Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 60: Ethan and Bayleef
After a wash of a battle with Team Rocket Executive Petrel Ethan rushed to the underground warehouse at the far end of the Goldenrod Tunnel to find the director who was being held hostage.
Ethan with Bayleef rushing behind him ran through the incredibly dark tunnel to find the director. It was pitch black and neither of the two could see a thing.
"He's got to be somewhere!" Ethan said looking around but unable to see anything.
Ethan heard the sound of a clap and coming from a few meters in front of him and focused his attention to it.
"Well, well... mighty impressive of you making it this far kid." Said a voice Ethan could have sworn he heard before, it sounded like the voice of a woman.
"W-who goes there!" Ethan yelled.
"Flamethrower, light up the area!" Said the voice, and with that the move lit the area so Ethan and Bayleef could actually see.
In front of the boy was a young woman with fair skin and shoulder length red hair flips out at the ends. She wore a long white trench coat with the Team Rocket logo on the breast pocket. By her side was a Magmar to which she returned to its Pokéball.
"I know you!" Ethan said recognizing her.
"That's right, we met back at Ecruteak. I am Ariana, and it appears now we must do battle." She said as she walked in a circle around a chair which had a man in a Baise suit tied up and his mouth was gagged.
"Mmf, mmf!" The man cried out to Ethan but of course it was muffled and could not be understood.
"Fine, a battle's what you want a battle's what you get!" Ethan yelled pointing his finger out. "Bayleef, let's show her how it's done."
"Bay!" Bayleef cried out leaping in front of Ethan.
"Hmm, since I told you my name wouldn't it be proper for you to tell me yours?" Ariana said.
"Ethan." Ethan said. "Now before we get started, there's one thing I'd like to tell you!"
"What is it?" Ariana asked taking out a Pokéball.
"I can't believe I'm saying this to a Team Rocket member but, thanks, for back in Ecruteak." Ethan said surprising Ariana. "Me and my friends would have been killed by that Proton freak if you hadn't stepped in. Now let's go!"
"Bay!" Bayleef barked forming a battle stance.
Ariana lowered her Pokéball. "You know, it wasn't always like this... Team Rocket was once an organization, and although I've tried to deny it at some point we've slowly become Terrorist. We used to rule over the Kanto region as a monopoly, but ever since we lost our leader Giovanni everything's come to chaos." She said as she eyed the tied-up Director.
"Then give up." Ethan said. "We don't have to do this, it's not too late to leave Team Rocket. I can tell there's good in you, why else would you have saved my life back then."
Ariana shook her head. "We are enemies, make no mistake of that."
"Then I'll have to stop you, no matter what." Ethan said getting ready to command Bayleef to attack.
Ariana smiled and put away her Pokéball. She went behind the director and untied the gag on him.
"Heh, heh, heh! Y-you freed me!?" The old man said panting heavily.
"W-what are you doing!?" Ethan said shocked. "I mean, I'm not complaining but..."
"Bayyy..." Bayleef said surprised.
"Look kid. Make no mistake, my loyalties still lie with Team Rocket, no matter how corrupt this organization becomes I will always be a loyal follower to it. This is only a one-time thing." She explained as she loosened the Director's arms.
"Got it. Then next time we meet we'll be enemies." Ethan agreed. "And that thank you was a one-time only thing as well."
"So long, we'll meet again!" Ariana said running back further into the darkness.
"Whew, you alright sir?" Ethan asked to the Director as he helped him up. "Easy there, you're alright now I promise you."
"Thank you, kid, they had me tied up like this for a few hours now." He said wiping some sweat off his face. "You're a life saver."
"Thanking me already?" Ethan replied. "They're still Team Rocket members out there on the streets!"
"Unfortunate... but with kind Trainers like you I still have hope for this city!" The director said. "You called yourself Ethan, yes, well you can call me Mr. Daniels, and more importantly thankful to you even if you don't accept it."
"Alright then Mr. Daniels, well, your Radio tower is probably still swarming with Team Rocket now, so I'll have to drop you off at Gym leader Whitney's, she's taking in civilians and protecting them."
