Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 72: Resolution and Resolve
Ethan and Meganium had come along with Lance to the Dragon's Den in order to meet with the Great Master of Dragons. With his mighty title he would be able to force Clair to give Ethan his rightfully deserved badge, but it seems he wasn't all he was cracked up to be as he denied Ethan his right.
The young Trainer in his anger not at all caring about the repercussions went and took the old man's pipe before slamming it to the ground which earned a nasty look from the Master.
"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!"
From outside Lance who had been told to leave could not believe what he was hearing.
Ethan, what has gotten into you, there's no way you could defeat Great-grandfather... Lance fret.
"Are you sure, you have one last chance to leave this place with your Pokémon's lives intact." The old man warned to Ethan who wasn't hearing any of it.
"Just shut up already!" Ethan yelled as he tossed his Pokéball. "Espeon, I choose you!"
"Espee!" Espeon purred from being released landing in front of Ethan and Meganium. Ethan kneeled down and pet her behind her ears.
"Espeon, you've got this lady, I believe in you!" Ethan said to which made Espeon smile as she turned around and formed a battle stance.
"A psychic type, interesting choice." The old man muttered while stroking his beard.
It had to be Espeon, she as a psychic type means any dragon type he uses shouldn't have any resistances to her... Ethan analyzed the situation.
"Well then, I suppose I should reveal my Pokémon." The old man said as he cradled a Pokéball in his hands.
"Throw it already, what are you waiting for!?" Ethan asked impatiently.
"Sure then, your funeral, go, Dragonite!" The old man cried as he tossed his Pokéball.
Ethan had seen Lance's Dragonite many times but the one before gave off a different and unique feeling. It was taller and much wider than Lance's, along with having many battle scars on its body.
"Grahhhh!" The Dragonite shrieked at the top of its lungs which shook both Espeon, Ethan, and Meganium just by being in the presence of its scream.
"So strong..." Ethan said in awe before getting over the feeling and preparing for the battle.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium began to cheer Espeon on.
"This Dragonite was the first Pokémon I ever had; you have zero chance of winning this, I assure you." The Master said to which angered Ethan further.
"Don't get cocky, a battles never decided until the end!" Ethan declared. "Alright Espeon, let's start this with Quick Attack!"
"Espe!" Espeon cried as she instantly slammed into the belly of the Dragonite at full speed, but to both her and Ethan's surprise it hadn't even budged the Dragon Pokémon.
Dragonite instead cracked its neck with its arms not paying much attention to the battle at hand.
"Damn... pull back Espeon!" Ethan yelled to which Espeon leaped back getting some distance between it and the big hulking dragon.
"Not a good idea to get so close, so we'll use Swift!" Ethan yelled to which Espeon swung her tail as the many stars struck the Dragonite causing a smoke cloud.
"Did it work?" Ethan wondered to which Ethan was shown it didn't as when the smoke cleared the Dragonite was perfectly fine with not a scratch on it.
"Espeon!?" Espeon cried out, confused as to how any Pokémon could be this strong. It just didn't make any sense.
Dragonite smiled now cracking its knuckles almost as if it was about to strike which worried Ethan and them even further.
"A-alright, this isn't a problem at all, we'll continue with Psychic!" Ethan yelled as Espeon's red gem began to shine a crimson red causing the Dragonite to glow with a pink aura.
Espeon tried her hardest to life the dragon type. She was sweating profusely and screaming at the top of her lungs, but nothing was working, Dragonite hadn't moved a muscle that he hadn't chosen to.
"I told you girly." The old man sniggered. "You have no chance of winning this, now Dragonite, use Ice Punch!"
Dragonite instantly appeared before Espeon despite her still trying to use Psychic. She dropped the attack entirely in fear as a gust of wind hit her just as the Pokémon appeared before her.
The opposing Pokémon's fist began to shine brightly as it formed with frost as it slammed Espeon across her face sending the psychic type screaming back to Ethan.
"Espeee!" She cried out in pain landing in front of her Trainer.
