Rock Hard - Chapter 6 - Cerulean show! (Patreon)

It was kind of strange how much you could learn about a group of people when you were stuck into a schedule that saw you spending a long stretch of hours together.

Turns out it was great for learning their quirks, both good and bad.

Like how Delta insisted on having pineapple on her pizza, she’d try to drink anything handed to her in one pull no matter what it was. More than once she’d ended up belching loudly because she threw back a two litre lemonade like it was a challenge to her.

Draven always tried to inch his way to the front of the show to perform a solo, despite being a keyboardist.

You could start with him off centre and a few metres back and over the course of a song he’d creep forward.

Weirdly enough, he didn’t even seem aware he was doing it. 

He just assumed that was where he was supposed to be.

Drake, on the other hand, would go from hardcore drummer who could deliver perfectly timed beats only to curl into himself the moment the lights cut out.

Maybe for that reason, he was Yolanda’s favourite.

Howard… Well, he was enthusiastic about everything. He was happy-go-lucky and so sure that things would work out in the end. It… kinda of grated on Yolanda but she couldn’t quite figure out why?

Maybe it was because she knew things didn’t always work out for the better? Or…

No, he just sometimes had more energy than her. That’s all it was!

Which wasn’t bad, but there were certain tasks that might have been better to have done earlier. Like Yolanda meeting her band well before the first show.

Three days of practise together had become a bit of a slog.

A fun one, with them goofing around when they weren’t being serious with Yolanda showing off a bunch of the songs she had yet to record, but this was probably something that needed to be done like a month ago.

Or maybe the tension of the upcoming show was getting to her?

Each morning, Yolanda made sure to set out to one of the various training fields around the city, where she challenged the locals or passing-through trainers.

She now had an impressive record of thirty victories to nine losses, which probably meant she needed to challenge some better trainers. That or make a run at the local Battleclub. 

In the evening, she made sure to do some research on upcoming opponents such as Gym Leaders, their Gym trainers, and even some of the big names that were starting to work out how to create profiles for themselves on pokenet. She made doubly sure to check in on A.J. once or twice only to see he had the same team.

There were a few trainers locally that she should try her hand against. If not to win, then to experience it herself.

She could then make sure to—

A cold water bottle pressed against her neck, causing her to shriek in shock.

“Crystal don—” she started to say, only to find Delta smirking down at her. “Delta?” she asked, looking around and confirming that she wasn’t at the hall. In fact, she was sitting in a small park.

“Hi!~” greeted Delta. “You looked all serious so I thought I’d come and tease, I mean, say hi!” 

Yolanda sighed. “I was just reflecting on how things have been going.”

“Hmmm, that does sound serious,” remarked Delta. “Way too serious for a girl your age!”

“What can I say, I guess I’m just a serious person.”

Delta tilted her head. “Maybe too serious?” Her eyes darted to Yolanda’s transceiver screen, which displayed her schedule for the next week. “Yikes! Way too serious! You need to liven up a lot more! Have you been up to the cape yet?”

“Uhmmm no?” replied Yolanda causing Delta to shake her head. 

“What about the mysterious cave?”

“You mean the one the Rangers patrol strictly and keep everyone else, barring Gym Leaders or the Elite Four, out of?” Yolanda asked.

“Yeah! Precisely that! Or the daycare where the cute baby pokemon are! Tell me you’ve been there!”

Yolanda glanced away, feeling oddly defensive of her lack of outings.

Delta groaned. “You’re doing this all wrong. You have to have fun! Otherwise, what’s the point in being out of the house and away from your family!”

Yolanda felt her brow twitch. Delta wasn’t usually a problem but for some reason hearing her talk about Yolanda’s family made her think about her mother who might say similar things.

“Maybe I’ve just had to be a bit more responsible than others alright? I’m trying to do a lot and it isn’t exactly easy!” she snapped.

Delta flinched. “Oh, uhmmm sorry?” she offered, fidgeting as she bowed her head.

Yolanda groaned. “No, I’m sorry I shouldn’t be so grumpy. Those… those places do sound like a lot of fun,” she mumbled. “I just don’t have a lot of time for all this and it doesn't help that we left things so late! I’m kind of getting the idea that Howard… isn’t the right person for the job.”

