Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 71: What makes a Trainer
After realizing his Rising badge he had been given by Gym leader Clair was a fake, the young Trainer stormed to her gym alongside Lenny and the helpful referee Marty but was once again denied the badge. It was then when Marty suggested attaining the aid of a living legend known as the Dragon Master.
"So, just who is this great Dragon Master?" Ethan asked to Marty as he exited Clair's gym. "I still can't believe it, no one can live for one hundred thirty years."
"Sorry, did I say thirty, I meant forty." Marty corrected shocking Ethan and Meganium further.
"Hold on, forty years!" Ethan exclaimed. "Look now you're clearly messing with me, no way anyone could live for that long, not even the so-called strongest Trainer in existence."
"Ethan, I know it may seem hard to believe..." Lenny said joining the conversation. "But Marty isn't lying to you, my Great-grandfather is a living legend, I assure you."
"But, how come I haven't heard any talk of him?" Ethan asked. "Never during my whole journey have I heard a thing about this, Dragon Master."
"Megay!" Meganium nodded.
"Well... like I said, it's a legend, not everyone would believe it, some folks don't even believe he's real, and I guess everyone just chose to figure it's just fantasy." Lenny explained.
"What do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"Well, I haven't met him myself, well not since I was a baby at least..." Lenny began. "But I was told stories of him from a young age by both Brother Lance and Cousin Clair, it's said he traveled all known regions training all kinds of dragon Pokémon."
"That's correct!" A familiar voice said from atop the roof of the Gym. Ethan turned and looked up to see Lance.
"I heard everything; So Clair refused to give you your badge?" Lance asked as he jumped down landing by Ethan and the rest.
"Yup, that's basically what happened. I didn't plan on telling on her to you, but since you're here!" Ethan said expecting Lance to get involved.
"I'm, I'm sorry Ethan but I'm afraid there isn't much I can do in this situation." The Champion said shocking Ethan.
"But, but why!?" Ethan said surprised not expecting for Lance to answer like that.
"Marty. Thanks for your work today but you're free to leave." Lance said with a smile to which the referee nodded.
"Well, if the Champion's the one telling me too then guess I can't refuse." He laughed before waving at Ethan and Lenny. "See you kid, I hope you get your badge."
"Oh, bye then, thanks for the help!" Ethan waved back as Marty took his leave, he then turned back to Lance. "Why can't you do anything about it?"
"Look, Clair already insists on not giving you that badge, right?" Lance asked. "She already want to leave her job as Gym leader, I figure if I go in there laying down the law she'll just quit, then you don't get that rightfully deserved badge of yours."
Ethan sighed and dropped his head. "Yeah... makes sense..."
"So we'll just have to do what Marty suggested, you have to meet Great-grandfather." Lance said. "If he says you deserve the badge then even the mention of that to Clair will force her to give that badge to you."
"Why?" Ethan asked.
"Clair has endless respect for Great-grandfather... and possibly fear for that matter, after all, anyone would after what he did." Lance claimed.
"What'd he do, why is he such a legend, how'd he become a legend?" Ethan asked.
"Brother Lance, you think we should tell him?" Lenny asked.
"I don't see why not, Ethan is a great friend of ours and I would trust him with my life, let alone a secret." Lance stated.
"Thanks Lance, so what happened exactly?" Ethan asked.
"In the Hoenn region, there lies a Pokémon of legend that is of the dragon typing." Lance began. "It is said this Pokémon has incredible power, so much so it easily triumphs beyond that of our legends such as Ho-Oh or Lugia."
"No way!" Ethan exclaimed. "I had no clue other legendries existed in other regions!?"
"Megayy..." Meganium gasped.
"Well one fateful day fifty-five years ago this legendary dragon grew wary with humanity, seeing the evils in us it believed it'd be best for humanity as a whole to be wiped to extinction." Lance explained shocking Ethan.
"W-wiped, to extinction!?" He said alarmed.
