Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 69: Power of the Dragon Tamer
Having previously faced the empty Dragon master Clair and winning, it was decided the day after both challenger and Gym leader would have an official match to decide who was stronger between the two.
At about ten am in the morning Ethan finally made his way to Clair's gym and approached the front door.
"You think we're ready Meganium?" Ethan asked his starter who immediately nodded her head.
"Megay, Megay!" She replied happily.
"That's what I like to hear." The boy smiled as he knocked on the door to the gym.
After not so long an amount of waiting, a man Ethan hadn't seen before finally opened the door and greeted the boy.
"I-I take it you must be Ethan?" He asked earning a nod from the young Trainer.
"Yup, and I'm here to take on that Dragon tamer, to get the Rising badge!" Ethan declared confidently. The man in front of Ethan's face began to grow wary.
"L-l-look kid, I heard you made Clair real upset yesterday during that battle you both had, it sounds like she's really enraged. I recommend you leave and never come back." The man suggested still standing at the door.
Ethan smiled and shook his head. "Can I ask you your name sir?"
"My name's Marty, and I really suggest you listen to my advice." The man pleaded.
Ethan turned to his grass type and chuckled. "What do you think Meganium, should we run away and never come back?"
"Meganium, Meganium!" Meganium said while using her vines, she motioned them in a declining gesture.
"Well, you heard the girl, we're having that Pokémon battle today and no matter what." Ethan stated. "Thanks for looking out for me, Marty, but I can't just run with my tail in between my legs."
I'm tired of running... Ethan thought while thinking about his father for a split second.
"Then I guess you should come in and follow me." Marty said opening the door for Ethan and Meganium to enter.
Ethan walked through a long walkway to reach the main room they'd be battling in. Marty slowly opened the door before turning his back to the door facing Ethan.
"This is your last chance, are you positively sure about this?" He asked the confident Trainer
"You can keep asking that but my answer will never change, now can I go inside?" Ethan asked to which Marty opened the door.
Upon entering Ethan couldn't believe what he was seeing and feeling. Just being in the room felt like he was in a scorching hot sauna, right and center in front of him was a platform in the shape of a rectangle, and in between the platform and where his footing stood...
"I-is that magma!?" Ethan freaked out staring at the red inferno below him.
"It's not magma, it is lava." Said a familiar voice to Ethan, standing on the opposite end of the room was Clair, glaring at her opponent.
"What's the deal with this gym?" Ethan blurted out. "Why is there so much lava, aren't you risking the lives of your challengers, of yourself?"
"It shouldn't be of any concern to you." Clair claimed. "You're not the one doing the battling, your Pokémon are."
"Yeah, but... still?" Ethan said before Clair pulled out a Pokéball of her own.
"For my first Pokémon, I choose you, Gyarados!" She yelled throwing her Pokéball.
Landing on the large platform was a blue Gyarados, just it being released nearly shook the platform, it glared at Ethan and Meganium before letting out a large shriek.
"Damn... a Gyarados..." Ethan said rubbing his chin before realizing something. "Wait a minute, I thought you were the dragon tamer, well Gyarados is a water and flying type?"
"I earned my name as a dragon tamer thanks to my ace Pokémon." Clair said crossing her arms. "My entire team consists of certain Pokémon that are not of the dragon type, and others that are."
"Well then, I'll show you my first Pokémon in that case, how do you like my Gyarados!?" Ethan asked while releasing his water type.
Gyarados released landing on the platform before screeching at the blue Gyarados before him. Clair eye's glistened at the sight of the rare red coated Gyarados before her.
"An interesting sight, not only have you acquired a Gyarados, but it appears to be a special breed." Clair remarked. "Akin to my Dragonair it appears to have a unique color to it."
"It's called a shiny, now let's begin this already!" Ethan yelled.
"Hmph, fine, but first." Clair said as she pulled out a device with an antenna and a red button on the front which caught Ethan's eye.
"What is that?" Ethan asked.
"Just shut up and watch." Clair responded as she clicked on the red button on the device.
Suddenly, a blue projection in the shape of a rectangle surrounded the platform holding the two Gyarados's. Almost like a force field. Ethan reached out trying to touch it but it zapped his finger.
"Ow-ouch!" Ethan gasped grabbing hold of his finger. "Wha, what is that!?"
"Protection." Clair replied. "With it Pokémon won't be able to escape, meaning there's no risk of them falling into the lava. Pokémon are allowed to enter the force field only, and the Pokémon inside the field can be returned only by Pokéballs or if I lower the field."
Ethan turned to Meganium who had a dumbfounded look on her face, but at the end of the day as long as it helped keep the Pokémon safe Ethan guessed it was okay.
"A-alright then, Gyarados, don't lose this you hear!" Ethan yelled to his water type. "You're strong, stronger than any other Gyarados."
