As much as she wanted to stay in bed Dawn had to get up for school. Prison break or not normal life began to resume itself in Veilstone City thanks to the efforts of her friends. The rumors and stories she heard from every person she walked by it was an easy guess what topics it were about.
Although Ash, Riley and May are getting well known for their exploits it still was weird for her to hear how much people are really talking about them. Dawn had trouble hiding a large grin. Hearing people talk about the fights and the records of them showing up on video and in public she was arguably more famous then her mom had ever been as a model.
"At least we're getting a reputation that we are here to help." Umbreon telling her as it is. Still it was good if Dawn would start brushing up their reputation cause the most well known thing they have is stealing some scroll. Still with all the crooks still on the run it would only be a matter of time before someone caught her on tape too. And with Roserade, Leafeon and Cacturne coming from somewhere her to do list just got expanded when it comes of carrying the Umbreon earring.
"Hey Deedee!" Lost in thought Dawn heard a well known voice call snapping her out of it. Seeing her childhood friend Leona she stopped walking for a few seconds and waited for her to catchup. Holding a rolled up newspaper in her hand from the morning delivery of the paper boy it was a familiar topic on the front page.
"You heard about the prison break?!" Leona went up into Dawn's face shoving the paper into it. Blurry pictures from security footage showed the wolf, frog and ice warrior, with the first ten few pages filled with the events of that night with eye witnesses trying to make a timeline.
"Who hasn't? It's all people can talk about." In her debut weekend Dawn was stood up. Her stunt in the hotel was also reported on but with there being actual sightings and not just a glimpse like the large man had with her her little heist got pushed to the background.
"There are video's all over the web of them fighting. Did you see them?" Some of the security footage leaked out showing flashes of the three heroes. Also Ash's battles with the shaolin and Roserade were documented.
"Hey girls." At that point May came walking in between the two of them. Dawn and Leona made space for her and noticed she slouched a bit forwards with bags under her eyes.
"You look awful." Leona said. May had her excuse ready.
"Long weekend with no rest if you have to worry about your dad going to work during a prison break."
"I get it." Dawn not going further into the real reason. If she's like that than Ash probably was the same today.
The three friends all walked next to each other spouting their opinions on the events. Leona was the most excited of them all with Dawn and May a bit more subdued. The hot spring heir wanted to know something about one of the parents of May.
"How does your dad think about them? Isn't he mad they are taking his job?" May made a tiny laugh in her fist.
"The law doesn't state vigilantes can't help the police as long as they are within a certain limit. He's happy they at least help his job be a lot easier and less dangerous." May knew a thing or two about the book her dad had pledged an oath to uphold the law.
"Then that rose guy is not ok?"
"Dad said to stay away from him. The others he's still on the fence about but he severely injured a lot of escapees when it wasn't necessary."
"I just hope we get to him before the police does."
Ash had gotten up early as he needed to get the code for his new locker from the principal Samuel Oak.
After Bisharp tore it off with his wrist blades he had to get a new one installed. Putting the old stuff like pens and books in them he wore most of his new costume underneath his clothes. The Greninja outfit being covered up by his normal clothes all he had to do was put on the gloves, mask and scarf only this time he kept it in his bag at all times with him instead of putting it in his locker.
"Ash?" Hearing his name he peeked around the edge of his locker.
"Hey Brock. Kenny." The two boys decided to check on Ash. They haven't heard anything from him since he and May were on the run from Bisharp.
"It's been a while since we saw you. How are you doing?" Kenny wondered. The raven haired boy seemed to have a knack for getting himself into life risking situations and get out of it by the skin of his teeth.
"I still have my head for starters." Rubbing his hand around his neck it was still attached. And planning to sharpen hos blade work after Roserade gave him so much trouble.
"You guys heard about the prison break?"
"Who hasn't?" Brock said. The boys training with each other on a court in the city and driveways to practice lay ups they already went over it yesterday when they were at Gary's house. The one looking at a doctors education by getting a college with basketball Brock had to congratulate Ash on his own bravery.
"Still you're a bit of a hero yourself. The way you risked your life for May deserves praise. I heard principal Oak wants to give you a place of honor much to Gary's dismay."
"I would've done the same for the rest of you guys."
"Even for Gary?"
"Maybe a bit off the top for him." He joked making the other two laugh. Ash had to set things straight though.
"I got to go. Tell the principal I don't want a ceremony and the attention. May and her family already thanked me enough and I just want things to continue as they were before."
"Before you go you want to go to the arcade after school?" Brock asked Ash to come with him. As support a little fun and games can be a nice distraction
"Depends on the homework."
Also his aura was a bit scrambled from fighting Mienshao. Before he left the house he tried to make his aura constructs but they came out slower than he was used too. Ash set away some time for meditation and return to his full self tonight. Still a bit of fun with the guys in the arcade might be a welcome distraction before diving into the source of his power.
"I'll see later. There's something I gotta do first when school is out." Kenny himself had something more important to do than basketball training and playing games. He's been preparing the longest time for it and now at least he got the courage to do so. If Ash can stay so calm with a killer at school rushing to May's defense than he could do something a bit more simple than that.
"Is there practice?"
"No. He's just been practicing a lot for it." Brock smiling being the most supportive of guys he let it at that. Ash did not dig deeper into Kenny's affairs. Kenny's activities after school were his own and Ash didn't like others to ask him deeply personal questions as well.
"Well, whatever it is good luck Kenny."
"Thanks."
Ash then walked to the principals office. Passing by a lot of people who cheered and gave him a pat on the back he didn't let the attention get to his head. Getting to the office he saw the name tag on it. Knocking on the door he opened it and asked if he could come in.
Ash having been granted permission got in and saw his principal. Samuel Oak grandfather of Gary Oak was getting a bit on in years but still eager to build the future of these youngsters. In front of his desk was a girl with short red hair he already knew.
"Hello Ash. How are you doing?" Oak saw the boy carried himself well.
"I'm fine principal. I can do without the attention." His little adventure through the hall the older man smiled.
"Nonsense. You deserve it for helping May. If it wasn't for you she probably wouldn't be with us anymore."
"So you're the talk of the place huh?" Zoey put on her acting performance to fool the old man. Always finding it a little funny she can claim to be able to beat anyone but people treating her ordinary. Same goes for the guardian next to her.
"Ash. We have a new student who's going to finish the year with us. Make her feel welcome here for the time she is here."
"Not a problem principal."
"My name is Zoey. Nice to meet you." With her back turned to the principal she winked to Ash. Already having done their introductions he still welcomed her to Veilstone City.
"Hi Zoey. Welcome to our school. What place do you want to see first?"
Ash and Zoey went to the cafeteria to get lunch. Ash was excused from classes to guide around the redhead and they both were started to get hungry. Having gotten their food they went to look for a place to sit. Dawn, May and Leona waved for them to come over as Ash went to the guys table.
"I'm Dawn."
"I'm May." The two did their act fooling the third girl at the table.
"And I'm Leona."
"Nice to meet you all." Zoey said as she took a seat at the table.
"See you later Zoey." Ash went away to leave girls among girls.
"How do you like our school so far?" Dawn asked.
"I haven't seen much yet. But I think I'll manage."
"I can't believe you're actually going to finish the year here. With everything that had been happening I thought this is the last place on Earth anybody would want to move." Leona said as the sudden growth of superheroes and villains would probably scare away people.
"Really? I better watch out where I'm going then. I still have to do a few things as I just moved in. I want to learn the neighborhood so I don't get lost."
May and Dawn agreed to take Zoey out on a run to get her more accustomed to her new place. Dawn would also get some more info from May about the dealings of Veilstone City thinking she's finally ready to do what Umbreon wants. After school ends she'd run home and dress up so she can go.
"Attention all students!"
The intercom of the school sounded with the voice of the principal.
"Due to the multiple events out of control in Veilstone City a curfew has been announced by the city mayor which will take place from tomorrow. Everyone not a part of a crucial job like rescue forces have to be home at 21:00 hours till further notice. In response to this the school has closed every club and after school activity to ensure all students are home before the curfew goes in."
"At least it gives us less civilians to worry about." Ash seeing the bright side at least the crowd would be few and far between. Veilstone City from 21:00 pm is going to be a giant sandbox for him and his allies to do their duty. Him taking the day off to get his aura in check May, Zoey and Dawn should be enough to keep the town safe while he is recovering. And with Riley on stand by deciphering the scroll Dawn stole could always jump in as Lucario.
Ash hearing the announcement at the guys table with Brock, Kenny and Gary the aura guardian looked over to the rest who were extremely disappointed, sad and even panicking.
"That curfew means no prom!" Brock began to grow paler. The prom was still a bit away but it would be a short time if you had to be home by nine.
"All the babes we're missing out on! Gramps can't do this!" Gary not having a date yet was sure with his looks he could hook any girl.
"That's your biggest concern?" Ash thinking how on earth Gary can be related to the kind principal. Probably adopted. Ash found them overreacting on such minor things. He wanted to take Dawn to the festivity as a thank you for what she did but it wouldn't be the end of the world. Then again unlike the rest of the guys, he had more important things to worry about.
"Oh man! This sucks." Kenny hearing the news it threw a spanner into his plans. He wanted to ask a girl he liked for the longest time to be his date. Now it be more a matter of if the party actually goes on. Still like in basketball, if you don't shoot you'll always miss. He had to shoot his shot sooner or later and it was almost time too do so.
"Come on guys. It goes in tomorrow. We can at least go to the arcade later."
Ash seeing the bright side in it tried to get Brock and Kenny's spirit up. Maybe he could do some test of strength machines and his use his aura to rig a few games so he got more tickets than he needs. Whatever it is he would try and make the trip a bit memorable as possible before almost the whole city is on lockdown.
Oh no. A curfew has been installed until Ash and the gang calm things down a bit
*Laughs in quarantine*
See you around.