Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon! All Pokémon names, Pokédex entries, and places belong to the creators of Pokémon (Game Freak, Nintendo, Creatures, etc.) This story is solely for entertainment purposes from a Pokémon fan. I'm only writing because I am a huge fan Pokémon since I was young.
Previously on Journey to Remember, after nearly escaping falling off the cable car, Dillon and his friends made their way to Lavaridge Town. Dillon challenged Flannery, the Lavaridge Town's gym leader, and ended in victory. He won the Heat Badge.
Chapter 26: A Lantern Festival!
It was a beautiful, sunny day in Lavaridge Town. Dillon, Annie, and Cirie were having lunch in a traditional tea garden sampling some of Lavaridge Town's well known Matcha Tea desserts.
"This Matcha Tea tiramisu is the bomb," Dillon expressed.
Annie said, "I love my Matcha Ice Cream also. Dillon, want to try some hot cross buns Cirie and I made."
"Sure! Wow, these taste delicious. Thanks Annie! I'll take two more."
Cirie noted, "One of the best things about cooking is watching someone happily eating the food you put so much effort in making."
"That is true," Annie added.
Cirie asked, "So Dillon, what is the plan next now that you won the Heat Badge?"
"Do you know where is the closest gym from here?" Dillon asked.
"Well, Fortree City would be the closest, but there is a large desert we would need to cross." Cirie noted. "I think it is best to head back to Mauville City."
"Mauville City? That means I can challenge the Mauville gym at last. I did not get a chance last time. Let's do that then! Where is Seth? Let's head out soon." Dillon said.
"Hold on Dillon, you just won your second badge. And besides, Seth is visiting a daycare facility today." Cirie said.
"I guess I should take a break." Dillon said.
Annie added, "I have a suggestion. Do you guys want to attend a lantern festival? I read that Lavaridge Town holds a lantern festival every week and tonight is the night."
"That sounds fun," Cirie said.
Dillon said, "I'm down."
Meanwhile, Seth is at a daycare facility interviewing the elderly owner, Carol.
Seth said, "Thank you for allowing me to interview you, Carol."
Carol said, "It is my pleasure. It isn't everyday that one gets interviewed by a professor."
"My first question is that I read that you have been working as a Pokėmon daycare worker for decades and have taken care of many eggs. I was wondering if you can help me look at this egg I have."
"By observation, it looks like you have been taking very good care of this egg. It is very clean. However, it feels a little cold. One thing trainers always forget is keeping the egg warm at all times. That way, when it hatches, your Pokėmon will be healthy and strong. Keeping the egg warm and clean are the essentials, but I think what trainers absolutely need to remember is to put time and effort into forming a bond with your egg. Just like human babies need to feel hand to hand touching once they are born to form a connection with their parents, Pokėmon can feel their trainer's touch while inside the egg. The more the trainer care and love their egg, the bond between you two will become stronger when the egg hatches."
"Thank you for your wisdom, Carol."
"You're too kind. If I may make another suggestion, do you have a Pokėmon who knows the ability, Flame Body. A Pokėmon with this ability can help warm the egg and even help it hatch sooner and healthier."
"Flame Body. I will note that down. Typically, fire types have that characteristic."
"If not, you can also wrap the egg in a hot towel every morning and every night."
Seth continued to interview Carol and even got a tour of her facility. The facility was filled with Pokėmon eggs. Carol also had two Rapidash to help care for the eggs. At night, Annie, Dillon, and Cirie were at the lantern festival. The lake was decorated with lights shining beautifully under the moonlit sky. There were a lot of people and Pokėmon gathering for the main event. One person and one of their Pokėmon can participate. Dillon, Hitmontop, Annie, Fennekin, Cirie, and Makuhita got on a paddle boat. Dillon rowed their boat away from shore similar to other groups of people.
"Remember to make a wish everyone," Cirie reminded.
"I wish I can find my father soon." Annie wished.
Dillon wished, "I wish I won't be a burden on my friends anymore."
"I pray for good health and safety for all the people and Pokėmon I care about, especially my dear friends whom I am travelling with now." Cirie prayed.
At the same time, everyone held onto a side of the lantern. Cirie lighted up the flame and everyone raised the lantern and slowly let the lantern soar high up into the sky. The lake was filled with lanterns in the sky and everyone marveled at the view.
Right after the lantern display, Dillon, Annie and Cirie were watching an acrobatic show. They were standing in a crowd surrounding the show in a circle formation. As they were distracted by the talented acrobats, a thief noted Annie's bag and cut the handles off. Dillon noticed the sneaky activity was happening.
Dillon yelled, "Thief!"
"Oh my goodness, my bag! Someone stole my bag! Help!" Annie yelled.
As Dillon was chasing after the thief, he yelled. "Stop thief!"
Cirie ran behind Dillon and yelled, "you better stop before it is too late!"
The thief ran into an alleyway with some stalls and Dillon saw there were canopies. He did a somersault into the air and leaped from canopy to canopy with his martial art skills. Dillon got the attention of a Lampent hiding in the shadows of the alleway. Dillon was able to land right in front of the thief and caused him to fall. He fought the thief with his bare arms and managed to get a hold of the thief. Dillon pressed the thief up against a wall and slapped him multiple times in the process. Cirie came running toward and was ready to avenge the situation.
Cirie said, "Aha! Now we got you. I'll show you for messing with my friend."
Dillon was hitting the man in the stomach repeatedly up against a wall. Cirie ran by and kicked his private parts which caused him to drop down immediately
Cirie said, "Not so tough now. Looks like this tough man has just been suckered punch by a girl. I hope you never get to procreate and make another human! Good job, Dillon! Let's turn him over to the police."
Cirie grabbed the man and Dillon grabbed Annie's things. The Lampent was hiding, but was watching Dillon's bravery and skills. The lamp Pokėmon followed Dillon.
"Annie, I think this is yours." Dillon said.
Annie said, "Thank you. Oh everything is here, thank goodness!"
"What's in the bag? Why didn't you leave it with your backpack back at the lodge?"
"It's just my father's fan and painting. I cannot lose these things. These are the only items I have to find my father."
"Wow, I'm glad we were able to get it back."
Annie, Cirie, and Dillon turned the thief into the police. They head back to their lodge and meet up with Seth. The group of friends went to sleep shortly afterwards due to a long day.
The next day, everyone packed up their things and left Lavaridge Town and embarked for Mauville City. They were followed by Lampent. Along the way, the group came across Randy. Randy and Dillon stared at each other with an unfriendly, bitter expression. Dillon saw the frustration in Randy's eyes.
Randy said, "So we meet again?"
Hi Everyone! Thank you for reading my story if you got up to this point! I really appreciate it!
What Pokėmon will hatch from Seth's egg?
Why is Lampent following the group?
Stay tuned to find out...
Dillon's Team:
Hitmontop: Lonely Nature; Ability-Guts; Moves: Tackle, Brick Break, Low Kick, Low Sweep, Counter, Dig, and Triple Kick.
Minun: Bold Nature; Ability-Minus; Moves: Spark, Helping Hand, Quick Attack, Thunder Punch, and Swift
Seviper: Hasty Nature; Ability-Shed Skin; Moves: Poison Tail, Bite, Wrap, Iron Tail, Glare, and Earthquake.
Ralts: Moves: Safeguard, Psychic, Confusion, Teleport and Disarming Voice
Bagon: Moves: Headbutt and Dragon Claw.
Annie's Team:
Fennekin: Ability-Blaze; Moves: Ember
Plusle: Jolly Nature; Ability-Plus; Moves: Helping Hand, Spark, Electro Ball, Discharge, and Swift
Cirie's Team:
Makit/Makuhita: Brave Nature; Ability-Thick Fat; Moves: Seismic Toss, Arm Thrust, Vital Throw, and Bulk Up.
Wurmple
Seth's Team:
Walrein: Moves: Ice Ball, Ice Beam, and Surf.
Swellow: Moves: Wing Attack
Nuzleaf: Moves: Razor Leaf
Wurmple
