Dawson is a character based in Cornova's Pokewars alternate universe.
April 18th
It was morning in the Pokemon center and Dawson was waiting in the lobby of the building for his two charges to wake up and finish getting ready. Two extra backpacks lay next to his own, packed during the morning, and both contained much of what he bought yesterday. As he leaned against the wall of the center his hand held the white and red Pokeball he used last night. He had been staring at it for the last half hour trying to wrap his mind around the idea of even having a second Pokemon. Finally moving the teenager reached into his pocket for his Pokedex.
He had heard the data entry for Shinx last night but this time he wanted to find out more about the one he caught. He found out last night his Shinx was a she when Joy pointed out to him the various differences between the Pokemon. Shortly after she then gave him a basic rundown on the Pokedex uses while chiding for not paying attention when Rowan explained it.
"Charge, Bite, Spark, and... Scary Face, who comes up with the names of these attacks?" He said, "On one hand they're surprisingly descriptive, on the other you have names that really don't tell you anything..."
He had spent most of his morning packing for Samantha and Simon. The two were fast asleep when he got back to the room last night and when dawn arrived it looked as if neither of them were going to wake up anytime soon. Normally the Pokemon center offered meals to trainers that passed on through but it was currently only housing Dawson and his companions so Joy was waiting until the children awoke before starting anything.
He was grateful for the lack of any other trainers at the center as he didn't want to be pestered with requests to battle. As annoyed as he was with himself admitting it, he found himself enjoying last nights fight. The battle, capture, and pride all gave him a warm fuzzy feeling he often associated with winning. Seeing Simon and Samantha heading towards the lobby he pushed the idea of enjoying battle to the back of his mind with the excuse that it was just his ego being stroked and not actual enjoyment.
"It's about time you guys woke up." Dawson said, "Another hour or two and we'd be having lunch instead of breakfast."
His opinion of the kids had gone up slightly as they were no longer wearing the 'Sunday best' clothes and had shifted into much more normal attire. Simon was dress like any young boy would with jeans and a T-shirt while Samantha wore a Skirt instead of jeans. Simon yawned at Dawson's comment while Samantha simply gave him a dirty look.
"People who can actually capture a Pokemon are allow to sleep in every now and then. Besides you're not our mother you can't tell us when to get up." She snapped in response.
Dawson checked his watch, "And at eight forty five we get our first uppity comment from the pint sized peanut gallery. What a wonderful way to start the day." He replied, "You two get breakfast from Joy then let's get going. If we waste more time here then it'll likely be another day you have to put up with me. Also, these are your new backpacks. Get used to them."
Samantha scoffed at the packs, "I don't want to use those." She said.
"What you want isn't something I'm caring about right now. These have the supplies I bought for you and you're going to use them." Dawson said
"Make me." She replied.
Dawson felt the first pains of an oncoming headache, "Fine, don't use it. Next time we're outside however, enjoy sleeping with only a few blankets and sheets because I'm sure as hell not going to plan our trip to with every night spent at a Pokemon center."
"You don't plan our trip." Samantha said, "Your just following along with us."
Dawson pulled out a map and spread it out on the floor in front of them, "Tell me where we are right now and the easiest way to get to Jubilife." He said indicating to the map, "Come on... its not that obnoxious of a request."
Both kids looked down nervously at the map. Simon went first and pointed to an area in the general part of Sinnoh he knew he was in. Samantha did the same, she at least knew where lake Verity was, and they both looked up at the trainer. Dawson had to close his eyes rub his temples at where the pointed.
"Congratulations Samantha you are currently in Twinleaf town," He said, "Don't smirk yet Simon, your finger is currently hovering over my house in Oreburgh. Now for the next part, show me how to get to Jubilife from where your fingers are."
Samantha went first this time. She was confident in her knowledge of the area, now that she had her bearing's on the map, that her hand quickly slid along the map to what she assumed was the symbol for Jubilife city. Simon took a little longer seeing if following the lines already on the map worked any better.
"Well Simon wins this round on a technicality as he got to Jubilife. Although going around a series of mountains instead of through is ill advised." He said, "Samantha... you're in Canalave city, Jubilife is landlocked. No oceans around it."
Dawson couldn't help but feel a bit of smug satisfaction at how Samantha's face burned red from embarrassment. "Let's look at the facts. First off is your inability to read a map, secondly is that you're completely unprepared for the idea of camping out, third is the utter lack of useful skills needed to do travel like this."
"What do mean?" Simon asked.