“Ah, that might be where you’re wrong,” Delta coughed.

“What makes you say that?” Yolanda asked.

“Well we pointed out that it would be best to practise with you, but he pointed out how young you were. You would have lost a lot of time practising instead of spending time with your family, which, when you’re on your journey, can be too much. Then there’s the fact that this is a small show. We’re only playing six of your songs on stage instead of going for like an hour and change. This isn’t about throwing you into the deep end but letting you step into the scene, establish yourself and let you enjoy it.”

Delta shifted for a moment before sighing. “Also, he’s been lying about the number of people interested in attending your show.”

“Huh? How bad is it?” Yolanda gasped.

“About three thousand people tried to get tickets for a hall that barely fits a thousand bad.”

Yolanda stared. “What?”

Delta nodded. “You’re kind of popular, insanely so. I get it, though. You’ve been headline adjacent for a few years now with everything that went down with your family and then Brock’s big throwdown last year. You’ve been seen on camera supporting your family. So straight away, you have a postive presence in people’s minds. Couple that with your pokenet page for instant access, along with your songs being great… Well, I’m not going to be surprised if more people want in next time.”

“Three thousand people? That’s way too many!” Yolanda refuted, shaking her head.

Delta snorted. “Nah, I asked around the city, as well as the ticket booth. There have been that many people asking for them. If you wander enough, you’ll spot people hawking them. You’re a hot commodity.”

“Why’d Howard lie then?” Yolanda asked, working at the puzzle.

“He’s protecting you. Didn’t want this to become too intense too early. Wants you to have fun. If this is how you are today while you’re a preteen, you’re going to be big before we know it.”

“Oh…” Yolanda murmured. “Thanks, I guess.”

“No problem, and again, sorry for…blowing off your worries like that. They were right, but...” Delta licked her lips and wiggled. “That doesn’t mean I was wrong. Care to just check out the scenes of Cerulean with me for today?”

Yolanda suddenly got worried. “I really should stay close. We have a final sound check before tonight.”

“We can do the cape and mystery ‘cave in’ before lunch!” Delta offered.

“Hmmmm alright,” Yolanda relented. “If it’s alright with you can I invite my friends as well?”

“Sure! The more the merrier! Oh! Even better! How about this! I get the boys to come with and we can call it a band tour! Get photos to post on pokechat and everything hey?”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Yolanda offered, feeling more upbeat about this.

Delta leaned in and ruffled Yolanda’s hair. “You’re such a little overachiever. I should have known that would be how I get you out and about! We’re going to do this at the other major cities as well now!”

“Sounds good,” replied Yolanda with a smile. And she had to admit, it did sound better than throwing herself into more fights. 

Actually, her pokemon could do with a break. Without even thinking about it, she tapped her transceiver and began reviewing her notes for what sort of pokemon occupied the cape. Huh, Abra, and some neat grass types, but otherwise it was mostly water types that lived in the waterways.

Delta nudged her shoulder. “That doesn’t look like messaging your friends but more work.”

“Ah… oops?” Yolanda bonked the side of her head and adopted a contrite look that worked wonders on Brock.

Delta raised a singularly amused eyebrow. “You’re such a cute kid!” she cooed, grabbing Yolanda’s face to nuzzle into it. “You can call me big sis if you want!”

“You’re nowhere near as cool as Sabrina,” Yolanda muttered instantly.

Delta stiffened and slumped. “Arceus, you’re savage! Some of us have to have realistic goals… but speaking of which, think you can—”

Yolanda reached into her pouch and drew out a signed photo of Sabrina. Delta leaned forward and opened the pouch further. “Do you seriously have… oh wow, you have Brock’s, Titan’s Bertha’s and even… is that Janine’s?” 

“Yeah, she came around to train at the Pewter Gym. We’re friends.”

Delta made a thoughtful face. “Huh, I definitely want to hang around with you now. Especially when we get to Vermillion. I assume you know Visquez right?”

“Oh, I know of her. Brock and her talk sometimes but we were closer with Lt. Surge, he used to come around all the time to hang out!”

Delta stared. “What even is your life?”

