Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 64: The ties between regions
After a solid week of nonstop traveling, Ethan and Meganium were finally approaching Blackthorn City situated in the furthest northeast of the region. From afar looking to be about a four hour walk Ethan could see it with the use of binoculars.
"We're almost there Meganium! Not too much longer now." Ethan said putting away his binoculars turning to his starter, who appeared to be exhausted.
"Megay, Megay..." She panted since they had been walking without break for a few hours.
"Hey, you alright girl?" Ethan asked the grass type going up to her placing his hand on her scalp. Ethan could feel she was sweating quite a bit.
She took her tongue out and continued to exhale, making Ethan worry.
Crap, this has got to be the injury, she's been able to walk just fine back as a Bayleef before we went back to Goldenrod... Ethan noted. He reached into his bag and pulled out Meganium's Pokéball.
"I didn't want to suggest this earlier, but maybe it's best you stay in your Pokéball and give your legs a break, wouldn't you agree?" Ethan asked Meganium making her shake her head rapidly.
"Megay Meganium!" Meganium argued back making Ethan return his Pokéball.
"You're right, sorry for bringing it up. Well then should we take a break?" Ethan asked.
Meganium again shook her head no and ran ahead of Ethan before turning back insisting they continue on.
"Alright then!" Ethan chuckled as he walked alongside her.
Not only was the path ahead to Blackthorn scorching hot but it was also scorching hot as the eastern side of the Johto tended to be.
The two continued along the mountain path before encountering a crying old lady on the side of the road who was crying.
"Please, please, it's Team Rocket! They stole my Pokémon!" The woman cried as she ran up to Ethan and Meganium. She had gray hair and a black cloak covering her entire body, she sure didn't seem like a regular old lady.
Ethan ran up to the old lady who seemed to be on the verge of having as she was panicking intensely.
"That's awful, I'm so sorry!" Ethan apologized pulling out a Pokéball. "Tell me where they went, and I'll stop them!"
"Megay!" Meganium reassured the lady.
"Oh thank you, thank you!" The woman said shaking Ethan's unoccupied hand.
"So, where'd that Team Rocket go!?" Ethan blurted out.
"It was a woman, an old woman!" The lady explained before getting a determined glint in her eye. "And that old woman, is right here!"
"What!?" Ethan cried out as the old lady snatched the Pokéball from his hand and ran off in the opposite direction, her cloak flew off revealing her Team Rocket uniform.
"So long sucker!" The old lady said as she bolted blowing a kiss at Ethan.
"Damn, she took us for fools!" Ethan yelled as he dashed after her. "Come on Meganium don't let up!"
"Meganium!" Meganium barked sharply as she ran behind Ethan.
"Hey come back here!" Ethan screamed at the lady who turned around as she encountered a cliff. She almost ran off it but stopped just before.
"Shit, dead end!" She cursed as she turned around facing Ethan.
Ethan stopped running and raised his arm. "Sure, you're Team Rocket, but you're also an old lady, so I'll give you a chance to back down before things get serious."
"Oho, I've been doing this since before you were born kid." The lady snarled. "I've been on the edge robbing and stealing even before I joined Team Rocket!"
"Well, it's time for you to retire!" Ethan yelled. He turned to Meganium who had already leapt in front of him.
Meganium formed a battle stance despite being exhausted making Ethan worried.
"M-Meganium, you think you can battle!?" Ethan asked his determined starter.
"Meganium!" She barked trying to show some fury.
"Alright then, looks like I'll have to defeat you before I can get away." The lady snickered as she threw her Pokéball. "Muk, I choose you!"
Out from the woman's Pokéball came a large, sticky, amorphous Pokémon which appeared to be made of living purple sludge. It had two eyes with beady black pupils and also an enormous mouth on top of a gray tongue.
"Muk!" It groaned. Smelling its breath instantly made Ethan covered his nose.
"Yuk, gross!" Ethan muttered as with his other hand he took out his Pokédex. "Let's see what is has to say about this one!"
"Muk, the Sludge Pokémon. They love to gather smelly areas where sludge accumulates, making the stench around them worse."
"I can tell..." Ethan muttered still covering his nose as he placed his Pokédex back. "Meganium, it's a poison type, so be careful!"
"Meganium!" Meganium agreed.
Being a poison type makes it dangerous, after all what happened with that Nidoking... Ethan thought viewing the injury on Meganium's under belly.
"Okay Muk, let's begin with Sludge!" The Team Rocket woman commanded.