Ethan's red Gyarados turned his head to his Trainer and nodded his head before turning to the opponent before him and snarling, to which the blue Gyarados returned the favor.
Clair glared in the direction of Ethan, but the boy knew it wasn't towards him. He turned to see Marty who she was focusing her gaze on.
"Oh, sorry!" Marty apologized. "T-this will be a full-on battle between challenger Ethan and Gym leader Clair! The challenger is allowed to use four Pokémon and the Gym leader is allowed to use any of six!"
"Hold on, six?" Ethan said with a confused look on his face. "Isn't it only fair if I also only use the same amount of Pokémon as you, that's how Gym battles usually work!"
"Look brat, you may have won our battle from yesterday but I guarantee with the rest of my Pokémon will leave your team to be demolished, this entire year I have not lost a single battle to any challenger, even under these conditions." Clair declared.
"Fine, your rules your loss!" Ethan clapped back.
"Now may the battle begin!" Marty announced signifying their time to start.
"Gyarados, we will begin with Ice Fang!" Clair screamed.
Her Gyarados lunged toward's Ethans showing its bright fanges which were encased in ice, before Ethan could even process it, it had already reached and bitten Ethan's Gyarados on the neck.
"Grahhhh!" The Red Gyarados screamed out. The Blue Gyarados made sure its sunken fangs remained there as it began to freeze.
"Gyarados no!" Ethan cried.
"Megay!" Meganium gasped from behind her Trainer.
"Now, Dragon Breath!" Clair ordered.
While biting the neck of the Red Gyarados the opposing foe unleashed a fierce Dragon Breath easily encompassing Ethan's in a purple flame.
"Grahhhh!" Ethan's Gyarados screamed in pain.
"T-this isn't looking too good..." Ethan stressed watching the battle between the same species Pokémon.
Ethan's Gyarados crash landed almost falling completely back, but its back of course landed on the force field zapping it with a blue electricity. Gyarados moved forward from the field trying to recover from the electricity.
"The bigger they are the harder they fall." Clair commented. "Your Gyarados may be a rare but it still pales in comparison to mine."
"That so?" Ethan said. "Then we'll just need to get stronger, Gyarados, Dragon Dance!"
Gyarados lit up with the fumes of purple vapor before it transformed into a violet aura, the energy raged showing off the boost to Gyarados power and speed.
"Now Dragon Rage!" Ethan said motioning the attack with his arm.
Gyarados opened its mouth wide firing a large orb of dragon energy at the opposing Gyarados hitting it directly in its gut causing it to scream out.
"Good, now Aqua Tail!" Ethan yelled.
Gyarados continued on with the onslaught smashing Clair's Gyarados in its gut with the Aqua Tail causing Clair's to scream out.
"You think just because you have Dragon Dance that'll save you!?" Clair questioned. "Gyarados, continue with your own Dragon Dance.
"So, it also knows Dragon Dance!?" Ethan noted.
Clair's Gyarados lit up with its own aura and unlike Ethan's it glew a vermilion red color causing Ethan's Gyarados to pull back slightly by the sheer intensity.
"Don't give in Gyarados, Dragon Rage!" Ethan yelled.
While Clair's Gyarados was charging up Ethan's sniped it in the face causing an explosion of smoke.
"Shoot shoot!" Clair cursed.
Her Gyarados fell back to the forcefield causing it to be electrocuted profusely, giving Gyarados the opportunity to continuously strike.
"Wait Gyarados, let it get back up..." Ethan said which surprised both his Pokémon and the opposing Gym leader.
"Why, why don't you take the opportunity to strike." Clair asked as he Gyarados slowly recovered.
"It's called good sportsmanship, although considering who I'm facing maybe I should have." Ethan affirmed. Clair smiled and began to chuckle.
"You're going to regret that kid..." She muttered. "Gyarados, Sandstorm!"
"What, Sandstorm!?" Ethan yelled surprised.
Being of super effective damage, the Sandstorm struck Ethan's Gyarados clouding his vision and causing him to shriek out in pain.
"Gyarados no!" Ethan screamed.
Ethan's Gyarados shook his head trying to get rid of any leftover sand but to no avail, he was now temporarily blinded unable to see a thing. Clair took this to her advantage.
"Now, Dragon Dance Gyarados!" Clair screamed.
Clair's Gyarados began to light up with its blood red aura, steam began to surround its body as it increased its power and speed immensely.
Ethan began to struggle. He wasn't so sure of what else to do before Meganium nudged him on the arm.
"Meganium, Meganium!" She barked, giving Ethan the idea.
"Wait, you're right, thanks girl!" Ethan exclaimed. "Gyarados, Dragon Rage!"
Ethan's Gyarados opened its mouth wide and fired a shot close blank to the charging up opponent he was facing. He didn't know exactly where he was aiming due to being blinded but just that would be enough.
"Dodge it!" Clair yelled.