"Well Great-grandfather, who was on a Training journey at the time went straight to confront the vengeful dragon, and did battle with it, a feat not even the Champion of Hoenn at the time could do." Lance explained.
"How'd he battle a Pokémon that even triumphs Ho-Oh or Lugia, how is that even possible!?" Ethan asked not sure if whether the story or not was true.
"Don't question it, Great-grandfather faced that dragon and kicked it's ass! I promise you!" Lenny said earning a gaze from his brother.
"Lenny, watch your tongue or our mother will cut it off!" Lance yelled which caused Lenny to cover his mouth.
"...Anyways, it's said the battle lasted fifty days and fifty nights, but eventually Great-grandfather defeated the dragon. Nearly on the verge of death the dragon retreated to lick to its wounds in what it made its home at the Sky Pillar, some say it took the dragon fifty years to fully recover, others say the dragon died and was reincarnated. I've asked Great-grandfather a million times but, in his old age he's gone senile... but don't tell him I said that."
"I won't, but this story you're telling me, no disrespect at all intended Lance, I look up to you more than you know, trust me but... I don't know..." Ethan said rubbing the back of his head.
"That's alright, I understand how questionable the story seams, and even I had my doubts. I did until I faced him after becoming the Champion." Lance said.
"Really, how did, how'd it go?" Ethan asked.
"Even I, as Champion, was unable to lay a scratch on his Pokémon. My Dragonite paled in comparison to his, it was shocking, never have I faced anyone as strong as him in my life." Lance reminisced. "My Pokémon were battling for their lives while his were having a walk in the park."
"No way... but, I thought you said Red was the strongest Trainer you've ever faced!?" Ethan asked.
"Red is, he's the strongest Trainer I've ever faced." Lance agreed. "But my Great-grandfather is so powerful I wouldn't even call him a Trainer. He is the only man in existence I believe is deserving of the title of Master, in truth. The Red I battled wouldn't even stand a chance to Great-grandfather, just as I didn't."
"But you said it yourself, he's gone old and senile, how will he recognize my merit as a Trainer?" Ethan wondered.
"He's still wise, sure he's forgotten somethings, and has even lost his eyesight, but he hasn't lost his sense to recognize a great Trainer." Lance explained. "It doesn't matter if you believe it or not, all that matters is if he believes you to have in you what makes a Trainer. That's surly the only way Clair would fork over the badge."
Ethan turned to Meganium and whispered by her ear. "Well do you believe in Lance, Meganium?"
"Meganium!" She said quickly nodding her head.
Well... I guess it's not so hard to believe, Kris came from beyond the grave to meet me, this is nothing. Ethan considered.
"Okay, well I think it's time I meet him, where can I find him?" Ethan asked.
"You see the river from inside that cave?" Lance asked as he pointed his finger. "The Dragon's Den is where Great-grandfather resigns, it isn't too far from here."
"Okay, you thinking of coming with us Lenny?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, you haven't seen Great-grandfather since you were a month old, I think it'd be great you met him Lenny?" Lance added.
Lenny looked down and took two steps back. "I know, I should but... I don't think I'm ready yet... I mean I'd love to meet him, but... I just can't right now."
"Nothing's wrong with that Lenny, but you must meet him eventually, he's reaching the hundred fifties, I fear he doesn't have much time left." Lance said. "So maybe one of these days when you're ready?"
"I, I guess. Sure!" Lenny said.
"Alright then Ethan, shall we go?" Lance asked Ethan.
Ethan turned to Meganium and then back to Lance. "Sure!"
After making their way just outside the cave Ethan went and dipped his foot into the water from the river at the entrance to the dark cave.
"Yup, as I guessed. It's too steep to pass through." Ethan told Lance.
"Yeah, we'll have to use a Pokémon to make our way, we could use my Dragonite to hover over the water, or you could use that Gyarados of yours." Lance suggested.
"Sure, we'll use Gyarados!" Ethan said as he grabbed his Great Ball and throwing it. "Go on, Gyarados!"