Muk listened and opened its mouth wide unleashing its black poisonous sludge straight for Meganium.
"Dodge it Meganium!" Ethan roared.
Meganium leaped back dodging the sludge just barely and landing back on her feet.
"We need to fight from long range, it's not very fast looking so that should be just fine." Ethan claimed. "Use Vine Whip!"
From Meganium's fifteen feet distance she formed her vines and smacked the Muk in its gut however not inflicting any damage.
"Muk!" It said quickly grabbing Meganium's vines with its arm.
"Awe, it has arms!?" Ethan freaked as earlier its arms weren't too visible along the rest of its body.
"Hahaha, now Muk, do not release Meganium from your grasp!" The woman demanded.
"Mukkkk..." It moaned not at all releasing Meganium. Ethan turned to his Herb Pokémon who despite struggling was unable to move.
"Megay... Megay..." She continuously gasped as she kept struggling.
"This isn't looking good..." Ethan fret under his breath.
"Now Poison Gas and end it!" The woman ordered.
Muk opened its mouth as wide as possible again revealing nothing but the pitch-black void inside. From the darkness released a large cloud of toxins slowly spreading to Meganium.
"Meganium, get out of there!" Ethan screamed. Meganium tried her hardest too but Muk's clutch on her vines were too much for her as she was sweating extremely unable to fight back.
Ethan closed his eyes and looked away unable to see what would happen next but instead opened and looked back as he heard an unfamiliar voice. "Venusaur, let's do this!"
In front of Meganium who stood in between her and the Muk was a Venusaur. It was a squat, quadrupedal Pokémon with bumpy, bluish-green skin. It had small, circular red eyes; a short, blunt stout; and a wide mouth with spiked teeth. On its back was a giant bud that had bloomed into a pink, white-spotted flower.
"Venusaur!" The Pokémon exclaimed standing on its hind legs. The Muk was so shocked it released Meganium from its grasp. The poison however had no effect on the Venusaur.
"Meganium!" Ethan yelled as he ran up to his starter, she was gasping excessively as Ethan ran up and hugged her.
"I'm just glad you're alright." Ethan said gently petting her scalp before turning back to the battle before him. "But just how in the world is that Venusaur supposed to take all that poison!?"
"It won't have to, unlike your Meganium Venusaur here is a dual type including not just grass but also poison." Someone said startling Ethan as they placed their hand on his shoulder.
"Wha-what!?" Ethan gasped, right behind him was a kid looking to be around Ethan's age. He had dirty blond hair which was tall and spiky. He wore a short-sleeved polo shirt which was blue in color as well as black jeans and a backpack similar to Ethan's. He let out a smirk and walked past Ethan and Meganium.
"Another squirt huh, no matter, I'll be taking your Pokémon as well!" The old woman chuckled.
"No not at all, what's going to happen is you're going to return my friend's Pokéball here!" The kid declared.
"You'll have to defeat me first!" The woman cried.
"Oh really, cause that'll be a breeze!" The kid laughed. "Venusaur, Earth Power!"
Venusaur who was still standing on his hind legs slammed his legs cracking the ground below it almost like a bulldozer. The attack was too much for the Muk to handle who fell back into its purple goo defeated in one blow.
"Mukkkk..." It groaned in pain as its sludge began to spread out.
I know it's super effective but just in one hit!? Ethan thought.
"I-Impossible, Muk return." The woman said as she withdrew her Muk.
"Alright, now return that Pokéball or my Venusaur will have to take it with force!" The kid said holding his arm out to the intimidated lady.
"F-fine, here, take it!" The old lady yelled as she tossed the Pokéball. It missed the kid and hit Ethan in the eye and he screamed and covered it.
"Megayy!?" Meganium reacted.
"So long fools!" The lady laughed as she ran away.
"Damn that was dirty..." The kid said crossing his arms as he went to go and check if Ethan's okay. "You good?"
"Yeah, just about, damn, it'll probably be a black eye." Ethan said as he recovered.
"I'm real sorry about that, anyways I'm Kenneth, at your service." He said holding out one hand.
"Ethan, thanks for your help." Ethan said reaching and taking hold of his hand as they shook. "That's a strong Venusaur you've got!"
"Venusaur!" The Venusaur smiled. It turned to Meganium and gave a slick smirk as it felt superior. Meganium flinched her face back and felt frustrated with herself.
"Man, you don't see Kanto starters here in Johto very often, you're probably not from here?" Ethan asked.
