Pokémon Crimson Gold

by yonas813

A Pokémon adventure heavily based off the HeartGold and SoulSilver games. Embark with young Pokémon Trainer Ethan as he sets to make a name for himself across the Johto region encountering wild Pokémon, trainers, gym leaders and even the evil Team Rocket.

94. Test of progress

Pokémon Crimson Gold

Chapter 94: Test of progress

Due to a certain gun shot from the hands of a terrorist, the Indigo league had reached a small maintenance. The semifinal round which was originally intended to have commenced a day after the quarterfinal but was pushed back by a week.

The remaining contestants in which were competing, just a measly four. Ethan, Lyra, Leviathan, and lastly Silver. All with an equal chance to win the tournament and challenge the Champion Lance for his title.

With their free week break from all the action it was a good opportunity to get some last-minute training before the round began. At the very least that's what Ethan had done.

Their time, this week break the four Trainer's received along with a murder attempt had passed. It was now the big day; the day the semifinal started.

This was all on Ethan's mind as he woke up this very morning. He spent three days training his Pokémon, three days of rest, and one on this day it was finally time for action...

RINGGGGGG! The sound of his alarm which instantly awoke him causing him to sit up in his bed. Beside him was Espeon and Togetic who woke up at the same time as him.

"Too loud... I hate it." Ethan muttered to himself reaching over to the shelf next to him where he placed his alarm turning it off. It was about nine in the morning, a little later than he would've liked to waken but he still had more than enough time to get ready for the day.

Looking over to the bed beside him. His mom and dad had already gotten up and the bed was already made. Really should've waken up earlier.

He then looked over to Espeon and Togetic who looked up to him as he got up from the bed covers and stretched. "...Good morning you guys, ready for the big day?"

"Toge, Togetic!" Togetic cried suddenly getting all full of energy.

"Espe, Espe..." She purred subtly.

With the two Pokémon now in their Pokéballs the boy got ready. Putting on his same jacket, pants, and backwards hat he always wore before leaving the bedroom entering the living room.

He instantly went for the kitchen, opening up the fridge looking for something to eat or drink.

"Let's see, let's see, what have we got here!?" Ethan asked taking a look around. Instantly upon seeing a carton of skim milk he went and reached for it. He shook it a bit noticing there was only a little milk left in there.

After closing the fridge he looked over to the closet. There should have been his favorite jar of cookies... but for some reason it was gone.

"Mom! Mom!" Ethan cried getting an answer from his mom who was in the bathroom.

"What is it sweetie!?" She asked raising her voice.

"Where are the cookies, I'm starving!?" Ethan asked still frantically searching for them.

"I threw them out Ethan, you know what I always tell you, sweets will ruin your teeth!" She yelled getting a disappointed sight from her son.

"...Ugh, that's not what I wanted to hear." He said before he opened up the jug of milk in his hands and chugged it down while closing his eyes.

He opened up his eyes as he heard a little giggle. He looked in front of him to see Meganium with a big smile on her face.

"Megay Megay!" She said energetically.

"Good morning girl, did you wake up earlier than me?" Ethan asked getting a head nod from his starter. Before he could say anything else he went ahead and took a look at the time. It was nine fifteen.

"Hey mom, we have to get going now, you almost done changing!?" Ethan once again asking to his mother who finally opened the door.

She had gotten dressed wearing a pink blouse which she just finished buttoning, along with a purple skirt.

And behind her, Allen who was also dressed, and just from seeing him it bothered Ethan.

He crossed his arms. "I don't like how close you two have been getting, can't you both dress in separate rooms?"

"Now Ethan, there's nothing to be so grossed out by, and you realize there are only like, two rooms in this apartment?" Eliza explained as she looked at Allen lovingly putting her two hands on his chest.

"Yeah Ethan, listen to your mother." Allen said looking to his son.

Ethan squinted his eyes at his fathers before turning around trying his best to hide his anger. "Alright, time to go then if we're all ready and good to go. Come on Meganium."

"Meganiuh Meganiuh!" Meganium cried cheerfully following her Trainer.

"Shall we?" Eliza asked to her husband who crossed arms with her as they both walked.

...Don't know why they're both so, lovey dovey all of a sudden? Ethan asked himself as he walked through the hallway with the both of them.

The walk from the apartment wasn't all too far from the Indigo plateau where of course the tournament was being held. Eventually they family found themselves in front of the doors to the place along with multiple other fans and spectators for the big day.

As they walked it was almost like all eyes were on them. Ethan was now recognized amongst the general folk, and whether it was good or bad admission he had garnered at least it was something.

"You know it feels like these people are really starting to like me Meganium... or at least, hate me less." Ethan whispered over to Meganium who of course agreed.

As he made his way through the big doors into the league along with his mom and dad he of course heard the cries of the three hundred something people that had attended today. He couldn't tell if the lot was cheering or if that were just the screams of several folks.

Not much longer though as he took a few more steps, he looked in front of him to see just the person he wanted to see: Lyra.

She was standing about five meters or so in front of him with her hands behind her back. Both Allen and Eliza could tell just how excited their son was to see her.

"Lyra!" Ethan cried as he ran from his family and up to her, Meganium following suit right behind him. "Hey, nice to see you again, today's the big day, have you trained your Pokémon?"

"You bet your butt I did, and I trust you did as well?" Lyra assumed.

"Something like that." Ethan snickered. "So... if things go well today I may be battling you, crazy to think about."

Lyra laughed as the two started walking together from his parents. Allen and Eliza watched before they both look each other and smiled.

"He really likes her, huh?" Allen asked putting his arm around her.

"Mmm, something like that." She said purposefully copying her son. "Well, let's go and find Elm so we can sit with him."

"Got it." Allen said as they both walked off into the crowd.

As Ethan and Lyra walked together around the seats the girl had gotten a realization. "Was that... your dad I saw by the way? What's he doing here?"

"Oh, uh, he's staying with us surprisingly... for once." Ethan said saying the last part under his breath.

"What happened with, you know, everything between you guys considering your battle from a few days back?" She asked.

"Well, both of us are trying to not mention it, forget it happened. Only it feels like he is, I'm trying to forget everything but I—I'm petty I guess." Ethan admitted.

"You're not petty Ethan." Lyra said. "So, your mom's not mad at him for what he did?"

"I didn't tell her." Ethan replied.

"Huh, but why?" Lyra asked.

"Did you see how happy she looks with him, she'd be pissed at him forever if she found out the truth, it's best she doesn't know what happened." Ethan sighed.

"Megay Megay..." Meganium said beside him nodding her head.

"Me personally, if something like that happened to me personally I'd tell someone but, I'm not you." Lyra said before taking sitting in an empty bleacher before patting down next to her. "Want to sit with me?"

"Sure thing." Ethan said sitting beside her. Meganium stayed in front of him lying down on the floor while he laid his hand gently on her head.

"You say we may get paired together in battle... but, there's two other people we may have to battle which I don't know if you've considered." Lyra commented to which Ethan knew as a reality just the same as her.

"No doubt about that, and there's two people we may have to battle." Ethan said suddenly losing his calm demeanor. He had gone straight to serious along with Lyra.

He could see him from afar, Silver that was. Standing right in front of the audience on the other side of the plateau. Even when so far away however, Ethan could just feel his presence, almost like he could feel the intense stare coming from his rival.

"I could also get paired up with him, Silver." Ethan said clenching his fist. Suddenly he began to turn to nervousness. In his battle with Mister Viridian, Silver surprised Ethan and found what felt like a never-ending pool of power from within his Typhlosion. Something Ethan had been fretting having to go up against.

Similarly, Lyra was looking into the audience on the other side, Surely enough she could see him. The only Trainer she had ever known to possess a Legendary Pokémon. The only Trainer she had ever known to only use one Pokémon his whole time during every single league battle. The only Trainer she knew to have beaten every Pokémon he faced with just one attack from his Zapdos. Leviathan.

"And I... or you could get paired with Leviathan." She said with a smirk. Something was different to her from Ethan though. She didn't seem nervous at the thought of battling Leviathan after all she seemed excited or even perhaps confident.

"It's starting." Ethan told her as the crowd settled down as the announcer got in the ring by himself.

"Everyone, everyone, ladies and gentlemen, mesdames et messieurs, damas y caballeros! As we all know, last time nearing the end of the quarter final, one of our very own contestants pulled out a gun and pulled the trigger. Thankfully, no one was hurt, thanks to our very own Champion who protected one of our very own contestants risking his life in the process!" The announcer yelled into his microphone before swaying his hand over towards outside the ring. "Can we give a round of applause for Lance's courage and bravery!?"

The crowd went wild. Everyone clapped their hands and gave Lance who was high up in the audience a hand along with cheers. Ethan himself looked up towards the Champion with a smile on his face as he was endlessly thankful for the man saving him as he clapped both hands.

After the excitement from the audience settled down the man in the ring went on with it. "We assure you, the hands of that very same villainous contestant who I dare not utter his name, the same vile scum that was Team Rocket, has been locked up, and will be tried for his crimes.

The audience went crazy with applause. Ethan though looked up into the sky and wiped some sweat from his face. "Thank goodness." He said with a sight of relief.

"Now, we ask you all prepare yourselves for the semifinal round of the Indigo league!" The announcer cried walking in a circle around the ring. "Two battles, four Trainers, all with six Pokémon to which they're going to have to use all of them in two full on, action-packed battles!"

"Wait a minute?" Ethan said slightly alarmed to Lyra. "He serious, we're going to be having six-on-sixes? We're going from three-on-three to six-on-sixes?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" Lyra asked whispering back.

Ethan looked down towards his starter. He couldn't help but remember what Garnet had told him. She told him not to use Meganium unless he had to for a six-on-six. Technically he wasn't breaking the promise he had made to her but it still didn't feel right to use her so soon.

"It's nothing." Ethan finally replied focusing back to the announcer.

"Alright then, the time is set! I'd like for all of you to go ahead and take a look at the monitor over there!" The announcer said with enthusiasm swaying his hand over to the giant screen in front of both sides of the audience.

There they were. The four of them. The four remaining Trainers. From top to down, Ethan and Lyra, and below them, Silver and Leviathan. All four of them in their own separate boxes from each other.

"We shall now decide just which two Trainer's will be battling first!" The announcer cried. Simultaneously as he spoke his words a red light shone on Ethan's face on the wall before flickering to the other contestants. In fact there were two lights in which it would decide who'd meet in the ring.

"This is it..." Ethan said under his breath as he watched intently as the he watched the light flicker over the image of his face several times. He was so tense as he awaited.

Who's it going to be...? Lyra thought as the light flashed over her face.

Finally, the two red lights stopped. Landing on two faces. Two Trainers. On the very top of the row of boxes, the boy's very own face was highlighted in blue. The Johto boy's composure didn't crumble as he kept calm. Despite his nervousness.

"So... your opponent is?" Lyra said generally surprised as she looked at the bottom row. Highlighted in a red light was someone she knew Ethan was just fretting having to battle. It was Silver, Ethan's opponent.

If Ethan's going to be battling Silver... then that means that I'll? Lyra asked herself as she looked far into the crowd's array staring at her adversary. There he was, Leviathan, standing oh so confidently as he stared her down looking straight into her eyes.

He gave her a smile and a heard nudge before he turned his attention off her and back onto the ring. Lyra did the same turning to her friend beside her.

"Well, in any case, good luck Etha-" She stopped. Ethan was already gone. She looked up; Ethan and Meganium were walking towards the ring with what she could tell was an aura of determination.

She smiled. "Kick his butt, Ethan."

Similarly, as Ethan walked, on the opposite side of the ring was Silver who approached the ring with his hands in his pockets not once taking his eyes off his opponent. Deep within him he felt this same determination, or perhaps one even stronger.

