Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 88: Rivals between regions
The first round of the Indigo league had reached its end. From the very beginning thirty-two Trainer's from mostly Kanto and some from Johto had joined having collected all eight badges in their respective, this number being greatly reduced to sixteen after the first round. Four in total were left to decide who would battle the Champion to see who's the best.
It was currently night; just about five more hours until the start of the next day, until the start of the second round of the league. Everyone Trainer or person in the general vicinity was getting some good night's sleep. But not Ethan.
By Five AM in the morning the boy was laying outside of his tent. He decided instead of staying with his mother and Professor Elm at the hotel he decided instead to be where he felt the coziest, in the wilderness along with the rest of his Pokémon.
Ampharos, Espeon, Heracross, and Gyarados were all outside of their Pokéballs. Espeon and Heracross were play fighting with each other while Ampharos was enjoying the view of the night sky, and Gyarados, he was just trying to get some rest.
Then there was Meganium and Togetic who were with Ethan. The grass starter was laying down on her belly with her Trainer resting his head and back on her. All the while in his hands was Togetic who was also resting in his belly.
Ethan was beginning to stress out, not because tomorrow would be the start of the second round, but because of who he witnessed yesterday at the Indigo league. A Trainer with a legendary Pokémon, it almost seemed like something right out of a dream.
But to make things worse, there was what Kenneth had said that kept bugging him. He couldn't get those words out of his head.
….
"Yup... it's too bad, looks like neither of us has a shot at winning this thing. Looks like we just witnessed the rise of the next Champion of the Indigo league..."
….
Someone as cocky as Kenneth admitting he's already lost, just cause some Trainer from who knows where has a Legendary, but, then again, he did seem strong, and he did take out that Snorlax with just a single attack... Ethan fret. Meganium could notice the fear on his face and she raised her head looking over him with a concerned look.
"Megay?" She said worryingly.
"I-I know girl, I know; I haven't had my head in the game lately." Ethan said sitting up, Togetic in his arms woke up to this.
"Toge?" Togetic said looking up to Ethan. The boy smiled raising his Pokémon to the air which made the little fairy laugh.
"It's fine though, as long as I have Pokémon I trust as much as you guys, then I know we've got this in the bag!" Ethan announced cheerfully which made Togetic laugh in his arms.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium said getting up to her feet. She could tell why Ethan was so stressed, after all, that Zapdos was no joke. Everyone Trainer she could see in the audience looked terrified from what they could tell.
"Well, no use in staying up all night, I'm going to need to be well-rested by tomorrow if I'm going to bring on my A-game." Ethan said as he gently dropped Togetic to the ground. The boy slowly turned around to go to his tent, well he was all before he felt himself knock into something.
It was his backpack which was open from earlier. From the inside something had fell out, it was a rock which emitted a bright shine which made Ethan pull his head back from it covering his eyes from its' light before he turned back to it.
"This is..." Ethan said grabbing the stone into his hands. Meganium looked over instantly recognizing it and so did her Trainer.
….
"Anyways, I think you should have this." Kevin said handing Ethan a stone, it had a shine that was almost irresistible.
"Isn't this an evolutionary stone!?" Ethan asked to which Kevin nodded.
"It is. Give it to your Togetic and it'll evolve to its final stage, Togekiss. Or not, it's your choice." Kevin said, Ethan glanced again at his Togetic who was saying goodbye to the newly evolved Marie.
"It's Togetic's choice. Not mine, but a choice for another day." Ethan said putting the stone away in his backpack.
"So long kid." Kevin told Ethan.
"Thanks again, bye." Ethan waved as he head to his Pokémon.
….
"The Shiny Stone I got all the way back." Ethan said grasping it in his hands. He turned over to Togetic who had now accompanied the rest of his Pokémon excluding Meganium.
"Toge, Togetic!" Togetic cried out as he flew in between Espeon and Heracross who were both pretending to battle, well, Espeon was at least, as for Heracross he wouldn't lay a finger on her.
The three of them stood in front of the rising sun, it was quite a beautiful site. Ethan took it all in before he turned and looked back to the stone in his palms.
"I got this evolutionary stone and was told I should use it on Togetic, and that it was my choice." Ethan stated telling his starter who was beside him. "But... that's never how I've operated, who am I to try and force my Pokémon to evolve, right...?"
"Megay!" Meganium agreed nodding her head.
"Well, guess we'll worry about this some other day, Togetic's already plenty strong without it. We don't have anything a thing to worry about." Ethan said placing it back in his backpack before closing it.
The boy turned to his tent opening it wearing the same smile he had put on for his Pokémon, when in reality...
"...We don't have anything to worry about... we don't have anything to worry about..." He said repeatedly under his breath.
He didn't get much sleep that night. With Leviathan and his Zapdos the only thing on his mind it was hard for him, let alone anyone else to get any sleep. At the very least unlike the previous night, he made it on time for the league and better yet, his father wasn't there to try and stop him from making it for his battle.
Ethan with Meganium by his side walked through the door entering the Indigo plateau once again. Last time the feeling was exhilarating but this time it had lost all its excitement. Ethan was here to win above all else.
"Y'know what Meganium." Ethan told his starter as they were approaching the audience stands. "I'm thinking I maybe might want to use you for battle today, what do you say girl?"
"Megay Megay!" Meganium said rapidly shaking her tail. She was feeling recovered from her previous battle with Allen. There was the issue with her injury of course but she seemed to be steadily regaining her strength, only her stamina was a problem.
In the middle of the ring was the announcer who of course was going off on a tangent as he always did. "Alrightttt! May the second round of the Indigo league begin, this time we've got sixteen Trainers! Eight matches! All of them ready to throw down and display their battle prowess, what do you guys say we get started!"
His cries although a bit melodramatic always managed to give the audience excitement; they reciprocated with cheers.
"Let's go Kanto let's go!"
"We want to see more Legendary Pokémon!"
"Get on with it already!"