"You know it, I am from Kanto, came to Johto a little while ago, despite what everyone says you can't deny it has its charms." Kenneth said surprising Ethan.
"Hold on, what does everyone say!?" Ethan asked.
"Huh, about Johto, well no offense, but Johto isn't held too kindly back in Kanto." Kenneth admitted. "People from where I'm from say Johto's full of nothing but weak Trainer's and weak Pokémon."
"What!?" Ethan reacted. "Johto's not weak at all, you don't know what you're talking about!?"
"Huh, it's not me it's everyone back at home." Kenneth said trying to calm Ethan. "But maybe they aren't wrong, cause compared to Kanto this place is a stinking mess!"
"What'd you say!?" Ethan barked.
"Look I'm not trying to make you mad, but everyone knows Kanto's the best region." Kenneth explained confidently. "At least when compared to Johto, back where I'm from the wild Pokémon aren't pushovers like the one's from here, I came here in search of strong Pokémon and so far I haven't found a single one!"
"That's not true, I thought you were cool, but it looks like I was mistaken!" Ethan yelled.
"Well, if you ever came to Kanto maybe you'd understand." Kenneth said crossing his arms. "I mean even just a little Pidgey from back in Viridian Forest could beat that legendary... what's it called Ho-Oh?"
"You lie!" Ethan yelled. Meganium herself was getting mad hearing how Kenneth spoke of Johto.
"Hey, you know what I'll stop it." Kenneth said putting his arms up.
"Good." Ethan said laxing up a bit.
"But you know, my Venusaur easily took out that Muk while your Meganium wasn't doing the best!" Kenneth remarked. "How about I prove to you in a battle?"
"You said you'd stop." Ethan said crossing his arms.
"I know I know, how about just a battle, come on!" Kenneth said eagerly.
"Fine!" Ethan said still holding his stolen Pokéball in his hands he looked down to recognize whose it was.
This is Espeon, she'd do great against venusaur! Ethan analyzed.
"Alright, I choose you, Espeon!" Ethan yelled as he threw his Pokéball.
"Espeon!" Espeon purred as she stared down the Venusaur.
"A psychic type, great choice but I won't be using my Venusaur." Kenneth said. "Not yet at least..."
"Trying to go for a type advantage too I'd guess." Ethan muttered but Kenneth simply shook his head.
"Nope not at all, but how about another evolution of Eevee, go Vaporeon!" Kenneth yelled as he threw his Pokéball.
"Vaporeon!" The little water type cried out. It was blue and shared many similarities with aquatic and land animals. Its body was light blue with a dark blue marking around its head and a spiky ridge down its spine. It had gills including one circling its neck and fins on the sides of its face.
Vaporeon looked at Espeon and revealed its sharp fangs showing it meant business.
"Espeon..." Espeon growled back.
"Let's see what the Pokédex has to say!" Ethan said as he brang it out.
"Vaporeon, the Bubble Jet Pokémon. When Vaporeon's fins begin to vibrate, it is a sign that rain will come within a few hours."
"You can do this Espeon!" Ethan encouraged his psychic type.
"Megay gay!" Meganium cheered her on.
Espeon smiled and entered a formidable stance as she stared down the Vaporeon.
"We'll begin, Hydro Pump!" Kenneth yelled.
Vaporeon opened its mouth and launched a swift stream of water blasting straight towards Espeon.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" Ethan yelled.
Espeon used the momentum with Quick Attack into the air and dodge it, making Kenneth smirk.
"Vapeoren hit it with Water Pulse!" Kenneth yelled.
Vaporeon fired a ball of aqua straight at Espeon not allowing her to dodge as she was blasted.
"Espeonnn!" Ethan screamed.
Espeon fell from midair landing flat on her face kicking up some smoke from the ground.
"You can get up Espeon!" Ethan said. "I believe in you!"
Espeon got up swiftly without struggling and turned her head as she winked to Ethan showing she was fine.
"Vaporeon, use Bite!" Kenneth commanded.
Vaporeon pounced at Espeon with its sharp fangs trying to land super effective damage.
"Psychic, even if it knows Bite it's not a dark type!" Ethan remarked.
Vaporeon stopped in midair unable to move to its surprise the red gem on Espeon's head was glowing a crimson color as she had taken control of the water type's body.
"Now slam it!" Ethan yelled.
Espeon motioned with her head, swiping it down which crashed Vaporeon into the ground causing it to squeal out in pain.
"Not bad, but we're still winning this, Vaporeon use Scald!" Kenneth ordered.
