Chapter 30
After beating Morty on their first tries, Amy and Dillon as well as Jane are on their way to Olivine City. While Dillon still isn't talking much, it seems like Amy's intervention at least has him being nicer. He still ignores the girls, though he isn't as mean to them as he was before. Jane still isn't sure how to approach him after the scary encounter she had with him. She hasn't told Amy since Amy is Dillon's brother. Therefore, the group of three is traveling awkwardly, but they all are getting along.
Dillon caught a Skarmory while managing to tame Teddiursa some more. The little bear is starting to trust that Dillon will make her stronger, so she should stop being reckless. Jane's egg hatched into an Eevee who loves spending time with her parents: Amy's Eevee and Burn. Due to this new little family, Amy's Eevee has come out of her shell more. She's less shy, and it helps that Amy is very outspoken. Jane named her Eevee Nala for her beautiful silver coat.
"How far away are we?" inquires the redhead.
Jane hesitantly looks up at Dillon who has been leading them. Sometimes, he walks so fast that they have to jog to catch up. Occasionally, he'll slow down when Amy scolds him, though Dillon still is very scary. When Dillon doesn't reply, Jane checks her pokenav map. "Uh. We've been traveling for a week, and this is a far route…"
Sighing, Amy looks at a sign ahead. "Miltank Farm ahead." She glances at her friends. "Maybe we can stay there for the night? Or at least get some Miltank milk." Their Pokemon are exhausted from the long journey, and the milk will help.
Before Jane can respond, her pokenav rings. Seeing that it's her mother, the raven haired girl quickly picks it up. "Hey, mom!"
Amy and Dillon are used to Jane's mother calling her every now and then to check up on her, so they think nothing of the call. Instead, Amy is checking her pokenav map, which she can never read, and Dillon is slowly starting to walk further down the path. Amy and Jane can multitask.
"Hey, Jane. Where are you right now?" comes Jane's mother's voice.
"We're near the Miltank Farm." Jane nonchalantly replies. This is a routine call. Nevertheless, when Jane hears her mother let out a relieved breath, the girl asks, "What's wrong, mom?" Amy's interest is not piqued as she is concerned. Jane doesn't sound too good.
"Nothing, sweetie. I just always want you to be safe." Marina replies.
Jane can always tell when her parents are lying to her. It's why they rarely do lie to her. Shaking her head while stopping in her tracks, she says, "Mom, we talked about how we hate finding out things from the media. Please tell me if something is wrong." Coming from a famous family, Jane and her parents have always talked about how they'd rather hear news from each other than the media exposing them first. That way, everyone is prepared to handle the media's questions about the news.
Dillon is annoyed when Pika forces him to stop for the girls. He hasn't paid Jane's conversation any attention. However, he knows better than to ditch them, especially since he won't hear the end of it from everyone. Groaning, the boy walks over to a nearby tree where he leans his back on it. This conversation better end soon.
Marina sighs. "Don't worry, okay. I never want you to panic."
"I'm already worried because you won't tell me anything." Jane nervously looks at the ground where Pika and Aipom are watching her.
"When your dad went to see Red on Mt. Silver, he was attacked by Team Rocket." Marina finally says. Being good friends with the old trainer, Jimmy visits Red monthly. Sometimes, he would bring Jane too. Red is an elderly man who doesn't speak much, but he's a great teacher and trainer. It's why Jimmy trains with him.
Jane's breath hitches in her throat. If the media knew about this, then she'd already know. Anything causing harm to the champion is top news. "Is dad okay?" Amy now is very concerned for Jane.
"He's fine. It was a good thing Red found them when he did. He helped your dad battle off the Rockets, but your dad got hurt. Red brought him home. I don't think the media knows, and I want to keep it that way." Marina is glad that Team Rocket hasn't gotten Jane. Being the champion's child is dangerous. "I just want you to know he's okay."
Jane lets out a very relieved breath, though her heart is pounding quickly. Her father has had encounters with Team Rocket before, but he could easily handle them. Usually, Jimmy would have the Elite Four's help or other strong trainers. The girl is grateful that Red was there to help her father. "I'm coming home, mom."
"No!" Marina insists. "You're so far away! Your dad and I don't want you taking time off your journey. We're fine, and he will be returning to the League soon. We just want you to know that we are okay. And you need to be careful too."
Shaking her head, Jane repeats, "I'm coming home, mom. I don't care."
"Jane Crystal Kenta." Marina's stern voice makes Jane freeze. "By the time you get here, your dad will be back at the League. Do not waste your time. We are telling you that he is okay."
"Then how come I'm not talking to him? He should tell me!"
"He's speaking with Red."
"No, mom. I'm coming home! I don't care what you say!" the girl hangs up and reaches for Venomoth's pokeball.
