Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 80: Enter: Kanto
Collecting the eight badges from either the Kanto or Johto regions was enough to give Trainer's passage to compete in the Indigo league held just outside of Viridian City. Of course, gathering the badges of any given region can be a challenge, but any Trainer has the potential to do so. As did Ethan who traveled around the Johto region while collecting new Pokémon, battle other Trainers just like him, and take down the criminal organization that was Team Rocket.
Ethan had spent the next month and a half training up each of his six Pokémon to get them ready for said Indigo league. Along with the help of his mentor, Professor Elm, and even his mother, Eliza, he and his Pokémon both grew alongside each other.
It was finally time, time for the boy to head onto Kanto to take part in the Indigo league. Standing outside a port in Johto's Olivine City Ethan S.S Aqua alongside Elm, his mother, and his starter Pokémon, Meganium.
"May I see your ticket please?" Asked the sailorman standing before the ferry on the port.
"Sure, it's right here." Ethan said with a gleeful grin as he flashed his ticket. This ticket of course granting him permission to enter the ship.
"Awe, I see, and with the eight badges on pinned to the chest of your jacket I'm guessing you're going to contesting in the big league coming up." The sailor asked.
"That's right." Ethan answered.
"Well, all the best, you're free to enter, please enjoy your stay." The man said standing aside for Ethan to enter.
"Good luck Ethan, we promise we'll be straight on our way." His mother said as Ethan turned around to say goodbye. Unfortunately they could only manage to get one ticket since many people from Johto were going to be heading over to Kanto to watch the league in person. Professor Elm and Eliza would have to go by helicopter. Only reason Ethan wouldn't go with them is since he had motion sickness so high from the ground last time.
"We'll be heading there right away Ethan, but still, make sure to have some fun on the way there!" Professor Elm said waving goodbye to Ethan.
"I will! And thank both of you, for helping me progress so much!" Ethan said before he turned to his starter besides him. "You ready, Meganium?"
"Megay!" She cried as she led the way across the bridge into the ship's front door before turning back.
"Bye guys, and pretty soon, I promise, I'm going to be the Champion!" Ethan yelled as he waved goodbye.
"Goodbye honey, we'll see you soon!" Eliza cried as she waved goodbye.
"The same goes for me, bye Ethan!" Elm said as he also waved.
From the inside the great S.S. Aqua was quite sizable. Currently they were in a narrow hallway, the walls were painted red and there were many portraits along them as well. Iconic Pokémon such as the three starters handed out in Pallet Town could be seen along with other famous ones such as Pikachu's, and Eevee's, although that was to be expected. After all the S.S. Aqua was founded in Kanto.
"Doesn't this place look so cool, what do you think, Meganium?" The boy asked who was not usually accustomed to such formality.
"Megay!" Meganium cried cheerfully. As she did a man donned in a sailor's outfit walked by to them garnering their attention.
"Excuse me, which room have you occupied sir?" He asked.
"Oh ugh." Ethan said taking a glance to his ticket. "Room 7B, it says."
"Awe, please allow me to lead you to your room." The man said heading in front of Ethan. He and his grass type gleefully followed along as with nothing but excitement showing on his face.
The man led Ethan to a room on the very top floor of the ferry handing Ethan his room key and such. Upon entering the room's walls were painted indigo, something the kid felt was a good sign given he was competing in the Indigo league.
To the side of the room was his bed which was quite small, but to be fair it was the only room his mother was able to afford, and also the last one at that. He leaped onto the bed back first trying to feel the warmth of the bed.
"This is the life, isn't it Meganium?" Ethan asked his starter who was right besides him next to the nightstand. He felt bad for his other Pokémon and grabbed their Pokéballs from his backpack before tossing four of them. "Everyone out!"
Only releasing four of his Pokémon as of course his sixth, Gyarados, was far too large to be able to fit in the room with Ethan.
"Togetic!"
"Ampharos!"
"Espeon!"
"Hera Hera!"
Instantly at being released his Pokémon wandered around the room amazed by the sight of it. Even back during his one month stay in New Bark Town he still slept outside with them in their tents. Luxury such as this was new to them.
"Pretty cool, huh you guys!" Ethan smiled as his Pokémon all went to his side as he leaned up and sat on the bed. Togetic flew and landed in his arms and Espeon rushed to his shoulder with her legs pressed just barely above his lower back as she always had.
"Hera Hera!" Heracross cheered pumping one fist into the air. Ethan smiled as he got up with his two Pokémon and grabbed his water type's Great Ball from his bag right before looking over and smiling to Meganium.