"Grahhh!" Gyarados shrieked as he was unleashed into the river before the two. Seeing Ethan, he lowered his head so Ethan could pet him.
"Hey Gyarados, could you do us a favor?" Ethan asked. "Could you ride us to this place inside this cave called the Dragon's Den?"
Gyarados nodded his head and lowered his head completely to the water so Ethan and Lance could get on.
"Alright!" Ethan exclaimed before turning to his starter. "Meganium, well figure you'll need to stay in your Pokéball until we make it to land, that okay girl?"
"Megay!" She exclaimed. Ethan held her Pokéball in his hands and with her head clicked the button which instantly returned her.
"Be seeing you soon." Ethan said as he placed the Pokéball in his bookbag.
"Let's get on now, this shouldn't take too long..." Lance said as he took his steps on Gyarados's head.
"Sure!" Ethan said getting on Gyarados besides Lance.
With the directions of Lance, it only took around three minutes to find the location of the Dragon's Den, it was a sizable looking shrine. A wooden structure elevated slightly off the ground with a thatched roof, instead of a wooden door however it had a sliding door, giving off a old fashioned vibe.
"This is where the Dragon Master lives?" Ethan asked as he leaped from Gyarados's head and turned around.
"Yes." Lance simply answered landing besides Ethan on the flooring.
"Good work Gyarados, thanks for letting us ride on you!" Ethan smiled as Gyarados nodded. "Now would you wait for out here while we go inside, we won't take too long, promise."
Gyarados had no problem with that as the water type was used to staying in bodies of water. Ethan reached in his bag and pulled out Meganium's Pokéball.
"Meganium come on out." Ethan said as he released her before him.
"Megayyy!" She cried out happily, she never liked being withdrawn to her Pokéball after all.
It was then when Ethan heard the sound of the sliding door opening and closing, Ethan looked to see a beautiful young lady in a pink Kimono with black hair and she approached both him and Lance.
"Wow, your Great-grandfather is prettier than I imagined!" Ethan whispered jokingly to Lance's ear which only confused him.
"What do you mean? This is Lady Miko, she's his caretaker and has been for the past five years?!"
"I know but, awe never mind..." Ethan ended the subject as the lady bowed her head to them.
"Greetings, Master Lance, and I take it this kid is..." She asked.
"A friend of mine, Ethan. As you can probably tell he's a Trainer and has come to meet with the Great-grandfather, he is he here, right?"
"Of course, of course." Miko answered. She opened the door to the sliding door and peaked her head inside. "Master, you have two visitors!"
"Just let them inside why don't you!" Said the voice of a senile sounding man Ethan could tell, it sounded powerful yet frail at the same time. Must be the effect of old age.
"So, we may enter then..." Lance said as he passed Lady Miko entering through the sliding door. Ethan walked alongside Meganium but was stopped by the woman.
"Before you enter..." She started. "Please, it's common courtesy, show the Master the upmost respect, do you understand?"
"I understand, and I promise I will." Ethan stated which made the lady smile.
"Good, now come on in." She said opening up the sliding door.
Ethan and Meganium entered to which the both of them stood in awe at the appearance of the Dragon Master. His was of a low stature and had sunken eyes. His skin was extremely wrinkly and his face was so bony almost to the point of looking like a skeleton. He had a small tuft of spiky grey hair on the top of his head, thick eyebrows and a long goatee reaching the floor. No doubt, this was a man who was a hundred and forty years old. He wore a blue robe which was clearly too big for him, it must have gotten too small on him as he had gotten older. He was smoking from a Bamboo Tobacco pipe as smoke released from his mouth.
The Dragon Master sat on a floor apart from Lance who was bowing down before the man's presence. The elder's floor however was higher than Lance's, about an inch above.
"Ethan." Lance whispered to the young Trainer. "Why aren't you bowing down, hurry with it!"