Clair's Gyarados listened moving its head slightly to the right dodging the incoming beam, but by doing so the move smashed into the force field causing an eruption of smoke which only blindsided Clair and her Gyarados.
"I can't see worth a damn!" Clair screamed.
"Now, Gyarados, Hydro Pump!" Ethan yelled.
Gyarados opened its mouth wide and fired a blast of aqua in what it could sense was the direction of the opponent, Clair's Gyarados was slammed back into the forcefield shocking it endlessly.
"Gyarados!" Clair cried out. As the smoke cleared it was revealed to both her and her opponent the blue Gyarados was defeated. It lied next to a drying up pool of water being shocked by some electricity.
"Clair's Gyarados is unable to battle!" Marty yelled from behind Ethan. "Gym leader Clair, please bring out your second Pokémon!"
"Good job boy, you did wonderful!" Ethan exclaimed in joy at seeing his Pokémon be victorious. Gyarados turned and nodded his head to his Trainer.
"Megay Meganium!" Meganium cheered her teammate on.
"Err, Gyarados return!" Clair said in an annoyed voice as she withdrew her fallen water type.
"You too Gyarados!" Ethan said returning his Gyarados to his Great Ball. "Actually, it was a tie, my Gyarados is unable to battle as well."
"What, but it could go on fine!?" Clair questioned. "Why must you return your Pokémon."
"Does it matter?" Ethan asked. "I still have five others that can pick up the others... isn't that right?"
"Are you sure about this?" Marty asked to the confident young Trainer before him.
"I don't have a doubt about it, it's not safe for Gyarados to go on while blinded like that, especially if we're going to be battling something smaller in scale than another
"You'll regret that..." Clair said returning her Gyarados to its Pokéball.
"So, who will it be next, your Dragonair?" Ethan asked earning a head shake from Clair.
"Not quite, this next one will end you!" She yelled while throwing her Pokéball.
Out came a Pokémon both Ethan and Meganium recognized. It had a blue hide with larger blue hide spots and a cream-colored underside. Along with its large brown eyes it had a short horn on its forehead, and tightly curled ears. It had a long neck and four flippers, the foremost of which were larger than the hind.
That Pokémon, I faced it back during my rematch with Pryce, it beat Bayleef but thanks to Heracross's Sleep Talk I was able to overcome its Sing... Ethan recalled.
"I know that Pokémon, it's a Lapras." Ethan said with his hands on his hips. "I thought this was a dragon gym, not a water gym."
"Stop talking brat! We'll see with this next battle if you're worthy to face my dragons!" Clair snarled.
"Okay then, I'll show you my Pokémon!" Ethan yelled throwing his Pokéball.
"Toge, Togetic!" Togetic exclaimed happily being released into the battlefield, he turned to Ethan about to approach him and almost touching the force field at that.
"WOAH! Hold on, time out Togetic, don't do it!" Ethan screamed just in time for Togetic to stop moving. Meganium gasped in relief as she had screamed for him to stop as well.
"To, Togetic!?" Togetic questioned getting an explanation from Ethan.
"Look Togetic, question, do you see that green field in between you and I?" Ethan asked. "Let's just say if you touch it bad things will happen, so we're not going to let that happen, it's for the best."
Togetic nodded his head and turned his attention to the Lapras before him. Clair looked puzzled at Ethan's choice in Pokémon.
"Really... a Togetic?" She said sounding both dumbfounded and insulted. "Not only does it look weak but it's also at a disadvantage, Lapras is an ice type after all. Why aren't you just using that Ampharos from yesterday?"
Ethan smiled and shook his head. "You're right in that I'd have an advantage if I used Ampharos, but I'd like to share the experience around so to speak, also, you'd be surprise if you underestimate my Togetic, he's one of my strongest Pokémon."
"Togetic!" Togetic agreed nodding his head.
"Lapras, end it in one blow with Ice Beam!" Clair demanded to which her Lapras followed suit.
"Oh man, dodge it Togetic!" Ethan yelled.
In a flash Togetic vanished right as the Ice Beam passed through him which shocked the Dragon tamer.
"So, so fast!" She said in awe. Togetic reappeared behind the startled Lapras who quickly turned around surprised at Togetic's speed. Togetic smiled and stuck out his tongue to the ice type.
"My Togetic's been with me for the longest, and has even become my fastest Pokémon, Lapras aren't exactly known for their speed, so that's why I elected Togetic for the job!" Ethan explained sounding proud. "Don't get me wrong, type matchups are important, but sometimes strategy can be tied to things other than that."
"L-Lapras, don't just stand for that, go and use Body Slam!" Clair yelled.
Lapras jumped trying to crush Togetic under its weight but the speedy flying type easily advanced above dodging the attempt.
"Encore let's do it!" Ethan yelled.
Togetic clapped his hands and let out a loud screech causing the opposing Pokémon to flinch its head.
