Chapter 21: Friends Again!... Not!?

"Turtwig! Energy Ball, now!" Ash called. Turtwig began to focus his energy on the Energy Ball attack again, hoping to make success of it. Suddenly, quicker than before, a ball of energy formed, getting bigger and bigger. The four trainers grew amazed, thinking that it will succeed now.

But, as Turtwig shot the ball, the Energy Ball staggered, before vanishing again. Ash gritted his teeth, realizing he was so close for the move to succeed. "Argh..." Ash moaned. Turtwig slumped down, thinking that he was letting his trainer down at first.

"Hey! Don't worry! Try it again!" Ash called. Turtwig nodded, and began to form another Energy Ball, before Brock interrupted. "Ash. It's getting late. We better go. Let's get to the next town before it gets dark." Brock called. Ash turned to see the sky. The sun was coming down a little.

Hikaru noticed it as well, along with Monferno, seeing the falling sun. "At this rate, we might be able to make it to the next town, if we hurry right now." Hikaru guessed. "Monferno." Monferno screeched in agreement. Ash smiled and turned to his friends. "Yeah... Okay. I guess you're right." Ash agreed.

Turtwig protested, crying out to get Ash's attention. Ash turned in surprise, seeing that Turtwig wanted to keep training, putting up a pouting face. Ash smiled and assured to the Grass Type. "We'll work later! Don't worry! Don't you feel tired?" Ash asked.

Turtwig blinked several times, before slumping down, his leaf drooping. Ash did have a point. He was tired after all the attempts to form Energy Ball. Ash chuckled with the answer as he took out Turtwig's Pokéball. "Alright. Turtwig! Return!" Ash called.

Ash walked over to his three friends as Dawn looked at Piplup. "They're working hard, and so should we! Right?" Dawn asked. "Piplup!" Piplup agreed with a smile. Ash stretched his arms up high, as he thought of a nice, warm Pokémon Center.

"Okay, Brock! I'm so ready for a nice, hot bath at the next Pokémon Center, and then a good night sleep!" Ash assured. Brock took out his guidebook and frowned. "Hmm... Problem is, there is no Pokémon Center on the next town that I see." Brock explained. Ash grew alarmed with this.

"What!?" Ash gasped, feeling down about this. He had been so looking forward for a good night sleep at the Center. Hikaru smiled and made up a suggestion. "In this case, why don't we try a hot spring?" Hikaru suggested. Brock and Ash looked at the Twinleaf boy in confusion.

Dawn widened her eyes, to see that Hikaru had the same idea as hers. "I believe Dawn and I know a hotel nearby where they allow Pokémon to be in the hot spring as well." Hikaru explained. Both Brock and Ash smiled at that. Dawn grew puzzled with this.

Has Hikaru decided to forgive her for her behavior? "Cool!" Ash exclaimed. "How do you know there's a hot spring nearby?" Brock asked. Hikaru chuckled and made the answer. "Simple. One of our best friends happens to live in the hotel, along with her parents." Hikaru answered.

"Talk about good luck!" Brock chuckled, putting the guidebook away. "Great! Alright, hot spring! Here we come!" Ash called. "Pikachu!" Pikachu called along, mimicking his Kanto trainer. So, with the decision made, the four trainers made their way for the nearby hot spring hotel.

Of course, one of Dawn and Hikaru's best friend should be waiting there, hoping to see her two best friends again!

Meanwhile...

At the hot spring hotel where Hikaru and the others were going, a girl faced her three brown swine looking Pokémon. "Alright! Listen up!" The girl called. The three Pokémon let out a "Swinub!" cries, showing that they were listening. The girl then began the explanation to her problem.

"It's about our hotel! We're in a middle of some hard times! Got it?" The girl explained. "Nub!" The three Swinubs replied. "That's why I'm counting on you for your help! Now more than ever! So, can I depend on you?" The girl asked. At her question, the three Swinubs proudly made their answer.

"Nub! Swinub!" The three Swinubs answered happily. The girl brightened up with a smile. "Thank you! That's exactly what I wanted to hear!" The girl giggled. Just as she was finished with her explanation, she hear a familiar voice. "Leona!" Dawn called out.