Amy sees how upset Jane is, so the redhead quickly asks, "Is everything okay?"
Jane shakes her head as she tries to hold back her worried tears. "I need to go home. I'll meet you guys in Olivine City later." It's not like she's missing much anyway with the way Dillon has been acting. Plus, Jane is very scared for her father.
Amy watches Jane call out Venomoth and return Aipom. "I'll come too."
"No. You guys shouldn't have to wait for me. I don't wanna hold you back." Jane's eyes shift nervously to Dillon who is approaching them. She doesn't want to hear whatever mean thing is going to come out of his mouth. She misses the old kind Dillon. This new Dillon is scary, though her crush on him is still there, like a part of her believes that old Dillon is in there somewhere.
"Let's go." he calls out his Skarmory, and the girls watch him in confusion. Is Dillon being nice again? Did something happen? However, the boy doesn't like knowing that something at home must've happened for Jane to leave so abruptly and in this state. While he is in his mindset of being selfish and minding his own business, the fact that her family could be in trouble doesn't sit right with him. He would hope people would help out his family if they were in trouble.
"What?" Amy asks.
Dillon gets on Skarmory with Pika. "I said let's go with Jane. We can help."
Shaking her head in disbelief, the redhead inquires, "Are you okay, Dillon?"
He shoots her an annoyed glare. "You guys can stay here all you want. I'm flying to New Bark Town." Skarmory then takes off.
Jane looks from Skarmory to Amy. The older girl feels slightly better knowing she won't be going home alone. Plus, with Dillon being nice and joining them without her asking, Jane's heart is feeling warmer. He's almost the same Dillon she remembers and likes. "I'm going, Amy." Venomoth flies off.
Amy comes out of her daze to call out Noctowl and follow the two. Journeys can wait. People can't. There are many other factors that come first. Thus, the trio will come to Olivine City later.
Hoenn
"Your Grovyle still needs time to heal." Kaz knowingly informs the girl. After their little altercation, Kaz offered a Full Restore for her to use. She gratefully took it, and then wanted to leave the hideout right away. Kaz has a hand on her wrist to keep her in place, but now her Grovyle and Mightyena are glaring at him. Fortunately, Bellossom has his back.
"It's cute that you're worried, but we'll be fine." the girl smirks at him. "Now let me go."
"No way. You're a thief. You stole back in Slateport City."
She rolls her eyes. "Are you the police?"
"I'm a person with morals." Kaz knowingly says.
Chuckling, the girl manages to effortlessly free herself from Kaz's grasp. "I have morals too. I need to do what I can to survive."
"Stealing from others is wrong! You're a strong enough trainer. You should just battle and earn money that way." insists Kaz.
"It's cute how you think that." the girl returns her Grovyle, much to his dismay. "You grew up with money, so it's not a problem for you."
"That has nothing to do with it! You don't need much money to provide for yourself on your journey. Pokemon Centers are free. Pokemart items don't cost too much-"
"And what about when the tournament season is over?" the girl snaps at him. "How will I earn money that way?"
Kaz glares at her. "Your parents can help then. It's only a few months."
Scoffing, she walks off with Mightyena. "You're really privileged, Baby Oak." Everyone knows of those famous people and their children. It was all over the news when Professor Samuel Oak's great grandson would be traveling around the region.
The boy runs after her with Bellossom behind him. Choosing to ignore her words that irk him, he says, "You know me, but I know nothing about you."
"Let's keep it that way." She winks. "As much as I like to steal to survive, I'm not a gold digger."
Kaz blushes slightly. "I'm not trying to pick you up."
"Seems like it. You found me hidden in here, you helped heal my Pokemon, and you haven't turned me into the police yet." She stops in her tracks to look up at him. "Seems like you're smitten with me."
Stammering a bit, Kaz eventually finds his voice, though weak. "Look, I'm not trying to get your number or anything." He nervously rubs the back of his head. "I don't know. I just wanna help."
"You wanna help a thief?"
Sighing, Kaz shuts his eyes in embarrassment. Why does he want to help her? Why is he so entranced by her? She stole and then defeated him in Slateport City. He had partly forgotten about her, but seeing her again makes him want to learn more about her. Could it be because his mother used to be a thief? Leaf wanted help, though she would never ask for it. Eventually, Gary was able to reach her. Is Kaz trying to do the same thing? His mother being a thief was long before he was born.
Awkwardly clearing his throat, he says, "I probably sound like an idiot."
The girl nods. "You do." She giggles when he shoots her an unamused glare. "It's cute. But I'm not interested."
Kaz groans. "I said I'm not interested in you in that way."
