"It's been a few months," Emmitt said, as we walked out of the car and into the house, "Must have been A LOT of change."
"And some surprises," I said.
We let Emmitt open the door, as he hadn't been home in such a long time. He was greeted by a giant banner that said "Welcome Back" on it in big letters. There were flowers from the garden decorated all over the house, and posters for Many thrash metal bands which he listened to in high school and college. (he was born in 1974, Ashkii was born in 1975) and many more decorations.
"Oh thank you all so much," he said, "Even with my favorite bands. Nick told me I should listen to even more metal subgenres."
"And that is what WE have all been doing," I said, "I got into it last winter, and got my cousins into it as well. Nick Wilde also got us all into the heavy stuff."
"It's fucking ripper!" Piper shouted.
"Oh Emmitt," Ashkii said, "You are so very welcome. I just can't express how great I feel to finally have you back."
The two embraced for another hug.
"Maybe," Emmitt said, "we can go walk around the neighborhood before the sun sets."
"Yes," Ashkii said, "Because you are back!"
We got up and left the house and walked around the Rainforest District. The sky had cleared momentarily, and the temperature was nice. Many other residents were walking around, glad that the city was starting to be reunited.
"Ah, I've missed this place," Emmitt said, "Long fucking time."
"I've missed you as well," Ashkii said, "But finally you're back."
We walked by a sign advertising a Disturbed/Breaking Beaver show that was going to take place in Sahara Square a month from now. We also saw a poster advertising Sabaton's "The Last Stand" album which had come out recently. Suddenly we rounded a corner and I saw a familiar face. It was a weasel. He was wearing athletic shorts and a black shirt from a band called "Otter Ogan" who I had never heard of.
"Oh if it's not Duke 'Big Gooch' Weaselton," Emmitt said as he approached us, "The dude who got involved in the whole Night Howler deal. What are you gonna do to us now?"
"Nothing bad," he said, "Just here to talk."
"Oh really," Emmitt said.
"Well first, I didn't get involved in the trade until after you went savage," he said.
"Ok good," Emmitt said as he calmed down.
"But really, I'm here to say sorry. This motherfucker named Doug made me sell it to him. At first I was reluctant, but then I realized I had to take this deal or else I would have been Night Howler'ed as well."
"Oh I see," I said, "Actually makes sense. I've been involved with doing stuff I didn't want to do as well."
"It was stoatally against my interests," Weaselton said, "But, now with everyone caught, I've realized I need to change myself. Yesterday, after getting iced, was my realization. I've realized just how stupid I have been, and I need to get better. I still love to commit crime, but in different ways. I am planning to sell dangerous weapons out in front of the Rainforest District Elementary School."
"Oh cool," Corey said. He was about to start second grade at that elementary school, while Piper was about to start pre-k. I was about to start 8th grade at a tiny-ass private school called Barkridge (that I would eventually leave after 9th grade).
"And," Weaselton said, "I got into a LOT of metal. I see you wearing QSE shirt right their kid," He said pointing at me.
"Yep I'm a metalhead," I said, "Pretty much a beginner. Started in the past year and only started listening to heavy stuff this summer," I said.
"Yeah, I now listen to all subgenres," Weaselton said, "But have you hear the POWER shit!"
"Power Metal like Powerwolf?" I asked (them along with Dragonforce and Sabaton were the only Power Metal bands I knew at the time).
"Everyone names Powerwolf," Weaselton said, "Their the biggest in that game. Last year, they sold out the 12,000 capacity Tundratown Ice Center. This year, they sold out the 22,000 capacity Sahara Amphitheater. Now they've just announced a show at the 20,000 capacity Zoo2 Arena, one of the biggest concert venues in town."
"So," I said, "you here to show me more bands?"
"Yes," he said, "many more for you to check out. Gloryhammer, Otter Ogan, Unleash The Archers, many more. Also check out Alestorm; the greatest pirate metal band out there."
"Pirate metal?" I asked.
"It is a thing," Weaselton said, "You'll love it."
"Alright," Emmitt said.
"And also," Weaselton said, "listen to more folk metal as well. That shit rips too."
"That's what Nick Wilde listens to," I said, "Especially Korpiklaani."
"Oh they fucking rule," Weaselton said.
"Well thank you, and great to see that you're starting to be better."
"Yes, and metal also got me into other crime types," Weaselton said, "I just burned my first church a few minutes ago."
I looked over and indeed saw a burning church.
"I'll be at the Barkway Drive show a few weeks from now," Weaselton said.
"Oh shit," Ashkii replied, "We'll all be there too!"
"Great! Keep in contact with me," Weaselton said, "here's my number and my Instagram handle. Also my home address too."
He gave me a slip of paper with everything on it.
"Ha det everyone," he said in Norwegian as he scampered away.
"So I guess he really is getting better," Emmitt said, "He was pretty notorious."
"He seems really cool now!" I said, "I'll be his friend. He must be pretty lonely."
We got back to the house. I got out the paper and started playing the bands that he recommended. The first band I put on was Gloryhammer. They immediately blew me away.
"Oh shit!" I said, "This is fucking epic! They might be my favorite band now. Even better than Slipknotter."
"It's… a concept album!" Ashkii said as she looked up the band, "each member plays a specific character."
"And it takes place in medieval Scotland," Emmitt said, "This sounds EXACTLY like the stories my father used to tell me."
Corey and Piper were very into it as well, and so was I. We then put on their second album, and it was even better. It took place in outer space 1,000 years later and ended with a massive cliffhanger.
"Holy shit!" I said, "new favorite band. Rise of The Chaos Wizards is now my favorite song."
"Angus McFluff!" shouted Corey as he ran around the room carrying a toy hammer.
"Zargothrax did the night howlers!" Piper shouted with excitement.
We then looked up Alestorm. They fucking ripped to. They were also up there with my favorite bands now. I especially liked their song 'Keelhauled'.
"A pirate metal band!" Piper shouted excitedly. She was into pirate shit.
We then put on Otter Ogan. They were now one of my favorites as well. Their songs were epic as fuck. They were also pretty small and not many knew about them. My favorite was "To The End".
"Oh shit," I said, "I think power metal might be my favorite now."
Everyone else agreed. We listened to more power and folk metal while making dinner. We were having Scottish Fried Rice which was Emmitt's favorite. He also opened a bottle of scotch and poured it in a glass.
We sat down at the table, for the first time in a while with 5 of us.
"For Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde," Ashkii said, as she raised her glass and clinked it with Emmitt's.
"And for Duke Weaselton," I said, "and Angus McFluff," I said. I was drinking water.
We ate a big dinner and had a gluten free cake to celebrate. We then watched some heavy metal movies like "This Is Spinal Tap". Even Corey and Piper were allowed to watch. Afterwards, Emmitt and Ashkii went back into their room and I went into the basement to go to sleep.