From afar in the crowd, a trio of Allen, Eliza, and Elm watched as the two Trainers had gotten in the ring.

"He's fighting that kid, what was his name, Silver?" Eliza asked turning to Elm.

"That's right. Kid with the Typhlosion, it seemed like back there during his battle with that V guy, like, Ethan uplifted him somehow. When he was down." Elm guessed.

"I didn't quite catch this battle you speak of." Allen said looking over to his wife and the Professor. "How strong is this redhead kid?"

"Very powerful from what we saw." Eliza replied.

"Yeah, but then again, so is that son of yours." Elm said to Eliza before looking up to Allen. "No matter what, my faith is with Ethan, he's got this."

"Hmm, certainly." Allen said looking away from Elm facing back towards the ring as both Ethan and Silver got in.

The atmosphere in the ring raised. A vicious flame could be felt from the two as they locked eyes with each other, not a word spoken from either of them.

The announcer looked at the two about to yell something exciting into his microphone but stopped as he lowered it.

Silver, I don't know much about him, but that battle with Mister Viridian, and how he came back from all that... damage. The announcer thought setting his soft gaze towards Silver. You've got this kid; you've got me routing for you.

"Alrighty now!" The man yelled losing his train of thought. "On one corner, we have Contestant Silver, and on the other, Contestant Ethan from New Bark Town, the two will have a full six-on-six to determine who's the stronger Trainer!"

Ethan finally lightened the mood in the ring as he said his first words. "How's your week been Silver, have you been doing alright?"

Silver gave a soft smile before dropping it. "Drop the icebreakers, I'm here to win not to have small talk."

"Sorry, I just can't help myself, not with... everything that's happened between us." Ethan said placing his hands on his hips. "You know, you were one of the first Trainers I ever battled, and since then you've been a constant test of progress for me."

"Megay Megay!" Meganium agreed beside her Trainer nodding her head.

"A test of progress?" Silver reiterated. "I doubt I was much of that for you, you don't have to lie, I haven't forgotten I've lost most of our battles."

"Maybe I've won some, but so have you, I don't want you counting that out." Ethan remarked before giving a slight chuckle. "So ugh, good luck, this battle will test which of us have came the farthest, who progressed more over the course of all this time."

"Humph, I recommend you save your luck for yourself." Silver replied confidently. "You're going to need all that luck to yourself if you want half a chance of defeating me."

"You're going to eat those words!" Ethan smiled before reaching into his backpack. "You know what to do, take our your first Pokémon and let's have at it!"

"Agreed!" Silver said snatching a Pokéball from behind him as they were both about to release their Pokémon. But before they could...

"WAIT!" The announcer yelled making both boys drop their hands in surprise.

"What's the matter?" Ethan asked.

"You interrupt us, why?" Silver said.

"Well you see, before for the last three rounds we had you guys throw out your first Pokémon at the same time... well, to make things a little more, spicy, we'll actually be deciding who releases their Pokémon first." The announcer stated much to their shock.

"Sounds a little convoluted." Ethan said earning a shrug from the announcer.

"Hey I don't come up with the rules, kid." He said before turning his head off to the side. Both Ethan and Silver followed his eyes noticing in that he was looking towards the three judges.

"Hey, Lorelai." Sullivan said looking over to the former Elite four beside him. "Who do you think's taking it between the two?"

"I don't know... you Oak?" She said looking over to the Pokémon Professor.

"Who me?" Oak said with a laugh. "Can't say, from their battles I've watched they both seem like some of the most promising Trainers I've seen in some time."

"You're right about that." Lorelai said before gazing off with a bit of nostalgia to her tongue. "They're good, I hate to admit it but they're probably better than I was back during my prime as an Elite four."

"Well of course, they're going to have to be if they want to take a shot at Lance." He said before sitting back in his chair and laughing. "Not that it matters, that Leviathan has them pegged, no way they're doing anything against a Legendary Zapdos."

"True but, I'm still looking forward to this battle." Lorelai confessed earning a grin from Oak.

"So... you've finally dropped your apathy and actually care now?" Oak said giddily causing the women to shake her head.

"Oh, I wouldn't go that far, I don't really care who wins this battle. I'm neutral to both of them, I just want to see some blood." She argued.

"Maybe but at the very least you don't hate Ethan anymore, right?" Oak said. "Either way, that's an improvement no matter how you look at it."

"Whatever you say old man." Lorelai said taking her eyes off him and back onto the ring.

Both Ethan and Silver were facing up staring at the large monitor as their faces were plastered on the monitor with a wheel and a spinner between them which had spun rapidly decreasing in speed to point to the Trainer who'd start the battle.

Don't be me, don't be me... Silver thought to himself crossing his arms.

"Come on, come on..." Ethan said under his breath with his fingers crossed before the spinner started slowing down. The boy could swear he could hear every tick as the pointer touched the Trainer's profile.

And what did he know. It was his face which was being pointed to.

"There we have it, Ethan, if you'd be so kind to do the honors." The announcer said as Ethan searched into his bags for Pokéballs.

Silver sighed in relief before looking back towards Ethan pulled out a Pokéball. Or a Great Ball in this case before he met eyes with his rival.

"This is fine, think I'm going to start off big." Ethan said with his Great Ball in hand before tossing it in the air as its' great light released a Pokémon.

With a great big roar Gyarados was released into the battlefield with his intimidating design being enough to make Silver take a step back.

"It's that rare Gyarados we witnessed do battle the other day!" The announcer exclaimed along with the cheers of all the audience. "Now just who will Contestant Silver use in response?"

Silver pulled out a single Pokéball before looking up into the eyes of Ethan's water type before he grunted and released his Pokémon into the ring.

Out in front of him was his Magnet Area Pokémon. Magnezone, surging with electricity which Gyarados took notice of getting more tense.

Magnezone huh, I thought he'd go for the type advantage, looks like I was right... Ethan thought with a deep breath before regaining his cool head.

Meanwhile the announcer couldn't believe it. "T-that Pokémon, the one Contestant Silver is using!? Could that be a new species of Pokémon, I've never seen anything like it!?"

Silver looked at the announcer and scoffed. "It's the evolved form of Magneton, first discovered in the Sinnoh region."

"I-incredible nonetheless, and if it's evolved from Magneton then that means it's an electric type and also steel, meaning Gyarados is going to have a tough time!" He replied.

"Don't count Gyarados out just because he's at a disadvantage, we'll show you how strong he really is, isn't that right buddy!?" Ethan said patting the Atrocious Pokémon's scales.

Gyarados looked down towards his Trainer before nodding his head and turning to face his much smaller opponent once more who was levitating in the air.

"We'll see about that." Silver said before yelling. "Now Magnezone, begin with Thunderbolt!"

Magnezone lit up with an electrical surge before sending it skyrocketing at its' opponent alarming Ethan.

"Dodge it!" The boy yelled.

Gyarados seeing the attack just in time swung his head down just barely dodging the electricity which passed him into the air.

"Aqua Tail!" Ethan yelled.

Gyarados listened forming pressurized water from within and outside of his tail for a full swing towards Magnezone making direct contact slamming the steel type to the ground with a thud.

"Great! Now use Dragon Rage!" Ethan screamed clenching his fist.

Gyarados opened its mouth as purple energy started forming around it in the shape of a ball. The beam was fired off making its' way for its' opponent lying on the ground.

"Electric Terrain!" Silver yelled.

Suddenly, right as its' Trainer had said the words. The signature field of electricity formed around Magnezone from all sides and every direction in a five-meter radius. The ball of energy coming from Gyarados made contact with the move before dissipating due to it.

"Damn." Ethan said putting one finger in his mouth as he bit at his nail.

The field was wide and large and it was clear Silver had no intention of telling Magnezone to drop the barrier. It was virtually untouchable now. Nothing Ethan could much do.

"Wait that's it!" Ethan said grasping an idea. "Alright Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"

Gyarados raised its wide-open mouth before firing out a wave of water at intense speeds heading straight for its opponent.

"That same-old trick, huh?" Silver said closing his eyes as the wave of water crashed into the field of electricity. The Hydro Pump was damn-near cut in half from the beam of electricity causing it to splash in every other direction other than Magnezone.

From within the field, Magnezone was just fine.

"Ugh, no way." Ethan said as he was now drenched in water. The move failed. What he was counting on failed.

"Heh, you know usually you always have some bright idea that you pull out to somehow win an impossible victory, but trying to short-circuit Magnezone?" Silver stated. "You think I didn't prepare for that; it won't work. The electricity isn't building up from inside Magnezone, but from outside it."

"Rrryyyy..." Gyarados moaned looking towards his Trainer who had one hand over his head and another in his mouth.

How do I get past this thing...? Ethan asked himself before looking up as Silver raised his arm.

The redhead snickered. "Let's wrap this up, Magnezone, once more, Thunderbolt!" Silver cried to which stunned Ethan.

"N-no way it can use Thunderbolt and Electric Terrain at the same time, can it?" Ethan said quietly under his breath.

As he expected, Magnezone dropped the electric terrain just for a brief second before sending out a blast of lightning straight for Gyarados.

Much to the water type's dismay it was a direct hit, the blast landed head on giving Gyarados a great electric shock causing him to scream out in pain causing echoes throughout the audience which pained Ethan to hear.

Gyarados thud to the ground shaking the entire ring. Poor guy was covered from head to toe in burns and rashes from the attack with a bit of blood coming from his left nostril.

"Gyarados!" Ethan cried running to the side of his Pokémon. He kneeled by next to him, patting him on his head.

"Megay, Megay..." Meganium said walking up slowly behind Ethan and them.

The announcer looked towards Ethan's fallen Gyarados and shook his head before raising his mic to his mouth. "And there we have it, Gyarados is out of the bat-"

Before he could finish Gyarados' eyes opened revealing a newfound intensity before he sprang up from the ground like a rocket seemingly fine and ready to continue.

"Rahhhhhh!" Gyarados screeched gritting his teeth towards the much smaller Magnezone.

"Yeah! We're still in this!" Ethan cried before wiping some sweat off his face.

"Hmph, impressive, but nothing you try will work I'm afraid." Silver claimed. "Electric Terrain once more!"

Once again the static field of electricity formed around Magnezone within another five-meter radius. Magnezone from within its field lit with a tiny spark of electricity just taunting Gyarados to come closer.

To use Thunderbolt, Magnezone had to drop its shield... it's going to take insane precision to land a hit before getting hit, or to land the attack in that small interval... Ethan assessed in his mind before taking his eyes off the battle at the announcer. I really wish I was able to switch out my Pokémon like I normally would.

Ethan turned his face back with a smile before raising his hand towards Gyarados' opponent. "Okay Gyarados, Dragon's Dance!"

Gyarados' eyes burned with a crimson fury before the indigo-colored dragon's aura engulfed him along with a great increase in both attacking power and speed.

"Dragon Rage!" Ethan cried out.

Gyarados lifted its mouth firing out another large beam of energy which landed once again into the Electric Terrain and disappearing entirely after a brief struggle.

"Its' speed may have increased but it's no matter!" Silver yelled. "Destroy Gyarados once and for all with Thunderbolt once more!"

"Aqua Tail, wait for it!" Ethan yelled with Gyarados looking towards him and nodding. He looked back seeing the electricity from within Magnezone building up right about to drop the barrier.

Ethan stood there as Gyarados charged the move from his tail. And he watched as Magnezone dropped the shield giving his water type less than a quarter of a second to react.

"Now!" Ethan screamed at the top of his lungs.

In faster than the boy could blink, Gyarados appeared in front of the charging up Magnezone with his tail surrounded in a veil of water before sending an aqua-powered slash making direct contact with Magnezone who dropped the attack.

