Chapter 626: Wheeling and Dealing (1)
~Third POV~
[Unova Region, Next Day, Nacrene City – Café]
The morning sun over Nacrene City crested the jagged, historic rooflines of the centuries-old warehouses, casting long, golden geometric shadows across the cobblestone streets. These massive brick structures, once used for storing goods in a bygone era, had been lovingly redecorated into bustling modern shops, cozy cafes, and vibrant galleries. The city wore its history like an expensive tailored suit—rich, textured, and deeply artistic.
Inside Café Warehouse, the atmosphere buzzed with the low murmur of morning patrons and the rich, roasted aroma of Unovan coffee.
At the center of it all stood Hilda White. President, founder, and fiercely driven manager of the BW Agency, she had the entire cafe's attention.
Resting on her head was her partner Vivi, the Eevee, ears twitching cutely, while beside her stood two very recognizable, plump, orange-and-black striped Tepig: Black's Tep and White's own Gigi.
White announced, her voice carrying a practiced, theatrical clarity that instantly commanded the room, "Yes, that's right, folks! You've seen them on your television screens!"
*Tap-tap-tap*
She gestured gracefully toward the two starter Pokémon, who struck an adorable, synchronized pose, snorting happy little puffs of smoke. She continued, "These are the stars of the latest Unova Commercial Network spots! The BW Agency represents the finest, most talented Pokémon actors in the region, ready to bring life, charm, and charisma to your plays, dramas, and commercial ventures!"
Murmurs of delight rippled through the crowd. Phones came out, and whispers echoed from the adjacent tables, "Isn't that the one from the detergent ad?"
*FLASH*
Not wanting to miss a beat, a flash of soft, ethereal blue-white light bloomed behind White. With a graceful, shimmering pirouette, Azure's Gardevoir stepped into the light, her crimson eyes gleaming with gentle intelligence as she cast a gorgeous Dazzling Gleam inside the café.
The sparkling particles danced in the café's dim lighting like falling stardust, drawing gasps of pure awe from the patrons. White beamed, expertly fanning a deck of glossy business cards between her fingers and offering them to the nearest tables, "And if you want your own partner to achieve superstardom, simply take one of our cards!"
With a satisfied smirk, she glided over to the wooden bar, leaning against the polished counter. She let out a dramatic, relieved breath, sliding a glance toward the bartender, asking politely, "Whew. Mind pouring me a quick shot, please? I think I earned it after using your establishment as my personal stage."
The bartender chuckled, pouring a sparkling citrus tonic, replying, "Only if you keep bringing in crowds like that, honey."
//////
[Unova Region, Meanwhile, Nacrene City – Café (Terrace)]
A few yards away, out on the sunlit terrace of the cafe, a vastly different scene was unfolding. Black began to shout, "I'M GOING TO BE THE CHAMPION OF THE POKÉMON LEAGUE! NINE YEARS OF TRAINING HAVE LED TO THIS MOMENT—!"
*Thwack*
A hand clamped firmly over Black's mouth, cutting off his fiery declaration before it could rattle the cafe's front windows. Black's eyes went wide, his face flushing crimson as he stumbled backward, "Mmph—!"
Azure stood before him, wearing an expression of profound, soul-weary patience. Perched comfortably on Azure's right shoulder, Pikachu gave a dry little "Pika-pika…" and shook his head, while Eevee, resting cozily on Azure's crown, let out a soft yawn. Tucked securely inside the breast pocket of Azure's jacket, a disguised Mew-turned-Pichu let out a silent, squeaking giggle.
Azure sighed, lowering his hand and lecturing Black, "Black… We talked about this. You can't just bellow your life ambitions at maximum volume in the middle of a bustling urban center. You'll wake up half the city—and more importantly, you'll blow White's cover while she's trying to land clients."
Beside Azure, an Alpha Larvesta—a magnificent, glowing moth larva with fiery gold carapaces—lowered her horn, the pulsing pink sphere of a Safeguard barrier slowly dissipating around them.
