Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 76: Vengeance and bloodlust
After being told not to go after the mysterious Team Rocket who kidnapped the Dragon Master by his father, Ethan disagreed entirely. He wouldn't back down and give in when there was Team Rocket was about under no circumstance.
By his side as he ran along the streets of Blackthorn were his Heracross and Ampharos. Hovering and flying right behind them was Togetic, and on his shoulder was his Espeon. As he quickly dashed across the city many folk looked at him with suspicion on their faces but he didn't care.
He had left Meganium back at the Pokémon Center and even though she wanted to come with him it was for the best after all what had happened to her back with Proton and that Nidoking.
As Ethan ran looking for Lance or even Clair he eventually head to the only place he could think to head to...
"Hey, anyone there!?" Ethan yelled as he frantically knocked on the door to young Lenny's place, the kid opened the door with a surprised look on his face.
"W-what's the matter Ethan?" The young boy asked with a look of confusion.
"Didn't you hear?" Ethan asked not expecting to see the young boy's look of calmness.
"A-about my Great-grandfather?" Lenny said nodding his head. "I-it's awful..."
"Yeah, and I want to go help, but my dad forbid me too... and not just that but, well, I want to help." Ethan explained.
"But my brother and Clair are on it, it's that important to you?" Lenny asked to which Ethan nodded. He then took a look towards the Pokémon accompanying Ethan.
Togetic, Ampharos, and Heracross all went inside his house passing Lenny but he then realized something.
"W-where's your Meganium?" He asked.
"I didn't want her coming, it's not safe for her..." Ethan explained looking towards Espeon on his shoulder. The psychic type had a look of concern as she knew of the state Meganium was in herself.
"W-well... I guess that's fine. How do you want to help though?" Lenny asked. "I mean, none of us know where he is, and honestly, I don't if he was even kidnapped."
Ethan certainty didn't expect that from him. "But how, that's what Clair told us."
"I know, I know, but come on, it's my Great-grandfather, the strongest Trainer in all history, I'm sure he's just fine wherever he's gotten himself into." Lenny replied.
"I wish that was the case. But it sounds like someone really kidnapped him from what I heard; you know." Ethan told the boy.
"Even if he was, you know I never met him." Lenny said. "And I don't like how he treated Clair anyways from what I heard, not that I'm saying he had it coming, I'd never say that."
"Yeah, but this is serious." Ethan replied. "So, since I didn't hear much from your cousin, what exactly happened?"
"What else is there to know, some Team Rocket guy came and snatched him I believe while he was sleeping." Lenny explained to the Trainer. "They're off looking for him in the city, and you said your father Allen joined in on the search as well, right?"
"That's right." Ethan nodded.
"Then... hold on." Lenny said taking glance at something behind the Trainer. "I thought you said you left your Meganium back at the center?"
"I, I did?" Ethan questioned as he turned around. Behind him outside the door was indeed his grass starter who was crying out her name with her eyes red from seemingly tears.
He told her to stay back but the only thing on Ethan's mind was what could have happened to her that made her cry. Ethan bolted out the door running to her side.
"Meganium!?" He cried, following behind him was the rest of his Pokémon and Espeon still on his shoulder. "What happened, talk to me!?"
She had a look of horror on her face and turned around telling Ethan to come follow her. "Megay Megay!" Meganium cried with a single tear.
The Herb Pokémon began to take off running which of course Ethan and the rest gave chase. The boy knew something bad had happened and he wasn't quite sure what or how bad it was but judging from how Meganium was so saddened he feared the worst.
Eventually she led Ethan to the forest right outside of Blackthorn leading him to a clearing.
"Megay Megay!" She cried as she stopped pointing towards something with one of her vines.
"What is it!?" Ethan asked before taking notice and gaining a horrified look on his face. Tied to a tree branch hanged from a rope to his neck was the old man they had all been looking for. Dead as he dangled from the tree causing Ethan to nearly faint.
"Espe..." Espeon gasped.
"A-Amphar!?" Ampharos shrieked.
"He... Heracross..." Heracross in disbelief.
"T-Togetic..." Togetic cried in shock.
Ethan finally fell to his knees. Still speechless from what he had seen he had no words not even tears, just shock. He finally came too when Meganium walked to his side snapping him out of it.
"He, how could he?" Ethan asked. "He died... the same way as Kris... how, how could he do that, he seemed too proud to ever-, t-this'll only split up his family even more-" Before Ethan could finish the old man's body from the rope began to form into purple goo dropping to the ground which instantly shocked the boy and Pokémon.
"WHAT!?" Ethan cried out with a look of horror.
The goo then began to morph and it was revealed to be a purplish-pink blob. It had no hands or arms simply only having a goofy looking face to which if it wasn't a serious matter would have made Ethan laugh.
"Ditto!" It said which made Ethan and the rest realize it was a Pokémon.
In the boy's confusion he suddenly heard a sharp sound coming his way and fast. The boy turned around to see a sharp object nearly almost at his neck. It radiated a poisonous energy which was clear it came from a Pokémon. Ethan turned his head to see that Espeon to which her red gem was glowing. She had used Psychic just in time to stop what seemingly was a Poison Sting.
Meganium instantly got an angered face and turned in the direction of where the Poison Sting came from, right from the forest right outside the clearing. His other Pokémon formed battle stances prepared to fight.
The boy got up now filled with anger completely forgetting about the Ditto behind him, it was just a distraction for a more coordinated attack after all.
"Who goes there!?" Ethan yelled. "Show yourself, you Team Rocket coward!"
Even in the dark of night Ethan was finally able to recognize the shine from a man's glare in those woods. It was a look of contempt he had seen before; he had seen that same look when he first entered the town and thought he'd encounter a certain someone.
Upon realizing who it was Meganium herself formed a battle stance. She could hardly stop shaking from all her anger. Her Trainer was nearly killed before her eyes, and she could hardly contain it. Whoever came out she was prepared to strike.
The same could be said for Ethan's other Pokémon of course. Ampharos in particular was surging in electricity, ready to Thunderbolt whoever threw that Poison Sting.
Togetic had an angered look on his face hovering above the rest of the team.
Espeon herself stood in front of Ethan preparing her Psychic for if another attack was thrown like that last one she had caught.
Heracross stood on all fours having entered his fiercest stance, prepared to throw down with whoever he had too just the same.
"I said come on out, Proton!" Ethan shouted for what felt like the rest of the world to hear. His voice echoed in the clearing they were in.
Finally, they heard the sound of heavy steps being taken. He was here, and he was here with his Nidoking. Entering from behind the trees was the man in question. With a smirk on his face. His big, large horned poison type instantly took glance at Meganium and snickered before going serious.
"Nidoo!" The poison type shrieked. With its yell alone it was able to push back Ethan and his Pokémon all back by about even the smallest inch, all except for Meganium who stood firm about ready to strike.
"Megayy!" She cried about to lunge at the enemy Pokémon. Right before her Trainer put his arm before her.
"Wait, hold on Meganium!" Ethan said putting his hand before her. "I, I know how you feel, but, please, when I tell you, alright?"
Although she wanted nothing more than to strike and send that Nidoking to hell she finally listened taking a step back to let her Trainer do the talking.
"What are you doing here?" Ethan asked. "Asides from trying to kill me and taking people's grandfathers, why have you come to Blackthorn!?"
Proton snickered before crossing his arms. From behind him came someone which surprised Ethan even further. It was the other executive of Team Rocket, Ariana, who he had met earlier back Ecruteak and since then saw during Goldenrod.
"You promised me you wouldn't be after pointless revenge Proton." Ariana told her fellow Team Rocket. "This isn't worth it!"
"It is!" Proton yelled at her. "This is all there is to me! If you don't like it then you can get out of here!"
"W-what is going on here!" Ethan yelled getting the attention of both Ariana and Proton who both glanced over to him.
"My vengeance, you and your father got in my way long enough!" Proton yelled pulling out something to which surprised Ethan to no end. A double action golden revolver with the engraving of a Poké Ball. At the sight of it Ethan nearly laughed.
"You're going to kill me by shooting me, really." Ethan said looking towards his five Pokémon who were ready to deal with any bullet that came his way.
