Chapter 99: Celedon
As Ethan's car rolled past the "Welcome to Celadon" sign, his smirk widened. The city was known for its lush greenery, towering trees, and the famous Celadon Gym. The atmosphere felt different today—there was a subtle excitement in the air as he thought about what awaited them.
"Alright, here we are," Ethan said, glancing at the others in the car. "Celadon City... I'm curious to see what the Grass-type Gym Leader has in store. Plus, with all the talk about Delta Pokémon, who knows what we might find around here?"
Rose leaned forward with a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Celadon's always been home to strong trainers, but with the Delta Pokémon stuff going on, it's about to get even more interesting."
Suicune, who had been quiet for a while, nodded slowly. "Celadon holds many secrets. The Grass-type Gym Leader here isn't just skilled in battling—there's something more to this city than meets the eye."
Ethan smirked again, glancing at the road ahead. "Sounds like there's more going on than we realized. Let's see what surprises Celadon has waiting for us."
As they approached the city's bustling center, the roads lined with shops and buildings, the anticipation grew. They all knew this wasn't going to be just another routine gym battle. Something more was afoot. Whether it was the presence of Delta Pokémon or something deeper within the city's secrets, they were about to find out.
As Ethan navigated through the busy streets of Celadon, the vibrant city came into full view—lush green parks, sprawling buildings, and the ever-present buzz of trainers and Pokémon interacting in the city squares. The car finally came to a stop near the towering Celadon Gym, a building covered in ivy and surrounded by well-maintained gardens that seemed to hint at the city's deep connection with nature.
Ethan turned off the engine and looked over at Rose and Suicune. "This is it. Celadon Gym, home to Erika, the Grass-type Gym Leader. And, if we're lucky, we might run into some Delta Pokémon while we're here."
Rose nodded, her eyes scanning the area as if searching for any signs of unusual energy. "I've heard a lot about Erika's training style. She's more than just a Grass-type Gym Leader. I think there's something else going on here. Something about her connection to the city… to the natural world."
Suicune, her eyes shimmering with ancient wisdom, added, "Erika is no ordinary Gym Leader. She's deeply in tune with the forces of nature, and I sense that Celadon holds more than just a Gym battle for you, Ethan. The city's energy is strong here, but it's also... muted, as if something is hidden beneath the surface."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Suicune's words. "So, you think there's more going on than just a battle?"
Suicune nodded. "Yes. I sense the presence of something powerful, something not entirely natural. It could very well be related to the Delta Pokémon phenomenon you've been investigating."
The trio stepped out of the car, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the soft green grass beneath them. As they approached the Gym, the doors swung open, and out stepped Erika herself—her long green hair flowing gently in the breeze, her calm demeanor radiating confidence and a deep understanding of the natural world.
"Welcome to Celadon Gym," Erika greeted them with a serene smile. "I've been expecting you, Ethan."
Ethan blinked, surprised. "You've been expecting me?"
Erika nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, I've been watching your journey. Word of your quest has spread, and I sense that you are not just here to challenge me for a badge, but for something much greater."
Rose stepped forward, eyes narrowing with curiosity. "You're not just a regular Gym Leader, are you? There's something more about you... and about this city."
Erika smiled softly, her expression unreadable. "Celadon has always been a city connected to the natural world. But there are forces at play here that go beyond what the average person understands. I've seen the changes, and I know you're searching for answers, Ethan. Answers that may lie in the Delta Pokémon."
Suicune's ears perked up at the mention of Delta Pokémon. "You know about them?"
Erika nodded again. "I do. But this city holds more than just what appears on the surface. The very land is imbued with energy—energy that is awakening. I believe it is connected to the Delta phenomenon you seek."
Ethan took a step forward, his eyes filled with determination. "So, what does this mean? Are you telling me the Delta Pokémon are somehow connected to Celadon City?"
