Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 46: Triumph
Ethan and Lance had stormed the Team Rocket headquarters in search of a password to confront Team Rocket Executive Petrel, at the moment however Ethan was stopped by his rival Silver in a hallway.
"Yes... now come and get what you're owed!" Silver exclaimed, with his Scizor facing off with Ethan's Heracross, both Pokémon unleashing a ferocious atmosphere.
"Scizor..." Scizor screeched at the top of its lungs, it sounded like a cold-blooded menace.
"Hera, Heracross!" Heracross yelled, trying to intimidate the Scizor.
Bayleef and Ampharos jumped to Ethan's side to get a better view of the battle, Eevee herself jumped on Ethan's shoulder to watch as well.
"Let's do this then!" Ethan yelled, getting a smirk out of Silver.
"Scizor, start with Agility!" Silver commanded, Scizor leapt from side to side at tremendous speed causing afterimages of itself, the intense speed caused winds that forced Ethan to look back.
"Err... Heracross, Close Combat!" Ethan yelled, Heracross followed Ethan's order and swiftly laid hands on the real Scizor even while using Agility, landing punch after punch on the poor Pokémon.
"S-Scizor!" Scizor grunted in pain while being continuously pounded.
"Scizor, that's nothing, now use Fury Cutter!" Silver ordered. Scizor while being smashed raised his hand and violently slashed at Heracross, sending Heracross flying back.
"Heracross!" Ethan screamed, but Heracross flipped back and landed on his toes.
Heracross shook his head and let out a roar, showing he was A okay.
"Great then, now Aerial Ace!" Ethan exclaimed.
Heracross flapped its wings being enveloped by a white aura as it flew at Mach speeds to Scizor.
"Going for Super effective damage, huh!" Silver laughed. "Dodge it Scizor now!"
Scizor quickly moved to the air dodging the blow, which surprised Ethan and his Pokémon.
"Agility doesn't just create afterimages, it also raises Scizor's speed and evasiveness!" Silver informed. "Now, X Scizor!"
Scizor turned around to face the still flying Pokémon and formed a cross with its pincers, Scizor came and striked into Heracross, causing Heracross to fall to his knees.
"Hera... Heracross..." Heracross groaned in pain.
"Heracross, are you okay?" Ethan asked.
"Scizor, Air Slash!" Silver ordered, scaring Ethan.
"N-no, if Heracross gets hit with a flying type move from close range!" Ethan freaked. "Heracross dodge!"
Scizor threw a Air Slash, which Heracross leaped into the air, and just barely managed to dodge by grabbing hold of Scizor's neck with his legs.
"What!?" Silver said.
"Now, Megahorn!" Ethan yelled, Heracross's horn glowed white as he smashed it into Scizor like a headbutt, causing Scizor to fall to the ground on his back.
"Scizor... do not fail me!" Silver yelled to his Pokémon, who struggled to get up.
"Now, end it with Aerial Ace!" Ethan yelled. Heracross used its wings to dash rapidly at Scizor, who finally stood on its two feet.
"You're faster, X Scizor now!" Silver yelled.
As Heracross dashed at Scizor, it stood still closing its eyes, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. As Heracross got within an inch's distance of Scizor, it opened its eyes and swiftly sliced into Heracross with X Scizor, sending Heracross crashing into the ground.
"He...ra...cross..." Heracross mumbled before falling to his knees unconscious.
"You've won. As expected," Silver said. Scizor went and kicked Heracross across back to Ethan, who caught him in his arms.
"A job well done, Heracross!" Ethan said as held his Pokémon.
Heracross's eyes opened and met with Ethan's.
"Do you think you have enough energy to watch the next round?" Ethan asked.
Heracross slowly got up and went to the side of Ethan, Ethan thanked him one last time before standing back up and locking eyes with Silver.
"A weak Pokémon... just like its Trainer!" Silver, making fun of Ethan. He went and returned Scizor to its Pokéball.
"We're going to make you eat those words!" Ethan declared.
"Eevee!" Eevee barked from atop Ethan's shoulder.
"Now, Bayleef, you're up!" Ethan told his starter, who leaped in front of Ethan and glared at Silver.
"Bay!" Bayleef bellowed at the rival.
"Humph, never show your Pokémon first." Silver scoffed while pulling out a Pokéball. "Go, Quilava!"
"Quilava!" Quilava snarled at Bayleef with a fierce look.
"Bayleef!" Bayleef roared back, returning its gaze.