The Magnet Area Pokémon fell to the ground hurt but not nearly enough as the attack was still a water type move. But right as it slowly moved the first thing it saw was Gyarados right in its' face with its' mouth wide open creating the energy ball.

"No!" Silver yelled clenching his fists.

The beam fired much to Silver's dismay making direct contact along with a smoke cloud that blocked both Ethan and Silver from seeing what happened.

Finally the smoke had cleared. And it was clear to see Magnezone had lost in that single hit from Dragon Rage.

"What a comeback!" The announcer cried earning cheers from the audience. "In a stunning play Contestant Ethan managed to work his Gyarados into beating Magnezone, marvelous!"

"Humph, you never fail to surprise me, Ethan." Silver said as he pulled out his Pokéball returning his fallen. "But still nonetheless, I am going to win this."

"Sure thing." Ethan said before turning to his Pokémon. "Wow boy, that was crazy, your timing is better than I imagined!"

"Megay Megay!" Meganium cheered patting Gyarados on the back with one of her vines.

Gyarados looked to both his Trainer and partner Pokémon and gave a nod before turning back to Silver with a mean snarl.

Silver ignored it reaching for another Pokéball before pulling it out. "Hope you're ready for this next one."

"Well thanks for hoping for me." Ethan replied awaiting his choice in Pokémon.

The redhead grabbed his next Pokéball and tossed it one hand before tossing it. "You're up next!"

Out from his Pokéball along with a sneaky grin was Silver's ghost type who bowed gracefully before spinning around frantically and sticking his tongue out.

"Ugh, Gengar's up next huh." Ethan commented. "Okay then, Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"

"Hypnosis, Gengar!" Silver yelled at the same time.

Before Gyarados could fire the attack, Gengar from its googly eyes fired a faint beam which hit the Atrocious Pokémon directly.

"Rahhhhhhhhh!" Gyarados shrieked out trying his hardest to keep himself busy so he wouldn't fall asleep. But it didn't matter, the attack was practically impossible to resist as the Pokémon fell with once again another thud sleeping like a baby.

"Crap!" Ethan cursed.

"Now, Shadow Punch!" Silver snarled. Gengar listened lunging through the air with its' fist engulfed in a ghoulish aura. The ghost came in front of Gyarados and with a single punch smashed the poor Pokémon in the head causing it to wake up along with a scream.

"Wrrryyyyyyyy!" Gyarados screamed before his eyes shut. Much to Ethan's dismay.

"Gyarados is unable to battle!" The announcer exclaimed. "Contestant Ethan, please bring out your second Pokémon."

"To me Gyarados." Ethan said returning him to his Great Ball with a satisfied smile. "I've got to say, you battled fantastically, thank you boy."

Ethan pulled out his next Pokéball from behind him and clenched it in his palm before looking up to Gengar. "Um... I'll be honest, I'm not really sure who to use here, so instead..."

"Togetic! I choose you!" The boy yelled tossing the Pokéball into the air.

"Togeeeeee...TICC!" Togetic cried out spinning around Ethan making the boy laugh before he held it in his arms. "Okay Togetic, make me proud out there."

"Toge, Toge!" Togetic agreed before turning around and speeding out of there with a smooth wave of wind.

Silver was shocked. Right behind Gengar was Togetic, seemingly so fast Gengar could hardly even reacted to its mere speed.

"G-G-Gen...gar?" The ghost type said turnings its' head just to meet with eyes with the confident flying type.

"Okay, while it's startled, Fly!" Ethan yelled.

Togetic with a veil of white aura dove into the air along with a sonic boom from his sheer speed. Gengar looked up with surprise as the lightspeed Pokémon sped down crashing down into the Shadow Pokémon's head.

"Ge-Gengar...!" It cried out in pain as Togetic's head had plunged into its own.

"Continue with Aerial Ace!" Ethan yelled happily.

While in the midst of a headbutt, Togetic lit up once more with the angelic white energy before crashing Gengar into the ground causing a puff of smoke along with the cry of a beaten Pokémon.

"Gengar, no!" Silver yelled.

The smoke cleared, Togetic was flying just barely above the ring looking down towards where Gengar should have been. Lying in the ground and knocked out cold. But with the sound of a taunt Togetic looked up to see his opponent.

Gengar flew above Togetic with its' tongue out. All before the eyeballs from its head both fell out. With a scream it comically grabbed its' eyes not letting them fall and then frantically scrambled them back in place.

"Eh uh, ignore that Togetic, trap Gengar with Extrasensory!" He yelled at the top of his lungs.

With his eyes turning red, Togetic sent a ring towards the cocky Gengar encasing it which caused Gengar to freak out of course as it was now trapped to Togetic's will.

"Ge-Gengar, Gengar!" It yelled like it was the one in horror, all the while trying to break free, but it couldn't.

I could've used Espeon here... Ethan assessed. But I couldn't, Gengar may be weak to psychic types but then again, Espeon is weak to poison type Pokémon, thankfully, Togetic's got the one psychic type move.

"Break free of it Gengar!" Silver yelled irritably. Gengar tried its best to break free of Togetic's hold but there was just no use in it, much to the boy's worry.

"Now, slam it over and over!" Ethan yelled both fists clenched.

Togetic listened and violently smashed Gengar's face into the ground. Some of its face still splattered to the floor before it was lifted and again smashed over and over. With each hit to the face its scream got progressively louder.

"Gengar!" "GengArR!" "GENGAR!" It screamed again and again over and over.

"Now, end it!" Ethan yelled.

"To...geticcc!" Togetic screamed as he plunged Gengar out of the ring at insane speeds. The ghost type smashed its face into the wall right next to the audience which made Silver look back in shock.

"S-so strong!" He remarked as his Pokémon fell from the floor with no hopes of getting back. He turned back facing Togetic with a fretful look before dropping it for a smirk.

"What's so funny!?" Ethan asked.

"You'll see." Silver said not even turning around to return his Gengar. He stared directly at Togetic who suddenly began to breath heavily increasingly and increasingly more grave.

"What's going on Togetic!?" Ethan cried out as he watched flying type take one last breath before falling flat on its face.

"Ugh, that was... Destiny Bond, but when did it pull it off!?" Ethan said still not believing his eyes.

"You're acting like it's that hard a move to land, when Gengar was in the midst of agony, it can fire and use the attack, it's not like it has to move to use it." Silver explained all the while crossing his arms.

"Damn, well, nonetheless, that was amazing Togetic, now take a good rest. You earned it." Ethan said recalling his flying type before glaring at his opponent.

"And would you look at that, a double-ko, isn't that spectacular!?" The announcer cried. "Just who will these titans use next!?"

Meanwhile as the battle progressed, Allen, Eliza, and Elm all watched with their usual enthusiasm, well, at least Eliza and Elm were.

"YOU CAN DO IT ETHAN!" She screamed into his megaphone causing Elm to cover his ears.

"Y-yeah, you've got this Ethan!" He said settling down from the attack to his ears. "Um... that Gengar was extremely powerful though, I'm really interested in this Silver, so far, this is definitely one of Ethan's more even battles."

"Indeed. Ethan's good, and so is his opponent." Allen said before putting his hands behind his head as he rest on them. "You know, I kind of wish I was down there, battling along the other Trainers."

"Haha, don't you think you're a little above that honey?" Eliza laughed.

"Who knows, but watching Ethan battle isn't so bad." Allen chuckled before dropping his smile. "But he's got to take this as seriously as possible, or else he'll lose this one."

"Drop it with the pessimism, no way Ethan's losing once he came so far." Elm said not buying it.

"I'm just saying, it's when you under look other's when they surprise you the most, you know that man." Allen explained.

"We're not under looking, we just have a little thing called faith." Eliza said before once more raising her megaphone to her mouth. "GO GET EM' HONEY!"

Ethan heard his mother's cheer making him smile before he reached and grabbed another Pokéball. "Okay, want to release our next Pokémon at the same time, to make it fair? Or do you have other plans?" Ethan sad turning to the announcer with a displeased look.

"Ugh, no worries kid, both of you can go ahead and do it at the same time, we only make one of you go first at the very start." The man explained.

"Good." Ethan said turning to Silver. "So, at the same time?"

"Fine." Silver said pulling out his own. The two just stood at the other's eyes for about ten second. Neither Trainer moving a muscle before they tossed their balls into the sky with both opening and releasing their battler.

On the side of Silver, with a proud bark came out his Moonlight Pokémon, Umbreon who made his footing before growling at its opponent.

On the side of Ethan, with a soft purr came out Espeon who slowly grinded one foot in the ground while watching her opponent.

"Espeon, Umbreon's got a big advantage, this isn't looking so good for you Ethan." Silver gloated not thinking much of the psychic type.

"Maybe so, but then again Gyarados, water, managed to beat your Magnezone, electric, so I wouldn't be so sure of that Silver." Ethan replied with his hands on his hips.

"Wow! T-those Pokémon, they look remarkably similar, care to explain why if there's any deeper reasoning!?" The announcer said walking up to Ethan and Silver.

"As you like." Ethan said grabbing the microphone. "Both Pokémon are evolutions of the Evolution Pokémon, Eevee, Silver's Umbreon being a dark type, and Espeon being a psychic type." He said before handing back the mic.

"O-oh my, well you heard it here first folks, that means once again Ethan's going to be operating at a pretty big disadvantage, and to make matters worse psychic type moves don't hurt dark types in the slightest!" The announcer explained to the audience.

He hated that the man was right but he was. None of Espeon's psychic type moves had an effect on Umbreon. Leaving her with very few attacking moves. Meanwhile Umbreon had multiple moves in store which were super effective.

Plus, he couldn't help but remember what happened when Espeon had battled the very same Umbreon.

….

"So, it's called Umbreon..." Silver noted. "Umbreon, you've become quite something."

"Umbreon!" Umbreon wagged its tail happy at Silver's praise.

"Alright, you're strong too Espeon! We can win this!" Ethan exclaimed.

"Es... Espeon!" She spoke.

Umbreon turned its face up to the night sky as the full moon sparkled over it majestically, it began to glow with a white light shocking Ethan.

"W-what is that!?" Ethan wondered.

"That attack is Moonlight! Umbreon is being healed!" Silver reacted.

"Umbreon!" Umbreon barked upon replenishing itself.

"Now Quick Attack!" Silver roared. In a split second Espeon felt a chill upon her backside as she turned around to see Umbreon suddenly behind her.

"Espeee!?" She cried out swiftly turning around while trying to get some distance between her and the Umbreon.

Umbreon leapt towards Espeon continuing the Quick Attack.

"Send it back with Psychic!" Ethan yelled.

Umbreon was an inch away from Espeon as her red gem began to shine as he activated her Psychic. She was mesmerized by the Umbreon's red eyes which appeared to be staring into her soul, but she quickly shook the feeling off.

Espeon looked into Umbreon's mind trying to use Psychic but was she had nothing. She could not get a hold on Umbreon and could not understand the Pokémon at all, all Espeon could sense within Umbreon was darkness and shadows. The feeling terrified Espeon like a chill in the night and she was flung back.

"ESPEEEE!" She screamed landing flat on her face.

"Bree..." Umbreon snarled.

"Woah, Psychic had zero effect!" Ethan said in shock.

Espeon got up growling with her fur standing on end clearly terrified by what she had seen in Umbreon.

….

"Espeon, I want you to know you've got this girl, I promise you, we can win this!" Ethan cheered his psychic type on.

"Megay Megay!" His starter said cheerfully.

Espeon didn't even look back. Her full attention onto Umbreon to which she wouldn't take her eyes off the Moonlight Pokémon. At the very least Ethan could tell she was somewhat over being terrified of the dark type and wanted revenge, which was good in this case.

