Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 75: A call to action
Ethan and Allen had reacquainted themselves after the boy finally felt the urge to give his father a call and admit the truth to him. The truth that he had been in Blackthorn despite being told not to.
After getting food at a small-town diner Ethan and Allen came to a clearing right outside of the city as it was nighttime.
"I think this one's a big one Ethan!" Allen told to his son. He stood with a fishing rod in his hands into the river as he felt a tug on his line.
Ethan, who was standing besides his father also felt a tug. "I think this is it, I'm getting a tug too!"
Both Ethan and Allen reeled their fishing rods but to Ethan's disappointment he lost whatever Pokémon was on his line. The boy looked over to his dad who had caught a Magikarp.
"Kar! Karp! Karp!" The Magikarp exclaimed over and over again before Allen tossed it back into the water.
"Wasn't that fun Ethan?" Allen asked looking over to his uninterested son. "Back when we you were younger I used to take you fishing all the time!"
"I don't really remember..." Ethan said rubbing the back of his head. "I must have been really young."
"Oh, come on, we went that one time during your sixth birthday, come on, surly you remember?" Allen asked disappointed to see Ethan shake his head no.
"It's getting late dad; I think my Pokémon may have gotten all healed up back at the center." Ethan said looking back to Blackthorn from the distance.
"Why don't you just forget about your Pokémon for just a little longer Ethan. Aren't you having fun?" Allen asked holding his fishing rod over his back.
"Yeah... I am." Ethan lied. "I guess I can stay a little longer."
"We don't have to fish if you don't feel like it." Allen said dropping his fishing rod. "If you can't forget about your Pokémon why don't we talk about them."
"What's there to talk about?" Ethan asked taking a seat on a tree stump.
"You know, how you caught them and such, how'd you feel catching them. I want to hear about your journey, come on kid." Allen asked kneeling down next to his son.
"Well alright, as you know I was given Chikorita as my starter way back when, it wasn't so long ago but it almost feels nostalgic. It was just me and Chikorita traveling by ourselves, and then I met Mareep." Ethan explained.
"Mareep, that the same Ampharos you have now I assume?" Allen asked.
"Yeah, but before that I was handed an egg by Professor Elm, which eventually hatched into a Togepi." Ethan said. "Funny enough Togetic always saw since he hatched as his mother, and you don't know how grateful I am to have the little guy."
"And Espeon?" Allen said.
"Well... it was a little different with her, back when she was just an Eevee she had many trust issues and was never in the best shape, I mean when I got her she was starved and hungry. But she's come to become an amazing Pokémon who has faith in me as her Trainer."
"I know, upon evolution Eevee can take many forms, there's Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon." Allen began. "But there's more isn't there, your Eevee became an Espeon, a form which can only be achieved when the Pokémon has the most affection and trust between their Trainer. You did well, Ethan." Allen remarked.
"Isn't that right, and as for Heracross his story was interesting. He already had a Trainer, but he had been degraded into a simple house pet since that Trainer now had a family." Ethan explained.
"Oh really, that can't be an ideal life for a fighting type, let alone Heracross." Allen cried.
"Well, his Trainer eventually realized it was time to let Heracross go, but then the funniest thing happened, Heracross wanted to come with me, guess he saw a little of his old Trainer in me. I mean, after a quick battle of course." The boy clarified.
"And then there's that red Gyarados of yours, a Pokémon like that's rare. In all my time traveling I've seen plenty of Gyarados, but never a red one." His father reflected looking into the stars.
Ethan pulled out Gyarados's Great Ball observing it. "I couldn't disagree more, actually. I've heard a lot about Gyarados being special thanks to his color, and even I felt that way at first, it was why I wanted him in the first place. But that led to a lot of problems between us, and I just didn't get why, so much so I even released him. It wasn't until we reconciled I realized something. What made Gyarados special was never his color, but who he was on the inside."