"Awe, Espeon, are you alright!?" Ethan screamed jumping on his knees without any hesitation to take a look at his fallen Pokémon. And to his surprise Espeon was knocked out cold, she had drool running from her lip to the bottom of her face.
It took down Espeon in one hit!? Ethan thought as he cradled his evolved Eevee in his arms.
"Megayyy..." Meganium cried in awe of the Dragonite's power.
"That was easy, who is next?" The old man asked while picking his nose while Ethan withdrew his knocked out Espeon.
"You did your best and that's all I ask of you, thank you." Ethan said as he put away her Pokéball and grabbed another.
"So, is this the part where you realize the errors in your decisions?" The elder asked to which Ethan scoffed at.
"No way, this battle's just getting started." Ethan yelled as he threw his next Pokéball. "Go, Heracross!"
"Heracross!" Heracross exclaimed as he landed in front of Ethan.
"Alright Heracross, this Dragonite is really tough, so we're going to have to battle with everything we've got, understand?" Ethan told his fighting type who instantly understood.
"First a psychic, and now a bug and fighting. You are really playing around my Dragonite's resistances; however, it won't matter. The only thing that can defeat a dragon is another dragon." The Master claimed.
"Err, I'm tired of hearing that!" Ethan yelled. "Dragon or not it's a Pokémon and can be defeated, I'll show you, Heracross, Close Combat!"
Being told to use his strongest move Heracross rushed over to Dragonite and unleashed a flurry of fast punches which were fast like bullets. Despite the immense speed Dragonite easily dodged the flurry moving his head and body to the opposite sides of the punches as each were thrown.
"Heracross you've got this, you've defeated stronger Pokémon before!" Ethan yelled as Heracross kept up with the punches.
Heracross hearing Ethan's kind words pulled through and with a powerful punch landed a punch in the Dragonite's cheek which caused a large breeze. However, Dragonite didn't even move an inch from the blow.
"Hera!?" Heracross shrieked in shock as he pulled his fist back.
"Now Dragonite, Slam!" The old man yelled to which the Dragonite listened. It jumped and crash landed its whole body on Heracross.
"Heracross no!" Ethan yelled.
Heracross struggled trying to free itself from the Dragonite's clutch but it was too late, from the pressure of being crushed it finally closed its eyes unconscious.
"Hera..." It mumbled after fainting.
Dragonite got up from Heracross upon victory wiping some minor scuffs off its body casually, it was then when Ethan got an idea.
Heracross... Heracross is completely unconscious, it may be stupid but perhaps it'd work... Ethan began to think.
"Sleep Talk, now!" Ethan yelled out.
"What, Sleep Talk!?" The old man remarked. To his and Dragonite's surprise Heracross got up appearing to be in a doozy state while he leaped at the dragon type with his horn glowing a bright white.
"Hera!" The unconscious Heracross shrieked as it struck Dragonite in its chest with Megahorn making Dragonite wince.
"Alright, Heracross is twice as strong when using Sleep Talk!" Ethan exclaimed excitedly.
"Meganium Meganium!" Meganium cheered jumping up and down.
"Dragonite, you know what to do..." The old man ordered.
Dragonite smiled and grabbed Heracross by its sides and went for a headbutt, slamming its head into Heracross it knocked Heracross to the ground completely defeating it.
"What power!?" Ethan said still in awe as he returned his Heracross. "Heracross, you did great boy, now get a good rest."
Ethan reached into his bag and pulled out another Pokéball before tossing it. "Ampharos, let's do this!"
"Ampharos!" Ampharos cried with his hands on his hips confidently as he released. He took one glance at the Dragonite before him and began to spike with an electric pulse.
"Now Ampharos, we'll start with your Iron Tail attack!" Ethan yelled.
Ampharos lunged for Dragonite with his tail gaining the properties of steel and striking it into Dragonite's tail, however Dragonite didn't even move a muscle which shocked the electric type.
"Am, Amphar!?" Ampharos cried leaping back in front of Ethan.
"Don't be scared Ampharos, you defeated a Dragonair, what's a Dragonite just the evolved version. You've got this!" Ethan told his electric type who looked back and nodded.
"Now Dragonite, Ice Punch!" The old man yelled.
Dragonite leaped towards Ampharos with a fist full of frost and punched the electric type sending him flying back to Ethan. Ampharos crashed into Ethan and sent him flying back into the wall.
"Ouch!" Ethan yelled as he slid from the wall with his electric type sitting on his lap.
"That was fast, disappointingly fast." The Dragon Master commented but to his surprise Ampharos jumped and got back up.
"Am... phar..." Ampharos panted.
"We're still in the game!" Ethan cheered before getting his mind back in the game. "Alright Ampharos, Thunderbolt!"
The Light Pokémon lit up with electricity and blasted Dragonite with a full charge but still not doing a thing to the dragon type no matter how hard Ampharos tried.
I knew dragon types resisted electric, but this is too much, it's not doing a thing... Ethan thought beginning to stress further.
"Fine then, release everything you've got with Discharge!" Ethan yelled pumping his fist in the air.
Ampharos's electricity began to change from a yellow to blue color as it released all its electricity in one dose. The room lit an intense blue as the move took its course however this time instead of it going everywhere in multiple directions the Discharge was more concentrated much like a regular Thunderbolt was, however Dragonite was still unaffected.
Although he tried Ampharos couldn't keep up with it anymore as he ran out of all his electricity. He stopped the attack and began to pant heavily.
"Was that supposed to hurt?" The Dragon Master asked to which Ethan smirked.
"I wouldn't get so cocky, looks like my plan worked!" Ethan said surprising the old man.
"What are you?" The old man said before seeing Dragonite getting shocked by a stray bolt of lightning, it became clear to him Ampharos's static landed.
"Alright, paralysis, we're doing great!" Ethan cheered.
"Amphar Amphar!" Ampharos said nodding his head vigorously.
"Not quite..." The old man said which earned a surprised look on Ethan. Ethan took a glance back at Dragonite seeing the Pokémon moving despite still being shocked by the electricity which shocked him.
"W-what, isn't the static supposed to reappear randomly with it completely halting the Pokémon, how can Dragonite still move!?" Ethan screamed.
"Now Dragonite, use Dragon Tail!" The old man yelled. Dragonite rushed over to Ampharos at speeds faster than the human eye could follow and quickly bashed him in the head with his powered-up tail. And like that, it was over for Ampharos.
"Am... phar..." Ampharos groaned as he fell unconscious upon the devastating blow.
"Am-Ampharos!" Ethan screamed as he kneeled down next to his unconscious Pokémon. He shook Ampharos who eventually opened his eyes.
Upon seeing Ampharos was okay Ethan sighed in relief and returned the electric type to its Pokéball.
"Ampharos return, you battled like a champion, now go and get some rest." Ethan told Ampharos from inside its Pokéball.
"Hmph, if that's how you think a champion battles then you'll never become one." The old man commented but Ethan refused to listen.
"We've still got a shot, you're up next Togetic!" Ethan yelled as he threw his Pokéball.
"Togetic!" The little flying type squealed upon being released.
"You're sending a small little tike like that against my Dragonite, boy are you a fool!" The old man laughed.
"Dragonite!" Dragonite yelled trying to instill fear into Togetic, but the little flying type instead smiled and waved. As soon as Dragonite did that it was zapped by the static and although was still able to move it was slower by a bit.
"That's our chance, Aerial Ace quick!" Ethan directed.
Togetic slammed into Dragonite's belly effectively causing no damage. Instead Dragonite tried to grab Togetic with its arms but Togetic flew back into the air managing to dodge it.
Psychic didn't work so Extrasensory shouldn't either, and I can't risk it again by getting too close, so I've got to leave it up to chance... Ethan began to think.
"Metronome quick!" Ethan yelled.
Togepi wagged his finger before opening its mouth wide and firing a large Fire Blast attack at Dragonite. The blast hit but Dragonite flew past it in the air and appeared in front of the little flying type.
"T-Togetic!?" Togetic freaked pulling back more so to avoid Dragonite's clutch.
"Dragonite, Slam!" The old man yelled.