"Bayleef's got this in the bag, she's beaten stronger fire types than Quilava before!" Ethan told Silver, who merely laughed.
"Bayleef may have beaten Quilava in the past, but only due to Quilava's fatigue." He lectured. "Now Quilava, Smokescreen!"
Quilava unleashed from its mouth smoke in which blinded not only Bayleef but Ethan and his Pokémon.
"Can't see." Ethan realized. "Bayleef, if you can hear me, use Light Screen!"
By the time the smoke cleared, Ethan and his Pokémon saw Bayleef who was blocking a brutal Flame Charge with her shield.
"B-Bay!" She struggled to keep the shield blocking.
Quilava jumped back upon not being able to break the shield, Bayleef responded with dropping the Light Screen.
"Hmph, now use Flamethrower!" Silver ordered, Quilava brang its head back and exhaled a plethora of fire.
"Bayleef!" Ethan cried. Bayleef heard his cry and jumped to the right to dodge the blast.
Bayleef instinctually used her Vine Whip to strike Quilava over its head, at incredible speed which only made it hurt more.
"Quil...ava!" It roared as it quickly recovered from the not very effective move.
"Quilava, Wild Charge!" Silver commanded, surprising Ethan with an electric type move.
Quilava charged into Bayleef at full speed while engulfed with a coat of lighting, the move bashed Bayleef into the ground in front of Ethan.
"B-Bay... Bay..." She panted heavily as she struggled to get up.
"Bayleef!" Ethan yelled in fear.
Bayleef got back up, albeit more damaged than the nearly full energy Quilava.
"Quilava!" Quilava shrieked.
Quilava, it's not the same timid and shy Pokémon I witnessed at Elm's lab from all those weeks ago. Silver raised it into something fierce. Ethan thought.
"Bayleef, now Synthesis!" Ethan shouted as Bayleef began to coat herself within a white light to heal up.
"Oh no you don't, Quilava Smokescreen once more!" Silver demanded, Quilava shot from its breath smoke which again blinded everyone on the receiving end.
"Damn." Ethan cursed.
"Now, Flame Charge!" Silver ordered, Quilava came for Bayleef while engulfed in pure flame, powerful enough to the point where the smoke cleared.
"B-Bay!" Bayleef said upon seeing the move coming for her.
"Bayleef!" Ethan yelled in fear.
Quilava came in close to Bayleef, it was only a foot away from crashing into her when a blur appeared before it and took the attack for Bayleef, causing another explosion that forced Ethan to look away.
"Bayleef!" Ethan screamed; his other Pokémon were in fear as well if she got hit.
"T-that was..." Silver muttered, upon the smoke clearing, Dragonite stood firm in front of Quilava who bounced off its belly. The Dragonite had taken the Flame Charge with what appeared to have been not a problem in the slightest.
"Bayleef!" Ethan said running up to his Pokémon and hugging her.
"Bay!" Bayleef cried, relieved she wasn't hit by the Flame Charge move.
"How is this possible!" Silver cursed as he returned Quilava to its Pokéball, it was then from behind him a man put his out and touched his shoulder, when Silver turned, he saw Lance.
"Lay your hands off me!" Silver yelled backing away from him, Silver backed up too far and bumped into Dragonite, he turned to face the Pokémon. It glared at the redhead with smoke releasing from its nostrils.
"You... you don't appear to be Team Rocket, you're just a kid!" Lance commented, getting a scoff out of Silver.
"I hate Team Rocket, don't mix me up with those miserable bastards." Silver told him off.
"Then what are you doing here, Silver?" Ethan finally asked.
"Hmph, same as you it seems." He answered.
"No, to me it seems like you were picking fights with my friend here, if you really hate Team Rocket as much as you claim, then you should help us." Lance said.
"Heh, well maybe I would have, but now I'm surrounded by the Trainer I despise." He said pointing at Ethan. "And you, the man whose Pokémon just took a hit head on from mine without a scratch, so now I am craving a match with you."
"Now's not the time." Lance said.
"You started it; you will finish it!" Silver commanded spinning his Pokéball.
"Now's not the best time Silver." Ethan told his rival.
"Shut up, you're lucky you were saved by this man." Silver told Ethan off.
"Don't make me tell you again, I don't have time for a battle with anyone other than Team Rocket." Lance said in a calm tone.
"Then what if I attack your Pokémon with mine, it'll be forced to battle." Silver said glancing at Dragonite, who showed no fear at his threat.
"Are you trying to anger me, boy?" Lance said raising his voice.