"Well I didn't mean it like that." Allen explained getting up from his knees. "Those six Pokémon of yours are great Ethan, but does that satisfy you?"
"What do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"Well, I've traveled many regions and have caught over fifty Pokémon. I often switch me team out when coming to new regions, but you're different, you stick to those same six Pokémon, I mean you've only just begun your journey and all but..."
"I'll cut you off right there dad, I already have the best six Pokémon in the world. I don't need anymore." Ethan said with a smile.
"So you don't want to collect any more Pokémon, you never know it could be a good idea, the Indigo league begins in a month from now?" Allen asked.
"No way." Ethan said getting up. "Right now, most important is focusing on training them, and only them."
"Even Meganium?" Allen said.
Ethan sighed as now the big topic had been brought up. He looked up towards the sky and saw a beautiful constellation, which almost looked like a Meganium.
"Even with her injury, Meganium's rapidly gotten back into battling day by day. So much so she even took down Clair's ace Pokémon, Kingler." Ethan said. "I'll be careful watching how she battles, and I'll know when to call her out. I don't want her getting anymore hurt after all..."
"I know... I know..." Allen replied.
"Is, that Proton still out there?" Ethan asked. "He must be, I could have sworn I saw him back at Blackthorn."
"I don't know, Team Rocket has been quiet. Real quiet ever since back at Goldenrod. We've only encountered a few members since back then. But are you being serious, did you really think you spotted Proton." Allen inquired.
"Yeah, I already told Lance about it. He said he'd look into it." Ethan said.
"And tell me you didn't try and face him, did you?" Allen asked with a worried look on his face.
"I, I wanted to. I should have, but... I was scared..." Ethan admitted facepalming still feeling ashamed of what he did. "I should have paid him back for the good of all Poké-"
Before Ethan could finish his dad put his arms on both his shoulders and kneeled down. "No, no you did good Ethan. Engaging with someone like Proton after what happened last would be a mistake. You've been brave for so long sometimes it's okay to be a kid."
"Remember what I told you?" Ethan said getting up almost sounding annoyed. "I'm not a kid anymore, I'm a Trainer, and I can't be scared of anything."
"You're a Trainer yes, but fear is natural, even I get scared sometimes." Allen disclosed which Ethan almost didn't believe.
"No way, how could you be afraid?" Ethan asked. "You're an amazing Trainer dad, Lance even told me you're a close rival to powerful Trainers like the Elite four. What could you ever have been scared of?"
"...Losing you..." Allen admitted which Ethan didn't expect him to answer with.
It was then as soon as he said that both father and son heard some rustling in the bushes. Both Ethan and Allen turned their heads to the bush but as soon as they did a fast blur sped past it.
It was so quick it caused both Ethan and Allen to protect their faces as it kicked up heavy winds.
"So fast..." Ethan grunted as the wind left.
"That had to had been a Pokémon!" Allen said pulling out one of his Pokéballs. "Where the hell was it!?"
Suddenly the blur came flying towards Allen which Ethan spotted.
"Up there!" Ethan screamed.
Allen who was on the job threw one of his Pokéballs releasing his Blaziken whose flames burned hotter than the stars in the sky.
"Blaziken!" The fire type exclaimed. Before it could even turn to face his Trainer the speeding Pokémon came in contact with him with its fast speed but the Blaziken quickly caught it in its arms.
"V-Veno!" The Pokémon screeched struggling to be free from Blaziken's clutch.
Judging from its appearance it was definitely a bug type Ethan noticed. It was an insectoid looking Pokémon whose body was in many shades of purple. It had two pairs of pale purple moth-like wings with black venation. Its head and thorax were a light purple, and it had bulbous, round light blue-eyes.
"W-what Pokémon is that!?" Ethan asked.
"I recognize that, it's a Venomoth, a Pokémon I used to have back in the day." Allen said observing the bug type in Blaziken's hands.
"Let's see, a Venomoth." Ethan said checking his Pokédex.
