Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 63: Testing limits
With his newly evolved Meganium now under his belt Ethan decided it was best for him to move on to Blackthorne City directly disobeying his father's orders. It had been five days since Ethan had left Goldenrod and he had just passed Mahogany passing through a rocky mountainside.
Ethan walked alongside Meganium making sure she was alright along the way because of her injury during her previous battle with Proton's Nidoking. She could walk just fine, but they hadn't tried battling yet.
Just then as the two walked past a bridge leading them to mountain clearing, Ethan got a call on his Pokégear.
"Oh, it's mom!" Ethan said answering the call.
"Hey Ethan. Did you make it to Blackthorne yet?" Eliza quired.
"Not yet, me and Meganium just made our way through Mahogany." Ethan said putting his hand on Meganium's scalp.
"Wonderful, and how is Meganium?" Eliza asked.
"I don't know, how are you feeling Meganium?" Ethan turned to his starter.
"Meganium, nium!" Meganium said cheerfully.
"Well, you heard her, we ran into a few random Trainer's along the way and Meganium's been really itching to battle, but I've made sure she stays away from all that." Ethan said.
Meganium turned her head pouting, as she really wanted to battle.
"That's good, I know the Nurse Joy back at Goldenrod said Meganium should gradually come back to battling, but with that huge scar on her underbelly I think maybe it's best you keep her out of battles for at least a little longer." Eliza said concerningly.
"Of course, mom, of course. Even without Meganium I still have five other Pokémon equally as strong that can battle for me." Ethan said. "A-anyways, you've talked to dad since he left?"
"N-not quite. But you know how busy he is Ethan." Eliza explained speaking with an uncomfortable voice.
"Yeah... I know." Ethan grumbled.
"Just so you know, I still haven't told him you're not coming back with me, just like you asked." Eliza said.
"Good, we'll cross that bridge once we get there." Ethan said. It was at that moment when a young-looking Trainer approached Ethan, he wore goggles and a teal jacket. The kid smiled and pulled out a Pokéball.
"Excuse me, my name's Aiden and how would you like to have a Pokémon battle!" The kid asked.
"Y-you know what mom; I'll call you back later!" Ethan said quickly hanging up on the Pokégear. "Hi, if it's a battle you're after then I can't say no to a challenge!"
"That's great!" Aiden exclaimed.
Meganium looked at Ethan and nudged her head against his arm, really wanting to battle. Ethan looked at her and didn't say a word saddened he would have to tell her she couldn't battle.
"Woah, is that seven badges I see!" Aiden freaked.
"Um, yeah, how many do you have?" Ethan asked.
The kid gave a half smile and rubbed the back of his neck. "N-none, not yet at least."
"Oh, none huh." Ethan said. He turned to Meganium who smiled and begged him to let her battle.
"Meganium, Megayy Megayy!" She pleaded with her Trainer.
"You still want to have a battle Aiden!?" Ethan asked.
"Haha, of course, even though I haven't gotten any badges yet I still have an awesome team of four Pokémon that'll be sure to kick your butt!" Aiden exclaimed spinning his Pokéball on one finger.
"Um, and how long ago did you start your journey?" Ethan asked.
"A week ago, why?" Aiden asked.
"Alright then Meganium, let's have out first battle together with you evolved!" Ethan exclaimed. Meganium smiled and leapt in front of Ethan forming a battle stance.
"Meganium!" Meganium cried happily.
"What Pokémon is that exactly!?" Aiden asked.
"Who Meganium, she's a grass type!" Ethan informed him. "She was the first Pokémon I ever received so you better believe she's powerful!"
"Megay Megay!" Meganium agreed.
"Alright, I'll start with Squirat then!" Aiden shouted as he threw his Pokéball unleashing a Sentret.
"Sentret!" The Sentret cried. Sentret was a small Pokémon covered in brown fur. It had long, dark brown ears with dark pink interiors, and black beady ears. It had a small round body with wide arms and two small feet along with a tail with dark brown stripes around it.