"What, don't tell me you said Encore!" Clair said beginning to stress out. "Don't tell me you'll let that pint-sized pipsqueak tell you what moves you can use, Ice Shard and fast!"
Even with Lapras hearing Clair's order it still could only use Body Slam and with Togetic being high up in the air there was just no way it could even touch Togetic. It slammed to the ground before glaring up to the ceiling at Togetic in anger.
"Lapras! Lapras!" The Pokémon known for being calm and peaceful now enraged.
Ethan began to chuckle a bit which further got on Clair's nerve.
"You, you think this is funny or something!?" Clair yelled to which Ethan stopped laughing.
"No, I'm sorry, I don't want it to come off like that, nothing about this is funny." Ethan stated. "I feel bad attacking with one of Togetic's strong moves, so I say we leave it up to chance, Togetic, Metronome!"
"Metronome?" Clair reacted. "What the hell kind of move is that?"
Togetic wagged a single finger before it began to surge with sudden electricity which shocked Clair.
"TOGETIC!" Togetic shrieked as it fired a bolt of lightning that easily surpassed anything Ampharos could generate. The bolt struck Lapras in a flash leaving it with no time to dodge, the impact caused a huge blast which kicked up a smoke cloud filling up the entire field. Ethan nor Clair could see a thing other than the dust and fumes.
"That wasn't Thunderbolt or Thunder Shock, what was that?" Ethan said out loud.
"Megayyy..." Meganium gasped in awe.
"That, that just now was Thunder..." Clair remarked before her face contorted with anger. "L-look, no way a flying type like Togetic could use an electric type move like that, what exactly is that Metronome move you commanded it to use."
"Metronome is a special kind of move." Ethan answered. "It allows for the user in this case Togetic to select a random move out of the possible thousands there are and use one. Each time he uses the move he gets a different one and the same move is almost never used twice. The move Togetic gets can be something insanely strong like Solar Beam, or something weak like Tail Whip. And that's what I meant when I said the move is up to chance, seems your Lapras was just unlucky."
By the time the smoke cleared it was no surprise to see the Lapras was knocked out cold on the ground with its neck lying on the floor and its tongue sticking out.
"Lapras is unable to battle, Gym leader Clair, please bring out your third Pokémon!" Marty yelled as Clair returned her defeated Pokémon.
"Damn that stupid Togetic, winning a match by luck is even more pathetic than to win by cheating!" Clair proclaimed which Ethan instantly disagreed with.
"Don't blame the Pokémon, blame the Trainer!" Ethan simply responded with.
"Whatever you say..." Clair said before pulling out an enlarging another Pokéball. "Alright, so maybe you've proved you're ready to face one of my dragon Pokémon, perhaps I should show you one you're already accompanied with first!"
"Do what you want." Ethan answered.
"Go, Dragonair!" Clair yelled as she released her Salmon-pink shiny Dragonair. It landed on the battlefield looking up at Togetic who smiled and waved.
The pink dragon ignored Togetic's friendship and turned its face to its master who looked fed up.
"Dragonair, we can avenge our loss from yesterday, defeat this nuisance of a flying type once and for all!" Clair told her dragon type who nodded its head and turned back to its opponent.
"Dragon, Dragonair!" Dragonair screeched to its opponent appearing ferocious.
Meganium looked at Ethan a bit puzzled not sure if Togetic could go on, but Ethan had a confident look on his face.
"It's alright Meganium I assure you, Togetic's got this, you know that." Ethan told his grass type who reluctantly agreed.
"Hmph, Dragonair, begin this with Dragon Pulse!" Clair demanded. Dragonair listened and shot a blast at Togetic and before Ethan could even tell him to Togetic already dodged swiftly.
"Togetic!" Togetic said playfully.
Probably not a good idea to get in close range since Togetic's kind of frail... Ethan thought. Better idea to use...
"Okay Togetic, continue on with Extrasensory!" Ethan yelled. Togetic listened and his eyes glowed red as he caught the Dragonair into his spiral.
"Drag, dragonair...!?" Dragonair cried out as it was lifted into the air unwillingly.
"Break free Dragonair, you have to!" Clair pleaded but to no avail.
"Now while it's in midair smash it with Aerial Ace!" Ethan yelled. Togetic listened and after releasing Dragonair and it crashing to the ground it quickly struck it with Aerial Ace making the finishing landing an inch away from the force field.
"Togetic!" He exclaimed having stuck the landing, he turned his attention to see Dragonair who was laid out on the floor like a pancake.
"Now use Extrasensory one more tim-" But Ethan stopped talking as he noticed something, Togetic was being raised into the air by one leg by what appeared to be Dragonair's tail.
"Yes, Dragonair caught it by the leg with Wrap, it's mine now!" Clair said with a vicious looking grin while Ethan began to freak.
"Togetic!" Ethan screamed "Just, try and hang in there!"