*Shiii*
Azure murmured, reaching down to scratch Larvesta right beneath her glowing mandibles, "Thanks for the backup, girl."
The Larvesta trilled happily, pressing her warm head against his palm before Azure recalled her back into her Poké Ball with a flick of his wrist. Black rubbed the back of his head in mortification, his cheeks still burning.
Black muttered embarrassedly, staring down at his sneakers, "S-sorry, Azure. I just... I get so fired up thinking about the League, the battles, the badge collection... I can't help it! The dream just takes over!"
Azure said, taking a sip of his complimentary iced tea, "I get it, Black. Really, I do."
He crossed his arms, looking down at his younger companion with the seasoned wisdom of someone who had gone through a lot in life, and stated, "You've got incredible drive. But you must learn restraint. You act entirely on impulse without considering the consequences, or how your noise affects the people around you. You need to think about others' feelings, even for just a few minutes."
Black slumped into his chair, groaning softly, "Ugh... You sound like my old textbooks. But... you're right. I'll work on it. I swear."
From his shadow, a ripple of dark mist coalesced. A sleek, grinning Gengar materialized, hovering just behind Azure's shoulder. Gengar cackled, its crimson eyes glinting mischievously at Black's figure said, "Ke-ke-ke! The kid's got all the subtlety of a wild Bouffalant stampede, boss!"
Azure murmured under his breath, though a faint smile touched his lips, "Quiet, Gengar. But you got a point there."
Rotom's voice crackled cheerfully from the Arc Phone resting on the table, chiming in, "Zzzzt! True that! According to my database, shouting sudden declarations of grandeur increases local noise complaints by 400%! Bzzzt!"
Black blinked, glancing between Azure, the floating Gengar, and the glowing phone. He took a long gulp of his drink to wet his dry throat. Then, his eyes drifted over to where White was chatting animatedly with a group of prospective clients, flanked by his own Tepig and Azure's elegant Gardevoir.
Curiosity filled Black's head seeing one of Azure's main battlers on stage. Black asked, leaning in, "Hey, Azure... How on earth did you get your Gardevoir into show business? I thought she only cared about battle strategy and psychic combat."
Azure chuckled, taking another sip. He explained, "Curiosity, mostly. She saw a broadcast of another Gardevoir performing in the Kalos region a while back and got fascinated by the choreography. A lot of my Pokémon have hobbies outside of battling. Even my Legendaries take time off to pursue their own interests when they aren't saving the world."
Azure paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully before asking, "Say... since you struggle so much with keeping your voice down when your dreams take over, why don't we train your Musha? If she learns Safeguard or some other psychic sound-dampening moves, she can create a private psychic bubble around you whenever you feel the urge to scream. That way, you get it out of your system, and nobody else has to go deaf."
Black's jaw dropped. A blush spread furiously across his cheeks, but his eyes lit up at the idea as he asked, "W-wait. Are you serious? Musha can do that?"
Azure nodded easily, adjusting Pikachu on his shoulder, adding, "With a little practice, sure. Since I have Gardevoir, she can help tutor Musha in psychic manipulation. It shouldn't take long for your Pokémon to pick it up."
Black breathed, genuinely impressed, and replied, "Man... That... actually sounds insanely useful. Teach me everything, Azure!"
A few moments later, White sauntered over to their table, wearing the triumphant grin of a general returning from a victorious campaign. White announced, hands on her hips, "Boys! Pack it up, we're moving! I've secured three new advertising contracts and a preliminary meeting with a regional talent scout! Though..."
She narrowed her eyes slightly at Black. She asked suspiciously, "I noticed you weren't shouting your lungs out just now. Did something miraculous happen, or did Azure finally duct-tape your mouth shut?"
Black protested, crossing his arms defensively, "Hey! I'm reforming!"
Before White could reply, a soft, melodious voice echoed directly inside the minds of both Black and White, 'Thank you for having us, Miss White. It was a most... stimulating experience. Heh.'
