Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 93: A not so quiet time
The third round of the Indigo league had reached its end. Eight Trainers walked into it and four Trainers came out. Those four Trainers being Lyra, Leviathan, Silver, and Ethan himself...
As for the boy in question, Ethan stood right outside the plateau's front door as his mother frantically hugged him.
"I'm so sorry Ethan, I'm so sorry... oh my baby boy!" She cried as she hugged her son much to his embarrassment.
By him was of course his Meganium who always liked seeing Eliza's concern for his son. Not just her but there was also Elm who looked amused as well.
"Ugh, how many times do I have to tell you?" Ethan complained. "I'm fine, it's Lance we should be worried about, he's the one who took the bullet."
"Man, were you lucky though." Elm exclaimed. "If Lance wasn't there with his bulletproof vest then it would've been over for you; you've got to take this more seriously Ethan."
"What's to take serious?" Ethan asked removing his mother's hands from him. "Team Rocket's done for, whoever that Archer guy is he's taking it up with the cops now, there's NOTHING to worry about."
He walked nonchalantly in front of his mother and Elm who couldn't believe how calm he was.
"E-Ethan, this isn't a game, you could've gotten killed." Eliza said. "There is something to worry about."
"Yeah, I know. But I just... I want it to be over now, I'm tired of dealing with Team Rocket." Ethan sighed with Meganium looking at him with surprise. "Maybe that's naïve of me, I knew from the first moment I got involved with this that my life could be in danger from it."
"And with this Indigo league being broadcasted, you're in more trouble than you would've been before." Eliza said walking behind her son, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Look Ethan, I'm only saying this because I love you, maybe it's for the best you stay with me for the time being."
"In a hotel?" Ethan asked.
"I think it's for the best, you're vulnerable when you're by yourself, even when you're with your Pokémon." Elm explained. "I say you stay with your mom, no more sleeping up outside."
"...Fine." Ethan said turning around to face the two. "I'll be there later today alright, no more sleeping outside in a tent, we good now?"
"Guess so." Eliza said with a smile.
Elm said no words but smiled as he nodded his head.
Ethan finally turned around facing his starter. "Whew, alright then Meganium, let's get to that Pokémon Center now."
"Megay!" The Herb Pokémon cried while following closely behind her Trainer.
As they walked, Ethan looked back and waved his hand. "I'll be back soon alright, see you then!"
Both Eliza and Elm waved him off before the kid turned around. In just one day so much had happened. He woke up with a gun to his head, and now the situation was resolved. But just because Archer was gone didn't mean it was impossible that there was more Team Rocket around.
A shame. When Ethan witnessed Proton's end back during Blackthorn, although he didn't like it he thought it was at the very least a bittersweet ending to his and his friend's battle against Team Rocket. But it looked like it may have just been a mere break from all that...
It didn't take very long for the boy to reach the Pokémon Center now that he memorized where it was. Just stepping into the place it felt different from the ones from Johto, the air felt different somehow.
As he took his steps into it many looked at him, he heard whispers and got the general idea some were speaking about him.
He made his way to the front desk in which he stood behind a man who had handed his Poliwag to the Nurse Joy before turning around and seeing the kid.
The man's eyes lit up seeing Ethan before he gave a snicker. Both Ethan and Meganium tensed up expecting trouble but got what they didn't quite expect.
"Hey, I know you, weren't you a Trainer competing in this whole Indigo league thing, ehh, Ethan am I right?" He asked.
"Ugh, yeah, that's me." Ethan answered somewhat meekly. The man smiled and patted Ethan on the back hard enough for it to sting slightly.
"Wow kid, I've got to say you're really something else!" He remarked. "I've watched some of your battles, my children really seem to like you, they were routing for you the minute they saw you take on that Venusaur Trainer!"
"R-really?" Ethan asked.
"Well kid, you're real special you should know." He said as he crossed the kid before turning around once more to the boy. "Good luck, and all the best!"
"You-you too!" Ethan said with a smile as he waved to the man. As the guy exited Ethan turned to Meganium and smiled. "Can you believe that; I have a fan, one from Kanto!"
"Megay!" Meganium smiled as Ethan turned to see the Nurse Joy in front of the desk.
"Hello again, how may I be of service?" The women asked.
