[Quest Complete!]
[Your heart resonated with the Connection Tree! The withered branches sensed new wills, and the decayed wood began to sprout anew!]
[Obtained: Reveal Glass x3, Electric Radiance x1, Artistic Talent x1, TM (Wild Charge), Volt Badge x1!]
[Artistic Talent – Linework Artist!]
[Description: — Using lines as your magic wand, you're a magician who draws out subtle interactions between people! By employing straight, curved, or angled lines, you shape the world's forms and details, expressing different styles and emotions.]
[Effect: Linework proficiency +200%. You can express emotion and imagery through pure lines, capturing fleeting artistic details in black-and-white illustrations. This is crucial for fashion design!]
[Obtained: Electric Radiance – Shining Star!]
[Description: A special power born from your Fashion Battle. Every life seeks to shine as the brightest star on its stage.]
[Effect: Shine Collection +10%. Items with no direct effects may instead boost your Pokémon's performance, such as Contest Ribbons enhancing contest stats.]
[Effect: Shining Glamour +50%. When on stage or performing, your Pokémon's stats and move appeal increase.]
[Note: Your Sunlight ability has slightly improved! The Connection Tree feels your light, and a new leaf has sprouted.]
[Craftable Item: Silph Spectacles!]
[Description: A visor that reveals things invisible to the naked eye, detecting psychic waves, seeing through smoke screens, and exposing even spectral ghosts. Created by Silph Co., it's among humanity's highest technological achievements. An essential tool for deciphering mysterious forces!]
[Note: Continued study of linework art will guide you towards becoming a "Pokémon Observer."]
Though this battle wasn't inside a Gym, it unexpectedly allowed the Connection Tree to sprout a green leaf instead of merely restoring decay. Hikaru also gained a new artistic ability – a thoroughly satisfying outcome.
Elesa soon declared the Fashion Show over. She told Hikaru to wait briefly before heading backstage, her excitement and delight still apparent.
She probably wanted to discuss design matters with him later, Hikaru thought.
Meanwhile, the audience dispersed in high spirits. The genius artist versus dazzling model battle would remain a hot topic in the city for days to come.
He glanced at the golden badge in his hand:
[Obtained: Volt Badge]
[Description: Proof of defeating Nimbasa Gym. Though it wasn't a formal challenge, who cares! Designed after lightning. To the holder of the Volt Badge – may your battles be electrifying!]
[Effect: Required for participation in the Pokémon League.]
[Note 1: The Connection Tree linked with the Volt Badge! Knowledge acquired – Shining Time!]
[Lightning produces radiant light, as do circuits. Beautiful things glow brighter as time passes – your personal grime -50%, shine +30%. This boosts elegance and fashion sense. Combined with your Otherworldly Voice and special pendants, peering into the flow of time without becoming tainted… something mysterious may occur…?!]
[The Connection Tree itself does not know what may happen.]
Hikaru: "...?"
Ah well, the old tree's aged – it doesn't know everything. Its job is simply to give rewards. If it really is powerful, Hikaru could only say, "How generous! You really dare give such things!"
But for now, it just seemed like a cleaner badge, which was nice. Staying grimy all day wasn't exactly fashionable, even if dirt was proof of battles fought. Cleaning it was still a pain.
"Uwah! It's so shiny!" Shion sparkled with excitement. The earlier battle had thrilled her. First they conquered the Battle Subway, then saw a Fashion Battle Show, rode the Ferris wheel, and received a Pokémon egg. Today felt like a dream come true – she was utterly happy.
"I saw it… you really shone up there… your Pokémon too." N spoke softly. "They exude a confidence I rarely see in others' Pokémon. Because you're an extraordinary person… your Pokémon become extraordinary too."
Although he watched the battles, N focused less on Trainer intent and more on Pokémon feelings. The voices of the Pokémon who battled just now… particularly Larvesta…
Though seemingly newly hatched, it felt as if it had lived for centuries. Truly curious.
The final victory came from Hikaru's overwhelming psychic buff to Larvesta, allowing it to one-shot Luxray.
"Today has made me happy too."
N spoke from the heart. His understanding of life's stage grew deeper.
Every life finds a stage to shine upon… if it hasn't yet, it must search for one.
"I hope we meet again in Mistralton. The Tower I thought of earlier… perhaps it wasn't coincidence. As someone with special powers… I think it was instinct."
"Fate is a curious thing."
At that moment, someone approached Hikaru:
"Hello! I'm with BW Entertainment! Sorry to bother you."
