How to Train Your Pokémon

Problems Piling Up

How to Train Your Pokémon

A/N: Okay, this chapter was kind of hard to write because like I've said a long time ago, I'm trying to make Dawn and Mari's relationship less estranged and more loving.

Now, let's get started with Chapter 16. Roll it!

Chapter 16

Problems Piling Up

Soon, the Ketchum kids dropped Elysia off back at the cave and quickly headed back home using their newfound wings. Once they landed on the back porch of the house, they made their wings vanish and head inside.

But once they got upstairs, they immediately froze on the steps when they saw that their mother was waiting for them with her arms crossed at the top.

"Mom!" They exclaimed, praying to all the Legendaries that their mother didn't see them flying home through one of the windows facing the back of the house.

"Boys, I need to talk with your sister for a moment." Dawn said. "Alone."

Luke and Evan shared a quick worried glance with Mari before squeezing past Dawn and into the room that they shared. But, they left the door slightly open to peek on what might happen between their mother and sister.

Mari slowly made her way to her mother. "Yes, Mom?" She asked, wondering what she did wrong this time.

Dawn led her daughter over to the hallway away from the stairs. Then, she placed her hands on Mari's shoulders.

"Marianne Gloria Ketchum," she began, making Mari flinch visibly. Rarely would her mother use her full name. If she did, then either something really good or something really bad happened. As of late, it was usually something bad. "I am so proud of you."

Mari looked back up at her mother with surprise in her eyes. The twins also looked at each other with shock. Did she just say what they thought she said?

"Y-You are?" Mari asked, stammering slightly.

"Of course I am, sweetheart." Dawn said. "Gary told me about your success in training."

Mari felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. In their room, the twins breathed out sighs of relief. "I knew you had skill, but it seems you have been sharpening them." Dawn continued.

Mari rubbed her arm with embarrassment. "Well, I had a little help." She said. "From the twins." She quickly added before her mother would ask.

"And now, you and Aiden will be competing tomorrow for who will capture their first Pokémon." Dawn said.

Mari looked down at the floor, fiddling with the small Gracidea pendant that was resting on her collar. She forgot that she had made it to the final round of training. It was now just between her and Aiden to see who who will given the "honor" to capture Lucario, the only Pokémon the recruits haven't faced in the Arena.

Dawn noticed the Gracidea pendant around her daughter's neck. She remembered that Mari had never taken it off, and yet it was still as beautiful as when her husband had given it to her as a young toddler, just barely learning to walk.

A smile came up on her face. "I remember when your father gave that necklace to you." She said. "It was your first birthday." Mari looked up at her, still touching the smooth Gracidea pendant. "It was just after your birthday party. Your dad and I wanted something small, but since you are our first child and the heir to the leadership of this faction, the whole town threw a big bash to celebrate." Mari smiled with embarrassment. "After the party, your dad showed you a small box. It was the smallest one out of all of the presents you got, so you were a little confused."