"Got it!" Ethan said getting on his hands and knees, also now bowing alongside Lance. Meganium couldn't bow herself but lowered her head as best as she could beside her Trainer.
"Well, well, well..." The Dragon Master said as he stroked his beard. "If it isn't you Lance, it's been years since I've last seen you, has it not."
"Y-yes, it has been. I-I've missed you Great-grandfath- I mean, Master." Lance corrected himself.
"Hmm, you say you missed me, yet you've had all this time to return and haven't, why is that?" The old man asked.
"I, I assure you I wanted to, but as Champion I have been endlessly busy, I promise you it was not intentional!" Lance explained to his Great-grandfather who wasn't hearing any of it.
"Bullshit, that's bullshit, and we both know it, you only come to me when you need something, isn't that true?" The old man said while picking his ear.
Damn, this old man's got a mouth on him... Ethan thought slightly raising his head.
"You disappoint me Lance... last time you came to me you were so proud to call yourself Champion, flexing your title, but then you lose it to some little kid." The old man said.
He must be talking about Red before he gave up the title... Ethan figured.
"A-again, my sincerest apologies Master, I assure you I will come and visit more often." Lance said almost sounding nervous.
"Really now, you will, well I still figure you should be punished, hmm... let's see, how'd you like it if I went around and collected those eight badges, and if I were lucky enough to defeat the Elite four, heheh, I'd be able to face you." The Master said. "How'd you like it, if you're so proud of your title then surly you'd be proud to defend your title?"
"P-please, I beg of you..." Lance pleaded. "Please don't Master, your words pierce like a thousand needles, isn't that enough?"
"Nope not at all." The old man said shaking his head. "If you don't like punishment that then I've got another punishment in mind, wait a minute, give me a second to think."
"A-anything, anything other than that." Lance pleaded, his hands and knees getting tired from bending.
"Hmm, I've got it!" The old man said pounding his fist into his other palm. "Your punishment is too scratch my balls, I can't in my old age and I have the greatest itch down there."
Ugh, this old man's cruel... Ethan thought almost gagging at the thought of Lance doing that.
"S-surly you're joking, right?" Lance asked to which the elderly man finally began to laugh.
"Settle down boy, I'm simply pulling your leg, you naïve dumbass!" The old man said making Lance sigh in relief.
"I, I thank you dearly, Master..." Lance said feeling his life was saved.
"Now who is this pipsqueak kid beside you?" The Master asked which caught Ethan off guard. He said this all while taking another huff of the smoke.
"How, how'd you know I was here, aren't you... blind...?" Ethan asked to which earned a laugh from the Master.
"That I am, my eyesight left me after my good looks did, age plays a mean trick on you." The old man said. "Over time I've had to learn how to sense my surroundings, right now you're besides a Pokémon, I feel it's aura, it's a Meganium, aren't I correct."
"Megayy!?" Meganium gasped in shock.
"Woah, that's insane!" Ethan exclaimed. "You're amazing."
"Oh please don't make me blush, compared to all my other achievements that's nothing." The man laughed. "At least I hope, I don't remember much passed the last twenty years. Stand up why don't you?"
"I-is that okay?" Ethan asked to Lance who nodded.
"If he tells you something, you'd better listen." Lance whispered still bowing.
Ethan got off his hands and knees and stood up. The Master got up using his wooden cane and walked by Ethan observing him without seeing him.
"Hmm, let's see..." He said with his other hand patting Ethan down, the man was short, almost half the size of Ethan.
"Hey, that tickles!" Ethan laughed which made Meganium smile. It was then when he patted Ethan's crotch causing Ethan to cover it embarrassed.
"H-hey, watch it!" Ethan yelled not minding his tone which shocked Lance.
"They're small, real small, guessing they haven't dropped yet. And along with that high pitched voice you must be a kid, ten, eleven I'm guessing?" The old man asked.
"Ten, Eleven!?" Ethan asked feeling insulted with his face red as a tomato. "I'm thirteen!? And it's not small I'm still growing!?"
