Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 86: What had happened
It was Ethan's first time in Kanto of course but it wasn't like it was another world. It was pretty similar to Johto, all things considered, so luckily he was quickly able to find a local restaurant pretty quickly along with Lyra.
Both young Trainer's stood in front of a small restaurant which was about a fifteen-minute walk from the Indigo Plateau. Place was called "Pikachu's Playhouse," it was a Pokémon themed restaurant which was clearly for a younger audience, the place even had a Pikachu on the face of the store.
"P-Pikachu's, Playhouse?" Lyra chuckled at seeing the name of it. "This the only restaurant around here?"
"Looks like it." Ethan said quickly running to the front door excitedly which surprised the Lyra.
"What are you doing?" Lyra asked as she ran behind Ethan as he opened the door. "I mean, doesn't this place look kind of childish?"
"Huh, well, maybe but I don't care about seeming childish anymore, plus, this is the closest place, don't you want to be back quickly to see the other rounds of the first round?" Ethan asked Lyra as they walked in.
"Can't argue with that." She replied with as the two took their seats. Place was pretty empty as expected since today was a special day. It didn't take too long before they were recognized by one of the waitresses who walked up to them with menus in hand.
"Hello, welcome to Pikachu's Playhouse kiddos, here you are, your menus." She said as she handed both Trainers their menus. The lady was about in her twenties, dressed in a yellow short kimono with a Pikachu face mask.
"Thanks a lot." Ethan responded.
"Hey Ethan, these are kid menus, can't we at least get the adult ones?" Lyra whispered to Ethan quietly.
"Hehe, you can, but then that means you don't get to use the coloring page!" Ethan exclaimed pointing to the three colored crayons he had in hand. It was enough to make Lyra cringe for a bit before she heard some noise from the TV which made her look up.
"E-Ethan, take a look over there." She said as she pointed to the TV. The boy listened taking his attention from the menu to the small monitor above him. And much to his surprise, on TV was... him, it was his battle with Grayson he just had.
"Woah... I'm, I'm actually on, TV?" Ethan said in awe which made Lyra laugh.
"Of course, silly, what'd you expect?" She asked jokingly. "Must be a rerun earlier."
"I mean, I knew it'd be broadcasted to the whole world and all, but it doesn't really compare to seeing it in person. I'm, the whole world sees me, I'm being seen." Ethan said not able to take his gaze from the TV.
Lyra smiled as she moved back some hair behind her ear. "So... how does it feel?"
Ethan turned to her and smiled. "Different, I, I don't think I've ever felt this way before, it's like, for once in my life... I'm breathing."
"Breathing..." Lyra chuckled but stopped as she realized Ethan was completely serious. It was then when the same waitress interrupted the two.
"Oh my God, you're competing in the Indigo league?" The woman said with her eyes glued to the TV. "I-I didn't know I had someone so amazing I'd be serving today!"
"Haha, I wouldn't say amazing, I'm still just an ordinary kid." Ethan said before pointing to Lyra. "By the way, my friend here is also competing in the league, and she's a really good Trainer."
"I-Incredible." The lady said now looking at Lyra. "Two Contestants in the league dining at our establishment, in the same day and at the same time. Can I ask, where are you two from?"
"We're from Joh-" Before Ethan could finish, Lyra interrupted him.
"Kanto, we're from Kanto." Lyra said covering Ethan's mouth.
"P-pardon?" The waitress asked confused.
Ethan looked at Lyra before gently removing her hand from his mouth. "We're actually both from New Bark Town, Johto, ever heard of it?"
"Can't say I have, but it's always nice to see friendly faces, and ones who're competing in the Indigo league." The waitress laughed before getting an idea. "You know what, how about you both get something on the house, to celebrate."
"REALLY!" Both Ethan and Lyra cried out excitedly.
"Yes, of course, for good luck during your upcoming rounds." The waitress said taking off her Pikachu face mask before walking off. "Well, I'll leave you two alone, I'll be back in a minute when you two decide what you want."
"So, what was that about?" Ethan turned asking Lyra. "Didn't know you wanted to be from Kanto so bad."
"I don't, it's just, everyone here has been so rude to use just because our heritage." Lyra admitted. "I just didn't want that lady getting difficult with us cause she seemed really kind."
This made Ethan giggle. "Come on Lyra, we can't just assume these kinds of things on people just because they're from Kanto, otherwise we'd be the ones in the wrong."
Lyra looked away from Ethan with a blush before looking back. "You know, you've really gotten wise... you know, in your own stupid kind of way."
"Really?" Ethan said as he was checking out the menu. "Oh sweet, they have macaroni, in Bulbasaur shape, Squirtle shape, and Charmander shape!?"
"Haha, this place is really extreme with the theme, guess I kind of like it." Lyra confessed.
"Awe, here it is, Tentacruel Ink Stew, you up for it?" Ethan asked with a grin looking to the girl.
"No way Ethan, think I'll stick with something that doesn't remind me of what just poisoned Togetic." She snickered.
"Suit yourself, just know you're really missing out." He said as he closed the menu shut. Him doing so then reminded Lyra of what she agreed to come here for.
"Anyways, remember what you said you'd explain to me?" Lyra asked making Ethan sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Y-yeah... don't worry I remember, so you sure you want to know, it's kind of a long story." Ethan asked.
"Of course, main reason I came with you for lunch today." Lyra said.
"Alright alright, well..." Ethan said struggling to find the words. "Basically, it kind of had to do with my dad."
Lyra couldn't believe what she heard. Ethan's dad. She hadn't seen him in what felt like years after all the man was always busy in their childhood and of course she wouldn't have seen him during the time she and Ethan weren't on good terms.
"So, your dad's in Kanto?" She said. "Man I would've never guessed that, so what had happened?"
"Hehe, well, put on your seatbelt." Ethan told her causing her to frown.
"Just get on with it, Chikorita boy." Lyra said jokingly.
….
"W-what, that, that was just a dream!?" Ethan asked himself looking around just to be sure. And sure enough there was his Meganium who was alive and well. Her eyes opened as she had awakened to Ethan's cry.
"Megay Megay!?" She said with concern for her Trainer. The grass type going to Ethan's side worryingly.
"I-I just had a bad dream is all..." Ethan explained. Still he wondered why he had dreamt that. Sure it was looking bad for Meganium back there but Lyra would have never let Tyranitar end it that way.
What's wrong with me...? The boy wondered face palming. Could I be, scared...?
Breaking him out of his sadness was Meganium who smiled and gave him a lick on the cheek which brought him out of it. He looked up to his starter who gave him back a confident look.
"Megay Megay!" She exclaimed.
"I'm sorry for scaring you..." Ethan said placing his hand on her scalp. As he did he realized his Pokégear had a notification, a missed call.
"What's this?" Ethan said. "Looks like, mom called me, guess her and the Professor got here!"
"Meganiuh!" She said nodding her head.
"Let's give her a call!" Ethan said as he dialed her number on the cell before awaiting the ring. Finally when he got an answer much to his surprise he could hardly hear his mother's voice and could mainly only hear the sound of cheers.
"H-Hello!" He could just barely make out his mother's voice.
"Hi mom!" Ethan said wondering as to why there was so much noise. The sounds of cheers, it could only mean... "Oh my God, am I late!?"