"Ugh, please take a look at some of my Pokémon." Ethan said taking out three Pokéballs, containing Heracross, Gyarados, and Espeon.
He pressed the buttons to Espeon and Heracross' Pokéballs letting them out.
"Espe!" Espeon purred.
"Hera, Hera!" Heracross said flexing a single muscle.
"Fix them up for me please." Ethan said with his other hand giving Nurse Joy his Great Ball.
"Alright then, will do." Nurse Joy said as Heracross and Espeon walked in front of her. "Be back in about a couple of hours to pick them up!"
"I will, see you!" Ethan cried waving his hand before turning around. "Let's go Meganium!"
"Meganium." She agreed walking behind him.
As he walked out of the Center the boy again noticed some folk which were about ten which were in the room at the time looking towards him and whispering. He quickly lost track of this as he was startled to see Silver standing directly at him just a few feet in front of him when he opened the door.
"...Ethan." Silver said nodding his head.
Wincing upon seeing him, Ethan couldn't help but feel bad. So much had happened to Silver during that battle with Mister Viridian to which he couldn't even imagine.
"H-how you holding up?" Ethan asked getting a head shake from Silver.
"How else do you think..." The redhead answered with sadness in his voice.
"I... imagine not the best." Ethan answered. "But, at least it's over now, you won't have to hear from that guy eve again, you beat him."
"And it's all thanks to you." Silver said just barely smiling before dropping it. "But... it still doesn't change all that to which Archer told me, about things, I didn't even know about myself..."
"It's not true though." Ethan said. "He lied to you."
"Well, I appreciate your optimism, but even I don't know..." Silver said clutching his head. "So many memories he tried to force in me, yet I could only remember all but one."
"And what's that?" Ethan asked.
"My father... he abandoned me, I remember it now, it's possible everything I know could be a lie." Silver sighed.
Ethan smiled. "But there is one truth to it all, even if you don't remember everything. You're better than him. You're not all those things that he said."
"Megay, Meganiuh!" Meganium agreed nodding her head. Silver paid it no attention and turned around.
"I need... some time, to get used to, all this." Silver muttered. "You won't be seeing me for a few days."
"How many?" Ethan wondered.
"A week. You didn't hear, the league's fourth round has been delayed since Archer shot that gun." Silver spoke. "It was originally going to be postponed indefinitely, but we have Lance to thank for some good convincing, and he's barely in the league committee."
"Okay, a week, I can work with that." Ethan said putting his hands on his hips. "Hey that reminds me, we may get paired up and battle in the next round, after all it's just you, me, Lyra, and that Leviathan."
"Humph, it doesn't matter who you battle now does it?" Silver ask beginning to walk away from Ethan muttering his last words. "No matter who you get paired up with, you're losing..."
"Hah, you wish!" Ethan chuckled briefly before dropping his smile. "Well, time to get out of here."
Right as Ethan took a step he heard the voice of someone from behind him. "Not so fast man!"
"...Kenneth!" Ethan said recognizing as he turned around just to see his rival as he put his hand over Ethan's shoulder.
"You alright man, I saw what happened back their dude!" Kenneth asked.
"Oh... don't worry about it man I'm fine!" Ethan exclaimed as Kenneth let go of him. "You see my battle with Eusine?"
"Of course, but, forget about that, if it wasn't for the champion, you might've bit the dust, I was real worried back there." Kenneth cried.
"Well, you don't have to be worried." Ethan replied. "Anyways how've you been?"
"What, since my embarrassing defeat?" Kenneth asked.
"That wasn't embarrassing Kenneth, you did great. You were probably my toughest opponent since I set foot in that ring." Ethan reminded him. "Well, what've you been up to, you know, besides watching the league battles?"
"Ha, I haven't been doing much, well... I came and visit that Garnet girl earlier, she really knows her stuff when it comes to healing Pokémon." Kenneth answered.
"I'll say, you like her a bit more than I thought, don't you?" Ethan said making Kenneth snicker.
"Maybe, maybe not... anyways I'm just glad you're okay, alright, I'm out of here, see you some other time!" Kenneth said as he walked off.
Ethan smiled and once more turned to his Pokémon. "Okay, let's go to that hotel mom's staying at."
"Megay!" Meganium said.