"Can either of you cook or clean?" Dawson replied, "Do you know how to pack for trips, What supplies to bring, What to do when your lost? Listen I know you guys may think you don't need me or that you don't like me being here but the fact is, your parents sent me along with you in the hopes that some of my experience might rub off on you. Frankly I'm not so hopeful."
Dawson would have continued in not for the sound of rumbling coming from Simon, "Umm can we get something to eat?" He asked.
Dawson sighed and rubbed his temples. "Yes, I think Joy was talking about making breakfast so check in with her."
Dawson watched as the two turned and headed off to get breakfast. Dealing with the kids was wearing thin his patience and having them fight every thing he said was going to make this trip impossible. He couldn't even tell if Samantha or Simon were willing to use their new backpacks much less take the route he had planned.
Half an hour later he found out his answer as they said their goodbyes to Nurse Joy and headed off into the woods. Both kids had accepted their new backpacks begrudgingly, although Dawson suspected it was more due to nurse Joy then what he said, and they had agreed on Dawson's planned route to Jubilife city. The path they were currently on was mostly just a dirt road thought the woods that would eventually link back up with Route 202.
For now the group was making their way though the forest at a brisk pace. Dawson was once again in the lead with the children following behind him a little ways. Both of them were still trying to get used to the extra weight from the backpacks and Dawson suspected that in an hour or two the requests for breaks would start coming from them.
Sure enough after three hours of walking, without a single Pokemon to slow them down, Simon and Samantha started making their fatigue known, "Dawson we need a break." Simon said.
"Yeah, we can't keep carrying these packs..." Samantha whined.
"Please Dawson..." Simon said.
Rolling his eyes the trainer sighed, "Fine..." He replied, "There should be a field up ahead. We can take a breather there and I'll make lunch."
The field ahead was, as many are, large and open with the path the group was taking going though the center of it. At the edge they arrived at Dawson took off his pack and set it down next to a nearby tree while both Samantha and Simon collapsed on whatever part of the ground looked softest. Dawson shook his head at the lack of stamina both kids displayed and began to pull out the necessary equipment for a lunch.
Several minutes later Dawson had a small teakettle beginning to whistle over a gas burner while the two kids were occupying themselves. Simon had borrowed Dawson's map and was currently looking over it, occasionally asking a question as he tried to decipher the symbols and figure out how to read it. His Pokemon had been released and were miming the young boy's actions. Samantha had released her Chimchar and Burmy and was having them use their attacks in various ways to see what worked.
"Dawson why is this map so weird?" Simon asked, "I've seen maps before in the Pokemon center and they don't look like this."
Dawson looked up from where he was pulling out small plastic cups, "Thats simple, the maps in the Pokemon center are mostly road maps. They're the most commonly used because trainers stick to roads from one city to the next. What your looking at there is whats called a topographic map."
"Topographic?" Simon asked watching the teen put in packs of noodles into each cup.
"A road map is more concerned with getting routes and streets marked down," Dawson replied, "Topographic is used to show what the land is like, mountains, rivers, and buildings."
"How?" He said
Dawson reached over and grabbed the tea kettle, "Well obviously the symbols on it," He said pouring the water into each cup, "The lines are hills the closer they are to each other the steeper the hill. The dots are locations which you can find though the key at the bottom of the map."
"Jeeze how do you know all this stuff?" Simon asked.
"In my spare time I go out hiking with my dad." Dawson said checking his watch, "This is basic stuff you should know if you two want to continue to go off the beaten path."
Simon was about the respond when he looked at the cups and then to the teenager, "I didn't think we'd be eating ramen noodles when we're out here." He said disparagingly.
"It's dry, light, and easy to cook." Dawson said, "And it cooks fast. SAMANTHA FOODS UP!"
The Pokemon coordinator let her companions finish their current attacks and then the three of them headed back over to where the boys were. Simon had already started eating his cup and Dawson handed Samantha her cup as she got over to them. She was about to eat when she looked about for a second.
"Dawson why haven't you let your Pokemon out?" She asked.
He thought about making a sarcastic remark about why but chose not to since Samantha had actually asked without giving him any flack. Reaching to his waist he grabbed both Pokeballs and let both Shinx and Turtwig out at the same time. The Pokemon flashed into existence before them. Shinx let out a yawn and stretched its forelegs and started sniffing about. Turtwig simply trotted over to a sunny patch of grass and started to snooze.
"Wait... When did you catch a Shinx!" Simon said looking at Dawson.
"Last night." Dawson replied nonchalantly.
"What I don't remember that." The boy said.
"You two were sleeping at the time." Dawson said finishing up his meal.
The teen's Shinx, having finished stretching, walked over to the three trainers and began sniffing around. Samantha reached over and pet the Pokemon softly eliciting a soft purr. Taking that as a sign of approval she lifted up the lightning Pokemon and held it in her lap while she petted her.
"Why a Shinx?" She asked.
"Because it looked adorable." Dawson replied.
"Adorable?" Simon repeated.
"Do I question your choices in Pokemon?" Dawson asked, "I do not so hurry up and finish your lunch so we can get going."
Thankfully for Dawson both children refrained from asking anymore questions for the rest of the meal. After the meal he handed out cleanup tasks to Simon and Samantha, despite their complaints, while informing them of basic wilderness etiquette. He overruled their whining after informing them of the fact that he was carrying the majority of the food and garbage and the least they could do was help clean up.
Once finished Dawson and the kids headed out once again with their Pokemon returned to their balls. All except Shinx who found a comfortable spot on the top of Dawson's backpack and napped the rest of the trip. He didn't mind the extra weight, it wasn't the heaviest load he had to work with by far, and even with his Pokemon managed to once again outpaced the two kids.
He was glad for the good weather lately. If it had been much colder, raining, or even worse snowing then likely this trek would have near impossible. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his Pokedex and began to scan though some of the Pokemon attacks in the pocket encyclopedia. He was sure he remembered seeing something about an attack that cleared weather during his morning examination of the device.
Several hours later Simon and Samantha were once again exhausted, "Seriously how do you manage to keep going?" The boy asked as he struggled to keep up.
"Yeah... I'm beat..." Samantha said, "Are we at a Pokemon center yet?"
"We're not staying at a Pokemon center tonight." Dawson replied.
"WHAT!" Both kids said in shock.
"I said we're not staying at a center tonight," The teen said again, "We're camping out tonight so I can make sure you two know the basics of sleeping outdoors."
"But there are no showers out here." Simon said.
"Or beds." Samantha added
"Or heating." Simon said.
"Or mute buttons." Dawson lamented, "listen you two, I explained this already. Your parents had me tag along with you two on your little adventure to show you the ropes of hiking and camping. So far I'm amazed at how stereotypical you two are acting. It's honestly sounding like you kids never even went on a long walk much less a hike."
"That's not true!" Samantha replied, "We went on walks though Amity Square all the time."
"I guess that counts." Dawson said rolling his eyes, "We have a ways to keep going though so suck it up for now."
As much as he wanted to continue their trek Dawson was finally forced to admit, two hours later, that they weren't going to get any farther. The sun approaching the horizon and the sky turning shades of yellow Dawson located a decent area to camp and came to a stop. Both Simon and Samantha behind him took this as a sign that it was time for a break and once again collapsed onto the ground.
Turning he gave them an exasperated look and sighed, "You know this drama you kids constantly keep giving me every time we stop is getting a bit old." He said. "As hard as I'm pushing you, you two are nowhere near weak enough that you have to collapse on the ground every time we stop."
"Says you." Simon replied.
"You know if we were doing that whole 'run to the Pokemon center' every day... then yes you would get to flop on the ground like a sack of potatoes." Dawson said, "But no we're walking, over fairly flat ground too, if your telling me walking for most of the day wipes you out to this extent then really you two have no right going on a Pokemon Journey."
"Hey!" Both kids shouted.
Dawson gave them a patronizing look, "Seriously?" He asked, "You guys have been out here two days already. You didn't have proper supplies, you had no food, you apparently can't walk long distances, and what's more you don't even know how to travel. Did you think you'd be able to drive to each gym? Or each gym was within a days walk of each other?"
"Well... no" Samantha replied sheepishly.
"At least you realized that..." Dawson said sarcastically, "Anyways both of you two need to pay attention to this since I'm going to explain it once."
With that he brought out the single person camping tent. He explained and showed them how to set it up before pointing out their own tents and making them try to set up theirs. Both of them failed their first attempts at setting up as Dawson expected but he helped them though once they got stuck. From there he explained about their sleeping bags and mats. By this point the sun was beginning to set and Dawson went about getting a small fire going.
While showing them how to set up was easy getting them to do basic chores around the camp was another matter entirely. Both Simon and Samantha wanted to train with their Pokemon and despite every ounce of logic used they steadfastly refused to anything else until they could train for a bit. So as dusk fell upon the campsite Dawson was left making dinner for the three of them and watching the two kids train their Pokemon.
Simon was the more focused of the two siblings. He trained their physical strength and stamina by making them run though impromptu obstacle courses. Followed by refining the attacks of his Pokemon. Working to narrow Piplup's bubble attack into a much more controlled stream. Combee had a much simpler task, make it's gust as strong as possible. All of this to the sound of Simon shouting encouragement and praise.
Samantha, on the other side of the camp, trained her Pokemon differently. She focused more on 'what' her companions could do rather then how much force or accuracy they could do. Sitting close enough to the fire for the light to reach her she would take notes anytime they managed to make their attacks unique or interesting. This also meant she didn't yell at all letting her praise carry more weight when she gave it.
In about an hour the night sky grew too dark and the siblings were forced to recall their Pokemon, unable to train further. Gathering around the campfire Dawson began dishing out the food. Both looked at their food, then to each other, then back to the food. The brown lumpy mass of rice and various gravy covered things unnerved them somewhat.
"Umm... Dawson." Samantha began tentatively, "What is this?"
"Beef, rice, and gravy all dried or freeze dried." He replied beginning to eat.
Samantha watched as the teen began to eat followed by her brother who ate a cautious spoonful before deciding he liked it. She would have been more reluctant, and even might have refused, if her own stomach hadn't let out a grumble loud enough for the others to hear even though they didn't react to it. With her stomach vetoing her reluctance she took a spoonful and tried the mix. It wasn't anything she would call home about but she was hungry enough that the feeling of eating something added it's own flavoring.
"Hey Dawson." Simon said between spoonfuls, "If you don't want to be a trainer then what are you going to do when you get back to Oreburgh?"
"What I'm going to 'go back' to doing in Oreburgh." Dawson corrected, "I worked as a miner apprentice for almost a year there. I was about to become a full on miner like the rest but then I got caught up in this."
"You think digging holes in the ground is better then going off on an adventure with Pokemon?" Simon asked.
"Hey I'm a simple guy." Dawson said. "The other miners are nice and fun to work with. The town, despite being a bit crazy about coal and coal related products, is simple and quiet. I never needed to go on any amazing journey because I like where I was. I don't need to be a trainer."
"But how do you know you wouldn't like it?" Samantha asked.
Dawson pointed his spoon at her. "Well considering the amount of complaining I've been doing lately I'd like to think I made my opinion of this whole deal pretty clear." He replied.
"But you haven't actually done any training" She said, "You've had at most two battles and you made up your mind before you started traveling with us."
"And?" Dawson asked.
"And you've never even given it a chance..." Samantha said.
"Yeah you started this trip hating training." Simon added.
"And?" Dawson asked again.
"And... give it a chance." Samantha said, "Fine let's make a deal. You, along with me and Simon, take part in battles and try to capture Pokemon with us until Oreburgh city. When you get there you decide then if you hate training. If you do that me and Simon won't make trouble for you for the rest of the trip."
"But without you making trouble how will I ever get any opportunities to make fun of you two." Dawson replied sarcastically, "Besides considering that you two couldn't find your way around a tree without getting lost I don't think 'you not making trouble' is anywhere near as worthwhile as you make it out to be."
Samantha glared at the trainer for several moments as he continued to eat and pay her no attention. She knew he was right in that they needed to put up with him to get to Oreburgh city. He was also right about making fun of them as he seemed to enjoy the back and forth from her attitude. Several moments passed before she realized something that might work.
"So your saying you can't do it?" She asked.
Dawson paused, the current spoonful of food hovering near his mouth, "I'm saying I don't need to bother." He replied as he continued to eat.
"I don't think you can do it," Samantha said, "Why else would you avoid it by saying you don't need to?"
"Trainers who don't show up to matches forfeit." Simon said catching on.
"So I forfeit a challenge I don't care about... oh no." Dawson said flatly.
"He can't do it Simon." Samantha said to her brother.
"Yeah, he seemed cool too." Simon replied downcast.
"You two are cute." Dawson said sarcastically, "Keep thinking that I can't if you want."
"Are you saying you can?" Samantha asked.
"I'm saying it doesn't matter to me." Dawson replied.
"If it doesn't matter then why say you don't want to?" Samantha said.
"Yeah, if it doesn't matter then you shouldn't be trying so hard not to." Simon added.
"Who's trying hard not to?" Dawson asked growing increasingly frustrated.
"You are." Samantha said.
"No I'm not." Dawson replied.
"Yes... you are." She said.
"No... I'm not." Dawson said.
"Sure doesn't look like you're not trying hard to get out of the deal." Samantha said with a smug smile.
"You know what... FINE." Dawson said, "I'll take you up on your deal and prove to you that I dislike training even after trying it."
"I'm sure-" Samantha started.
"BUT," Dawson said interrupting her, "Only until Jubilife city.
Samantha paused and considered the caveat for a moment, "Deal." She said.
"Now finish your supper and get to bed before I end up in another childish argument with you two." Dawson said going back to his meal.