We've got this Espeon, we've got this... Ethan told himself not taking his eyes off his Pokémon fretting just the same as she was.

While the two prepared for action, over at the judges desks...

"Would you look at that, a battle between Espeon and Umbreon!" Professor Oak said genuinely excited turning over to Lorelai and Sullivan. "Isn't this great."

"Ehh... I like the fight so far and all, but we all know who's taking this one old man." Sully said much to his surprise.

"What!?" Oak asked. "What do you mean?"

"He means Umbreon's got this round, after all Espeon's not only at a disadvantage, but part of its move set won't work." Lorelai said almost looking bored.

"Don't you guys be so cynical all the time, sometimes willpower and hope is all it takes to win a battle!" Oak said clenching his fist which just managed to make Sullivan laugh.

"And where'd you read that from, the back of a cereal box?" Sullivan said mocking the old man.

"Hmph, no, I got it from a fortune cookie." Oak corrected shaking his head. All the while Lorelai almost sunk her head back completely in her seat.

Someone kill me, I've been agreeing more and more with Sully a lot recently... She thought regretfully.

Back to the battle neither Ethan nor Silver moved before one of them finally gave the starting move. "End it one move, Shadow Ball!"

"Dodge it!" Ethan yelled.

Umbreon opened its mouth and nearly instantaneously fired the ghost type attack straight for Espeon who just barely managed to leap and avoid it.

"Quick Attack let's go!" Ethan screamed now.

Espeon from within the air lunged downwards towards her opponent with a sleek white trail following behind her as she ran as fast as she could causing shivers around the ring.

"Dodge it yourself!" Silver commanded as his Pokémon followed. Umbreon leaped into the air as Espeon crashed into the ground where the dark type was previously as the dark type's menacing eyes store into Espeon who looked up at it.

His hypnotizing gaze caught her. The dark type. What she couldn't even comprehend and didn't want to comprehend had an almost seductive draw to it. She needed to know what it was thinking. She had to.

While landing she shook her head and regained her composure, if she had uses Psychic right then and there she would've certainty lost. She couldn't afford to lose. Not when this much was at stake.

"Es...Espeee!" She screeched much like a cat.

"Um, Umbre!" Umbreon barked as loud as it could.

"Iron Tail let's go!" Silver yelled suddenly breaking the silence.

Damn... Ethan thought. "Dodge it once more!"

Umbreon came forth for Espeon with a snarl and its' tail gaining the properties of sharpened steel. The attack which quite literally could cut a boulder clean open in half was now coming for Espeon who turned to Ethan awaiting something to do.

"Err... use Swift!" Ethan yelled beginning to stress.

Espeon didn't bother trying to time the attack. She turned around and with a swipe of her tail fired a furry of flying stars straight for the midair dark type.

"Deflect it!" Silver yelled.

"Deflect it!?" Ethan repeated.

It was incredible what the Moonlight Pokémon did next. Turning around at the same time Espeon fired the stars it used its tail blocking the stars which made sparks upon contact with the Iron Tail.

"Um... bree!" it shrieked upon landing the blow from its Iron Tail straight into Espeon's back causing some of the ring she was standing onto crumble. The poor Sun Pokémon spit up blood along with a intense shockwave caused from the blow dropping her to the ground.

"Espeeeee!" She cried being flung across the battlefield before landing on her black and flipping back on her front over and over as she rolled over almost off the ring.

"Meganium!" Meganium gasped before looking away.

"Oh no! Are you alright, Espeon!" Ethan asked a second away from running to her side.

She was beaten and bruised but still just barely moving as her body shook as she tried her best to get back up.

Silver wouldn't have this. Not one bit. "Toxic!"

"What, Toxic!?" Ethan asked himself after hearing the move's call. He, he can't be serious...?

Umbreon opened its mouth wide. But instead of Shadow Ball firing came the poison type attack's acidic sludge which launched and made direct contact with Espeon who was just as surprised seeing Silver use that move.

The poison splashed on her before she shook her head and fur getting all the poison droplets out of it. She was completely fine. And on the other hand...

"What!?" Silver cried as he witnessed his Pokémon get inflicted with the very effects of Toxic. The Pokémon let out a whimper from the purple shock before letting out a howl trying to regain some control.

"Did you not see my battle with Eusine?" Ethan asked.

"Why?" Silver replied.

"Then you would've known that moves like that won't work on Espeon, it's called magic bounce, all status moves like that are redirected. Poisoning her is impossible." Ethan explained.

Silver took a minute to process it before letting out a smirk. Espeon was more confident now. Her opponent was poisoned by its' own attack. Victory was a promise now.

It was at that moment though when Espeon found herself gurgling on the blood in her mouth as she was zapped by the effects of poison letting out a soft squeak with some of the said blood leaping from her lip.

"Augh, but that's not... how did you!?" Ethan gasped trying to understand what had happened. Instead Silver just smiled and crossed his arms.

"I'll tell you what, Espeon's not the only one with a hidden ability." Silver snarled. "Umbreon's ability, synchronize, when inflicted with a status move, no matter what, his opponent will feel the same effects."

"Umbre, Umbre!" Umbreon said smiling through the pain glaring at Espeon.

"I-Incredible, so it seems that through the use of nearly unheard of strategies, both Pokémon receive the same status effect!" The announcer cried continuing with his cheering.

Watching the battle from the big screen Lyra couldn't help but laugh. "So magic bounce counters synchronize, but synchronize counters magic bounce, this is getting too wacky for me."

She looked once more towards the close up of Ethan's face on the screen and smiled. You've got this Ethan; you have to win this.

"Good try Ethan, but no matter how you look at it Espeon is done for, now that they're both poisoned, what more can she do?" Silver asked uncrossing his arms.

Then, Ethan gave a smile. "Didn't I tell you it was impossible to poison Espeon?"

"Huh?" Silver replied.

Ethan smirked. "Espeon, you can do it, Psychic, but inwards!" Ethan yelled which she nodded to.

A pink aura began to form around her as she closed her eyes trying to ignore the effects of Toxic. Her calm energy was enough to pick up some rubble from the floor which shook in place all the way up to her head level.

"T-this is-" Silver didn't even know how to describe it.

"Focus on the poison from within you, extract it!" Ethan yelled.

She finally opened her eyes along with her mouth. Slowly but surely the dreadful poison which had entered her stream was releasing slowly surrounded by the pink glow of psychic.

Silver finally understood what was happening. "Don't let it do that, Umbreon, Dark Pulse!"

Umbreon opened its mouth about to prepare a super effective move which would no doubt finish off Espeon in one blow. But it all came to a close once Umbreon was once more shocked by the poison causing it to fall to the ground.

"Um... Umbre..." It panted slowly before trying its hardest to stand back up.

"T-this can't be happening!?" Silver uttered in shock.

"It is!" Ethan exclaimed. Finally, the lasts of the poison came from Espeon who would've certainly vomited it out at this point if she stopped using Psychic on herself at that level. The poison along with some droplets of blood lost the emission from psychic droppomg to the ring's floor with a splash.

"Espeeonn!" She yelled giving a warrior's shout. She glared towards Umbreon who was in pain and just barely managing to get up. Seeing this gave her a wide smirk.

It's all thanks to Togetic... Ethan thought to himself. If the same hadn't happened to him during our first league battle then I might not have gotten this idea now.

"Now, Swift and end it!" Ethan cried.

Espeon listened and with all her enthusiasm leaped into the air. With a swing of her tail she fired countless stars straight for her opponent.

"Dodge it!" Silver cried.

Umbreon despite the pain sidestepped repeatedly along with some flips dodging all of the attacks despite Espeon's best efforts.

Ethan wouldn't allow it. "Quick Attack now!"

Using all of the power she had within her, Espeon built up the speed midair before launching like a rocket between the fired stars in a zig zag. All too fast for the poisoned Umbreon to keep up with.

Like a streak of light Espeon crashed down headbutting Umbreon with the full force of the attack making sure it felt all of its' impact. Umbreon yelled out with a shriek from the attack before a burst of smoke erupted along with the silhouette of a fainting Pokémon.

Silver ran over the second the smoke had cleared. It was over, Umbreon was on the ground with drool coming from its mouth while Espeon proudly stood over it having been the victor.

"And would you look at that, above all odds Espeon managed to pull out a victory against a dark type, only at the Indigo league folks." The announcer cried along with the excitement and cheers from the audience.

"U-Umbreon, I'm sorry boy." Silver said pulling out a Pokéball about to recall it. But before he could Ethan tossed something in his direction.

Silver held his hand out and grabbed it. In his hands was a berry he barely recognized. "T-this is...?"

"Pecha berry, just give it to Umbreon and he'll recover from the Toxic, trust me." Ethan reassured his rival.

Silver gave a head nod before kneeling down beside his fallen Pokémon who just now managed to open its eyes. "Umbreon, are you alright?"

"U-Umbre..." It moaned out being given a zap from the poison within itself.

Silver reached and raised the berry to its mouth. "Here, eat it, Ethan says you'll feel better."

Despite not knowing Ethan outside of its' many battles with his Pokémon, Umbreon fully trusted his Trainer and so opened its mouth taking the whole thing in its mouth with one bite.

After chewing for a bit Umbreon slowly shook before getting up all the while panting softly. Poison no longer lingering within it.

"Well, no matter what happened you still did a fine job, retur-" Before Silver could finish his sentence and return Umbreon it reached up and gave him a lick on the cheek making Silver smile.

"Alright, alright, you'll be heading to the Pokémon Center soon, rest until then." Silver said dropping his smile as he returned his satisfied Pokémon.

Ethan looked towards his psychic type at the same time and gave a smile as well. "Same goes to you Espeon, you're doing an awesome job, think you can still continue?"

"Espe, Espeon!" She cried widening her battle stance.

"So, who next?" Ethan asked before hearing some more cheers from the audience. He turned his head to see his mother who was going ballistic.

"ETHAN!" "ETHAN!" "ETHAN!" She was chanting into her megaphone.

He was always happy to see his mother cheering for him. Ethan turned back towards Silver and nodded his head. "So..."

Silver grabbed his next Pokéball and tossed it. "You've got this, go ahead and win this!"

Out from his Pokéball landing before Silver was his Pincer Pokémon, Scizor. It was kneeling down before slowly getting up and locking eyes with the psychic type before it.

"Scizor, Scizor." It said raising one arm and opening and shutting its pincer giving a sharp loud noise along with it.

"E-Espe..." Espeon muttered almost feeling intimidated by the Pokémon's metallic design.

"It's alright Espeon, you've got this!" Ethan cried. "Psybeam!"

After a brief moment of concentration an orb made up of light that looked like it was coming from a rainbow appeared before Espeon. The beam then fired like a laser aiming directly for Scizor.

"Weak, X Scissor!" Silver yelled.

Scizor held one arm over its' back anticipating the Psybeam. As it entered a dangerously close distance the bug type gave a slash, cutting the psychic beam in half.

"W-woah!?" Ethan said shocked. That was easily the strongest X Scissor he had seen.

The attack was a quick, swift, and easily came through destroying Espeon's Psybeam as Scizor ran in front of her. Espeon tried her hardest to increase the power of the beam with it increasing to probably twice its size, but it didn't matter as the sheer force of Scizor's attack depleted her of all her energy, her struggle.

Right in front of her was Scizor who stood in front of her preparing another X Scissor. She had to dodge it but the sheer speed of the Pokémon was too much, with one slash Espeon was hit in the gut sending her flying back all the way to Ethan.

"Oh no!" He cried holding his arms wide open. As she zoomed across the ring she eventually found herself crashing at her Trainer who caught her in his arms.

"I've got you, I've got you." Ethan said holding her. Her eyes were closed. The battle was as good as done.

