tell." Lyra happily answered.
"I never really said much, but I'm thank full for you both. You're *incident* at Burned Tower, further confirmed to me of the existence of the legendary trio." Morty said.
"Oh, of course you'd believe the Legendary Pokémon put out the flames." Lyra stated.
"That's right. How else otherwise would you guys have survived if not for the help of Entei, Suicune, and Raikou. And if they exist, it must mean Ho-Oh exist as well." Morty said amazed at the thought of it.
"You really love the idea of Ho-Oh huh." Ethan said, making Morty nod.
"Just one glance at Ho-Oh, a glance for Johto to see. To prove these ignorant illiterate bastards of this city wrong, to me Ho-Oh is an ideal." Morty said.
"I hope you get your wish." Ethan said.
"Heh, me too kid. Anyways, enough about that. Lyra, meet me at my gym whenever you feel like if you want that badge, nice seeing you two again." Morty said as he took his leave.
"What do you think, Ethan?" Lyra asked as she turned to him. "Did the Legendary Pokémon heal us?"
"Don't listen to em' kids." A man said who was sitting at the opposite end of the encounter. "The story of Entei, Suicune, and Raikou is nothing more than a nursery rhyme."
"You really think so?" Ethan asked. "What about Ho-Oh, or Lugia?"
"Of course, Morty's a nice guy and all but he doesn't know a Rattata's ass about what he's talking about, don't listen to him." The man said as he stood and put on his coat. "You two kids were saved by luck, not by *Gods*"
The man exited the store, Ethan and Lyra looked back as he left.
"Can I tell you both something?" The old waitress asked Ethan and Lyra.
"Of course, Ma'am." Lyra replied.
"Yeah, go ahead." Ethan said.
"That man was Jimmy, and he's the one who doesn't know what he's talking about. I can't speak about the legendary trio, but I know Ho-Oh exist." She said her eyes lighting up.
"How do you know?" Lyra asked.
"When I was a girl, about as young as you two. I saw the Rainbow Pokémon Ho-Oh flying over me, almost as if it was a comet. It was so lovely I couldn't help but be mesmerized by its beauty." She reminisced.
"I hope you're right." Lyra said as she and Ethan got up to leave the store.
"So, as I was saying. What do you think Ethan? Ho-Oh, Lugia, Entei, Suicune, Raikou... are they real?" Lyra asked as they exited the store.
"They have to be..." Ethan said. "Can I tell you something?"
"You know you can." Lyra replied.
"Well... during my time I saw this amazing looking blue Pokémon with silk purple hair. But as soon as I looked away it was gone." Ethan said.
"Kind of sounds similar to that lady's story with Ho-Oh doesn't it?" Lyra said.
"I'm not done though; I met this guy shortly after named Eusine. He told me that the Pokémon was Suicune, and I think he was right." Ethan told her.
"How can you be so sure?" Lyra questioned.
"The Pokémon gave off a mysterious aura I've never felt before, it didn't feel like an ordinary Pokémon, it was something different." Ethan remarked.
"And you're only telling me now!?" Lyra realized.
"Well to be honest... making up with you was all that was on my mind." Ethan admitted, Lyra looked down and smiled.
"Anyways... let's go to the Pokémon Center and get our Pokémon they should be finished by now." Lyra suggested.
Ethan and Lyra entered the center and were greeted with Nurse Joy's kind smile.
"Welcome back you two, your Pokémon just finished with being all fixed up." Nurse Joy said.
"So can we see them?" Ethan asked.
"Of course, just a moment please..." Nurse Joy said as she went into one of the back rooms.
Not so long after Nurse Joy came out, along with their Pokémon.
Bayleef, quickly ran by Ethan's side.
"Bay Bay!" She exclaimed.
"All fixed up and even more energetic now, huh Bayleef." Ethan said.
Togetic flew into Ethan's arms and Eevee leaped on Ethan's shoulders. Ampharos and Heracross who were much less affectionate kept off Ethan though.
Lyra returned her Pokémon into their Pokéballs, as did Ethan for all of them other than his Bayleef of course.