"That sounds best... that will do!" Daniels said. Ethan smiled and grabbed him by the arm and ran off to the Gym.
Later after dropping off the man at the gym it was time for Ethan to return to the radio tower to reach the top floor and hopefully find his father or Elm or anyone else, and if he was there he'd have to do battle with Proton.
Ethan ran up the stairs of the tower going up each floor passing multiple knocked out Team Rocket members.
He's got to be here, for Mom... Ethan thought determined to find his father.
Eventually Ethan made it to the top floor in which he was stopped by a locked door that wouldn't budge.
"Damn, it won't open!" Ethan complained while trying to slam the door down. "Bayleef, you should be able to do it yourself!"
Bayleef nodded her head and charged into the door and with one try broke it making it fall back, just like that they were in.
"Yes, good girl!" Ethan said petting her on her scalp.
"Bay!" She said appreciative.
"Now let's not waste any time and go!" Ethan exclaimed as he ran.
….
As Ethan and Bayleef entered what appeared to be a control room he finally approached the back of a man all too familiar to him now.
The man turned his head and gave a smirk, Ethan felt intimidated by the man's presence... it was Proton.
Ethan pinched himself so he'd speak. "Before we get started... you said last time in Ecruteak you didn't remember me, so I'll tell you who I am. My name is Ethan and I've come to defeat you!"
"Bay!" The grass starter barked angerly.
Proton gave a menacing laugh and turned around to face Ethan. "Do you have any idea how many times I've heard those words, you're not the first young Trainer to tell me that and you're far from the last." The Team Rocket grunt said as he took off his hat and tossed it to the floor.
"Once I defeat you, no one will remember you!" Ethan yelled pulling out a Pokéball.
"You better pray to your maker you can live up to your boasts." Proton said as he pulled out his Pokéball. "I've heard talk among lower members of Team Rocket that a young boy with a Bayleef along with the Champion of the Indigo league were responsible for taking down our headquarters in Mahogany, that description of the young boy sounds a lot like you."
"And what if it was me?" Ethan asked.
"Hmph, I can't allow you to escape here alive, your dead kid!" Proton said as he threw his Pokéball. "Stand by myside, Nidoking!"
"Nidoking!" Cried the large poison type. It had narrow eyes, large spiny ears, fur-like tufts on its cheeks, and a short snout filled with pointed teeth. It had a long venomous horn on its forehead and gray plates covered it from its chest and belly along with a powerful looking tail.
"T-that Pokémon's..." Ethan said checking his Pokédex for its entry.
"Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon. It swings its big tail around during battle. If its foe flinches, it will charge with its sturdy body."
"It looks scary..." Ethan said putting away his Pokédex away. "Bayleef, it may be a poison type but it's also a ground type, meaning your grass type moves will work on it!"
"Bay!" Bayleef agreed forming a battle stance glaring at Proton.
"You'd better take this battle seriously; do you hear me Proton!" Ethan yelled. "Cause you're in for it now!"
"A battle... who said this would be a battle?" Proton said confusing Ethan instantly.
"What are you trying to say-" Before Ethan could finish his sentence the door slammed open behind him and he quickly turned his head.
"Wha-" Bam! A Team Rocket grunt from behind hit the boy in the back of his head with a brick instantly knocking Ethan down to the ground. He landed flat on his face and was bleeding from the top of his head where he was hit.
"Hehe, what a *battle* that was!" Said the grunt kicking the unconscious Ethan in the face with his foot before taking out a pocket knife. "So, he's to be killed huh?"
Bayleef turned her head and saw the small pool of blood leaking from Ethan's head as he lied unconscious on the ground. Her eyes lit up with shock and horror as she witnessed the man happily stomping on Ethan all while laughing. Her shock and horror quickly turned to rage.
"B-B... BAYLEEF!" She screamed turning away from the Nidoking before her and heading for the grunt. The Team Rocket looked up in surprise as he saw the grass Pokémon eyes filled with nothing but hatred and contempt all while coming his way.