From midair Dragonite moved like a blur almost as if it teleported right behind Togetic. Togetic turned around to see Dragonite trying to land its whole body on the little flying type but luckily Togetic managed to fly over the attack for it would have marked defeat.
Wait a minute, that was a Slam attack! Ethan realized. Togetic can lock Dragonite into using that move over and over again like we did with Clair's Lapras earlier!
"Trap it with Encore!" Ethan yelled.
Togetic let out a loud screech only the Dragonite could hear causing the dragon type to cover its ears. The old man instantly realized what just happened.
"Did you just say Encore, trying to keep my Dragonite at bay with only move, huh?" The Dragon Master asked making Ethan chuckle.
"You know it, now that Dragonite can only use Slam he won't be able to lay a finger on Togetic, Togetic's too fast and nimble to be hit with that move!" Ethan exclaimed.
"To, To, Togetic!" Togetic began to laugh.
"Encore is an excellent move, but I don't think it's going to work out so well in your favor." The old man said confidently.
"Yeah right, just try giving a command then!" Ethan dared.
"Okay, Dragonite, Thunderbolt!" The Dragon Master commanded.
"It's not going to work, Dragonite can only use Sla-" Ethan instantly shut up as Dragonite began to surge with electricity zapping Togetic with a Thunderbolt attack sending the flying type crashing to the ground fried like banana chips.
"Megay!?" Meganium gasped.
"To...ge...tic..." Togetic panted heavily as he got back up, albeit heavily damaged. He looked like he could pass out any second.
"But, but that's not possible!" Ethan freaked. "Did, did Encore somehow miss?"
"Nope, it landed alright." The Dragon Master smirked.
"It couldn't have, Encore always works and it's impossible to fail when another Pokémon hears it!" Ethan yelled.
"That's true, Encore would work on any Pokémon, other than my Dragonite of course." The Dragon Master boasted. "How could such a weak Pokémon affect a tank like my Dragonite, I'm afraid you're shit out of luck."
"Err. Togetic, are you alright?" Ethan asked.
Togetic's right wing was lowering as he barely hovering off the floor barely able to fly. He looked back to Ethan and gave a thumbs-up but Ethan instead returned Togetic back.
"Back to me Togetic, you did excellent, as usual." Ethan said before glaring back at the Dragon Master.
"Is that all you've got?" The old man asked testing Ethan's patience further. "You did talk a lot, you said you'd shove me one inch deeper into the ground. But it seems like I was the right one, you told me how the bond between you and your Pokémon made them stronger, where is that bond now?"
Ethan flipped his hat back to the right way and covered his eyes as he grit his teeth. Was the old man right, was everything Ethan practiced and believed in since he became a Trainer wrong? Was he not worthy of getting the Rising badge?
In the midst of his worry, he felt a nudge on his arm. It was Meganium of course, she had a confident smile that freed Ethan from his worry.
"Megayy!" Meganium cried out as she leaped in front of Ethan. For a minute there Ethan was about to give in, but it turns out Meganium was right what he needed at the moment.
"And now you send out your starter, with that big scar on its belly what will it be able to do?" The old man asked.
"Thank you Meganium. For a minute there I almost bought what the old man's trying to say, but even if we aren't worthy in this man's eyes that's fine. I know our journey has been right. I may have made some mistakes as anyone else has, but I've kept my beliefs and I'm not just about to give it up now!" Ethan exclaimed.
Meganium turned to Ethan and nodded her head, Ethan really believed what he was saying with no doubts and so did Meganium. She knew their journey hadn't been a mistake. She knew she was lucky to receive Ethan as her Trainer.
"Now let's do this Meganium, let's show this old man what we can do when we're pushed to the rope!" Ethan yelled pumping one fist into the air.
"Megayy!" Meganium agreed as she formed a battle stance. Focusing her attention to the Dragonite before her.
The Dragonite smiled as it itself formed a battle stance, still not taking the battle too seriously.
"I already told you, you've failed. The only way you could prove your way is right is if you can defeat me!" The old man declared.
"That's what I plan to do!" Ethan yelled. "Meganium, Solar Beam!"
Meganium began to charge a beam of light in front of her. Because they were indoors the amount she was able to collect was smaller, but it was enough to form an orb.
"Now launch it!" Ethan yelled.
Meganium fired the Solar Beam at Dragonite. Dragonite covered itself blocking the move because if he moved his master would have gotten hit.
Smoke engulfed Dragonite as it was hit, and once the smoke cleared it was clear to see the Pokémon was once again impacted by its static.
"Alright, now use Magical Leaf!" Ethan yelled.
Meganium swung her head and antenna firing multiple enchanted sharp leaves hitting Dragonite multiple times, but unlike the Solar Beam it did nothing. The leaves fell to the ground not doing a thing.
"Now, use Ice Beam!" The old man commanded.
Dragonite opened its mouth and fired off a beam of frost to which Meganium just barely managed to dodge. What she managed to avoid froze up a piece of the ground but that wasn't what shocked Ethan.
"Thunderbolt let's go!" The old man yelled.
Dragonite began to surge with electricity but stopped upon hearing Ethan scream at the top of his lungs.
"STOP IT!" Ethan roared.
"Dragonite, halt!" The Dragon Master ordered his Pokémon who dropped the Thunderbolt attack.
"Hold on, Ice Punch, Slam, Dragon Tail, Thunderbolt and now Ice Beam!?" Ethan said counting the moves on one hand. "Unless your Pokémon learned a move midbattle that's impossible, Pokémon can only know four moves!"
"Hmph, don't underestimate a master of dragons." The man stated stroking his beard. "The same rules don't apply to us, and I can assure you Dragonite has even more moves up his sleeve."
"Drago, Dragonite!" Dragonite said waving its hand taunting Meganium.
"This is getting ridiculous, but it's no matter!" Ethan declared.
Alright, we really need to watch out, it has at least two ice type moves and possibly more... if I'm not careful Meganium could get messed up real bad, especially with that injury... Ethan assessed.
"Dragonite, let us end this!" The old man yelled. "Dragon Tail now!"
"Dragooo!" Dragonite roared rushing towards Meganium with is tail glowing, giving Ethan the perfect counter.
"You know what to do Meganium, dodge with Vine Whip!" Ethan yelled.
Meganium grabbed hold of Dragonite's shocking the dragon type with such an unorthodox strategy, using her speed and momentum she swung around the Dragonite dodging the Dragon Tail.
"Smooth maneuver, but it won't work." The old man smirked. "Dragonite, control the vines!"
Dragonite swung its head forcefully which caused Meganium to be swung back towards Ethan all while the dragon type used a ferocious Thunderbolt attack which shocked her into oblivion.
"Megayy!" Meganium screamed out as she was hurled back against a wall.
"Meganium are you alright!?" Ethan screamed.
The grass starter was struggling. Of course due to her injury and being so heavily damaged by that last move she was already beginning to tire. But due to her relentless nature she began to get up albeit shaking.
"Quickly Dragonite, end it with Ice Punch!" The Dragon Tamer commanded.
Dragonite once again formed a fist full of frost which appeared to be more ferocious than the earlier versions. The attack emitted a blue light on the walls of the room adding to the intensity. Meganium was now standing on her fours with her back to the wall, but could not keep it up and fell down, right as Dragonite lunged for her.
That's no ordinary Ice Punch!? Ethan realized.
"Dragoo!" Dragonite roared as it zoomed across the room for the grass type.
"No, stop!" Ethan screamed running towards his starter. On his mind wasn't what would happen if he got in between the two Pokémon, but only his injured starter's well-being.
Meganium not able to dodge or avoid the attack in any capacity simply flinched her head back preparing for a finishing blow, but to her surprise nothing happened. She finally opened her eyes to see Ethan standing before her holding his two arms out.
"Megayy!" She cried finding the strength to get up worrying for Ethan's sake. She ran to the side of Ethan. The young Trainer had closed his eyes expecting to be hit, but upon opening his eyes saw Dragonite holding out his punch right before Ethan's face.
"I-I... admit defeat..." Ethan finally admitted causing the Dragonite to lower its fist.
"Hmm... what was that, I don't believe I heard you correctly?" The old man asked holding his hand before his ear. "These ears aren't as strong as they used to be, could you repeat that?"
"I admit defeat!" Ethan said even louder and instantly turned to Meganium. "A-are you alright girl?"
"Megay!" Meganium said nodding her head. Ethan smiled and gave her a big hug which she happily accepted.
"I'm so glad you're alright, I couldn't watch you get hit like that." Ethan said while also petting her softly behind her head which caused her to smile. As soon as Ethan finally released her, she reached out and gave Ethan a lick on his cheek making him laugh.
"So, as I've said before, you aren't worthy." The old man reiterated getting a different reaction from Ethan.
"And live I just said, that's fine." Ethan repeated. "I know everything I've done till now happened for a reason, no matter the mistakes I made. You can call me unworthy or naïve all you want."
"But you said you were going to defeat me, and now you give up?" The old man asked.
"I know what I said, but pride isn't worth putting my Pokémon's lives at harm. Unlike you I view them my equal, not just underlings I can use and abuse for my liking." Ethan replied. "If I can't qualify for the Champion's league because of not having the Rising badge then that's fine."
With that and his starter by his side Ethan turned around about to leave but it was then when the old man began laughing aloud and clapping his hands.
"Bravo! Bravo! What a good show!" The Dragon Master said wiping a single tear in his eye.
Ethan turned around confused. "I wasn't joking around!" He yelled.
"No no, not that." The old man said finally collecting himself. "It's clear to me, you've passed."
"Megayy!?" Meganium reacted with shock at that.
Ethan was filled with confusion; how could he have passed? He lost the battle and was endlessly ridiculed by the Master for his beliefs. It was then when he got the realization.
"Wait, so this whole thing, was a te-" Before he could finish the old man interrupted.
"That's right, it was just a simple test." The old man smiled. "Dragonite, I'm sorry you had to put up with all the awful things I have said, can you forgive me?"
Dragonite flew over to his master and gave him a hug, making the old man laugh and smile. "I'll take that as a yes!" He chuckled.
"So, you view me as worthy, yes!" Ethan exclaimed leaping into the air with one arm up.
"I do. It would have been easy to just call you worthy after you answered very well on the questions I asked of you, but that way I would never know if you truly meant what you said." The Master explained. "Many people say they care for their Pokémon, but not many would stand in the way of an attack to protect them, I now know you truly believe the words you answered me with."
"I... I've heard those words I had given to you many times, from my mother Eliza, from my mentor Professor Elm, hell even my father Allen..." Ethan claimed looking at his starter and best friend. "But I don't think I truly knew what they meant till I looked into the eyes of my Meganium back when I received her as a Chikorita!"
"Meganium!" Meganium uttered happy to hear Ethan's words.
"I just want to thank you Master, thank you!" Ethan said lowering his head for a bow.
"Oh no, no need to be so formal with me anymore, old man is fine." The Dragon Master said while returning his Dragonite to its Pokéball. "Return Dragonite, thank you for your cooperation as always."
"So, does this mean you'll go over to Clair's gym and make her give me the badge!?" Ethan asked earning a head shake from the Dragon Master.
"No, why would I do that when she's already here!?" The Dragon Master asked confusing Ethan.
"What are you talking about?" Ethan asked looking around not seeing anyone.
"Girl, show yourself!" The old man yelled. "I know you are here!"
Ethan was startled when from behind him on the wall to his left a fabric resembling the wall moved down revealing Clair, who was camouflaging to the wall. She had an ashamed look on her face.
"I, I can explain myself Master!" Clair began as the Dragon Master walked with his cane towards her slowly.
"Woah, even when blind his senses are so heightened he knew where she was when even we didn't." Ethan whispered to his starter who was equally amazed.
"First of all girl, why are you not bowing!?" The old man asked which instantly brought Clair to her hands and knees.
"I, I am sorry Great-grandfather, please forgive me!" Clair pleaded getting a scoff from the old man.
"It is master to you! No granddaughter of mine is dishonorable enough to deny a challenger his rightful badge, you bring shame to our family!" The old man yelled. "And you dare beg me for forgiveness!? You should be begging young Ethan here for that for how you have wronged him!"
"M-master, but-" Before she could finish the old man raised his cane into the air and struck her across her face with it causing her to completely fall to the floor. Ethan was taken aback by this and so was Meganium.
"Hey, that's too far!" Ethan spoke up to which the old man ignored.
Clair got up rubbing her bloody nose as her Great-grandfather stood over her.
"Don't ever say but to me again, next time you do I'll make you swallow a thousand needles; do you understand girl?" The old man asked raising his cane as if he'd hit again then lowering it as he made his point clear.
"I, I understand Master..." Clair spoke.
"Now go and apologize to Ethan and give him his damn badge!" The old man said pointing his cane towards Ethan.
Clair listened and crawled over while bowing towards Ethan far below him. "I'm, I'm so very sorry for my terrible wrongdoings towards you. I should have given you the Rising badge from the start."
Ethan didn't know what to feel, not to long ago he felt disrespected and hated Clair but even he couldn't bear to see her so humiliated.
Clair reached out handing Ethan the Rising badge. "Here, what's yours." She said still bowing.
The young Trainer reached and took his Rising badge almost a bit reluctantly. He looked towards Meganium showing her the badge before pinning it to his jacket. Unlike when he received the fake badge though he felt no excitement, only sadness.
"I have done it Master." Clair said bowing before her Great-grandfather who still looked displeased.
"You have not only dishonored our bloodline but also dishonored yourself. You are nothing compared to your sister Kris... you have changed since her passing for the worst and until you understand that you are no longer welcome in this family!" The old man yelled.
At his words Clair raised her head in shock before once again lowering it and nodding, not having any other words to say.
Lance barged in opening the sliding doors and turned to his cousin who turned to tears with her face lying on the floor.
"Clair!" He yelled going to her side, he put his arm around her back but she got up and ran crying out the door.
"Please don't go!" Lance followed her out the door as she leaped into the water, raising a Pokéball and releasing her Lapras.
"Lapras!" The Lapras cried now in the water to which Clair landed on it.
"I just want to talk to you!" Lance yelled as Clair retreated on her Lapras. As she left Lance lowered his head in shame.
Ethan was watching from inside before turning back to the old man with a glare.
"What, just because I'm blind you think I can't tell you're glaring?" The old man asked the young Trainer.
"Look." Ethan began. "I have endless respect for you for getting me the eighth badge as you know, but that doesn't mean I'll let what I just say slide. Clair sure may have made her mistakes but she didn't deserve that."
"Everything I said was right." The old man scoffed. "Ever since her sister died she has become a shell of her former self. Not that she was ever much to begin with, she always stood in the shadow of her sister. It is a shame what happened to Kris, out of all my descendants she had the potential to one day be my successor."
"Well this isn't about Kris this is about Clair." Ethan replied getting a soft smirk from the old man.
"Look Ethan, I have given you praise for your beliefs but that does not mean I respect you enough to take your judgement about myself into account." The Dragon Master spoke. "What I did was harsh but needed, and you cannot change that."
"Fine, so long..." Ethan said turning his back on the man walking along side Meganium as he opened the sliding doors.
Ethan on the other side of the door was reunited with Lance along with Lady Miko.
"Congratulations for passing the test. Not many Trainers are as remarkable as you." Lady Miko said lowering her head for Ethan.
"Thank you, I ugh, think The Master needs you now?" Ethan guessed to which she quickly ran inside.
"Grahhh!" Gyarados left out a soft shout from the water as it was time for Ethan and Lance to leave but Ethan couldn't help but ponder.
"You, you alright Lance?" Ethan asked to the Champion who had a single tear in his eye.
"I, I don't know what this means for our family, Clair already said she had no one, and now what just happened may have cemented that..." Lance sighed.
"I-I'm sorry..." Ethan apologized.
Whew, that's another chapter done. Pretty fun to right as well, I don't really got much to say so always please leave reviews because I haven't gotten a review in a while, love to know what my viewers are thinking. I don't know why but it gives me more motivation to write.