"Ethan!" Eliza yelled so her son could hear her over the noise. "What're you doing, the league matches are beginning! I've been trying to call you all day!"
"Damn it!" Ethan barked. He overslept last night and it was already two in the afternoon much to his disdain.
"Um, okay, just tell me, have I been disqualified!?" Ethan asked alarmed. Meganium equally as concerned.
"I-I hope not, they haven't called you yet, but you'd better get here and fast!" Eliza yelled. "Don't miss it, please, get over here as fast as possible!"
"Got it!" Ethan said hanging up on the Pokégear and turning to Meganium. "We've got to get going and now girl!"
"Megay!" She replied before running and leading the way. Ethan followed pissed off at his self for oversleeping. How could he, today was the most important day in his life.
Just great, this is just great! Ethan thought as he ran.
Many others on the streets there wondered where the boy was going so fast. But one man watched from the sidelines observing him like a predator watching its prey from the bushes.
Late on a day as special as this... pathetic... the person thought before getting up from the bushes.
As Ethan continued running. He suddenly came to a halt; a smoke cloud engulfed the scene causing him and Meganium to jump back. Was this an ambush he wondered?
"Wha-what's going on!?" Ethan freaked. "I don't have time for this!"
The Indigo league was still half a quarter mile away from him. He could see it in his sights, but he now had a distraction. Could someone have been trying to ambush him so he couldn't compete, the boy wondered.
"W-who goes there!" Ethan bellowed. "Show yourself!"
And so finally, from the smoke, emerged two figures. The two of which being not at all what Ethan imagined. It was his father Allen, standing on the opposite side of the road, and right besides him was his Feraligatr who stood their menacingly.
"Megay..." Meganium snarled as she formed a battle stance.
"D-dad!?" Ethan freaked before losing his shock. "What do you think you're doing!?"
"Stopping you, from embarrassment." Allen scoffed crossing his arms. "You're not ready to compete in the Indigo league, you're still too weak!"
"T-too weak!?" Ethan said feeling insulted. Even after acquiring all eight badges he trained his Pokémon vigorously for a month and a half. But even still he was 'too weak.'
"I get it Dad, no really, I do." Ethan claimed as he angrily clenched a Pokéball with his hands shaking violently. "You never once believed in me, have you, almost no one believed in me, and I've still made it all this way by myself and yet you still doubt me!?"
"But you didn't make it Ethan." Allen stated looking at his son with a disappointed stare. "You didn't even make it on time, but that's your saving grace, you're not ready to take on the league, go in there now and you'll surely lose as fast as you came!"
"Feraligatr!" Allen's Feraligatr roared behind him.
"Meganium!" Meganium screeched back with equal intensity.
A crowd of people were forming around them, at least ten in total as it looked like things were about to get heated. Along with that the clouds had formed along with rain which drenched everyone soaking wet.
"Let me go dad, you're making a scene!" Ethan commented upon realizing.
"You're going to have to defeat me first!" Allen scolded. "Which we all know you can't, really, I'm doing you a favor, after all, you'll be saving yourself from endless scorn."
"That's not for you to decide!" Ethan yelled. "I'm from Johto, no matter what that's all I'll be getting, but it looks like you're right about one thing, I am going to have to defeat you!"
"Then shut up and do it!" Allen barked at his son.
"Fine, let's do this!" Ethan screeched as he tossed his Great Ball. "Gyarados, I choose you!"
"Grahhh!" Ethan's raging red Gyarados screeched upon being released as the boy's father went and threw his own Pokéball.
Out from his Pokéball came a strange looking Pokémon Ethan had never seen before. It was a large and spherical Pokémon with no visible limbs. The upper and lower halves of its body were capped by bumpy steel plates. The outer plates of which had zigzagging ridges that open along its back and front, revealing its smooth, red inner shell.
"What Pokémon is that?" Ethan wondered as he pulled out his Pokémon and scanned it.
"Forretress, the Bagworm Pokémon. Its entire body is shielded by a steel-hard shell. What lurks inside this shell is a total mystery."
"Forret...ressss!" The pinecone Pokémon screeched with its body rolling despite not moving.
"Come at me with everything you've got, Ethan." Allen said in a commanding voice. Meanwhile his son on the opposite side of the battlefield was lost in thought.
I'm going to have to battle dad... and if I don't, I won't be able to make it to the Indigo league. He stood there and fret which only managed to piss off his father further.
"Didn't I tell you before to not just stand there and stay on the defensive while your opponent goes for the first attack!" He yelled with rage in his eyes. "Forretress, Explosion!"
"W-wait, hold on, what do you mean, Explosion!?" Ethan freaked out just by the words alone.
"Me-Meganiuh!?" Meganium cried closing her eyes and looking away from the upcoming blast.
Indeed, the name of the attack was fitting. As the Bagworm Pokémon leaped pouncing at Gyarados, but something was different. Forretress's body expanded and puffed up, something which shocked Ethan's water type to no end.
BOOM! Forretress let rip with an explosion which engulfed both itself and Ethan's Gyarados with the latter letting out a scream in pain as Ethan covered his eyes.
"Aieeeeeeee!" The members of the audience screamed as they all ran elsewhere scared of the power the Pokémon possessed and also not wanting to get caught in any collateral damage.
"Augh, Gyarados!" Ethan screamed and panicked rushing forth to his fallen Pokémon. Once the smoke cleared it was easy to see the explosion from Allen's Pokémon was easily enough to wipe out his Pokémon as Gyarados lied on the ground unconscious. And laying down next to him was a knocked-out Forretress who has just as unconscious with the red of its skin looking a pale white.
"You see what happens when you're afraid, it can cost you a Pokémon, you can never expect to know what's going to happen on the battlefield." Allen scolded as he returned his Forretress. "Another reason why I'm not letting you get past me!"
"Thank you Gyarados, you were amazing, so go and rest up, alright." Ethan smiled as he returned Gyarados to his Great Ball before looking back up to his dad while glaring. "And who said I'm scared?"
"You're face says it all." Allen smirked grabbing another Pokéball and tossing it. "Now next up, go on, Raichu!"
"Rai Rai!" Allen's Raichu screeched upon being released with its lightning bolt tail facing the sky as static electricity began to build up in through its cheeks.
That's the same Raichu who took out both Espeon and Heracross before losing to Ampharos. Ethan realized as he grasped his next Pokéball.
Finally, from the sobbing skies came the sound of thunder, and along with that a bolt of lightning which shot down from the clouds causing Ethan to turn his head away scared. The electricity came down and struck Raichu all while causing another explosion.
"This is crazy!" Ethan gasped as he could have been struck. Looking back however the electric mouse was perfectly fine having taken no damage.
"Rai..." It said with a mean stare.
"Alright!" Ethan finally pulling out another Pokéball. "Let's win this together, I choose you!"
"Hera Hera!" Heracross exclaimed being launched from his Pokéball with his usual macho.
"We're winning this no matter what!" Ethan exclaimed. "Let's start with Close Combat!"
"Hera!" Heracross giving a warrior's cry as he lunged across the battlefield with both fists prepared for a barrage of punches.
Allen smiled before turning his face away. "Raichu, dodge it!"