Dragonair pulled the upside down Togetic locking eyes with it before slamming him around the battlefield causing Togetic to spit up in pain.
"Togetic!" Ethan panicked.
Dragonair again threw Togetic into the air before this time catching him by the neck choking him as tightly as it could and with that Togetic could hardly breathe.
"To-Togetic!" The flying type struggled to say as his face was turning red from the pressure.
"Now slam that little bastard into the field!" Clair screamed out further scaring Ethan. Dragonair listened and slammed the strangling Togetic into the field causing it to be fried by the electricity.
"TOGETICCC!" Togetic screamed out in pain, already having a disadvantage to electric type attacks did him no favors as he was being fried to a crisp by the field. The shiny dragon type keeping Togetic held did not let up as it continuously shocked the Egg Pokémon.
"Megayy!" Meganium cried out turning her head unable to see the horrible sight, Ethan however did not take his eyes off the battle.
Dragonair finally raised the burnt up Togetic into the air freeing it from being electrocuted further. Clair smiled as she believed she had won.
"And now Togetic is no more, we'll ensure that with the new move we practiced yesterday, Hyper Beam!" Clair said with an evil grin.
"Wait, hold on, Hyper Beam!?" Ethan screamed. "Togetic, you've got to get out of there!"
Togetic opened its eyes on the verge of unconsciousness but woke up entirely seeing the orange beam being formed before it.
"Wait, I've got it!" Ethan realized with a sudden smile. "Togetic, Aerial Ace and spin!"
Togetic was confused for a second but realized what Ethan met and began to try and fly up into the sky, but couldn't with Dragonair's hold on him, as it was still grabbing Togetic by the neck.
"Don't release it Dragonair, we are hitting Togetic with that Hyper Beam you've prepared you understand!?" Clair yelled to which her Pokémon nodded still charging the beam.
"Err, come on Togetic, just spin, live you always do, as soon as this battle ends you'll fly into my arms and spin, right?" Ethan said encouraging his Pokémon. "So, with all that you can muster spin circles around Dragonair, please!"
Togetic feeling twice as strong thanks to Ethan's request began to spin surprising Dragonair, using the power of Aerial Ace he flew circles sending the charging Dragonair swinging from its tail in a circle.
It still loading its Hyper Beam couldn't do a thing as it was quickly going dizzy. Clair couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"How could this be, how could we be losing!?" Clair screamed. "Dragonair, release Togetic now!"
Dragonair finally let go of Togetic to which Togetic exhaled loudly finally being able to breath. However as for Dragonair it landed on its face causing an explosion as it was still charging the Hyper Beam and so it blew up in its face.
"Dra-Dragonair!" Clair screamed out, and to her surprise once the smoke cleared Dragonair was just barely still standing.
"Dra... Dragonair..." It softly panted, it was then when Clair sighed and returned the dragon type to its Pokéball, surprising Ethan and Marty.
"C-Clair, you know one of the rules you've applied to yourself entails you can't just recall your Pokémon freely in the midst of battle, once you throw a Pokémon it's unable to be returned unless it is defeated!" Marty explained.
"Of course, I know that. That's why I'm forfeiting Dragonair from the match, it's in no place to continue battling. With Hyper Beam the Pokémon is left motionless giving the opponent an opportunity to strike, and I... just couldn't bear to watch it, that's all." Clair admitted.
"Well... in that case, Dragonair is unable to battle, Gym leader Clair, please bring out your fourth and final Pokémon!" Marty announced.
"You know, you keep saying you have nothing, and you're empty inside, but I can see that's not true, you really care for your Pokémon, don't you?" Ethan smiled. "It's, it's nice to know, you're not all bad..."
Clair looked at Ethan with an embarrassed look on her face as she turned a bit red. "Just shut up already brat! This is a battle and I'm your enemy, do not try and sympathize me. When I said I couldn't bear to watch Dragonair defeated I only meant in the sense for myself, why stand there and waste time watching my Pokémon lose when I could already be demolishing you with my next and strongest Pokémon!"
"Your strongest Pokémon..." Ethan said now focusing his attention to Clair as she pulled a funny looking Pokéball from behind her.
"See this Pokéball right here?" Clair said showing off a blue and white Pokéball that caught Ethan's eye. "This right here is a Dive Ball, and I caught this next Pokémon during my time in the Kanto region from when I first became a Trainer, and it recently evolved becoming the best asset to my team!"
"Go ahead and show me then." Ethan replied feeling a bit uneasy about this next one.
"I will, go Kingdra!" Clair yelled releasing a Pokémon Ethan had never seen before on to the platform. It was a large, seahorse-like Pokémon with a tightly curled tail. It was covered in blue scales except for its yellow, compact belly scales. There were thin spines with a single branch atop its head and thin, white fins under its cheeks. Its thin snout was intimidating in its own right, with it releasing a spout of water from it.