Yolanda rubbed the back of her head, feeling somewhat self-conscious now. “It’s just how it is I guess?” she offered back with a shrug. “Are the boys coming?” Yolanda asked only for Delta’s shoulders to droop.

“Draven’s got a thing and Drake's helping his brother,” she muttered. 

“Ah,” she replied, sensing her friend's gloom but unsure how to address it. 

Her friends thankfully didn’t take long to join her, with Crystal approaching fast on her scooter with a pleased expression while Greta came along behind her. “Guess who went four straight and is buying dinner tonight!”

Greta giggled. ”Crystal, we’re going to be at Yolanda’s show so we’ll get the backstage meals, remember?”

Delta perked up. “Oh? Got some V.I.P’s here do we? I’m Delta, one of Yolanda's band mates!”

Greta bowed. “She told us about you! Nice to meet you in person!”

Crystal grinned and winked at Yolanda, which Yolanda knew meant trouble. “Yeah she said you were kind of annoying!” she declared before Yolanda could stop her.

Yolanda’s hand slapped into her friend’s mouth causing an echoing clap to ring out. “Oh, you… you’re such a hoot!” she glanced back at Delta, who looked stunned. “I meant that about Draven!”

Delta perked right up. “Oh yeah, he can be such a spotlight hog!” 

With that tension defused, the group set out towards the cape, passing over the bridge only to encounter numerous couples every few metres.

“So this is a popular dating spot?”

“Not usually before sunset…” replied Delta with a tilt of her head. “Odd that they’re all out so early.”

Greta hummed. “I think it’s cause it’s such a nice day. It makes sense to go for a walk over the Golden Nugget Bridge and then camp out on Route twenty-four.”

“Hmmm makes sense,” Delta remarked as she gave Greta a look up and down. “So you’re like the brains,” she pointed to Crystal, “she’s the brawn,” and she jerked a thumb to Yolanda. “And she’s the beauty of your group I take it?”

“Hey!” Crystal barked. “I can be all three if I want to!”

Yolanda giggled at the teasing while Greta nodded. “Yes, that’s accurate enough.”

Delta nodded before raising a finger. “So do you know why it’s called the Golden Nugget Bridge and not something else? And why it’s Route twenty four unlike the other lower numbered areas?”

“Oh that’s easy! After the war there was a lot of damage done to Cerulean and the cape but the locals had the good fortune to discover that there was a vein of gold that had been deposited around where the bridge was built. Deciding to share their discovery with the City Cerulean pooled the money and rebuilt after the war, even going so far as to build a bridge to remember the moment! And it’s route Twenty-four because that’s when it was established by the league, unlike route four, five, and nine, which go out from Cerulean!” Greta chimed in.

“Nerd!” teased Crystal.

Delta tilted her head as the two girls bickered playfully, only to give Yolanda a smile. “So you have to play peacemaker a bit, I take it?”

“Nah, I just let them tire themselves out and then nudge them along,” she commented with a smirk. 

As her friends rounded on her to drag her into their playfight, a man’s voice called out. “Why hello there Ladies. Me and my friends couldn’t help but notice that you were on your own, might I offer you—”

“I have a boyfriend, go away!” snapped Delta loudly cutting the man off and causing several couples nearby to look over at the commotion.

Everyone stared at her, and the man blinked then slowly backed away.

“Ah, uhmm, Delta? I think he was going to challenge us to a fight. He’s a rookie crusher I’ve seen around.” Yolanda pointed out.

“Yeah, I think he was trying to get us into a three-on-three Pokémon battle. Those guys with him are all rookie crushers!” crystal replied, eying off the shifting pair of boys behind the leader.

Greta however pointed at Delta. “You have a boyfriend?”

Delta slumped, bracing herself against the bridge railing. “No! Stupid Drake! He’s just too damn shy to do anything!” 

The trio of girls shared a look. Crystal coughed. “Damn Greta, that was a critical hit.”

Greta stiffened. “I didn’t mean to!”

“There there Delta, Drake’s just… growing into himself?” Yolanda offered. “He just lacks confidence. I’m sure he likes you as well!”

“Yeah! Have some confidence!” Crystal punched the air. “He’ll be lucky to snag a chick like you!” 

Delta giggled. “Ha! You girls are a riot. Come on, let’s go look at the mystery cave!”

“Uhmmm what about our challenge?” asked the boy, trying to reestablish himself.

Yolanda, Greta, and Crystal shared a look, then released Terra, Cyndaquil, and Venusaur together.

The fight was barely lasted an exchange of blows and the girls were all on their way with Delta whistling. “That was impressive,” she remarked, looking back at the trio of trainers slinking off towards Cerulean City.

The mysterious cave, when they reached it a few minutes later, was barely visible from behind a mesh fence with barbed wire, a moat, and several Rangers patrolling the area.

The girls all raised binoculars. 

“Greta?” Yolanda prompted.

Greta, who’d been vibrating in anticipation, began to speak. “The Mysterious cave is something that appeared one day ten years ago and has been the cause for a lot of speculation as to its origin. 

“The prevailing theory is that the pokemon that inhabited the cavern was that the cavern was a secret training facility for the army for various rock and water-type Pokémon! Only for poison, psychic and grass-type Pokémon to be added to create a complex and aggressive ecosystem!”

“That’s messed up,” muttered Crystal.

“It was never confirmed, but the strength of the pokemon so close to an urban centre has been noted to be extremely unusual. The pokemon also have a lot of skill at evading or fighting back when Rangers attempt to clear out the site. As most pokemon won’t leave the cave system, it was judged best to lock it down rather than attempt further relocation of the pokemon.”

“Is that the only theory?” asked Delta, rather enjoying the impromptu lecture. 

“Some people also think it is home to a Legendary pokemon, but no one knows which one as there are no signs beyond the strong pokemon. Most people aren’t able to navigate the caves properly however, due to the tight corners, constant pokemon encounters, and low to no visibility.”

“Not to mention that some poison types, when they create lairs will poison the air around them, so if you’re not careful, you end up poisoned.”

“Yikes! This place is way grimmer than I thought it would be!” Delta said as Greta exhaled in relief. Delta gave her a look. “What’s up with you?”

“She’s just happy she got to lecture us about some random nerd fact. She has a bunch of them that she’s read from various travel guides. She’s considering making her own one day,” Crystal supplied.

Delta gave the younger girl a quick nod of appreciation. “That is a nice goal. Would be pretty cool to have a job like that, it lets you travel.” 

The girls continued on from the mystery cave with pokemon appearing from patches of longer grass to observe them before scurrying away. 

Yolanda considered approaching some of them, but at the same time was happy just to relax today. She could worry about expanding her team after the show and when they moved on from Cerulean.

A few people challenged them, along with there being a few couples that wanted to demonstrate their level of compatibility with each other.

They unknowingly played right into the younger girl's hands. They’d expected tricks like this when they came to Cerulean as the first stop on their Journey and had been fighting in doubles and even triple battle fights to expand their skills.

Slash the sneasel once more became a threat while also offering some solid defense in any fight he took part in with his Protect.

More than a few couples stormed off, their date seemingly ruined due to the loss which typically led to an argument.

“Geez, I kind of feel bad,” Greta commented as the latest challengers departed, all but screaming at each other as they kept up fake smiles, as whispered barbs were being traded.

“Don’t be!” Crystal chirped. “If losing something like a pokemon battle is enough to break them up then they have no business dating. It’s not a bad test, but it’s kind of shallow. Meant they were only able to handle the good times.”

Yolanda, Greta and Delta all stared at her. “What?” she asked.

“It’s just… sometimes you surprise me with how perceptive and wise you can be,” Greta explained.

“Eh, I got street smarts and emotional intelligence!” Crystal smirked as she approached Greta and put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “You are feeling vexed.”

That drew a snort from Greta as she batted Crystal’s hand away. “Smart ass!”

Before long, the girls made it to the cape where various fishers had laid out lines, some even having five on the go at once, while others sat on the bank with a stick and a long piece of string.

Staring out at the wide expanse of ocean, knowing there was nothing out to the east but more water was oddly calmly. For a while, no one spoke, content to sit and listen to the sounds of the waves splashing against the rocks and the Wingull flying overhead.

“Huh, this is kinda nice,” Crystal murmured. 

“Hmmm,” replied the others as they basked in the sun.

For another long minute, no one spoke, then Crystal gasped. “Holy shit what sort of pokemon was that?” 

Everyone’s eyes snapped open to find Crystal with her pokedex out and pointed to a distant glint of light.

Greta sighed. “Crystal, it was probably just the light reflecting off the scales of a water type pokemon or something. Happens all the time.”

“No, something ran across the water to the north, I swea—” Crystal was cut off by a sudden wave of much colder air blowing through the area, causing everyone to shudder around them.

They almost missed it as the pokedex beeped once. “Entry discovered! Pokemon identified!” Everyone’s gaze turned down to the screen.

“Suicine, the mythical pokemon of the north winds. It is said to be able to purify filthy water. It is known to race across the land and when it runs, powerful winds follow it. It is considered the most graceful pokemon in existence.”

“Oh, wow, I saw a Legendary pokemon…” murmured Crystal.

“I can’t believe I was so close to a Legendary! That’s… that’s incredible!” gushed Delta.

Yolanda opened her mouth, about to mention she’d seen a whole roster of Legendary pokemon when she went to Shamouti, only to think better of it and instead pat her friend on the back. “That’s some good luck, Crystal!” 

“Isn’t it?” cheered Delta, seeming much more upbeat.

Greta bounced up and down. “Urgh! I’m so jealous you got that as a proper pokedex entry!”

Once more Yolanda kept her mouth shut.

Her friends continued to gush over this with Yolanda holding in her giggles at their enthusiasm at seeing a single Legendary pokemon. 

It was cute. They all agreed that it was a good sign for all of them and began making their way back, with Greta and Delta both still buzzing with energy.

Greta, however, began eyeing Yolanda.

“You’ve been rather quiet,” she remarked.

Yolanda felt a trickle of sweat run down her back. Oh shit. Greta was onto her.

“Yeah, just a bit surprised, I guess, but happy, you know?” Yolanda replied.

Greta nodded slowly, and straight away, Yolanda knew that wasn’t going to be enough.

“Do you think I should get a grass type? I’ve been thinking about it with all the pokemon we encountered and—”

This proved to be the perfect distraction as Greta began extolling the wisdom in having such a pokemon on a team, allowing Yolanda to relax.

By the time they got back to the City, Delta and Yolanda had to break away to perform a final sound check with the boys before going through final prep for the show tonight.

For that they mostly stayed in the backstage area with a few of the older band members' friends showing up alongside Crystal and Greta.

Howard, who’d been flitting in and out all day strode into the room. “Right! The hall is getting filled up and there’s going to be a support act first. They’re going to play four songs then you’re out. Everyone feeling good?” he asked, flitting over everyone before settling on Yolanda.

Yolanda nodded. “Yeah, I’m feeling good. Who’s in the crowd?” she asked.

Howard hummed. “Well there’s a rather large contingent of Rangers that got tickets before things got crazy but otherwise there are a few big names like Daisy, Violet, and Lily!”

“Oh, them,” Yolanda hummed, her face shifting into annoyance as she recalled how Violet had tried to set her up to play different music. Urgh. 

“How come the Rangers are here?” asked Draven. “Seems kind of weird. They prefer to hang around in the wilds, I thought?”

Howard perked up and produced a tablet. “We had some surveys done and it turns out they heard of Yolanda here through a friend of a friend and upon visiting her pokenet page, they liked her music!”

Shooting her a thumbs up Howard beamed. “Excellent work with the grass roots advertising, Yolanda!”

Yolanda blinked. Had handing out a few cards with her link on it really done that much?

They spent the last few minutes warming up for what lay ahead; their friends cheered them on as they left to take their seats.

Then it was time with Howard tapping the side of his ear. “Music is winding down, everyone up and walking, no need to rush this is your show!”

When they reached the stage there were a few LED strips around to see what they needed without giving too much away.

Yolanda adjusted the microphone, slightly annoyed that whoever had gone before her had been so tall. A quick check with the others, and then she cleared her throat.

“Hello Cerulean City!” she began, causing the lights to activate. 

She smiled as the crowd cheered back in response.

“Thank you for coming out tonight! We’re hoping for a great show! I’m Yolanda, and this is the Rockets. Are you ready to rock?”

The crowd once more cheered, and Yolanda gave Drake the signal.

He rose tall, smacking his sticks together as his eyes began to blaze as the countdown began 

On the third beat, Yolanda and Delta began to play with the others joining in. 

Her fingers began to pluck and glide across the strings, teasing out a song that she’d worked at for hours by this point.

When the time came the words flowed out of her and she allowed herself to slip into the moment, swaying a little at first before bouncing along with the song. 

The song continued and instead of just playing she began to grow more aware. Behind her Draven was leaning forward on his keyboard, causing it to shift as he pressed the keys just right while still pressing forward. Only to find that the microphone that they’d set up was bolted to the floor, forcing him to choose, continue to inch forward and miss out on his vocals or stick the course.

He stuck with the course.

Drake was a whirlwind with his drumsticks, hitting every note and bouncing his head along with the music.

Delta bounced from foot to foot, working her strings to create the bass that thrummed and made people feel the song instead of just hearing it.

Yolanda grinned as she locked into this performance. With Terra the Pupitar smacking into the stage with each beat.

From there, it became a whirlwind of music, sweat, song, and the roar of the crowd. 

Before she knew it, the last song was winding down and Yolanda came back into herself, tired, wet, and flush with excitement.

The crowd rose to their feet, roaring their approval.

Yolanda stood there, staring back at them with a smile on her face. She could see the faces of the people as lights began to turn on around the hall with doors opening.

The idea was that people were supposed to leave now. 

Yolanda remained standing, looking through the sea of faces. She could now see the contingent of Ranger as well as a group of what could only be Officer Jennys along with a singular Nurse Joy… who had a mask over her face that… 

Wait, was that the Pewter Nurse Joy? The one with the Latios?

Oh! That lady looked a bit like Granny Harridan and Granny— No, that would be ridiculous. They wouldn’t leave Pewter just to come hear her perform would they?

“En—” a chant started up from someone in the back, only for people to pick it up and before Yolanda knew it, she was suddenly facing a crowd of faces, chanting as one.

“ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!” they bleated out.

Yolanda blinked.

Oh, that was nice of them.

Oh? Wait, they wanted an encore?

Oh… they wanted an encore.

Yolanda glanced behind her. Draven was right there, grinning at her while Delta shifted nervously.

Drake was starting to shrink into himself, eyes darting around.

Oh dear, should they have practised another song for just this situation? They’d focused on just the six songs; there weren’t any others that they all knew how to…

No, that wasn’t true; there were always a few songs that everyone practically knew. As musicians, that might even go doubly so for her band.

“—!” she called, earning looks as she tried to shout back at them despite the noise of the crowd.

Delta, Draven and Drake all stared before a group grin broke over their faces.

Drake raised his sticks as Yolanda raised her hand with a single finger pointed to the sky

“ONE MORE SONG!” she called, cutting through the noise and earning herself a roar of approval.

As the opening strings section rang out with the drums thundering into the frantic melody people perked up, recognising what they were going to sing just from the opening lines.

“Alright!” She called out as the people wanted something more.

“I want to be the very best!” 

“Like no one ever was!” 

“Catch them is my real test!”

By the time Yolanda hit the third line of the song, the entire crowd had joined in as a mighty chorus that must have had most of Cerulean hearing them.

The grin on her face stretched wider.

This had to be one of the best ways to finish a show and when she was done she bowed deeply and got off the stage fast. 

“Thank you, goodnight!” she called over her shoulder. 

She hit the backroom and collapsed into one of the couches with her band following after her.

“That was incredible!” Draven shouted. “The crowd, they loved me!”

Everyone else, even Drake, shared a look and broke out into laughter as Draven just kept grinning.

Wow, and she was going to repeat this in a week’s time at Porta Vista?

Yolanda found herself grinning.

She couldn’t wait.

________________________

A.N. Thanks go to my patreons for your continued support!

What other songs do you think Yolanda could realistically perform? Rock is the genre here.

It also goes to Twmmy for proofreading!