"S-stay back!" He yelled taking two steps away holding out his knife trying to threaten the raged-filled Pokémon.
Bayleef swung her leaf sending a magical leaf at the man's knife, blowing it back and in the process the grunt accidently impaled himself in the shoulder.
"Aieee!" The grunt screamed out at the top of his lungs, his back falling on the door.
Bayleef pulled out two vines and went crazy, she slashed the grunt with everything she had hitting him back and forth. Her vine's sounding like whips as she repeatedly hit the man in his face and chest over and over. The man's face had many cuts and was bleeding severely as the beating continued.
"Bay! Bay!" She cried out with tears streaming down her eyes while hitting the weak grunt over and over. It didn't matter to her if she killed the man in this instant, she couldn't think straight. This was the perfect opportunity for Nidoking to strike as he did.
Nidoking appeared behind Bayleef and the starter stopped throwing her vines for a second turning her head back in awe of the large Pokémon's speed.
"B-Bay!?" She said still with tears in her eyes.
"K-kill it..." The injured grunt muttered before falling to the floor unconscious.
"Do it now Nidoking, Poison Jab!" Proton yelled. Nidoking listened and raised its arm which appeared to be super charged by poisonous energy.
"B-Bay!" Bayleef screamed leaping away avoiding the swift jab just barely. She took a few more leaps back distancing herself from Nidoking.
"Nido..." Nidoking said forming a battle stance.
"It's simple Nidoking, go and use that attack you were about to use just now on the boy, kill him!" Proton commanded.
"B-Bay!?" Bayleef freaked.
Nidoking turned to the laid-out Ethan who was still unconscious and had droll leaking from his wide-open mouth which was getting mixed with some of the blood dripping down his face. Nidoking raised its arm prepared to kill the young boy.
Bayleef screamed running forth to Ethan at top speed, she had no time to think as if she hesitated for even a moment it'd be over for her Trainer. Right before the Nidoking's jab could hit Ethan she leaped in the way, taking the jab for Ethan being jabbed directly in her neck at such a speed it almost caused an eruption of smoke.
"BAYYYY!" She cried out in pain from the blow.
….
When he finally awoke the first thing he saw was the white blank ceiling, he instantly sat up after what seemed to be like a bad dream he'd just had.
"Where... where am I?" Ethan said looking around. He was lying on a bed in a blank room and he realized what it was. "This is... the hotel room?"
Ethan moved the blanket over him and tried to get up, but he felt a sharp pain in his head and instantly grasped it. "Awe... what's going on with me!?"
The boy felt something while he rubbed his head, he felt stiches.
"W-what happened to me, I-it wasn't a dream?" He said with tears running down his eyes. "W-where is Bayleef, or Mom, or Dad, or Elm?"
The door opened, and it was the boy's mother Eliza. Her eyes widened and she instantly went up to hug her son.
"You're awake! My baby boy you're finally awake!" She screamed as she held him tight.
"M-Mom, you're squeezing me a little too tight!" Ethan said almost unable to breath. His mother stopped and gave him a chance to breathe.
"D-do you remember anything; how many fingers am I holding up!?" Eliza asked holding up some fingers.
"W-what, three fingers, but seriously, where's Bayleef? What exactly happened?" Ethan asked looking around. He saw his backpack on the counter and felt relieved to see it as he instantly ran up to it and opened it up quickly searching for his Pokéballs.
"Whew... thank goodness their here!" Ethan said taking a big deep breath in relief. "There's one, two, three, four, five... six? Where's six? Bayleef's Pokéball isn't here!?"
"E-Ethan... do you at all remember what happened?" Eliza asked.
"I-I don't know!?" Ethan freaked. "All I remember was having a bad dream, a bad dream with Team Rocket! A-and, for some reason it's starting to feel like it's really happened!"
"E-Ethan... I know it's in the past now but please don't ever do that again, please don't ever make me worry about you like that again." She said once again hugging her son. Ethan didn't respond to her hug this time and simply stayed still in shock.
