At the police station, everyone arrested was questioned in separate rooms. Of course, only Clark was locked up, but due to Granite being an undercover agent, the trio of friends had to be questioned. Dillon had woken up once he got to the police station. He told the officers that he was out of the gang and that it was just an exit ceremony. Fortunately for him, Misty got him out of the police station while Aurora was in a separate room being questioned (all of this was thanks to Granite).
Also, thanks to Granite, the officers didn't use Dillon's last name when talking to Aurora. She was, of course, released in Granite's care since he is the only adult she knows in Cerulean City. Granite was not questioned at all. Once Aurora and Dillon were in the interrogation rooms, he pulled the strings of getting Dillon Ketchum out before Aurora could notice. He also made sure the officers didn't say anything to slip out Dillon's true identity.
On the walk back to the Pokemon Center, Aurora asks about Dillon's whereabouts to which the man responds, "His mother picked him up while you were being interrogated."
"Oh. You know his mother, right?" She asks.
"Yeah. Kind of. We used to hang out a lot when Dillon's dad was around." the young man responds. Aurora nods. They reach the Pokemon Center and head to bed.
Cerulean City Gym
Misty pulls the car into the driveway of the living quarters attached to the gym. The whole car ride home was quiet. Both Ketchums walk into the quiet house. Dillon senses some dejavu of this happening before. As he walks towards the stairs, his mother stops him.
"What happened?" She asks angrily. Dillon sighs and turns around to face her. His face is battered and he's pretty sure his ribs are bruised.
"It's not what you think." He tells her.
"Then what is it?" Misty demands. She crosses her arms. A part of her really wants to believe her son wasn't running around with his gang again.
"I had to fight to leave the gang." Dillon tells her. He runs a hand through his long black hair. "I'm out now." Misty's gaze on the boy softens. Of course her son wasn't running around with that gang. She embraces him in a hug and tears up slightly.
"I'm glad you're okay." She tells him. His shoulders relax and he hugs her back.
"Me too."
The Next Morning - No POV
This morning, instead of being shocked at Dillon's presence, Amy is shocked by his battered face. "What happened to you?" She asks him in a snarky tone. He ignores her and grabs a bowl for cereal.
"Here's your pokenav." Misty hands the boy. After the arrest last night, the officers confiscated his pokenav and gave it to his mother once she picked him up. He'd totally forgotten about it. He checks the screen and notices a few messages last night. They're all from Aurora and Granite. Dillon opens the messages up.
I hope you're okay. Reads one from Aurora.
Sorry I called the cops. I was scared. Reads one from Granite. Oh. So that's how they knew. Dillon wasn't mad. If anything, he was grateful.
We're worried! Text us back! Aurora's.
I hope you're not mad. Granite's.
Good night, Dilly Boy. Dillon can't help but crack a small smile at that message from Aurora. Amy looks at him disgusted.
"What are you smiling at?" She spits out. He shoots her a glare when his pokenav vibrates. He looks down at the new message from Aurora.
Call us. It reads. He turns his attention to his mother.
"Can I make a quick call?" She smiles at him and nods. Dillon steps out of the room and calls Aurora.
"Oh my gosh! You're okay!" She exclaims over the pokenav.
"I'm so relieved." Dillon hears Granite say in the background. He smiles again.
"Hey. Can you guys pick up my pokemon and bring them to the gym? It'd be out of the way if I came all the way there to do it." Dillon asks.
"Sure. But you need to give Nurse Joy a notice so we can take them." Amy tells him. Dillon asks for Granite to grab the pokemon, which Aurora finds strange but agrees. The young man takes the pokenav over to Nurse Joy who runs some security questions by Dillon before handing his pokemon to Granite.
"By the way, Granite, I'm not mad." Dillon says over the line.
"I'm glad." Granite chuckles. "The officers didn't use your last name. Aurora still has no idea." he tells the boy. Dillon lets out a relieved breath.
"Thanks. I'll see you guys at the gym at 10." He tells them as soon as Granite is back with Aurora. It is a Saturday, so Amy doesn't have school. She'll be able to watch the gym battles today. Dillon makes his way back to the kitchen to get his cereal and milk before sitting down with his sister and mother. "Get ready to lose today, mom." He smirks at her.
Misty rolls her eyes at her competitive son. "How about I beat you so you'll come home more often to challenge me." She suggests. Dillon laughs.
"Wait! You're battling today?" Amy exclaims. "And you're laughing?!" Dillon rolls his eyes.
"Yeah. Remember, I'm not me." He reminds her. She gives him a confused look. "Just pretend like you don't know me!"
"Ohhhh. Okay." Amy winks at her brother.
Dillon turns back to Misty. "I want to battle Politoed." Misty can't help but laugh. The frog pokemon had been tormenting her son since Amy could talk.
"I'm sure he'd love to battle you." Misty tells him.