"What kind of Pokémon is this Kingdra I think you called it?" Ethan exclaimed in wonder scanning it with his Pokédex.
"Kingdra, the Dragon Pokémon. It is said that it usually hides in underwater caves. It can create whirlpools by yawning."
"Kingdra, dra dra!" The Dragon Pokémon exclaimed fiercely locking eyes with Ethan's weakened Togetic.
Togetic panted softly, having been exhausted from its previous battle with Dragonair.
"Togetic to me." Ethan said returning Togetic to his Pokéball.
"Damn, and I looked forward to tearing that little Togetic into two... whatever." Clair shook it off still looking to be disappointed.
"Three battles in a row is tough, even for Togetic." Ethan replied as he released Togetic from his Pokéball, and Togetic instantly tried to spin around Ethan before losing the power it had remaining to do so and it simply hovered in the air still panting.
"Togetic, I just wanted to say you were awesome, the way you battled was really cool." Ethan said gently putting his hand on his flying type's cheek making Togetic smile.
"Meganium!" Meganium agreed about Togetic's performance in battle.
"Now go and get some rest." Ethan said holding Togetic's Pokéball before him. "And remember, you did great!"
Togetic was returned to the Pokéball and so Ethan returned his focus back to Clair and her newly sent out Kingdra.
"Now answer me, who will be your final Pokémon?" She asked. "Perhaps that Meganium that's been parading with you all this time."
"Huh, Meganium!?" Ethan said turning to see his grass type who jumped up and down impatiently as she wanted to do battle.
"Meganium Meganium!" She said telling Ethan she wanted to go out and battle.
"But Meganium, you're current condition." Ethan pleaded to which Meganium shook her head no, something about her was different. She had a confident look on her face.
Before Ethan could say another word Meganium simply leaped onto the battlefield facing off with the Kingdra before her.
"T-this isn't right Meganium, it's too soon for you to get into a huge battle like this!?" Ethan began to freak to which Meganium wouldn't hear a word of it.
"What's the matter, scared your starter Pokémon is too weak to battle?" Clair asked. "Well you'd be right to have that fear, my Kingdra is a beast, no way some grass type could defeat it! With its dual water typing even ice type moves are useless before him, the only thing that can defeat Kingdra is another dragon type."
Ethan couldn't stand to hear her boast and took a minute to recollect on all the past choices that led him hear, to what led him to facing off with the final Gym leader.
….
"Now Pidgeot, Sky Attack and end it!" Falkner said. But that's not what happened, Pidgeot crashed from the ground. Shocked by a purple zap.
"What! Poison!" Falkner freaked out.
"Heheheh, when you use whirlwind, you risk sucking in everything, including those Poison particles Chikorita released earlier." Ethan said, happily.
"Just where is Chikorita though," Falkner fret. She had completely vanished from the battlefield.
"Now Chikorita, reappear and use Razor Leaf!"
Chikorita broke through the same drilled part of the ground in which Flaaffy had been crashed into earlier, Chikorita tossed her Razor Leafs directly at Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot dodge!" Falkner yelled. But the poison kicked in as soon as Falkner gave the command, and it was hit head on with Razor Leaf. Pidgeot fell to the ground.
"I don't get it, grass type moves should be almost entirely ineffective, it just doesn't make sense. So why am I losing." He said, not nearly as composed as before.
"What's the matter, Falkner, I got an idea, why don't you give Noctowl and Pidgeot if I win, you know, just to make it fair!" Ethan said.
"Yeah right, Pidgeot to me!" Falkner said, Pidgeot flew to him instantly.
"A Pecha berry, eat up!" Falkner said, as Pidgeot ate away at the berry.
Ethan called Chikorita over to him while he waited, he patted her on her head.
"I'll compliment you just once Ethan, I'm a guy who prides myself on not having to use items during battle. You made me break my self-imposed rule, that's the closest thing you'll be getting to a win, unfortunately." Falkner said, giving an evil looking smirk.
"Hah, is that so. Well we'll just have to see about that." Ethan said, Chikorita leaped back into the battlefield.
"Haha, hahahahah!" Falkner laughed.
"What's so funny?" Ethan asked, giving a softer fake laugh.
"Pidgeot, Roost!" He said, smiling viciously.
Around Pidgeot formed white feathers, they shined and instantly dissipated after a few seconds.
"What did you do!?" Ethan asked, puzzled.
"Roost, a status move which recovers up to half of damage sustained in battle." Falkner said, crossing his arms. "It's over."
"What!" Ethan said, not at all having knowledge of status moves on that level.
Chikorita got even more angry at the thought of this.
"You lost Ethan, now say goodbye to Chikorita! Pidgeot, Sky Attack!" Falkner commanded.
"Pidgeottttt! Pidgeot squawked as it zipped across the field at beyond max speed. Fast enough to break the sound barrier.