"Of course not, not at least I deal with those other Pokémon of yours. Once they're out of the picture you'll be all mine." The Team Rocket executive said putting a single bullet in the chamber of his revolver.
"Please, don't do this Proton. Think, think about who you were!" Ariana said putting her hand on Proton's shoulder. "Kidnapping, killing, this was never how Team Rocket was before, we were bad but we still had our morals! Don't taint us any further!"
The man smacked her arm of her shoulder. "Well it seems I was never that man you thought I was. Team Rocket was destroyed before! And all by a twelve-year-old!" Proton yelled with a disgusted look.
"But we were people then, not serial killers, we still had humanity!" Ariana exclaimed nearly on the verge of tears. "It's not too late."
Proton turned away not even facing her. His face contorting with rage. "You want to know why Team Rocket lost and was disbanded!?"
"What are you saying?" Ariana asked.
"Because of exactly what you speak of, morals, humanity, that's why we were weak... Giovanni was a fool was too concerned with his image to get his hands dirty." Proton began with his monologue. "Because we were too concerned with morality, and humanity, we lost. We didn't have it in us to get rid of true threats! And now a true threat has fought to stop us, and I'm taking the initiative, to get rid of him once and for all."
"But, Proto-" Before Ariana could finish she fell to her knees. It was fast, fast enough Ethan's eyes almost didn't catch it. But Nidoking quickly chopped her on the neck rendering her immobile.
"Pro... ton..." Were her last words before fainting.
"You monster!" Ethan yelled.
"That was nothing compared to what's going to happen to you!" Proton yelled at his opponent.
"So you want to kill me, come and try, you may have gotten me from surprise before but I promise you, that'll not be repeated." Ethan declared striking a smile on Proton.
"Please kid, you were never a threat nor are you the object of my vengeance." Proton claimed. "You're only due to die so I can enrage that father of yours, he pissed me off royally back in Goldenrod, forcing me to retreat... and how can I anger him most, killing his worthless son ought to be high up on the list!"
"You're true evil, even fellow members of your crime syndicate can see that. And that's why I'll never lose to you, not ever again. You claimed you were after vengeance, but I'm the one here to avenge after what you did to her!" Ethan said referencing his injured starter Pokémon.
Proton then took a glance around Ethan's Pokémon, settling his eyes placing them on Meganium who made him snicker further. He raised his gun taking aim at her causing Meganium to tighten her stance. "Oh wow, you evolved that Bayleef of yours, amazing, I thought it'd never be able to walk again after what Nidoking did to it. After it soaked the walls of the tower red and barely could open its eyes... I thought at the very least it'd be dead for sure, Nidoking, you're getting sloppy."
Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon who was used to pleasing his Trainer nodded his head glaring back at Meganium. Like a predator staring at its prey the tension between the two raised as it was clear a battle could strike at any minute.
"Let's begin!" Ethan yelled throwing his Great Ball no longer able to hold his own anger. "Gyarados I choose you!"
"Grahhhhh!" The water type shrieked fuming with anger. He landed to the battlefield facing off with the Nidoking.
"Destroy all his Pokémon!" Proton commanded of his poison type who followed his order. The Drill Pokémon charged for Meganium specifically to which Gyarados stepped in between the two.
Nidoking sidestepped Gyarados before the Atrocious Pokémon could attack with any of its moves. Meganium herself readied her vines but it was then when Nidoking was stopped midair.
"N-Nido!?" It cried in confusion.
Meganium turned her head to see Espeon who had used her Psychic to keep the poison type at bay in an attempt to stop it from moving.
"Break free from it Nidoking!" Proton demanded but it was unable too as the attack was Super effective.
The psychic type nudged her downwards crashing Nidoking to the ground. But much to her and the rest of their surprise Nidoking quickly recovered lunging towards her.
"Espe!?" Espeon cried out as she was struck with a Poison Jab straight in her gut.
"Espeon!" Ethan yelled as the Pokémon was sent flying back first into a faraway tree.
Nidoking turned back to face the five other Pokémon facing it. They all formed battle stances including Gyarados who was placed in the back. Meganium herself was placed in the middle as they squared off with the poison type.
The Drill Pokémon ran forth charging at the five, instantly stopping as it was hit in the gut with a heavy Close Combat from Heracross who struck it once causing Nidoking to spit up some.
"N-Nido..." It said taking one step back. Heracross continued with the onslaught landing a Brick Break to Nidoking's neck causing the poison type Pokémon to fall to its knees.
Heracross stood confidently over Nidoking before being brought down to the ground. Nidoking had placed its grasp on the bug type's leg knocking it down. It raised one arm to Heracross's throat prepared to finish it off with another Poison Jab, all before...
"Togeticcc!" Cried the little flying type crashing into the gut of Nidoking forcing it off of Heracross. Flipping back and getting up the horned Pokémon raised its other fist as it was engulfed by a pulse of electricity preparing a Thunder Punch attack. Rushing forth at Togetic with the Super effective attack leaving what almost seemed to be no time to dodge.
"To, Toge!" Togetic cried as it was nearly hit with the attack. Looking away and flinching Togetic finally looked back as Ampharos had leaped in front of him, tanking the strong Thunder Punch to the gut.
Ampharos although hurt looked up to the mighty Nidoking and snarled. "Ampharr!" He screamed enraged. With his left fist Ampharos struck Nidoking in the face with Fire Punch which caused the poison type to be taken a back.
However, with the other fist Nidoking had used not for Thunder Punch it grabbed Ampharos by the neck raising it into the air.
"Am-Amphar!" Ampharos shrieked almost unable to breath from the chokehold.
Ethan all while watching could hardly believe it. This wasn't like any battle he had before, this was a vicious battle to the death. A survival game.
"Lay your hands off him!" The boy shrieked over to Nidoking.
Before it could inflict any more damage to the electric type in its clutch Nidoking was struck and blasted down with a fierce Hydro Pump spraying it down and also freeing Ampharos from its chokehold. The electric type took a minute to breath excessively trying to regain its breath.
"Grahhh!" Gyarados bellowed with rage. Using his tail it wrapped around Nidoking raising it into the air. From his mouth Gyarados charged a fierce Dragon Rage which would be sure to be powerful if landed.
Nidoking looked down, it was at least ten feet from the ground. Using its Poison Jab it pierced into Gyarados's skin causing the water type to scream in pain.
Using its other fist it again loaded electricity and struck Gyarados with quadruple times Super effective causing Gyarados to reluctantly drop Nidoking to the ground.
Firing off the ground erupting smoke behind its trail the poison types leaped towards Meganium with another Poison Jab prepared. The same attack which had shook up her life entirely back during Goldenrod.
"Megayy!" Meganium cried grasping the Nidoking by its horn much to its shock. She raised it into the air despite its weight crashing it face first into the ground behind her.
"Nidoo!" It shrieked in pain slowly recovering from the fall. From the sidelines Proton watched with his gun hand shaking with anger.
"Nidoking! You'd better win this do you hear me you bastard!" Proton yelled to his Pokémon who got up from the ground gaining more resolve.
The poison type raised its mouth preparing to strike Meganium with a Poison Sting. Firing it off it moved fast like a blur, but again stopped before Meganium's face.
Nidoking turned around. It was Espeon, again she used Psychic to stop a killing blow from landing much to the Pokémon's displeasure.
"Espe!" She taunted it wagging her tail.
Nidoking went and charged towards Espeon but was startled to see Heracross who it had previously beaten right before it.
"Hera!" Heracross fuming with fury growled jabbing Nidoking in the chest with its Megahorn attack making Nidoking yell out once more.
Nidoking raised its fist again despite being hurt. It charged with electricity prepared to strike down Heracross before a small little Pokémon came covering its eyes. Of course, it was Togetic.
"Nidoo!" Nidoking screamed shaking its head forcibly trying to remove Togetic who was slightly hanging off of itself still covering the poison types eyes.
"Togeeee...!" Togetic struggling to hang on for dear life.
With the opportunity Heracross continued with its onslaught. Striking Nidoking again in the gut with a repeated fury of punches thus being its Close Combat.
Nidoking took a step back with every hit as Heracross continuously nailed it. Without warning from behind it was Espeon who using her tail swept Nidoking forcing the bulky Pokémon its knees.
