"Why is Dillon going back to Azalea Town?" asks the raven haired girl. They had only landed at the Daycare Center for Amy to get her pokemon back. She also got an egg, which she gave to Jane because Amy doesn't have space for the egg. Moreover, Amy informed the daycare couple that Larvitar wants to stay with her, and they happily obliged. Romeo stayed outside to avoid seeing Vee.
Amy shrugs. "I don't know. He didn't say." She then pouts. "I didn't really get to see Celebi, but Dillon did! Not fair!"
Romeo is still deep in thought about the whole situation. Amy and Dillon time traveled due to Celebi, but why? What was the reason? And why Dillon? Why does everything happen to Dillon? He gets everything! He became the Kanto Champion during his first year of traveling, and he started late! He has everyone's admiration! He has Jane! It's not fair!
"Roar!" Salamence's shout shakes Romeo from his thoughts. She always senses when her trainer is in distress. This roar makes Amy and Jane quiet down as they curiously look at the dragon type.
"What's wrong, Salamence?" Jane rubs Salamence's back. Salamence huffs out a puff of smoke but remains silent now. Jane turns her attention to Romeo. "What's wrong with Salamence, Romeo?"
The boy is grateful he's sitting in front of her so she can't see his sour expression. "She's fine." He coldly replies.
Amy notices the tone. "Are you okay, Romeo?"
After a few minutes, he tells them, "Let's set up camp. We should arrive in Goldenrod City tomorrow night, but it's late for now." Really, he's exhausted and just wants to get away from Jane for a while. Even though he enjoyed her company the past few days they were alone searching for the Ketchums, he is only reminded of how insignificant he is to her when Dillon is around.
Amy nods with a yawn. "I agree. I haven't slept in days."
Jane smiles at her friend flying beside them on Noctowl. "I'm glad you and Dillon are okay, Amy."
Before Amy can respond, Romeo cuts in, "It's Dillon. What do you expect?"
Amy hears the cold tone, so she sighs. "Romeo-"
"Look, I hate hearing about him. You two know that. If I didn't have to fly Jane back, I'd be long gone by now."
Jane narrows her eyes at the back of his head. "I don't need a ride from you! I can walk back on my own!"
"Fine!" Romeo exclaims and they all quickly land with Amy following worriedly. Once on the ground, Romeo angrily faces Jane. "Next time, ask your boyfriend for a ride!" He's not here for her to come and go as she pleases! He's not here for her to use him whenever Dillon is gone! No. He's Romeo Shuu Hayden, and he is also important.
"He's not my boyfriend! And why are you getting mad at me?" Jane shouts back.
Amy tries to get between them, but the two are too heated right now. "Guys-"
"All you ever do is talk about him! It's annoying! Just admit you like him already!" Romeo snaps.
"I like him because he's my friend! But you said we aren't friends, so I guess I don't like you!"
Amy is shocked to hear Jane argue since Jane is usually a sweet girl. Moreover, Amy knows Romeo has his dislike towards Dillon, though Romeo is usually a cool outspoken boy. She has only seen him passively angry about Dillon. She's never seen him shout at someone like this, especially at a stranger. "Please stop."
"Yeah! We aren't friends!" Romeo narrows his eyes at her and backs away. He exchanges a pokeball with Amy who curiously looks at him. "I'll take Noctowl back and leave her for you at the Pokemon Center." Romeo then glares back at Jane. "You take Salamence with her. I'm going back alone."
"Romeo, don't-" Amy sighs as she watches Romeo walk away. Looking over at her angry friend, Amy asks, "What just happened?"
Jane kicks the dirt in a huff. "I don't know. He's your cousin. One moment, we were getting along fine looking for you and Dillon, and the next, Romeo wants to act like an asshole."
Amy, being too tired from the past few days, decides to turn in for the night. She'll let Jane cool off on her own. Besides, it doesn't seem like Jane wants to keep talking about Romeo. "Okay, Jane."
Cerulean City
"Thanks, Coal. You deserve a long rest." Dillon smiles at his loyal Charizard before returning him to his pokeball. They had flown to New Bark Town where Dillon got a boat ride to Route 1. He then flew on Coal to Cerulean City. The whole trip took about a day and a half, so it's now late in the afternoon.
Dillon knows where his mother is right now. He doesn't know about his father, but maybe his mother will know. Walking through the front doors of the gym, he hears a greeting from the receptionist. "Welcome to the Cerulean City Gym!"
He knows that voice. Although it's not Amy, who usually is the gym receptionist, Dillon still knows that voice. Looking over, he smiles awkwardly at the grinning man whose eyes are now open wide in shock. "Hey, dad."
"Dillon?" Ash rubs his eyes to make sure he's not dreaming. He does fall asleep a lot as the boring gym receptionist. "Where's Amy? What's going on?"
Dillon slowly walks over. He notices Lok sitting in a high chair behind the counter by Ash. "She's still in Johto. It's just me." Dillon meets Ash's eyes. "I, uh, need to see you, dad."
Ash smiles warmly and pulls up a chair for Dillon. "Sure thing, Dillon. What's up?"
Dillon shyly rubs the back of his head. Pika plays with Lok and Pikachu, leaving the Ketchum men to themselves. "I just, uh…"
When Dillon goes silent, Ash's smile falters. The man wants to know what's affecting his son this badly. "Are you okay, Dillon?"
Chuckling nervously, Dillon looks away where he meets Pika's encouraging eyes. "Pikapi." Pika tells him, and Dillon finds himself gratefully smiling at Pika.
Looking into Ash's brown eyes, Dillon clears his throat. "I'm glad you're my dad." Now, Ash starts pinching himself. This must be a dream. This is not how Dillon behaves. "Dad?"
Ash flinches and looks back at his son. "Am I dreaming?"
Pikachu rolls his eyes at his trainer for ruining Dillon's moment. Thus, Pikachu delivers a thunderbolt attack on Ash. "Okay, I'm awake, Pikachu!" Ash exclaims. When he opens his eyes again, he sees Dillon and Pika are still in front of him. Giving them a sheepish smile he says, "And it's not a dream."
Before Ash can comment on Dillon's words to him, people emerge from the battle arena, making the Ketchum boys look over. "Come challenge me any time." The redhead waves off the defeated girl she just beat. The girl is so defeated, she doesn't even notice the presence of the two Kanto Champions in the lobby. Once she's out of the lobby, Misty, who also hasn't noticed the boy sitting behind the counter, leans on the counter with her head in her arms. "Are we closed yet?" She groans to her husband.
Chuckling, Ash stands up to walk around the counter. "We can be."
"Can we also let me sleep while you cook dinner?" she mutters.
Ash nods, though Misty doesn't see it. "We can also have dinner with our sons."
"We always have dinner with Lok, Ash."
"I said sons. With an s at the end." Ash knowingly tells her as he wraps his arms around her waist from behind. Whispering in her ear, he says, "Look around, Mist."
The woman groans loudly before lifting her head and lazily looking around the room. She spots Lok giggling with two Pikachus. Two Pikachus? One has two notches on its tail. "Pika?" Misty furrows her brows in confusion, but Pika hears her and jumps into her arms.
"Pi pika pi! He nuzzles Misty's cheek happily.
The woman then continues looking over where she spots her other more nervous son avoiding eye contact. "Dillon?" Misty sets Pika back down on the counter and walks over to Dillon. His head is hung low, making her very concerned. "What's wrong? Where's Amy?"
Letting out a breath, Dillon stands to face his mother. "She's fine. I just came to see dad."
Misty now looks between her husband and son. Ash is smiling innocently at her. "What about me?"
Dillon smiles slightly and hugs Misty. "I always want to see you and Lok and everyone, mom." The boy is happy to see his parents getting along. Previously, Ash and Misty would argue often. Ever since Ash came back, Dillon noticed Ash and Misty being very lovey dovey. It's as if the time and distance hasn't affected their love for each other at all. Dillon is glad Ash is back because Ash makes their family complete.
Misty sighs while she looks into Dillon's matching cerulean eyes. "As much as I love having you here, you need to go back to Amy and Jane."
"It's fine, mom. They'll be okay without me." Dillon reassures her.
Misty shakes her head at him. "Use your extra time here to visit Aurora then. She's not too far away."
"But Coal and I have been flying all day, mom. We want to rest here with you, dad, and Lok!" Even though Dillon planned to see Aurora again, he's nervous. He isn't sure how to greet her. It's been so long since they last spoke.