"Guys, you were right Lance, there is no time for this. Silver, how about you help us, and after you can get a battle with Lance." Ethan spoke up.
"Fine... but only if he helps us." Lance agreed.
"...Hmph, well it's a win-win situation for me, since I hate Team Rocket as much as you fools." Silver said.
"I'll warn you now Silver, it's going to be a short battle." Ethan laughed.
"Quit your laughing, you should hurry up and go to a Pokémon Center. You won't be able to handle this, me and Lance is all that is needed." Silver gloated.
"Alright then... I found out that the second password is Lugia, did you find the first one Ethan?" Lance asked.
"Lugia, the legendary Pokémon..." Silver muttered.
"Yeah, the password was Giovanni." Ethan said, which made Silver's eyes glowed up.
"Giovanni... of course." He snarled. "These rejects upon rejects still suckle on their old boss's teat I see."
"Well let's go, the room is this way, onwards you two!" Lance said as he ran along with his Dragonite.
"On it! Heracross, Ampharos, Eevee. Return to your Pokéballs for now, Bayleef stay with me!" Ethan said as he returned his Pokémon then gave chase behind Lance.
As they ran to find the next door, Silver took two steps back and walked away, he had no plans to help those he viewed as enemies out.
Ethan and Lance made it to the doorway in which Lance entered both passwords on a monitor near the door.
"There we have it, Lugia and Giovanni!" Lance said as they gained access to enter.
"We ready!?" Ethan asked to Lance.
"I know we are," he said as he glanced at his Dragonite who smiled back at him.
"Bayleef, and you?" Ethan asked his Pokémon.
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef said nodding.
"Alright, let's go!" Ethan said as Lance went ahead and pulled open the sliding door.
Standing there menacingly was a tall man, he wore a long-sleeved black fancy buttoned overcoat with a black hat.
The man glared at Ethan and gave a mean looking grin. Behind him near a monitor was a black, crow like Pokémon with a yellow beak which caught Ethan's eye for a moment.
"Crow!" The Murkrow squawked.
"Wait... where is Silver?" Ethan said as he looked around, getting distracted for just a moment.
"Muhahaha, we've been waiting for you. So, you are Lance..." The man said, ignoring Ethan.
"We've come to stop you guys!" Ethan came out and yelled. "Identify yourself!"
"Me? You don't know who I am? It is me, Giovanni. The majestic Giovanni himself!" The man, now revealed to be Giovanni said.
"There's that name again?" Ethan said confused.
"Nice try, your tricks will not work on us. Show yourself, Petrel." Lance said.
"Woah, it is Petrel!?" Ethan said upon noticing.
"...Huh? I don't sound anything like Giovanni?" Petrel said taking off his coat and hat.
"Neither do you look like him... actually, scratch that. You do, all you delinquents look the same." Lance replied. His Dragonite looking ready to battle.
"I don't even look like Giovanni. How come? I've worked so hard to mimic him!" Petrel complained.
"That is irrelevant. We're looking for the voice code to enter the radio-transmitter room, we know your voice must be it. Speak it for us and we may let you off easy." Lance giving an ultimatum.
"The password... Is Hail Giovanni, it doesn't matter if you know it or not, because you'll never get me to speak it for you!" Petrel laughed; he then took notice of Ethan.
"Wait now, I know you, we had a scuffle back in Ecruteak." Petrel realized.
"Yeah, and you needed your boyfriend Proton to save you!" Ethan clapped back.
"Bay!" Bayleef yelled at the Team Rocket.
"I hardly remember, that's how little you matter in the grand scheme of things. Right now, the only threat is Lance, the Champion..." Petrel said turning his gaze back to Lance.
Ethan couldn't believe what he had heard, both Ethan and Bayleef turned to Lance, who met their gaze.
"You're... the Champion!?" Ethan reacted.
Lance closed his eyes and nodded his head. "You weren't supposed to know Ethan, not yet at least. But yes, I am the Champion."
Ethan had no words left, he simply turned back his gaze to the enemy before him.
"Alright then, go, Rapidash!" Petrel yelled as he threw his Pokéball.
Rapidash was an equine Pokémon with cream colored fur, and a pointed horn on its forehead. Yellow and reddish-orange flames stream from the back of its head as if it was a long flowing mane.
"Rapid, Rapidash!" The Rapidash cried upon being released.
"Rapidash!?" Ethan said. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out his Great Ball, the one holding the Red Gyarados
"This could be the perfect opportunity... to try out my new Pokémon." Ethan contemplated.
