Chapter 26: Before the Fated Duel, Act 1
Despite the awkward screaming of the young couple in front of him, the Youngster remains calm, albeit staring at them as if asking why the heck they're acting like that.
"S-sorry...You...uh, startled us…" Yancy tells the boy.
"It's fine…" He replies. "Can I still get an autograph?"
"Sure thing." Nate then takes the notebook, signs his signature on one of the pages, then hands it to Yancy, who does the same thing.
"Here you go…" She then hands the notebook back to the young boy.
"Thanks! Uh, by the way…"
"Y-yeah?"
"Yes?"
"That was a pretty impressive dance you two did…And, I'm sorry for intruding on you two..."
"H-huh?" Nate mutters, clearly surprised at the boy's apology. "If that's the case, then thanks."
"T-thank you…Ahahaha, I'm glad you liked it." Yancy then regains herself, and bows at him in gratitude.
"Well...I'd better be going, then. Thanks for the autographs! And I'm looking forward to Brycen-Man vs the Sneasel Ninja!" The boy then leaves.
"All's well that ends well, I guess…"
"You could say that again…"
Unbeknownst to both of them, the Youngster had taken a video of them dancing…
...
…
In the end, Black took most of the credit for stopping the Shadow Triad, on the behest everyone else involved. Nate and Yancy were also in the spotlight due to being the intended victims of the incident as well, but compared to the former they only received relatively minimal attention. However, something else instead casts them into the spotlight once more...
...
A few days later...At Yancy's condominium...
…
"Ugh…I can't believe that guy actually caught us doing all of that on tape…I feel like dying of embarrassment at this point..." Yancy says, having just rewatched the video of them dancing the other day on her laptop. "And then, of course, Christoph just had to nag us once more for an interview about it…"
"I...kind of had a feeling something like that would happen…And yeah, he had to interview us, twice no less...Just when I thought Black could cover us this time..." Nate replies. "Still, at least it's good publicity for the two of us…Save for your rabid fanboys sending hate email on my Pokestar Studios account…"
"I can say the same for those annoying fangirls...A-anyways, let me get to the point...I called you here to tell you something good…" She then pulls out two crumpled pieces of card from her bag and hands one of them over to him.
"Coupons for an overnight stay at the Driftveil Chateau Hotel...But it says here that it was supposed to have been used on the night of that botched gala…"
"That's no problem…"
"Why's that?"
"Well, I went to the hotel again a day after the incident in order to inquire about these coupons after going through my belongings. When they recognized who I was, they said they'd allow us the overnight stay regardless as thanks for taking down the perpetrators of the bombing."
"T-that's great! To be honest, I've always wanted to stay in that hotel after Hugh and Rosa did that one time…So, uh, when did they book us exactly?"
"No need. We just need to present these coupons to the manager as originally intended. As for when exactly, I'm thinking...The night before the next Pokemon World Tournament. How about it?"
"Sweet! I think it'll be a good way to make it there early."
…
And so, on the day of their almost-simultaneous performances…
…
Late morning, at a Theater in Nimbasa City...
...
"I have a very important announcement to make…" Nancy tells an overwhelmingly excited audience. "I apologize if I couldn't announce this much earlier, but due to unforeseen events I think it be best I tell it late than never."
Unsurprisingly, many people in the audience sans Nate begin asking questions amongst themselves.
"Hm?"
"What is it?"
"Is this something to do with her relationship?"
"Don't tell me…"
"No way…"
"I...am retiring as Nancy after this performance." She tells them after a long pause. "Thanks to my...relationship with Lack-Two, I can no longer perform as an idol singer."
Unsurprisingly, the crowd have mixed feelings about it.
"Awww…"
"I can respect that."
"We'll still love you, Nancy!"
"I'm jealous of that Lack-Two. He gets the girl and all…"
"That Nate...If I see the guy I'm gonna beat him with my Pokemon!"
"I really, really do apologize for the sudden announcement…" Nancy then bows to them as a sign that she's genuinely sorry to them. "But...it was not my decision to make. I really do wish to perform more as Nancy, but alas, the rules of my contract have stated that I cannot. And so, I will continue to perform, not as the Idol Singer Nancy, but simply as Yancy Ruri."
Immediately, the crowd become relieved at the last part, and the mood changes once again into a positive one.
"And so, I perform my final song as Nancy to you all…It's called "Xtransceiver Love" and it's a song I wrote myself just for this occasion... I hope that all of you here will enjoy my final, majestic performance..."
…
…
…
By the end of her performance, the entire crowd is in applause. In addition, mixed feelings once again arise within the crowd.
"That was...beautiful!"
"I can't wait for this song to be released! I'm getting both the physical and digital editions ASAP!"
"So beautiful, yet it's kind of sad we'll never get to hear Nancy again…"
Just before the audience begins leaving, however, Nancy makes one more, important, announcement.
"Before this concert ends, I'd like to say thank you to everyone here. My only request is that you address me as Yancy from now on. But that's not the only reason I'm making this announcement." She then takes a moment to compose herself, before finishing her speech. "I've...recently been cast into the Castelia Comic Cinematic Universe in a role that I unfortunately cannot tell you at this moment. But don't worry, I'll be announcing further details soon!"
Not long after she announces this, her fans once again begin cheering for her, with many clearly excited about seeing her on the big screen. Some, of course, begin expressing their doubts. But overall, the initial reception was positive.
…
Around an hour, a handful of interviews and several autograph signings later…
...
"Yancy!" Nate calls out to her. "That was...beautiful. To be honest, I'm flattered that song you composed was about us…"
"I'm glad you liked it!" She replies. "And I'm glad my fans liked it, too…Also, I'm glad you're wearing that tuxedo again..."
"Thanks. Figured it was the best time to wear it again...So, anyways, where exactly do you want to have lunch?" He asks her. "I'd love to take you somewhere nearby, but, considering your fans…"
"Oh, there's no need."
"Why's that?"
"I...I just got a call from my parents earlier. They want us to have lunch at their place. And, of course, they asked one of the drivers to fetch us."
"That's great!" He says, clearly relieved.
"And, um...Well…"
"Well what?"
"That's why…" She then points to two figures amongst the crowd, who then take the opportunity to approach the young couple.
"Sister!" The younger girls says, immediately giving away both their identities to
"So you must be Ricky and Cindy."
"You're Nate, right?" The younger boy asks him. "We've heard so much about you from our sister here."
"Yes, I am. And likewise."
"We arrived home earlier today since it's our semester break." Cindy explains to him. Ricky then continues where his sister left off.
"Then mom and dad told us to come pick sister up, and that we could meet you, so here we are."
"I...I see…" Yancy awkwardly replies to her younger step-sibling. "How nice of them…"
"(From that look, I can already tell she's not happy about it…)"
…
On the car ride from Nimbasa City to Undella Town…
...
"So, Ricky...Are you a fan of superhero movies?"
"AM I?" To the young man, it became perfectly clear immediately that they indeed shared a common interest. "I LOVED the Brycen-Man movies, and I loved your take on Lucario Kid! It's just a shame they recast you with that Black…"
"I see you're up-to-date, then! That's good. And, about Black. Don't worry about it. The recasting was necessary since the later films in the 'verse take place after a time skip."
"Is is true that sister was cast too?"
"Yup. She's going to be playing a leading role in one of the upcoming movies though we can't tell you just yet the full details. Sorry about that…"
"Awww…"
"Don't worry. If anything, I'll be personally announcing everything at a press conference soon, alongside your older sister, of course." Despite Nate's attempts at reassurance, however, the younger boy clearly still looks disappointed.
"Alright, if you really want to know something juicy, then I can…"
"Nate!" Yancy says in a scolding manner. "Uncle Zach or even Mr. Deeoh could kill us if you spilled anything about that...Metaphorically, but still…"
"Don't worry, I got this…" He then begins whispering to Ricky about the recommendation slip from Elesa, as well
"No way! Sister is gonna play…!?" Instead of replying, Nate simply shakes his head with a positive expression.
"Just keep in mind, Ricky...That this is a little secret between us here. If anyone else outside your family found out about this, me and Yancy would be in serious trouble from who knows how many people…"
"I know. I'll keep this a secret. Don't worry…"
"And don't worry, Nate." Cindy tells him. "I'll also make sure brother here doesn't break his promise."
"Thanks." He tells her, grateful that there's someone else who can watch their back. "Knowing how hyperactive your brother is right now, I think you really will need to make sure. You don't want us getting into trouble now, do you?"
…
Upon entering the gate leading up to the Ruri Estate, the two older Trainers immediately take notice of the increased security in and around the property. Included among the ranks are also several uniformed police officers, complete with accompanying Pokémon…
…
"Increased security, huh?"
"Y-yeah...Our parents were shocked at the ease of how those former Team Plasma members were able to execute their plan. So, they decided to step up the security of the mansion just in case anyone else tried."
"Are you two talking about the time sister was kidnapped?" Cindy asks them. "To be honest, part of the reason we wanted to come home was because we were worried about her."
"Yeah, we are." Nate replies. "And it's good you two are on sem break. Otherwise it would have been a hassle if you came back here in the middle of a term…"
"From what I remember, that same Black was the guy all over the news like you two."
"Long story short, we had him take most of the credit for stopping the Shadow Triad. But, unfortunately, it didn't go as well as we'd like..."
"Was it because you two were being hounded by the paparazzi?"
"You catch on quick. I'm really starting to like you, Ricky."
Not long after finishing their conversation, the car finally arrives at the main entrance of the Ruri Estate.
"Good afternoon, Nate." Mrs. Ruri greets the young man. She then notices her stepson clinging cheerfully next to him.
"Mom, we're back!" Ricky then begins blabbering on about wanting to see Brycen Man vs The Sneasel Ninja, before he and Cindy run inside the mansion to their respective rooms.
"And I can see that you're already acquainted with our only son."
"Y-yeah. I just asked him if he liked comic book superheroes and it went crazy from there…" In response, Elizabeth makes a quiet chuckle, having clearly expected a response of sorts from him. Not long after, she turns her attention to her older daughter.
"And congratulations dear for your Farewell Concert. Judging from your expression I guess it went well?"
"Yup! The crowd went wild with both joy and sadness."
"That's great. I'm sorry me and your father couldn't go earlier...We've been busy making arrangements with the insurance company over the damages from the hotel and all…And we've had to make arrangements to make our security here tighter as well, just in case more of those criminals came back..."
"Yeah, I saw them all over on the way to the main entrance."
"Anyways, I think I've been going on for a bit too long. Why don't you take a seat in the living room?" She then accompanies the two older Trainers inside, before Yancy excuses herself and heads off to her own room.
…
"Well…It looks like this is the last time I'll be wearing you as Nancy." Yancy tells herself, standing in front of a large dressing mirror still wearing her idol dress. "It was fun living the double life…" She then proceeds to take the dress off and then neatly place it onto a hangar. "I guess this is goodbye for now…" With a tearful smile on her face, she then hangs the dress in her massive walk-in closet, before grabbing another, familiar dress and then promptly changing into it…
…