Black nearly leaped out of his chair, and White stumbled backward, clutching her chest. They both whipped their heads toward Azure's Gardevoir, who stood calmly nearby, offering a polite, ladylike bow. White stammered, pointing a shaking finger, "Did... did the Pokémon just talk to us?!"
Azure offered an easygoing grin. He quickly explained to White, "Ah, right. I forgot to mention. She has the Hidden Ability Telepathy. She doesn't speak out loud, but she can broadcast her thoughts directly into your mind. So if you ever have any questions—or if you need her to scold Black for yelling—she's happy to help."
White blinked, recovering her composure with characteristic showbiz resilience. She clapped her hands together, exclaiming, "Incredible... The BW Agency could do wonders with a telepathic psychic star! Right, I need to borrow Tep and your Gardevoir for an afternoon photoshoot down by the plaza—"
Black groaned, slumping over the table as he complained, "Hey, hold on! I was hoping to take Tep with me to challenge the Nacrene Gym today! Lenora's gym structures are tough; I need my buddy!"
Azure chuckled, standing up from the booth and stretching his arms. He said in a casual tone, calming Black's complaining, "Relax, Black. You still need to pay off your literal debt, and Lenora isn't going anywhere. Besides, experience in the commercial sector builds character."
Azure patted Black's shoulder, adding casually, "Come on. While White handles her business, let's head over to the plaza. I promised to help you train Tula on Electro Ball to make better use of our time."
Black seemed to perk up at that as he agreed, "You better!"
Azure chuckled as the duo followed White.
/////
[Unova Region, Later, Nacrene City - Plaza]
The midday sun beat down warmly on the expansive stone plaza of Nacrene City. The trio walked side-by-side, taking in the vibrant atmosphere. Street vendors called out their wares, the scent of warm Lum Berry pastries drifted from a nearby bakery, and the distinct, rustic beauty of the city's ancient architecture framed the lively scene.
White remarked, gesturing broadly at the restored brick warehouses now housing bustling boutiques and art galleries, "Isn't it amazing, Black? Artists and creators come from all over Unova just to feel the inspiration here. If the BW Agency establishes a permanent footprint in Nacrene City, our reputation will soar sky-high!"
Azure nodded in agreement, his sharp eyes scanning the plaza, commenting, "It's a hub of culture, alright. Perfect environment for networking."
Suddenly, the lively strains of music cut through the ambient noise of the plaza. An old-fashioned accordion player was stationed near a large stone fountain, playing a jaunty, cheerful tune that had a small cluster of children clapping along.
White's eyes lit up like a pair of Super Potions. She instantly grabbed Black by the shoulders and spun him around, shoving him gently toward the musician. White whispered fiercely, "Go on! There's your chance to practice your business and communication skills. Go promote the agency!"
Poor Black stiffened up like a petrified Stunfisk.
He shuffled over to the accordion player, cleared his throat, and immediately began to stutter. Black stammered, sweating profusely as the musician stopped playing and blinked at him in total confusion with a blank expression, "Uh... hello! I am... we are... business... commercial... agency!"
Black stood there, opening and closing his mouth like a stranded Magikarp, stuttering incomprehensibly as the musician paused his playing to stare at him with a raised eyebrow. Sighing loudly, White pinched the bridge of her nose.
She thought bitterly, before marching over and smoothly elbowing Black aside, 'Some things never change.'
Sensing total disaster, White facepalmed, sighed, and marched over. She said smoothly, flashing a dazzling, professional smile, grabbing the musician's attention, "Excuse my associate; he suffers from a severe lack of conversational tact. Say, aren't you the maestro from the Evening Quartet show? I caught your performance on channel four last month! Absolutely stellar chord progression."
The musician's eyes widened in delighted recognition. He replied happily, "Ah! Why, yes, young lady! You have a good eye—er, ear!"