The chants of course had their clear Kanto bias. It's no secret Ethan had felt a strong hatred against those from Johto from the minute he stepped foot into the region, but he tried to give it little thought. For now at the very least.
"If it isn't Ethan, so, you just hang out here don't you?" Someone asked getting Ethan's attention. He turned around to see Kenneth who had once again sneaked up from behind him with a grin on his face.
"You're the one who keeps searching for me." Ethan replied. "So, how you feeling today, yesterday you uh, didn't seem to be in the best spirits once you say... you know."
"Haha, oh that, I mean, that Zapdos is scary for sure, but let's just forget about it alright." He said suddenly losing his cool demeanor. "I'm tired of hearing about it already, I'm guessing you can relate."
"You kidding, only thing I'm tired of is all the scrutiny I've been getting lately. Kanto this, Kanto that." Ethan responded sounding a bit fed up. "I made a promise the other day, I'm going to turn those boos into cheers."
"That so?" Kenneth said. "Well, I'm sorry but that ain't going to happen, you won't have the chance after I mop the floor with you, just like last time!"
"Ha! Just like last time, well Meganium here is in much better shape, isn't that right girl?" Ethan said turning to his starter who gave an enthusiastic cry.
"Meganiuh, Meganium!" She yelled ecstatically making her Trainer smile.
"And by the way, what makes you so sure you're even going to get the chance to battle me?" Ethan asked turning back to Kenneth. "Either one of us could get paired up the wrong Trainer and lose, well, not that I'm counting on that."
"Ethan." Kenneth said with a point of his index finger. Ethan looked in the direction and surely enough he was pointing at the large monitor that was centered so everyone in the audience could see it. On the big screen much to the boy's surprise was both Ethan and Kenneth from the left to the right.
"O-oh... that means." Ethan said almost a bit in disbelief.
"That's right, looks like I wasn't kidding when I said we'd have a match in the Indigo league, well, let's go and get to it then." Kenneth said as he started walking towards the ring.
Ethan stopped before walking and smiled. He had lost to Kenneth before but he had no plans of a do-over; he would have to take on Kenneth once more... and win.
Over in the crowd sitting in the stands was Lyra. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the two who would be battling. Well, specifically for Ethan at the very least.
Just seeing his face brought about sorrow in her. She couldn't help but think about yesterday... and what had happened between them.
Well, I'm going to have to face him again, and pretty soon for that matter I'm sure, I better get used to it... Lyra thought trying to mask the sadness on her face. She turned her head right after hearing someone approach her from the side.
"Nice to see you again, Leviathan." Lyra said as the confident Trainer sat by her side.
"And you, Lyra, and you." He responded. "So, do you think you're going to be able to put on another amazing performance in battle like you did the other day?"
"Haha, you're kidding me, aren't you?" Lyra laughed. "I wasn't the one with an amazing performance, I was looking for you all day yesterday, I've been meaning to ask, how did you do it?"
"What do you mean?" Leviathan asked seeming to not understand.
"You know, you caught that Pokémon, what'd they call it, Zapdos?" Lyra recalled. "How in the world did you catch a Legendary Pokémon?"
"Hmph, I wouldn't want to reveal all my secrets, and I have other powerful Pokémon as well, so you shouldn't be just worried about the one." The man answered.
"Worried, ha, who said I was worried? I would love to take on a Legendary Pokémon, I hope you don't feel like you're on top of the world and can't be beaten by anyone, cause if you are, you're surely in for a surprise." Lyra said pulling out a Pokéball from her bag.
"Mind if I ask what Pokémon's in there?" Leviathan said.
"I wouldn't want to reveal all my secrets." Lyra said. "Let's just say I might have an answer for if we have to battle."
"I look forward to it." Leviathan said "Also, that boy down there is your friend, right?"
"Y-yeah... we've been friends for the longest, uh, how'd you know?" The girl asked.
"From the remaining sixteen Trainers, from what I could tell only two left are from Johto, it was just an assumption." Leviathan explained.
"You got a knack for Johto Trainers?" Lyra asked which caused Leviathan to chuckle as he stood up.
"No, only the one's with potential." He answered looking away from the girl before he turned back and locked eyes with her. "We'll see just exactly who is the better between the two of us, and you can count on that."
"Believe me, I think we shall..." Lyra said putting her Pokéball back inside her bag as she turned to face the ring. Both Ethan and Kenneth were there standing on the two opposite sides.
You've got this Ethan, you always do... She thought.
Ethan and Meganium stood proudly and on the opposite side of them was of course Kenneth who had the widest smirk on his face.
"You said before you wanted to prove Johto Trainers were just as strong as Kanto Trainers, well this is your chance to prove that Ethan, that is if you can beat me!" Kenneth said smugly.
"Looks like I've got my work cut out for me then, let's make this a good match!" Ethan agreed before he turned his head to the audience. He could hear a loud cry coming from the audience to which he of course recognized, Eliza screaming her heart out into her megaphone.
"YOU'VE GOT THIS HONEY, BOTH ME AND ELM BELIEVE IN YOU!" She cried frantically with Elm beside her giving his protégé a wave.
"Some encouragement's always nice, huh Meganium, feels like we're not always receiving that, huh girl?" Ethan asked to his starter.
"Megay Megay!" She agreed.
"Starting the second round of the Indigo league, we have Contestant Kenneth from Viridian City, and on the other side we have Contestant Ethan from New Bark Town!" The announcer cheered into his microphone. "Remember, in this round you'll be able to use two Pokémon, but substitutions are strictly forbidden unless your Pokémon is knocked out or in no shape to continue."
"Whatever." Kenneth replied.
"You got it, sir!" Ethan said with a head nod.
To the surprise of no one, Kenneth was clearly on the side of the audience.
"You've got this Kenneth!"
"Beat that little Johto runt into toothpaste!"
"Get that scrawny kid out of here!"
"Megay Megay!" Meganium said looking up to her Trainer. She didn't quite like the words from the audience she was hearing.