"Meganium, I'm going to be heading to the top deck, there's something I'd like to do." Ethan told the Herb Pokémon. "Oh, and Heracross, how'd you like to come as well."
"Heracross Heracross!" Heracross saluted as he and Meganium came by his side. The Trainer smiled as he turned around and exited his room. There were many people on the ferry some of which the boy could have sworn he's recognized.
Entering the top deck Ethan noticed it was quite small which is to be expected, it was a ferry and not a cruise ship after all. But there was still enough room for a pool to which his Pokémon sure did appreciate.
"Guys, would you look at that?" Ethan asked focusing his attention to the pool before him. "Who wants to go in?"
Before any of his other Pokémon could even blink, Heracross instantly ran back giving him some distance from the water before dashing into the water causing a huge splash.
"Awe, I'm wet!" Ethan laughed as some water had gotten on his clothes. Similarly the rest of his Pokémon got wet as well. Espeon especially with her fur soaked wet along with Ampharos.
"Espe Espe!" She cried annoyed as she leaped from Ethan's shoulder and onto the water besides Heracross. It's true cats hated water bit she was annoyed with the Single Horn Pokémon.
"Hera, Hera..." Heracross apologized as he rubbed the back of his neck.
It was then much to his surprise Espeon grew a mischievous grin on her face. Using her tail she splashed some water into the bug type's face laughing as she covered her mouth with her paw. Heracross laughed as well as it was deserved.
"Amphar, Amphar!" Ampharos said nudging Ethan's jacket sleeve.
"Huh, sure Ampharos, go on ahead." Ethan happily replied as the electric type leaped into the water. As he prepared to jump it then came to a sudden realization for both Ethan and Meganium that electric types didn't mix with water.
Uh-oh, I may have made an oopsie... Ethan thought regretfully.
Espeon and Heracross turned to the midair Ampharos in horror as the electric type landed in the water with a splash. The splash they didn't fear as it was the aftermath of such which was scary. Blinking with electricity Ampharos in his excitement let out a yellow flash of light which of course was his Thunderbolt. Shocking both Espeon and Heracross who seriously scolded the electric type afterwards.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium began to laugh and so did Ethan.
"Toge, Togetic!" Said the boy's flying type still in his arms garnering his attention.
"Yeah, what's up Togetic?" Ethan asked before the Happiness Pokémon leaped from his arms and flew towards the water.
"I know I know; I'm coming!" He cried as he and Meganium ran to Togetic's side. Togetic sat on the railing right before the edge of the ocean as Ethan prepared his Great Ball.
"Come on out Gyarados!" Ethan exclaimed releasing his water type into the sea. With his release Gyarados swam as he looked up to his Trainer.
"Hey boy, since I feel bad you can't come out and stay with us since the ferry's small, would you like to follow us along, as soon as we reach the shore to Viridian, I'll be sure to return you!" Ethan promised to the Atrocious Pokémon.
Gyarados gave a smile as his whiskers perked up all before he sunk his head into the water making sure to give chase to the ship.
Ethan chuckled before he leaned his head back to the ship. This was the life. This was his life. He made sure to train his Pokémon well since he returned to his home alongside his mother and his mentor Professor Elm and soon would be the time to prove that.
"Togetic Togetic!" Togetic cried from the railing and leaped into the water to be with the other relaxing Pokémon. It was just Ethan and Meganium as they stood their taking in the sight.
"Isn't it beautiful Meganium?" Ethan asked as they both took in the sight. She didn't respond; however, she just took in the view the same as her Trainer. But unexpectedly someone came by his side answering his question.
"It's quite lovely, isn't it?" A voice belonging to a girl said. Ethan turned his head to see a girl who looked to be a similar age to him. She had light-blue eyes which instantly caught Ethan. Along with dark green hair tied in a segmented ponytail that hands down in front of her. She wore a blue shirt with sleeves all the way to her hands and a long red skirt and heel tops.
"Bello!" Ethan heard a faint voice from behind her. Turning his attention to her leg was a cute Pokémon primarily green with circular blue eyes and red markings on the cheeks. It had two bright red flowers on its head and green and yellow leaves around its waist almost like a hula-dancer.
"Wow, that's an adorable Bellossom, hi there!" Ethan exclaimed as he kneeled down saying hi to the Flower Pokémon. Bellossom getting a warm feeling from the boy came out from behind her leg and surprisingly gave Ethan a hug to which he gladly returned.
"Incredible, my Bellossom's pretty shy but she wants to hug you the second she meets you!" The girl smiled. "That says a lot, and I can tell to, you really give off a kind aura."
"Thanks, and you too." Ethan chuckled as he released the Bellossom and let it return to its Trainer. "So, who are you anyway?"
"Garnet." She answered before taking notice of the boy's grass type. "Wow, is that a Meganium, they're quite rare, that's amazing!"
"Yeah, she's my starter and first ever Pokémon. Say hi Meganium!" Ethan told the Herb Pokémon who took a few steps towards the girl. She felt an inviting feeling from Garnet same as she did from Ethan.
"Hey girl, you're so beautiful, it's a pleasure to meet you." Garnet squealed as she pet Meganium on her scalp.
"Megay Meganiuh!" Meganium cried cheerfully enjoying the feeling. Seeing this made Ethan surprised.
"Wow, and just like you said Bellossom is shy around others my Meganium can be just the same at times, so that speaks a lot about you as well." Ethan grinned.
Garnet however winced as she realized the noticeable scar on Meganium's underside. "Oh my, is she alright?"
"Y-yeah, it happened a few months ago, I-" Before he could finish his mouth dropped as he saw Garnet gently place her two palms on Meganium's face, almost like she was sensing her aura. The grass type giving a relaxed moan before the woman released her hands. It was a feeling she enjoyed so well she shed a tear of joy.
"It's alright, I think I understand now, I'm so sorry for what happened to you Meganium." Garnet said wiping Meganium's tear with her index finger. "But just know, you're still beautiful nonetheless."
"Meganium!" Meganium cried happily.
"W-what did you do just now exactly?" Ethan asked almost dumbfounded.
"Sorry, I should probably explain. You see, I've always had an affinity to grass types, I can read their minds, even, that's how in sync I am with them." Garnet explained to Ethan who couldn't believe it.
"But that's impossible." Ethan laughed. "I mean, reading minds?"
"Well, a lot of impossible things happened along your journey, has it not?" The girl answered and so Ethan finally believed her.
"I'm starting to think you're not from around here?" Ethan asked to which she responded with a head tilt.
"That's right, I'm from the Unova region. I like to explore other regions however, to grow bonds with and meet new Pokémon. I found this little cutie during my time here, right Bellossom?" Garnet asked as she kneeled down to her tiny little hula-dancer.
"Bellossom, Bellossom!" Bellossom said jumping up and down adorably.
"So, Unova's all the way across the world, right?" Ethan asked. He heard a lot about the region from Trainer school and just all around. "I heard there's some awesome exotic Pokémon there that'd be completely foreign to us here in Johto, mind if you showed me and Meganium here some?"
"Hehehe, sorry." Garnet apologized with a slight chuckle. "I left my Unova Pokémon back at home, my parents run a nursery where they help all kind of Pokémon, and I usually tend to the grass types."
"Oh, I see, well, that's fine too." Ethan replied. "Then why are you here on this ferry, I guess you're not hear to compete in the Indigo league, right?"
"That's right. Like I implied, I'm not a battler, I'm just on my way to Kanto, I plan to watch the Indigo league to see how it plays out, and then afterwards I plan to return back to Unova." Garnet said before taking a few steps forward.
"Oh, and good luck in the league, I'll be routing for you, Ethan." She said despite not knowing his name. At least the boy hadn't told her his name. "Come along Bellossom."
"Bellossom!" Bellossom cried waving goodbye to Ethan and Meganium as she followed behind Garnet.
"Guess she really can read minds." Ethan smiling towards Meganium who returned his soft gaze. This was before she took her eyes off him and looked ahead of him causing Ethan to also turn and look. It was a Venusaur, a familiar looking Venusaur.
"Venus, Venusaur!" The Kanto starter croaked locking eyes with Meganium. And from behind that Pokémon, a Trainer with a mischievous grin.
"Man, that girl was kind of cute, I call dibs on her, okay, Ethan." A fellow Trainer said walking from behind the Seed Pokémon. A blond Trainer with a smug face Ethan recognized from his journey.
"Woah, long time no see, Kenneth." Ethan replied as he greeted the kid. He had met Kenneth while on his travel to Blackthorn, a Trainer from Kanto who rescued him from a powerful Team Rocket member.
"And long time no see to you, Ethan." Kenneth smiled giving Ethan a fist bumb. He then turned to Meganium with a snicker. "Has she gotten better, last time we battled she wasn't in the best shape?"
"Megay Megay!" Meganium with a confident smile.
"You bet." Ethan answered. In truth, Meganium was better, but her stamina in battle still had taken a hit, something Ethan realized would make him have to change her battle style entirely.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium with a confident smile. She turned and returned Venusaur's grin as she knew she may have to face with it if they're both competing in the league.
"So, I see you've gotten the Rising badge. So, you managed to beat Clair, impressive." Said Kenneth as he snickered crossing his arms.
"That's right, so you have a lot to look out for." Ethan promised clenching his fist.
"Haha, I'm sure. Well, I'm going to go and get some shut-eye, hopefully, we'll both get a match during the league, follow me Venusaur." Kenneth cried as his Vensaur followed alongside him. The Seed Pokémon giving Meganium one last glare before his Trainer back to Ethan.
"You know, don't forget what I told you, a lot of folk have prejudice against Johto and the people from there back in Kanto." He warned. "So, just make sure you watch your back, got that."
"Don't worry, I will." Ethan answered which made Kenneth smile as he head off waving one arm. After such Ethan turned and smiled towards Meganium. "Look over there!" He pointed.
Although it was faint and in the distance, far far away was Olivine. The city they just left, a lot had happened during their journey but it was finally time, as the boy thought back to all his rivals along the way.
….
"Hey, so what do you say we have that battle you were talking about earlier." Ethan suggested.
"Chika Chika!" Chikorita jolly fully remarked.
"No way, you only just got it. Don't forget, I've had this Marill ever since I was a little kid. Type advantage alone won't be enough for you to pull a win here." Lyra explained to Ethan.
"It's not just type advantage, me and Chikorita are partners, this is the next step to becoming a Pokémon Master," Ethan replied.
"Well fine, you're on, maybe humbling you wouldn't be so bad, would it now?" Lyra said, Marill once again got ready to battle.
"Marill huh," Ethan said, preparing his Pokéball to scan Marill down.
"Marill, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon. The tip of its tail, which contains oil that is lighter than water, lets it swim without drowning." Scanned Ethan's Pokédex.
"Cool, what is that thing?" Lyra asked, in awe.
"Don't worry about it, you should be concerned over what nearest Pokémon center is there." Ethan said, confident in his Chikorita's abilities.
"Just drop that stupid smirk from your face Ethan. You always acted like you were the best in class, that you were the upcoming champion. But then you go and flunk the graduation." Lyra said, cracking down on him. "You act like you're Mr. Big Shot, when you're really nothing, nothing compared to that dad of yours."
Ethan didn't expect her to go that far, even Chikorita was angered now.
"You shouldn't have said that." Ethan said, not playing around. "Alright Chikorita! Let's win this, start with tackle!"
….
Ethan and Chikorita came dashing as fast as they could, Ethan ran as fast past Cherrygrove as he could to get back to New Bark Town. But stopped as he locked eyes with the same red-head delinquent who was eying Professor Elm from his lab.
The kid analyzed Ethan, taking notice of the Chikorita by his side.
"You got a Pokémon at the lab. What a waste. That's a Pokémon that's too good for a wimp like you." He said, making fun of Ethan.
"What's it to you?" Ethan said, defending himself.
"Hmph, don't you get what I'm saying? Well, I too have a good Pokémon. I'll show you what I mean!" The boy said, revealing a Pokémon from his belt.
"Go, Cyndaquil! Don't disappoint me!" He commanded the Cyndaquil which launched from his Pokéball.
"Cyndaquil huh," Ethan said, raising his Pokédex to scan his enemies Pokémon.
"Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokémon. It is timid, and always curls itself up in a ball, it flares up its back for protection."
"You're facing a Fire-type, you have a huge disadvantage, your Chikorita won't do you much good here." The red head said, continuing his boast.
"C-Cyndaquil!?" The poor thing muttered, nervous as ever.
"Ready, Chikorita?" Ethan said.
"Chika!" Chika said, preparing to battle once again.
….
Ethan stared at Meganium as he thought back to her back when she was a Chikorita. Right in front of him was a Chikorita in that instant before she turned her head, almost as if she transformed back into a Meganium. It was his imagination of course during his reminiscing.
"Megay?" She said with a smile as she looked at Ethan with a loving gaze. Ethan smiled and turned to the horizon before him.
"We've made a lot of rivals along the way, and now's going to be our chance to prove ourselves, to prove how far we've come." Ethan stated as he raised his palm facing the sun and clenched it.
Lyra, I'm coming for you... he thought with sheer determination.
Hey hey, time for some words from the author as usual. I just wanted to say if something felt weird about the beginning of the chapter, I understand. I was sort of writing it in a way that if people who don't care for the build up and just want to see the league, they can. Anyway, this is it, we're getting close to the big finale. Now, for you readers who did skim to this point, just know this league will be similar to the anime's take on it, a big tournament and winner gets to challenge the Champion Lance. And, that's all you probably have to know.