Leona turned to see Hikaru and Dawn, running by with Ash and Brock. "Ah! Dee-Dee, Hikaru!" Leona called happily. At the mention of Dawn's nickname, the female Coordinator skidded to a stop in front of Leona, and made a protest. "Please! I've had just enough of that name!" Dawn snapped.

Leona raised her hands up in defense and giggled. "Okay! I give!" Leona chuckled nervously. Hikaru stepped up and smiled. "It's great to see you again, Leona." Hikaru replied. "Ferno!" Monferno screeched happily. "Hikaru! It's nice to see you, too!" Leona exclaimed.

She then looked at her two best friends with a smile. "It's been such a long time! It's great to see you!" Leona giggled. "It's great to see you, too! How's the hot spring hotel biz?" Dawn asked. Leona's smile faltered, making a nervous laugh.

"Uh... To tell you the truth, things have been a bit slow lately... I saw the two of you on TV, competing in one of your Contests the other day!" Leona explained. Hikaru nodded a little, with a satisfied look, as Dawn grew puzzled at those words as she smiled nervously. Leona smiled solemnly at this.

"It's great to see that you won, Hikaru! And Dawn, I'm sorry that you lost in the first round, but no need to worry! You'll win the next Contest, and when that happens, I promise you, we'll be there to cheer you on for victory!" Leona promised.

Dawn widened her eyes in surprise, then made a confession. "I'm afraid my next Contest isn't going to be for a while... See, I'm taking a little break!" Dawn explained. Hikaru glanced at Dawn with a sigh, as he knew what her true reason was for taking a break for Contests.

Leona grew surprised with the explanation, but still smiled. "Really? That's a surprise!" Leona admitted. "So! There's no better way to take a break than to chill out in the hot spring in your hotel! And you know our Pokémon have got to be feeling the same way, too!" Dawn explained.

She held up Piplup to show the example. Leona grew puzzled of what the subject of the conversation was taking place now. "Uh... Well... I guess it's okay." Leona stuttered. Ash looked at Leona, then reminded both Hikaru and Dawn. "Hey, you two! Will you introduce us to your buddy already?" Ash asked.

Dawn grew startled, before apologizing. "Oh! Hey, sorry guys. We'd like you all to meet Leona! Our best friend since we way met in kindergarten!" Dawn explained.

"These are our friends, Ash and Brock, from the Kanto region." Hikaru introduced. Leona smiled and bowed down a little. "Well, hello. You all caught me working hard at being a Pokémon Trainer!" Leona giggled. Ash brightened up to that and made a determined face.

"Awesome! That's just what I'm doing! Hey, I know! Let have a battle!" Ash suggested. Leona grinned at the suggestion. "A battle sounds great!... Oh..." Leona started, then stopped, remembering something.

"The thing is, I really don't have the time for that right now." Leona explained. Ash blinked in surprise as he stepped back. "You don't?" Ash asked. Hikaru rubbed the back of his head with a sigh.

"What do you expect. She is working on the hotel. Are you, Leona?" Hikaru asked. Leona sputtered with that, trying to make words. Dawn then piped up to the others. "Come on! Let's go jump in that hot spring!" Dawn called. Both Ash and Brock nodded before Leona stammer a little.

"Uh... But the thing is..." Leona stammered. Dawn smiled and began to walk towards the entrance. "Thanks, Leona! We're going to go right now! Okay?" Dawn called. Leona frowned and tried to make an explanation. "Uh... But, it's not ready yet!" Leona warned.

But, to her dismay, Dawn shook her head, along with Piplup as she smiled. "No need to worry! I'm sure I can find it all by myself! Hey, guys! Let's go!" Dawn called. "I'm coming!" Ash called. He and Brock walked after Dawn, leaving Leona to stammer a little. "Wait!... But, Dawn!" Leona called.

Hikaru was able to stop and listen to his friend. "Is something up?" Hikaru asked. Leona nodded and answered. "Yes. It's the hot spring. That's what is wrong." Leona explained. Hikaru and Monferno blinked in confusion as Leona sighed. "The hot spring isn't flowing right now." Leona explained.

Both Hikaru and Monferno widened their eyes in surprise.

Meanwhile, at the hot spring area, Ash, Dawn, and Brock were dressed into their swimsuits, with all of their Pokémon out. The three trainers grew amazed to see the hot spring. "The healing waters in this hot spring are supposed to be good for anything and everything that's ailing you, no matter what!" Dawn explained.

Ash grinned as he jumped into the water. "I'm in first!" Ash called. "Piplup!" Piplup agreed, following after Ash. With that, the three trainers and Piplup jumped into the water, only to grow startled and confused. The water was only up to their ankles, much to their surprise.

"This is it?" Dawn asked, not impressed. "It's shallow!" Brock stated. "And cold..." Ash added. "We tried to warn you guys!" Leona called. The three trainers turned to see both Hikaru and Leona running after them. Leona panted as she explained the situation.

"I'm so sorry! The hot spring is not flowing right now!" Leona apologized, frowning. "WHAT!?" The three trainers yelled out loud in surprise.

Later, as Ash, Dawn, and Brock changed back to their original clothes, Leona explained the current situation. "I guess you can tell how embarrassed I am right now, right? Ha ha ha..." Leona laughed nervously. "What's wrong with the hot spring?" Dawn asked, curious of this.

Leona sighed and explained. "Last week, out of nowhere, the water just stopped flowing! The source of the hot spring is located at the top of that mountain. The water flows down through a huge pipe, running down the mountainside, and when it stopped, Mama and Papa went up to investigate." Leona explained.

"So that explains why you were the only person here right now." Hikaru stated. Leona nodded with that. "Right. I really wish you could all check out for yourselves how relaxed and refreshed our hot spring can make you feel... But, at this rate, if things don't change for better..." Leona assured.

The four trainers listened. "We'll just have to close down the hotel for good." Leona sighed, feeling depressed by the future outcome of her hotel. Dawn sighed in disappointment. "Wow. I was so looking forward for a little R&R. Well, what can you do?" Dawn asked.

Leona smiled and placed her hands on both Hikaru and Dawn's shoulder. "Hey! No need to worry!" Leona assured. Brock smiled as he looked at Ash. "There's no doubt those three grew up together." Brock chuckled. "Like two peas in a pod!" Ash smirked.

"And that is when we worry the most." Hikaru muttered. Leona pouted for a moment, before going back to her determined smile. "Hikaru! I'm serious! My Swinub are on the case! They promised to find another hot spring to tap into!" Leona explained. Dawn took out her Pokédex to scan the three.

"Those are Swinub?" Dawn asked. "Swinub, the Pig Pokémon. Swinub love mushrooms that grow under the dead grass, searching for them by smell and often discovering hot springs in the process." Dawn's Pokédex buzzed. Ash then understood the reason for this.

"Oh, I get it! That means your Swinub really can find hot spring!" Ash stated. "Right! On top of that, I even taught my three Swinubs on how to use Dig, too!" Leona bragged. Dawn smiled at that. "Awesome! Just what I'd expect from you! That reminds me..." Dawn replied.

She recalled of the time when she was still in kindergarten.

Flashback

Hikaru was dragged along for the bullying, but resisted it, defending Dawn and himself from the bully. One day, little Dawn was crying, as little Hikaru comforted her, glaring at the bully, who stood at the top of the jungle gym, calling it a castle. "Why is he so mean, Hikaru?" Dawn sniffed.

"I don't know. He's just a dumb jerk. That's what he is!" Hikaru snapped, rubbing Dawn's back with care. The little girl hugged her best friend, as the little boy hugged her back. At that moment, another girl, who was Leona walked over, seeing the two.

"Poor Dawn. Is that boy still picking on you?" Leona asked. "Yeah..." Dawn nodded, wiping her tears away. Hikaru stood up, seeing Leona. "How are you feeling?" Leona asked. "I'm fine. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Hikaru answered.

Both Hikaru and Leona glared at the bully, who was threatening the other kids. "Hey! Stay away! It's my castle, see!" The bully snapped at the other kids. Hikaru and Leona nodded to each other as they both comforted Dawn. "Hey, no need to worry!" Leona assured.

"Really?" Dawn squeaked. "Of course. No one can stand up to a bully alone... But, if we three work together, that bully will be crying instead!" Hikaru smirked, making determined fists. "Yeah! If we do that, we can't lose!" Leona promised.

End Flashback

Dawn made up a plan. "What we need to do is work as a team! That way, we'll find the hot spring before you know it!" Dawn explained. Leona smiled and nodded. "Sounds good! I want to help, too!" Ash assured. "Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed. "Yeah! Me too!" Brock agreed.

"I'd like to help with the situation here, too." Hikaru replied. Leona smiled and bowed a little. "Thank you! Okay! Let's go!" Leona called. Then, Dawn held Hikaru back, while telling the others to go on ahead. "Is something wrong, Dawn?" Ash asked.

"No, Ash. It's nothing. I just... wanted to tell Hikaru something! That's all!" Dawn promised. Brock and Ash grew confused, with Leona smirking. She knows of what Dawn is trying to do to the Twinleaf boy. But, they all accepted with a nod, and went ahead, causing Hikaru to sigh.

"What do you want..." Hikaru said coldly. Dawn took a deep breath and made her explanation. "Hikaru... I just want to say... I'm sorry." Dawn answered. Both Hikaru and Monferno looked at the female Coordinator in a little surprise. Hikaru then gave a bored look, glancing away.

"And?" Hikaru asked. Dawn looked down and explained more. "I want to say, that I'm really sorry, again. Zoey had the same reason as you did, though you never mentioned it. I get what I did wrong, and I was wrong to blame you for it. So, could you please forgive me?" Dawn pleaded.

"Lup?" Piplup asked along. Hikaru glanced at Dawn, who seemed desperate and serious, wanting forgiveness that badly. Hikaru gave a sigh and turned to her. "Just... Don't let it get to you again, okay?" Hikaru requested. Dawn smiled brightly and nodded, hugging her best friend.

Hikaru slowly hugged her back, giving her his forgiving. They released themselves from the hug as Hikaru smiled a little. "Shall we catch up with the others?" Hikaru asked. "We should." Dawn agreed. With that, the two ran after their friends, with a recreated relationship.

"Swin!" The three Ice-Ground Types called out. As Dwan and Hikaru caught up, Leona smirked. "They picked up the scent of the hot spring!" Leona exclaimed. She began to run after her Swinubs, with the four trainers following. "What do you know! Man! That was easy!" Ash exclaimed.

"I suppose so." Hikaru agreed. They all kept running, as the Swinubs took the lead to track down the spring.

Later, as few more minutes passed, the three Pig Pokémon stopped. "Swine!" The three called. "Swinub! Found something?" Leona asked. The three Swinubs nodded and pointed their noses up at the sky. The five trainers looked to see steam rising up from a fair distance.

"I see steam!" Dawn stated. "Hm... I can smell that hot spring, too..." Leona replied, feeling a pleasant scent. "And it smells great!" Hikaru, Dawn, and Leona said together. The three laughed as they rank with Ash and Brock following behind.

Later, to more of the group's surprises, they arrived of where the hot spring was! Behind the spring, was a bulletin board, showing a sign of construction work of a new hotel. Leona grew shocked with this. "What!? They're building a new hotel!?" Leona snapped angrily.

"The hot spring's already been dug out!" Ash stated. Brock sighed and smiled nervously. "I guess we're a little too late." Brock replied. As they observed more to see if anything was familiar with the hot spring, a little worker walked up to them, getting serious to the trainers.

"Okay, kiddies. This ain't no sandbox! We got work to do! Move your juvenile keys to another spot!" The little man demanded. Leona stepped up and glared at the little worker. "Excuse me! That's my hot spring hotel down the mountain! Are you saying that the hot spring construction belongs to you three!?" Leona snapped.

The little man gulped and sweat dropped, as two more workers came by immediately to settle the problem. "You are perceptive!" The woman giggled. "And I'll have you know we've worked hard to spring this spring!" The man explained. The little man smirked and nodded.

"Yeah. What he said! See, we've been dough more digging than a bunch of music lovers in a rock concert! Oof ah! Moving the earth for all its worth! When all of a sudden, whammo! We hit a treasure box filled with beautiful booties!" The little man started the story.

"We can't waste our precious time fiddling with priceless pearls, when there's a hot spring to encore!" The woman added. "When you're right, you're right! Though, that's not worth it... Anyway! With the strength of determination, let's make our hot spring hotel ownership reality!" The man explained.

"Dig, dig, dig, dig!" The three chorused out loud, explaining on how much they had to dig for the spring. "Tut tut tut tut!" The woman called, making sounds, sounding like it was from the underground. "Hark! A gaggle of gurgling!" The man stated.

"Double hark! A mighty flow down below!" The little man added. "Ah! Spring has sprung!" The woman sighed in relaxation, thinking of the spring they discovered. "And it blows! The spring sounds of success!" The three workers staid together. The little man sneered at the five puzzled trainers then.

"Back breaking work! Something you squirts don't know squat about!" The little man snapped. Leona grew suspicious as she looked at the hot spring. "Hold on!" Leona called out. "Is something up, Leona?" Hikaru asked. "Ferno?" Monferno asked along. Leona observed the spring closely.

"I know our hot spring like the back of my hand! The way it smells, it looks, and this water's the same!" Leona explained. She test the temperature of the water, by dipping her hand in it. She then grew irritated with the three. "I knew it! It feels the same, too!" Leona snapped.

"Swinub!" The three cried out. "Obviously, your Swinub agrees!" Dawn stated. Leona stood up straight, glaring at the trio workers. "I'll tell you what I think! I think you tapped into our pipe without permission!" Leona snapped, accusing the three workers, causing them to flinch.

The little man mumbled something the group didn't hear, before the woman gave a confident smirk. "So... Taste, touch, and feel is fine! But, let's see you produce some positive proof!" The woman demanded. Leona stepped back, taken aback. "Wh-What do you mean!?" Leona snapped.

"What I said! Show me where your hotel's name is printed on the water! Proof of liquid ownership! Then, and only then will I lend an ear to your ridiculous ranting!" The woman explained, smirking. Leona's face softened, realizing of what the woman meant about.

"How do I do that?" Leona asked. Brock made some thoughts about the hot spring from the mountain. "Well, I guess... If you have water coming from a different source from the same mountain, it would smell and feel pretty similar!" Brock guessed. Hikaru sweat dropped at that.

"That's not going against them! That's actually supporting those three!" Hikaru complained. "Monferno!" Monferno screeched in annoyance. The woman giggled as she took a step forward with confidence.

"One of you gets it right! You're lucky your baseless accusations don't land you in juvenile court! Some nerdy nerve!" The woman laughed. "Opportunists!" "Looney-tunists!" The little man cackled, taunting the five trainers.

Suddenly, everyone heard a splashing as they all turned to see who it was. It was a Wooper in the spring waters! The Wooper had something on its tail, which was beeping repeatedly. "What is this?" Hikaru asked, confused.

So, the group have decided to take a break at Dawn and Hikaru's friend, Leona's hot spring hotel, until they discovered that the spring wasn't flowing for some reason! Hikaru and Dawn recreated their friendship... and possibly, love, as the mystery continued at another hot spring construction.

With less evidence to make that the hot spring belonged to Leona's hot spring hotel, how will the heroes and Leona be able to solve this problem? Stay tuned for some more of these!

To be continued...

Hikaru's Team:

Monferno: (M): (Flamethrower, Mach Punch, Flame Wheel, Fury Swipes)

Luxio: (F): (Shock Wave, Thunder Fang, Iron Tail, Hidden Power)

Leafeon: (F): (Magical Leaf, Shadow Ball, Iron Tail, Synthesis)

Buizel: (M): (Aqua Jet, Ice Beam, Swift, Water Gun)

Dragonair: (M): (Dragon Tail, Dragon Rage, Twister, Thunder Wave)

Kirlia: (F): (Psychic, Shock Wave, Magical Leaf, Teleport)

Next chapters:

Chapter 22: Double Battle Hot Springs!

Chapter 23: Troublesome Gliscor

Chapter 24: Wind to Redirect!

Chapter 25: Hippopotas and Hippowdon!

Chapter 26: A Team Rocket Battle!

Next Chapter Preview:

Leona: You liars! This is our hot spring, and you know it!

Dawn: Alright! The hot spring is back to normal!

Ash: How about a battle right now?

Leona: Alright! We'll settle this in a Tag Battle!

Hikaru: Well, this ought to be more interesting.

Ash: Okay then! Let's go!