"It's alright girl, it doesn't bother me, not now at least." Ethan said. "We've got something else to worry about."
"And now, may you both reveal your first Pokémon!" The announcer screeched before going soft. "O-oh yeah and do please try and throw your Pokéballs at the same time, we wouldn't want either of you getting an unfair advantage."
"No worries, Ethan here's probably going to need an advantage if he wants a chance in hell at defeating me." Kenneth said happily as he pulled out a Great Ball.
"Heh, you really want to take that chance, buddy?" Ethan asked also pulling out a Pokéball.
"Just shut up and throw your Pokéball!" Kenneth said as he threw his; they both threw there's in unison. Much to Ethan's surprise it was neither his Venusaur or Vaporeon he had battled before. It was a quadrupedal, canine-like Pokémon with an orange pelt marked by jagged black stripes. It had diamond-shaped ears with beige insides, black eyes, a round, black nose, and two pointed teeth protruding from its upper jaw.
"Arca, Arca!" The Pokémon clearly a fire type barked fiercely towards Ethan Meganium, and his Pokémon which was just released from its Pokéball.
In front of the Arcanine was Ampharos who upon being released bounced happily from one foot to the other. It was finally his time to shine.
"Amphy, Ampharo!" The electric type said turning his head to see his Trainer.
"You've got this Ampharos, what do you say we give the audience a good show!?" Ethan exclaimed which caused his Pokémon to light up with stray bolts of electricity.
Sitting in their chairs right before the stadium was of course the judges, Sullivan, Lorelai, and Professor Oak himself.
"Heh, the Johto kid from before huh, the one that almost got kicked out for his tardiness." Lorelai said. "Hey Oak, you were really vouching for him the other day, why is that?"
"I was there from the beginning of his journey, plus Elm seemed to be very proud of him, I like Elm, so I like Ethan." Professor Oak answered.
"Ugh, it doesn't matter how much Elm believes in him or whatever, he's not making it past this round I'm sure, plus it's not like anyone has a shot at defeating that Trainer from the last round of yesterday..." Sullivan said plunging his head into the table in boredom.
"Know what Sully, usually I despise everything that comes out of your mouth, but you're probably right, even Lance may have trouble taking on that Zapdos Trainer..." Lorelai agreed.
"...Always the pessimist you two..." Professor Oak muttered under his breath.
Back to the ring the announcer was going off in all his excitement. "May the battle begin!"
"You ready to eat the dirt Ethan?" Kenneth cried before commanding his Pokémon. "Go now Arcanine, use Fire Fang!"
The so called 'Legendary Pokémon' dived for Arcanine with mouth wide open full of flames at a speed Ethan nearly couldn't follow.
"Dodge it Ampharos!" Ethan cried.
With a backflip Ethan leaped back landing on his palms before doing another flip landing on his feet. Once again the Light Pokémon pulsed with electricity with the red orb on the tip of his tail glowing brightly.
"Thunderbolt!" Ethan yelled to which Ampharos followed. The Light Pokémon unleashed a fierce bolt of electricity straight for the fire type.
"Dodge it!" Kenneth screamed.
Right as the lightning was closing in on Arcanine the Pokémon went and moved to the side dodging the attack with tremendous speed. The Thunderbolt dissipating as it crashed into the ground entirely. With that the fire type had reappeared as quickly as the lightning had disappeared right in front of Ampharos.
"A-Amphar?" Ampharos said in awe of Arcanine's swift speed as it was right in front of him.
"Hmph, now hit Ampharos head on with a Fire Blast!" Kenneth commanded much to Ampharos' dismay.
"That's not good, Ampharos, move aside and dodge it, quick!" Ethan yelled scared of the tremendous fire type attack what was incoming.
Arcanine raised its mouth once again showing off its' sharp fangs but this time for a much different attack. Ampharos could feel the dog Pokémon's hot breath right before it unleashed an attack which despite being similar to Flamethrower was much more devastating. A burst of heat erupted from Arcanine's mouth like the flames from hell itself; with Arcanine being close in range there was no time for the Light Pokémon to dodge and so Ampharos was hit directly.
It was a large explosion which encompassed the entire side of Ampharos' space. So much more powerful than Ethan could've even imagined. He simply stood there in awe before feeling Meganium tugging on his jacket.
"Megay Megay!" She screeched getting his attention. He looked at her and could see all the same concern in her eyes before looking back towards the battlefield which was still covered in smoke.
"A-Ampharos, are you alright boy!?" Ethan asked feeling his sudden shock go to worry. "Ampharosss!"
The announcer winced at seeing Ethan's concern. No Pokémon was getting out of a direct hit like that or at least he felt that way as he raised his microphone to speak in it. "Shame about the Ampharos, no way any Pokémon could take that attack head on without fainting, well, bar perhaps a water type." He spoke.
The smoke was finally beginning to clear. Ethan was almost scared to look to see what had happened to Ampharos, especially after yesterday's battle with his father. But he knew he had to or else Kenneth could get another attack in... well, if Ampharos was still standing that is.
Much to even his own surprise, when Ethan saw what came to of his electric type he was filled with surprise. The little guy was still standing despite all odds, he was shaking and filled with burn marks from head to toe but was still standing upright.
"Am... Amphar..." Ampharos panted before surging with electricity which caused shivers down the Arcanine's spine. The fire type took two steps back trying to stay away from away stray bolts of lightning.
"That's some Pokémon you've got there Ethan, you should be proud of it." Kenneth remarked.
"Hah, you bet I am, Ampharos has been me almost as long as Meganium has." Ethan exclaimed giddily. He still couldn't believe it.
My Pokémon, they never cease to amaze, even me... he thought. They're stronger than even I know.
In the audience, Professor Elm and Eliza were amazed at the little guy's tenacity. Not a lot of other Pokémon could take an attack like that head on.
"Those six little guys sure have gotten a lot stronger since they began their training for the league, haven't they?" Eliza said.
"Oh yeah, no doubt about that." Elm agreed nodding his head. "But still, Ampharos is in big trouble, there's no way he can take another attack like that again, Ethan's going to have to go on the defensive or switch out to another Pokémon."
"Which he can't do, the rules stated Pokémon can't be switched out until their defeated or in no shape to continue." Eliza agreed. "So, it looks like Ethan's got no other choice but to continue using Ampharos until he's down for the count."
Back to the battle, the announcer was of course going off on another tangent about the battle which hadn't continued aside from Ethan and Kenneth's banter.
"What tenacity, truly this Ampharos is like no other!" The announcer celebrated. "How may this battle between Titans continue, who will come out on top!?"
"Sorry Ethan, but I'm still winning this!" Kenneth said clenching his fist. "Arcanine, end Ampharos with Double Edge-"
"Not going to happen Kenneth!" Ethan said with a smile as he held out his Pokéball before his body. "Ampharos, you did great boy, I'm so happy to have you on my team, now take a good long rest!"
With that even Ampharos was surprised as he was withdrawn to his Pokémon. Needless to say everyone in the audience was shocked. Substitutions weren't legal, as such Ethan was directly violating the rules of the Indigo league.
"He's cheating!"
"You can't do that you moron!?"
"The hell does he think he's doing!"
The roars of the audience was overpowering; and the judges, all three of them couldn't believe what Ethan had just done.
"Did he... just violate the rules...?" Sullivan cried.
"Oak, looks like you were wrong to have so much faith in him, what do you have to say for yourself?" Lorelai asked looking over to the Professor who was equally as stunned as Sullivan.
"I ugh... I'm not quite sure myself, what do we do?" The Professor asked.
"Oh come on old man, we're the judges monitoring this Goddamn event, I saw we disqualify him immediately, don't need all these Johto rats anyway!" Sullivan declared.
"Hmm, I say we at least hear him out first..." Lorelai sighed bringing wrought to Sullivan.
"You serious woman!?" He snarled.
"Agreed, let's let him explain himself at the very least..." Professor Oak said nodding his head focusing back to the ring.
The announcer had walked up to Ethan not even using his microphone to speak to him, this was more personal. "Uh, kid, what do you think you're doing?"
"Anything the matter?" Ethan said purposefully wearing a mask of ignorance.
"Y-you can't substitute your Pokémon, I specifically stated-"
"Haha, I know what you said." Ethan chuckled as he reached and grabbed the man's microphone much to his surprise before speaking in it. "You stated substitutions were banned, and that we can only call our Pokémon when they're down for the count or in no shape to continue, meaning if I deem Ampharos unable to continue I can call him back."
"Ugh... well, I mean, technically that... doesn't really violate any rules..." The announcer realized turning his head to face the three judges.
The audience stopped their boos with Ethan's statement. And for once the kid was hearing something other than scrutiny.
"He has a point though!"
"Yeah, but that's an unfair loophole!"
"Technically he never went against the rules though!"
The judges heard the many cries from the audience and knew they needed to come up with a decision.
"Like I said earlier, we disqualify him, what do you guys say?" Sullivan asked turning to Lorelai and the Professor.
"I say we keep him, I like the kid, he's charming, plus in a way he's right." Oak claimed happily.
"Of course you'd think that old man; well, what about you Lorelai?" Sullivan said turning to Lorelai.
"I'm with Oak, we let him stay." Lorelai said much to Sullivan's shock.
"W-what!?" The man freaked. "But you hate that brat just the same!"
"You're not wrong about that, I think the brat's too spastic on top of annoyance, but think about the bigger picture, Sully." Lorelai explained. "The kid's unpredictable, and brings a lot of controversy, like yesterday when he came that late to his own match, he's clearly getting a lot of attention from the audience, even if it's not the good kind of attention, I say we keep him."
"Hmph, sellout!" Sullivan cried turning his face away from Lorelai which made her snigger.
"Hey, I'm just a woman with priorities." She remarked in a snarky manner.
The announcer having heard their discussion turned his attention back to Ethan and Kenneth. "Lucky break kid, you get to battle, but please try and refrain from any more surprises, got it?"
"Sounds good to me." Ethan agreed before turning to face his opponent who was almost amazed.
"Looks like you've lost your mind Ethan, that Ampharos could've kept on battling, I can't think of a single good reason why you'd forfeit it!" Kenneth laughed.
"True, Ampharos could've kept battling, and I'd have no doubt he'd win too, but he had a pretty big battle the other day and I don't want to overwork him, plus he did exactly what I wanted, and I've got another Pokémon who can take this and win it!" Ethan claimed.
"Sounds like a lot of talk to me, Ampharos did exactly what you wanted, what did you want for him to get knocked on his ass by Fire Blast!" Kenneth chuckled crossing his arms. "Well then, since you've basically surrendered the match and handed the victory to me, just reveal your next Pokémon and get this over with!" Kenneth boasted.
"Absolutely, absolutely." Ethan said focusing his eyes to his starter why was eager to leap into the battle. "Meganium, you ready girl?"
"Megay Megay!?" The Herb Pokémon said cheerfully taking one big leap into the ring before forming a battle-ready stance.
"A-Arca-" Arcanine said genuinely lost at Ethan's decision making. Similar to his Trainer too who was again at a loss for words.
"You're pulling my leg, right?" Kenneth said taken aback.
"And um... well, another shock from Contestant Ethan, throwing a grass type against a fire type, is definitely an interesting strategy to say the least... let's just hope he knows what he's doing." The announcer said into his microphone not with his usual excitement. Everyone in the audience was amazed by the kid. Why do something so stupid like that?
Even Eliza and Elm were a bit surprised before Eliza finally broke the silence.
"You haven't given up faith in Ethan I hope, right Elm?" She asked.
"Never. Not what I would've done, but that's what makes Ethan special, you really never know what he's going to do next." Elm reflected.
Of everyone else, Lyra was excited by Ethan's choice in Pokémon. Her and Ethan were at such an odds when it came to battling but that's what made it exhilarating to watch him battle.