Erika's expression grew serious. "Yes, Ethan. There's a deeper connection here. And I believe it's time for you to uncover the truth, starting with your battle against me. But know this: it's not just a test of strength. You will need to prove that you understand the balance between nature and humanity if you are to move forward."
Ethan nodded, feeling a sense of urgency building within him. "I'm ready. I'll do whatever it takes to uncover the truth."
Erika smiled again, her calm demeanor returning. "Then let's begin."
The battle was set. Ethan and his Pokémon were about to face off against Erika's team, a combination of powerful Grass-types and mysterious forces linked to the Delta Pokémon phenomenon. As the battle commenced, Ethan could feel the weight of Erika's words—this was more than just a typical Gym battle. It was a trial that would reveal the secrets of Celadon and, perhaps, the key to the Delta Pokémon mystery itself.
The clash of Grass-type moves filled the air as Ethan's Pokémon fought valiantly. But as the battle raged on, he couldn't shake the feeling that the true test had yet to come. Something beyond the battle was waiting, and he had a sense that Erika knew more than she was letting on.
And as the final Pokémon fell in the battle, Erika spoke again, her voice soft but carrying a weight of understanding.
"You have done well, Ethan. But this is only the beginning. The Delta Pokémon you seek... they are a part of something much larger, something tied to the very heart of this city. And you must be prepared for the challenges ahead."
Ethan's heart raced with excitement and anticipation. The truth was just within his grasp, but it was clear that the road ahead would be fraught with danger and mystery. And he couldn't help but feel that Erika's calm exterior hid a wealth of knowledge that he would need to uncover if he was to succeed in his quest.
"Thank you, Erika," Ethan said, bowing slightly as he accepted the badge. "I'll be ready."
Erika smiled knowingly. "I have no doubt. But remember, Ethan, the world you seek to understand is not just about strength. It's about balance. And if you lose sight of that, you may find yourself lost."
With that, Erika turned and walked back into the Gym, leaving Ethan, Rose, and Suicune to contemplate what they had learned—and what lay ahead.
As they left the Gym, the mystery deepened. The Delta Pokémon were out there, and Celadon City held more secrets than they could have ever imagined. Ethan felt a surge of determination. No matter what it took, he would uncover the truth and protect the balance that Erika had spoken of.
The road ahead was unclear, but one thing was certain—his journey was far from over.
Erika then looker at Haru as he spoke. "So Ethan by any chance does my face not remind you of someone".
Haru squinted as he spoke. "Nope"
Erika then tryed to use his middle name and the name everyone called him. "Ok how about now Haru"
Haru looked at her as he spoke. "Nope, but kinda yes"
Erika then hand deadpan face as she smacked her foot in the ground as she spoke in perfect Unova Tongue. "Capable, putain de mère, c'est moi Jeane, tu connais un de tes amants de vie passée, chef de l'armée de ton frère (Able You Mother fucker it is me jeane, you know one of your past life lovers, leader of your brother's army)".
Haru finally put the two as two together as he spoken. "Jaenne!.... I am s-sorry".
She looked as she continue. "What couldn't recognised me with my yellow hair".
Haru just noded as he spoke. "Yes".
Rose then spoke. "How can someone be so smart and so dum at the same time".
Suicune nodded as she looked at him. "My exact question".
Haru looked at her as he spoke. "So do you want me too call you Jeanne or".
Erika then spoke looking at him. "To say everyone from the confusion just call me Erika".
Haru nodded quickly, still processing the shock of recognition. "Right, Erika it is then. I... didn't expect to see you here, of all places. I guess some things just never change, huh?"
Jeanne—Erika—raised an eyebrow, her usual calm demeanor cracking just a little as she shot him a dry look. "You really have the memory of a Steel-type, don't you? You can't even recognize your own past lovers, Haru. You were always like this... too caught up in the bigger picture to notice the people around you."