"A Sentret!" Ethan said taking out his Pokédex to scan it.
"Sentret, the Scout Pokémon. A very cautious Pokémon, it raises itself up using its tail to get a better view of its surroundings."
"My Squirat's strong, it's even taken down Machoke's and Machamp's before!" Aiden proclaimed, making Ethan chuckle.
"Is that so...?" Ethan said crossing his arms. "Then I suppose me and Meganium will have to use her full power, Meganium, don't hold anything back!"
Meganium turned her head to Ethan and smiled.
"Okay, Squirat, begin with Quick Attack!" Aiden yelled.
Sentret listened and busted off the floor at swift speed going in the direction of a zig zag getting closer and closer to Meganium before it pounced towards her.
"Sentret!" Sentret barked.
"Meganium!" Ethan called out.
Meganium focused her attention on Sentret who smashed her with Quick Attack in the belly. Sentret however bounced back off of her landing back first to the ground at the same speed he had pounced at her.
"Awe, Squirat!" Aiden reacted.
"Now Meganium, use Vine Whip!" Ethan yelled. "But uh, maybe keep it a little gentle alright."
Meganium listened and with a soft strike of her Vine Whip instantly knocked out the Sentret who landed in front of its Trainer.
"No way, Squirat, return!" Aiden said recalling his Pokémon.
"Your Squirat sure was fast, you must have trained it well!" Ethan complimented.
"Err, I don't need your pity!" Aiden yelled as he pulled out his next Pokéball. "Cause this next Pokémon of mine is going to break you!"
Ethan smiled and nodded. "Sorry in that case, well, let's see it then."
"Okay, here goes, go, Ho-Oh!" Aiden yelled as he threw his Pokéball.
"Wait, hold on, Ho-Oh!?" Ethan questioned. However out from the Pokéball released a Hoothoot who let out a squawk.
"I decided to name Hoothoot Ho-Oh after he faced off with the legendary in an amazing one on one, we almost caught Ho-Oh too, but it just barely got away!" Aiden declared.
"Hoot, Hoot!" Hoothoot screeched at Meganium.
"Oh really" Ethan chuckled. "Meganium this Hoothoot has taken on legendries, not to mention it's a flying type, if were not careful we may be in for some serious trouble!"
"Megay!" Meganium said not taking it seriously.
"Alright Hoothoot, finish that Pokémon off with one blow, use Tackle!" Aiden commanded.
"Hoothoot!" Hoothoot cried leaping towards Meganium.
Meganium simply responded by taking two steps to the side dodging the Hoothoot.
"Now, Magical Leaf it... but maybe only use one!" Ethan said.
Meganium sent one leaf hitting the Hoothoot in its face and also instantly knocking it out as it fell to the ground with its wings spread out.
"Huh, no way!" Aiden said withdrawing his fallen flying type.
"Whew, good job Meganium, cause if we got hit it would've been a one-hit ko!" Ethan joked making Meganium chuckle.
"Err, you're still not taking me serious are you!" Aiden said pulling out another Pokéball. "Okay Lady Anne, it's time to rock!"
"Lady Anne, sounds intimidating." Ethan said.
"Here goes, round three!" Aiden yelled throwing another Pokéball. He released a small Pokémon resembling a ladybug. Its wings were red with five black spots. It had large, black eyes and a pair of black antennae.
"Ledyba!" it cried.
"A Ledyba!" Ethan exclaimed as he scanned it with his Pokédex.
"Ledyba, the Five Star Pokémon. It will be afraid to move if it is alone. But it will be active if it is in a group."
"What's that device you keep using!?" Aiden asked.
"Huh, oh this, it's called a Pokédex, not a lot of people have them, at least here in Johto." Ethan explained putting it away. "As you can probably tell it gives off information about Pokémon, but it only has information on the Kanto ones, so I've got to scan down the ones native to Johto."
"Then how about you let me keep it if I defeat you!?" Aiden suggested.
"What you want my Pokédex, sure thing." Ethan agreed. "Alright Meganium, this Ledyba has a type advantage over us, so let's try to stay careful alright!"