The poison type still not giving up finally grabbed Togetic and using it smashed it into Heracross's face sending them both flying back being hurled. Turning to Espeon Nidoking prepared another Thunder Punch attack.
"Espe!" Espeon cried quickly dodging the attack thrown in her direction. As she leapt and avoided the attack however, Nidoking took notice of something he just now noticed. A bright, shiny, white light being formed causing it to look over.
There stood Meganium. With her angriest snarl as she charged a bright and powerful Solar Beam standing far but in front of Nidoking.
"Megayy... nium!" The grass type shrieked as she fired her strongest ever Solar Beam directly at Nidoking leaving it no time to dodge. Hitting Nidoking with everything she had caused an explosion which engulfed half the battlefield.
"Noo!" Proton shrieked angrily as he watched his one hope to vengeance being brought down before him. From the smoke Nidoking fell... and that was it. Nidoking was defeated by that coordinated attack. But it wasn't the end yet. Gyarados using its heavy tail after recovering from the Thunder Punch struck Nidoking with an Aqua Tail cracking the ground below it making Nidoking spit up blood, with that, it was truly over.
"GRAHHHH!" Gyarados shrieked at the top of his lungs. And with that, it was truly over... over indeed.
Ethan dropped to the ground. The very Nidoking who had haunted him in his nightmares ever since leaving Goldenrod was defeated before his very eyes. His Pokémon all stood victoriously all having contributed to its downfall. Meganium, Togetic, Ampharos, Espeon, Heracross, and Gyarados.
"This, this can't be happening!?" Proton shrieked returning his Nidoking to its Pokéball, he looked at it with a look of disgust. "You, useless Pokémon, how dare you fail me when it matters most!"
Is it over...? Ethan thought as he watched the psychopath have what looked like a panic attack. He had won the battle and Proton was before him, it was time to find out where the Dragon Master was.
"Now where is he!?" Ethan asked. "Tell me everything you bastard!?"
"Hahahahahahaha..." Proton began to laugh which filled Ethan and his Pokémon with disgust. "You'll have to kill me before I'd tell you."
"That can be arranged." Ethan said with a smirk on his face.
"Oh please, you don't have the guts to kill me." Proton exclaimed still laughing as he raised his revolver pointing it towards Ethan. His Pokémon all tensed up prepared to strike down the bullet for him.
As the crazy man pulled the trigger something crazy happened. Stepping in front of Ethan and taking the bullet in a blur was a Dragonite.
"Dragooo!" It shrieked with steam coming from its nostrils. The bullet having crushed from its skin alone.
"W-what!?" Proton said dropping the revolver and taking two steps back. Ethan and his Pokémon turned around to see both Lance and Clair who approached the sides of Ethan.
"Trying to kill a child...?" Lance said with a look of disgust on his face.
"Hehe, wouldn't be the first child I murdered." Proton snickered sickening the lot even further.
"You kidnapped out Great-grandfather, and you will return him to us, at once!" Clair declared clenching her fist.
"How, how'd you two get here so fast!?" Ethan asked with a look of shock. It didn't make much sense after all. How'd they know Proton was here.
"You can thank the one known as Ariana for telling us your plans!" Lance said spreading shock through Proton. The man turned around to the knocked-out Ariana who was slowly regaining consciousness. With his mouth still open Proton couldn't believe what he had heard.
"Y-you betrayed, me!" Proton simply replied with facing his fellow Team Rocket member with a look of shock.
"I-I had to, you planned on killing an innocent child. Sure, he had gotten in our way prior but I couldn't allow you to cross that line. N-not, not ever again, and not now!" Ariana stated rubbing the back of her neck which was struck when she was knocked out earlier.
"Y-you bitch!" Proton yelled rushing towards Ariana. With his other hand he held pulled out a pocket knife raising it over his head as he lunged towards the woman.
"N-no!" Ethan screamed but it was too late. Proton had grabbed Ariana and lunged the knife at her.
And that's this chapter. For those of you who wondered why the hell I even bothered continuing the whole Team Rocket sub plot from HeartGold and SoulSilver past their downfall in Goldenrod you'll find this is why. Next chapter is tomorrow, hopefully...