"Don't bother Ethan." Lance said putting his arm before Ethan. "My Dragonite's got this."
"Yeah, but-" Ethan didn't even get to finish before crossing his head.
"Trust in the word of a Champion, Dragonite will make this quick." Lance assured Ethan with no doubts.
"Rapidash, Quick Attack!" Petrel commanded, Rapidash followed Petrel's order and leapt at full speed toward Dragonite, who showed no fear.
"Dragonite, Aqua Tail!" Lance yelled.
Rapidash crashed into Dragonite's belly, but much like how with the Quilava earlier, it wasn't even able to make the Dragonite budge.
"Ra-Rapi!" Rapidash cried in surprise.
Dragonite used its tail and swiftly struck it into Rapidash with the power of water, which instantly knocked Rapidash out cold.
So, that's the power of a Champion. Ethan thought absolutely stunned. Bayleef also was shocked with Dragonite's sheer speed.
"Over already!?" Petrel said as he returned his Pokémon to its Pokéball.
"Your entire operation is finished here... now, the voice code!" Lance demanded.
"The voice code..." Petrel said as he backed up into a table. "I will never!"
Petrel took what appeared to be a smoke bomb which he quickly threw, unleashing a dusty smoke which engulfed the whole room.
"Can't see a thing!" Ethan panicked as he heard footsteps for the exit.
"Bayleef Bay!" Bayleef freaked.
"Dragonite!" Lance said, his Pokémon already knew what he meant. Dragonite flapped its wings at an extremely fast pace creating a tornado which easily blew away all the smoke.
"Woah, what was that move?" Ethan asked.
"Twister, a Dragon type move. I had my Dragonite use it albeit not to its full power, just to get rid of that smoke.
"Damn... Petrel got away!" Ethan cursed.
"No matter, remember what Petrel said to you, Ethan?" Lance asked.
"That I don't matter in the grand scheme of things..." Ethan pouted.
"Well, he was wrong, at the end of the day he doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things." Lance stated. "He can escape now but he poses no threat to me, or you I believe."
"Think I could take him?" Ethan asked.
"I know you can. Now how else should we get the voice command...?" Lance questioned.
"The password is Hail Giovanni!" both Ethan and Lance heard from a voice that sounded exactly like Petrel's. They looked down to see the Murkrow.
"It's mimic!" Lance said happily. "This Murkrow has mimicked the voice of Giovanni!"
"Alright, we're getting places!" Ethan exclaimed happily along with Bayleef. He went and petted the Murkrow on its head.
"Thank you, little guy, you're pretty nice for a Team Rocket Pokémon, and cute!" Ethan said gleefully.
Murkrow paid Ethan no mind and ran past him passed the exit.
"Where's it going...?" Ethan asked.
"Follow it, it's heading in the direction of the door!" Lance yelled to Ethan as they gave chase shortly behind the Murkrow.
Lance's hunch was right, as the Murkrow led them to the door they needed.
"The password is Hail Giovanni!" Murkrow once again cried, which gave Ethan and Lance access to the room. Murkrow then took its leave.
Upon entering Ethan and Lance were met with a room in which six Electrode were being held, each were stuck to a machine forcing them to charge it.
"This is awful...!" Ethan exclaimed disgusted as to what he saw.
"You're right in that notion Ethan. Dragonite, you already know!" Lance said.
Dragonite listened and destroyed the big machine in the center, which instantly freed the Electrodes who were now suddenly conscious.
"Elec-Electrode...?" One of the six said.
"You're all free now, we apologize for the wrongdoing Team Rocket has done here!" Lance said, the Electrodes nodded, and all left in a single file line.
"Whew, it's done!" Ethan said wiping some sweat.
"Finally, we may leave now." Lance said as he pet his Dragonite. He then returned Dragonite to a black and yellow Pokéball.
"You customized your Pokéball!?" Ethan said upon noticing.
"Not a Pokéball, an Ultra Ball, you'll find it's much more effective when catching wild Pokémon, just like your Great Ball." Lance informed Ethan.
"Anyways... what about all these Team Rocket members?" Ethan asked.
"Of course, they will be punished, the police must be involved in this, but I'll take care of it, do not worry Ethan." Lance assured him. "Today was an utter triumph, be proud of yourself and your Pokémon Ethan."
"Got you, well, we did it Bayleef!" Ethan said to his starter.
"Bay!" She nodded.