Vaporeon unleashed burning hot water which spayed with the force of a broken faucet. It appeared to be as hot as boiling water and Espeon instinctively dodged it.
"Espeon!" She cried in fear as she leapt back with her fur on end. The water had landed on the ground in front of her appearing to start melting it, almost as if it was hit with acid.
"That's hot, that'd even work on a grass type!" Ethan freaked.
"Yup, that's scald for you, a water type move with the same properties of fire type moves, so much to the point where it'd work in any case." Kenneth gloated.
"Espeon, again use Quick Attack!" Ethen continued.
Espeon recovered from her shock and leapt towards the Vaporeon.
"Bite attack once more!" Kenneth yelled.
Vaporeon listened and leapt directly at Espeon again using Bite.
"Reflect!" Ethan yelled.
"Reflect only works on special moves, we've won this!" Kenneth exclaimed.
"Not quite, Espeon you know what to do!" Ethan said.
Espeon brang her head up and smashed it the shield from Reflect into Vaporeon's face causing it to fall to the ground.
"Awe, Vaporeon!" Kenneth reacted.
Vaporeon recovered from its fall growling in anger upon being hit from a surprise attack.
"Vapor..." It snarled.
"Good job Vaporeon, use Scald!" Kenneth roared.
Vaporeon once again launched magma hot water at the midair Espeon who despite attempting to reflect it some of the water hit her burning her.
"ESPEEE!" Espeon screamed landing on her back having been burned to a crisp.
"Awe, Espeon!" Ethan remarked.
"Now Bite!" Kenneth commanded. His injured Vaporeon listened and for the third time leaped towards Espeon.
"Swift!" Ethan yelled.
Espeon swung her tail sending her many stars all landing directly at the Vaporeon as he pursued her. The impact causing an explosion over taking both the eeveelutions.
"Vaporeon, you've got this in the bag!" Kenneth yelled.
"Espeon, I believe in you!" Ethan exclaimed.
Once the smoke cleared Vaporeon was seen laying on top of Espeon's bare belly. It had fainted, and so did Espeon. Espeon had bite marks which were bleeding on her neck indicating Vaporeon's move also landed.
"Ugh, Vaporeon return." Kenneth said as he withdrew the water-type. "You did good boy."
"You were wonderful lady, now get some rest because you deserve it!" Ethan said as he returned her.
Venusaur from besides Kenneth took the initiative and jumped in front of its Trainer eying Meganium.
"Venusaur!" The Kanto starter said with a mean grin.
"Time to battle this thing." Ethan said pulling out his Pokédex to read up on it.
"Venusaur, the Seed Pokémon. By spreading the broad petals of its flower and catching the sun's rays, it fills its body with power."
"Meganium, you don't have to battle." Ethan said to his starter. "Nurse Joy said it'd be best if we slowly got back into battling, and that Venusaur might be a little too much for us at the moment."
Meganium disagreed and jumped in front of Ethan. She turned her head back and gave a confident smile.
"Megay Megayy!" She said insuring she was okay.
"So here, once and for all let's see what's stronger, Pokémon from Kanto or Johto." Kenneth declared.
"It doesn't matter, Pokémon from Kanto, Johto, or even from the dark side of the moon, any Pokémon can be good as long as they've bonded with their Trainer." Ethan explained.
"Is that so...?" Kenneth said. "You know what, you're right. So, I'll show you how much stronger my bond with Venusaur is, Venusaur, use Take Down!"
Venusaur listened and with surprisingly fast speed leapt forward to Meganium encompassed by a red aura.
Take Down, Ampharos used to move that move back as a Flaaffy! Ethan realized.
"Dodge it get out of there quick!" Ethan yelled.
Meganium leapt back but she was still unable to dodge the attack as the Venusaur crashed into her and landed on top of her back.
"Megayyyy!" She screamed. She was sweating intensely and in no shape to continue.
"Meganium no!" Ethan panicked.
"Now Venusaur, use your own Vine Whip!" Kenneth commanded.
From its bud Venusaur unleashed its own Vines instantly whipping the weak Meganium across her face causing her to scream once more. The weight of Venusaur was too much for her and it was clear she had no chance.
"Meganium I'm sorry girl, it'll be over soon I promise!" Ethan said.
"Venusaur don't let up, keep whipping it!" Kenneth ordered.
Venusaur again kept snapping Meganium back and forth as she continued to scream with not a ghost of a chance of her escaping.
"Get off her!" Ethan yelled nearly about to cry. "We forfeit, you win!"
"Okay that's enough, Venusaur lay off her!" Kenneth said snapping his fingers.
Venusaur listened and jumped off Meganium. She was exhaling deeply over and over and had red rashes from the hits from the whip. Ethan ran to her and dropped to his knees.
"Oh no, this is all my fault!" Ethan apologized. "Are you alright?"
Meganium smiled and moved her neck licking Ethan across his face. She was damaged but could still move.
"That's a strong Pokémon you've got there being fully evolved and all, but I can tell something's wrong with her." Kenneth asked.
"What's it to you!" Ethan barked back.
"You know what, I was being a jerk, I'm sorry." Kenneth finally came out and spoke. "I don't actually think Johto is pathetic, you're really tough, that Espeon was quite something!"
"T-thanks." Ethan said helping Meganium up to the ground. "What are you really doing here in Johto, other than looking to catch Pokémon?"
"I came here for some training. About six months ago I collected these!" Kenneth said tossing a carrying case towards Ethan.
Ethan caught it and opened it, inside were five badges Ethan was unfamiliar with. They looked completely different to his seven.
"These must be the Kanto badges!?" Ethan guessed as he handed it back.
"Correct, after I collected those, I went off to the Indigo Plateau to take on the elite four, but I couldn't even defeat the first member." Kenneth admitted with a hint of anger in his eyes.
"They're that strong huh." Ethan marked.
"Well, that was me from six months ago, I've gotten tons and tons stronger since then." Kenneth said. "But, I was just in Blackthorn, and I took on that Gym leader, the Dragon tamer Clair, and I lost, I came here taking out my anger on that Team Rocket lady and then once she was gone on you, again I'm sorry."
"It's fine I already forgot." Ethan smiled. "But this Clair is really that strong huh."
"Yeah, extremely strong. And she's angry, I overheard some talk of someone close to her I think a sister or a brother having died a year or two ago, and she hasn't been the same since." Kenneth explained. "I wouldn't recommend pissing her off, alright."
"Wow, she lost someone, that sucks to hear." Ethan muttered. "Well, I have no plans to make an enemy out of her!"
"Also, back in Blackthorn I saw the Champion, Lance, since he's investigating the Team Rocket sightings in the area." Kenneth informed Ethan.
"Oh I know." Ethan stated. "Trust me I know."
"Sweet, well anyways I'm going to get going. See you around!" Kenneth said patting Ethan on the shoulder before he walked past him. "Come along Venusaur!"
"Venusaur!" The grass type said as it followed behind his Trainer leaping like a frog.
Ethan turned to Meganium and pet her. "You did girl, but now that we're at the home stretch before Blackthorn..."
….
"Yeah, I mean it took me two tries, but my Gyarados finally took a liking to me and helped me earn it." Ethan said.
"But still that's an impressive accomplishment Ethan!" Allen said. "Not everyone is able to get seven badges only after three months of starting their journey."
"You've got some natural talent, just like your father." Lance agreed.
"Yeah but dad didn't lose a single time against any Gym leaders during his journey." Ethan replied. "So I wouldn't quite say I'm on his level... I still lost to Falkner, Whitney, Jasmine and Pryce."
"Well, you're much stronger because of it I assure you." Lance said. "Every day you keep getting closer and closer to my level, one of these days you'll be taking on the League!"
"Maybe later than sooner." Allen said surprising Lance.
"What do you mean?" Lance asked. "He's quickly reaching the level required to travel Victory Road, why would it be later than sooner?"
"Well..." Ethan said rubbing his neck.
"I don't want him going anywhere other than back home while Team Rocket's out about." Allen said. "It's my responsibility to keep the boy safe."
"Right..." Ethan muttered under his breath which Elm took notice of.
"But the boy's helped me take care of Team Rocket before, he's capable of defending himself if needed." Lance reasoned.
"Doesn't matter, you know what happened to him back when Team Rocket was here?" Allen said taking off Ethan's hat revealing his stiches.
….
I hadn't thought of it much since it felt so far away, but by going to Blackthorn I'm directly disobeying dad's order. Ethan realized.
Meganium smiled and nuzzled her head to the cheek of the stressed-out Ethan. The young Trainer dropped his serious demeanor and put his arm around Meganium's neck.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium said softly.
"Alright, to Blackthorn here we go!" Ethan exclaimed.
Hey guys, firstly I'd like to apologize for not having uploaded any chapters in a while. I was on a trip with my family away from my computer, if anyone cares even. So yeah, chapter tomorrow.