"Well, some of us our late bloomers." The old man shrugging his shoulders. Which made Meganium laugh.
"Damn it, what's with you and balls anyway!?" Ethan asked getting a smack on the head from Lance who stood up.
"Hey, what was that for!?" Ethan asked rubbing the back of his head.
"Watch your mouth around him Ethan, are you crazy!?" Lance spoke up but that made the old man glare at him, well, glare at him if he could see.
"It's fine Lance, God you're such a worry heart. And did I say you could stand up?" The Master said taking another whiff of his smoke as he went back sitting on his knees.
"N-no I suppose not." Lance said getting back to bowing down.
"So, what have you two come here for?" The old man asked
"It's Clair-" Before Lance could finish the old man interrupted him. "She being a bad girl, isn't she?"
"Y-yes." Lance replied immediately.
"You see..." Ethan spoke up. "I faced her in a Gym match and defeated her, but she refuses to give me the badge, and I was told you could do something about it, isn't that right?"
"Why would I do anything?" The old man asked.
"Look, Master... ugh, what can I call you?" Ethan wondered.
"I have many names, too many names to remember... just call me Master." The old man remarked.
"Well, Master, I thought since Lance is your Great-granddaughter and since she's also disobeying the official Indigo league rules you'd want to step in?" Ethan said.
"Nope, sorry, I don't give a Muk's shit about the Indigo league rules, if the girl thinks you aren't deserving of the badge then that's her call to make." The old man said getting Ethan's disappointment.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium began to bark but Ethan stopped her.
"It's alright girl, I promise, I've got this..." Ethan told her petting her gently trying to get her to relax some. She looked irritated but began to calm down as he pet her besides her scalp where she loved to be pet. Ethan then turned around facing the Dragon Master once more.
"Then test me, however you'd like, let me show you I'm worthy, please, I'm begging you." Ethan said which made the old man stroke his beard.
"And why should I?" The old man asked which made Ethan think long and hard about it.
"Because... you're my only chance." Ethan confessed. "I'm desperate, if I don't get the Rising badge then I won't qualify for the upcoming Champion's league, please."
"Hmm, fine, guess it wouldn't hurt to kill five minutes, alright, I'll test you!" The old man said making Ethan jump with one arm in the air.
"Yes! You won't regret this, trust me!" Ethan said joyfully.
"Lance, leave us two by ourselves, go on, scoot!" The old man said as Lance got up off his knees still bowing his head.
"I got it Master, I shall go now, good luck, Ethan." Lance said as he walked back, he bumped into the sliding door right before he left to the other side with Lady Miko which made the Dragon Master and Ethan laugh.
"He's an idiot, isn't he?" The man chuckled to which Ethan disagreed.
"Who Lance, nah he's who I aspire to be." Ethan admitted. "I, I heard you say you were disappointed in him but I just can't wrap my head as to why, I mean he's the Champion of the Indigo league, isn't that something to be proud of!?"
"The Champion, being Champion's a fool's game." The old man proclaimed. "And you're a fool for wanting to be Champion, I'm just helping you now since I'm always unlucky enough to be around fools."
"Sure, I'm a fool no doubt." Ethan agreed as the Master took one last blow of his pipe before exhaling the smoke.
"Now, we'll begin, it's real simple, I just have a few tests, nothing too complicated, get it?" The old man nodded to which Ethan nodded.
"Yes sir!" He replied.
"Good. First question, what are Pokémon to you?" The elder asked which Ethan didn't take a second to think about.
"What are Pokémon to me, that's simple." Ethan said taking his eyes off the old man and to his Meganium who smiled. "Pokémon are friends, I wouldn't be where I am today without them and I know they feel the same way about me, humans and Pokémon live together as one in harmony, that's what I believe."
"Hmm, a bit convoluted how you described it but I suppose that works." The old man said. "Okay, next question, what helps you win battles?"