BW Entertainment, originally from Pokémon Adventures, existed here as well. Though the CEO wasn't White as in the manga, the company ran the Pokémon Musical Hall.
"We provide Pokémon actors for ads, movies, and TV across Unova, and are well-regarded."
"Our main business here is the Pokémon Musical!"
"Your Pokémon were dazzling – ancient Lilligant's elegant dance, Riolu with its cloak, and that sun-like Larvesta! My heart is still racing. I hope you'll consider…"
"Honestly, having a genius artist like you on our stage would be an immense honor!"
"The Pokémon Musical… having them perform for entertainment…" N spoke up before Hikaru could answer, though he restrained himself. Subconsciously, he disliked forced performances.
However, the representative only smiled:
"It's not just a game. The Pokémon perform earnestly."
"Do you know its history?"
"Originally, only humans performed. But one day, Pokémon wandered on stage, mimicking the actors – and it shocked the world."
"That's how the Pokémon Musical was born!"
"Their costumes, music, and dance combine into true emotion. The Musical Hall exists to bring people joy."
Shion interjected: "It's true! Many Pokémon dream of performing here! N-san, why not see it for yourself? We still have time this afternoon."
"The afternoon till dusk is the perfect window!"
N hesitated but didn't refuse.
They had already conquered the Subway and watched a Fashion Show. Experiencing something else wouldn't hurt.
His team wasn't around anyway. Earlier, he confirmed they'd been expelled from Nimbasa City.
He sighed slightly. Nimbasa is too steeped in entertainment… and somehow… I'm enjoying it here…
No! N quickly corrected himself. This isn't enjoyment. I'm observing. My actions with Shion and Hikaru have clear purposes. And their outcomes have satisfied me.
In his envisioned future, a future built of equations, perhaps everyone he met truly had their own powers and stages.
"Very well."
N agreed.
Hikaru didn't reject the invitation either. This counted as another showcase.
Besides, it was part of his original plan – to acquire vital knowledge of music and rhythm to craft powerful items.
After all, music-based items included the Eon Flute that summoned Latios and Latias, the Sun and Moon Flutes for Solgaleo and Lunala, the Azure Flute for Arceus, and the Ukelele Pichu's special four-string ukulele from Oblivia!
Thus, Hikaru requested permission to modify some stage props. BW Entertainment, which rented costumes and props, gladly agreed. Even one performance by this new genius artist would be tremendous publicity.
At that moment—
"Ah, you're going to the Musical Hall? Perfect, let's go together!"
Elesa emerged from backstage, now in her Black & White outfit. Hikaru preferred her B2W2 attire, but the dangling headphone cords were still part of her trademark.
"I'm the host of the Pokémon Musical, you know! And… Shion, I saw you earlier."
"Today you looked beautiful and dazzling as ever!"
Elesa knew Shion well. In the games, she was the one who contacted Clay to lower Driftveil Drawbridge. Seeing N holding two trophies, she teased:
"Battle Subway trophies? You two were partners and beat Ingo and Emmet? Amazing!"
"It's thanks to N-san!" Shion beamed. Though she contributed, it was N who led them to victory. N simply lowered his cap again, reluctant to let too many remember his face.
But he couldn't help but praise:
"Your Pokémon spoke words that moved me deeply. Their indomitable will, united with yours… If there were more Trainers like you, humans and Pokémon would surely share a bright future."
Elesa blinked, surprised. Shion quickly interjected, "N-san says strange things sometimes, but he's truly kind and amazing at battling with Pokémon!"
Elesa smiled. "So that was praise… Thank you. Actually, something strange happened just now. For a moment, I felt Emolga's thoughts so clearly… Her longing, joy, desire to shine… even wanting to defeat Riolu. That feeling still echoes in me."
She turned to Hikaru:
"As Burgh said, you're a wondrous traveler who brings people special experiences. You truly deserve the title of Unova's genius artist."
"Indeed," N agreed for once. After all, his work helped me overcome my first dilemma.
Sometimes, all people needed was that first step.
Just then, the Connection Tree sent a new side quest:
[Connection Quest: Perform at the Pokémon Musical]
[Description: Your shining talent has been scouted. This performance will express your personal tendencies and ideas. Musicals touch hearts deeply… Will you sing the Ancient Song again?]
[Reward: Reveal Glass x2, Musician's Melody x1, Masterpiece Inspiration x1, Charisma x1, Special Item x1.]
At that moment—
Shion's incubator began to shake!
N noticed immediately. "Shion… that Pokémon is about to hatch!"
(End of Chapter)
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