"Honey, it's alright now, you're with me now and you don't ever have to be hurt again." Eliza said as she let go of Ethan to place her palms gently on his face.
"How... how long, have I been out for?" Ethan finally asked.
"Well Ethan..." Eliza said with a sorry look on her face. "Five days now, and you're now just waking up."
"Jesus!" Ethan gasped face palming. "W-what happened exactly, all I remember last is facing off with that Team Rocket executive Proton and then everything around me went blank!"
"I-I... I-" Eliza said unsure of how she could explain the situation to her son.
"Damn it Mom you've got to tell me!" Ethan yelled at her. "I need to know this!"
"Alright, but... well, sit down, cause it's going to be a lot to hear..." She said taking a seat on the bed as Ethan sat with her.
….
"Bayleef!" Ethan screamed as he quickly rushed into the Pokémon Center slamming the door open. The Nurse Joy looked up to see the screaming and crying boy as he rushed into the center and ran up to the counter to speak with her. There was a bit of a line to her and Ethan rushed and bumped through plenty of people to get there.
"Hey, what are you?"
"Slow down kid!"
"We're here for the same reason as you so quit cutting!"
Ethan simply didn't care to listen as all that was on his mind now was his Pokémon.
"W-where is she!?" Ethan screamed slamming his hands on the Nurse Joy's desk. "I need to see her; I need to see Bayleef!"
"H-hello Ethan... please, remain calm." Nurse Joy said trying to plead with the boy,
"Damn it, damn it, damn it, everyone keeps telling me that!" Ethan yelled. "Look I'm sorry but I need to see her now, I just need to see that she's okay!"
"I-I understand, right this way!" Nurse Joy said leading Ethan to a back room.
Ethan followed Nurse Joy right through a long hallway and up into an elevator to get to the second floor. His heart sunk with fear and anticipation for his Pokémon's state.
She finally led Ethan to a hospital room and turned to Ethan before she opened the door. "I'm sorry kid, but she's not in the best condition right no-"
"Just let me see her!" Ethan raised his voice cutting the Nurse Joy off. She simply complied and opened the door to the room.
Ethan walked in the room and was horrified by the sight he saw despite already being informed by his mother. Bayleef lied unconscious on a bed where she was hooked up to an electrocardiograph. Her heartbeat beeped at a constant rate however she the grass Pokémon's breathing was still very faint.
"T-this can't be real!" Ethan said taking two steps back, he finally fell to the floor on his bottom and instantly began to cry.
"This can't be real, this can't be real, this can't be real!" Ethan screamed putting his hands over his head. Nurse Joy instantly got on her knees and hugged the crying Ethan as he cried into her chest. "We're sorry, were so so sorry..." She continuously said as Ethan continued to cry.
"I-Is Bayleef going to die because of me..." Ethan finally said as he sniffled slightly raising his head to look the Nurse Joy in her eyes.
"N-no, absolutely not, she may not be in the best condition now but she's getting better and fast!" Nurse Joy said wiping some tears from Ethan's eyes.
"W-what... what's going to happen to her then?" Ethan asked.
"We. We're doing the best we can, and it seems like she may be ready for check out by the week after the next. And then she'll be all better again!" Joy said letting go of Ethan who was no longer crying as heavily.
"A-are you sure..." Ethan said as Joy handed him a tissue, he used it to blow his nose.
"I would never lie to you! Just yesterday she was already opening her eyes, it seems now she's just getting some rest." Joy said.
"I-I understand..." Ethan said, his eyes still red. "But... and I'm sorry if I sound like a bit of a snob when saying this but can I please have a minute, a minute alone with Bayleef?"
"No worries, I understand entirely." Nurse Joy said getting up. "Please, take your time." She said to the boy as she left the room.
Ethan finally turned to his starter who was breathing into the long tomb softly. Ethan walked over to her side on the bed and just looked at her damaged face.
Chikorita... He thought.
….
"Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Professor Elm. But everyone calls me the Pokémon Professor, Before I give you your first Pokémon, you should know that the world of Pokémon can not only be very difficult but also very dangerous. Johto's not kind to inadequately prepared trainers. Ethan, you just barely managed to graduate from the academy, to be honest, you may not even be ready, I need to know if you're truly confident in your abilities."
"Woah, you went a little off script there, Professor." Ethan told the Professor.
"Oh, sorry." Elm said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Anyways - this world is widely inhabited by creatures known as Pokémon." Elm said, as he readied a Pokéball, taking away some boredom from Ethan's face.
This is it; this is where I get my first Pokémon. Ethan thought excitedly awaiting his partner Pokémon.
"Now, please choose your first Pokémon carefully, this will be your best friend across your entire journey." Elm explained, reading off the last words from his paper.
Elm readied another two Pokéballs, much to Ethan's amazement. Revealing the famous trio of starter Pokémon from Johto.
There were three Pokémon. All with distinct traits, however only one had truly spoken to Ethan.
On the left, was Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokémon. It looked shy and nervous, not at all like Ethan. Juxtaposed to its timid look was the fire that raged on its back.
On the right, was Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokémon. It had striking looking red spikes, from the head down. Despite its tough demeanor, it looked silly and kind of goofy.
But in the middle was Chikorita, the Leaf Pokémon. On top of its head, was a long, green leaf, hence its name. It was cute, yet confident looking. Ethan had came already knowing who he'd choose, but he'd already forgotten that when looking at the Chikorita, all he could think at the moment was how much we wanted it.
"So, did you decide which one you want to pick?" Elm asked, intrigued.
"Isn't it obvious, I've known for a long time which one I'd be choosing when I got here today." Ethan said, confident in his decision.
Ethan got on one knee and pet the Chikorita before him. Chikorita's eyes lit up with happiness. Cyndaquil and Totodile besides it looked up at Ethan in awe.
"You and me, Chikorita! Will you be by my side for my journey?" Ethan asked.
Chikorita started jumping up and down excitedly It wagged its tail back and forth. It then jumped into Ethan's arms happily. Ethan hugged it tight knowing it'd be his partner from along the way.
….
Chikorita... you've been with me since the beginning, and along the way you've even become a Bayleef... I just hope this isn't the end of our journey, if this is how it ends then I don't want to be a Trainer anymore... how could I go on without you... Ethan thought as he gently pet Bayleef on her face.
Just as he touched her Bayleef's right eye slightly opened, and she looked Ethan in the eye surprising the boy.
"Bayleef! I'm right here girl, I'm right here with you!" Ethan shouted happy to see her respond, but she simply closed her eyes back falling in an even deeper unconscious.
"I'm just glad you're alright..." Ethan finally said. It was then when he heard the door creaking and he turned his head.
"Hey... Ethan." Allen said peaking his head through the door before entering with one hand behind his back. "I'm, glad to see you're alright."
"Hey Dad..." Ethan said not paying him much mind. Allen walked right up to him and handed him flowers.
"T-thanks." Ethan said accepting it into his arms before setting it on the table by Bayleef.
"I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry, but what I'm about to tell you next I think you need to hear, would you mind coming with me son?" Allen asked.
"Can't we talk here?" Ethan said confused.
"...I'm afraid not, not in front of Bayleef..." Allen said turning his head to the passed-out starter.
"A-alright then." Ethan finally agreed as he followed his father past the door.
Allen led Ethan behind to outside the center and stood in front of his son with a look of disapproval.
"W-what... What!" Ethan yelled.
"Heh..." Allen sighed. "Look, Ethan. I want the best for you, I really do... but as your father I have to tell you what you did was stupid, trying to face Team Rocket by yourself. What did you think was going to happen?"
"Well... what was I supposed to do, stand by and watch them destroy the city?" Ethan said not looking his father in the eyes. "I faced them many times before anyway!"
"Really, well have you in these numbers or in such a desperate situation?" Allen asked.
"N-no, I guess not but... it was all instinct, plus Mom worried about you, I had to find you and make sure you were okay, for her!" Ethan explained frantically.