"Venomoth, the Poison Moth Pokémon. When it attacks, it flaps its large wings violently to scatter poisonous powder all around."
"Get out of here now Ethan, that was no wild Pokémon, someone commanded it to attack us!" Allen warned putting his arm out before Ethan.
"How do you know?" Ethan asked.
Allen raised his index finger and pointed to something before him. Ethan looked and saw an open Pokéball, signifying someone attacked.
"Who goes there!?" Ethan yelled.
From the bushes came a man, donned in the dress code of Team Rocket. A grunt, Ethan nor Allen recognized him.
Blaziken finally dropped Venomoth to the ground as its clutch was enough to choke the bug type. The Team Rocket grunt picked up his Pokéball from the ground and returned it.
"Venomoth, return." The man said putting his Pokéball away.
"So, another Team Rocket finally shows himself, that's a mistake." Ethan said pulling out his Great Ball.
"Oh really." The grunt sad pulling out another Pokéball.
"I-" Before Ethan could finish Allen reached and again put his arm before Ethan. "Ethan, you can't, it's Team Rocket, you've got to leave now!"
"L-leave now!?" Ethan freaked.
"This is exactly what happened back in Goldenrod, you can't get carried away all the time, you're not ready!" Allen told to his son. "Just get out of here and get to your Pokémon back at the center!"
"I've been trailing you two this whole time, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike." The Team Rocket grunt said exchanging a smile. "You're that boy whose gotten in the way of Team Rocket one too many times, both back at Mahogany along with the Champion infiltrating out our headquarters there and got in the way of our Radio plan back during Goldenrod."
"What!?" Allen said shocked to his son. "You infiltrated a Team Rocket base!?"
"Like I said, I'm a Trainer too!" Ethan replied. "Same as you same as Lance!"
"Now shut up and may both of you perish, go, Ariados!" The grunt yelled throwing the Pokéball.
"Ariados!" The spider Pokémon screeched being released. It instantly reminded Ethan of his bout with Bugsy.
"Just run Ethan, Blaziken can easily handle this!" Allen told to his son.
"Blaze Blaziken!" Blaziken reassured to Ethan also flexing one of his muscles.
"He said he wants me to perish, I can handle my own battles!" Ethan exclaimed as he threw his Great Ball. "Go, Gyarados!"
"Grahhhh!" Gyarados shrieked at the top of his lungs upon being released in front of Ethan.
"A Gyarados and a Blaziken, I might be in a pickle." The grunt mumbled pulling out another Pokéball. "Go on, Gloom!"
"Gloom!" The grass type Pokémon cried out being released from the Pokéball. It landed besides Ariados forming its best battle stance.
"Blaziken, Blaze Kick Gloom and fast!" Allen commanded. Blaziken listened and in a split second rushed in front of Gloom before the poor grass type could even react.
"G-Gloom!?" It cried taking two steps back.
"Now, do it!" Allen yelled.
Blaziken swiftly raised one leg as it began to form with flames hot enough it nearly set the trees and bushes around it on fire. Blaziken spun kicking the poor Gloom across the face sending it crashing into a tree back first.
"Us too Gyarados, Aqua Tail on that Ariados!" Ethan exclaimed.
Gyarados spun his tail striking Ariados in its face sending it crashing face first into the ground before the Team Rocket grunt.
"Damn useless Pokémon..." The Team Rocket grunt muttered as he had lost the fight.
Ariados struggled to get up, but couldn't at all falling back to the ground, Gyarados was simply a much stronger opponent.
"That was great, thanks a ton Gyarados." Ethan smiled petting his water type on his face as Gyarados lowered his face to reach Ethan's hand.
"What do you think you're doing here; you couldn't actually tell me you believe you could have came and defeated me in battle." Allen claimed with a look of confusion.
"Who me, my job was to never defeat you, well not in a literal sense anyway." The Team Rocket grunt said with a sickening evil smirk.
