Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 85: A wayward battle
Due to his incredibly late timing, Ethan came very close to being disqualified from the Indigo league. In fact, if not for Lyra's reasoning, and Lance for that matter, he would've had to pack his bags and head back to Johto.
With none of his Pokémon by his side other than a battle-damaged Togetic, Ethan had his work cut out for him if he was to defeat his first opponent in the league, a Kanto Trainer named Grayson.
"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 wmon. 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.
"Togeticcc!" Ethan yelled; his already beaten-up flying type was smashed into the ground with enough force to destroy some of the floor plates below.
"To, To, To... getic..." Togetic panted heavily with three of Tentacruel's tentacles wrapped around his body being bounded to the floor. Poor guy couldn't even move an inch.
"What a brutal hit, and how will Contestant Ethan get out of this!?" The announcer screamed into his microphone. All around the stadium, many of the audience were chanting aloud.
"LET'S GO KANTO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO KANTO, LET'S GO!"
Or, alternatively, "JOHTO SUCKS, JOHTO SUCKS!"
Ethan couldn't even bring himself to hear their words however. He was watching his Pokémon whom he raised from an egg being butchered in front of him.
This is bad, this is definitely bad... Ethan thought. I've got to get out of this someho-
"Wait that's it!" Ethan screamed; he suddenly had a plan in mind.
"Aerial Ace Togetic, let's do it!" The boy said with a smirk. Togetic from the ground looked up at his Trainer before giving a smile back.
"Toooooo!" Togetic grunted while trying to lift his body up despite Tentacruel's pressure. The signature white aura of Aerial Ace encompassed him entirely as he managed to just barely bounce off the floor.
"No way Tentacruel, don't let it escape!" Grayson screamed.
"Tenta...CRUEL!" Tentacruel snarled further tightening its grasp on Togetic. And suddenly the white trail of light behind Togetic faded away; the only difference now being Togetic was off the ground.
"Good work Togetic, now Extrasensory!" Ethan screamed out clenching his fist.
"What, a psychic type move!?" Grayson freaked out. It was already too late however. Togetic focused his view on his much larger opponent as he was just barely able to turn his face.
"T-Tentacruel!?" Tentacruel reacted as Togetic's red gem began to glow its regular crimson color. It was too late as the water type was encased in the spiral.
"Now, raise Tentacruel and slam it into the ground!" Ethan yelled. His plan having worked; he knew Togetic while already weakened could never have managed to escape the wrap, but if he could move enough to be in range of am Extrasensory...
Tentacruel was elevated ten, no, twenty feet into the air. The Jellyfish Pokémon wailed its many tentacles trying to break free but it was ultimately of no use as it was smashed into the ground at Mach speeds causing a burst of smoke.
"Oof, what a devastating hit, could the tables be turning!?" The announcer yelled into his microphone. Meanwhile in the audience, Professor Elm and Eliza were watching intently.
"Psychic type moves do massive damage to poison types like Tentacruel, Ethan's going to need to rely on that if he's going to want to win this." Professor Elm explained to Eliza whose eyes were laser focused on the battle.
"I know, but why is Togetic so beaten up?" Eliza asked. "Could he have gotten into a battle earlier, was that why he was so late?"
"It's got to be, I'm guessing all of Ethan's other Pokémon are at the Pokémon Center right now, I mean otherwise he'd probably be using another Pokémon right now, and Meganium's not by his side like she usually is." Professor Elm remarked; it didn't much make Eliza feel better though.
"You really think so?" Eliza asked taking her eyes off the battle and looking at Elm.
"I don't know... it doesn't really matter though does it, all that matter is if Ethan can win this." He spoke.
Come on Ethan, you can win this, you have me and your mother routing for you... Elm thought.
Grayson was now on the losing end after that hit. I mean with Tentacruel taking a Super effective attack and all, and it was now open to another attack. All of a sudden the man's eyes glistened and he said with a scream.
"Tentacruel, Self-Destruct now!" He bursted out.
While watching, Lyra was shocked. A Tentacruel using Self Destruct, that's practically unheard of!? She thought.
"Woah, Self-Destruct!?" Ethan remarked. It didn't take very long before the boy decided to continue with his offensive. "Aerial Ace, right now!"
"Toooogeeticccccc!" Togetic shouted. Despite his injuries from what must have been from a previous battle the flying type managed to dash across the battlefield at fast speed.
"Make sure to dodge whatever attack Tentacruel decides to use, and smash into him, I'm calling his bluff!" Ethan announced to his Pokémon.
"What!?" Grayson reacted with. Much to his surprise Ethan had more courage than he would've thought, trying to attack with a direct hit when he called out for his Pokémon to Self-Destruct.