"Yet in your haste it cost you, you know what happened when I got there and found you?" Allen said.
"Mom said you saved me and Bayleef, I know!" Ethan spoke up.
"You don't know the half of it. That Proton guy was going to kill you and Bayleef, his Nidoking had already beaten Bayleef brutally by the time I got there. That Nurse Joy was being overly optimistic about her, but it seems like to me even if she survives, she may never battle again!" Allen yelled.
"Shut up! Just shut up!" Ethan barked at his father.
"NO! I'm telling you this because you need to understand! Bayleef's in this condition now because of you!" Allen yelled, making Ethan stop yelling.
"I-I..." Ethan said stumbling over his words.
"But it's alright now, you've proved your bravery, I'm proud to call you my son nonetheless, even if it was stupid." Allen said putting his hand on his son's shoulder. "But never ever do anything like that again, you know what this means, you need to put your journey on rest, so no going after that eight gym for a while alright?"
"I-I know..." Ethan said moving his father's arm away from his shoulder. "Just... tell me what happened with Proton, and... how do you know his name, did he tell you?"
"Let just say you don't know as much as you may think you do about my life. My time in Hoenn wasn't just a trip to train..." Allen explained.
"W-what do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"I mean let's just say I might go out and deal with people like Proton from all around. And believe me when I tell you Proton is the most brutal of everyone I've met." Allen explained.
"Did he... get away?" Ethan asked.
"Well... yeah, he got away after using one of his Pokémon like a smoke bomb, even Blaziken couldn't find him, but I will, and he'll be locked behind bars when I do." Allen said.
"I... I see." Ethan sighed.
"Why don't you go and clear your head, go and take in the night since you've been gone for some while." Allen said while staring into the dusk sky. "Don't worry, Team Rocket's gone now."
"Yeah, what about Professor Elm?" Ethan asked.
"He stayed by your side your entire recovery but unfortunately... you know he's a busy guy, I don't believe he's left the city yet though, he didn't want to leave until he saw you in a better state."
"Really." Ethan smiled. "That guy's always been a great mentor to me, well guess I'd better go call him."
"Of course, well, go on then." Allen said. "I'll stay with Bayleef for the time being, don't worry."
"Sure... no problem." Ethan said before walking off.
….
Later that night Ethan sat outside of Goldenrod completely forgetting to call back Professor Elm, he simply sat on a rock watching the pitch-black sky along with the full moon as he thought of nothing else of his starter, and the mistakes he's made.
How could I be so stupid... Ethan thought punishing himself. I'm not fit to be a Trainer...
"Ethan!" Said a voice Ethan instantly recognized, Ethan turned to see Silver who was standing there with his hands in his pockets.
"Finished licking your wounds?" Silver asked with a smile on his face. "If you are, then battle with me!"
Ethan sighed and looked away. "I'm not in the mood right now Silver, sorry..."
"You're awake now aren't you?" Silver said pulling out a Pokéball. "Then shut up and battle me, before I said that I had no interest in you as I only had interest in the senior Trainer with the Feraligatr, well imagine my shock when I found out he's your father."
"I don't care how shocked you were, just leave me alone." Ethan pouted.
"Humph, what's the matter, just because your weak Bayleef is lying on her death bed makes you think that gives you the excuse to sulk all day?"
Ethan couldn't believe what Silver said and jumped off the rock and faced his rival. "What the hell's wrong with you? Don't you dare insult her like that!"
"Did I strike a nerve; it appears talk of your half dead starter angers you, then why don't you face me!" Silver said with a smirk.
"Fine then!" Ethan yelled pulling out a Pokéball. "But let me warn you, you're going to regret ever talking badly about my Bayleef!"
"Let's see if your threats aren't simply empty words." Silver smiled.
"Silver!" Ethan screamed.
"Ethan!" Silver roared.
And that's this chapter. I'd just like to promise now that there won't be a chapter this violent or depressing in this story ever again as I feel like the subject matter is bordering on rated M when I tried to keep it T. Or... maybe I'll change my mind about that later, who knows?