Pokémon: Tears of the Fallen

Chapter 39: CΔn I Tell You Δ Story?

[Hey, I'm back! Sorry that it took so long to get this chapter out, everyone! This marks the first chapter that I did without relying on screencaps of the anime characters. This opens me up to have scenes from people whom I wouldn't have many pictures of normally, which makes a difference as you should see here! I'm back to updating this story more often, so be on the lookout for more soon! Thanks for the support! Now, let's get to it! - Nocturnal Jay]

Later in the morning. Friday, August 31st. 9:06am. We're at Lillie's house in the living room where Alain, Dawn, Lana, and Lillie are gathered. Lusamine, Mallow, and Kiawe are in the kitchen helping Lusamine get breakfast ready. Ash still hasn't come from his room yet.

Alain: *out of earshot of the others* "Girl."

Dawn: "Yeah?"

Alain: "I thought I'd switch it up a bit. Time for Alain's Astounding Inspirations. These will be inspirational messages meant to lift up our spirits as we get ready for Monday's battle for Ganseki."

Dawn: *happily* "Oh, okay! Fire away!"

Alain: "If we mess up on Monday, it'll be your fault."

Dawn: *sadly* "Aww."

Alain: *calls over* "Hey, Mermaid."

Lana: "Yeah?"

Alain: "Wanna hear one of Alain's Astounding Inspirations, my magnificent mermaid queen?"

Lana: "Oh, sure, that sou--"

Dawn: "Trust me, I don't think you wanna."

Alain: "How dare you."

Ash, with Pikachu, comes from his room and enters the living room, walking briskly.

Lillie: "Oh, it's Ash."

Alain: *sees him head towards the door* "Dude, where are you going?"

Ash: "Gonna leave the property and go train."

Alain: "We haven't even had breakfast yet! Blondie 2.0 has been preparing it for us."

Ash: "I'll eat later."

Alain: "At least wait so I can set the training up."

Ash: "Alain, I can train just fine on my own."

Dawn: "Umm, hi, Ash."

Ash says nothing and leaves, slamming the door behind him.

Dawn: *whimpers with a sad expression*

Lana: "Gosh, I wish he'd at least eat with us."

Kiawe: *peeks out from the kitchen* "What was that slam?"

Alain: "Your little roommate. Gonna go train without us."

Kiawe: "Yeah, he hasn't exactly been a joy to be around. At least he's getting stronger."

Lillie: "Meeting my brother has really fired him up. But, it feels like we're losing him."

Alain: "Blondie, why aren't you helping your mom cook?"

Lillie: "Well, I-- umm... I'm not exactly the... the best at, umm..."

Kiawe: *teasing smile* "What she's trying to say is that she sucks at cooking."

Lillie: "Hey!"

Kiawe: "Teehee!" *returns to the kitchen*

Dawn: "Uhh, Lillie?"

Lillie: "Yeah, Dawn?"

Dawn: "Could you, umm-- tell me a little more about how close you and your brother used to be when you were younger? I mean, if you don't mind."