The announcer took one good look at her knowing it was a knockout. "A one-hit knockout, Contestant Silver's Scizor is surely no joke!"

Espeon's eyes finally opened as Ethan gently set her down on the floor with a pat on the head. "That was great Espeon, you did great, return for now."

He then returned her before getting off his knees as he stood back up and glared at Silver.

"Surprised? My Scizor's gotten a lot stronger since our last battle." He claimed with a grin. "Tell me, have you found yourself a fire type by any chance?"

"Ehh who needs one?" Ethan said. "I've still got three Pokémon left and any of them could take down Scizor!"

"Then by all means." Silver replied.

Ethan looked into his backpack. Three Pokéballs left. He wasn't quite sure who to use next but he had one plan in mind for taking Scizor down and so he grabbed and took out a Pokéball.

"Okay, I've got one. Alright, here goes!" He yelled as he tossed his Pokéball.

"Ampharrr!" Ethan's electric type cried as he landed onto the ring. Jumping from one foot onto the other in excitement.

"Ampharos, huh." Silver said not impressed. "Scizor, finish it in one blow, Bullet Punch!"

Scizor sped behind Ampharos faster than the Pokémon could even react. Before he could even move his head Ampharos was struck in the face with the fierce blow sending him flying back.

As Ampharos sped through the ring right before he could fall he landed on his palms doing a flip getting back on his feet.

"Thunderbolt!" Ethan yelled.

Ampharos listened lighting up with electricity before firing the bolt straight for Scizor who didn't think much of it.

"Dodge it with Aerial Ace!" The redhead commanded. Scizor listened and leaped into the air along with a white trail of light behind him easily dodging the lightning bolt.

Ethan could see it just in time. Scizor was definitely about to head in and crash into Ampharos which was just about the perfect opportunity.

"Right when it's in range, finish it in one blow with Fire Punch!" Ethan exclaimed.

"What!?" Silver cried. He completely forgot Ampharos, an electric type, had Fire Punch, a fire type move. Needless to say thanks to Scizor's typing a single hit from the attack would leave Scizor in an utter defeat.

"Move and fast!" Silver yelled.

Scizor hearing its' Trainer's cry leaped back just the instant Ampharos threw the Fire Punch, seemingly being spared from any aftereffects of the attack.

"Crap." Ethan muttered.

Ampharos stumbled for a second upon missing his punch, giving Silver the opportunity.

"Iron Head!" The redhead yelled happily.

"Sciz...orrr!" The metallic Pokémon said giving a war cry. With its sharp claws Scizor reached for Ampharos digging into his soldiers and trapping him from moving.

"Ampharr!" Ampharos screamed like a maniac.

Scizor's head glew with a glint of silver almost, as it had gained the properties of steel itself. With a great big headbutt its head crashed into Ampharos' causing the little guy to fall on his back.

Lying on the ring floor Ampharos had a bit of blood coming from the rash on his forehead from Scizor's move. His eyes were closed but he opened them still with a determined gleam.

A determined gleam which would've surely annoyed Silver if he hadn't had respect for Ampharos. "Hmph, now Bullet Punch!"

Scizor raised its fist once more. Thanks to the speed of the attack there was nearly nothing Ampharos could do receiving a great quick swing in the gut causing him to spit up in pain.

"No!" Ethan cried. "A-Ampharos, you've got to get out of there now!"

"Now, end it all, Hyper Beam!" Silver ordered.

The minute Ampharos heard the words Silver spoke he knew he couldn't afford to get hit by it. The Light Pokémon jumped from his back to his feet right as Scizor was charging the move. From there he leaped into the air trying to build some distance between him and his opponent.

But with a swift breeze Ampharos felt a presence behind him midair. Turning his head slowly unfortunately showed him Scizor who was right behind him with the Hyper Beam fully charged.

A puff of smoke fully engulfed the two Pokémon midair which bring out different reactions from the two Trainers. One with satisfaction and the other with fear.

"Amphaross!" Ethan screamed at loud as he could looking up into the smoke.

"A brutal strike from Hyper Beam, could this mean the end for Ampharos?" The announcer cried to which he was ultimately proven correct as Ampharos fell from the cloud and onto the ring floor with a great thud and clearly knocked unconscious.

Ethan ran to his side holding his knocked out Pokémon in his arms.

"Ampharos, Ampharos." Ethan said trying to shake his Pokémon awake. But nope. Ampharos was too taken out from the last attack.

Meganium slowly walked behind Ethan seeing Ampharos who looked had rashes and bruises from head to toe from the last attack.

Finally, Ethan pulled out a Pokéball and withdrew Ampharos while he was still in Ethan's arms. "Ampharos, you did incredible, now go and get some sleep, okay."

He got off his knees and faced Silver right as Scizor landed right in front of him and at a speed which Ethan could barely keep up.

Scizor crossed its arms opening and closing its pincers twice. "Scizor, Scizor!"

"Megay Megay!" Ethan heard as he looked to his side to see his grass type. Meganium seemed really eager to battle, and she jumped twice expressing her feelings.

"Sorry Meganium, but I've got another Pokémon in mind." Ethan said taking out another Pokéball. "Don't worry, you'll be battling soon."

Meanwhile, as the battle was nearing its end, atop the audience's bleachers sitting near the very top watched Lance.

He sat there by himself away from the rest of the audience watching with all his attention.

Silver truly progressed since when I last fought him, Dragonite taking out all six of his Pokémon alone would be impossible now. He couldn't help but think. But then again, so has Ethan, come on, I know you can win this.

Ethan reached into his bag, pulling out another Pokéball, the fifth Pokémon he'd be using for the round.

"Folks, this is Contestant Ethan's next to last Pokémon, on the other hand Contestant Silver still has another two Pokémon after Scizor, could we be already seeing the end of Contestant Ethan!?" The announcer asked.

"Hmph, that's right." Silver stated. "You're losing, Ethan."

"The minute one gloats victory is the moment that person already lost!" Ethan argued.

"Who told you that, the professor?" Silver asked.

"No, I've had to learn that during the course of my journey through defeat after defeat, so if you think you've already won then you're in store for a surprise!" Ethan affirmed.

Silver gave a smirk before scoffing. "You act like you know defeat, yet I have lost to you for majority of our battles, believe me, I'm about to give you a taste of true defeat, you've battled well so far, but it all changes now, I'm on top!"

"Then looks like I'll have to prove my point!" Ethan said as he spun around before hurling his next Pokéball.

Scizor felt excitement at the prospect of seeing the next Pokémon. Landing on the ring floor with a flip midair was Ethan's very own bug type. Heracross.

"Hera, Heracross!" Heracross said flexing both arms. He then locked eyes with his opponent's metallized eyes and formed a stance to which Scizor did the same.

Neither Pokémon took an eye off each other, and their Trainers could just feel the tension radiating from them.

"What's with this sudden increase in determination, Scizor?" Silver asked to his Pokémon before getting the realization. "I somehow forgot, but come to think of it, the last time they battled they tied."

"Oh yeah?" Ethan replied.

"Yes. Although Scizor didn't take it as a tie. Tying in a battle, any battle, to him is no better than losing." Silver claimed with Scizor nodding its head in affirmation.

"Then let this be the tie breaker!" Ethan cried. "Heracross, Close Combat!"

Following his Trainer's direct Heracross lunged forth for his opponent preparing for a full power fury of said attack.

"Dodge it!" Silver cried.

Heracross was just a meter away from Scizor as he threw that grand punch. A single punch of the attack would be able to knock out a human many times over. Of course Pokémon weren't humans. Scizor ducked his head just in time dodging the first punch.

"Bullet Punch!" Silver commanded.

Scizor threw up its claw forming a fist which smacked Heracross right in the face sending the bug type flying into the air at sonic speeds. But alas, the Pokémon stopped midair as his wings kicked in preventing him from going too far as he slowly glided to the ring floor.

"Now, X Scissor!" The redhead continued.

Scizor ran across the field forming the everlasting x with his two arms which Heracross anticipated.

"Dodge it, and then Megahorn!" Ethan cried. Heracross listened and jumped into the air using Scizor's arm as it got in close for leverage somersaulting over the Pincer Pokémon.

With a flip redirecting himself behind Scizor, Heracross' horn glew a shiny white as he crashed it into Scizor's back causing Scizor to fall to the floor before quickly getting back up.

"Scizorr..." It said in a once more monotone voice.

"Brick Break!" Ethan screamed.

Heracross leaped off the floor with enough force causing a trail of smoke behind him as he prepared a great big chop for Scizor's neck.

Silver sniggered. "Aerial Ace!"

"Crap, Aerial Ace!?" Ethan muttered. An attack like that plenty strong already would be greatly amplified thanks to Heracross' typing. "Dodge!"

Scizor sped for Heracross with a glowing white aura, once again to like when Togetic uses the attack.

Despite Scizor's lightning-speed, Heracross just in time managed to bend his body backwards as his opponent passed above him landing on the opposite side of the ring.

"Close Combat!" Ethan yelled once more.

"Damn, can't get hit by that." Silver grunted. "Bullet Punch once more!"

Heracross was already running forth preparing to land the many blows from Close Combat but with Bullet Punch's speed Scizor landed right in front of him before he could even take another step.

"H-Herahhh!" Heracross cried getting smashed in the jaw from the attack.

But something wasn't right for Scizor. Fully expecting the attack to knock Heracross on his ass the bug type hadn't wavered. Quickly recovering from the punch he gave Scizor a great Uppercut in the face followed by repeated blows to the gut with each punch feeling like a cannonball.

"SCIZORRR!" It screamed in pain being blown back before landing back on its legs.

"W-why isn't it working!?" Silver almost on the verge of panic. "Fine then, X Scissor!"

Heracross was still recovering from the pain in his knuckles from landing all those blows on Scizor's body made from steel. It was the perfect opportunity for the ultimate cheap shot. Scizor formed the x once more with his pincers and arms landing a great slash on Heracross reappearing behind its opponent's back while on one knee.

"Heracross no!" Ethan screamed as right as Scizor was beginning to get up Heracross fell down flat on his face.

Silver seeing this couldn't help but snicker. "Looks like Scizor's winning this time, now to finish it, Aerial Ace!"

Scizor took one good look at its fallen opponent before leaping into the sky by about fifty feet. Heracross was a mere spec down there, perfect distance since the fall would add to the devastating power.

"You've got to get up Heracross, you've got to get up!" Ethan screamed knowing what further pain he'd be in if hit.

"He...ra...cross..." He muttered trying his hardest to slowly get up.

Seeing this Scizor knew not to waste any time. From the very same distance Scizor began to fly down at full speed, so fast it was almost like space and time was distorting around him. Of course that was just its imagination but for the two Pokémon it really felt that way.

Everything was slowed down as Scizor was a mere second away from Heracross. Right in front of it about to deal the final blow. Heracross should've gave up. He should've given in. But he couldn't. Not with so much determination and resolve.

A fist, Heracross' fist along with his upper body rose with an uppercut prepared which moved so fast Scizor couldn't even react before it smashed him in the chin. The Pokémon flew all the way to the sky along with a harsh breeze of wind to which both Ethan and Silver saw a glint in the sky.

"SCIZORR!" Silver screamed looking towards the sky in shock. Suddenly, he could see an unidentified object falling and fast, only he could of course tell what it was as he could notice the shade of its' shadow over him.

Silver jumped to the side as Scizor landed right on the ground with a great thud. Out of the battle entirely.

"What an amazing KO! Scizor is unable to battle, Contestant Silver, you're next Pokémon!" The announcer yelled along with the cheers from the audience.

"Damn. Return Scizor, you did your best." Silver groaned as he returned Scizor to its Pokéball. On the other side Ethan smiled and put his hands on his hips.

"You won Heracross!" He cried. "Keep it up, you hear?"

"Megay, Megay!" Meganium cried jumping up and down.

Heracross turned his head and gave a smirk before turning his attention back to Silver.

Along with Heracross' victory, Eliza and the rest couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Whew, they both have got two Pokémon left, ha! And one of them is Meganium." Eliza said happily. "You know what that means, Ethan has this no matter what!"

"Absolutely, well..." Elm gulped. "I certainly hope so."

"Don't tell me you're starting to doubt him?" Eliza asked the Professor.

Elm looked at her with wonder before laughing. "Haha, of course not, of course. I'm with Ethan no matter what... but, well, Silver is strong too, that's undeniable."

"You guys ever acknowledge that Ethan could lose right?" Allen said much to their annoyance. "I see you're starting to crack, Elm."

"What, no, I-I'd never, I have faith in my student no matter what!" Elm defended himself.

"Honey." Eliza said to her husband. "Don't you also have faith in Ethan."

"Hmm, more than you know." Allen admitted. "But if you go with the mindset that Ethan will win no matter what then imagine how it'll be if he were to lose."

"I'd support him no matter what." Elm claimed.

"I know, and I thank you for it." Allen said before they all stopped talking and returned their focus to the battle.

Silver pulled out his next Pokéball. There were two Pokémon he had left, much like his opponent. "Hmph, your second to last is badly injured, and mine isn't, I've still got an advantage."

"Right about that you are!" Ethan said crossing his arms. "Go ahead, surprise me."

"Alright." Silver said as he threw his next Pokéball. "Defeat that half-dead Heracross!"

Out from his Pokéball came Silver's ice type. Out came Weavile who upon landing on the ground did a back flip in excitement to be battling. "Weavile, Weavile!"

Weavile huh... Ethan wondered before noticing how drained and out of it Heracross seemed. He was trying to hide it but Ethan could see just how hard he was huffing and puffing. It'd be smarter to use Typhlosion in this case wouldn't it, but then again... Ethan thought as he glanced towards Meganium who looked to him with a smile. He's probably trying to save Typhlosion for Meganium, well, can't worry about that now.

"Heracross, let's give it our best alright!" Ethan said cheerfully. "We'll end it in one blow, Close Combat!"

Heracross leaped off the flow with one fist behind his back as he prepared to put all of his power in his next punch. But something went wrong. Right as he got in close to Weavile he stumbled for a bit right as he was about to throw the punch.

"Augh, no way!?" Ethan fret.

Weavile was covering its face afraid to take the hit before he looked towards Heracross who had one arm on the ground as he was panting quite heavily now.

"Metal Claw!" Silver yelled.

Weavile snickered and raised its arm slicing Heracross the face with the move right over the fighting type's eyes.

"Herahhh!" He cried out in pain covering his eyes.

"Perfect." Silver smiled. "Now, Icy Wind!"

Weavile bring back its head before letting loose the intensely cold breath to which the name implies.

Heracross in turn tried to cover his face but it hardly mattered. It was only a matter of time before the Pokémon's full body was frozen.

"No!" Ethan yelled.

"Yes, now, Fury Swipes!" Silver yelled almost too excitedly.

Weavile listened and sent out claw after claw as he attacked at the ice to which Heracross was frozen, not only dethawing the bug type but also hitting him with several attack flurries.

Heracross was entirely free from the ice before Weavile sent out one more slash right in the gut making Heracross bend down clutching his stomach.

"End it, Poison Jab!" Silver continued.

"Heracross no!" Ethan cried. But it was too late. In the same spot Heracross was already struck Weavile smashed him with the jab to the stomach causing Heracross to fall over on his back knocked out.

"T-that looks like it's it for Heracross, Contestant Ethan, please reveal your last Pokémon!" The announcer yelled.

"H-Heracross!?" Ethan said with sadness in his voice as he raised his Pokéball. He returned one Pokéball and took one good glance at it.

"Scizor was tough, and yet you did so well, in fact you even beat it. So, thank you Heracross, thank you." Ethan said putting away the Pokéball, his last, Pokéball for that matter.

Ethan looked up towards Silver who was no longer smiling or laughing. He played a serious demeanor as he put his hands in his pockets.

"I think I know who's next." Silver said confidently.

"You do, then you know what's in store." Ethan said as he looked towards Meganium. "Go on girl, you can do this, I know you can."

"Megay Megay!" Meganium cried as she took one great big leap landing in front of her Trainer and in front of the Weavile. She stood on her hind legs before slamming her front legs into the ground with all her determination.

Ethan stood and as he watched Pokémon he couldn't help but think. I told Garnet I wouldn't let Meganium fight unless I had to, and I guess now, I have to, still, she'll need to win this despite the injury, I know she can. But hopefully she doesn't work herself up to much.

"Meganium without a doubt is quite powerful, quite powerful indeed. But surely you must know you cannot defeat me, even if she could somehow get passed Weavile, you know which Pokémon I have next. What the hell could you possibly do to win this battle?" Silver asked. "Although then again, like you said, the Trainer who gloats in the one who loses, righ-"

"Can we fight now?" Ethan interjected tired of Silver's endless monologue.

"Suit yourself." Silver said. "Now Weavile, Ice Punch!"

Weavile gave a malicious grin as its right fist entered subzero temperatures. Bouncing off the floor it pounced at the grass type.

"Dodge it!" Ethan yelled.

Meganium jumped to the side avoiding the attack which passed her. Weavile was now open to an attack.

"Dragon Tail!" Ethan yelled.

With a swift turn Meganium smacked her tail right into Weavile's face. Her tail of course having for that instance the properties of a dragon.

Weavile was flung back before sinking its sharp claws into the ground so it didn't fly off the ring entirely but it long streaks of claw marks.

"Err... Poison Jab!" Silver cried.

Weavile once more dived for Meganium this time with his arm lighting up with what seemed to be poison itself.

It's a close-range fighter aside from Icy Wind, I think I've got an idea... Ethan realized. "Dodge it!"

Meganium duck her head avoiding the swipe coming from the Poison Jab which just passed her head.

"Now, grab it with Vine Whip, both hands!" Ethan yelled.

With her two vines coming from her pink flower petal, Meganium clutched onto Weavile's wrists which stopped it in place.

"W-Weavile! Weavile!" It cried trying its best to escape but to no avail.

"What a fascinating hold, what will Contestant Silver do to get out of this!?" The announcer asked into his mic.

Silver looked at the announcer annoyed and then back to the battle. "You idiot. Locking me in place with Meganium? Weavile, you know what to do."

"Icy Wind right?" Ethan asked. "Not going to happen, Meganium put some distance between you two!"

With a great big back leap, Meganium made her way to the end of the ring with about fifteen meters of space in between her and the Sharp Claw Pokémon as it prepared for the Icy Wind.

Just by blowing at Meganium's long vines right before where his wrist were caught, the vines began to freeze slowly but surely making its way to Meganium's main body.

"What will you do now!" Silver yelled happily. "I've won, any smart trick you've had up you sleeve has been thwarted!"

"Oh really?" Ethan replied. "What if an earthquake were to occur?"

"What?" Silver asked before getting the realization. He watched in horror as Meganium once again raised both her hind legs into the air shaking them steadily before slamming them into the ground causing it to shake rapidly.

"W-woah, oh!" The announcer said falling off the stage and onto his butt. Thankfully Silver had already jumped out of the ring and so had Ethan. But Weavile wasn't as lucky as the mere attack sent him sky rocking in the air.

"Good job Meganium, now, Solar Beam!" Ethan said clenching his fist. Meganium listened and closed her eyes. Although she wasn't looking, she could feel it. The Sun in the sky and the plants and trees nearby. Her senses were as sharp as ever as a beam of solar energy appeared before her mouth as it expanded in size.

Finally, she opened her size as the large blast was detonated straight for Weavile who was still airborne.

"This can't be, overpower it with Icy Wind!" Silver demanded.

Weavile was still being flung but could feel the presence of the Solar Beam heading its way. Knowing a counterattack was necessary it turned to face the blast and shot from its mouth more of its ice-cool breath which made contact with the beam.

The wind merely made the Solar Beam hesitate for an instance before it ultimately overpowered it. Weavile could feel its heat quite well and could even feel the pain moments before he got hit along with an explosion midair.

The ice type now with burn marks fell from midair just as Ampharos had done so earlier. A perfect finish undoubtedly as it landed flat on its face barely able to get back up as it tried so hard to.

Meganium with parts of her vine frozen slashed her fainting opponent over the heard with it so heard it dethawed her. From the ice and the whips breaking over its face it fell unconscious.

"Weavile is unable to battle, Contestant Silver, please bring out your last Pokémon!" The announcer exclaimed into his microphone.

Silver in complete bewilderment raised his Pokéball and recalled Weavile to its Pokéball before glaring at Ethan.

Meganium had ran towards Ethan and with the boy opened his arms giving her a great big hug.

"Just one more Pokémon left, just one more left, and if we win, we make it to the finals!" Ethan said excitedly as the two embraced.

By his face you'd think Silver was feeling angry right now. But the boy dropped it. He dropped his anger and gave a slight smile.

We're finally here, Ethan, a one-on-one, whoever wins this, makes it to the finals of the Indigo league. I've come so far. I've learned stuff about myself, stuff I didn't know about myself... and stuff I could've never seen coming. Silver thought as he grabbed his next Pokéball. I've made so much progress, but, then again, so have you...

He raised his Pokéball into the air before tossing it. Ethan from the other side of the field could already feel its warmth before it even let loose the Pokémon inside.

From there it opened and unleashed its shiny blue light. Along with what seemed to be a red flame which hit the battlefield like an inferno itself or rather the flames from hell.

Ethan grabbed Meganium and pushed her away from it ever so slightly even though it was in no way going to hit her. After all, it was just for show. By the time he looked back, Silver's Pokémon was already there.

The red flame was blazing off the Volcano Pokémon's back possibly twice as hot as usual. Along with steam displaying from its nostrils and it giving a large scream which sounded like a wolf's howl.

"Typhlosion!" It said ferociously. Just the ring floor around it began to shake with the cry of the name. Its flame radiating even more bright by just the mere anger coming from the Pokémon.

Meganium finally turned her head towards her opponent as Ethan let go of her. The two rival Pokémon just stared at each other with the grass type as serious as can be and the fire type giving a grin.

As they faced each other off Silver couldn't help but get lost in his thoughts. He couldn't help but recall this rivalry which started the day he stole that little Cyndaquil.

….

Ethan and Chikorita came dashing as fast as they could, Ethan ran as fast past Cherrygrove as he could to get back to New Bark Town. But stopped as he locked eyes with the same red-head delinquent who was eying Professor Elm from his lab.

The kid analyzed Ethan, taking notice of the Chikorita by his side.

"You got a Pokémon at the lab. What a waste. That's a Pokémon that's too good for a wimp like you." He said, making fun of Ethan.

"What's it to you?" Ethan said, defending himself.

"Hmph, don't you get what I'm saying? Well, I too have a good Pokémon. I'll show you what I mean!" The boy said, revealing a Pokémon from his belt.

"Go, Cyndaquil! Don't disappoint me!" He commanded the Cyndaquil which launched from his Pokéball.

"Cyndaquil huh," Ethan said, raising his Pokédex to scan his enemies Pokémon.

"Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokémon. It is timid, and always curls itself up in a ball, it flares up its back for protection."

"You're facing a Fire-type, you have a huge disadvantage, your Chikorita won't do you much good here." The red head said, continuing his boast.

"C-Cyndaquil!?" The poor thing muttered, nervous as ever.

"Ready, Chikorita?" Ethan said.

"Chika!" Chika said, preparing to battle once again.

"Cyndaquil, use ember fast!" The strange boy ordered.