"Megay!" Meganium agreed.
"Lady Anne's strong, she's even taken down Pokémon with type advantages over her like Charizard's or Electabuzz's!" Aiden claimed. "We'll show you, Lady Anne use Bug Buzz!"
"Ledybaaahh!" The Ledyba screeched at the top of its lungs hurting Meganium's ears.
"Crap, that's loud, and Super effective!" Ethan said covering his ears. "Meganium, snipe it down with Magical Leaf!"
Meganium listened and with a single leaf of hers struck down the Ledyba falling it to fall on its shell nearly defeated.
"Le, Ledyba!" It cried as it struggled to get up.
"Lady Anne, you've defeated Magmar's before, you've got to get up!" Aiden pleaded.
Ledyba heard its Trainer's words and finally got up, albeit heavily damaged.
"L-Ledyba!" It growled at Meganium.
"We'll replenish some stamina with Drain Punch!" Aiden ordered.
"Woah, it even knows a fighting type move!?" Ethan said genuinely surprised.
Ledyba buzzed around Meganium before finally coming in close contact landing a Drain Punch as it began to take some energy from Meganium.
"Yes, take as much as you can Lady Anne!" Aiden shouted happily.
Meganium smiled however, even though she was being sapped of power she hardly felt a thing.
"Now crack it with Vine Whip, but, not too hard!" Ethan yelled.
Meganium listened and with one vine smacked Ledyba in its shell knocking it out entirely as it fell to the ground unable to move a muscle.
"Even Lady Anne too, fine then, return!" Aiden said withdrawing the bug type.
"You said you had four Pokémon, right?" Ethan asked. "So let's see that last one!"
"Alright, my next Pokémon is my ace, she's taken on the Indigo league Champion in a one on one and defeated him!" Aiden claimed as he threw his Pokéball. "I choose you, Chickpea!"
Out from the Pokéball came a Pokémon Ethan was all too familiar with. It was small, pale-green, and had small dark-green buds around its neck. It had big red eyes and four short legs and a small stubby tail. On top of its head was a large green leaf that was longer than its whole body.
Meganium's eyes widened as she instantly recognized the Pokémon.
"Chikorita!" The Pokémon cried out before forming a battle stance.
"Wow a Chikorita, that takes me back, doesn't it Meganium!?" Ethan asked to his starter.
"Meganium, Meganium!" Meganium agreed.
"Don't you underestimate my Chickpea now, she's a way stronger grass type than your Meganiuh or whatever it's called!" Aiden claimed.
"Chika Chikorita!" Chikorita agreed.
"Meganium, it's another grass type, so let's not lose this!" Ethan said.
"Meganium!" Meganium barked sharply.
"Alright we'll begin, lower its attack with Growl!" Aiden yelled.
Chikorita let out a mean growl lowering Meganium's power by a tiny bit, making Aiden give a confident smirk.
"Continue the beat down with Razor Leaf!" Aiden yelled. Chikorita swung her leaf at Meganium sending a plethora of leaves. Meganium stood still and took the attack with seemingly no damage.
"Can I ask, which of Lance's Pokémon has your Chickpea taken out?" Ethan asked.
"Huh, who the heck is Lance?" The kid said with a confused look on his face.
"Hahaha, forget I said anything." Ethan said. He then took notice Meganium was breathing not quite too heavily but it was still noticeable.
Back as a Bayleef Meganium surely would've been able to beat this kid's whole team without breaking a sweat, it seems that Nidoking's really did a number on her... Ethan thought.
"Alright Chickpea, get in close with Tackle!" Aiden commanded.
"Chika!" Chikorita yelled as she leapt towards Meganium as fast as she could.
"Alright Meganium, get ready to bat it away with one of your vines!" Ethan told her.
"Megayy!" Meganium agreed taking out one long vine.
Aiden then smirked and crossed his arms. "Ha, predictable, you've fallen for my trap!"
"Your trap!?" Ethan said.