"So, it's finally time for me to challenge Morty again, huh." Lyra finally said as they left the Center.
"Good luck Lyra. I'd like to watch, but I got other things I could be doing." Ethan told her.
"You don't want to watch well, that's fine." Lyra said as they stopped and faced the large gym before them.
"I know you have this Lyra. You're strong after all." Ethan told her; Lyra nodded.
"See you Ethan, have fun, and you too Bayleef." Lyra told the pair as she held open the door.
"Alright, I'll meet up with you later, bye Lyra." Ethan waved as she went in the gym.
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef said to Ethan trying to ask where they'd go now.
"Hmm... I say we go to the dance theater. I've had some questions I wanted answers for a while now, what do you say Bayleef?" Ethan asked.
"Bayleef!" Bayleef nodded, she passed Ethan and looked back at him, signaling for him to follow her.
"Sure thing, let's go!" Ethan said as he followed his starter.
Not so long after Bayleef led herself and Ethan to the large Dance theater, it looked just as old fashioned as Ethan remembered.
"Good work Bayleef!" Ethan told her, making Bayleef smile.
On Ethan's mind was Kris, last time Morty had told him she had been dead for quite some time now, but he refused to elaborate. He had a feeling the Kimono girls wouldn't hold out on him. Ethan also could ask about Suicune.
"Hello!" Ethan said as he stuck his head through the door.
All five Kimono girls were there. They all looked up to see Ethan. It appeared to have been closing hours as they were all cleaning.
"Oh, bad time I guess." Ethan said as he was about to shut the door.
"No, please, anything for you Ethan, may you come in!" Said the Kimono girl in red who Ethan helped save previously.
Ethan entered the room along with Bayleef, the girls all got on their knees in a formal manner, so Ethan did the same and as did Bayleef.
"What is it you may need, Ethan?" The girl in purple asked.
"I need information." Ethan said. "About a girl..."
"We promise to tell you if we know, we trust you." The one in green said.
"Okay so... before I ask, I probably owe you lady's an explanation. Not so long ago, I encountered Suicune." Ethan explained.
The girls had a look of surprise in their face, but they quickly understood.
"Suicune exist, the legendary trio exist. And this Ho-Oh and Lugia I hear talk of, must exist as well, right?" Ethan asked.
The ladies nodded their heads.
"If what you say is true, then it may be that Suicune acknowledges you of a Trainer worth respect, you should feel proud of yourself." The one in red said, making Ethan smile.
"The legendary trio of Entei, Suicune, and Raikou have stayed in the remains of the Brass tower for centuries now. Perhaps Suicune grows board of this and wishes to watch a Trainer who he sees potential in, you must be that Trainer." The one in yellow said.
"I have... potential?" Ethan said, wanting to believe in their words. Bayleef looked at Ethan and nodded her head, trying to reassure him he did.
"There's an old legend here in Ecruteak stating one day a Trainer with a heart and soul of gold will embark on a journey in which he not only befriends the legendary trio, but also earns the respect of Ho-Oh itself, we wonder if you could be that Trainer." Another Kimono girl said.
"Heart and soul of gold, huh." Ethan muttered quietly.
"Well thank you for informing me, all of you." Ethan said about to get up. "But I have just one last question, having to do with something that may be personal, you all might not want to tell me." Ethan warned.
"You may ask us anything Ethan. As we said we wish to repay you in some way." The one in red said.
"I... heard story of an incredible sounding Trainer from this city who collected all eight badges. A young girl named Kris, whatever became of her." Ethan asked with a serious look on his face.
"Kris... that name is taboo to be used here In Ecruteak..." The one in purple said.
"Taboo... okay I'm sorry, I never realized." Ethan apologized.
"But wait, we said in Ecruteak, but not in our theater." The Kimono girl in red stated.
"Thanks, well, is what I heard? Did this Kris really die?" Ethan asked with many questions.
The one in red made direct contact with Ethan and nodded her head yes.
"I'm sorry, but the tale of Pokémon Trainer Kris is a tragedy. she was a Trainer who showed all Pokémon kindness and had potential to become the next Pokémon League Champion." She spoke.