It wasn't a very long walk to the hotel, about thirty in all. But something had bothered Ethan as he walked alongside Meganium. She got so tired from just walking even though she tried to hide it, he could notice how she was sweating more than usual and they weren't even walking very fast.
Of course it hurt Ethan to watch but eventually they made it to the hotel just before dusk. He stood outside of it just taking one good look. Place was rather small but it was fine for the most part considering Ethan and them would be leaving Kanto as soon as the league had ended.
He placed his hand on the front door opening it, on the inside the first floor felt nice and cozy. There was a nice big couch and a television monitor by it, warm scented candles that gave the boy a nostalgic feeling and the floor's rug had a nice Raichu-print to it.
Ethan along with Meganium walked up to the front desk to which the attendant took one good look at him. "Hello, you lost kid?"
"Uh, I-I'm a Trainer." Ethan said pointing to Meganium. "I'm here to stay with my mom, Eliza, I think she mentioned being in room... 2B?"
"Oh yes, well, just give me a second." She said turning to the wall. She pressed a red button which followed with Ethan's mother's voice."
"Hello ma'am." The woman spoke. "A boy by the name of Ethan says he's your son, is that true?"
"Yes! That's my Ethan, let him in let him in!" Eliza said eagerly through the speaker.
"Understood, he'll be with you momentarily." The woman said before turning to Ethan and handing him something. He held out his hand being given a key. "A room key, usually we wouldn't hand it to children, but since you're a Trainer, we'll treat you like an adult."
"Hey, thanks." Ethan said before passing by her. As he walked he heard her mention were exactly the room was on the second floor.
Of course he wasn't dumb enough to not be able to find the room by himself. After about a minute he made it to the door of his mother's with Meganium behind him as usual. But what he was dumb at, using the key to open the door was a bit tough, it felt like the door knob was struggling with him before he got fed up and put it away.
"Mom, it's me, open up!" Ethan said knocking on the door.
"Just a second!" He heard the sound of his mother's voice utter as he could hear her running around frantically for about a minute.
He just stood there crossing his arms while repeatedly tapping his foot. What is taking her so long...?
Finally, the door creaked as it was open. Standing in front of the boy was his mother but something was a little off he could notice. Her hair was slightly messy, almost like someone was grabbing it and the top button on her blouse was open revealing a little cleavage, something Ethan didn't like to see but he ignored it as he walked past her.
"O-oh, Ethan, w-we have a bit of company!" Eliza explained right as Ethan and Meganium walked by her. He instantly dropped his jaw as he saw who was inside. His father. In nothing more than his undershirt and boxers as he was in front of the open fridge with a loaf of bread in his mouth and a bottle of bear in his hand.
"E-Ethan!?" Allen said quickly swallowing the whole loaf in one go. "You're finally here!"
"Ugh, just the guy I wanted to see!" Ethan said sarcastically as he turned his back on him walking towards the door putting his hand on the knob. "I'm leaving, be back later!"
"Ethan, wait!" Eliza said before Ethan went and closed the door shut. He had no interest in speaking with his dad, with what the man had done to him back during the first day of the league.
Right as he closed the door however it opened right back up. Allen stood in the hallway seeing his son and quickly followed behind him.
"Ethan, please, talk to me..." The man said following his son as he put on a pair of jeans at the same time.
"Hmm... Meganium, you hear anyone?" Ethan said turning to his starter who shook her head.
"Meganium, Megay!" She said following his lead.
Needless to say Ethan was fed up and far more petty than usual as he didn't even try and speak with his dad who followed him all the way downstairs and through the front door.
"Ethan, just wait for a second." Allen said with pain in his voice as he reached over and touched his son on the shoulder right as they made it outside. Ethan snapped and smacked his dad's hand off of him.
"What! What do you want!?" Ethan snarled finally acknowledging him.
Allen sighed seeing his son's anger and rubbed the back of his head. "Look kid, I'm sorry, I messed up..."
"You mean when you almost got me disqualified from the league!?" Ethan asked. "Well don't worry about it, I'm over it."
"Really?" Allen said.
"Yeah, I don't care anymore, so just leave me alone alright." Ethan said once more turning around before stopping as his dad continued.
"Ethan. You don't have to lie, I know you're mad at me, and you shood be, I... I never meant for that battle to turn out that way, I always mentioned facing you like that just before you made it to the league. Only it wasn't supposed to be a big six-on-six." Allen explained. "Except, you were so much stronger than I could've anticipated, and then, I stopped thinking of testing you, I wanted to beat you... my head wasn't in the game, I screwed up royally, and for that I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Ethan repeated crossing his arms now.
"Yeah, and I get it if you don't forgive me, but... you never told you mother about what happened, right?" Allen asked. "Or at least I think so? Pretty sure she'd be mad at me if she knew."
"Well she's not mad at you." Ethan said before suddenly turning to anger. "And hey! You better not have been doing anything dirty with mom, I saw how you both looked, I think I might barf."
"Huh, what?" Allen said before laughing. "Relax kid, relax, we were just making food in the oven, nothing serious."
"This IS serious!" Ethan yelled before taking off with Meganium. "I'm out of here!"
"Wait, I-I'm really worried about you kid!" Allen said grabbing his son's arm. "That guy pulled out a gun on you, I just want to make sure you're okay!?"
"I'm fine, so let go of me...!" Ethan yelled trying to pull away from his father but he wouldn't loosen his grip. Almost starting to hurt him.
Ethan was so fed up he just couldn't anymore. Being so angry he just wanted to be alone
"...Ow, stop it, please, you're hurting me!" Those words alone were enough for Allen to let go of him as Ethan ran away from there.
Allen simply stood there as his son left. And as he did his son turned his head looking at his father with spite before turning back.
I'm sorry Ethan... he thought as he watched his son run away.
He shouldn't have been so mad. Afterall it was the best time of his life, he said it himself, he was finally breathing. But that was all before... now he was mad and he didn't know why. He wasn't so mad at his father when he wasn't around, but just seeing him was enough to send him off the deep end.
Ethan was all by himself excluding Meganium who was always with him. Not so far from the hotel was an old school and by it a playground. There was everything, a moldy seesaw, a giant, dirty and dusty slide, and half-broken monkey bars. Ethan stayed away from them, standing upright on a swing while swinging as forcefully as he could in all his anger while he let out all his frustrations to his starter.
"Who does he think he is, coming back here after everything he did!" He said while swinging back and forth. "Why is he here, what makes him think he can just come back like nothing had happened!?"
"Megay!" Meganium cried not at all her cheerful self. Something was eating at Ethan. She could tell; she could see it.
"...And, why am I so mad." Ethan muttered finally taking a seat on the swing instead of standing. "I shouldn't be mad, We beat Team Rocket once and for all, I've finally got some folk who're routing for me and I'm making it to the fourth round, the semifinals of the Indigo league!"
He turned to Meganium who walked up to him and gave him a lick on the cheek which of course made him chuckle. "Megay, Megay!"
"Your right girl, I've got to get over it, I need to get over it!" He said just slowly beginning to swing himself once more.
Then much to his dismay he heard footsteps, someone walking on the play safer rubber. Instantly he thought it was his father or mother before hearing a much softer voice.
"Hello... Ethan." He looked up, standing on the opposite side of the playground was Lyra, who he had tried to avoid for the past few days.
He tensed up as he clutched onto the chains from the swing, though Meganium seemed happy as Lyra was just the right person to cheer her Trainer up.
"Ugh, this playground's not big enough for the both of us." Ethan said.
"Very funny... look, I'm just, a little worried about you Ethan." She spoke while fidgeting with her finger. "It's been a while since we last talked."
"...Yeah, it has, hasn't it." Ethan said facing his head down. As he pouted the girl walked besides him sitting on the swing directly next to him.
"You know, I ugh, saw your previous battle, and I also saw what happened with that cruel Trainer guy, what did he call himself, Master Viridian?" Lyra asked.
"Ehh- Mister, it's Mister Viridian." Ethan corrected without looking her in the eye.
"Right. I just wanted to say... that was scary, and well, I was scared, I saw the moment he pulled out the gun, I couldn't believe my eyes, just who, who was that guy?" Lyra asked.
"Team Rocket..." Ethan answered which surprised Lyra who nearly fell out of her seat.
"Wait, Team Rocket!?" She said shocked. "No way, you said you beat them back in Blackthorn!?"
"Well, he's what I imagine is one of the last members of the organization, just some rotten scumbag who was out for revenge." Ethan said. "You saw it yourself, he wanted to kill me."
"Yeah... I messed with Team Rocket once as well, back, back in Ecruteak with you, there was that guy, don't remember who he was exactly, you know, the one with the cocktail." Lyra reminisced. "All... all I remember is thinking I would die, and here you are, you-you've dealt with that your whole journey, haven't you..."
Ethan didn't answer her instead changing the subject. "Why are you here Lyra?"
"Well..." She muttered. "I missed you Ethan, I, I know we haven't really talked much ever since a few days ago, if I made you feel like I was avoiding you then I'm sorry for it."
Ethan face nearly turned red with embarrassment as he suddenly recalled what had occurred between them exactly. It was already on the back of his mind but it was put on full center now.
"O-oh, you, you mean, that... what I said, back in that Pikachu themed restaurant!?" Ethan asked getting all flustered.
"Hmm... yeah." Lyra said nodding her head, now looking her friend in the eye.
"Ugh... you know I'm really sorry about that." Ethan said much to her surprise.
"What do you mean?" Lyra asked. "You have nothing to apologize for, I-I was the one who was in the wrong!"
"No. Look I messed up." Ethan said. "I shouldn't have tried to mess with you like that, I'm sorry."
"...Wait, m-mess with me?" Lyra repeated.
"Y-yeah." Ethan said rubbing the back of his head. "I mean, I thought it'd be funny if I told you all that lovey-dovey, I didn't really mean it, and I took it too far, it was just a joke, and a joke in bad taste too maybe."
"Oh, it was just a joke..." Lyra said.
"Haha, of course." Ethan laughed uncomfortably. "I mean, I hear that Tentacruel-ink stew I had might've had some alcoholic contents, in a kids place, shame on them! Haha, guess that's where I got the idea from."
"Wow... uh, good think I passed on that stew, who knows, I might've said yes!" Lyra joked also laughing awkwardly.
They finally stopped laughing and just took in the view of the beautiful sunset in front of them. Ethan finally turned to her looking at her once more.
"Oh God, I'm just remembering the things I told you, ugh I sounded so silly!" Ethan laughed while face palming.
Lyra smiled and looked at him in the eye. "Well for what it's worth, I didn't think it was silly."
"Ha, yeah you would." Ethan said with a smile as he turned his head to Meganium who was also smiling.
Again the two just remained there in silence as Lyra slowly got off her feet and actually began swinging. "You know Ethan, this reminds me of all the way back when, remember when we we're in Trainer school? I used to ask you to push me all the time!"
"Yeah, and then you'd cry when I ended up pushing you too hard!" Ethan said with a snicker.
"Ha, you're right. You ever think about those days. Trainer school, back before Pokémon battling, back before gym badges, back before Team Rocket?" Lyra asked.
"I mean, what's to remember, you and me hanging out or me getting stuffed in lockers and atomic wedgies?" Ethan asked.
"E-everything I guess." Lyra said happily. "Just being here in a playground like this makes me remember it."
"Heh, I guess." Ethan smiled.
Lyra then looked at Ethan with a mischievous smile. One which lingered on for longer than it should which the boy noted.
"You better not be getting any funny ideas!" Ethan warned her as she got up from the swing.
"Of course not Ethan, look, since I used to ask you all to push me all the time, why don't I push you this once?" She asked.
"Think I can do it by myself." Ethan said before Lyra put her hands on his back.
"Don't worry about it, come on, just this time and I won't ask you again!" Lyra said giddily as she slowly pushed him.
"Fine... guess this isn't so bad." Ethan said as she continued pushing him.
But then much to the boy's dismay, Lyra's cheeky smile widened as she used all her force to push Ethan, and with a scream he fell flat on his face with some of the rubber flakes flying up.
"Hahahaha! You really didn't see that coming!?" She said with a laugh to which her and Meganium shared.
"I-it's not funny, you're, you're not cute!" Ethan yelled with a red rash on his face but she ignored him as she laughed. Finally he shot up from the ground and clenched his fist.
"That's it. You're going to get it now Lyra!" He exclaimed before running towards her.
Lyra leaped back before turning around and dashing out of there. "You'll have to catch me first!"
Ethan and Meganium ran after Lyra as fast as they could but paused momentarily as she climbed up the monkey bars.
She stood atop them walking perfectly straight through the bars before reaching the end, Lyra turned around and smiled. "Come on, Slowpoke!"
Ethan grunted as he climbed the bars himself one foot after the other. He was a bit slower than her but finally made it to the top only for her to jump off landing on the ground.
She continued running off past the field of the playground and so Ethan followed her too jumping off the railing only he stumbled for a bit after landing before giving chase.
"Come on Meganium!" Ethan told her as he looked back as he continued his run after her. All the while Lyra kept up with the taunts.
"What's the matter Ethan?" She asked still running. "You used to be so much faster than me, you really fell off!?"
"You are so going to eat those words!" Ethan replied with a yell that only made her laugh.
He didn't have as much energy as her. He was constantly ten about ten feet behind her as she kept throwing insults. It was fun, he couldn't deny.
Not so long after running they finally found a rest station to which Lyra began to run towards.
"Go anywhere you want, you're not going to be able to hide from me!" Ethan yelled running as fast as he could now, getting closer and closer to the girl now.
Finally Lyra ran in front of a door near the entrance before turning to Ethan and Meganium as they approached her. Ethan stopped running as she had too stopped and walked up to her with his hands crossed.
"What's that about me not catching you?" Ethan asked with a confident snicker.
Lyra smiled as she looked up to Ethan. All before she took one step back. Suddenly much to Ethan's surprise she opened the door behind her and quickly shut it on him.
"Where you going-" He stopped right before he could open the door. Just one glance at it and he could see the lady's symbol right on it. He was beaten.
"Oh man... well, good for you, you beat me, come on Meganium, let's go..." Ethan muttered before hearing her cry.
"What the heck is that thing!?" He heard her yell. "I-I think it's moving!?"
"M-moving!?" Ethan muttered before bringing his ear to the door pressing on it. "Wha, what's going on in there—Lyra!?"
"There's something in here, you've got to come see this!" She yelled much to the boy's surprise. "I think it's a Pokémon or something, come on!"
"Okay okay, I'm coming!" Ethan yelled as he swung open the door to the female restroom and entered it. Only one thing was off. There was no Pokémon. Just screams. Screams from many, many woman.
"Wait, it's not what it looks like-" And that was it. All he could muster before his voice was drowned out by the angry cries of the woman, along with the sound of a thousand beatings. He was thrown out nearly knocked out flat on his face.
"And stay out!" The last girl said closing the door forcibly.
"...N-noted..." Ethan muttered under his breath as Meganium walked by his side.
The door open once more, it was Lyra, who couldn't stop laughing. "Haha, girl power, right Meganium?" She said placing her hand on the Herb Pokémon's head.
Ethan gave a snicker himself as he got up from his being flattened like a pancake as he rubbed off some dirt from his jacket. "Fine, you win... but I'll remember this when we battle in the league."
"If we even battle." Lyra corrected. "You never know, you could get paired with Leviathan or Silver in a week's time and lose. Heck, I could lose."
"You're right about that, but I like to think something like that won't happen." Ethan replied. "Actually, now that I think of it, technically we could be paired to battle in the next round!"
"And when that happens, you're going down." Lyra said with a smile before she walked away with her hands behind her back. "You're going to get it Ethan! Oh... and it's been fun today, maybe let's hang out some more once this tournament is over."
"Of course." Ethan said with a goodbye wave.
"See you, bye Ethan!" She said cheerfully before she turned around and left.
Ethan chuckled once more before turning to his Herb Pokémon. "Hanging out with her like that really is nostalgic... man, well, what do you say we get back to the hotel, I don't feel so upset anymore."
"Meganium, Meganium!" His starter said as she walked back by his side.
And that's this chapter. Kind of light as far as the content goes. At least when compared to the previous chapter in which a literal murder attempt occurred. Not going to lie, this story became a lot more edgier than I intended it to be at the start, Oh yeah, that reminds me. In the last chapter, I reread it and I'm going to keep it deadass with you guys. The way Silver defeated Archer was kind of stupid, I mean Typhlosion just overpowered Hitmonlee and defeated it with one attack. Well, I decided to do that since Silver's not the same as Ethan, he doesn't come up with on-the-fly strategies to win battles, he relies on his Pokémon's brute force. Anyways, please follow and leave some reviews.