"Chickpea, use Poison Powder!" Aiden commanded as Chikorita got in close to Meganium.
"Awe, Poison Powder!" Ethan freaked. "Meganium, dodge it!"
Meganium tried to move but she had clearly taken too much strain and stopped moving and simply let out a sharp scream. Ethan took looked and took notice how a single Razor Leaf was stuck in her scar on her under belly.
"Oh no!" Ethan freaked out. "I hadn't seen that!"
Chikorita released a cloud of poisonous toxins entrapping her as she couldn't at all dodge. Being hit directly with the poison.
"You see, I told you my Chickpea was one tough cookie!" Aiden laughed jumping up with one arm in the air.
The poisonous gas faded and Meganium appeared to be panting, the Poison Powder clearly taking its effect on her.
"Megayy, Megayy..." She panted, it was then when she was struck with a purple jolt, being the effect of the poison.
"Meganium to me!" Ethan said, and with that Meganium turned around and ran towards her Trainer.
"Huh, wait what're you doing?" Aiden asked.
"Ch-Chika...?" Chikorita also wondered.
"Meganium, take this berry here!" Ethan said feeding her a Pecha berry.
"W-what's going on!?" Aidan asked raising his voice.
"Meganium, you did great girl." Ethan said placing his hand on her scalp making her smile.
"Can you just tell me what's going on!?" Aiden yelled walking up to Ethan.
"Oh, I'm sorry, well me and Meganium give up, congratulations because you've won Aiden!" Ethan said holding his hand out so the kid could shake it.
"B-but you haven't even used your second Pokémon!?" Aiden said.
"I know, but this whole battle I wanted to test my Meganium's limit." Ethan confessed. "And you and your Pokémon may be a little too much for her at the moment, you see Meganium's taken a pretty big injury recently and I just wanted to see how much she could take, test her limits."
"Are, are you trying to say you used me as a steppingstone!?" Aiden accused.
"No, I would never say that. Look, I can see you're an early Trainer but unlike me you seem to have a lot of potential. If you had the same amount of experience as me, I'm sure it would've been an extremely tough battle." Ethan claimed.
Aiden dropped his look of anger and was unable to look Ethan in the eyes. Ethan smiled and placed his hand into his backpack.
"Oh I almost forgot, your Pokédex." Ethan said holding out his Pokédex for Aiden to take it.
"B-but I can't." Aiden said.
"If you can't take it as a prize then take it as a thank you." Ethan said.
"Megay, Megay!" Meganium said to Aiden telling him to have it.
Aiden reached and grabbed it. He took one look at it before handing it back to Ethan. "No, it's yours."
"But you won the battle." Ethan said taking it back. "Are you sure?"
"W-what I said before, about taking on Ho-Oh and champion's, well I just lied. I haven't done any of those things, truth is I'm just a mediocre Trainer." Aiden admitted.
"Chika Chika!" Chikorita said nudging her head against his leg, trying to cheer the boy up.
"But you're not a mediocre Trainer Aiden. I promise you you're more than you think you are. Admitting something like that takes a lot of bravery, and that says a lot." Ethan promised him, placing his hand on the kid's head and brushing his hair.
"N-no I'm not, and you're wrong about one thing, you are an amazing Trainer!" Aiden said. "What's your name anyway?"
"Ethan." He responded.
Aiden smiled and took his Chikorita in his arms before running off into the trees, he took one last look back and waved.
"Right now I'm nothing to you but one day when I'm an amazing Trainer like you. We'll have a real match, so don't forget me Ethan, cause I sure as hell won't forget you!" Aiden said before turning back and continuing to run.
Ethan turned to his Meganium and smiled. "One day his Chikorita's going to be a Meganium, so you'd better get ready for the battle of a lifetime!"
Meganium smiled and nodded her head. "Megayyy!" She cried.
Pretty much a filler feeling kind of chapter, but I wanted to make it clear what Meganium had up her sleeve after sustaining that injury back during her battle with Proton. Next chapter shouldn't be filler, idk I haven't made up my mind yet.