Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 84: Indigo-painted dropout
It couldn't have been, unbeknownst to Lyra, Silver, or anyone else present at the Indigo league, Ethan was absent, how could he? He always said he would conquer the league as well as the other Trainers and prove himself against the Champion; so where the hell was he?
Lyra couldn't believe what she was seeing on the screen of the monitor. I mean she could in theory but she wanted to battle Ethan, after all she had to. And she knew Ethan would never miss today for his life.
"N-no way, how could he...?" Lyra asked herself. "Silver, right? You haven't seen Ethan, have you?"
"Does it look like I have?" Silver said sarcastically.
"I don't know, I'm hoping!" Lyra replied back. "You sure you haven't seen him anywhere?"
"I already told you, no, but I doubt he would just give up and go home before his first battle, it's just not like hi-" Before he could even finish Lyra sped past him through the hall making her way towards the stadium from the waiting room.
Silver crossed his arms and turned his head. She's just like Ethan... he realized.
….
Over at the crowd Ethan's name had been called, it was his time to do battle and this of course hadn't been expected by the announcer who was standing their dumbstruck that someone who collected all eight badges didn't show to the first round of the league.
"Um... did you not hear, Ethan!" The announcer called into his microphone; he was standing right beside the ring. Standing inside awaiting his opponent was Grayson, who to be frank was the dickhead he had bumped into a couple times.
That Johto rat must've decided not to come... figures, he didn't have a hope in hell in defeating me... the cocky kid thought with an aura of arrogance.
The crowd was full of almost nothing more than boos and chants, it had been nearly five minutes since Ethan had been called, and they wanted to get on with the next battle. But not everyone was absolutely despising Ethan, of course he had his mother Eliza and his senior Professor Elm who were worried for him.
Eliza was shaking back and forth in her seat while Elm tried to remain more composed, he could hardly contain himself, what had gotten into Ethan?
"I-I know my son..." Eliza said to Elm, she was still shaking from head to toe rocking back and forth on the bleacher. "He'd never miss this day, not for his life, you don't think, maybe, Team Rocket had something to do with thus."
"Team Rocket!?" Elm remarked before shaking his head. "Come on Eliza, Team Rocket's broken up, I promise you, Ethan's going to be here, any second now."
He has to, you have to Ethan... The professor thought looking up at the sun for a glimmer of hope.
Eliza finally stopped her panicking and tried to think of her son, he had to be coming, just like Elm she needed hope.
….
"Honey, did you read the letter your dad sent." Eliza said from downstairs to her son.
"No way mom, not only did he miss my birthday, but he's also going to miss the day I get my first Pokémon!" Ethan explained, slightly annoyed, he came downstairs to greet his mom.
"Wow! You look so handsome, already you look worthy of becoming a Pokémon Champion!" Mother exclaimed, tears in her eyes.
"It's no big deal mom, everyone at some point has to get ready to get their first Pokémon, today's just that day for me." The boy said, trying to sound cool.
"Ethan, you didn't forget your Toothbrush, did you?"
"Of course not!"
"Well, what about wallet?"
"No way, I'd never!"
"Clean changes of clothes?"
"I promise you; I didn't forget anything!"
"Hmm... What about this then?" Mom said, startling Ethan. She held his Pokégear, waving it in front of him.
"D-damn, I can't believe I forgot!" Ethan sighed, then instantly shutting his mouth closed, upon realizing he cursed in front of his mom.
"Ethan..." Eliza said, looking annoyed at her son. She then dropped her look of anger and handed her son his Pokégear. "Go get em' Ethan, I know you can do this, be a great Pokémon Trainer, just like your father!"
"No, even better than my father," Ethan said as he exited his house.
….
Ethan... Eliza thought. You always wanted to surpass your father, to surpass all the other Trainer's in the world, well now is your chance, so please, I trust you, come.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crowd wasn't nearly as forgiving...
"Just get on with it already, the kid's forfeiting!"
"Can we just move on now!"
"I came here to watch some battles, not to wait!"
Things were heating up, and it was time for the three judges to make a decision. They were sitting at their stand directly behind the battlefield in the shade, Lorelai, Mr. James, and Professor Oak.
"Ethan, isn't Ethan that one kid you've sang so much praise for, Oak, well it looks like he's not going to make it." Lorelai said glaring over to the Pokémon Professor a seat away from her. "I'd say it's a shame but, he brought it on himself."
"Yeah, guess you were wrong about him Oak, he's a coward or he's an idiot, either way we can't just excuse the kid." Mr. James agreeing with Lorelai. Meanwhile Oak wasn't as sure, he didn't know Ethan very well but from his own experience with the kid as well as what he heard from Elm he thought for sure the boy would show for sure.
