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

Chapter 51: Normality

Daeng left the Battle Café with a takeaway coffee. He unlocked a Rotom Bike from a lamppost. Where did he get that? Heather missed her motorbike, but it seemed they were only used for fun or to dodge traffic in Galar. They couldn't be used on motorways. She caught up to Daeng to ask before he cycled away. It occurred to her that the sudden appearance of an expensive bike was suspicious, but as he said, his directions led her to a bike shop where old models of Rotom Bikes were indeed on sale at 50% off. Heather bought a folding one that could be tied to her backpack. Cinderace and Galvantula excitedly prepared to race beside her, but no sooner had they set off than they almost collided with Hessie as she stepped into the road without looking.

'Oh! Garnet!'

'Sorry to be a killjoy... but with all this "Victor died" merch, I don't really feel like battling...'

'No... I don't, either. I want our first battle to be a happy memory. But this might cheer you up a little...'

She took a small box from the shopping bag on her arm.

'This boutique's got Euphoria nail varnish! I bought some for you, too!'

'Oh! Thanks!'

'So are you off to Stow-on-Side?'

'Yeah... gotta get stronger before I get killed. I met a Team Plasma weirdo in the Wild Area...'

'Oh, no... I kind of hoped it wasn't this serious yet... are you OK? Did they attack you, or...?'

'I'm fine. He didn't exactly attack me. To be totally honest... I was walking by Hazel's tent and... he came from there.'

'Hazel's tent?!'

Hessie's face crumpled.

'But... I thought Hazel was our friend...'

'Maybe she has an excuse for Team Plasma taking over her tent. I don't know. I guess we might find out when we see her again.'

'How are you feeling after that thing in Daeng's tent...? That was scary, too...'

'I'm fine, honestly. I just want to get to Stow-on-Side already. I don't really want to sleep out on Route 6, you know? Not after that Artist dropped dead...'

That was a good enough excuse.

'Eeek! I hadn't thought of that! I bet there is something weird going on out there... I did think about getting the Regional Express, but... if I just hide... I'll never get stronger... and we made it through the Wild Area, even though some weird stuff happened... so we can make it through Route 6!'

She raised her clenched fists with a nervous smile that eased when Heather returned it.

'Come on! Let's go!'

Their departure wasn't imminent. Now Hessie wanted a bike, but they walked all the way to the shop to find she couldn't afford it even at 50% off. She lost half of her money to a Pokémon Breeder in the Wild Area. Mortified, she mumbled something about the money being in the wrong account and hurried out to ring Rex. He didn't answer.

'Hey, it's all good,' Heather said, 'We'll just walk.'

'N-no... I don't want to hold you up... sorry... this is embarrassing... I'll... I'll call... my dad...'

That seemed as terrifying to her as anything on Route 6. Heather assured her it wasn't necessary. They could walk. Hessie was her friend, after all, and Heather wasn't Ligeia. She couldn't help caring. If Hessie's dad was that scary, Heather would have preferred to lend her the money herself. She refused. She seemed frightened that Heather would go without her, or even that she wouldn't want to be friends with her anymore, if she didn't buy her own bike. Had friends left her behind in the past? Or was it her parents?