As Togetic got close Tentacruel opened its gaping black mouth and fired a black sludge straight for the flying type.
"Toxic huh, I had the feeling he was fooling me, looks like my hunch was right..." Ethan said under his breath. Needless to say, with Togetic's fast speed the Pokémon was able to do a loop-d-loop around the poison striking Tentacruel headfirst into its squishy head.
"Cruellll!" Tentacruel cried as it was flung further outside the ring landing back to the ground. An inch more and it would've fallen off the ring, being eliminated by ring out possibly.
Grayson's jaw had dropped. Not having expected Ethan to see through his bluff. And now suddenly he realized the tides of the battle had changed entirely.
"H-how, how did you know!?" He asked.
"This is a battle; I don't need to explain my reasoning to you!" Ethan replied. In reality though calling out moves his Pokémon couldn't use was a deceitful tactic Ethan used to use, sometimes dishonorable measures were just as practical as more fair ones.
"C-calling out an attack... your Pokémon can't use!?" The announcer muttered. He then turned to the three judges who looked dumbstruck. "Um, is that... legal?"
"We have to make a decision." Professor Oak said turning his heads to Lorelai and Mr. James. "Should the kid be disqualified for cheating?"
"Hmm... while it is true that technically it was cheating in some form..." Lorelai began with. Grayson who overheard their conversation nearly shit himself.
"W-what!?" Grayson said in shock. How'd he go from dominating the battle to being disqualified.
"I say it's legal, just this once!" Lorelai declared. "But further use of deceit will be punished immediately."
"That sounds fair to me." Oak said. "Alright, alright, Mr. James, you've got any arguments as to why not?"
"Nope, not one." The old man said crossing his arms. His eyes were locked on Ethan and he began to grow irritated. How could that Johto reject be doing so well...
"Whew, looks like I lucked out." Grayson said wiping some sweat off his forehead before glaring back at his opponent. "You think you're so smart don't you, Johto rat, but unfortunately, you didn't know something about my Tentacruel!"
"And what is that?" Ethan asked. He then stopped as all his attention was turned to his Pokémon who screamed in pain. "Togeticcc!"
Togetic, he was huffing and puffing. Being surrounded by a violet shock, just somehow he was poisoned. But he had avoided the Toxic attack.
"A-are you alright Togetic!?" Ethan asked screaming. A stupid question though as on top of Togetic's earlier damage, the little guy was now poisoned. Togetic fell to the ground, to make things worse, just barely breathing.
"Oh no!" Ethan yelled. "What did you do!?"
"Haha, didn't you tell me you wouldn't have to explain your reasoning to you!?" Grayson said with a smirk. "But I'm feeling nice, so I'll let you in on my secret. Tentacruel must've used Acid Armor, not only does it increase his defense but it also covers him in Toxic for a split second, and while your Aerial Ace landed, that weak Togetic of yours got poisoned!"
"Oh no, Togetic's poisoned!?" Lyra remarked as she watched. "T-this battle can't be over, no way Ethan would let it end like this, right?"
It wasn't just her though. The whole crowd watched enticed as the battle was beginning to reach its end; Surely it was over, on top of being poisoned Togetic was nearly down for the count.
"So, what are you going to do now, boy?" Grayson asked as he let out a grim snigger. "I'm not sure you why you came into battle with a half-beaten Pokémon, but surely you knew it was always going to end this way!"
"Tentahahahahaha!" The cruel poison type Pokémon began to laugh as he watched his seemingly weak opponent who was again struck with the effects of Acid Armor.
"Err, this is looking bad, Togetic, listen to me, please listen to me!" Ethan screamed out just enough for his little fairy to hear him. Togetic turned to Ethan and just barely. He was twitching and it took all his concentration just to not fall over unconscious.
"To-Togetic..." Togetic struggled to even say. Looking into the eyes of his Trainer.
"Look Togetic, I know you're not doing too well right now, and that's okay, but if we're going to want to win this you're going to have to use Extrasensory, please Togetic!" Ethan pleaded with his Pokémon.
"Resorting to begging huh, oh man are you pathetic!" Grayson continuing on with his laugh. It was then however when the flying type's red gem began to glow a crimson color once more.
"TOGETICCC!" Togetic screamed out into the sky, just using the move hurt, but for whatever reason it wasn't using the attack on Tentacruel.
"Te-Tentacruel!?" Tentacruel's laughter turning into confusion.
"Wait, what the hell are you?" Grayson asked not at all catching on.
"Yes! Now focus it inwards, get it all out!" Ethan repeated. And to the amazement of basically everyone watching, black sludge encased by a pinkish aura began to spill out of Togetic's mouth.