"Something must be wrong, Ethan would no doubt show, we should push his match back, even for ten minutes." Oak asked to the other two. "Please, I'm sure the audience will love to see him battle, it's worth a shot."
"Oak, it's two against one, you're out ruled." Lorelai said coldly to Oak before turning to Mr. James, the well-fed old man beside her.
"You know what, I can't believe I'm agreeing with a miserable old bastard like you." Lorelai said with a glare to the old man.
"Hmph, well the feelings mutual, tramp..." Mr. James said under his breath, the former Elite four not hearing him.
"H-has a decision been made?" The announcer asked making his way over to the three judges who had already made up their minds.
"Yeah, disqualify the boy and let's get on with the next match, meaning that Kanto kid moves on to the next round." Lorelai told the understanding announcer who nodded his head.
"And you all have came to an understanding about it?" The announcer asked.
"Pfft, don't question us!" Mr. James yelled causing the referee to jump on his toes and turn around.
"M-my apologies, I'm going back." He cried leaping back on the ring in one swift jump as he carried the microphone to his mouth.
"Grayson looked at the announcer with a smug smile, knowing he had advanced to the next round and without having to battle either.
The boos and chants were still continuing but died down as the announcer finally began to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Trainers and Pokémon." The announcer smoke with a brief pause afterwards so he could collect his words. "Well, unfortunately, Contestant Ethan hasn't made it with us today and will have to drop out of the Indigo league, we're sorry to say."
The crowd hadn't reacted much at all with anything other than relief, but of course, Elm and Eliza were devastated.
"...How could, how could this happen, my own boy." Eliza muttered to herself with her voice cracking.
"I-I'm sorry Eliza..." Elm said turning to the saddened mother. She turned to him covering his eyes as tears rolled down her face. Of course there was nothing Elm could say to cheer her up, but he could comfort her, so he wrapped one of his arms around her and hugged her.
Grayson, feeling at ease with an easy win had the widest smirk as he leaped off the ring.
"Next time I hope my opponent doesn't quit before the battle starts." He said as smug as he could as he passed the announcer.
It seemed all was lost for Ethan, I mean, he failed to show up to the Indigo league for whatever reason and so he was dropping out. But it was then when he heard a scream. A scream from a girl who ran and jumped on the stage.
"WAITTTT!" She screamed. It was Lyra, she was panting on her knees having ran all the way from the waiting room. Grayson turned to her with a look of surprise, not expecting anyone to try and vouch for Ethan.
"What the hell, what do you think you're doing, trying to sabotage my victory!?" The jerkish Kanto boy accused of Lyra taking a step onto the ring once again.
"Sabotage!?" Lyra spoke up not believing what she heard.
Over at the crowd many folks weren't too happy for what was seen as stalling. The crowd was hungry for battle, and this was nothing more than a distraction.
"Boooo!"
"Get off the stage!"
"Let's just get on with the matches!"
Meanwhile with Professor Elm and Eliza, they couldn't believe what they were seeing, Lyra sticking up for Ethan. Eliza could barely speak before she gulped and collected herself, letting go of Elm's hug.
"Ohhhh, I'm so proud of her, I always knew she cared about my Ethan!" Eliza cried happily. She was always excited to see what she thought could be a wonderful couple between the two of them.
"Hehe, I mean they are childhood friends first and foremost before rivals, I wouldn't expect any less of her!" Elm said wiping a tear from his eye.
Although the two's happiness didn't last as the continuous yelling from the crowd besides them was far too nerve wracking and they must have been the only people there actually cheering the girl on. Something Eliza didn't like.
"Hey, jerks! Stop booing her, don't go booing her!" Eliza yelled turning to the audience members besides her, to which her voice still wasn't heard.
"I-It's no use Eliza, she's never going to hear uh, wait, what!?" Elm said in shock. Somehow, for some reason in the lady's hand was a megaphone.
Eliza took a deep breath, before tensing up and screaming as loud as she could. "YOU GO GIRL LYRA, CHEER MY SON ON!"
And in that instant, the poor Pokémon Professor couldn't hear in both ears...
Eliza's loud cry could be heard all the way from down there, to Lyra. The girl turned her head and saw the woman cheering her on frantically.
"WE'RE ROUTING FOR YOU LYRA, DON'T LISTEN TO THE OTHERS!" Professor Elm yelled as he snatched the megaphone from Eliza.
You guys... Lyra thought with a smile before glaring back at that Grayson boy.
"You already won your battle, so get off the stage." He told her standing face to face with her. Their faces close enough to she could smell his awful breath.
"Just wait, your opponent is going to be here soon enough." Lyra said staring into Grayson's eyes. He looked into her eyes as well and smiled.
"Why don't you forget about that Ethan boy." Grayson said dropping his glare giving a smooth smirk. "How about you let me show you a real man."
"Ugh, I'd rather die." Lyra said taking two steps away from the guy. Finally the announcer walked up to Lyra with a confused look on his face.
"What are you doing, you can't be here, we didn't call you hear!" The announcer spoke to her.
"Well, you can't just disqualify Ethan!" Lyra pleaded to the man. "He really wanted to be here, you've got to do something."
"I mean, uhhhh..." The announcer before going off on a tangent turned and looked at his superiors, both Lorelai and Mr. James glared at him. Which juxtaposed with Professor Oak's more understanding face.
"Get off the stage girl, Ethan's already been dropped out of the Indigo league." Lorelai said turning her face away from Lyra not paying her any more mind.
"Yeah, you're just asking right now for us to qualify you as well... Johto brat!" Mr. James yelled causing Professor Oak to give him a scowl.
"Look, please, I'm begging you three, I know Ethan, he really wanted to be here, he deserves to be here." Lyra said running over in front of the judge's seats. "Come on, can't you just move back his match, I promise he won't disappoint."
Lorelai and Mr. James looked at each other for a second and instantly came to an idea before turning back to Lyra. "No!"
"It's too late missy, just give up on that Ethan kid, he's never going to show, and even if he did, he'd have no chance at defeating me!" Grayson remarked while walking over to Lyra and placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Lyra snapped. She turned and smacked his hand off of her causing Grayson to take a few steps back.
"Woah, no need to get your panties in a bunch, jeez!" Grayson said with a smirk. Lyra before she could say anything ignored him and turned back to the judges.
"Look, like I said, I know Ethan." Lyra said turning back to the judges. "I'm just asking, please give him five more minutes, all I'm asking for is five minutes, and if Ethan doesn't make it..."
Lyra took a deep breath and closed her eyes before reopening. "Then disqualify me as well..."
It wasn't like Lyra wanted to drop out of the Indigo league when she knew she had it in her to face and defeat many powerful Trainers but more than anything Lyra wanted to battle Ethan as well. Maybe in hindsight it wasn't very bright to suggest that, but it was just an impulse decision.
"Or, how about you dropout right now, since you've barged in here and tried to demand US of all people, do you know who we are girl!?" Lorelai spoke up making her irritation clear.
Just when Lyra was about to turn around and walk off, she noticed the three judges no longer facing her as they all turned their heads to behind her. Lyra followed them and turned around as well and to her surprise, it was him.
There he stood. Usually, Meganium was right beside him, but she was nowhere to be found, instead he stood only with Togetic besides him in the open field by the stadium with one strap of his backpack in his hands. His jacket and so on was scuffed and dirty looking, and as for Togetic who hovered above him, he was damaged as well, with multiple cuts and bruises on him.
His eyes were closed but he finally opened them. "I-I'm here, I'm finally here." He said with a wide smile. He made it. Finally.
"E-Ethan." Lyra said her gaping jaw turning to a smile. She instantly ran over to him and brushed his jacket with her hands.
"Man, are you dirty or what, the heck happened to you?" Lyra asked up in Ethan's face. "And more importantly why are you so late!? And where's Meganium!?"
Ethan rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, Meganium's at the Pokémon Center, and so is the rest of my Pokémon. Only one who isn't is Togetic here."
"But Togetic's so damaged, was there a Training accident, or were you ambushed or something!?" Lyra asked as Ethan walked past her along with his flying type.
"Promise I'll explain later, alright, just sit tight and watch me battle." Ethan said to Lyra. Along his way to the judges Togetic turned to her and gave a wave. As he approached both Lorelai and Mr. James, they definitely weren't too happy to see him.
"So... I know I'm a little late today, but I mean, I haven't been disqualified, right?" Ethan asked before Mr. James scoffed.
"A little late, a little late!" Mr. James said standing up. "You're not just a little late, you're out of here, go on and leave, now!"
"Ugh, I was afraid you'd say that." Ethan sighed before turning to Oak who had a sorry look on his face. "Come on Professor, we're pals right, I mean, I was on your radio show that one day, remember."
"Ethan... I really wish there was something I could do, but these two are so dead set on you disqualifying, I'm sorry my boy." Oak apologized, bowing his head.
Over in the stadium, folks were so desperate to see some action they just wanted them to get on with it, whether or not Ethan would be the one battling didn't matter.
"Come on, just let him battle or not, I came here to see some fights!"
"Just get on with it, please!"
"Let the kid battle or stop wasting our time and get on with it!"
Ethan heard what the crowd was saying and it wasn't what he had imagined for when he made it to the Indigo league. He always imagined this day would be followed with cheers and celebration. But no one cared. He collected all eight badges yet he was a mere afterthought. And to make things worse he wouldn't even be allowed to do battle.
"...I understand, thanks for your time." Ethan said with a sigh as he turned his back on them as he walked off. "Come on Togetic, let's go..."
"T-Togetic." Togetic said sadly following behind Ethan. He really wanted to battle as well but more than anything the little fairy was more concerned with his Trainer.
"Hah, don't let the door hit you on the way out, ya dick!" Grayson said as Ethan walked by him, but he paid him no mind. Afterall his anger was occupied on one person.
Why'd you have to do this to me dad, why...? Ethan thought desperately in his moment of weakness. It was over, he was to be disqualified. But to his surprise as he took another step forward, he bumped into a certain man.
Ethan looked up; it was Lance, the Champion of the Indigo league who had a determined look on his face as he gave a cold stare towards the judges.
"It's you Lance, please tell me you're going to have a word with them, right?" Ethan asked but Lance hadn't responded as he simply stormed off past him towards the judge's seats.
Lorelai stood firm her will not bending once for Lance meanwhile the same could not be said for Mr. James who was shaking in his chair sweating almost hysterically.
"S-s-s-sir, I-is everything alright?" He asked, which clearly was a stupid question.
"No, why is Ethan being disqualified, he's here isn't he, I demand you two to think twice about this!" Lance snarled causing Mr. James to scoot further back in his chair.
"Um, Mr. Champion?" Lorelai said with a straight face. "Last I checked, we all have jobs here, we judge and decide the tough calls, and you stay seated like a good little boy until it's your time to face the Champion."
"Don't make me ask twice." Lance replied not taking his eyes off of the former Elite four. Instead she simply smirked and brushed him off.
"Are you trying to threaten me, as if I'd be scared of the pathetic loser who had to be handed back his title by a little kid." Lorelai said with no hesitation. Lance at this point nearly losing his conviction.
"Please. Please don't do this." Lance asked once more losing his angry front.
"The answer hasn't changed, I refuse." Lorelai once more repeated. "That kid is out of here, alri-" Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Mr. James besides her who was nearly crying.
"O-okay Mr. Champion, as you wish. All in favor of not disqualifying Ethan say I!" Mr. James said as he raised his arm.
"W-what!?" Lorelai said in shock. "Wha, what do you think you're doing!?"
"I think the Champion has a point I mean, come on Lorelai are you crazy or something!?" Mr. James said causing the woman's eyes to roll.
"I'm glad we seem to be at some kind of an understanding, and what about you, Professor Oak?" Lance asked.
Professor Oak gave a smile and turned to face Ethan. The boy who at this point was ecstatic by the thought; he's going to be competing in the Indigo league after all.
"Professor." Ethan said quietly under his breath with a smile.
Oak finally smiled and raised a single arm, "I."
"Alright!" Ethan yelled jumping up in the air with one arm, Togetic leapt into his as well and he hugged his Pokémon tight. Unable to contain his excitement.
"We're in the Indigo league Togetic, the Indigo league!" Ethan said squeezing the life out of his flying type.
"To-Togeticccc! Togetic replied hugging Ethan back before the boy finally let go.
"Oh man, congratulations Ethan, how's it feel?" Lyra asked to the boy who was far too excited.
"Haha, pretty damn good I'd say, oh, so what kind of battle is it?" Ethan asked.
"Ugh, pretty run of the mill, just a quick one-on-one, but you don't have any other Pokémon on you?" Lyra asked worried about Togetic. He looked really beat up, it wasn't safe to use him to battle.
"No, Meganium, Ampharos, Espeon, Heracross, and Gyarados are all out of it, Togetic's my only Pokémon right now in semi-good health." Ethan said turning to his flying type who was hovering above him.
"Pfft, whatever then." Grayson from the other side of the ring said as he got on. "Come on then, let's get over this already, come on then damnit!"
"I got to go, talk to you soon, kay." Ethan said as he passed her, but before he did, she passed put her hand on his chest stopping him getting his attention.
"Ethan, don't lose this." Lyra said as sincere as she could. Ethan looked in her eyes and smiled.
"You've got a promise, after all I'm not losing until I face you myself." He said before he walked off on the stage. "Come on Togetic."
"Toge!" Togetic shrieked as he made his first steps onto the ring. It felt like, different, like nothing else the boy's seen before. He always imagined this moment, and although it wasn't too his liking, at the least in the beginning, none of it mattered. Ethan made it. He was at the beginning of the end. Everything, even the boos in the audience, to him it felt like cheers.
Everything's led up to this moment, getting my first Pokémon, collecting all eight badges, battling all those countless Trainers, even if I lose this, I have no regrets... Ethan thought to himself as he made his way on stage. He instantly locked eyes with his opponent, Grayson, who had given him such a hard time his entire stay at Kanto so far.
"Alright folks, after a uh, minor setback... please forgive us for that folks, we finally have it, it's Ethan from New Bark Town versus Grayson from Cinnabar Island!"
"Finally!"
"Just got on with it so we can see a better match!"
"Hurry it up!"
Amidst all the boos, of course there was Professor Elm and Eliza, who were both screaming so loud into their Megaphone to which even Ethan heard.
"YOU CAN DO IT ETHAN; I BELIEVE IN YOU!" Eliza screamed into hers.
"REMEMBER OUR TRAINING!" Professor Elm also screamed as they were sharing one.
Ethan turned to them and smiled, it was nice to know people cared about him, but he turned to his opponent soon after and met his eyes with him once more.
"Look at you, all scuffed up and dirty, no common courtesy whatsoever, or is that how you Johto slobs behave!?" Grayson asked with a snarl. "And look at your Pokémon, it's small, weak looking, and already battle-damaged!"
"You can talk about me all you want, but don't go talking about my Pokémon, don't listen to him Togetic." Ethan said to his flying type who nodded.
"This is going to be quick!" Grayson said as he took out a Great Ball from his jacket.
"Alright, now may you both reveal your first Pokémon and then do battle!" The announcer yelled to which they both followed.
"Togetic, I choose you!" Ethan pointed as he yelled. Although it's not like he had much of a choice for Pokémon.
"Go on, I choose you, Tentacruel!" Grayson screamed as he threw his Great Ball, his words catching Ethan's eye.
A Tentacruel, I've never seen on in person... oh yeah, it's been a while since I tried some of that ink stew I tried before, maybe I should go and see if they have a place like that after this round... Ethan thought before he put his mind in the game.
Grayson's Tentacruel was huge, it was a large, jellyfish-like Pokémon. It had a clear, light blue body that has two large red on orbs on both sides of its head as well as a smaller one in the center. Its eyes are visible in its round lower body, which was all black, and extending from its lower body were multiple, black long tentacles to which is its namesake.
"Tentacruel..." The water poison type said. Despte being a sea critter, the Pokémon was able to levitate off the floor, that was it wouldn't flop on the floor like a fish. It waved its tentacles swaying them from side to side as it looked at its much smaller and already damaged opponent.
"Let's see what the dex has to say about it." Ethan said as he took out his Pokédex and scanned the water type.
"Tentacruel, the Jellyfish Pokémon. Its eighty tentacles absorb water and stretch almost endlessly to constrict its prey and enemies."
"Hmm, didn't know you poor Johto boys are also given the Pokédex." Grayson continuing with the back talk. "A waste on a guy like you."
"I've had enough of your smack talk Grayson, let's just get this over with!" Ethan growled.
"Fine, then I'll start, Tentacruel, Screech now!" The Kanto Trainer yelled causing the start of the battle. Tentacruel listened, revealing its mouth from the pitch-black exterior of its face emitting a hauntingly loud shockwave which was impossible for Togetic to not hear.
"Togeticccc!" Togetic cried out as the noise was enough to push him back towards the ground.
"No way, you okay Togetic!?" Ethan asked with his concern. The attack was terrible to be frank, especially for a speedy Pokémon like Togetic, it was nearly impossible to dodge.
"A devastating attack truly, now how will Togetic get out of it!?" The announcer yelled into his microphone. "Thankfully for us though, only Pokémon can hear the loud screech, our ears can't hear frequencies that loud!"
"Now Tentacruel, while Togetic is weakened, use wrap and grab it!" Grayson commanded. Tentacruel listened, managing to get in close to the flying type it grabbed its tentacles and wrapped it entirely around the ditzy Happiness Pokémon.
"Oh no!" Ethan cried.
"Now smash Togetic into the ground Tentacruel!" Grayson said with a smirk, could it be, was the battle really won? Either way, it looked like Ethan had his work cut for him.
Hey guys, firstly, I want to just say, don't worry, it might seem weird now, but I promise you guys will see the battle between Ethan and his father soon enough, I know, it may seem weird what I'm doing, but trust me, it'll make sense soon. Anyways, new chapter tomorrow :)