Ethan couldn't react to an attack that fast, he couldn't do anything about it. Boom. Pidgeot crashed into the ground, causing a huge explosion erupting a big chunk ground in the battlefield.
"Chikoritaaaaa!" Ethan screamed.
Although Ethan couldn't react in time, Chikorita could, just right above Pidgeot's head was Chikorita, she had managed to dodge just a second before the hit landed. So fast both Ethan and Falkner couldn't register it.
"P-Pidgey!" Pidgeot squealed in shock. In this moment it felt like they both moved in slow motion.
"Chika!" Chikorita yelled as she bashed her body hard into Pidgeot's head with tackle. Being bashed in the head sent Pidgeot crashing back, and while moving at beyond sound speeds too.
Pidgeot's crash caused a huge explosion in the battlefield once again, that seemed like a Sand Attack had went off. Ethan had to shut his eyes at the sight of it.
"I win, I'm the victor!" Falkner screamed, eyes wide opened, not caring about the particles.
"No stupid, I am!" Ethan yelled back, protecting his face.
Ethan reopened his eyes and was shocked at the sight he saw. Pidgeot was down on the ground completely unconscious. Chikorita stood proud besides him, she was heavily damaged as well, but she made it.
"Chikaaa!" She shrieked once again giving a stern battle cry. The beginner Ethan was filled with joy as he and his first Pokémon won their first Gym battle.
….
She's... she's been with me since the beginning, she's more than a Pokémon, she's my best friend. She's stuck with me as a Chikorita and countless times has continued to amaze me and now because of that here she stands as a Meganium. Ethan realized. I need to have faith in her, as I've always had.
"Don't you go and underestimate Meganium, she's strong and you'd be wrong to underestimate her. Unless you want what happened with Togetic to be repeated!?" Ethan clapped back,
"Hmph, this isn't like with Dragonair, I've had Kingdra much longer since when it was a Horsea. To tell the truth it was the first Pokémon I ever had." Clair admitted. "So, it will be starter versus starter."
"Starter versus starter, I like the idea of that." Ethan smiled. "Meganium, let's do it! Show Clair how powerful you are!"
"Meganium!" Meganium agreed while forming a battle stance.
"Alright then. We'll begin the match with Bounce!" Clair yelled. Kingdra listened and quickly boomed off the floor like the speed of light crash landing into Meganium's gut.
"Meganium!" Meganium squealed being blasted across the field.
"Meganium no!" Ethan screamed as she was flung around the field.
"Hmph, good, now Dragon Pulse!" Clair continued with the onslaught.
Kingdra formed a sphere of what appeared to be dragon energy and fired it like a bullet to Meganium at tremendous speed.
"Dodge it!" Ethan yelled.
Meganium having landed on her feet knew there wasn't time to dodge, so instead of trying she instead used her vines in the hopes of bouncing back the Dragon Pulse akin to a volleyball, the sphere landed into the vines which slowly began to push her back as her feet drilled into the ground.
"Me, Meganium!" She struggled trying to bounce it back.
"It's useless to resist! Just give up and accept your defeat, it'll be easier that way!" Clair yelled at her relentless opponent.
"Don't give in Meganium, I know you can do this!" Ethan screamed, and with that, Meganium bounced back the Dragon Pulse successfully with the same speed and force the move had been fired at.
"Dodge it Kingdra!" Clair yelled to which Kingdra swiftly moved side to side around the battlefield dodging his own reflected attack.
"Now, Bounce once more!" Clair yelled to which her Pokémon listened by dashing towards Meganium even faster than before.
"Light Screen and protect yourself from it!" Ethan yelled.
"Meganium!" Meganium shrieked as she pulled up her shield which Kingdra smashed its head into nearly cracking it.
Meganium began to be pushed back as she was being overpowered by Kingdra's attack. She could not afford to drop the shield as it was the only thing keeping her from being devastated by the impact. But she was being backed towards the force field, to which would zap her immensely.
"Err, this isn't good..." Ethan stressed. He noticed then the wide hole for a mouth Kingdra had and got an idea.
"Vine Whip into that hole!" Ethan yelled to which Meganium followed suit. Still holding up her Light Screen she used one of her vines stuffing it deep inside Kingdra's mouth making it cry out.
"W-what are you doing!?" Clair freaked.
"Now grab it by the neck with your other vine!" Ethan yelled. Meganium listened and not only grabbed it by its neck, but also by its tail, using three vines.
"Now toss it!" Ethan yelled. Meganium listened and sent Kingdra flying up into the ceiling of the force field which of course electrocuted the water dragon.
"KINGDRAA!" It screamed as Meganium released it so it could fall to the ground.
"Damn it, I wasn't expecting such an unorthodox attack... how irritating!" Clair said with an annoyed tone.
"You're doing great Meganium!" Ethan exclaimed, however at that moment he took notice of how Meganium was panting heavily. Her last exchange with the Kingdra took a toll on her.
