Broken Souls

Who Puts Switches In Garbage Cans Anyways

Kanto hotels are a lot like Johto ones, in that they have rooms with one or two beds and generally accept Pokemon. In any other measurement imaginable, Kanto rooms share more in common with Indigo Plateau's hotels than Johto's. Ours is massive: we splurged a little on it, using some of our ample prize money from our challenge. It's not a suite, but I'm still shocked to come in and find a flat screen, a jacuzzi, an entire side room with a view, and a mini fridge.

"Hey, would anyone mind if we stayed here for the rest of the challenge?" I ask. "You know, we can watch Red blow up the world in style."

"Ashley." Fang gasps. "Ashley, there's already food in the mini fridge."

Ten has swung the door open and the two of them gleefully look down at our spoils. I've never seen so much sugar in one location. On top of the mini fridge lies a list of services available in the area, as well as menus for room service. I pick it up and read 'complimentary Wi-fi and desserts on the house your first night'.

"I'm honestly not hungry. You guys?" I gesture to the array of candy bars and ice cream tubs found within. Several of my team members manage to pull something out, and I help them get the wrappers and lids off, well aware this is less than healthy for Pokemon.

"We should do a movie night!" Fang cheers.

I fall back onto the bed, revelling in the heavenly texture, and click on the television.

"It's a hotel TV. I don't think they even have movies." I scoff. Still, I click on the television, open the menu, and begin leafing through the channels; only to find that the menu's not ending. We're up into the hundreds and it's still going when I eventually give up and just flip the channels manually. "I don't have this many channels at my actual house." I say, clicking past several reality TV shows and a cooking show where Pokemon have to help in the meal preparation before landing on a My Little Ponyta episode I don't recognize. "Wait, the new season's started?"

"Oh no. We are not watching the horse show." Minerva retaliates.

"My Little Ponyta is a classic." I inform them. "It's not my fault that none of you appreciate art."

Reginae shakes his head solemnly. "I'm so embarrassed I have no words. See you in the morning. Minerva, are you coming? We'll be taking on the gym alone, so we'd better get some rest."

"Thought you'd never ask." Minerva pads out with him, and the two go off to who knows where to discuss strategy.

The three of us with good taste remain to savor the miracle that is My Little Ponyta. I'm sure I've missed something, because I don't recognize half the names or places they're filling out, but best I can tell the Mane Cast (yes the show and fanbase are full of bad puns) are now intermediating in a war between two rivaling factions of forest Pokemon as they search for the legendary bringer of life, Xerneas.

"Are those two in cahoots or what? It might just be me, but they've been squabbling forever and now they're talking like they've been best friends the whole time."

"Who?" Ten asks.

"Minerva and Reginae." I say, realizing how petty I sound.

"They could be."

I frown at the TV as Xerneas proceeds to settle the feud between both groups with little more than a few words. "You know? It might just be me, but I think I might be too old for this."

Ten and Fang, the latter of whom have been paying rapt attention, both look shocked at the revelation.

"No, no, don't get me wrong, it's still a good show. It's just that after the real deal, it's hard to enjoy it as much. Things don't work out like this." I gesture at the screen. "Even if it's nice to imagine a world where it could."