Ethan (Pokémon Trainer)

Gold, also known as Ethan, is a Pokémon trainer from New Bark Town. He is the male protagonist in the Johto region, first appearing in Pokémon Gold and Silver, and later returning in their remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. His female counterparts are Kris in Pokémon Crystal and Lyra in the Generation IV games.

In The Games

Gold was sent off by his mother to their friendly neighbor Prof. Elm. In is lab Elm tells Gold that his friend Mr. Pokémon has found an egg and that he found. In order go though Gold needs a Pokémon. So the kind professor lets him choose between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile. At Mr. Pokémon's house Gold gets the Pokédex and a weird egg. Upon leaving Elm calls Gold and tells him to hurry back to his place. While leaving Cherrygrove City Gold meets a bully named Silver who stole one of Prof. Elms Pokémon. The two battle and Gold ends up victorious. Gold makes it to New Bark Town and informs the cops about Silver. The police depart and Gold gives the egg to the professor. Elm tells Gold that he should battle the Gym Leaders from different towns and get Gym badges.

Gold soon goes to Violet City and makes his way up the Sprout Tower where he meets his rival and battles the Elder. He fights the gym leader known as Falkner and wins. Gold then discovers Team Rocket in Azlea Town and teams up with Kurt and stops their evil deeds. He keeps on getting stronger and stronger and battles more and more battles. He soon destroys Bugsy in Azlea Town, Whitney in Goldenrod City, Morty in Ecruteak City, Jasmine in Olivine City, Chuck in Cianwood City and every now and again Silver. In Mahagony Town Gold meets Team Rocket and teams up with some guy named Lance. After they get defeated Gold battles Price and gets the Glacier Badge. Then battles Team Rocket again at the Goldenrod City Radio Station and and gets the Rainbow Wing/Silver Wing. He makes his way through Ice Path and battles Clair the Gym Leader of Blackthorn City. He beats her but Clair refuses to give him the badge. In order to get the badge he must journey into Dragons Den and get the respect of an elder. He does this and gets his last badge and challenges the Elite Four. He fights Will, Koga, Bruno, Karen, and the guy from Mahagony Town Lance. He wins and enters the hall of fame. Soon after Prof. Elm gives him a boarding pass for the S.S. Aqua and Gold goes to Kanto.

In Kanto Gold fights the Gym Leaders (Brock, Misty, Lt. Surge, Sabrina, Erika, Janine, Blaine, and Blue) and shows them the power of Johto. He also meets Silver who seems to change his ways and became nice to his Pokémon. Word of his victories goes to Pallet Town and Prof. Oak tells him that he should fight a kid he gave a Pokédex to, two years ago. Gold makes his way through Mt. Silver and finally meets the kid Prof. Oak talked about his name is Red. Gold battles him and after a tough fight finally defeats him. With this defeat Gold becomes a Pokémon master.

Trivia

• Gold is the only male player character who does not wear long pants, instead opting for shorts.
• Gold is the only male player character to have two different female counterparts.
• Gold is the main protagonist in Pokemon Puzzle Challenge's Challenge Mode.
• The majority of his Japanese default names from HeartGold and Soul Silver are shared with Red and Lucas. The same holds true for their respective female counterparts.
• Gold and Lyra are the only pseudo-rivals, along with the only rival characters in any game apart from Wally, to not appear to have a starter Pokémon from the professor in that region.
• Gold's sprite in HeartGold and SoulSilver is positioned the same as Lucas's in Platinum.