"Then tell us your true motive for being here!" Ethan yelled. "You here to collect intel on us or something?"
"Nope, none of that. I simply came to stall. That was all." The grunt said beginning to laugh which creeped Ethan out to no end.
"Would you quit laughing!" Ethan yelled. The grunt listened and stopped his chuckle with his eyes filling with determination. He stomped one foot on the ground and with that his Ariados shot up.
"Aria!" Ariados shrieked still with fury standing on all its fours catching both Ethan and Allen off guard.
"Pin Missle now!" The grunt yelled.
Ariados shot out a fierce triangular spike straight at Ethan aiming for his neck. It just barely missed the boy's vitals only getting the skin.
"Oww!" Ethan cried out grabbing his neck as it was beginning to bleed.
"Ethan!" Allen freaked.
"Grahhhhhh!" Ethan's water type shrieked enraged. Without Gyarados even being told opened its mouth fully sweeping down swallowing Ariados in one gulp, he raised his head towards the sky and used Hydro Pump, releasing Ariados into the sky sending it flying off like a rocket.
"Time to get out of here!" The grunt shrieked as he returned Gloom to its Pokéball about to run off, but Blaziken stopped him appearing in front of the grunt startling him.
"G-get away from me you beast!" The Team Rocket grunt said taking a few steps back. The man stopped as he realized he backed into someone. He turned around to see Allen with a look of anger.
"How dare you attack him!?" Allen screamed pulling one arm back and punching the grunt directly in his face. The grunt's nose leaked with blood as he fell to the ground covering it with both hands.
"Gahhh!" He screamed out in pain. As he did Blaziken put one leg over him not letting him make another move.
"You messed with the wrong Trainer's son. Tell me one good reason why I shouldn't command Blaziken to kill you with his most powerful attack!?" Allen yelled filled with rage.
The grunt let go of his bloody nose beginning to snigger. "You wouldn't have the balls would you girly?"
"Its alright dad calm down, I'm fine." Ethan said putting his hand on his father's back, still covering his neck. "It only caught my skin, I'm fine."
"It only caught your skin!?" Allen said not believing Ethan's words. "He almost got you killed and that's all you have to say!?"
"I get that dad, but we can't lose focus here." Ethan said. "He said he was just stalling, maybe there's something going on back at Blackthorn, we've got to return to the city at once."
"Blaziken, take him back to Blackthorn and get him to the local police, I've got to talk with Ethan." Allen said to which Blaziken listened.
The Hoenn starter lifted the grunt carrying him on its back as it leapt into the trees heading off towards Blackthorn as fast as it could.
"You did well Gyarados, thanks for protecting me from that Ariados." Ethan told his water type who showed concern for Ethan.
Gyarados lowered his head trying to make sure his Trainer was alright, he saw the blood coming from Ethan's neck and all he could think to do was lick it.
"Haha, stop that, that tickles!" Ethan began to laugh. Gyarados continued for about ten seconds before Ethan finally stopped laughing and held Gyarados's face gently.
"You did great boy, really, I'm so proud of you." Ethan said caressing Gyarados's head gently petting him.
Gyarados looked up and simply licked Ethan again but this time his whole face again making Ethan snicker.
"Alright alright, you don't have to embarrass me in front of my dad." Ethan chuckled returning Gyarados to his Great Ball. "Now go and get some rest, cause you've earned it."
Allen finally turned to Ethan with a sharp glare that pierced Ethan harder than even that Pin Missle could have.
"Ethan! What's wrong with you!?" Allen asked not at all understanding his son. "If that Pin Missle was even an inch to the right you would have been dead!? Why are you so calm, you should be crying or screaming in pain right now!?"
Ethan looked down with no words as he held on to his bloody neck. He really had no words to explain himself.
"Well, answer me Ethan!" Allen yelled once again.
"I've almost died so many times, I guess it just doesn't mean as much anymore..." Ethan finally said which filled Allen with more shock.