"Oh my God!" Lyra screamed as she realized what was going on. "Togetic is, Togetic's removing the poison with Extrasensory!"
"What an awesome strategy, painful looking, but quite effective, Togetic is removing the poison from himself! How clever!" The announcer declared.
The audience was indeed stunned and particularly Elm and Eliza who had no words.
"I-it looks really painful, but it's clearly working!" Eliza screamed out.
"Heh, sometimes I still can't believe he's the same kid who not to long ago flunked his final year of Trainer school, he's really something now! I would've never thought of something like that!" Elm remarked.
Back to the battle Togetic was still coughing up the last of the poison with trails of it still running from his mouth. But miraculously it worked, Togetic was still in the battle.
It probably would've been a bit easier if it was Espeon, but it still looks like it worked. Ethan realized with a confident grin.
"I'm sorry, I know it must have been painful boy." Ethan expressed to his injured Togetic. "But this battles is at its end alright, this next attack should do the trick, so use Aerial Ace!"
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!" Grayson screeched nearly pulling his hair out. "Use wrap Tentacruel, anticipate Togetic's movement then catch it and choke it to death!"
His loyal water type listened. Extending out four of its tentacles forth to try and ensure it could catch Togetic and squeeze the life out of it.
"Togehhhhhticccccc!" Togetic screamed giving a warrior's cry. Zipping across the battlefield at the fastest speed Ethan had even seen the flying type move.
"Catch it and crush it!" Grayson commanded.
"I believe in you boy!" Ethan encouraged.
Finally, in the center of the ring there was an explosion as the two Pokémon were engulfed in smoke. It must have filled half the battlefield; neither Ethan nor Grayson could see what was the result of the clash.
The announcer stood in awe before recollecting himself. "W-what an amazing finish, just who came out on top!?"
"Tentacruel did, obviously!" Grayson argued. But Ethan hadn't said a word as he had his eyes locked on the battlefield. After all if Togetic lost he would be out of the Indigo league, but more importantly than that he just wanted to make sure his Pokémon was okay.
Finally, the smoke cleared revealing the result of the final clash. Togetic's head was jammed into Tentacruel's face, the Happiness Pokémon's body right in between the erected tentacles.
"Tenta-a-cruellll..." The poor water type groaned as its eyes rolled back. It fell down to the ground, without a hope of getting up for a while.
"And there we have it folks, it looks like the winner is Ethan from New Bark Town!" The announcer excitedly screamed into his microphone.
"H-how could this be?" Grayson sighed dropping to his knees.
Togetic finally smiled turning around to face his Trainer who was standing there with his arms spread wide open.
"You did it Togetic!" Ethan screamed as his flying type flew into his arms. He instantly hugged his Pokémon spinning him around.
"I know you could do it boy, I knew you could do it!" Ethan screamed once more as Togetic shed tears of happiness. He finally let go of his flying type and pet him on his head repeatedly.
"Togeeeee!" Togetic happily laughed. Before Ethan could hug his Pokémon again he looked back into the audience to see his mother and Elm, and the cheering audience, but instead he was met with a different kind of response.
Nothing more than boos and chants to which he had heard them earlier but he hadn't focused on them. He was far too concerned with the battle to have heard the negative reception he accumulated.
"You suck, you suck!"
"Was that fight rigged or something!?"
"How the hell did that Johto boy come out on top, he must've cheated or something!"
It was enough to kill anyone's excitement. The boy then finally turned as he heard the snigger from his beaten opponent.
"How's it feel, aye Johto boy?" Grayson asked. "This is the most important event in the whole world, everyone's watching, the world is, everyone sees you, yet they all hate you! This is Kanto, boy, and you've been rejected!"
Lyra ran on stage right behind her friend looking angered. "Don't listen to him Ethan, don't listen to them, because even if the whole world hates you... you have me, and your mom and Professor Elm, and everyone back in New Bark Town I'm sure, don't listen to him!"
Ethan however paid the girl no mind as he walked up to Grayson with Togetic behind him, standing above him as the boy cradled his Tentacruel in his arms. "You asked me how it feels, how it feels to be hated?"
"You heard me." Grayson responded looking up towards the victor.
"You know there was a time when I wouldn't have cared at all, a large part of my whole life has been filled with nothing more than scrutiny, hostility, hatred, and all by people like you. And I was used to it, so along the way it stopped mattering. For some time after becoming a Trainer I thought that as long I had my Pokémon none of it mattered. The whole world could burn for all I cared." Ethan explained. "I was used to it, but along the way I've met people, people who believe in me, and have the purest of ideals, do you even know why the Indigo league was changed this year?"
"Why're you telling me all thi-" Grayson was about to ask before Ethan cut him off.
"To bring Kanto and Johto together, to form comradery between our two regions, yes, that is what the Champion himself, Lance told me. And the minute I stepped into the region I found how right he was, this hateful and spiteful region has done nothing more than put me down since I arrived, when in reality we should all be together, watching these battles together and as one."
Grayson simply looked down, unable to look Ethan in the eyes at this point.
Ethan took a long break before finally turning around. "I'm going to turn those boos into cheers, as long as I'm here I'm going to prove Johto Trainers are equals to others from around the world, and that's a promise."
Walking off the battlefield accompanied by nothing more than an upset by the audience, he stepped off stage and looked to Lyra who was proud of his words.
"That's the Ethan I know!" She said happily.
Ethan chuckled but then turned to Togetic who nearly passed out, falling into Ethan's arms barely opening his eyes still.
"Oh no! Togetic, are you alright!?" Ethan asked. "I've got to get him to the Pokémon Center, along with the rest of my Pokémon!?"
He instantly ran passed Lyra not paying her any more attention. Togetic was hurt and that was his number one concern. As he left Lyra ran and chased after him.
"Hold up, Ethan I need to talk to you!" She screamed. As they ran out the stadium, the three judges watched them.
"I knew he had it in him, Elm always said he was tough, and he's proven it, even if the audience disagrees..." Oak said confident in Ethan.
"Maybe so, but then again that Grayson kid might've just been a push over, even think of that?" Lorelai asked the Professor.
Meanwhile Mr. James slammed his fist into the table alarming the two other judges. He was pissed, royally with his face red with anger.
That Johto rat actually made won, how disappointing... he thought.
….
After a little while, Ethan ran into the Pokémon Center with Togetic in his arms. Luckily since most of the citizens were at the Indigo Plateau watching the league play out, the place was nearly empty.
"I need to see a nurse, quick!" Ethan screamed as he rushed through the doors with Togetic in his arms and Lyra right behind him. The Nurse Joy at the front desk looked up at him surprised at his bluntness.
He ran in front of Nurse Joy nearly having a panic attack. "Togetic, Togetic's hurt, please have a look at him!"
"P-please calm down, it's going to be alright, I promise you." Nurse Joy said as she took Togetic into his arms. He opened one of his eyes looking up at the woman.
"To...ge..." He muttered before falling asleep peacefully. Ethan sighed and wiped some sweat off his face.
"A-anyways, how're the rest of my Pokémon, Meganium and them." Ethan asked.
"They're going to be just fine, just come back in an hour or two for them and they should be alright. Now I've got to go take Togetic in, please take it easy in the meantime." Joy said as she made her way into one of the backrooms.
"How convenient Kanto also has Nurse Joy's, I was so surprised when I first found out." Lyra chuckled as she told Ethan.
"I know right, I know they're all related and all but sometimes I start to wonder if they're all genetically altered to look the same or something, you know." Ethan said before he saw the sudden unhappy look on his friend.
"When are you going to start telling me the truth, Ethan?" Lyra asked.
"The truth?" Ethan repeated.
"Don't act like you don't know, what happened earlier, why in the world were you so late, since I vouched for you you've got to tell me, and I want to hear all of it!" Lyra demanded putting her hands on her hips.
"Fine, you win." Ethan said. "But... I'm starving, could we maybe get a bite to eat first, you ever try Tentacruel ink stew?"
"No, no, I don't think so." Lyra replied.
"Well, what do you say we go and try some, I'm sure there's a place around here that sells it, come on." Ethan said placing his hand on Lyra's. And it felt so natural she hadn't even realized they were holding hands, this being all before he opened the door and bumped into a certain someone.
"G-Grayson!?" Ethan said rubbing his head as he saw his opponent from earlier who looked to be angry.
Lyra then realized the warmth of Ethan's hand and let go instantly, looking back up to Grayson who stood there menacingly.
"W-what do you want?" Ethan asked.
Finally, the Kanto Trainer sighed and looked down. "Listen up, Johto boy... good luck out there, in the upcoming rounds."
With that Grayson walked past Ethan and Lyra. And neither could believe what they had heard. Words of encouragement from Grayson!?
Ethan looked over to Lyra, and the two shared a smile. It seemed like what Ethan said earlier about turning everyone's boos into cheers was finally working, even if at just one person at a time.
Boom, that's the end of this chapter. Pretty nice first round for Ethan in the Indigo league I hope you guys also feel. Also, I just learned today Tentacruel's a jellyfish and not a squid. I was so mind blown you guys don't' even know, so technically 'Tentacrual ink stew' doesn't actually make sense but uh... I don't know, anyways, another chapter's on the way.