((DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon, obviously, nor do I have any affiliation with the owners of that franchise. This story and the characters I have created are all that I claim to own. Nintendo, I love you. Please don't sue me. Or do, as you won't get much of a return. Also, I do not own anything in reference to Pokemon Orange/Ocean Eyes, the work that this fiction is spun off of. Author rainbowhuesoflife owns that story, and this is a fanfic of their work used by permission. Well, if them thoroughly enjoying the writing and encouraging me to post it can be considered permission. WAHAHAHAH))
((No, but seriously, go read my dude's work sometime. I'll post a link somewhere.))
Parasect's Pizza
Chapter One: Big Blue Wave
Olivine City, Johto. A paradise by the sea. It was the largest attraction in West Johto, what with its lighthouse and its glorious shoreline where the land subsided and the ocean routes began, not to mention Jasmine's incredible Pokemon Gym that drew challengers from all across the region and abroad. The clean, white sand along the beaches, the delicious eats sold at the famous Olivine Cafe, the attractions never ended. Even merely watching the waves toss and writhe was a pastime worth making the trip.
There were no tossing waves and white sand inside this tiny pizza shop, though. Only machines and customers and pizza could be found in Heimdall Erickson's temporary prison... oh, and also Heimdall and a few of his fellow employees. Parasect's Pizza in Olivine City, a mile or so northeast of the Cafe, was where Heimdall made his money, and he could make one mean pizza. He didn't make bad smoothies either. His assistant manager position was not by accident, he always said.
"I need a Pacific Pikachu in, please!" Called his boss Mina, the girl behind the counter. Mina Akabara was easy on the eyes, her short and spiky auburn hair and dark green eyes always catching compliments. She was lightly tanned and curvy, which didn't lose her any points. Her Pikachu-print fingernails moved swiftly across the register's keys as she entered the customer's order. "That comes to 1250 prize money, sir." She told him, and he passed her his Trainer Card as payment. She swiped it, smiling not-so-subtly at him.
"Thank you!" Dennis Thorn replied aloud, saucing a pizza sheet-out. He sprinkled shredded cheese on it and passed it down the dressing station. This food storage machine featured a countertop for preparing pizzas in front and containers of delicious berries and other food items in the back, as well as cool storage below for reserve toppings.
Heimdall took it from here, meticulously topping it with julienne sliced ham and delicious Pinap Berries. He threw a Razz Berry into his mouth as he placed his masterpizza into the oven. This three-racked conveyer belt oven was an all-gas model crafted by the Hot Hot Heat appliance corporation just for Parasect's Pizza restaurants, and this marvel of machinery could cook a pizza in as little as five minutes.
"If she weren't evil enough to give Darkrai nightmares, she would almost be beautiful." Heimdall joked in a whisper. He chuckled and gave a half-grin at the joke. "It's nice to hear you laugh at work. I know she can be irksome, and the job sucks the marrow out of life."
"It's been a Shuckle's age since I had a good laugh up here. A shame and a half, really." He responded, still spreading sauce and sprinkling cheese onto more sheet-outs. The dough was lovely today. Gerald never sent up anything less than perfect sheet-outs when he worked the back station.
"Just think, though, Denny..." He pointed at the time clock on the wall to their left. "Before long we'll punch out and run swiftly away from here, cheering our way toward band practice. At our glorious practice, we can drown the woes of Parasect's Pizza in our wonderful music and our amazing girlfriends. Speaking of which, is Lorelei still coming to practice today?"
"Who's Lorelei?" Mina asked, sliding up to Dennis and smiling in his face. Cute as she was, Mina could be overwhelming sometimes... Especially since she grossed Dennis out.
"Mina, get out of the man's personal space. You're a whole lot of woman for Dennis, hon." Heimdall joked. She laughed as she walked over to the desk for a sip of her Lemonade.
"Seriously, spill it! Is Lorelei the lady I've heard so little about?" Mina pestered, earning a grin from Heimdall and a derisive sound from Dennis.
"Yes, Lorelei Waves is my amazing girlfriend. She's coming in from Celadon to watch us practice." He replied, a smirk across his unshaven face. The light brown stubble complimented his short and scraggly hair and his bright blue eyes. Dennis was thin and toned with skin slightly darker than Mina.
Heimdall kept his long and flowing blond hair pulled back with a tie, his well-kept beard showing boldly. His dark brown eyes gazed past Mina, resting on the aforementioned time clock for a moment before walking to the far end of the oven. The 'Landing' station was where pizzas were cut and boxed, and he pulled out the glorious Pacific Pikachu and did just that. Rolling his pizza cutter with precision and agility, the pizza was in eight beautiful slices with a box folded around it in no time. He passed the box up to the register, and Mina scooped it up swiftly so she could see her handsome customer once more. They exchanged goodbyes, and she licked her lips as she watched him walk out of the shop.
"MINA! ACE TRAINERS AREN'T FOR EATING!" Dennis yelled after her not exactly subtle gesture.
"Yes, sweetie, because that's cannibalism. Frowned upon in most societies..." Heimdall injected. Mina shot Dennis the finger, paying no mind to the voice behind the great beard. With great beard comes great responsibility, they say... Who says that you ask? Nearly everyone that has a beard these days.
But anyway...
"He was so fine, though!" The auburn protested, her hair spiking at her excitement.
"Sure, but any male that walks in here is fine, according to you!" Gerald Starshade called from the back side, where he was flattening balls of dough and transfiguring them into sheet-outs by the stack. Dennis leaned over the Dressing counter in a miserably failed attempt at hiding his laughter.
"Gee, you never miss a great joke, dude!" Heimdall called to him. The front door gave its terrible DING signal, calling an end to their shenanigans. They were excellent at acting professional... most of the time. A thin young woman with raven-colored hair entered, walking slowly up to the counter. Mina rushed to the register and gave her the generic greeting in an obnoxiously fake manner, as a professional might greet a customer.
"Um, I don't need any food. I just wanted to see if Dennis was here." She told Mina. Dennis waved at the girl and asked to go on break. Mina nodded, glowering as he and the woman journeyed outside.
"How did he get such a cutie?" She complained, louder than she'd intended.
"Only Lugia could answer that... and even He would have a terrible time of it." Heimdall replied, startling Mina. She hadn't realized she'd spoken that loudly. A new customer took Mina away, and Heimdall ventured to the back of the store to assist Gerald... or so that he would not strangle Mina. Whichever you find to be more believable. Dennis returned shortly, another employee walking in behind him to begin her shift. Dennis went to the walk-in cooler to grab product to restock the make-line. Heimdall cleaned their smoothie machine while Mina stood around between customers, the way she normally did. Gerald cut breadsticks in the back.
"When the premake rack is full, you guys can leave!" Mina told Heimdall and Dennis once they finished their current duties. Dennis mocked her once she turned away, Heimdall laughing at him. They topped pizza after pizza, stowing them on the rack or tossing them into the oven when Mina called for them. Once it was full, and Mina-approved, they tore off their aprons and cleaned them before stowing them away on wall hangers in the back. They clocked off and said their goodbyes before hustling out of the shop.
Outside, they found Lorelei talking to a woman with shoulder-length teal hair. She wore red jeans and a Vile Plumes t-shirt. She smiled cutely as she noticed Heimdall pulling out his hair tie and letting his glorious long hair fall and bounce everywhere. She jumped into his arms, grasping his left hand with her right. Vermilion Summer always made Heimdall's mood skyrocket, even after an altogether miserable day at Parasect's.
"Vermilion!" He announced as he kissed her soft lips. She giggled. "So what's going on at the band house?" He asked his lovely girlfriend.
"When I left, Shannon was cooking spaghetti. Of course, with him and Fuchsia alone together, I get the feeling they might be cooking up something different. Let's not hold our breath for new tunes." She said, sighing at the very idea. Heimdall and Dennis could only laugh.
"Here's hoping the damn house isn't on fire..." Dennis joked as they began walking East toward Shannon's house. It was a few miles out, just down the way from the Lighthouse. The southeast edge of the city was largely covered by the lighthouse, as the northwest edge was dominated by Jasmine's Gym. Jasmine was a wonderful woman with long brown hair falling down her back. She was known the world over for her kindness and strength, as well as her collection of Steelix. Rusty, her most famous Steelix, was an incredible specimen. Of course, he was a giant serpent with steel skin.
The house was in full view by the time they saw Fuchsia Skye storm out the door and run up to hug Lorelei. The two were former co-workers at a boutique in Celadon, but the shop had closed since the Department Store had unbeatable prices. Fuchsia's namesake purple hair was violently short and bouncy, moving in time with her every step. She had on long shorts and a tank top.
"I haven't seen you since Celadon Boutique closed its doors," Fuchsia mentioned, the two of them hugging tightly.
"You look incredible! You don't look like you get much sun, for a girl who lives by the sea..." She joked.
"Working nights does inhibit that..." Fuchsia's words made Lorelei laugh.
"What did you change clothes for? You were in jeans and a different shirt when I left." Vermilion noticed, shooting her a look to add to her joke.
"It got really hot since Shan was cooking..."
"Yeah, Shannon is talented at making others feel hot..." said Heimdall, rolling his eyes and causing Vermilion to giggle. Shannon Kiwi appeared outside, greeting Lorelei when he saw her. He was a tower of a man, next to the girls and Dennis at least, tall and thin with lengthy brown hair cascading down his back. He was far less pale than his girlfriend but lacked the distinct tan of Olivine's citizens. Living next to an ocean had different effects on different people. She instantly recognized his voice when he spoke to her.
"... You're the guy from the radio!"
"Yes, ma'am... I am that guy!" Shannon replied, grinning from ear to ear at her expression.
"I'm glad I can catch your show in Kanto now! I don't think I'd be the same without it."
"I'm glad you like it, hon! It's the best job ever! I can play my favorite music and I get to meet some incredible talent... and I make MAD CHEDDAH!" She jumped at the outburst, the whole crew laughing at her. They talked for awhile in front of the house, exchanging stories and getting acquainted with the raven-haired Lorelei.
"So, shall we get on that spaghetti?" Dennis asked as they finally walked inside. Lorelei caught the smell of something delectable. She took in the sight of Kiwi's house: the living area with all the instruments set up, the tiny kitchen to her diagonal left with its incredible cooking range and hanging pots and utensils. He'd mentioned his time as a chef. She gazed around at all the art decorating the walls, pieces from across the world.
"Music first, child. Honestly, how can you eat after being surrounded by pizza all day? I would get so fat at your job." He retorted, Dennis scoffing at the remark.
"You don't go there day after day and deal with the smell and the menial processes."
"And our boss could make even the happiest person want to feed himself to a Sharpedo..." Heimdall added. The laughs never stopped in this house.
"Yeah, we should jam first and loosen up, get a good appetite going for that godlike spaghetti," Fuchsia interjected, paying no mind to the pizza boys and their so-called problems. She took up her microphone from its resting place atop a stand, yelling into it to test her sound. She grinned at the sound of her own voice as it poured through the large speakers.
Heimdall and Shannon plugged in their guitars, Shannon playing a riff and his best friend playing a harmony alongside it. Dennis slapped the gigantic bottom two strings of his bass guitar with his thumb and plucked the same piece of music Shannon played. Lorelei watched Vermilion spin a drumstick in her left hand while tapping a cymbal with her right.
The music stopped off, and Vermilion gave her bass drum a hard kick. The band played a ring-out, a noisy random section normally used for finishing a song. Fuchsia made a deep growl as the band thrashed away at their instruments.
"Dennis told you about our music, I'm sure," Heimdall asked, Lorelei nodding. "This first one is about Red demolishing Team Rocket, back in the 90's."
"I love stories about Red..." She replied. Fuchsia stood at her keyboard and played a haunting refrain, her fingers sliding swiftly across the black and white keys. She finished that and spun a dial, playing a low chord. The dial had shifted the sound to a deep and wobbly tone. She moved a slider back and forth while rolling up her volume knob, creating a crescendo wobble. This sound reminded Lorelei of the ocean waves.
A quick cymbal SNAP broke through the wobble, and the band began playing. Their tune was intricate, fast, and relentlessly heavy. The guitars, the beat, the bass, and the vocals took Lorelei's mind by surprise. Fuchsia jumped around, her energy neverending, as she sang and yelled her lyrics about the legendary Red.
You'll never make it, kid. Give up the fight!
I'll make sure your Boss will have one hell of a ride!
This place is a maze! He'll never be found!
My Ivysaur will crush his face into the ground!
You worthless bastards better run and hide!
Pokémon will no longer be pawns for your crimes!
Facing me in battle you should dread.
Cross my Wartortle and you'll wind up dead.
Fall down and beg for mercy for your sins
Against the Pokémon that we all call our friends.
You know damn well that you'll all blast off tonight.
Face justice by my hand. Now Team Rocket dies!"
They played a short interlude here, a break from the onslaught of guitars and energy, before jumping right back into it with a breakdown.
"Giovanni will fall! His minions all lay dead!
They received all that was theirs at the hands of Red!
His Rhydon fell before Ivysaur. The battle had been tough.
Accept defeat the crime lord would not. He could not get enough."
Heimdall and Shannon traded guitar solos, symbolizing a battle between Red and the Rocket's Boss, Giovanni. Heimdall must have been Red, Lorelei figured, as he clearly won their little 'battle'.
"The Boss fell to his knees but struggled to his feet.
Red had finished the pitiful man, so Giovanni made his leave.
The city was now safe. The children came out to play.
The hero spoke not a single word. He left Silph and was on his way."
The song finished off with a dead stop. Heimdall grinned at the huge smile on their guest's face.
"You guys were incredible."
"Well, that's just our opener. It's the easiest in our set, too." Fuchsia bragged.
"That one's called "A Criminal Organization Demolished by a Kid with a Pikachu', and it's a nice warmup. The tough ones come later." Dennis told her.
"Ooh, I have a new riff to show you all," Heimdall mentioned. Everyone averted their attention to him as he played the piece of music he'd mentioned. He looked up from his guitar to see his band-mates grinning, Lorelei mystified.
"How about this?" Vermilion asked, playing a beat for the new piece. The band filed in around them, and before long they had a song together. They talked about it a bit more before continuing with practice at Fuchsia's command. ("BACK TO BUSINESS! I WANT SOME DAMN SPAGHETTI!")
They talked over their delicious meal about things apart from the band: jobs, hobbies, and whatnot. Shannon's glorious artistry of pasta, sauce, and magic was demolished and thoroughly enjoyed. Lorelei felt at peace among the band, and it was wonderful to catch up with Fuchsia.
Shannon and Fuchsia cleaned the dishes after the meal, Fuchsia dancing against Shannon's body cutely. Shannon could not help but grin at her; she usually had such an effect on him. Heimdall laughed at his best friend's ridiculous expression.
"You guys are so cute, it's disgusting. Knock it off!" He joked. Fuchsia sneered before kissing her lover's lips. Shannon flipped his hair away from his face with his left hand. The rest of the crew traded a few jokes around at the couple's expense, but Kiwi and Fuchsia paid them no mind. Fuchsia hopped into Shannon's arms as they kissed more sensually.
"We're gonna... take our party... upstairs for a while..." Shannon spoke, between kisses and rough breaths.
"So let's turn this room into a pirate ship, and we'll plunder each other!" Vermilion sang aloud, Dennis laughing and Heimdall complimenting the excellent reference. Ah, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer... so awesome. Pardon me while I make heart eyes for half of forever...
BUT ANYWAY...
Dennis and Heimdall each scooped up an acoustic guitar as the lovebirds made their way upstairs, and the two men and their lovely ladies stepped outside. They sat down in Kiwi's patio chairs and watched the waves roll and crash. Heimdall played a tune that Dennis recognized, 'Dire Dire Docks' from Super Mario 64 (one of Mario's best, to be sure). Dennis filled in the tune with his own guitar. Vermilion and Lorelei grinned at the cute music their boyfriends played for them.
"How did we ever get so lucky, Lorelei?" Vermilion asked between sips of her delicious Lemonade.
"We're the lucky ones, to be sure," Dennis replied, grinning sweetly at his lovely Lorelei.
"That was obnoxiously adorable, Denny, and I kind of hate you for that..." Heim joked, brushing one hand through his thick blonde beard before playing a new tune. The girls stood up and danced on the beach to the music of their gentlemen. Swaying and swirling and enjoying the sand beneath their feet, the two danced the time away. Dennis and Heimdall joined their ladies soon enough, and as they tired out the four of them sat by the shore for a spell. The sound of the waves took their cares away.
Lorelei sighed as she looked at the clock on her Poke'gear screen, knowing she'd need to leave soon but longing to stay in this moment. "I miss the days when the trains ran all night..." She complained.
"You could stay with me, you know! The first train could have you home in the morning." Dennis offered.
"No, I'd never make it to Celadon in time for work. I should leave tonight if I haven't missed the chance."
"You'd have to fly to catch the last train, and even then you'd be lucky to make it," Vermilion spoke. The look on Lorelei's face told her that she had no Pokemon capable of using Fly.
"This guy will get you there at the speed of dark. Meet the legendary, or so he'd like to believe, Domino!" Heimdall announced as he pulled a black Poke' Ball from his belt. A flash of white light came and went, and a Dragonite stood before them. Heimdall instructed his dragon to Fly the wonderful couple to Goldenrod City's train station. The two of them climbed onto the orange creature's back, and the Dragonite took to the sky.
The raven-haired girl was horrified for a few moments; soaring through the sky on a Pokemon's back she had never done before. Dennis held her tightly, and she soon relaxed and enjoyed the wind in her hair. The feeling was exhilarating.
Within minutes the radio tower came into view across the skyline. Domino spooked Lorelei by making a speedy circle during flight. This gave Dennis a laugh, which earned him a punch in the arm. They landed in front of the station with just enough time for her to hug Dennis and run for the last train.
"I love you, baby! I'll text you when I get home." Lorelei told Dennis. He smiled, kissing her cheek as Domino flew away.
"I love you, too." He told her as she departed. He walked to the northern border of the city to the Guard Station. It housed a vending machine that sold his favorite Soda Pop, and he was in the mood for one.
"DJ!" The guard exclaimed when he entered. William Thompson and his band, The Incredibly Deadly Seviper, had played with The Vengeance of Cubone's Mother on numerous occasions.
"BILLIAM!" He returned as he inserted money into the machine. CLANK! CHING CHING! His soda and change fell out. He scooped them up quickly before asking Will how things were going.
"As good as they can go. I still have the guard gig and the slot in the band, and we've made it into the upcoming Battle." The guard replied, checking his Poke'gear.
"The battle should be amazing. If we face you guys, don't expect any mercy." Dennis returned.
"I expect tears and agony when we crush you beneath our brutal tunes."
"I think that's what Heimdall was expecting from you guys! Anyway, I can't wait to hear you all play again!" The two men exchanged goodbyes as Dennis walked home, making for the East residential district where his house was hidden among the mass of buildings Goldenrod boasted.
\/\/\/\/\/
"Welcome back, Domino," Heimdall told his Dragonite once he'd made land on the beach. The orange dragon made a triumphant noise.
"Lorelei seemed to enjoy the ride, for someone who's never flown before then." The translator around Heimdall's neck relayed as it shrieked to life. "Doesn't Dennis have a Honchkrow? He could have flown himself and Waves home, and I could still be dreaming about Rare Candies and other wonderful treats." Domino exhaled sharply. "I was having this glorious moment with a Lumiose Galette just before you woke me, Brother."
"I don't know how you can enjoy those things, but I'm sorry I tore you away from your dreams of eternal snacking. Besides, Eric is only a Murkrow, and he's too small to carry one of them, let alone both."
"What about Gandalf? Surely he could have warped them to the city." The dragon retorted.
"You don't like my friends so much, do you?" Heimdall asked disdainfully. He tried to like everyone if he could, but he could see if Domino felt this way or that toward someone.
My dragon DON'T LIKE YOU, and he likes EVERYONE!
Sorry... Back to the fact of the matter at hand... for me to come and control this whole thing was only part of the plan...
ENOUGH WITH THE MUSIC REFERENCES! ON WITH THE STORY!
Gosh, you guys are a tough crowd. Lighten up a bit. It's a relatively short story, the jokes and references add to it. Anyway...
"No, no, I love your friends. I just don't like Dennis. He's like an angry Jigglypuff or something." Domino paused, hearing his own words and laughing at them. "He's less off-putting than John. That guy is negative about everything but music."
"I won't add anything about John, but Dennis isn't so bad. I mean, Rachael can't stomach him, but she has reasons for that."
"I miss her terribly... She was wonderful, Brother. Like Shannon or Vermilion..."
"No one can be that wonderful, Brother." The dragon laughed at his Trainer's words before stretching out his body, hovering in a small circle. Heimdall gazed out at the horizon, watching the waves reflect the sky. It was a clear night, and he lost himself for a long moment. The sea was his second love, second only to Vermilion. He'd met Summer during his adventures in the Hoenn region. The two had conquered the Hoenn League's Gyms and scoured its endless ocean, which they nicknamed the Great Sea. The ocean of his homeland took his mind back to his voyage on the Hoenn seas.
"How long have you been out here?" The voice brought him back to reality as arms slipped around his waist from the back. He turned and kissed his girlfriend.
"I'm not sure... What time is it?"
"About 1:30..." His eyes fell open at her words. He really had lost himself in the sight of the waves...
"The last thing I remember was talking to Domino and looking at the ocean..." He confessed sheepishly. She smiled softly at him, shaking her head.
"I think you love the sea more than you love me. I mean, you look at her a lot more, not to mention the eyes you give her." He laughed at the remark, stroking a lock of Vermilion's hair with his right hand.
"You're more easygoing than the ocean, and better to hold... so I love you much more." She smiled again, resting her head on his chest. She shivered at an ocean breeze as it blew by them, caressing her warm skin with the cool air of the evening. Domino's translator pendant shrieked to life again, startling Vermilion and hurting her ear.
"I think it's time for me to sleep..." The Dragonite yawned. He pressed the button on his own Ball, sending a stream of red light toward him. He disappeared into the Ultra Ball. Heimdall and Vermilion agreed with Domino's sentiment. They poked inside and offered goodbyes to Shannon and Fuchsia, though she had since fallen asleep, before walking home for the night.
\/\/\/\/\/
\/\/\/\/\/
\/\/\/\/\/
((A/N: The music played by The Vengeance of Cubone's Mother, at least inside my warped mind, is heavily influenced by FamilyJules7x. Specifically his Pokemon covers. 'Pikachu' is based on his 'Silph Co.' cover. You should definitely check him out. I'll drop some little stuff in these notes each time. Recommended listenings and such for anyone who bothers to read this. Catch ya next time~~))
Recommended listenings:
'Big Blue Wave' by Hey Ocean!
'Silph Co' by familyjules7x
'Argh... I'm a Pirate!' by Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer