I'm not in the mood to type my other stories because I keep thinking about Dillon's and Aurora's relationship. Like I said. The My Word series has been played out in my mind for over a decade. I really love the relationship between Dillon and Aurora. However, if you're reading My Word 2: Johto, then you know there is currently no relationship between them. To overcome this writer's block, I'm gonna just type up and upload this extra. I miss the Aurora/Dillon relationship. Enjoy!
Extra
"I'm pretty sure I won." reminds the raven haired teen as he sets down the heavy bench. Their bet for their League battle was for her to help him with his mother's gym since Aurora lost. Not the other way around with him helping at her gym.
"But you also offered to help me." grins his friend who thanks the moving Machoke. She sits on the bench and pats beside her for the boy to join her. "Thanks, Dillon!"
Rolling his eyes, he sits down. Despite normally being annoyed with being bossed around, Dillon doesn't mind helping Aurora. He gets to spend more time with her, especially since he knows they won't have many opportunities for these moments soon. "You wash the dishes later, remember?"
"Sure. If Duke cooks." Aurora shrugs. She then rests her head tiredly on Dillon's shoulder.
Pika and Pachirisu are on babysitting duty, so the electric rodents are watching the younger Lightfield siblings in the backyard of the gym. Most of the other Pokemon are back there too with the exception of the stronger ones who are helping with the moving. There are a few moving Machokes too, though not enough to finish the job soon.
Dillon smirks at her. She's acting like she's been moving the heavy furniture. "What have you been doing?" The skeptically asks her.
To his surprise, she doesn't lift her head to glare at him. "Managing is a lot of work."
The boy scoffs. "You're not managing me."
"I believe I am."
"No way."
Now, Aurora lifts her head to give him a smug look. "Wanna bet, Dilly Boy?"
Dillon extends a hand to her. "If you're right, I'll wash the dishes tonight."
"And if you're right, you don't need to lift anything heavy for the rest of the day." The two shake hands, and Aurora grins victoriously at him. "What would you be doing if you weren't here?"
He cautiously watches her. Anything he says could be used against him since he isn't sure how she's going to prove that she's managing him. "Probably helping babysit Lok."
"Your parents and Amy are enough for that. We both know you're the last person who will have to watch Lok." Aurora knowingly tells him. She's right. It's his mother, then his dad, then Amy before Dillon would need to watch his brother. Mew, even Pikachu would come before Dillon!
The boy thinks a little bit more. If he wasn't here, what would he be doing? It's summer, so he wouldn't be traveling. The family vacation is in a few weeks, and it's the Oaks' turn to plan that. Thus, Dillon doesn't need to help his family in that aspect, though he never did in the past. Shrugging, Dillon responds, "Probably just training or in bed."
"Really?" Aurora finds that hard to believe. Dillon is restless. He can't be in one place for too long, which makes sense to his old delinquent ways. During their journey, Dillon was always quick to leave after they were done with a town. However, this could be due to them not having much time on their journey to collect all the badges.
Dillon continues to think. His previous summers were spent cutting summer school to rob the PokeMart or hang out with his gang. Maybe vandalize a few things. Smoke a few cigarettes. Get into street fights. However, he's without his gang this summer. What has he been doing when he's not helping with Aurora's gym? Last week, he went on a family picnic to the cape, though his mother planned that. The week before, he battled with his parents on different days in the backyard. For the most part, Dillon just sticks to himself. Occasionally, he'll interact with his family, but he still has lots of time for himself. "I don't know. Nothing."
"Exactly!" Aurora exclaims, earning her a confused look from him. She notices and grins again. "I'm managing you. I'm giving you something to do, so you're not doing nothing."
"That's stupid." Dillon stands to walk to the office, and Aurora follows.
She watches him fill up a cup of water to drink. "It's only stupid because you know it's true. I'm managing your activities."
"That's such a stretch. It doesn't count." Dillon tosses the empty cup out and walks past Aurora. However, she grabs his arm to make him look her in the eyes. The two are a few inches apart. Dillon can feel his heart beating slightly faster as he gazes into her seagreen orbs.
"I've been guiding you to where things go too, Dillon." Aurora softly says, though she too likes how blue his eyes are. Mew, have they always looked this lively? She just wants a closer look.
Nevertheless, the desk phone happens to go off, making Aurora release Dillon and rush over to the phone. Dillon looks away as he feels his cheeks getting red. What was that? He's tired. Maybe he just needs a break. While Aurora fumbles around trying to pick up the phone, Dillon mutters, "You're not managing me, Lightfield." He then walks out of the office to the backyard where everyone else is at. The boy needs a break to calm down his heart.
Later
"What's for dinner?" Dillon boredly asks the bluenette using his stomach as a pillow. After her phone call with Lt. Surge, Aurora decided to take a break too. She occasionally uses Dillon's stomach as a pillow, like now. He doesn't mind it, despite how quickly it makes his heart beat.
Turning her head to look at him, Aurora shrugs. "I don't know. Duke hasn't responded to my texts."
"Where is he anyway?" Duke usually helps with the moving, but he left to the store early this morning. He should've been back for lunch. When he didn't show, Aurora quickly fixed up sandwiches for everyone.
"Maybe he got caught up." the bluenette suggests. "He does that a lot. You know he has a big heart."
Earlier this summer, Duke stayed with an old widowed man for a few days because the old man had caught a summer cold. Duke nursed him back to help before returning home. It's not uncommon for Duke to help the cityfolk who once looked down on his family. The boy holds no grudges to them. With Aurora being the new gym leader, Duke wants to do his part in giving his family a better reputation.
"No wonder why you keep calling me back here." grumbles the boy, making Aurora slap his chest with her hand.
"Be nice." she scolds.
"I'm here helping you...for free."
She rolls her eyes. "You complain a lot. I think I like it better when you never talked."
"You're the one who forced me to talk." He remembers not wanting to get involved with her, but she made him introduce himself. She wouldn't stop asking him about himself. A small smile forms on Dillon's lips as he recalls their first few weeks traveling together. Mew. She was unfazed by his meanness. He's never met anyone like her before. Someone who can challenge him without fear. Aurora Lightfield is one of a kind.
"And look at where we are." Aurora giggles. "We're best friends."
"I pity you."
"I think you pity yourself." She grins up at him. "You're lonely without me."
"Not a chance." he denies. Dillon actually looks forward to when Aurora asks him to come help at the gym. It gives him something to do, and he doesn't feel like he's forcing himself. Being home, it's the first time his whole family has been under one roof without tension. However, it is awkward. Everyone is still wary of one another. While Ash is more involved, Dillon's personality prevents him from interacting more with his family.
Before Aurora can retort, her pokenav rings. Believing it must be Duke, she quickly picks it up. "Hey-"
"We need help at the docks!" the female voice exclaims on the other end. Aurora assumes this is Officer Jenny.
The girl abruptly sits up, and Dillon slowly follows in concern. That look on his face tells him this isn't a good call. "I'll be right there!"
When Aurora gets off the call, Dillon asks, "Where are we going?"
"It's gym leader business. You should go home before it gets dark." Dillon only stays for a few days whenever he visits. Aurora doesn't like keeping him from his family because he's supposed to be making up with them.
Aurora calls for Pachirisu who hops on her shoulders, and Pika jumps on Dillon's too. Dillon won't let Aurora get away from him like this. He wants to help. The other Pokemon can watch the triplets and LayLay. "I'm coming too."
"Go home." insists the bluenette who climbs onto Dragonair.
Dillon calls out Coal. "No."
Seeing that she doesn't have time to argue, Aurora lets Dillon follow her to the cape. In the distance, Aurora sees smoke and flames. Something is definitely happening, and she needs to help. Once they land, Aurora spots Lt. Surge in the mix of trainers battling Team Rocket. The attack must've just occurred because Aurora was on the phone with Lt. Surge an hour ago.
"What can I do?" Aurora asks Officer Jenny.
"We're fighting the grunts up here." Lt. Surge speaks. He then spots Dillon beside Aurora. The man knows Dillon has been periodically helping out at the gym this summer. Team Rocket just had to attack on a day the former champion is in town. They really messed up. Grinning mischievously, Lt. Surge nods past the grunts in front of him, "Their boss is trying to steal the ship."
Dillon glances at Aurora. "Let's go." The girl looks at Officer Jenny for approval. Officer Jenny hasn't said anything yet, and Aurora wants to make sure the girl isn't doing something she shouldn't. However, Officer Jenny has returned to helping with the battle. Dillon grabs Aurora's wrist to run into the thick black smoke with him. "C'mon!"
"But I need to check in with Officer J-"
"You're a gym leader now!" Dillon exclaims. "You're a leader! You make decisions too. People look at you to be the leader!" His mother has dealt with many incidents in Cerulean City. She works alongside Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny, though Misty does lead most of the operations.
Aurora follows, but her gaze is on Dillon's strong back. She knew there is more to being a gym leader than battling and giving badges. However, the girl isn't sure she's ready to lead in times of disaster. All the times they'd fight Team Rocket during their journey, Aurora followed Dillon. She eventually could co-lead with him, but she's never been the sole leader.
Soon, they are on the ship where they see a few more officers battling. They two are directed up to the deck. They battle a few grunts before making their way to the deck where they see more grunts and an admin. "You again!" glares one of the grunts.
The teens exchange confused glances. "Do we know him?" Dillon asks. Aurora shrugs.
Furious, the grunt shouts, "It's Chaz!"
"Chaz, stop." the admin commands, and Chaz begrudgingly resorts to glaring at Dillon and Aurora. Taking a step towards the teens, the admin smirks. "So we have the former champion and the new gym leader here? How fitting."
"Leave the ship!" Dillon orders.
"You're in no position to tell me what to do." The admin snaps her fingers, and the teens are soon surrounded.
Dillon glances at the quiet bluenette beside him. She hasn't said a word since they arrived on the docks. "Aurora."
"Hm?" She answers while looking around at the grunts reaching for their pokeballs. Pika and Pachirisu are sparking their cheeks on the ground.
"What do we do?"
She's the gym leader. She's supposed to lead. Dillon is glad he's here for her first disaster so that he can help her. Being the son of a gym leader, he knows all too well the responsibilities a gym leader has. Thus, he will use today's disaster as an opportunity for Aurora to gain more confidence in her abilities. He knows she's going to be an exceptional gym leader. She just needs to know it too.
The girl gives him a look of concern. "I don't know." She whispers. C'mon! She should know. It's not their first time facing Team Rocket. The answer has always been the same whenever they did.
"Pika." Dillon calmly speaks, and the mouse curiously gazes at his trainer as the grunts call out their Pokemon. "We're not doing anything."
The Rockets laugh at this. "Giving up already?" cackles the admin.
Dillon looks over at Aurora who is still very uncertain of everything. He can read the slumped shoulders and worried eyes. "You're supposed to manage me, Lightfield. What am I doing?"
She meets his warm cerulean blue eyes with her large sea green ones. Did he just admit that she's managing him? Seeing that small smile on his lips makes her heart beat rapidly. This is Dillon Ketchum. Her bestfriend and confidant. The person who has helped her through all of her Team Rocket encounters. Her teacher and guidance. He continues to guide her without her realizing it.
Returning the smile with one of her own, Aurora nods. Dillon can't help but chuckle at her newfound determination. He knows she has it in her. He just needs her to see it. She needs to be more confident in herself. Aurora grabs Dillon's red cap from his head to put backwards on hers. Glaring at the Rockets, she replies, "We're gonna teach them a lesson."
Dillon chuckles as he nods at Pika who understands the signal. "Let's show em not to mess with the new gym leader."
"Don't hold me back, Dilly Boy."
"Alright, manager." He'll let her have this one. She needs it. This is the Aurora Lightfield he knows, and he will always help her be sure of herself. "Thunderbolt, Pika!"
"Quick attack, Pachirisu!"
"Pika!"
"Pachi!"
The pokemon engage in a fairly quick fight, leading to all the grunts' pokemon being knocked out. Dillon takes a step towards the admin, but Aurora puts a hand on his shoulder. He curiously glances at her where he sees her smirking. "This is my city, Dillon. I'm the leader. Let me finish Team Rocket."
He can't help but smile at Aurora. Motioning to the admin in front of them with her Houndour out, Aurora walks past Dillon and Pika with Pachirisu. Dillon whispers to his starter Pokemon, "She's back."
"Pika." Pika nods with his own grin. He always loves helping Aurora come out of her shell. She's constantly helping him get over his fear of Scythers, so he will help her whenever he can. Plus, she's helped Pika deal with lots of Dillon's anger when they were traveling together.
"Don't come back." Aurora tells the admin.
"Make me." the woman snickers. "Flamethrower!"
Aurora shrugs as Pachirisu leaps from her shoulder. "Have it your way. Thunderbolt!"
Houndour's attack is dodged, and Pachirisu lands a quick thunderbolt on him. Pachirisu is too fast for Houndour, so the dog gets hit repeatedly by attacks. Soon, he faints from confusion and fatigue. Before the admin can call out more Pokemon, the grunts start fleeing. "Retreat!" Chaz yells when he notices the grunts on the dock leaving in their speed boats.
The admin clicks her tongue. Glaring at the teens, she heads to the boat railings. "I'll be back, Leader Lightfield." She smirks. "The former champion won't always be here to help you." Before Aurora can capture the admin, the admin falls overboard onto a speedboat below. Soon, all Rockets are gone, leaving the teens alone on the deck.
Dillon takes his cap from Aurora's head to place back on his. "You'll get them next time." Unfortunately, not all criminals get caught.
She sighs and glances up at him with a small smile. "Thanks for your help, Dillon. I won't need it next time." The admin is right. Dillon won't always be here, especially when he starts traveling in Johto in a few months.
Dillon swings an arm around Aurora's shoulders as Pika and Pachirisu watch the sunset ahead too. "I know."
"What makes you so sure?" Aurora wishes Granite was here to enjoy the beautiful sight too. Lt. Surge and Officer Jenny are currently putting out the rest of the flames on the docks below.
"Cuz you're a gym leader, Lightfield." Dillon shrugs. "A good leader is also a good manager."
"So you admit I'm you're manager."
He rolls his eyes. "It was the only way to get you to talk."
"Well, it worked." Aurora leans into his side. "Guess I'll have to put you on dish duty next time."
"Next time?" Dillon raises a curious eyebrow at her.
Aurora nods. "Yeah. It's late. You need to be home tonight, remember?"
Dillon frowns. He loves spending time with Aurora. However, she's right. He did tell his mother he'd be home tonight because every Friday morning is dedicated to a family breakfast and family day at the gym. Since it's the off season, they've been cleaning the gym. Nonetheless, Misty wants to keep up this weekly tradition to help her family mend their wounds. Dillon won't break it again.
"I can leave later."
"The gym is out of the way from here, Dillon. You can just fly straight home." Going to the gym with her after she finishes speaking with Officer Jenny will take too long. Aurora doesn't want to keep Dillon too late, though she wishes she could send him home with a full stomach.
Glancing at his pokenav, Dillon knows she's correct. He reluctantly pulls away from her and calls out Coal. "Let me know when you need me on dish duty." Pika jumps onto Coal, but Dillon remains in front of Aurora on the deck.
She grins warmly at him. "Maybe I'll call you next week?"
"You know you can afford movers now, right?" The League does pay for movers.
"But it's more fun managing you."
He rolls his eyes and climbs onto Coal. "See ya, Lightfield."
Giggling, Aurora waves at him. "See ya, Dilly Boy." She waves until Coal's flame is out of sight in the dark sky.
Seeing as how the fire has been put out, Aurora soon joins Officer Jenny and Lt. Surge. Fortunately, Lt. Surge does most of the talking with the officer so that Aurora can learn how to handle the paperwork side for these situations. Lt. Surge's and Dillon's guidances have really helped her a lot, and she appreciates their support. The former gym leader offers to come by tomorrow to show Aurora how to do the paperwork. Since it is late, Officer Jenny tells them that they should all call it a night.
When Aurora gets home, she's greeted by the triplets and LayLay who is crying. Aurora curiously looks around. "Where's Duke?"
The green haired boy shrugs as the blue haired boy is holding the crying girl. "He's not home yet." Blaze, the red haired boy, answers.
Aurora furrows her brows. She pulls out her pokenav to call her eldest brother; however, the call is sent straight to voicemail. Trying a few more times, she still can't reach him. Aurora figures his pokenav must've died while he's helping someone. She'll most likely see him in the morning when he tells her he's taking care of some cityfolk again.
Sighing, she walks into the kitchen to prepare a late dinner for her siblings. Little does she know, Duke has been kidnapped by Team Rocket. The attack at the docks was only a distraction so that Aurora wouldn't notice her brother has been gone for too long. Aurora will wait a few days before calling Granite and Dillon to help her. Granite will come watch her siblings while she and Dillon are already gone searching for Duke. Eventually, Duke, Dillon, and Aurora will turn up at the family reunion prior to Dillon leaving for Johto.
And that's where we start with My Word 2: Johto!