After a long walk up few flights to stairs, Ethan and Lance finally made it to the souvenir shop, the store clerk met eyes with Ethan, and so did Togetic.
"Togetic!" Togetic happily exclaimed as he went and hugged Ethan.
"Hey Togetic, we've done it!" Ethan said as he hugged his Pokémon back.
"And thank you again kid," The clerk said to Ethan walking up to him, but Lance quickly stood in front of Ethan, blocking him.
"You chose to lie to me." Lance said as he grabbed the clerk by the shirt.
"N-no, it wasn't by choice!" The clerk explained.
"Hey Lance!" Ethan spoke up. "He's just a clerk, no involvement with Team Rocket, trust me!"
"Very well..." Lance said dropping the clerk. "I trust this Trainer right here, so I'll trust you aren't Team Rocket."
"T-thank you!" The clerk said, before turning to Ethan. "May... may I ask for your name!?"
"Me, I'm Ethan." Ethan said.
"Ethan, thanks." The clerk said shaking Ethan's hand.
After getting the police involved, both Lance and Ethan left the shop so Ethan could ask a million questions.
"So... who is this Giovanni guy?" Ethan asked.
"He was the leader of Team Rocket from a few years ago, awful man, tried to use his status as Gym leader to hide his true identity." Lance informed Ethan as they both seated in a bench.
"And this Red guy, stopped him, right?" Ethan asked. "At least that's what I hear."
"Awe, Red. He was a remarkable young Trainer... in all my years of Pokémon battling, he was the strongest opponent I have ever faced." Lance reminisced.
"Even stronger than you!?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, even I pale in comparison to Red. To conquer the league at such a young age... he is a prodigy among prodigies indeed." Lance claimed.
"Stronger than my Dad?" Ethan asked. "If your friends with my Dad then you must've battled him, right?"
"Your father is incredible, a rival to the Elite Four and even myself. However even he couldn't stand to Red, I fear no one in this world could." Lance said.
"Well then why isn't he here?" Ethan questioned. "If Team Rocket's still a threat and if he knows, why doesn't he just come and stop them!?"
"I wish I could tell you, but I never quite understood the kid, after becoming Champion he gave back the title to me, and no one's heard from him since." Lance said. "Red... perhaps it's best he didn't stay Champion, the kid... wasn't very stable."
"What... what do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"It's nothing, you would know if you met him." Lance said trying to change the subject.
"You think... maybe I have potential to match up to Red, do I have the potential?" Ethan asked.
"Bay!" Bayleef said trying to reassure to Ethan he did.
Lance shook his head no. "Sorry, I can see you have some skill, but I don't quite think... you must understand what I'm trying to say."
"Got it." Ethan said looking down to the ground.
It was then when they heard footsteps, they both looked up to see Silver.
"Well, well, well, finally I catch you when you're available, Lance!" Silver said smiling holding a Pokéball.
"Piss off Silver, just like you did back at the Headquarters!" Ethan yelled at him.
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef yelled back at Silver.
"Are you trying to say I retreated, nonsense, I was trying to find a man in that headquarters, I helped defeat a couple of members along the way." Silver explained.
"So, you beat a few members!? That's crazy, not like anyone could have done that!" Ethan mocked.
"It's alright... Ethan. I'll battle him." Lance said standing up, surprising Ethan.
"What, why, he's just a prick, you don't have too!" Ethan explained to Lance pulling out a Pokéball. "I can deal with him for you!"
"Humph, you don't interest me at the moment Ethan. So, step aside and let the big kids talk." Silver said coldly.
"Ethan, I know you could take him, but it's fine. He challenged me and waited all this time to follow up with that challenge, so I'll face him." Lance said.
"B-but league rules state the Champion can't battle any Trainers who haven't gotten all eight badges and defeated members of the Elite Four!?" Ethan said.
"Champion...?" Silver said, now even more intrigued. "You were holding out on me Ethan, so this is the Champion of the Indigo League."
"As I said Ethan, it's alright, this will be quick." Lance said, taking out an Ultra Ball.
"Let's do this." Silver said, taking out a Pokéball of his own.
So that was it, in case anyone was mad that Ethan was kind of losing to Silver just know it's because of Ethan won every single encounter between them it'd make their rivalry much less interesting, it may work in the games but since this is an actual story, it'd go stale fast. Can you imagine if Ash beat Gary, Paul, Trip, or Alain in every battle they had, where would be the tension there? Also had Ethan and them find out Lance is the Champion much earlier, think it makes things more interesting, well that's all for now!