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

Chapter 68: Stay

Perry wandered off with Nashira once the dishes were washed and the kitchen tidied, probably to find something else to eat. Heather took Pluto's hand to lead him back out. He followed with a smile. Zorua, Zoroark and Wyrdeer ran after them. They hadn't even reached the gate when Heather almost collided with a suddenly materialising man. She saw a red cloak and two Ps. Then she saw leering red eyes. For a moment, she thought Jahzeel really had appeared in front of them, but Jahzeel definitely wasn't smacking his own bottom and stomping around the garden before morphing back into an innocently smiling Zorua.

'Zorua... you shouldn't make fun of him...'

Zorua stuck its tongue out. Heather couldn't and never would be able to speak to Pokémon like the Harmonias could, but she was certain Zorua was telling Pluto what she thought: that if he was the king of Team Plasma, the only respect he owed Jahzeel was basic human decency. Perhaps Zorua was even telling him that Jahzeel deserved no respect.

Well, thanks, Zorua! Now I know what he looks like these days! Is it just me, or did I spy an Ardos wannabe as well as a Ghetsis cosplayer?

As if it read her mind, Zorua promptly morphed into the actor who played Ardos in the King of the Underworld musical about Jamie. It took a deep breath to imitate his voice.

'World... domination... impossible...'

Then it clutched its heart, fell to its knees, coughed and proclaimed that it was dead. Even Pluto began to giggle.

'Zorua! Stop it! Someone will think we're really talking to him...'

He tapped its tail, which appeared as Ardos' backside, with his foot to break its illusion. Giggling, it scampered up onto his head.

'Y'all are so damn cute! Hey, guess what I found downtown?'

Zorua's amber eyes curiously awaited the answer. Heather took a rustling packet of truffle flavoured chips, or crisps as they were called in Galar, from her bag and threw it to Zoroark.

'Go on! Open them! They're for you!'

Zoroark excitedly opened it. She was sure it sniffed the crisps to check they weren't poisoned, but as soon as it knew they weren't, its face lit up. So did Zorua's. They ate them all in minutes. Turning a corner onto a street criss-crossed by drooping trunks, they saw Perry grimacing at a café menu in frustration. It only served traditional Galarian food. He didn't hear Heather or Pluto approaching. He spun around like he was about to punch Pluto when he spoke.

'I saw a chippy near here.'

'Oh, it's you... a what?'

'A chip shop. If you like junk food, you'll like fish and chips.'

'Oh. I know what that is! Duh! Where is it?'

Perry went the wrong way as soon as Pluto finished giving him directions, so they walked there together. His eyes were as sharp as Heather assumed if he saw the unassuming chip shop from the air. She waited outside with Zorua and Zoroark. They didn't want the staff or customers to express disgust or fear towards the unfamiliar, deeply sensitive Pokémon. Pluto was going to leave Perry there. Instead, they both left with armfuls of chips wrapped in newspaper. Perry had several deep-fried sausages. Pluto bought garlic mushrooms instead. They sat together on the kerb to eat. Heather was still quite full, but she accepted a mushroom from Zorua, because sharing its favourite food with her was a huge compliment.

'Ahhh!' Perry exclaimed through a mouth full of sausage, 'This is where it's at! That pie was worse than Leon's shit!'

Heather tutted. 'Leon's food is amazing.'