Despite being an electric type, Raichu's eyes lit with a burning fire doing what may seem impossible for a Pokémon of its size. The Mouse Pokémon began to dodge every blow thrown by Heracross much to Ethan's surprise.
"That thing's gotten faster!?" Ethan remarked.
"Of course, you're not the only one whose been training." Allen snarled.
"Well so have we!" His son replied. "Heracross, Brick Break!"
Seemingly with no transition between the two moves Heracross managed to let up with the punches instantly sending a chop of his fist into the neck of the poor little Raichu causing it to gush out spit as it was sent hurling across the battlefield.
"Good job, now Megahorn!" Ethan continuing on with the onslaught. Heracross listened and sped across the battlefield at remarkable speed; in a flash he appeared behind Raichu who was still being launched in midair.
"Rai Rai!?" Raichu reacted in shock. Heracross's horn began to glow white, but it was then when Allen got an idea.
"Trap it with Iron Tail Raichu, now!" He yelled.
"What!? That old trick!?" Ethan remarked.
Raichu's tail turned a solid iron as the name implies swiftly turning around and smashing Heracross in the neck, almost verbatim like how Heracross had done to itself earlier.
"Heraaaaahhh!" Heracross screeched being knocked to the ground at incredible speed. The ground below the bug type cracking in the process.
Raichu sunk its tail right before Heracross neck preventing the poor Pokémon from moving an inch. This of course giving Allen the opportunity to call out another attack. Heracross tried to move the mouse's tail with his own two hands but it was too late.
"Hyper Beam now Raichu!" Allen screamed. And to Ethan's horror, much like last time during his first battle with his father the same tactic had worked on him as he watched Heracross be flung across the battlefield knocked unconscious.
"Heracross, no!" Ethan screamed as his fighting type Pokémon was sent flying back to him falling in Ethan's arms.
"Megayyyyy!" Meganium gasped looking away so she wouldn't have to see her partner in pain.
"Hera... Hera..." Heracross groaned in Ethan's hands. His second Pokémon after Gyarados defeated. On the other side of the battlefield Raichu was smirking with its arms crossed believing itself that the battle was won.
"Heracross, return for now and get a good rest!" Ethan cried as he returned Heracross to his Pokéball. Even though he lost, nonetheless Ethan was still proud.
"You're losing, just as expected." Allen said also with a smirk as the battle was looking to be in his favor.
"Shut up!" Ethan said while pointing his finger towards his next Pokémon's opponent. "Meganium, let's do this!"
"Megay Megay!" She cried leaping into the battlefield with her usual enthusiasm as she formed a battle stance.
"This will be over quick, Raichu, Iron Tail!" Allen roared.
"Dodge it!" Ethan screamed. The Herb Pokémon listened and side stepped to the right of Raichu completely avoiding the attack as Raichu's tail was stuck into the ground.
"Rai Rai!" It struggled trying to free its tail but to no avail. Which left Ethan with a free attack.
"Meganium, use Dragon Tail!" Ethan bellowed revealing a new move his grass type had learned during their month and a half training together.
Meganium swung on one leg swiftly turning as she bashed her tail into Raichu's got as it was encased with an aura of a dragon.
Raichu was sent crashing back spitting up in pain as it fell flat on its face. Not long after getting up with an energetic flip.
"Rai, Rai!" Raichu muttered bouncing from one foot to the other.
"Now, Volt Tackle!" Allen commanded to which Raichu followed. It was an attack Ethan had seen before as Raichu charged towards Meganium with each step cracking the earth beneath it. With each step more and more electricity encased the mouse Pokémon all while its speed increased.
"Rai Rai Rai Rai Rai Rai Rai!" Raichu screamed almost sounding in pain from its own attack as it leaped for Meganium.
"Dodge it!" Ethan screamed. Just in time Meganium listened and jumped into the sky, dodging the attack entirely as Raichu stopped and was hit by the recoil damage of its attack.
As Meganium was air borne Ethan realized something. The clouds parted revealing the sun to which he intended to use to his advantage.
"Hey Dad!" Ethan said with a smirk for the first time smiling in their battle.
"What?" Allen replied confused.
"How about another new attack, Meganium, go ahead and show off your energy from the Sun!" Ethan cried out clenching his fist.
"Megan...IUH!" Meganium screeched firing a solar powered induced Solar Beam which appeared to be twice as devastating as usual under such conditions. The beam was a fierce yellow color which Allen could feel the heat coming from it even from far away in the distance.
"Solar Beam!?" Allen remarked. "D-dodge it Raichu!"
Raichu tried to leap back but the beam was quite fast and blasted the poor electric type intensely causing it to be engulfed in smoke along with leaving a crater in the battlefield.
"Raichu... Rai..." The electric type squealed falling unconscious as it was knocked all the way back to Allen.
"Alright, that's two down!" Ethan cried. He turned over to Meganium who was celebrating her victory but even then he noticed that she was panting softly albeit trying not to show it. It was best for her to return as he didn't want her using up all her stamina.
"Meganium, back to me!" Ethan called and so Meganium leapt back to him. He smiled at that and gave her a pat on her head to which she appreciated.
"And come back to me, Raichu." Allen said calling back his defeated electric type to its Pokéball. He then looked back up facing his son's view.
"Just leave me alone why can't you, why don't you want me competing so badly!?" Ethan asked not trying to hide the anger in his voice.
"Shut up, this is a battle we've started and I intend to finish it!" Allen cried out as he grabbed another Pokéball and tossed it. "Go, Ursaring!"
Ursaring... Ethan thought as the Pokémon was released onto the battlefield. It was a Pokémon that had haunted him in his memories from all the way back before he even got his first badge having been scarred by the Pokémon's brutality.
To no surprise of Ethan, Allen's Ursaring seemed just as vicious as he recalled with the Hibernator Pokémon letting out a fierce screech with eyes that showed a lust for battle.
"Heracross would do good here, but he's knocked out from his battle with that Raichu!" Ethan realized deciding it wasn't a good idea to go with the fighting type.
"Alright, my hopes are on you!" Ethan called out as he readied his next Pokéball. "Ampharos, I choose you!"
"Amphy, Amphar!" The Light Pokémon gleefully exclaimed hopping from one foot to the other upon being released. Upon noticing his enemy he suddenly tensed up remembering his, Ethan's, and Meganium's encounter with one back when he was a Mareep.
"Okay, we'll start with Fire Punch Ampharos let's go!" Ethan yelled.
Ampharos listened pouncing towards the Ursaring with one fist behind him giving off a fierce heat.
"Hammer Arm, Ursaring!" Allen screeched to which Ursaring listened leaping towards Ampharos with his fist encase with a white aura.
"You know what to do boy, anticipate it, dodge, then strike!" Ethan announced. Ampharos listened and right as he was an inch away from Ursaring's punch he swiftly moved to his right dodging the attack.
Hmph, not bad... Allen thought with a smile.
"Now, do it!" Ethan roared. Ampharos listened and struck Ursaring in the face with the Fire Punch which blew up in its jaw.
"Ursaaaa!" Ursaring screamed being dropped to the ground on its back kicking up some dust from beneath it.
"Don't stop there, Iron Tail!" Ethan continued.
The electric type's tail formed into literal steel as he swung his tail smashing it into the bellow of the brown bear causing an eruption of smoke along with Ursaring's pained scream.
"Did it work?" Ethan asked himself awaiting as the smoke cleared. But much to his surprise Ampharos was being held from his neck as Ursaring stood up angrier than ever.
"Throw it up into the air then use Slash!" Allen ordered. Ursaring listened and spun three times with Ampharos growing more and more dizzy with each spin before tossing him into the air like a ragdoll.
"Ampharrrrrr...!" Ampharos squealed being thrown aside.
Ursaring leaped off the ground so fast he shattered the ground below him. With a fierce slice he slashed into the Light Pokémon's belly causing Ampharos to spit up in pain as he was flung along the field. Eventually Ampharos caught his footing landing upright on his feet but not without his fair share of bruises and scratches.
"Oh man, are you okay Ampharos!?" The boy asked to his weakened Pokémon receiving a head nod. "Great, than continue on with Thunderbolt!"
The electric type charged with beaming static electricity before hurling it with everything he had towards the Ursaring. The electricity blasted Ursaring causing it to fall on one knee before the electricity subsided.
"Ursaaaaaa!" Ursaring screamed being blasted by the effects of static, Ampharos's ability which paralyzed it entirly.
"Yes!" Ethan cheered. "We also got off your static ability, this is perfect!"
"Megay Megay!" Meganium cried out joyfully.
"Amphar!" Ampharos squealed with a thumbs-up. But at the same time this was juxtaposed with Allen's grim smile.
"You shouldn't be celebrating right now, landing a static is very bad for you..." He claimed which confused his son and his Pokémon.
"Wha, what do you mean?" Ethan asked. As he said his words Ursaring got up to his feet with steam coming from its nostrils. It's eyes dyed a blood-red color as he puffed his chest up and was surrounded by a powerful aura.
"This is Ursaring's ability, guts." Allen proclaimed. "When Ursaring is hit with moves causing paralysis or a burn, or just about any other status move, his physical power is boosted."
"What, boosted!?" Ethan cried. He never heard of such an ability but at the same time there was no denying how much more powerful Ursaring looked as it pounded its fist together before glaring towards Ampharos.
"Now, show Ampharos just how much stronger you got, use Hammer Arm once more!" Allen commanded. With rapid speeds Ursaring appeared forth in front of its opponent which startled Ampharos to no end.
"Ursa...RANG!" Ursaring cried out slamming Ampharos in he gut with a vicious hammer arm. As he slammed the electric type by his head into the ground he also made sure to jam his finger straight into the Light Pokémon's left eye which nearly went unnoticed by Ethan.
"Amphaross!" Ethan screamed but it was too late. Ampharos lied in the dirt with Ursaring still covering his face, his left eye was completely red with a trail of blood dripping down it to below his chin.
"And with that, another one goes down." Allen declared looking to be confident in victory. Ethan meanwhile grabbed his Pokéball and returned Ampharos.
"Return Ampharos, man did you do great out there, I'm so proud of you!" Ethan exclaimed placing his Pokéball back in his bag before glaring at the wild Ursaring before him.
"Rang! Rang!" Ursaring bellowed punching his two fist together giving Ethan a creepy grin.
Damn it, just why did it have to be an Ursaring... Ethan thought as he glanced into his bag for his next Pokémon, starting to doubt himself.
"Just who will it be, hurry up and choose!" Allen said crossing his arms.
Ethan finally pulled out another Pokéball right before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Now with a blazing determination.
"Okay, Espeon, I choose you!" Ethan said with a great shout as he tossed his psychic type's Pokéball.
"Espee!" The Sun Pokémon cried out as she was released from the Pokéball. She landed on the ground before forming a battle stance as she glared at her menacing opponent.
"Alright Espeon, listen up, that Ursaring's way stronger than normal thanks to its ability called guts, so we've got to give it everything we've got, got it lady?" Ethan asked of his Pokémon.
Espeon gave Ethan a smile as she quickly turned her head before returning her gaze to her opponent who was easily six times as tall.
"We'll start off once more, Ursaring, begin with Slash!" Allen commanded. Ursaring listened dashing across to Espeon with his sharp claws digging into the ground kicking up tons of dust.
"Prepare to dodge Espeon!" Ethan yelled. Espeon listened tensing up but much to her surprise Ursaring stopped right in front of her unable to move.
"Ursahhhh!" The Hibernator Pokémon cried in pain as it was stopped by a stray jolt of electricity. It of course giving Espeon the opportunity to strike.
"It's Ampharos's static Espeon, now use Psychic since you've got the chance!" Ethan said.
"Espeee!" Espeon raised her voice as the red gem on her forehead began to glow. Her body was enveloped in a pinkish aura and so was Ursaring as he was lifted into the air.
Ursaring tried its hardest to move while trapped in Espeon's Psychic but all efforts to were futile. It wasn't a dark type, meaning breaking free from the attack was nearly impossible. With a great thud Ursaring smashed into the ground at full force.
The bear tried its hardest to get up before it was bolted with a Quick Attack straight in the chest, this of course coming from Espeon who made Ursaring spit up.
"Don't let it weaken you Ursaring, you can do this, now use Hammer Arm once more!" Allen demanded. His Pokémon listened and despite being damaged raised its arm attempting to crash it into Espeon's body.
"Espe!?" The psychic type said as she noticed the upcoming attack.
"Dodge it and fast!" Ethan screamed. It was amazing, truly it was. Ursaring's fist just as it came close to Espeon's fur alone, she leaped doing a somersault just barely dodging the attack.
"W-what!?" Allen remarked in awe.
"Good job! Now go ahead and use Psybeam!" Ethan yelled, revealing a new move.
Espeon closed her eyes. Right before her gemstone appeared an orb of light which was rainbow in color. Ursaring's eyes widened as he felt the attack's warmth radiating onto it.
"Do it!" Ethan yelled.
A direct hit. The mighty Ursaring was blasted in the face with the Psybeam causing an explosion that nearly took up all the space on the road. Both Ethan and his father had to look away but as they looked back. Espeon stood proudly besides the smoke cloud.
"Espe!" She purred facing Ethan.
Ethan smiled before finally jumping up with one arm in the air. "Alright! You did it!"
"Megay Megayyy!" Meganium also cheered.
"Not quite, kid." Allen said which brought Ethan's attention back to the battle. And much to his shock Ursaring broke free from the smoke just barely standing. Espeon leaped away from her opponent but it was too late as Ursaring had already caught her by her tail.
"Espeon no!" Ethan yelled clenching his fists as tight as he possibly could.
It was brutal to be frank. The big, mighty Ursaring began to slam Espeon to the ground with the hardest swings imaginable, each smash feeling like it could be enough to shatter a human skull. It horrified Ethan just watching, he hadn't seen such brutality since he faced off with Lyra's Tyranitar.
Espeon's done for, she can't escape Ursaring's hold, neither can she attack. We're simply going to have to wait for Ampharos's static to reappear. Ethan fret sweating tremendously.
He watched as Espeon's face was continuously bashed in. It was tough but somehow the little Sun Pokémon managed to hold on. It hurt Ethan just watching it.
Come on, come on, where's that paralysis... Ethan stressed as she was again smashed to the ground.
Ursaring then raised Espeon from the ground, having beaten and ravaged her repeatedly to a degree no Pokémon should be. Her face was bruised and she was bleeding profusely from her bottom lip.
"Ursa, Ursa!" Ursaring began to snicker when seeing his beaten opponent.
Please please please... Ethan thought as he crossed his fingers as tight as possible.
"Now finish it!" Allen ordered to which of course his Hibernator Pokémon listened. Ursaring swung and tossed Espeon into the air causing the little cat to scream. With its other arm, it prepared a mighty Slash attack which would surely end the battle if landed.
Please God, please, don't let that hit Espeon... Ethan prayed clasping his hands together. At the moment he wasn't even worried if he defeated the Ursaring. He just wanted Espeon, his Pokémon to be okay.
Finally, just as Ursaring swung his claw forth in an attempt to cut Espeon's face, the Bear Pokémon finally stopped in place once again being the effect of static.
"No!" Allen cried out.
"Alright, now use Quick Attack Espeon!" Ethan cried out. Espeon'e eyes burned with fury as she lunged for Ursaring, her breaking from the ground with the added boost of speed cracked the floor below her. With a great headbutt she launched Ursaring falling on its back.
"Ursaaaaa..." Ursaring groaned faintly in pain before finally closing both eyes marking defeat.
"That's three down, this is going well." Ethan said wiping some sweat off his face. "Good job Espeon, you're doing very good."
"Espe!" Espeon said with a wink before turning back to facing Allen as he pulled out his next Pokéball.
"Just move aside dad, I don't want to fight you!" Ethan tried again to plead but to no avail as Allen simply laughed.
"Hmph, I must say, you are doing better than expected, but it doesn't matter, I won't waver, you're not making it to the Indigo league!" Allen once again restated as he again tossed another Pokéball.
This time his Pokémon was one Ethan hadn't seen ever before prior. It was a large, gray, bipedal Pokémon with features similar to rhinoceroses. It had narrow, red eyes and two fangs in its upper jaw. It had a rocky plate on its chest serving as armor which overlapped its abdomen.
"I've never seen a Pokémon like that?" Ethan said taking out his Pokédex to scan it. "It's got to be a Kanto one."
"Rhydon, the Drill Pokémon. Its rugged hide protects it from even the heat of lave. However, the hide also makes it insensitive."
The Rhydon smirked looking at its much smaller opponent. Steam escaped from its nostrils almost as if there were a fire in there.
"We'll make this quick, save yourself from the embarrassment, okay Rhydon, use Bulldoze!" Allen commanded.
The mighty rock type slammed its arms into the ground. Espeon instinctively leaped into the air as the ground below her crumbled entirely.
"Uh-oh, that's not good." Ethan fret. "Err, Espeon, go ahead and give it a taste of Psybeam!"
"Espeee!" Espeon screeched as she fired a Psybeam at the Rhydon directly in its face. Smoke enveloped the Drill Pokémon causing it to land to the floor.
"Now Psychic!" Ethan yelled.
"Not so fast, Rhydon use Rock Blast!" Allen yelled.
Rhydon instantly bounced back from his fall. A large piece of rock from right before his mouth began to form which looked like it could cause devastating damage if landed.
The Rock Blast made its way for the air born but paused right before Espeon's body. The Sun Pokémon managing to halt the attack with her Psychic.
"Alright, now send it back!" Ethan said to which his Psychic type listened of course; she sent the attack hurling back forth to Rhydon.
"Please, you think that would hurt Rhydon!?" Allen scoffed. "Rhydon, you know what to do!"
The ground type lunged forth as the Rock Blast was heading back downwards. Something Ethan hadn't expected for him to have asked for his Pokémon.
Wha, what's he doing!? Ethan thought.
Without flinching Rhydon casually broke through his sent back Rock Blast reappearing in front of Espeon which shocked her.
"Espeon!?" She cried.
"Now, Mega Punch!" Allen commanded. Rhydon listened throwing his arm back before unleashing it smashing directly into Espeon's skull. The attack being so powerful if used on a human it could tear their skull into two multiple times over. Espeon crashed face first into the ground much to her Trainer's dismay.
Meganium turned her face away unable to see her teammate in such pain.
"Espeon!" Ethan cried running over to his broken and beaten Pokémon, indeed, she was knocked out cold much to his and her unfortune.
"Just give up and go home boy, you know you can't defeat me." Allen declared with his arms crossed as Ethan returned his Pokémon to her Pokéball.
"Return Espeon, you battled bravely and fiercely, now get a good long rest." Ethan said returning her Pokéball before he glared back at his father. "So if I give up you'll let me go home, but you won't let me go to the Indigo league?"
"Of course." Allen said. "You can save your Pokémon the trouble of being beaten, or you can continue to fight the inevitable, your choice."
"You should know by now that I'll never give up!" Ethan yelled at the top of his lungs which only got out a snigger from his father.
"Oh please, drop the confident front Ethan." Allen said. "I know deep down you're afraid, just as you always have been."
"Afraid?" Ethan repeated, how could his father think he was afraid. How could his father look so down on him ever after everything. Just as he was getting lost in his anger, a voice called to him, a voice that always put him at ease.
"Megayy!" His starter said giving a smile towards Ethan. Her smile was enough to calm him instantly.
Instead Ethan gave a smile. "Alright Meganium, I say we show my dad just how strong we are, together!"
"Meganium, Meganium!" Meganium cried as she leaped into the battlefield once more. Glaring down the big and mighty Rhydon before her.
"Rhyyyy!" Rhydon snarled.
"Megay!" Meganium replied showing no fear.
"Okay Rhydon, once again use Rock Blast!" Allen commanded.
"Dodge it Meganium!" Ethan screamed.
Meganium listened, just as Rhydon pulled his head back preparing for the attack she leaped back allowing for her to dodge the eventually launched attack.
"Now get in close then grab Rhydon with your Vine Whip!" Ethan yelled.
"Megayeee!" Meganium cried as she pounced for her opponent so hard the ground below her nearly collapsed.
"This is pathetic, why can't you just understand that this is useless already." Allen sighed before calling another attack. "Once again, Rock Blast!"
Rhydon listened firing a rock the size of a human head straight for the midair Meganium.
"Dodge!" Ethan once more yelled. Meganium listened doing a flip just barely avoiding the attack.
I've got to keep in mind stamina, after all, she can't battle for too long thanks to her injury. Ethan fret.
"Bulldoze, don't let it touch the ground!" Allen commanded.
"Rhy...DONN!" Rhydon screeched crashing his arms to the ground shattering it entirely. The ground shook much as it did earlier but this time even more forcefully.
"Solar Beam and avoid it!" Ethan cried.
"What, Solar Beam and avoid it?" Allen reiterated. "The hell are you talking about?"
Much to his surprise, in midair Meganium turned around. The Solar Beam was small, very small and thin as she hadn't taken a lot of time to charge it but it was still effective as she blasted across the battlefield at incredible speed.
Bam! Meganium crashed into Rhydon straight in the gut with the added boost of Meganium. The rock type was sent flying back landing on his back.
"Now, finish it with Vine Whip!" Ethan yelled.
And just like that, it was over for Rhydon. Meganium leaped in the air with the sky guiding her as she landed on Rhydon gut crushing him before striking him repeatedly with her Vine Whip.
"What!?" Allen shrieked. He was supposed to be winning this fight, wasn't he? How was he losing. He should be stronger than Ethan; yet somehow, Ethan was turning the tables.
"You see now dad, it isn't useless, I've still got a chance of winning this, just the same as you do!" Ethan said with a smirk. "So don't go and underestimate me anymore!"
"Megay!" Meganium said happily.
His son's words caused Allen to smile. His first words throughout the entire battle. "Alright then, then I say we continue this!"
Without even saying a word, Allen's Feraligatr, the first Pokémon he had ever received leaped from his side landing on the battlefield. He looked at his opponent giving Meganium a sharp glare which the grass type could feel in her bones.
"Ferallll!" Feraligatr screeched. The sound of which was loud. Almost like scratching a fork on a plate.
"We've got the type advantage Meganium, you think we've got this?" Ethan asked of his starter.
"Megay Megay!" She said turning her head to her Trainer. Even though she was beginning to grow tired it didn't matter as he confidence easily overpowered any worry.
"Now Feraligatr, start with Ice Fang!" Allen yelled.
"Ice Fang, not good, Meganium dodge!" Ethan cried.
It was an easy dodge for her despite being tired. Meganium leaped back dodging Feraligatr who leaped at her with a jaw at sub-zero temperatures.
"Water Pulse!" Allen screamed.
Wait, just Water Pulse, I mean, it won't be very effective thanks to Meganium's typing, I don't want her to lose too much stamina by dodging, she's going to have to take the hit, I know she can. Ethan realized.
"It's okay Meganium, bounce through it then finish Feraligatr in one blow with Solar Beam!" Ethan yelled.
Oh no, if Solar Beam hits even once then Feraligatr is through!? Allen realized.
Meganium leaped through the Water Pulse with the power of the Sun being charged in front of her. She leaped right in front of Feraligatr with a charged Solar Beam with its name on it.
"F-Feraligatr!?" Feraligatr began to stumble back in fear. That was all before however, something wrong started happening with Meganium.
She began to look around, still with Solar Beam appearing to be confused. She bounced from one foot to the other looking around for her opponent.
"What's wrong Meganium!?" Ethan asked. "Why is she confused, what happened?"
"Looks like you're not all that familiar with Water Pulse Ethan, it doesn't do all that much damage, but it sure as hell has the chance to cause confusion. And it looks like it landed, all the better for me!" Allen said with a smirk which only managed to shock Ethan.
"M-Meganium, please hear me, Feraligatr is right in front of you, you can do this, just fire Solar Beam and it's over with!" Ethan cried out. But to no avail. Meganium saw what appeared to be ten Feraligatrs thanks to the confusion.
"Now, it's weakened, so let's finish it with one last Ice Fang and fast!" Allen demanded to which his Pokémon followed.
"Oh no!" Ethan cried as Feraligatr leaped over with his fangs revealed once more covered in icy mist.
It was bad. Feraligatr lunged his fangs and bit into Meganium's neck. No way she could take the chill of the attack and still stand. Meganium screamed and as such blasted the Solar Beam into the air before falling on her face flat knocked out-cold.
"Meganium no!" Ethan cried. It was quick, and she was taken out.
Ethan began to ran, to run to his starter's side. But as he did he noticed a certain light in the sky. A green, bright light which quickly began to fall.
"Wait, don't tell me that's!?" Ethan cried out in shock. The beam of light then took notice in Allen's eye who saw the beam was about to crash and fall over his Pokémon.
"Feraligatr, move now!" Allen yelled. Feraligatr looked up, only to see the speeding blast as it crashed into him which caused an explosion which engulfed it entirely. It was the Solar Beam Meganium had launched into the sky.
Ethan ignored it however and simply ran to his fallen starter's eyes. She was heavily weakened and in no shape to continue battling of course. Her eyes were barely open but widened as she saw her Trainer.
He kneeled down next to the grass type and patted her on her head. "Yep, just as always. You did great Meganium, you took down his Raichu, his Rhydon, and now-"
Just as he looked up, Feraligatr fell flat on his face with burns everywhere. The most powerful grass type move of course had taken it out in one hit.
"And you managed to tie with Feraligatr, thank you girl, you did great!" Ethan said helping his starter up. She could walk just barely. One thing for sure, as soon as he and his dad were done with this battle she'd need to go to a Pokémon Center immediately.
"Megay!" She said as she licked Ethan on the cheek which made him laugh.
"So, it looks like we both only have one Pokémon left each." Allen said as he returned his Feraligatr to its Pokéball.
"Looks like that to me." Ethan said locking eyes with his father. "And may the best man win."
"Hmph, the best man?" Allen repeated as he gave a slight chuckle. "Ethan, you know you cannot win this, you do know who my next Pokémon is, don't you?"
"Yeah, and I think you know who my next Pokémon is as well." Ethan said pulling out his final Pokéball.
Allen smirked before tossing his own Ultra Ball. "Let's win this, Blaziken!"
"Blaze!" Allen's Blaziken screeched as he was released from his Pokéball. The Hoenn starter was surrounded by a bright coat of red flames which Ethan could feel from even all the distance he was away.
"Megay..." Meganium said recalling her memories of battling the very same Blaziken from when she was a Bayleef.
Blaziken stood proudly before Allen. His strongest Pokémon, sure, but also a Pokémon had battled before, and happened to have seen fight multiple times.
"Sorry dad, but I'm going to be the one this one, me, Togetic, and the rest of my Pokémon will be winning this I should say!" Ethan announced as he tossed his Pokéball. "Togetic, let's win this!"
"Togeticccc!" Togetic shrieked happily as the little guy flew up moving swiftly in the sky.
Togetic's my last shot, we need to win this easily, otherwise even if I make it to the league on time I'll have no Pokémon that can battle. Ethan realized.
Blaziken tensed up seeing the Togetic. Not only did it have the type advantage on itself, but Togetic also managed to tie with Allen a long time ago.
"This won't be a tie like last time Ethan, I promise you that." Allen swore.
"I know dad, so let's just get this over with!" Ethan said. "Togetic, you've got this!"
"Togeee!" Togetic said turning around swiftly to face his Trainer.
"Blaziken, destroy Togetic in one blow with Blaze Kick!" Allen screamed. It was fast, without a doubt, Blaziken leaped into the air with the aura of flames surrounding him only encompassing his leg, and entirely so at that.
"Dodge it!" Ethan screamed. Togetic was still facing Ethan when Blaziken was a mere inch away with his Blaze Kick coming in close for the hit. But thankfully the little flying type managed to boom into the air like a jet avoiding the attack.
Blaziken's Blaze Kick slammed into the ground kicking up chunks of rocks before looking back up to see Togetic zooming around into the sky.
"Megayyy..." Meganium sighed in relief.
"Tell me, does your Togetic still have Encore?" Allen asked.
"You're insane if you think I'd tell you that." Ethan answered with a snicker.
"Hmph, doesn't matter, Brave Bird!" Allen commanded.
In a flash Blaziken leaped into the air now entirely enveloped in a bluish aura which as such was of course the effect of Brave Bird.
Oh no, he still has that move!? Ethan freaked. After all the move was quite powerful.
"Dodge Togetic, please!" Ethan cried.
Of course, Togetic managed to do a loop d loop around Blaziken dodging the move as the fire type passed right under him.
"Whew..." Ethan said wiping some sweat from his forehead. Once again narrowly escaping a terrifying attack.
"Now, Aerial Ace!" Ethan screamed.
Togetic listened blasting towards Blaziken at light speeds as well as being covered in the anger like aura Aerial Ace provided.
"Dodge Blaziken!" Allen commanded.
It was too late however, right as Blaziken landed on the ground he was shot in the back with Aerial Ace causing him to spit up in pain.
"B-B-Blazeeeee..." Blaziken groaned.
"Now get out of there Togetic!" Ethan said clenching his fist.
"Oh no you don't, don't let it Blaziken!" Allen ordered.
Togetic was fast, but at that distance Blaziken's arm was faster. Right as Togetic tried to fly away Blaziken's hand grasped one of Togetic's wings.
"T-Togaaaaa!" Togetic freaked trying to move around his wings. But it was to no avail, no matter what the little guy tried he was stuck in Blaziken's grasp.
"Caught you." Allen said with a smirk.
"Oh no!" Ethan said covering his head with his hands. Togetic was strong and fast yet he was also frail. A direct hit from someone as strong as Blaziken could mean the end.
Allen snickered before glaring at his son. "Are you scared yet? Good, this is what would happen if you competed in the Indigo league Ethan, what I'm trying to save you from."
"You're still on about that!?" Ethan cried. "Well you're wrong, alright, you're wrong!"
"We shall see." Allen said. "Now Blaziken, burn Togetic with Flamethrower!"
"Blazeeeeee!" Blaziken screeched. Opening its mouth it sent out a huge burst of flames which directly hit Togetic much to Ethan's fears. All he could hear other than the sound of the fire was Togetic's screams.
"No!" Ethan cried, but it was too late. Togetic fell to the ground, his body covered in burns.
"T-ooo..." Togetic groaned in pain. He was hurt, incredibly so.
I-is this the end... Ethan couldn't help but think. Could his dreams in making it to the Indigo league be over?
"Megay!" Meganium said getting her Trainer's attention. He turned to her and she had a confident look on her face. She was telling him to trust Togetic.
Ethan looked over to Togetic, the little guy much to his surprise was getting up from that last attack which made Ethan smile.
"We've still got this!" Ethan cheered. "You can do this Togetic!"
Togetic was twitching as he tried to get up. Shaking and nearly falling but his will would not waver. Blaziken watched with respect as his opponent truly was trying his best even though resistance seemed futile.
"Fly Togetic, Fly!" Ethan screamed.
"Fly, what do you mean fly, why won't you just give up, even if you managed to win this there's no way you'd be able to make it to your first match, you're done, just accept it already and stop hurting your Pokémon!" Allen explained but it was too late. There was no way Ethan would back down.
Togetic began to flap his wings. It started slow as they only flapped once, and then twice, and then three times. And then gradually more and more before Togetic bursted off the floor.
The little flying type bursted into the sky with a silver streak of light following him. He stopped as he was about seventy feet in the sky and looked down to see his opponent who was a mere speck to him.
"What, what are you!?" Allen freaked.
"It's Togetic's Fly attack, don't worry, you're about to see how strong it is." Ethan answered.
Allen looked into the air; a comet was approaching. Or at least it looked like one. It didn't take too much time for Allen to realize it was Togetic who was flying down at lightning speeds.
There was no time for him to think. All he could do was simply call out an attack. "B-Blaziken, Mega Punch now!"
Blaziken prepared for his right hook, he watched into the sky as Togetic came approaching quickly at the speed of light or at least what seemed like it. He held his punch behind him anticipating it to smash into Togetic.
"Do it!" Ethan yelled.
"Finish it!" Allen screamed.
There was of course a collision. The two attacks upon hitting each other instantly blew up in their faces. The result of which sent a large shock wave coming straight for Ethan and Meganium.
"Woahhhhh!"
"Meganiuhhhh!"
Both were enveloped by the shock wave being launched onto the floor. Meganium now being more damaged than before and Ethan whose clothes was scuffed along with a streak of blood coming from his forehead.
"Oh no, what have I done!?" Allen cried. He didn't think, he simply ran towards his son who was knocked out or at least he presumed.
He ran and kneeled down next to his son who opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was his father.
"D-dad?" Ethan said, he didn't look mad or angry, just hurt.
"Yes, I-I'm sorry." Allen said. Well he said that before Ethan sat up turning to anger.
"Well you should be, what's wrong with you, why did you do this!?" Ethan got up rubbing the back of his head. "You might have cost me my place in the Indigo league, are you happy!?"
"H-happy?" Allen said as Ethan turned to Meganium's side. This time, she was knocked out cold. No way she was getting back up for a while.
"Oh no, Meganium, return girl." Ethan said trying to shake her awake. But it was of no use, she instead laid on the floor with drool dripping from her bottom lip.
Ethan reached in his bag and pulled out her Pokéball. "I-I'm really really sorry girl, I've got to get you to a Pokémon Center, and fast!"
He stood up as he withdrew her, but then he realized he had forgotten about the battle. He turned back to view the giant smoke cloud that emerged on the battlefield. Whoever won that fight, if not Togetic, meant the end for Ethan competing in the Indigo league if he wasn't already too late.
"Oh right, the battle." Allen said walking over to Ethan's side. His son turned over to him taking two steps back, not at all wanting to face his father.
The smoke cleared slowly. The first thing Ethan and Allen saw was Blaziken's arm laid on the ground which gave Ethan much hope. And once the smoke cleared fully the result of the battle was clear. Blaziken was knocked out laying on the ground cold.
It was then when Ethan turned to his father in awe. He couldn't shut his jaw. He did it, he had done it. What he always dreamed of, defeating his father.
I, the dream I set out for, I did it... I beat, my dad!? Ethan thought. He wasn't happy, or even angry in this instance, just starstruck.
"B-but where's Toge-" The boy said before he turned around. Right behind him was Togetic hovering to his head level. He was burned and bruised sure, but the little guy was the victor, and a proud victor as well.
"Togeeee!" Togetic gave a happy cry as he leaped into Ethan's arms and hugged him.
"Y-you did it Togetic, you did it, you defeated that Blaziken, I can hardly believe it, I'm so proud of you boy!" Ethan declared as he spun Togetic around happily.
Allen couldn't believe it as well. He was just as starstruck before he closed his wide open jaw and faced his celebrating son and his happy little Pokémon.
"Uhh, Ethan, I..." He still didn't know what to say of course. Having just lost to his son of all people.
Ethan turned to his father still with Togetic in his arms. "You asked me earlier, if I was scared, actually, you told me I was scared, isn't that right?"
Allen couldn't mutter a word; he could only nod his head.
"Well I'm not scared. I'm not scared of anyone, so maybe next time, you stick to your fears, and don't enforce them on me." Ethan said as he turned his back on his father walking off.
"Ethan..." He simply said.
"And I'll stick to hope." Ethan said, just like that having defeated his father.
….
"And that's basically it, the full story, that's why I was so late." Ethan finished with his explanation. He was eating some Tentacruel Ink Stew and at the same time finished the meal taking the last spoon fill.
Lyra was sitting up in her chair before sitting back down. It was insane. Ethan beat his father; she didn't know him very well but Allen was indeed the strongest Trainer she knew throughout her entire childhood. It was really incredible.
"So... guess that means you're a stronger Trainer than your dad, huh?" Lyra asked.
"What, no, I mean, sure I won the fight, but his behavior was strange, and not only that, but he might've not been using his strongest six Pokémon." Ethan suggested. "I'll need to battle with him again, and again before I know if I've really surpassed him as a Trainer."
"You're so humble." Lyra said with her face turning a bit red, almost like a peach.
"I wouldn't say that, I'm just, not a better Trainer is all." Ethan said with a smile. "In fact, I'm not a good Trainer at all, but there is one thing I do have."
"What?" Lyra asked.
"I've got the best Pokémon in the world. Something dad doesn't have." Ethan answered with a soft chuckle.
"You mean, second best Pokémon in the world, don't go forgetting about me." Lyra said jokingly slapping Ethan on the shoulder.
"Haha, whatever you say, but just know we're going to find out the answer to that really once we have our match, well, if one of us doesn't lose by then." Ethan said.
"Yeah..." Lyra agreed.
There was a brief moment of silence between the two before Lyra continued the conversation.
"You know, I was just thinking about it, and you didn't deserve that Ethan. It's nice that you beat your dad and everything but you shouldn't have been put under all that pressure. I'm sorry."
Ethan eyes widened. "You're sorry?"
"Of course, if you were a second later you would've surely been disqualified. I can't even imagine just how mad you are with your dad." Lyra said before Ethan laughed and put both hands relaxingly behind his dad.
"Why would I be mad at him, if anything, I'm happier than ever!" Ethan said much to Lyra's surprise.
"Wha, what, what do you mean?" She asked. "How could you not be mad at him?"
"I was. But, knowing I won that battle, even if I'm not a better Trainer than him, its always been my dream, it makes me feel, like I said earlier, like I'm finally breathing; I feel strong, like I'm in control of everything!" Ethan said happily as he stood up alluding confidence.
"That again, what are you going on about?" Lyra asked.
Before Ethan could continue, the same waitress with the Pikachu mask from earlier came and greeted them. "Hi you two, enjoying your date so far?"
"A date, it's not a date!" Lyra giggled.
"Oh I see." She said looking at both Ethan and Lyra. "Well, would you two like anything else?"
"I'm good, you Ethan?" Lyra asked.
"I'm fine, thanks ma'am." He responded.
"Alright, I'll take that off your hands." She said taking the empty bowl of Tentacruel Ink Stew before walking off. "Enjoy the rest of your time here.
"Haha, a date, well, can't blame anyone for assuming that to be honest." Lyra snickered as she looked back at Ethan who was still standing.
"A date huh, well, what if it was." Ethan asked joking holding his hand for her to grab.
"What do you mean!?" She said asked jokingly before noticing Ethan was serious.
"I mean, like a real date. Look, I'm finally my best self, and I'm not afraid of anything anymore, so I'm not afraid to tell you this." Ethan said sitting down with one leg crossed over the other. "Ever since I began my journey all those months ago, it's been the best time of my life, and I know it's the same for you, and I feel like I can actually tell you my other truth, I've liked you for a long time Lyra."
"Ethan, are you being... serious?" Lyra asked. It didn't feel like he was making fun of her, she could see the seriousness in his eyes.
"Of course I'm being serious Lyra, because... I love you." He finally said without much of a pause. Lyra sat there with her jaw dropped before she shook her head.
"N-no Ethan, t-this isn't us." She replied not at all looking Ethan in the eye.
"But why, I want it to be us." Ethan said getting up once again happily. He was so giddy he could barely stand in one place as he opened his bag. "The professor told you, remember, about how we witnessed the emergence of the Legendary Pokémon, Ho-Oh right."
"Yeah, why?" Lyra asked.
"Because..." Ethan said as he took off his backpack and looked around. Lyra stood up to see what he was trying to find before he finally pulled something out.
"Aha, here it is." Ethan said. In his hand was what appeared to Lyra to be a feather. It was red, gold, and all the other colors in the rainbow. It sparkled greatly, like glitter and beautiful little particles had flown off it.
"W-woahhhh..." Lyra muttered in awe of its beauty.
"I, ugh, want you to have this. A feather from Ho-Oh itself, to the most special girl in the whole world." Ethan said as he handed it over in front of Lyra. She simply stood there, not at all sure what to do before she stood up and took two steps back.
"I-I've got to go Ethan." She simply said before she turned her back on him and ran out the door much to his shock.
"Wait, what's the matter!?" The boy cried as he followed her as she went through the door, but before he could exit the same waitress came back.
"What's going on here!?" She asked. "Is everything alright!?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, here you are!" Ethan said quickly grabbing his wallet and tossing about three thousand Poké Dollars, about to cover both their meals before he dashed out of there.
"But wait." The woman said before she gave up and grabbed the money off the floor. "...But it, was on the house..."
Ethan followed Lyra outside. He didn't want it to end like this, not after all he had already said.
"Lyra please, just talk to me, please..." He pleaded and so she finally turned around.
"Ethan, I-I can't." She said, not at all able to finish.
"Wh-what, you can tell me." Ethan said rubbing the back of his neck; in reality he was scared again. Scared of what she had to say.
"Ethan... it's just, we're, friends, rivals, you know, we're going to be competing and battling each other in the Indigo league." Lyra explained.
"Well I mean I know but..." Ethan replied.
"I just, don't think this is right for us, I'm sorry Ethan." She said before turning around.
There was just an awkward silence between the two. Ethan couldn't bear to say a word. He was crushed, how could he have been such a fool?
"Well, I think I should be heading back, you know, I wouldn't want to miss the rest of the round, you know." She said.
"No, no, I get it." Ethan said chuckling albeit a fake one. "Yeah, well let's just go to the Pokémon Center first and then we can head back togeth-"
Before he could finish she interrupted him. "You know Ethan, I think maybe it's best instead I head back by myself, you go get your Pokémon, okay."
"O-okay." Ethan agreed with a fake smile. "Uh, see you later."
"See you." Lyra said she turned around and began to jog out of there. As she ran she took one last glance behind her to her heartbroken best friend.
I'm sorry Ethan, I really am. But right now it's most important I win the league, I can't have any distractions, and neither can you... she thought before she turned back and left.
Ethan simply looked into the sky. Suddenly his ego was gone. And all that was left was regret.
"I am... an idiot." He simply said with a sigh before he turned around himself.
Well, got to go the Pokémon Center..." He muttered quietly before he walked off into the distance.
But what he didn't know, what he couldn't see in his moment of weakness, was that his father was following him among the top of the buildings.
And yup, that's it. So first of all, DAMN was that a hard friend zone. Jesus Christ am I merciless or what. Also, since I got a pm the other day asking this, some of the things I say is hyperbolic and isn't meant to be taken seriously. So for example when I say Togetic moved at lightspeed that's only meant to show how fast he is, it's not meant to be taken literally ffs. Anyways, new chapter hopefully tomorrow.