Haru scratched the back of his head awkwardly, trying to recover from his earlier mistake. "I'm sorry, alright? It's not easy to remember all that, especially when we're dealing with... well, everything else."
Rose chuckled softly, clearly amused by the situation. "So, you're telling me Haru here has forgotten a past life lover? I mean, with that memory of his, I'd be shocked if he even remembers what he had for breakfast this morning."
Suicune, though, was more curious about the underlying dynamic. "There's more to this story, isn't there? Your connection... it runs deeper than just a few shared battles in a past life."
Rose then looker at Suicune as she spoken. "What bigger picture we know about the Unova legends of the two brothers and everything if anything Erika was probably a Knight Commander in your side right Haru".
Both Haru and Erika went quite, as Haru looked at Ross. "Remember Rose I told in your past life you were priest of Reshiram".
Rose looker as she spoke. "Yeah the Dragon Truth, your brother Cain Dragon what about it".
Erika then spoke. "In our past life during the battle of the two brothers, I wasn't on the side of Able aka Haru as you know him now, I was the general for his brother Cain".
Rose's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the revelation. "So, you fought for Cain... and not Haru?"
Erika nodded solemnly, her eyes distant as if she was reliving the memories of that past life. "Yes, back then I was fiercely loyal to Cain. He was a man of vision, the one who sought to bring a new order to the world. He and Haru—Able—had different ideals, and those differences tore the world apart."
Haru's expression darkened, his gaze shifting to the ground as the weight of those ancient memories came rushing back. "Cain... He was my brother, but we were never close. The ideals we followed... they weren't the same. He believed in strict order, control, while I believed in freedom. That's what led to the war—the division between us."
Rose furrowed her brow, trying to piece things together. "And you fought for your brother Cain, Erika? Even though you were so close to Haru in this life?"
Erika nodded again, her face unreadable. "Yes. I believed in what Cain stood for back then. The war... it was a clash of ideologies. Both sides wanted to reshape the world, but we couldn't see eye to eye. And it cost us everything."
Suicune's voice was quiet but filled with understanding. "Wars are never simple. It's not just about the battles or the outcomes—it's about the beliefs, the emotions, and the bonds that get torn apart in the process."
Rose glanced between Haru and Erika, sensing the emotional tension between them. "So, it's not just about Delta Pokémon or the past life memories. It's about what you both went through... about what you lost."
Haru sighed deeply, his hand running through his hair. "Yeah. We've both lost a lot. And it's not something you can just forget. But I need to move forward. We all do."
Erika glanced at him, her tone softer than before. "Haru's right. What happened in the past... it can't define us now. But we have to understand it. We have to remember what we fought for, so we don't make the same mistakes again."
Rose tilted her head, still processing the conversation. "So, what now? Are you two just going to keep playing this game of distant allies and past life rivals, or are you going to face the present together?"
Haru smiled wryly. "I don't know if we can ever fully let go of the past, but... for now, we need to focus on the present. There's a bigger picture now, with the Delta Pokémon. And that's where our focus needs to be."
Erika nodded in agreement. "The world's still in danger, and we need to protect it. Old grudges can wait. The Delta Pokémon are a new challenge—one that can't be ignored."
Suicune shifted in the backseat, her blue eyes thoughtful. "This task ahead of us... it's bigger than any one person or any one past life. But if we all focus, we can stop history from repeating itself."
Rose gave a quick, reassuring grin. "Then let's stop talking about the past and start doing something about the future. We've got work to do."
Haru gave Rose a grateful nod. "Right. Let's go. We've got a mission to complete."
As the group resumed their journey, the weight of their pasts lingered, but they were determined to face the future. The Delta Pokémon awaited, and with every step, they moved closer to unraveling the mysteries that lay ahead—whatever truths, challenges, or battles they might face.
But for now, the present was their focus. The past, though never forgotten, would not control their future.
Suicune the spoke. "I think it about time this Ch ends".
Haru looker at her as he spoke. "Wait Wh-
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy