Chapter 37
"We should just fly." Grumbles the boy.
It's been a little over a week since they left Blackthorn City. Although it took Amy two tries to beat Clair, Amy still persevered. Thus, the group is finally making their way to Mahogany Town for their next badge. There isn't a contest hall in Mahogany Town, though Jane is excited to see her Uncle Silver. She keeps talking him up around the Ketchum siblings. While she wants to root for her friends, she will always side with her Uncle Silver. Nevertheless, Jane will be happy for either party to win.
"And miss out on the beautiful scenery and wild Pokemon? No way!" Amy giggles at her annoyed brother. Ever since Dillon won his gym badge from Clair, he seems less restless. Amy and Jane like this new Dillon. He resembles the Dillon at the beginning of their journey.
"Pi pikachu." Nods Pika.
"Not you too." Groans Dillon. He always feels so outnumbered by these three.
Laughing alongside her friends, Jane says, "I like walking. We don't need to rush. Plus, even though I've lived in Johto my whole life, there is still so much I've never seen. Walking allows me to enjoy every inch of Johto."
Well. Now there's no use in Dillon being an ass about the situation. Sighing, he responds, "Let's take a break." Despite still having energy to walk, Dillon isn't in the mood to do so. They really aren't in a rush.
"I like that idea!" Amy grins, and she's the first to toss her stuff on the nearby grass clearing. "It's actually kinda hot today too! But I knew if I asked to take a break first, Dillon would get mad."
Glaring at his sister, Dillon retorts, "I don't get mad that easily."
Hearing Jane stifle a giggle causes Amy to laugh out loud and Dillon's brows to furrow more. When Dillon faces the raven haired girl, she innocently smiles at him. "A break is nice. Good call, Dillon." Jane, with her flushed cheeks, rushes over to Amy before Dillon can keep staring at her.
"Remind me not to travel with two girls again, Pika." Teenage girls at that. All these hormones they're going through. Most of the time, Dillon has no idea what Amy and Jane are talking about. Joining his friends in the shade, Dillon welcomes the cool water from his waterbottle.
Now that they're seated, Dillon finally notices the heat. Since they left early in the morning, they were traveling in the cool morning air. It's nearing noon; thus, resulting in the weather getting warmer. "Pi pichu…" Pikachu chas after drinking water from his dish. Most of the Pokemon are in their pokeballs with the exception of Pika, Burn, and Aipom.
"How about we just camp here for the day? I can't walk in this heat." Amy suggests.
"Or at least sit out the heat until the sun goes down a bit." Jane offers.
Both girls expectantly turn their eyes to their unofficial leader. Feeling the stares, Dillon gives them both an annoyed look. "What?"
"Can we take a break until it's not as hot anymore?" Amy repeats.
"Whatever." He's not going to be the ass hole who makes everyone keep trekking. Plus, Dillon feels like he'll collapse from the heat in a few hours. They might as well not make today miserable.
"Yes!" Amy pumps her fists in the air. "I'm gonna go swimming!" She had spotted an enticing pond nearby, and being her mother's daughter, she's eager to get in the water. Amy doesn't remember the last time she swam. From swimming in the gym every day to now walking on land every day, Amy is itching to get back to her natural habitat.
"Pi pikachu!" Pika likes that idea of cool water.
"That'll help us stay warm!" Jane excitedly agrees. She faces the boy who is laying in the grass with his blue cap shielding his eyes. "Are you gonna come swimming too, Dillon?"
"I'ma nap." As much as he also enjoys swimming, he'll wait until the girls change and enter the water. Dillon is a gentleman.
"Cynda." Burn lays beside Dillon. Being a fire type, he doesn't want to be near the water.
"Okay. I'll let your Pokemon out too. I'm sure the Pokemon will like a nice break."
"Thanks."
While laying down, Dillon is suddenly hit with a wave of exhaustion. His lids get heavy, so he shuts his eyes to doze off. Feeling a slight accidental tap by his arm, Dillon tiredly opens an eye to see Burn shyly looking away. Because Dillon isn't friendly, the other Pokemon haven't really gotten a chance to get to know him. They steer clear of him and allow his friends and Pokemon to communicate with him.
Sighing, Dillon recalls how Burn is always snuggled up next to Amy when she sleeps. Is the Pokemon reacting by habit? Does he want an arm draped around him too? Dillon raises an arm slightly and mutters, "Come here, Burn." Burn looks at Dillon's arm and then away, still shy and nervous. "I'm not gonna offer again, dude." Eventually, the fire type scampers under Dillon's arm.
Not too much time passes before Dillon is hit in the back by a water gun attack. Knowing he's the only one with any water Pokemon, he turns over to glare at Quagsire. Burn scoots deeper into Dillon's chest to be protected from any more water attacks. Dillon narrow shis eyes at the laughing girl behind Quagsire. Of course his Pokemon wouldn't attack him without reason. Even Pika is getting a kick out of the attack. That damn rat.
"Leave me alone before I use Burn as a shield." threatens the boy, which causes Burn to look up at Dillon in shock. Dillon then whispers to Burn, "I won't really do it. Just play along."
"Cynda." Nods the relieved Pokemon.
"Stop, sleeping, Dillon! Let's swim!" Amy continues giggling.
"I'd rather sleep."
"Mom would be so disappointed." Amy skips over to sit beside her brother who is attempting to sleep again. "C'mon, Dillon! We're Waterflowers! It's in our blood to swim."
"Later." As much as Dillon is always eager to swim, he's comfortable. Burn is very warm. It further adds to Dillon's fatigue.
Amy rolls her eyes at her brother. "I'll get Quagsire again."
"You should just get your own water Pokemon already." groans Dillon as he remembers Amy using their mother's Politoed.
"I'm gonna evolve Eevee into a Vaporeon when we get to Olivine City! I heard they sell Water stones there." No response. Typical Dillon to just stop responding. Amy is used to it. "Burn, ember on that tree over there!"
Although Burn would prefer sleeping, he is very obedient. Dillon knows this, so Dillon instantly jolts away from Burn before Burn's back can burn Dillon. "What the heck, Amy?" shouts the annoyed boy.
Amy tugs at Dillon's shirt, trying to remove it. "C'mon and swim with me, Dillon! We haven't swam together since summer! I miss it!"
"Amy! Stop!" grumbles the boy, though his shirt is removed.
After digging in Dillon's bag, Amy throws his swimming trunks on him. "Let's race! If you're not in the water in 1 minute, then that means you forfeit and I am the new swimming champion!" Every time they swim together, they're constantly competing. Dillon, of course, being bigger and stronger, usually wins.
"I never agreed to this." Dillon yells at his sister who is running away with his Pokemon in tow. Glaring down at his swim trunks, Dillon meets Burn's shy eyes. "I know it's not your fault, Burn, but you don't have to do everything she says." The boy then walks behind a bush to change, and Burn finds the other fire types to sunbathe with.
Once Dillon finally makes it in the water, he spots Amy a ways away with most of the Pokemon. Closer to the riverbank is Jane splashing around with some Pokemon. She notices the shirtless Dillon, causing her to blush. While it isn't her first time seeing him shirtless, she doesn't see it often. "Hey, Dillon. How was your nap?"
"Amy interrupted it." Dillon grumbles. "Are you having fun?"
Nodding, Jane finds her cheeks getting more hot. Suicune. She just wants to dunk her face in the cool water right now. "I think she just misses you, you know? I mean. I'm an only child, so I don't really get the sibling dynamic or anything." Arg! She's rambling. Get to the point! Thankfully, Dillon is always a silent patient listener. Taking in a deep breath, Jane continues, "And you both have said that you weren't exactly present the past couple of years. I think Amy just wants to make up for lost time. She really loves you." Even with all of her teasing.
Wow. Jane's words are hitting Dillon. Despite knowing that he and Amy love each other unconditionally, he always thought she annoyed him for her own amusement. That it's the reason she'd bother him all the time. His eyes wander back to his younger sister laughing freely with the Pokemon. Amy has always been the overly positive free spirit, like their father. Jane might be right about Amy wanting to just spend time with Dillon. They did lose many crucial years together due to his delinquency, and now they're getting older and traveling. Who knows if they'll still be traveling together next year?
"Thanks, Jane." Dillon gives the now confused girl a smile.
"Uh, you're welcome, Dillon. But for what?" It's too late because Dillon has already started walking away. Nevertheless, this allows Jane the opportunty to splash cold water on her face.
"Um umbre umbreon um." Nala teases, making Jane shoot her a glare.
"I am not blushing!" And this causes Jane's cheeks to flare up more. Dillon needs to put a shirt on already! Well, not really.
In the distance, watchful eyes are on the trio and their Pokemon. Ever since they stopped for a break, the eyes have curiously been glued to the group. As the group engages in more fun activities, the owner of the eyes is eager to partake. However, he is too shy, so he's keeping a sage distance. Now, he's curious about what the boy is going to do in the water.
Over by Amy, the girl raises her head after competing with the Pokemon over who can be underwater the longest. Obviously, Quagsire would win, so he is the referee. The momeny Amy's head is up, she hears a low, but surprisingly energetic, "You're never gonna beat me, Amy."
Amy grins mischeviously at her older brother, the current competition forgotten. "I'm a lot stronger from all this traveling! I'm gonna finally beat you! And then I'm gonna call mom and dad and tell them that I, Amy Kasumi Ketchum, am the current Ketchum Sibling Swimming Champion!"
Sweatdropping at her, Dillon opts to just walk away. "Okay. Where are we doing this?"
Amy's nose is still in the air while her hands are on her hip. She quickly chases after Dillon until they find a clear part of the rivier, a part she had scoped out earlier. "Right here! Swim to the rock, touch it, and then come back!"
Dillon eyes the rock that is about as far away as the end of their Cerulean City pool. This will be a piece of cake. Even though he hasn't swam in months, neither has Amy. Regardless, if she had been swimming every day, he'd still beat her. He's a Waterflower. Swimming and water is in his blood. Dillon casually stretches, "Sounds good."
"Okay!" Amy looks over at Jane. "Jane! Come judge us!"
The still flustered older girl manages to barely hear Amy over Nala's and Bayleef's teasing. "Oh, uh, yeah! On my way!" Ah! Jane is now going to be right next to a shirtless Dillon again!
When everyone gets situated, Jane commands the start of the race. Both Ketchums start out strong, but Dillon is obviously the better swimmer. This is surprising because Amy swam a lot more the past few years while Dillon was being a delinquent. His mother's genes do run strong in him. Dillon arrives at the rock first and makes a quick experienced turn. When Amy reaches the rock shortly behind him, a splash causes her to be startled. Regaining her senses, she swims back towards Jane, which is when Amy notices a Pokemon below her.
It's a Poliwag. Obviously, Amy recognizes all water Pokemon. Poliwag starts swimming around Amy, like it's playing. Despite being in a very competitive race against her brother, Amy loves meeting new Pokemon, especially water Pokemon. She is distracted by the Poliwag, causing Amy to slow her speed. Poliwag can effortlessly keep up and even beat Amy to the finish, but the Pokemon is having fun. Watching these humans from afar, Poliwag finally got the courage to approach them. He had to make sure they were good humans instead of the many bad ones out here.
Dillon reaches Jane first by a long shot. When the boy stands up to make sure he won, he's right beside Jane and the Pokemon. Not spotting Amy, Dillon looks back at their path. There's no way he beat Amy by this much? He expected it to be a somewhat close race. Unless… did Amy beat him? Oh no. Wait. She'd be celebrating loudly if she did. Thus...she must still be out there. "Where's Amy?"
"I haven't see her since she touched the rock." Jane answers.
Furrowing his brows, Dillon dives back into the water. Although he's tired from the race, his heart is pumping fast on adrenaline. Amy needs to be okay. She didn't pull a cramp in the water...did she? Fortunately, he doesn't need to swim too much because he instantly spots her with a Poliwag. Leave it to Amy to befriend as many Pokemon as possible.
Going back to Jane, Dillon mutters, "She got distracted." Typical Amy things.
Jane nods, glad Amy is okay. "Congrats on winning, Dillon."
He gives her a small smile. "Thanks, Jane."
Amy then finally reaches them. "I made a friend, guys! This is Poliwag!" She holds up the grinning Pokemon.
"Hi, Poliwag! You're so cute!" Jane shakes one of Poliwag's flippers.
"You lost." Dillon gruffly states.
Amy rolls her eyes. "There are more important things than winning."
"I wonder who taught you that?" Dillon recalls Amy's first gym loss.
She sticks her tongue out at him. "Mom and dad."
"And your smart, charming, older brother."
"Ew."
Jane's giggling interrupts the bickering siblings, which also causes Poliwag to wiggle out of Amy's grasp and into the water. "Seems like Poliwag wants to keep on swimming too." Notes Jane.
"Yeah! Let's go!" Amy waves at the other Pokemon to join them, leading everyone away from the older teens.
Sweatdropping, Dillon mumbles, "I don't know how we're related."
Jane stiffles more giggles. "I've only met your dad a few times. I think she gets it from him."
"I know." Chuckles Dillon, even though he's thinking about how Ash never raised them. How can Amy be like someone who didn't raise her? Dillon rids himself of the old negative thoughts. "Wanna race?"
"I'm obviously not going to beat the children of a water type gym." Jane politely declines.
Sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, Dillon understands. "Uh. We can just swim around?"
"Sure. I'd like that." Jane glances back over at Amy and all the Pokemon. "Do you think Poliwag will wanna stick around with Amy?"
Dillon shrugs. "I wouldn't be surprised." Or Poliwag may just want to play. The tadpole doesn't seem like a battler.
Amy and the Pokemon are enjoying playing with Poliwag. They've formed a quick connection with the friendly Pokemon. Poliwag reminds Amy a lot of her mother's Politoad. While everyone is enjoying the much needed break in the river, they don't notice the time passing by. Dillon had wanted a short break, though he isn't complaining anymore. It's been a while since he and his friends were able to freely enjoy themselves like this.
A huge flash erupts into the sky, causing everyone's attention to be on where it disappeared. Amy quickly swims over to her brother and friend as the Pokemon follow. "What was that?" The sky is clear. It couldn't be a thunderstorm.
"Seems like a thunder attack." Jane answers. By the sound of it, it's a huge battle going on, and that was a powerful thunder attack.
Dillon looks at Pika who nods. That was not a normal Pokemon attack. "Get out of the water." If the electricity is headed here, they should not be in the water.
"Why?" Amy asks.
"Water conducts electricity." Dillon and his Pokemon are already walking out.
"Right." Amy and everyone else follows.
As they're drying off, there is another loud boom, though it seems to be closer than before. "What is that?" Jane worriedly mutters.
"Whatever it is, it's getting closer." Dillon slips on a shirt. He and his Pokemon are prepared for whatever may run their way.
"Return!" Amy returns all of her Pokemon except for Burn. Poliwag curiously watches the distance from behind Amy's leg.
"Should we just go?" Jane suggests. Based on the loud fighting, she isn't sure she wants to stick around for what could be this powerful.
"Yeah." Dillon now returns his Pokemon too. He's not one to butt into anyone's business. And if it's just a powerful Pokemon rampaging, he doesn't want to be around to try and battle it. "Let's pack up, guys."
"We can't leave someone in need!" Amy exclaims. Just like her father, she is so quick to help.
"Our Pokemon aren't strong enough, Amy." Growls Dillon. "Pack your stuff, and let's go!"
"I'm not leaving! What is they're in trouble"!
"Amy!"
Before Amy can continue arguing with her brother, a loud screech overhead makes them all look up again. "Pika pikachu!" Pika is the first to break the silence.
"Can a Fearow learn electric attacks?" Jane is very confused.
"No, but his trainer can." Dillon swings his bag over his shoulder. He can recognize that Fearow anywhere. He is the one who caught it.
When Dillon runs off in the direction of the battle, Jane asks, "His trainer can learn electric attacks?"
"We need to help, Jane!" Amy grabs her bag and takes off after her brother. Poliwag is in tow.
Exchanging a confused look with Aipom, Jane follows her friends. A trainer can learn electric attacks? How is that possible? Did she hear Dillon correctly? And why did Dillon run towards the battle when he was so adamant about getting away from it? Shaking the thoughts from her head, Jane hopes to not lose her very fast friends in the brush.
They were in Blackthorn City for too long. I know I wanted to focus on Amy's development in this series, but My Word is about Dillon. Anyway, we're on our way lol.