Overpowering your opponent with type advantage is one thing, but Ethan knows how to divert from regular battle strategies with his creativity... Lyra thought eagerly barely able to remain in her seat.
"I really hope he wins this thing; I want to battle him myself." She said under her breath as she continued to watch the battle.
Kenneth's genuine surprise at Ethan's decision making turned to anger as he couldn't understand what Ethan was doing. "Ethan, do you really think that little of me, I've beaten you before, so don't you dare go underestimating me you jerk!"
"I'm not underestimating you, if you really think I've thrown this match then you're the one who's doing the underestimating I'm afraid." Ethan retorted.
"Megay Meganium!" Meganium agreed gleefully.
Kenneth shut his eyes and took a deep breath calming himself before facing Ethan once more suppressing his anger. "Fine... I guess I shouldn't be complaining, after all I'm going to be moving on to the third round."
"Hah, let's hope!" Ethan replied.
"I don't need hope, you've decided it for me!" Kenneth yelled. "Alright Arcanine, Fire Fang and end it in one attack!"
The mighty Arcanine leaped across the battlefield at amazing speed. Almost too fast for Ethan's eyes to follow.
"Don't move, Meganium!" Ethan yelled. "Brace yourself!"
Meganium listened tucking in her head and widening her stance preparing for Arcanine as he lunged for the grass type revealing the hot flames from his widened jaw.
Suddenly, a sharp jolt of electricity zapped the fire type; Arcanine fell to the ground in pain having been paralyzed.
"A-Arooooohhh..." Arcanine howled in pain having been shocked once more by said electricity.
"What the!?" Kenneth yelled before turning back to Ethan who snickered.
"That was Ampharos' Static, Arcanine got in real close there when landing that Fire Blast from earlier, it was what I was counting on!" Ethan declared before turning to his Pokémon. "Now Meganium, let's end this with your newest attack!"
"N-newest attack!?" Kenneth muttered.
"Earthquake, now!" Ethan exclaimed.
It was at an insanely fast speed as Meganium raised her upper body into the air before slamming her feet into the ground causing the ground to shake rapidly. A ground type move much to Kenneth's detriment.
The ground shook violently causing both Ethan and Kenneth to jump and leap out of the way of the attack. It was quite powerful causing Arcanine to scream in pain as he took the affect of the attack head on.
"Arcaaaaaahhhhhh!" Arcanine screeched, almost like the shout of a mad dog. The poor Pokémon fell on its body with all four of its arms and legs spread out over the ring.
The announcer himself was just barely hanging onto the edge of the ring. He still had his microphone in other hand however, it was his pride and joy. He just started getting up on the ring as the affect of the attack had subsided.
"Oh wow, what an attack... that was brutal." He said while rubbing the back of his head before turning back to the mic. "Well, there you have it, Arcanine is out of here, Contestant Kenneth, if you will, bring out your next Pokémon!"
Kenneth just recovered from the attack setting foot on the stage observing his defeated Pokémon before withdrawing it to its Great Ball before looking back at Ethan and Meganium.
"Megay, Megay..." Meganium said panting, but still celebrating her victory.
Kenneth took one good look at her and smiled. He could still see the same big injury she had back during their battle near Blackthorn, and he could see the sweat dripping from her face along with her panting.
"It looks like Meganium's gotten a little better than she was last time, I'll admit, it was naïve of me to assume I'd already won the battle just because you used her." Kenneth stated pulling out another Pokéball. "But, how much better has she gotten, how much stronger has she gotten with that injury?"
"That should be the least of your worries Kenneth, so, I think I've got a good guess at what Pokémon you'll be using next." Ethan claimed with his hands on his hips.
"Yup, and this battle will end the same way it did last time!" Kenneth claimed kissing a Pokéball in his hands before tossing it. Ethan suddenly dropped his confident demeanor and readied him for the Pokémon he saw coming from a mile away.
It was just as huge as he remembered. He had seen the grass type again back during the ride to Kanto, but this was different, he'd have to be facing it once more, and with the same Pokémon who lost him the match from before.
"Venu, Venusaur!" The Seed Pokémon screeched filling Meganium with memories of their previous bout. The poison type locked eyes with its Johto counterpart, they were both grass type starter and it had no plans of losing, it had to prove its superiority.
"What a sight! Both the grass type starters from Kanto and Johto, on one corner we have Contestant Kenneth with his Venusaur, and on the other corner, Contestant Ethan with his Meganium, you truly don't see battles like these every day!"
Hmm... there's no denying it, Meganium's stamina could be a hindrance here, we can't drag our feet here, we're going to have to end this fast... Ethan analyzed the situation.
"Okay, Venusaur!" Kenneth yelled. "Let's begin with Take Down!"
Ethan couldn't help but think after hearing the command, he remembered it all too well.
Take Down, that's exactly how Venusaur started last time...! Ethan couldn't help but realize. "Meganium, go and dodge it!"
Venusaur leaped into the air with its entire body covered by the red aura of intensity that was accompanied with Take Down. But Meganium was simply too nimble allowing for her to side step the attack.
The Seed Pokémon landed right in front of Ethan before turning back to face Meganium who was now in front of him.
Venusaur's relatively fast considering its size, but nothing Meganium can't handle... Ethan thought.
"Now, while Venusaur's feeling the recoil, go ahead get in close and use Dragon Tail!" The Johto Trainer yelled.
Meganium listened, jumping forth swinging her tail which lit up with the power of a dragon. Hitting Venusaur head on in the face before landing a second blow once more in its jaw.
"Venusaur!" The Kanto starter yelled in pain before recovering from the attack.
"Heh, seems the same old trick isn't going to work aye Ethan, not to worry though, Venusaur's got other tricks, don't forget, he has the type advantage." Kenneth exclaimed. "Now Venusaur, use Toxic!"
The gigantic flower bud on Venusaur's bub began to open wide as from it came a huge sludge of poison aiming directly for Meganium's face. The grass type tensed up seeing the attack heading her way.