"Too bad, Dillon." Misty knows what it's like to feel neglected by a previous traveling partner, so she won't let her son do the same thing Ash did to her. "Better sleep at the Pokemon Center then."
Ash, though, is excited to have Dillon visiting. "Misty-" The redhead shoots her husband a sharp glare, making him gulp in fear. "Listen to your mother, Dillon." Ash squeaks out.
Dillon closes his eyes in frustration, but he knows what his mother is doing. Looking back at Ash, Dillon extends a hand to him. "Thanks, dad."
Ash smiles while shaking the hand. "I'm proud to be your dad, Dillon."
Misty kisses the top of Dillon's head. "I'm very proud of you too, Dillon." He's come a long way from where he was a year ago. Looking down at his poorly bandaged arm, she rolls her eyes at him. "You're just like your father."
"It's a long story." Dillon sheepishly laughs.
"Pi." Pika nods.
"Tell us over dinner." Ash offers, making Misty glare at him again. "C'mon, Mist. He's been traveling all day. We may as well feed our son and house him for the night. Then you can kick him out in the morning."
"Why did I marry you?" Misty groans and locks up the gym.
"Because Brock taught me how to cook." Ash grins innocently. They all know Misty isn't a good cook.
"I could've just married Brock then." Misty knowingly tells him while everyone walks through the long hallway to the living quarters of the gym.
Ash mocks hurt, but he wraps an arm around Misty's shoulders. Dillon is carrying the young Lok in his arms as Pika and Pikachu follow them. "Or is it because you love me?" offers the man because he's still answering Misty's question.
"I wonder why?" Misty pretends to think aloud.
Chuckling, Ash pulls her closer to him where he plants a light kiss on the side of her head. "Because I love you too."
Misty nods in mock realization. Once they reach the door, she pauses to gaze into Ash's chocolate brown eyes. "That must be it, Mr. Pokemon Master." Ash grins victoriously. He lowers his face towards hers. He's been very happy to be home again because he not only gets to spend more time with the love of his life, but he also gets to be with his new child.
Before the two can close the gap between them, they hear a forced cough from behind, reminding them that they have a human guest. They usually kiss all the time in front of Lok and their Pokemon. Blushing profusely, Misty hurriedly opens the door and Ash keeps his hands to himself again. Dillon, though, can't help but smile at his parents. Yes, their family is complete with Ash around. It's better with him here.
Hours Later
"Do you remember that, Ash?" Misty curiously asks her husband. They spent dinner talking about Dillon's recent adventure. Misty was pretty upset hearing her son traveled to Kalos, which he where Ash got his first kiss.
Ash, knowing Misty hates hearing his Kalos stories, gulps in fear. "Uh. I encountered Celebi a lot, Mist. I don't remember."
She narrows her eyes at him. "Let me jog your memory, Ketchum."
"You're a Ketchum too." he tries to avoid the conversation. "For 16 years now."
"Oh. So you can remember how long we've been married but you always want to forget about a whole year of traveling in Kalos."
"Because I love you! Of course I'm gonna remember everything about us!" Ash looks to his son for help, but Dillon knows better than to involve himself in his mother's fury. He avoids eye contact with his parents as he rocks Lok to sleep.
"So you forgot your first kiss?" Misty crosses her arms over her chest.
Ash inwardly groans. This is why he avoids talking about Kalos, especially in front of his wife. "She kissed me, Mist. We talk about this all the time."
"And I had to hear about it from Brock."
"And then I kissed you!" Ash's brown eyes plead with his wife's angry orbs. "Serena kissed me, but I kissed you! You're the only one I've ever and will ever wanna kiss, Mist!"
"Should I leave?" Dillon quietly asks, but his parents are too concentrated on their conversation to hear him.
Misty blushes from Ash's words, though she can't find herself looking away from his loving desperate eyes. "I dated you! I married you! I had three children with you! Mist, I've always loved you and I always will, so can we please stop talking about that kiss?"
Pouting slightly because she lost the argument, but Misty prefers losing this argument, she slowly nods. Ash lets out a relieved breath as he falls back in his seat. "For now, Ash." He groans, and Dillon chuckles slightly. He's missed seeing his parents interact in this way.