Smiling up at him, the girl tells him, "If you wanna help me, you can help me take care of Team Magma on this route." They're the ones who badly injured her Grovyle.
"Team Magma?" Kaz feels his face heating up and his heart beating quicker. Was he wrong about her? Does she actually just steal when she needs to, but she's a good person? She is fighting Team Magma.
The girl nods. "Yup." She extends out a hand to him. "Whaddaya say? Partners?"
Kaz studies her face. He can't fully trust a thief, though a part of him trusts her. Those sparkling grey eyes entice him, so he finds himself slowly nodding. "Team Magma shouldn't be around here." When he shakes her hand, he asks, "But I need to know who I'm working with."
She smirks recalling his question she had dodged earlier. "If I feel like it, I'll tell you more. For now…" wink. "All you needa know is that my name is Clove."
New Bark Town
After flying to Goldenrod City, the group took a boat to New Bark Town; thus, making their trip less than a week long. Jane was able to see that Jimmy is indeed fine. He just has a few cuts and bruises as well as a broken wrist. Red was long gone back to the mountains at this point. Jimmy will be leaving for the League tomorrow since Marina deems him healthy enough to leave.
With everyone heading back out to their lives tomorrow morning, Marina cooked them all a nice warm meal. It is late, so Dillon is outside after he finished training. Amy is inside talking to Jimmy about her father. Jane was checking up on her parents, but seeing as how her dad is preoccupied with Amy, the older girl heads outside for some fresh air. All this worrying has really made her anxious, and she needs to relax now.
When Jane steps out on the front porch, she instantly spots Dillon walking up the steps. The two make eye contact, and Jane looks away. She just wants to retreat inside again, but it'll be awkward. It'll look like she is avoiding him, which she has been doing. Fortunately for her, Pika hops on her shoulder to greet her. Dillon walks past her to the door.
"Thanks, Dillon." Jane isn't sure why she spoke to him when she's been avoiding him. Maybe because she felt awkward if she didn't right now? Like it'd be obvious she is ignoring him, though she knows Dillon prefers that.
He stops in his tracks with his hand hovering over the knob. "I didn't do anything." When they arrived earlier today, they saw Jimmy is fine. All Dillon and Amy did was accompany Jane.
Jane still can't find the courage to look at him. "You came for support. I needed that."
The boy awkwardly raises his hand to scratch the back of his head. Taking in a deep breath, he recalls his thoughts lately. Ever since finding out about Jimmy being attacked, Dillon's been thinking a lot. What if that was his own father? What if it was someone else, like Jane? The way he's been treating the people around him all because he's pissed about Aurora really isn't fair.
"Hey Jane?"
She finds the courage to glance at him. He's only a few feet away from her, and she can see he's avoiding his gaze. That soft voice told her that he is going to be kind. It's been a long time since she's seen this Dillon. "Yeah?"
He lifts his head to meet her eyes. She can see the sincerity in them. "I uh wanna apologize." Sighing, Dillon continues, "For being an ass. You and Amy don't deserve that."
She's shocked by his words. What's making him behave like this? Amy's or Jane's interventions haven't been able to reach him. Smiling warmly at him, Jane replies, "I forgive you. I shouldn't have been nosy."
Dillon shakes his head. "No. I shouldn't have pushed you guys away. Or been mean."
Jane really likes this Dillon. It reminds her of her intense crush on him. With her heart beating as her face heats up, she wonders, "Is the old Dillon back now?"
Dillon chuckles. "That was the old Dillon. This is the new Dillon." He extends out a hand to her. "I won't be mean to you guys anymore. I promise."
To his surprise, Jane tackles him in a hug. She's really missed him. While she doesn't understand his actions, she won't complain having the Dillon she knows and likes back. "I missed you, Dillon."
Awkwardly, Dillon blushes from embarrassment while patting Jane's back. He lets out a breath. This past week has made him realize a lot of things. Aurora and Granite have moved on with their lives. So has he. Dillon is so focused on his past relationships that it's affecting his current ones. Seeing Jane distressed over her dad really made Dillon understand that he's been selfish.
What if Jimmy was more hurt and Jane had to stay home to care for him? Dillon would've spent his past couple of weeks with Jane treating her poorly. The boy stops patting her back to wrap his arms around her, making Jane blush profusely. "Thanks, Jane." He appreciates her forgiveness. He knows Amy will always forgive him, but that's no reason for him to be mean to her too. He'll apologize to her later, but he felt worse about Jane. He did intimidate her heavily last time they spoke.
When Dillon pulls away, much to Jane's dismay, he gives her a slight smile. She shyly looks away and mutters, "We're friends, Dillon. Friends argue and make up. It's okay."
Nodding, the boy motions to the door. "I'm gonna talk to Amy. She deserves an apology too."
Jane giggles. "She and my dad are talking nonstop about your dad. I don't know when you'll be able to get her attention."
He chuckles while sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. "Guess I'll talk to her later then. I'll see you inside." Pika hops on Dillon's shoulder as the boy goes inside the house.
Once the door is shut, Jane leans over the railing to catch her breath. She hopes the cool air will make this hot blush disappear, though she doesn't hate it. It's been a long time since she's felt this way, and she's glad that Dillon can make her feel like this. She's missed him a lot. Glancing up at the moon, Jane grins. Her friend and crush is back. When they all venture back on their journey tomorrow, everything will be back to normal.
Inside the house, a woman is smirking as she finishes with the dishes. She had a clear view of what was going on while in the kitchen. Marina could tell that Jane has a crush on Dillon. The woman finds it adorable. Plus, with her and Jimmy being friends with the Ketchum parents, Marina supports Jane's crush on Dillon. Yes, Dillon was once a scary delinquent, but seeing how gentle he was outside with Jane affirms to Marina that he isn't that person anymore. Jimmy is going to be so upset hearing this later.
Hoenn
"Yes! I got it. Let's go!" Clove runs out of a back room as Kaz defeats the Magma Admin.
The Magma Admin chuckles painfully at the pair. "So we got Bonnie and Clyde up in here?"
Kaz glares at him. "Leave this route! All you do is cause trouble!"
"Let's go, Kaz!" Insists Clove. However, Kaz hates letting bad people get the last word. It's a prideful thing from when he was growing up with a delinquent Dillon.
The admin lays on the ground in defeat but amusement as well. "I know you. You're Professor Oak's son." Turning to smirk at Kaz, the man adds, "How did you get involved with a thief? Because your mother was once one?"
Irked, Kaz takes a step towards him, but Clove holds Kaz back. "Let's go before more grunts come!"
"No way! He just talked about my mom!"
Still very amused, the admin points at Clove. "She stole a Pokemon stealing machine. She just came back for the charger." His smirk grows. "Do you really think she stole it so that we couldn't have it? She wants to use it for herself." The man then rests his head and eyes. "You just got duped, boy."
Kaz turns his head in shock. At this, Clove lets him go with an innocent smile. Raising her hands up, she cutely replies, "Are you really going to believe a Team Magma Admin?"
The boy looks between the two. He doesn't know why Clove ran off earlier into the back room. He figured she was battling more grunts or admins, but this guy is the last one in the area. Why did Clove want to come back here? She's not a vigilante is she? "What's in your backpack?"
Deciding that this isn't a conversation she wants to have, Clove turns to leave. "I'm not helping you when more Magma members come." She's already got what she came here for.
Furious, Kaz turns to look at the admin one last time. "It's a pokemon stealing device." The admin smirks. "It's how she got my Mightyena."
Kaz chases after Clove to see her taking off on her Vibrava. He gets on his Pidgeot, and soon lands when Clove does. "Are you fucking serious?" the brunette yells after the girl. Stealing from a criminal organization could seem like a noble offense, but what she stole makes Kaz very suspicious.
"What?" Clove annoyedly asks.
"You stole a Pokemon stealing machine? We weren't just clearing the route of Team Magma." He feels so stupid already, and she continues to make him feel like an idiot.
"We took care of Team Magma. It's a win-win. Why does it matter that I took the device?"
"Because I don't trust you!" seethes Kaz, and Clove feels slightly hurt by his words.
She barely knows him. Plus, she doubts she'll ever run into him again. However, it aches her heart slightly hearing he doesn't trust her after they just worked together to take down Team Magma from the route. "Good. You shouldn't trust a thief."
"Destroy it."
No." Clove shrugs. "I got it, so it's mine."
Kaz reaches out at her. "Give it to me."
Clove effortlessly dodges his hand with a smirk. "It's better that I have the device." Clove shrugs.
Kaz glares at her. "I'm not saying Team Magma should have it, but no one should have it! It should be destroyed! No one should have it!" Kaz is pissed. She just tricked him into helping her.
The girl gives him a pitiful look as she pats his cheek, making him swat her hand away. "Aw. Is Baby Oak sad he got duped?"
Annoyed and pissed, Kaz pulls out Tank's Pokeball. "I'm not leaving without that device." He doesn't trust her. She's a thief who has already used the device once, though it was against Team Magma. What's stopping her from using it against innocent people? Why did she need the charger? Why won't she just destroy it?
Clove rolls her eyes and reaches for Grovyle's pokeball. "I've beaten you before." She winks at him. "But have it your way. Let's teach him a lesson, Grovyle!"
We're gonna be speeding up now that I've introduced everyone I wanna introduce. Also, I'm ready for the Hoenn arc. :P