"Don't let that hit you Meganium!" Ethan cried.
As usual, Meganium sidestepped the Toxic easily dodging it. However, she stopped and stumbled upon seeing the very same poison which was flung at her melting through the ground a la acid.
"M-Megay!?" She said a bit in awe taking further steps back away from the poison.
"More and more Venusaur, use Toxic again!" Kenneth screamed. "Don't give Meganium a minute to rest!"
Venusaur of course followed what his Trainer commanded of him. In great succession the onslaught of Toxics was fired at Meganium who tried her hardest dodging the attacks. As even getting hit by a splash of it could severely affect her chances of winning this.
Damn, he's trying to use of Meganium's stamina by going on a constant offensive, I can't let all this movement go to waste, while Meganium's moving and moving to the side she's going to need to land an attack, and it can't be Earthquake, it's too risky in this case... Ethan assessed.
There only seemed to be one answer left that Ethan could see. "Okay Meganium, I saw we show Venusaur our true power, focus on your Solar Beam while dodging!"
"Solar Beam, huh, go ahead and use it then!" Kenneth retorted with a smirk.
Meganium continued to dodge and dodge the multiple uses of Toxic, leaping side to side or foreword to back, all the while the power of the Sun formed in front of her mouth; expanding in size as it got more dangerous.
The Solar Beam was about the condensed size of a tennis ball when Ethan gave her the signal. "Do it now!"
"Megan...iuhhhhh!" Meganium cried out. The Solar Beam in front of her further expanded as it was launched in the form of ray of light as it sped across the battlefield at relativistic speeds.
"Just what we wanted, Venusaur, you know what to do!" Kenneth ordered.
Venusaur let out a grim smirk showing off its yellow teeth. The flower petals encasing its bud once again spread out as the Seed Pokémon prepared for the attack which hit him head on.
A burst of light, almost akin to that of a miniature star exploding bursted on the battlefield once again enveloping the ring in a field of smoke blinding both Contestants.
"Ouch! What a hit, Venusaur was hit head on with the most powerful grass type move to date!" The announcer yelled into his microphone stepping away from the smoke. "Is this a close for the battle, or does Kenneth have anything left up his sleeve!?"
To the audience it almost seemed like a light show, but not to Elm and Eliza who watched closely.
"That kid Ethan's battling... he almost seemed comfortable with letting his Pokémon get hit with that attack, wouldn't you agree?" Eliza asked turning to Elm.
"Yes, too comfortable, I don't like it, why would he let his Pokémon get hit head on by an attack like that..." Elm wondered rambling in his thought before his eyes widened. "Oh dear, I think I know what's going on here!"
"What, what is it, Elm?" Eliza asked beginning to worry. "T-that attack ought to have taken a lot out of Venusaur, right, isn't this battle over?"
"I really hope Eliza, cause if Kenneth did what I think he did, then Ethan's going be in for one big surprise I fear."
Back to the battlefield, the smoke had cleared entirely, Meganium was standing upright apart the ring from Ethan. She was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, having exerted much of her stamina. Meanwhile Venusaur's back was in front of Ethan, it wasn't moving a muscle.
Ethan was filled with happiness. "Wow! Once again you saved the day Meganium!" He yelled throwing one arm in the air in excitement.
"Heh, not quite Ethan, take another look at Venusaur." Kenneth said alerting his opponent.
Ethan looked. Venusaur's flower petals were still open, and the bud in between was shining with what appeared to be a faint, golden aura, one to which he could barely make out. But what he could see were the many particles of light coming from it, almost like sparkles.
"N-not even a scratch!?" Ethan cried in confusion. How could Venusaur have been perfectly fine after an attack like that.
"Oh man... do I have to spell it out for you?" Kenneth chuckled as he facepalmed. "Well look, it's called chlorophyl, Venusaur's special ability, basically allowing for ability-bearers to have an increase in a certain stat after intense exposure to the sun, or in this case, Solar Beam."
"I've never heard of that before?" Ethan said in awe.
"Welp, that's Venusaur for you, the boy's special, don't worry, think of it as payback for Ampharos' static landing earlier on Arcanine." Kenneth explained with a touch of glee.
"So, if I had to guess, this certain stat you mentioned that gets increased, it's power, right?" Ethan asked.
"No, speed!" Kenneth yelled. "Now Venusaur, show off just how much faster you got!"
In a swift, green and blue blur Venusaur suddenly appeared behind Meganium. With her tiredness from all her battling she had no chance of dodging.
"Oh no!" Ethan yelled.
"Oh yes!" Kenneth replied. "Now Venusaur, wrap Meganium up with Vine Whip!"
Meganium tried to move; she tried to dodge, but Venusaur was too fast now, and it was all thanks to her own attack. As she tried to move Venusaur's vines coming straight from its flower came and wrapped the Herb Pokémon up causing her to let loose a scream.
"Meganium!" She cried in pain.
"No Meganium!" Ethan yelled beginning to feel the immense stress of it all.
It was quite a tight hold the Venusaur had on Meganium as she had no chance of freeing herself from its' clutches. All she could do was pray she survive the next attack. With Meganium's loud scream it could be heard everywhere, from the judges to the audience.
"That's a mean hold, so, looks like this battle's over." Sullivan said picking his teeth with a toothpick. "Heh, we were talking about disqualifying the delinquent earlier, but in the end, it wouldn't have really made a difference, would it have?"
"Yup, there goes my hopes in the sorry kid. Shame too, as annoying as he was, no doubt he did bring about a lot of emotions from the audience." Lorelai reflected before crossing her head. "You holding up their Oak, looks like your guy's done for?"
"Shh... I'm trying to watch this..." The Pokémon Professor said raising his finger over his mouth. His eyes were locked onto the battle as Meganium's struggle ultimately proved futile.
"What a terrifyingly tight grip Venusaur's got over Meganium, I think we've got our answer to what's stronger, the Kanto or Johto grass starter!" The announcer declared into his microphone.
"There has to be a way out of this!?" Ethan wondered as Meganium stopped struggling, too tuckered out to even move another inch.
"No way in hell Ethan, you put up a good fight, but in the end, I was always going to win the minute you gave up Ampharos!" Kenneth claimed. "Now steal the last of Meganium's poor stamina, Giga Drain let's go!"
Venusaur of course listened to his Trainer's command. With his vines keeping its' hold on Meganium she began to feel the life being sucked out of her; all her remaining stamina being drained to the bone.
"Me-Meganiu...uhhh..." Meganium said, she was trying to resist the attack but it was too great, all her energy leaving her body, and at such a slow pace too.
Venusaur wasn't silent during the affair. It let out a melody one such that almost felt soothing in a way.
"Venusaurrrrr... Venusaurrrrrr... Venusaurrrr..." The fellow grass type sang. It definitely wasn't an attack whatever the Pokémon was doing. Not a status move, it was just a song, almost like it was trying to ease Meganium.
"Me-Meganiuh..." Meganium said. She was beginning to lose consciousness with her eyes nearly closing. The minute her eyes shut she opened them almost immediately after, but then her eyes began to nearly close once more.
"That's right Meganium... it's alright girl, you're tired, and you've fought a good fight, just give in, you did a good job and surely that's worth being praised for." Kenneth said speaking to Ethan's Pokémon. "But it's time to rest now, go to sleep Meganium, just go to sleep."
Ethan didn't like what he was seeing. But it was over, Meganium couldn't put up with it any longer it seemed. ""Meganium I'm sorry girl, it'll be over soon I promise!"
Suddenly, the very second the boy uttered those words, he heard what he had said, those very same words that were familiar to him.
Wait, what did I just say... the boy wondered beginning to get lost in his thought.
….
"So here, once and for all let's see what's stronger, Pokémon from Kanto or Johto." Kenneth declared.
"It doesn't matter, Pokémon from Kanto, Johto, or even from the dark side of the moon, any Pokémon can be good as long as they've bonded with their Trainer." Ethan explained.
"Is that so...?" Kenneth said. "You know what, you're right. So, I'll show you how much stronger my bond with Venusaur is, Venusaur, use Take Down!"
Venusaur listened and with surprisingly fast speed leapt forward to Meganium encompassed by a red aura.
Take Down, Ampharos used to move that move back as a Flaaffy! Ethan realized.
"Dodge it get out of there quick!" Ethan yelled.
Meganium leapt back but she was still unable to dodge the attack as the Venusaur crashed into her and landed on top of her back.
"Megayyyy!" She screamed. She was sweating intensely and in no shape to continue.
"Meganium no!" Ethan panicked.
"Now Venusaur, use your own Vine Whip!" Kenneth commanded.
From its bud Venusaur unleashed its own Vines instantly whipping the weak Meganium across her face causing her to scream once more. The weight of Venusaur was too much for her and it was clear she had no chance.
"Meganium I'm sorry girl, it'll be over soon I promise!" Ethan said.
….
I'm... giving up again, in my head I've already acknowledged defeat...? Ethan began to fret. He had made it so far yet in that split instance he had accepted defeat. Had he not changed since that battle, the battle he forfeited?
"I'm never going to give up again!" Ethan rose his voice filling his sorrows with determination. "Meganium! I know you can still hear me girl, you have to wake up, it's not too late, we can still win this!"
His grass type once more opened her eyes, just hearing Ethan's voice gave her enough strength to open them just once more. She heard him just fine.
"Look, that Giga Drain is strong, and so is Venusaur, but it isn't undefeatable, resisting isn't futile. Kenneth thinks his win was determined from the minute I called you into battle, I say we prove him wrong, we set out to prove Johto's worth and that's exactly what were going to do, so don't give in, alright girl!?" Ethan yelled causing Meganium to just barely shake her head.
"M-Megay..." She agreed. More than the Giga Drain, just the vines wrapping her skin were beginning to chafe, but she refused to give up. Because Ethan wasn't the only one who wanted to win this.
"Good, now you might not be able to break free from that Vine Whip with all that power you've lost, and that's fine, we'll make up for it with another Solar Beam, prepare all the energy from the Sun you can!" Ethan told her.
"What, did you forget about chlorophyl, you're only going to increase Venusaur's speed!" Kenneth yelled.
"You'd like that wouldn't you?" Ethan asked. "Then come and get it, go on Meganium!"
The Johto starter looked towards the Sun, the clouds weren't at all covering them and so it became easy to concentrate. She shut her eyes, not to sleep but to fill all her pores with solar energy.
"Fine, it's your funeral, you chose the way you want to die..." Kenneth muttered before repairing his crooked smile. "Now Venusaur, absorb it all!"
"Venu... saurrrr!" Kenneth's Pokémon screeched. The very solar energy Meganium was forming within herself was slowly being taken from her, all transferred to the giant bud on Venusaur which had now blossomed from all the energy.
Ethan could see the faint golden aura more clearly now. From head-to-toe Venusaur was surrounded by it. And to make matters worse for the boy it would only continue.
Meganium's eyes were beginning to close again; the solar energy she was absorbing was being absorbed by Venusaur at a much faster rate. Her fatigue was quickly catching up with her much to her dismay.
"Me...megayyy...!" She said weakly, almost about to close her eyes once and for all. All the while Venusaur was embracing the surging amount of solar energy. Its speed being unfathomably greater now one could imagine.
Ve, eee, Venusaur, ve, eee!" Venusaur almost chuckling at the amount of solar power it was gaining. It was a bit much and even starting to reach its limit but Venusaur could still manage just a bit more before... overfilling.
"Hmph, just what I was counting on, Meganium, put your all into it, cause this is the end, use Earthquake!" Ethan exclaimed.
"E-Earthquake, Meganium doesn't have enough power left to...?" Kenneth wondered before witnessing Meganium raise her hind legs into the air despite all odds and the Vine Whip's hold.
Meganium slammed her front legs into the ground. What came next wasn't to the same degree as earlier Earthquake but it was undoubtedly powerful and managed to shake the ground causing Venusaur to scream.
"Ve-Venusaur!?" It muttered with it's hold on Meganium loosening entirely in its shock. This being the perfect opportunity for the Herb Pokémon to break free from any certain clutches as she leapt towards her Trainer away from her opponent.
"T-this can't be!?" Kenneth screamed in shock. He watched as the solar energy which was radiating from his Pokémon's began to disperse. The effect of the Earthquake breaking Venusaur's concentration on the tremendous amount of energy.
The consequence of which led to an explosion. An explosion to which only erupted in Venusaur's face much like a champagne bottle once you shake it and remove the cork.
Ethan covered his eyes looking away from the blast. But Kenneth didn't, he watched as his Pokémon was caught with a direct hit that chlorophyl in no way could've prevented.
From the smoke, Venusaur fell in front of Kenneth. And just like that, it was over, his Pokémon being out cold.
"And there you have it folks, Venusaur is unable to battle naming Ethan from New Bark Town our victor!" The announcer yelled into his microphone which brought about some outcry from the audience.
"Can't believe that Kanto kid lost, to the Johto brat, what a loser!?
"It was a good battle, they both did pretty alright!"
"Y'know, that Ethan guy isn't so bad maybe..."
"Nah, the both of them stink!"
Ethan instantly ran up to Meganium. She was still standing upright as he came by her side in all his excitement.
"I knew you had it in you girl, I knew it!" Ethan said hugging her neck to which she returned. "Thank God you were the Chikorita the Professor decided to hand me all those months ago!"
"Meganium, Meganiuh!" Meganium replied giving her Trainer a lick on his head which made him laugh. The boy stopped laughing though as he looked up to see his rival in front of him with a lukewarm smile.
"Kenneth, that was awesome, your Arcanine and Venusaur were really something else, in another case I might've lost!" Ethan said modestly as Kenneth laughed pulling Ethan in for a hug.
"Yeah, but you didn't lose, I got all cocky and still lost, that says a lot about me doesn't it, look, it was your goal to prove Johto Trainers could be just as great as Kanto Trainers, there's no need anymore, you already have!" Kenneth said while patting Ethan's back.
"Thanks, but I don't think so, not quite yet I have, but I will, one Trainer at a time!" Ethan said as they both released from the hug.
"Whatever you say then, well, I'll be watching you in your endeavors of course, I want you to win this league for the both of us!" Kenneth said happily; clenching his fist.
"Sounds like a plan, you agree to that, Meganium?" Ethan asked to his starter.
"Meganiuh, Meganium!" She agreed nodding her head twice.
"Haha, cool, well, I've got to go and get my Pokémon fixed up, I'll be back soon." Kenneth said turning around from Ethan and Meganium as he walked off the stage.
"Well, what do you say we do the same, want to get healed up girl?" Ethan asked Meganium.
"Megay!" She agreed leaping off the stage which caused Ethan to run behind her. "Haha, y'know for how exhausted you are you're still pretty fast!"
As he walked he realized one of the three judges was standing there directly in the field in front of him, not taking his eyes off the kid.
Ethan stopped in front of who he now recognized as the old and fat judge. "Oh, hi sir, uh, wasn't your name..."
"James... Mr. James." Sullivan said making Ethan nod.
"Right, Mr. James, got it." Ethan smiled. "Uh, is everything alright?"
"Look, you moron, you might have Oak and the women fooled but I don't trust you for a second, if I had it my way you would've been disqualified since those thirty minutes under the sun you put us through yesterday. Afterall, we don't need any more Johto mice around here!" Sullivan said only loud enough for Ethan and Meganium to hear.
"Megay Megay!" Meganium said raising her voice before her Trainer stopped her putting his hand before her.
"That's alright pal, I get when I'm not wanted, so I'll get out of your hair for now, see you." Ethan said walking past the man. Sullivan turned around and watched as Ethan made his way out of there leaving through the exit. It was then when Sully realized something.
'"G-get out of my hair,' he better not have been making fun of me for being bald, the brat!" Sullivan cried nearly popping a vein.
Back with Elm and Eliza they could finally breath. It was close but somehow Ethan still managed to win.
"How does he do it..." Eliza said beginning to feel relieved. "Not that I ever doubted him."
"I wish I knew..." Elm said laying back in his chair. "Like I said earlier, it's what makes him special, his unpredictability, something he has even over Lyra I believe."
"Better than Lyra huh?" Eliza asked.
"Hold on, don't misconstrue me, I didn't say, better per se..." Elm continued.
Farther from them in the audience Lyra was happy to see Ethan won, even she started to doubt if he'd be able to win the battle or not.
That idiot, I don't know how many times my heart dropped since that battle began, well, that's Ethan for you... she thought to herself before growing a bit sad.
"I... should probably go talk to him, about yesterday..." Lyra said to herself quietly all before she was shut up as her eyes moved to the monitor. On one side of the screen was Leviathan, it was now his time to battle.
Sitting farther away from her was the man himself. He had watched Ethan's battle intently writing all that he had observed in a journal of his.
"So... that's all there is to Ethan, disappointing, relying that much on surprise will cost him one day, kid's an idiot, I thought just him being friends or adversaries with Lyra would mean I'd be in for a challenge with him, I guess not. If things come to pass and we must battle, then I don't see any reason why Zapdos couldn't take out his whole team." Leviathan said as he shut his journal. He was sitting on the bottom row of bleachers before he looked up at the screen seeing his image, next to a picture of a guy who looked to be his age, one from Kanto of course.
"Uh, buddy, think that's for you." An older man said sitting next to Leviathan but he paid him no mind. Leviathan simply got up pulling out his same Ultra Ball from the other day.
It's time to win another battle... he thought.
So yeah, that's this chapter. If you didn't read this whole fic and want to see Ethan and Kenneth's original battle, it's on chapter 64. Don't really got much to say this time... so uh, until next time.