White seized the momentum without missing a beat and continued, "Thank you! You know, a talent like yours deserves a wider audience, especially for the children's shows. And every great children's show needs a charismatic mascot!"
With a flourish, she summoned Gigi and Tepig, alongside Azure's radiant Gardevoir, who stepped forward with a regal pose. White leaned in, dropping professional show-business advice with surgical precision: "If you incorporate interactive Pokémon choreography into the middle stanza, you'll increase audience engagement by at least fifty percent."
The musician stroked his chin, his eyes sparkling with sudden creative inspiration. He exclaimed in shock with a grin forming on his face, "By Jove... you're entirely right! Why didn't I think of that?"
From a few feet away, Black watched with his jaw practically touching the cobblestones. He turned to Azure, whispering in sheer disbelief, "How... how does she do that? She walked up to a complete stranger and had him pitching a new show concept in two minutes!"
Azure chuckled softly, hands tucked into his pockets. "That's why she's the president of her own agency, Black. She has a genuine gift for showmanship. People can't say no to someone who believes in her vision that intensely."
Before White could finalize the contract details, a sharp voice rang out across the plaza, "White! There you are!"
A frazzled-looking director came striding through the crowd, his clipboard clutched tightly in hand. He looked at White with an expression of mixed annoyance and admiration as he said, "Sneaking into Nacrene City without telling the production crew, are we? Still, I must hand it to you—that idea you just fed the maestro is gold! The station wants to feature a Pokémon star in his live broadcast right here, today."
*SNAP*
The director immediately snapped his fingers. He barked orders, "Makeup crew! Get the maestro ready for the camera! Assistant, hold his accordion!"
A nervous-looking assistant director scurried forward, gingerly taking the heavy accordion from the musician's shoulders as the makeup team swarmed the artist with powder brushes and hair gel.
Seeing the chaos unfold, Azure turned to Black. He said calmly, "Well, looks like they're going to be busy for a while. Let's make productive use of our time. Bring out Tula; I'll help you refine that Electro Ball trajectory."
Black said happily, his competitive fire reigniting, "Right behind you!
The two boys walked a short distance away toward a quieter corner of the plaza, away from the television cameras and crowds. Meanwhile, back at the makeshift staging area, the director crossed his arms and looked around, then asked, "Say, White... where is your loud, obnoxious assistant?"
White replied, waving a hand dismissively as she reviewed a script, "Black? Oh, he and another assistant of mine went off to train somewhere."
The assistant director holding the accordion shifted uncomfortably. The Unovan midday sun was beating down fiercely, and his throat felt as dry as a desert. He muttered to no one in particular, "Uh... excuse me for just a second. I need to grab a cold soda from the vending machine. I'll be right back."
Setting the heavy, ornate accordion down carefully on a stone bench right beside the fountain, the assistant scurried off toward a nearby drink machine. For a brief moment, the accordion sat there, completely unattended. Its bellows expanded and contracted slightly in the warm breeze, gleaming under the sunlight.
Then, two pairs of sharp, mischievous eyes locked onto it from behind a nearby decorative topiary. A wild Scraggy—complete with its signature oversized shed-skin pants sagging heavily around its ankles—waddled out from the shadows, followed closely by its larger, tougher evolution, a Scrafty with a crimson mohawk.
The two Fighting-type Pokémon tilted their heads in unison, sniffing the air curiously. The Scraggy reached out a clawed hand and poked the side of the accordion.
"Hooooonk!"
The instrument let out a loud, groaning wheeze. Both Pokémon jumped back in alarm, then burst into silent, cackling grins.
The sound reminded them immensely of the way their own stretchy, saggy skin could be pulled up and allowed to snap back down. Intrigued by this strange, musical cousin to their own anatomy, the Scraggy grabbed one of the leather straps in its mouth.
With a joyful squeak, the Scraggy and the Scrafty hoisted the heavy accordion between them and bolted away down a narrow Nacrene alleyway, leaving the plaza entirely unaware of the sudden theft of the musical centerpiece!
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!