Pokémon: Out of the Woods | A Galar, Unova & Sinnoh Fanfiction

Chapter 22: Tales

Laverne cycled off to Hulbury alone that evening. No-one else wanted to go alone. Heather could hardly take off, because Teddy, Ralph and Hazel were waiting for Hessie; although her mission aside, Heather wanted to wait for Hessie. She was worried about her. When Heather returned from the shower to the B&B's courtyard, Hessie and Hazel were watching Euphoria's newest music video with starry eyes.

I hope they're not Zenko fans.

Ralph and Teddy kicked a football around. They weren't interested in boy bands.

'Do you like Euphoria, Garnet?'

'Oh, yeah.'

Well, either way, gotta live up to all this merch he sent.

'They're my fave! I saw them when they came to Neon City. It was amazing!'

'Oh my Arceus!' Hazel squealed, 'You saw them?! I'm so jealous! I tried sooo hard to get tickets, but it was just impossible!'

'I saw them,' Hessie quietly interjected, 'At Wyndon Stadium...'

She rummaged in her bag for a shirt that was only available at a Wyndon show four years ago, with a print of the band standing over the Wyndon skyline.

'That was amazing, too! We were up in the gods, but it was still so good!'

After being so sullen since her loss, Hessie suddenly lit up again.

'I can't wait for this tour. Dream Boy is their best album yet!'

That was an interesting opinion. As popular as the new album was, it was also their most controversial, gaining fans but losing others. After escaping Cipher who controlled them via their gullible manager, they denounced their squeaky-clean image and sang about sex and booze for the first time. The video that Hessie and Hazel were watching was still tame, but the title track's video opened with the most popular member, Daiki – Danny's son – sitting on a golden throne, surrounded by half-naked men and women. Zenko threw him a match to burn a tapestry of Arceus. That even took place at the holy Spear Pillar. The offended fans couldn't say it was just Daiki, because they all gleefully watched it burn and wiped the fake blood running from their eyes on the pillars. Then the floor gave way and they revelled in finding themselves in hell. Heather thought it was great.

'I agree. The title track's my favourite thing they've ever done.'

Someone in Hazel's life clearly didn't agree, because she hesitated when Hessie loaded that video. At least they weren't Zenko fans. Hazel loved Zhenya who, to her disappointment, also got married the previous year. Hessie liked Daiki.

'I know his dad's never getting out of Gatas, but he was so brave to do that.'

'Right? He's great! But they say he'll be the next one to get married, y'know.'

'Oh, well... we probably wouldn't have a chance, anyway...'

Before they all retired to the shared room they crammed in to, Heather said she had to call her parents. They were worried about her after the Gengar incident, or so she said. Her parents weren't actually worried. They knew she could look after herself. It was Perry who had been trying to call her. She appreciated that he wore sunglasses and hid his hair under a hat to video call her, just in case anyone was listening.

'Yo, Garnet!'

'Hello...'

What was she supposed to call Perry? He would be offended if she used his birth name.

'Emmet.'

'Hahahaha! Hello!'

He didn't seem to mind being named after a Battle Subway Boss. Heather didn't think he would. He loved his trains. Not that it mattered. There was no-one around to listen in.