"By raising my Pokémon and getting to know them each we understand each other better and grow a trust, and with that trust we're able to do anything, well not everything, but we can sure as hell win some battles." Ethan chuckled.
"I see... almost halfway there anyways, what kind of Trainer do you wish to battle?" The Master continued.
"Neither me nor my Pokémon run from any battle, we face anyone who wants to prove themselves." Ethan replied earning a half smile from the Dragon Master.
"Good. And now for my next question, what is most important for raising Pokémon?" The old man asked.
"I think I've made it clear by now, love and trust, by bonding with our Pokémon we help them grow." Ethan said which made the old man nod.
"Got it, now listen up, cause this is the last thing I'm going to ask you." The old man said. "Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. Which is more important?"
"Well, in my eyes there's no such thing as a weak Pokémon. Any Pidgey can be as strong as a Ho-Oh with the right training and love by their Trainer. A Magikarp may seem weak to some, but with the care of a Trainer it can become a Gyarados!" Ethan exclaimed.
"Really, that so..." The old man said once more stroking his beard.
"I think I passed Meganium, what do you think?" Ethan asked his starter to which she profusely nodded her head unable to drop her smile.
"Hmm... how do I say this, oh that's right, you failed." The Master said which made both Ethan and Meganium's heart sink.
"W-what do you mean I failed!?" Ethan yelled. "W-what did I do wrong!?"
From outside Lance could hear Ethan raising his voice, he could hear everything the boy said.
I'm sorry Ethan, so you aren't worthy... the Champion thought.
"Just tell me already, what'd I do wrong, how'd I fail!?" Ethan asked.
"Megay Meganium!" Meganium barked.
"You failed, as if I buy any of that bullshit you're spewing, loving, trusting your Pokémon. That was nothing but cringe, you think anyone would believe that!?" The old man said with a disgusted look on his face. "You're far too naïve to face the league and to be a Trainer if you spew such crap!"
"Crap! Are you kidding me, you're a Master who's lived with Dragon Pokémon for over a hundred years, right?" Ethan asked. "Then you surely believe me, how could you not if you call yourself Master?"
"You think I became strong by loving and bonding with my Pokémon, nonsense, Pokémon are inferior creatures who we control, you think I'd actually call them my equals!?" The man began to chuckle as he took another whiff of his bamboo pipe.
"Megay Meganium!" Meganium yelled at the top of her lungs pulling out her vines almost about to strike but Ethan had to hold her back.
"Control your Pokémon or I'll control it for you!" The old man said which Ethan wouldn't stand for.
The boy walked in front of the wrinkly old man enraged. "I can't believe I actually looked up to you, you're nothing but an old bastard who knows nothing of what he's talking about, no way those stories I heard were true, not a chance!"
"And what do I care about what some stupid dumbass kid thinks about me, you wouldn't even survive a day on Victory Road let along this Champion's league." The old man said again smoking his pipe which Ethan went and grabbed it.
Ethan took the pipe from the old man's mouth and threw it to the floor, the minute he did both Lady Mito and Lance walked in passed the sliding door.
"What do you think you're doing!?" Lance yelled.
"That's it, you need to leave at once!" Lady Miko said to which the Master raised his palm signaling for them to quit it.
"No, you two leave at once, I'm not done with this kid." The old man said to which both Lance and Lady Miko exited the room.
"You..." The old man said facing up to Ethan who towered above him. "With that you've issued a challenge, and I hope you plan to not back out in fear!"
"No worries about that, no way I'd back out in fear, there's nothing but a washed-up old man, why would I be afraid!?" Ethan asked as he pulled out a Pokéball. "I'm going to put you one foot closer to the grave!"
Whew, that was a really fun chapter to write, so yeah, that's the Dragon Master. I figured tweaking his personality from the games would be fun since there's not much there. Also added a lot of lore, and yes, if you couldn't tell the legendary dragon they were talking about from Hoenn wasn't either Latios or Latias, it was Rayquaza.