Cyndaquil, although nervous, followed his trainer's command, and tried to engulf Chikorita in flames.

Fortunately, Chikorita dodged in time, that attack if landed would have hurt more exponentially than it would, on say, a normal type.

Alright Chikorita, well, if we can't raise our defenses, we can do something similar. Ethan realized.

"Okay! Chikorita use growl!" To which Chikorita listened, following accordingly, subtly weakening Cyndaquil's attack.

"A useless move, now Cyndaquil, use scratch!" The red head yelled on the offensive. Cyndaquil went and scratched Chikorita inflicting a bit of damage.

"That's nothing! Chikorita once again, use growl," and so she did once again lowering Cyndaquil's attack.

"Weak, Cyndaquil! Use scratch again!" As Cyndaquil went for the attack Chikorita dodged it and countered with a tackle.

"Chikorita, about one more growl should do it!" Ethan commanded.

"Cyndaquil! Use scratch!" The strange boy commanded his Pokémon.

Cyndaquil went ahead and scratched Chikorita, but at this point, it didn't even manage to hurt Chikorita even slightly.

"That's it! Now use Razor Leaf!" Ethan said, glad his strategy worked.

"Damn, why has Cyndaquil's attacks gotten this sloppy?!" The red head questioned.

Before Chikorita could hit Cyndaquil with a point-blank Razor Leaf, she took notice of the Cyndaquil's shy and timid face. She instantly realized she knew this Cyndaquil, and that caused her to pause.

"Now Cyndaquil, since his Pokémon is stunned, finish this with Ember!" The red-haired boy ordered.

The flame blast hit Chikorita, even if the Cyndaquil was weakened, the attack was still super effective. Chikorita fell to her knees.

"This match is over, I win." The red head said, smirking.

"Chi-Chikorita, you did your best- before Ethan could finish his sentence, he noticed Chikorita beginning to stand back up, just barely.

"Chikorita Chikorita!" Chikorita let out a fierce battle cry.

"Alright Chikorita, we'll finish this with our next few moves, now use tackle!" Ethan yelled.

Chikorita ran and slammed her full body into the Cyndaquil. Causing it to tear up a little.

"Cyndaquil, don't just stand there, use ember, immediately" The rival said.

Cyndaquil tried to shoot the fire from his nose but couldn't.

"W-what!?" The boy yelled in his confusion.

"Now, let's finish this, use Razor Leaf and end it!" Ethan adjured.

Chikorita used Razor Leaf, and with a swing of the large leaf on her head, sent multiple leaf blades at Cyndaquil.

Cyndaquil was knocked over on its side after that last hit and was unable to battle.

"You did it Chikorita! Our first victory against another trainer!" Ethan declared, getting not much joy out of his starter, who was more concerned with Cyndaquil.

"Ugh, Cyndaquil return!" The red head muttered, as he sent his Pokémon back in its Pokéball. "Humph! Are you happy you won?"

….

That was our first battle... our first battle together. And since then, even if I didn't treat you right, you always stood by my side Typhlosion. And Ethan, you were the first Trainer I ever battled. For the longest time, I hated you, but as we battled more and more, something changed...

….

"How, how could this be..." Silver said dropping to his knees. "I've trained up my Pokémon all so intensely in the past few weeks yet all it is meaningless, what is it I am lacking!?"

"You don't get it, so I'll tell you again." Ethan said as Espeon walked by his side circling around him. "Your Pokémon are strong, but they'll never reach their potential unless you yourself change, change yourself for the better. That's the key to getting stronger."

"The... key to getting stronger?" Silver said with tears in his eyes.

Eevee began to struggle to get up from the trying and only barely managing to while breathing heavily.

"Ee...Eeveee..." It panted facing Espeon who had taken no damage. Eevee was batter and bruised, in no shape to keep battling.

"Ugh, Eevee." Silver said. "Your hurt, it's fine. You don't have to battle any longer..."

Eevee turned its face to its Trainer and noticed the tears in Silver's eyes. It instantly ran over there losing focus of the battle at hand.

"Ee, Eevee?" It said asking what's wrong.

"I said... it's alright, you can return to your Pokéball now, it's fine." Silver said. "You... you've battled fierce, like a warrior!"

Eevee smiled and put its front paws on Silver's chest as it stood up and licked Silver on the cheek which surprised the red head who had no words for what had happened.

"E-Eevee..." He said as Eevee dropped back to the ground.

Ethan smiled and nodded his head as he crossed his arms, perhaps Silver was finally learning.

….

Again and again you told me the same things, you told me I could never become strong if I continued neglecting my Pokémon, and every time you defeated me and repeated those words, the more and more those words began to make sense. I used to hate you because you were stronger than me, what a fool I was, how could I hate someone who just wanted the best for Pokémon he didn't even know? Silver asked himself.

"Ethan." He finally spoke the words.

"What is it?" Ethan asked.

"Thank you, for everything, if I never met you I would've never grown. I would've still been that coward Archer told me I was." Silver said.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Ethan said. "Archer doesn't know what he's talking about, that was never the real you."

Silver smiled. "Regardless, thank you. I owe you a lot. You've been like a shining glimmer of hope in my dark, cynical world. But now, it's time I've surpassed you. It's time I've proven how much I've grown."

"I aspire to be many things, but I never thought I'd be a 'shining glimmer of hope' to someone, thanks, that means a lot, especially from you. You know, the whole audience wants to see us battle, best we stop flirting and get on with it." Ethan joked around.

"Humph, then let us give them a show." Silver said. "Just know this, no matter the result of this battle, this is the end of our rivalry, the final chapter in our intertwined destinies. I only wish it waited till the final round."

Ethan smiled. Well, that's because I've got another rivalry that's been here since the beginning I've got to finish.

"Well." Ethan said turning to the announcer. "This is the last round of our battle, anything you want to say before we continue?"

The announcer raised the microphone to his mouth "Listen here folks, this will be the final bout of this six-on-six round, both Trainers have remarkably strong Pokémon, with both similarly being one of the three Johto starters. Only there's a twist, Contestant Silver's here has got the Pokémon with the type advantage, how will Contestant Ethan respond!?"

"LET'S Go ETHAN, LET'S GO!" Part of the audience chanted.

"SILVER, SILVER, SILVER!" The others chanted. It felt like those cheering was dead split with no clear Trainer receiving more praise.

Part of the cheering for Ethan was of course, his mother along with Elm who both screamed their hearts out.

"YOU'VE GOT THIS ETHAN, SEND THAT OVERGROWN CYNDAQUIL BACK WHERE IT CAME!" Eliza screamed into her megaphone.

"U-uh..." Elm sighed as he covered his ears. When she was done he grabbed the Megaphone and screamed into it as well. "ETHAN, WE KNOW YOU WIN THIS, PUT YOU'RE ALL IN THIS AND THE VICTORY IS AS GOOD AS YOURS!"

At the same time however Allen wasn't contributing to their cheers. He simply sat in his chair and pondered.

Ethan, it's over, it has to be... a Meganium versus a Typhlosion, the battle's as good as done, only...

….

"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.

….

When least expected, when put under the upmost pressure, he never ceases to amaze me... he's surpassed me, and I've been doing this for a lot longer than him... Allen thought with a smile on his face. He finally stood up and put one hand into the air much to Elm and Eliza's surprise.

"You've got this Ethan!" He screamed. "You've got dad routing for you!"

And at the same time, the judges watched the ring with on one side, a tranquil grass, and the other, a blazing fire.

"Remember what I told you before?" Oak asked to both Lorelai and Sullivan. "I was there day one of his journey, Ethan's that is. I could just tell he had greatness awaiting him."

"Yeah, looks like you were right." Lorelai said looking around into the audience. "The lot, they don't seem to hate him so much anymore... and what do you think, Sully?"

"First of all, it's not Sully, it's Sullivan!" Sullivan argued. "Second of all, I don't care what the crowd thinks, the fact that Johto street rat made it this far is an insult!"

"You never change. Do you?" Lorelai asked him.

"Only when I'm wrong." Sully answered. "N-needless to say, I'm voting for Silver, he'd better win this! You know how pathetic it'd be if one of the finalists in Kanto's first ever shared Indigo league was a Johto Trainer!"

"Well, if the girl Lyra managed to defeat her opponent, then technically two Johto Trainers would make it to the final round." Oak said making Sullivan groaned.

He sunk his head into the table making both Lorelai and the professor laugh before they returned to watching the battle.

Neither Typhlosion nor Meganium had moved until Silver raised one arm. "Flamethrower, now!"

Typhlosion bring its body back and its cheeks widened as a fierce blast of fire was unleashed towards Meganium so hot just being around it Ethan felt like he could feel the third-degree burns.

"Dodge now!" Ethan yelled. He was smart enough to know even one hit from a fire type attack like that would surely take out Meganium. She couldn't afford to get hit even once.

Meganium listened and leaped into the air with the flames passing below her before dissipating upon hitting the stage.

Upon landing back to the ground she saw another flame coming and so she sidestepped it just beginning to dodge the repeatedly shot Flamethrowers like a game of hopscotch.

He's trying to eat at Meganium's low stamina!? Ethan registered. "Meganium! Make your way for Typhlosion then use Dragon Tail, dodge every attack along the way!"

After dodging Typhlosion's latest blast Meganium began to make her way hopping towards her opponent with her resolve overpowering the fatigue she was already feeling.

Her tail was already surrounded by a dragon's glow by the time she got in close with Typhlosion. This was nothing to Silver of course.

"Build a barrier between you and Meganium with Flamethrower Typhlosion!" Silver shrieked.

Typhlosion with a vicious roar set a blaze to the ring floor which made Meganium leap back to avoid getting hit. As she did though she realized Typhlosion wasn't trying to touch her, it was trying to build some distance between them.

A ring of flame surrounded Typhlosion who looked at Meganium giving a snarl just daring her to try to hit him.

"An impressive strategy, using Flamethrower to trap another Pokémon like that. Only it's uh, kind of too hot to handle, it's getting real hot in here!" The announcer complained wiping some sweat off of him.

Ethan smiled as he got an idea. "Okay, Vine Whip!"

"The hell will Vine Whip do?" Silver asked not at all intimidated. It was then when he observed Meganium planting two vines into the ground as they broke tiny holes through the ring.

From inside Typhlosion's ring of flames the two vines once again broke through the ground and before the Volcano Pokémon could dodge it he was gripped by the neck.

"Ty...phlo..." It choked barely able to utter its full name.

"Smash it to the ground!" Ethan yelled.

With all the power she had Meganium plunged Typhlosion face first into the ground right before the flames causing the Pokémon to shout in annoyance.

"Now, Earthquake!" Ethan yelled much to Silver's alarm.

"Trying to go for super effective damage, don't let it hit Typhlosion, come on!" He yelled.

Typhlosion's face lied on the floor but he quickly got up with fire in its eyes. The literal fire on its back lit up even brighter causing the two vines grabbing its neck to start burning away with a fire heading all the way to Meganium's body.

Before she could slam her hind legs into the ground she began flailing around her vines as they were set on fire.

"Megay, Megay, Megay!" She screamed over and over as she repeatedly patted her vines to the ground, not so long after she got rid of the flame which had burned to ashes about half her vine's length.

That wasn't the worst of her troubles, however. She looked up only to see Typhlosion about to pounce at her from the sky.

"Wild Charge!" Silver screamed.

With an array of yellow electricity surrounding it, Typhlosion lunged for the grass starter with said electricity tailing behind it.

Before she could even dodge Meganium was struck her with the full brunt of the attack causing an eruption of smoke onto the battleground.

"Meganium!" Ethan cried as loud as he could. Coming from the smoke Meganium was sent flying back landing on her side with blood coming from her lip.

"Megay... Megay..." She panted.

Ethan watched in horror. Not because if Meganium lost his time in the Indigo league would end, but because he wanted her to be safe.

"Meganium, are you alright!?" Ethan asked. "Listen girl, we, we can't lose here, I know it hurts but it'll hurt more if he lands a fire type move on you!"

Right as Ethan said that he looked up to see his worst fears come true. Typhlosion was in the air with his back flames truly akin to a volcano with a fierce Flamethrower coming from his mouth.

"D-damn it!" Ethan cursed. "Meganium, girl, you've got to move, now!"

Hearing her Trainer's words, Meganium's eyes open and right as she felt the presence of fire she got up and leaped back dodging the flames which disappeared into the atmosphere.

Earthquake was Ethan's greatest hope in this fight. But Meganium was in the air, she couldn't use the attack. So instead he had another heavy hitting attack, even if Typhlosion's typing put it at an advantage to it.

"Solar Beam!" Ethan yelled.

Midair with the sun closer to her, Meganium began to form another beam of light right in front of her mouth which quickly grew in size as she got closer and closer to the ground.

"It won't work!" Silver said happily before he gave his next command. "Smokescreen!"

Typhlosion opened its mouth once more but instead of releasing flames he released puffs of smoke. Meganium as soon as she landed to the ground was engulfed by the smoke and blinded by it.

Crap, I can't see for shit! Ethan fret as his vision of his Pokémon was blocked. "Meganium, can you hear me!"

"Meganium!" He heard from within the smoke. As soon as he heard it he felt the relief rushing to him overpowering his doubt. "Typhlosion's going to come for you any minute now, anticipate it and blast it!"

The Herb Pokémon looked around. She couldn't much absorb any more sunlight since it was completely blocked. All there was left was smoke particles and sparks.

Suddenly from directly in front of her a bright orange glow started formed. It felt hot enough that it'd melt her if it made contact.

There it was she finally figured. As the heat signature approached her closer and closer she could sense as to where Typhlosion was. She leaped into air not quite escaping the smoke's range but she was able to dodge the Flamethrower by landing to its side.

"Now, Solar Beam into the air!" Ethan yelled.

"Just what is he thinking...?" Silver remarked.

Finally, the beam came and shot far passed the smoke and into the clouds themselves. The field of smoke was cut in half entirely as Typhlosion stood there dumbfounded at his opponent's plan.

"T-Ty...?" It said in wonder.

"Now, Earthquake!" Ethan yelled. Typhlosion tried to move out of the way but it was too late. Exerting all of her energy while already tired and sweating profusely but she used the last of what she could muster slamming her hind legs into the ground once more.

The ground began to shake violently once more and Typhlosion began to shake a long with it as the ring did its best not to break under all the pressure.

"TYPHLOOOO!" It yelled in pain from the attack, the ring shook some more and the Volcano Pokémon couldn't take it any more, dropping to its knees.

The announcer who was just barely clinging to the edge of the ring suddenly got up getting back on the stage as he walked a bit closer to Typhlosion. One good look and he shook his head before looking to Silver who looked almost saddened.

I'm sorry, after everything that happened in your last match, I really wanted you to win kid, I really wanted you to win... The man thought. Still, what an amazing battle...

"Would you look at that, after everything Typhlosion has fallen, the winner of this match is Contestant Eth-" He stopped, stopped as soon as he witnessed what no one expected. A red flame appeared on the battlefield encasing Typhlosion entirely.

It was like a longsword of flame which reached from the ring where Typhlosion laid to the very sky itself. Ethan and Meganium watched in horror as the sheer amount of flames radiating from the Pokémon looked beyond anything they had seen before.

"What the hell is going!?" Ethan asked himself looking away from the sudden arrival of the flames.

The audience was at a loss for words, everyone in the audience, even Professor Elm, Eliza, and Allen.

And as for Lyra, she watched in shock too before giving a smile and closing her eyes. She had no more faith in her friend's chances of winning. Well, I really wanted to battle him too... I guess Silver's going to be making it to the finals, sorry Ethan.

The three judges all looked at each other in shock as well.

"T-the hell is that thing!?" Sullivan cried.

"I-I can feel it from here!" Lorelai said covering her face. "It's too hot!"

"This, these flames... could it be, blaze?" Professor Oak asked himself.

"Blaze!?" Lorelai and Sully said to him with confusion.

He looked at the two and nodded his head. "Yes. Blaze. A hidden ability my research has found only few Pokémon, coincidentally all fire starters possess. Similarly, the grass type possesses overgrow and the water type possesses torrent. The ability kicks in when the Pokémon is at its limit. Meaning Typhlosion's flames are at the max."

"...So, Ethan's losing this one." Lorelai said.

"Not for us to say, we can just watch and see for ourselves." Oak commented.

Back in the ring the gigantic flame had went out with it all being condensed in Typhlosion's black flame. Coming from every pore on his body as well was steam and the Pokémon's eyes were completely red with anger.

"Ty, TYYYYYY!" The Pokémon roared with all it could have. Its black flame increasing to twice its size causing Ethan to once again look away.

How, how the hell are we supposed to fight that thing, it's a monster!? Ethan couldn't help but think. Could it have been over? Could he have just lost the Indigo league?"

Meganium was sweating even more now panting as hard as she could. Having no stamina left she was in zero position to continue but Ethan couldn't just withdraw her; if there was a chance in winning this he had to take every chance he could get. He could tell Typhlosion couldn't take much more damage, maybe that was the key?

"Now the real battle begins." Silver said amusedly. "Typhlosion, Shadow Claw!"

"Trahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Typhlosion screamed causing echos across the ring. Suddenly the Volcano Pokémon leaped off the ring ground completely breaking what it stood on suddenly reappearing in front of the weakened Meganium.

"Megay!?" She cried genuinely scared.

Following Typhlosion's claw which bashed at the grass type's neck was a trail of what felt like the mist of a demon. From the heavy blow Meganium coughed up blood with it splattering on the floor like red paint.

She was barely conscious, and completely immobilized. Meganium couldn't move another inch and Typhlosion was free to finish her off.

This is bad, really, really bad...! Ethan thought closing both eyes as he turned away.

"Now, Typhlosion!" Silver said. "End it, Wild Charge!"

Suddenly, the rage in Typhlosion was followed with an attack other than Wild Charge. Typhlosion leaped into the air gaining some distance between it and Meganium. But rather than becoming covered in electricity, another flame engulfed its entire body.

That's...? Silver realized.

Typhlosion came homing towards Meganium with a great, red flame which turned blue in color. He could feel the heat coming from it more so than any attack. And the radius to which the attack covered. It felt like everything surrounded Typhlosion by a five-meter distance was on fire.

"Flare Blitz!?" Silver identifying the attack. "Typhlosion learned a new attack!"

Meganium saw the royal blue flame coming from her. She was terrified and the only thing she could do was close her eyes and accept certain defeat. Try and brace for impact. The grass type turned her face away from her opponent as she lied on the floor. All she could do.

It felt like time stood still. The Flare Blitz should've hit her yet it hadn't. Could it be a phenomenon akin to time slowing down when one is about to die?

But something was off. She didn't feel the immense flames anymore. Meganium opened her eyes; there stood Typhlosion in front of her, the Pokémon stood there with lifeless eyes still standing, standing over her, not moving a muscle.

Its arm, was over Meganium, perhaps trying to bash her with the attack to the neck while the Flare Blitz hit. Either way, the Pokémon stood there. Utterly, and undoubtedly defeated.

Both Ethan and Silver were speechless. How could Meganium, who could barely stand be the victor when Typhlosion had all that power.

The announcer walked over to Typhlosion and shook his head before raising the microphone. Before he spoke his words he looked over to Ethan and Silver to which neither spoke. "Despite all odds, Typhlosion is unable to battle, meaning Contestant Ethan will be making it to the final round!"

The crowd gave into their wild cheers. Ethan could feel it. No longer amongst the majority was he the annoying kid from Johto who they routed against. He was now someone they could route for.

"THAT'S MY ETHAN!" Eliza yelled into her microphone with all her excitement. She was so giddy she could barely remain in her chair.

Elm too was so happy he could hardly contain it. "That's my best student!"

"He's-he's actually making it the finals, I'm so glad...!" Eliza said finally settling down. She turned to her husband who gave a smile. Allen looked far up into the audience; he could see Lance with a smile on his face.

Allen looked back into the ring. Congrats son... He thought.

Ethan walked over to Meganium and kneeled beside her. She hadn't taken her eyes off of Typhlosion who was still knocked unconscious while standing. She could see though a single tear coming from his eye, the only thing moving on it.

With a single vine she wiped the tear off its face. This rivalry between them hopefully leaving Typhlosion with no regrets, he tried his best and so did she, and in the end both proved to be incredibly strong.

"You did it Meganium, just like I knew you could." Ethan said to which she finally turned around and saw him. She was about to go and receive a hug for him when she heard footsteps, she already knew who it was.

She turned around to see Silver who returned Typhlosion to its Pokéball. Silver took one good glance at it and smiled. "Not a bad job at all, in fact, you were spectacular, and that's all I ask of you."

After putting his Pokéball away he looked at Ethan who returned his smile. "So... what now?"

"Well, in light of recent truths I've learned, I think... well, I don't know quite what." Silver said sounding lost. The effects of his last battle still lingering. "But... as for now..."

He raised his arm towards Ethan who was surprised to see it. "Congratulations for making it to the finals of the Indigo league, I'll be supporting you all the way."

Ethan nodded his head and returned Silver's handshake. "Yeah man, uh, I'd hug you, but I don't think you'd be a big fa-"

Before he could finish Silver let go of his hand and brought him in close with both arms. And it didn't take Ethan very long to return the hug.

"...Megay!?" She gulped

"Awe... such sportsmanship, what ideal Trainers!" The announcer said choking on his voice. Well, you lost Silver, but you proved to be just as good a Trainer as Ethan, so congratulations to you as well. He thought happily.

Silver finally let go of Ethan and he turned his back on Ethan. "You'd better beat Lyra, Leviathan or whoever the hell you end up battling, or I'll kick you ass! Got that!?"

"Haha!" Ethan chuckled. "Sure thing man, now I've got extra motivation to not lose!"

"Good." Silver said before walking towards the end of the ring. It was over. His time competing in the Indigo league was over. But despite losing he didn't feel incomplete. He felt... whole.

Suddenly, much to Ethan's surprise he turned around hearing someone walk up to him. It was Leviathan who looked very impressed.

"You made it to the finals, amazing!" The Trainer spoke. "You're remarkable Ethan, in your own special way, that's what I believe."

"Really, thanks." Ethan replied. "Oh uh, unless I'm mistaken, this is our first-time talking, a-anyways, I really appreciate it."

"Trust me, I look forward to battling with you." Leviathan claimed which made Ethan chuckle.

"Very funny, don't act like it's set in stone you're going to be making it to the finals, what just because you have that Zapdos and all!" Ethan laughed. "Cause Lyra's got a whole lot waiting for you, honestly you should be looking forward to battling her, not me."

"Believe me, I do look forward to battling her my friend." Leviathan said.

"Good because then-" Ethan stopped talking as he looked off into the crowd. He was looking for Lyra but she was nowhere to be seen.

That's it, the final battle we'll ever see with Ethan and Silver. It took me, a while to write thanks for it being a six-on-six, but expect a six-on-six with, you guessed it, Lyra and Leviathan coming in hopefully a sooner time. Also, if you think the way this battle progressed, with random shit like Espeon using psychic to extract poison from within her bloodstream then please remember I take creative liberty with the attacks. And hot take, but Archive of our own sucks. I wanted to make an account so I could post this story there but I've got to wait like, for an invitation or something in twelve years, what the hell man!?