There was a brief silence between the two as neither father or son had any more words. But it was then when they heard someone approaching them.
"Ethan, Allen, so you two are here after all..." The voice of a woman said. Ethan looked still covering his neck to see Clair before him.
"Clair, what's wrong!?" Ethan asked running up to the Gym leader.
"I-it's an emergency it's an emergency!" Clair freaked out at the top of her lungs. Her eyes were red and it was clear to Ethan she had been crying.
"What is the matter, tell us Clair!?" Allen asked getting concerned. Last he saw Clair she was still moody and angry with the world, but now she was showing another side of herself she hadn't in a while.
"Lady, Lady Miko, she came to both me and my cousin worried out of her mind, she told us some Team Rocket man came and took Great-grandfather!" Clair struggled to get out as she was panting.
"What!?" Ethan freaked. "He was kidnapped!?"
"How's that so, the Dragon Master is the most powerful Trainer in this world, no way any Team Rocket member could possibly defeat him!?" Allen said confused.
"He may be a Dragon Master, but he's also a frail and blind old man!" Clair explained. "Whoever this person was must have taken him while he was sleeping, that's how Lady Miko described it."
"We've got to help him!" Ethan said looking over to his father. "Dad, we've got to do something."
Allen shook his head before speaking. "No, I've got to do something, you've got to stay away and keep safe."
"What!?" Ethan freaked out.
"Just now you were almost killed, you're strong Ethan but no matter how much you deny it you're still a kid!" Allen yelled. "I can't let you get involved in this anymore, they already know who you are, you're on their hit list!"
"B-but Ethan, he could be a great help to us, Great-grandfather already said it himself, he's a great Trainer whose truly earned all eight badges." Clair said to Ethan who disagreed.
"First and foremost, he's my son, and he's not getting involved in this if I say so!" Allen yelled to Clair before turning back to Ethan. "Do you hear that Ethan, you are to go to the Pokémon Center and keep shelter there until I return to you there, and that's a direct order!"
"But-" Ethan said but was cutoff as his father interrupted him.
"No buts! I've tried to listen to you and treat you as the Trainer you are but this is getting ridiculous, you might not like it but this is for your own good! You and Meganium were nearly killed last time! You were nearly killed just now; you are to listen to me and that's final!" Allen bellowed at shutting Ethan down.
"I... I respect your decision." Clair told to Allen. "It's a good idea I suppose, stay safe Ethan."
"Let's go, now!" Allen said as he ran along with Clair towards Blackthorn, as they did Ethan stood their lost in thought.
He asked me if things could ever go back to the way things were... Ethan still lost in thought.
….
Allen led Ethan behind to outside the center and stood in front of his son with a look of disapproval.
"W-what... What!" Ethan yelled.
"Heh..." Allen sighed. "Look, Ethan. I want the best for you, I really do... but as your father I have to tell you what you did was stupid, trying to face Team Rocket by yourself. What did you think was going to happen?"
"Well... what was I supposed to do, stand by and watch them destroy the city?" Ethan said not looking his father in the eyes. "I faced them many times before anyway!"
"Really, well have you in these numbers or in such a desperate situation?" Allen asked.
"N-no, I guess not but... it was all instinct, plus Mom worried about you, I had to find you and make sure you were okay, for her!" Ethan explained frantically.
"Yet in your haste it cost you, you know what happened when I got there and found you?" Allen said.
"Mom said you saved me and Bayleef, I know!" Ethan spoke up.
"You don't know the half of it. That Proton guy was going to kill you and Bayleef, his Nidoking had already beaten Bayleef brutally by the time I got there. That Nurse Joy was being overly optimistic about her, but it seems like to me even if she survives, she may never battle again!" Allen yelled.
"Shut up! Just shut up!" Ethan barked at his father.
"NO! I'm telling you this because you need to understand! Bayleef's in this condition now because of you!" Allen yelled, making Ethan stop yelling.
"I-I..." Ethan said stumbling over his words.
"But it's alright now, you've proved your bravery, I'm proud to call you my son nonetheless, even if it was stupid." Allen said putting his hand on his son's shoulder. "But never ever do anything like that again, you know what this means, you need to put your journey on rest, so no going after that eight gym for a while alright?"
….
"Well, you're much stronger because of it I assure you." Lance said. "Every day you keep getting closer and closer to my level, one of these days you'll be taking on the League!"
"Maybe later than sooner." Allen said surprising Lance.
"What do you mean?" Lance asked. "He's quickly reaching the level required to travel Victory Road, why would it be later than sooner?"
"Well..." Ethan said rubbing his neck.
"I don't want him going anywhere other than back home while Team Rocket's out about." Allen said. "It's my responsibility to keep the boy safe."
"Right..." Ethan muttered under his breath which Elm took notice of.
"But the boy's helped me take care of Team Rocket before, he's capable of defending himself if needed." Lance reasoned.
"Doesn't matter, you know what happened to him back when Team Rocket was here?" Allen said taking off Ethan's hat revealing his stiches.
"Hey give that back!" Ethan said snatching his hat back and placing it back on his heads backwards.
"Oh my, I'm sorry I never realized Ethan." Lance apologized.
"It's fine, I was knocked out through all of it." Ethan admitted.
….
"I guess things will never be the same between us ever again, cause I have to act! I can't just sit here while Team Rocket's about!" Ethan cried out into the night sky while clenching his fist.
Not to long after, Ethan sped straight towards the Pokémon Center. He slammed into the doors of the Pokémon Center urgently looking for his Pokémon.
"I-Is everything alright!?" The Nurse Joy asked at the front desk. Behind her were Ethan's Pokémon, Togetic, Ampharos, Espeon, Heracross, and lastly, Meganium.
"S-sorry about that." Ethan apologized looking for his Pokémon.
The five Pokémon quickly sped towards Ethan huddling around him happily. None of them noticed Ethan's neck which was now covered in bandages covering his neck. None of them did other than Meganium which freaked her out.
"Me, Meganium!?" She cried walking up to her Trainer.
Ethan smiled and pet her gently. "Everything's fine, I promise."
Ampharos and Espeon then took notice. Ampharos ran up to Ethan nudging his shorts and Espeon leaped to his shoulder checking it out.
"Amphar, Amphar!" Ampharos squealed.
"Espe..." Espeon purred going from Ethan's right shoulder to his left.
"I'm alright, I'm telling you guys." Ethan said.
Heracross and Togetic then took notice. Heracross instantly turned to concern and Togetic spun around Ethan leveling to his head.
"We don't have time to waste everyone, we're going to be facing Team Rocket." Ethan whispered to not freak out everyone else in the Center.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium said surprised. Ethan turned to her and again pet her gently.
"I have no idea who we're going to be facing, but someone kidnapped the Dragon Master." He whispered. "And I'm sorry but... you have to stay here; I don't want you doing any battle."
"Megayy!?" Meganium gasped.
"Remember what happened last time, I can't forget, I don't want you facing any more members of Team Rocket, especially when I don't know who exactly I'm going to be facing." Ethan told her petting her across her cheek. "Can you understand, I don't want you thinking the worst, I know you're strong, it's just..."
"Meganium, ganium..." She sighed.
And that's chapter, I know it may seem weird that I'm extending the Team Rocket plot of this game but I figured it worked here, I never was a fan of how things end in the game. And especially with the characters I have in this fic I figured it'd be interesting how I could further elaborate on the crimes of Team Rocket and such. Also, off subject but I just started my first Pokémon nuzlocke! I chose the first mainline game in the franchise I ever played which was White 2. *cough cough* which is also the best game in the franchise, and in case you're wondering I chose Oshawott who I named Wotter Boi. I'm doing good, already at the fourth gym and have only had one death so far, so, wish me luck cause a lot of my Pokémon are weak to electric types.