"Megay... Megay..." She panted heavily, also while sweating profusely.
I knew her stamina took a hit thanks to the injury, but this isn't looking good, she had four times as much stamina beforehand... got to think of something... Ethan realized.
"Aurora Beam now Kingdra!" Clair commended further filling Ethan with fear.
"Wait, it has Aurora Beam!?" Ethan freaked out understanding the move would be super effective. "Me-Meganium, you've got to dodge, you just can't bounce it back with your vines!"
Meganium while panting looked at Ethan and smiled, he had no clue why but she still had a confident look on her face, despite not being fast enough to dodge. She didn't have to use any words; Ethan already knew what she meant.
"I-it's risky, but I guess it's our only shot..." Ethan finally said to which made Meganium happy. She turned her attention back to Kingdra who was charging an orb of frost which Ethan could feel the chill from despite lava being below him and with it being inside a field he could not enter; it was that powerful.
Despite that Meganium smiled and dug her vines into the ground of the platform while focusing her attention to the rapidly approaching Aurora Beam which then hit her dead and center.
"Meganiummm!" She cried out in pain at the super effective damage. The Aurora Beam filled chills through her body but she still tried to remain firm.
"Focus girl, focus, it'll all be over soon, I promise!" Ethan yelled which filled her with even more resolve. She focused her attention to the Kingdra and began to charge a yellow energy which filled Clair with shock.
"What, Solar Beam!?" She said alarmed. "K-Kingdra, do not let up, send it to hell and back with your Aurora Beam, end it!"
Kingdra increased the power on the Aurora Beam but Meganium would not let up, she increased the orb's size to half the field before it shrunk down to one condensed orb. It was about three inches in diameter but it was enough.
"Fire it now!" Ethan yelled on the tip of his toes.
"Meganium!" Meganium shrieked as she fired the tremendous Solar Beam at the Kingdra, it stopped with the Aurora Beam in an attempt to dodge but it was too late. A large, sizable explosion formed as the dragon was blasted to bits by the move.
"Kingdraaa!" Clair yelled at the top of her lungs, but it was too late. Kingdra fell to the ground unable to battle.
"A-and with the defeat of Clair's final Pokémon, that marks Ethan as the victor!" Marty announced but Ethan still couldn't believe it.
That, that was it... I did it, I, I've, we've finally defeated all the eight Gym leader... Ethan thought almost in a state of shock. He almost blacked out before he realized Meganium was in front of him suddenly which surprised him.
"Megay!" She happily squealed having won the battle and Ethan's final badge at that.
"Wait, what's going on!?" Ethan wondered as he looked back to see the battlefield, the force field was gone so while he was lost in thought he must have missed a lot. Clair however walked on the battlefield quickly approaching him.
Clair held a badge in her hands with a repulsed look before tossing it towards Ethan who caught it. "There, there you have it, the Rising badge. It's all yours..."
Ethan smiled and took a look at it along with Meganium, it was shinier than any other badge he had. He happily pinned it to his chest showing off all eight badges he collected.
"We did it girl!" Ethan exclaimed as he hugged his starter. She had a tear in her eye knowing a big step in their journey was over, but she was still excited.
"I've, I've made a lot of mistakes along the way. But one thing's for sure, I'm just so glad I choose you as my starter!" Ethan shrieked hugging his Pokémon as tight as possible.
"Meg, Meganium!" She exclaimed happily accepting Ethan's hug. Using her vines she wrapped them around Ethan gently, almost as if she was hugging him back. After a minute of hugging, he pulled himself and wiped the single tear she had in her eye.
Marty looked at Clair with confusion, but Clair signaled for him with her palm not to say anything.
"Look, you've won Ethan. Good for you, perhaps I did underestimate you..." Clair reluctantly admitted. "Now if that's all would you stop bugging me already."
Ethan stood up and faced the Gym leader before softening his gaze. "Look, I know we've had some bad blood between us, but from everything I've witnessed during the battle I can tell you truly care for your Pokémon, and that says a lot. So, I'm sorry about some of the things I've said to you, alright? From everything I was told I know you really do love your sister, some people mourn in different ways, and I assumed the worst because of it."
Clair turned her head looking to be repulsed before speaking.
"Just quit it, I'm not looking for your clinical analysis! You're not my therapist nor would you make a good one, so just get out of here and stop bothering me already!" Clair barked at the young Trainer.
"Right... sorry..." Ethan apologized before turning back to Meganium. "So, let's go and get you looked at, and afterwards the best Poképuffs money can buy!"
Meganium smiled and raced Ethan for the door to which Ethan followed suit. As Marty closed the door Clair began to grow weary.
"He'll be back..." She muttered under her breath.
And that's the chapter, I had a lot of fun whiting this one as everything I've learned and noted while writing the series since all the way back in Falkner, I've tried to put into this one. So yeah, also tomorrow's chapter should also be interesting.