"So how, how did she die. What kind of sicko could kill such a wonderful person like that!?" Ethan asked.
"Kris was not killed, she committed suicide." The one in yellow said on the verge of tears, completely shocking Ethan. "Her body was found in a cave hanged by a noose next to a suicide note in which she wrote the world was better off without her and that she didn't deserve to live."
"T-that's awful, I'm sorry to hear that." Ethan said sadly. "No one should take their life in any circumstance."
"B-Bay..." Bayleef said, equally as shocked as Ethan.
"W-why would she want to kill herself?" Ethan asked. "What made a young girl with the same dream as I have done something like that?"
"That is why we believe, perhaps she didn't kill herself." The one in purple said.
"But you said..." Ethan said trying to wrap his head around it.
"The suicide was very abrupt. All those who knew her never thought she had any emotional turmoil or distress in her life." The one in yellow said. "What's even more disturbing, her Pokémon were also killed, destroyed from inside their Pokéballs."
Bayleef got shivers just hearing that, Ethan noticed and put his hand on her neck and stroked her skin gently. "It's okay Bayleef, I know girl I know,"
"So, what about that make you think she was murdered?" Ethan asked.
"Kris was a kind and sweet girl, no way in any way would she harm her Pokémon." The one in red said.
"Although she died hanged, it isn't impossible someone could have forced her too, an evil Trainer with a strong psychic type perhaps." The one in blue said.
Ethan finally stood up from his knees, finally hearing all he needed to hear.
"Thank you all for telling me, that's all for my questions." Ethan said. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
"Best of luck Ethan." They said as they lowered their heads.
As Ethan walked with Bayleef on the street, he fully accepted what they had said as true, even though he had met Kris not too long before and even spoke with her.
"I need your opinion Bayleef, why did I see and speak with Kris if she's really dead, is she some kind of ghost?" Ethan asked quietly, making sure no one heard him.
Bayleef shook her head, not having a single answer.
"Damn... it's a really sad situation no matter how you look at it." Ethan sighed. "Just who could have killed her, and why!?"
As Ethan walked, he paid no attention to his surroundings and bumped into a girl knocking her to the ground. Ethan looked down to see it was Lyra.
"Ow... feels like we're always meeting up like this!?" Lyra groaned as she got up.
"I-I'm sorry Lyra. Wait, did you win?" Ethan asked.
Lyra pulled out her carrying case, revealing a sixth badge, the Fog badge.
"Yup, won with flying colors, at least that's how Morty put it." Lyra said.
"That was quick, I was only gone for like twenty minutes." Ethan said stunned.
"Bayleef Bay!" Bayleef said agreeing with Ethan.
"Thanks for the compliment Ethan, so, where did you go?" She asked.
"I wanted to see the Dance Theater, nothing big." Ethan said, not wanting to tell her the full truth.
"Oh... well, I guess this is goodbye, for now." Lyra said, surprising Ethan and Bayleef.
"W-what do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"You said you'd accompany me to Ecruteak, and I really appreciate it. But I realize, were rivals, right? And now that we're really close to the eight-badge mark, I think it's best we focus on our rivalry again, so next time we meet, prepare yourself." Lyra said with a smirk.
I... I don't want her to go. Ethan thought, but knew he couldn't tell her that.
"Sure Lyra, I guess I'll be seeing you around. And next time we meet, I'll be the victor!" Ethan declared.
"So... goodbye Ethan." Lyra said taking two steps back. "And by too you too, Bayleef." Lyra said as she pet Bayleef on her head.
"Bay!" Bayleef smiled.
Ethan wanted to lean in for a hug, but he was too awkward and shy too, instead he just held his hand out.
"R-rivals." Ethan said.
"Rivals." Lyra said, shaking Ethan's hand.
As he said goodbye, Ethan noticed someone a crowd forming with what appeared to be some bickering.
"H-hold on, what's going on?" Lyra asked.
"Let's find out!" Ethan said as they both ran to see what was going on.
Ethan and Lyra squeezed through the crowd to see what had happened, upon doing so, is when they saw Team Rocket.
A lot of exposition this chapter... next one should be interesting as well if you liked this one.