The hidden secrets of Battle Bond
Chapter 21, Student or not?
Nina and Madeleine had finished writing the younger ones song. After the hunters intrusion during her training and the challenge made the two singers worked day and night to get Nina ready for the musical competition in Laverre City. The silver haired girl doubted going there as it was clearly bait to lure her in, Serena promised her that it would all be ok and she only had to worry about singing.
The small stage in the back of Madeleine's garden was emptied up for Nina and her Pokémon. The Pokémon that lived in the garden all sat in anticipation of Nina and her partners waiting for her to appear on stage. Ash and Serena both a bit further back to let the little Pokémon in the front close to the stage so that they can see Nina.
In Serena's lap there was a small grey Pokémon with a bushy. One of the Minccino that helped her clean up after doing the dishes took a liking to her. She softly brushed its tail to clean the dirt off it as it enjoyed her brushing. Serena had asked Madeleine permission earlier if she can catch it. The Chinchilla Pokémon normally were part of a stage group or Madeleine would give them away as a singing starter and not just to anyone.
But since Serena is one of Palermo's students and her ow. current one already has all the talent and Pokémon needed for creating music she can spare one. The Kalos Queen asking if it wanted to come with her said yes with Ash translating for her. After a thorough sweeping of a Pokeball so it was clean Minccino went inside it and now Serena is the lucky owner of a new friend that shared her fondness for cleanliness.
"Nervous?"
"A little."
"And I thought you said you didn't have stage fright."
"It's my own song. How can I not be nervous?"
Madeleine went onto the small stage herself. Setting the mood she introduced her protégé as Nina and the Pokémon appeared on stage. They did a courtesy bow thanking her audience for being here as with a wave of her hand she demanded silence from the crowd.
"Ampharos, Swanna, Heal Bell and Lucky Chant." Ampharos's tail began to shake up and down in a slow pace. Swanna started to hum a song together with Primarina as they provided the tune for the song. They started singing creating a background music for her like the musical they went too a few days ago.
"As a young girl I had a dream
A dream just like most others
Then I stepped into the world
And then that dream was shattered
Ruined by the one I loved the most
Boasting he did it for glory"
"Wondering far and wide is what we did
Together with my true partners
I went for a place to call a home
In fear of forever being silenced
Faith had something else store
Discovering my real destiny forevermore"
"It told me not be afraid of who I am
But to embrace it
We then took in their every word
And seal it in our hearts"
"Never backing down from fear
We take on the world together
When me and my Pokémon are one
There is no place better"
"Making sounds to feel a peace
Our hearts fluttering
Beating to the tunes
It beats as long as the music plays"
"And now we're here
In this new place
An old love
Rekindled in our heart"
"Gone for miles
Found again"
The Pokémon and Ash and Serena all gave the performers an applause.
"That was beautiful! You all were perfect! With that song you'll win the music competition for sure!" Serena bent on making Nina participate in it. The applause died down as Madeleine joined Nina on the small stage. She was more than ready for a debut and a life on stage.
"So. How did you think the test period went between us?"
"It was nice. Being with someone as experienced as you I learned a lot the last few days. I felt myself get better with my Pokémon and now I know opera is going to be the style we're going to focus fully on."
"And how do you think about Altaria?" The Humming Pokémon next to her trainer she did her best for Nina and her issues. Keeping a distance the Flying type really wanted the girl to feel her wings in a hug.
"We know you're not like the rest of them." Altaria chirped happily at her words. The rehabilitation a great start Nina got over her distrust of the species. Where before the girl did not want it anywhere near her, Altaria was almost into touching range now.
Nina reached into her pocket and pulled a tiny marble she kept on herself.
"Take it." Nina presented Madeleine with the Altarianite.
"You sure?" The singing coach asked her as she nodded. Madeleine reached out and took it reattaching to the necklace on Altaria's neck. With the Mega Stone back they can finally do what they wanted as long as her students were up for it.
"Let's sing together. All four of us. Me and Altaria and you and Primarina."
"Why?"
"You had that Mega Stone on you so you haven't heard what we can do yet. If you allow us to Mega Evolve it will really test you and Primarina and create a duet unlike any we both did before." Madeleine bluffing that Mega Altaria is unlike anything she ever heard Nina and Primarina took on the challenge. The ego rising even if she was her mentor, a singers ego dictated that you always have a better voice than anyone else no matter how much of a friend they are.
"Altaria, Mega Evolve!"
"Primarina, let's not get outshined by them!"
Altaria began to glow and Primarina encased herself with the orb of water. Ash and Serena both looked on a sight that normally sparked conflict, a Battle Bond trainer and a Mega Evolution user competed against each other now in a friendly way.
Both pairs trying to outdo the other there was a competition going on to hear who sounded the best between them. The Pokémon still in front of the stage all grew quiet listening to the duet of the Battle Bond singers and Mega Evolution singers.
Ash and Serena had silently been watching the two pairings do their magic. It made them hope that Nina finally gets used to people who use Mega Evolution and that they all weren't out to get her. The singing expert sounding just as good and even better as the younger singer even the Performer slowly started to drift away like all the Pokémon in the garden.
"So beautiful." Serena leaned her head against Ash's arm out of instinct while he wrapped it around her. The tune carrying them away to a place of pure pleasantness they just enjoyed the little display the four were doing. The song over they all took their breaths filling their lungs back up. There wasn't a clear winner between them so in the end the winners were all the Pokémon fortunate enough to listen.
Mega Altaria reversed the Mega Evolution and Primarina changed back to normal too. Madeleine satisfied with the duet had some further questions.
"How do you think Mega Altaria sounded?"
"It's pure. Clean. The notes came out entirely perfect. You really trained it well." Nina complimented Altaria. She heard notes and patches during their training but in person it definitely is up there with the best she ever heard.
"I have a gift for you. Serena?"
"Yes. I got it." Finally Nina can receive her new gift. After the hunters came around Serena raced to the workshop she and Ash went to earlier to pick up her Pokeflute. Serena already had gotten her own but hid it not to spoil it to her companion.
She handed the box over to Nina as she then stepped off stage. Nina opened the box and saw what's inside of it.
"A Pokeflute?" Seeing the design and painting of the Diveball on it Nina and Primarina were shocked to see it. The gift of a musical instrument like it was special undermining again that Madeleine loved music as much as she did.
"A special one at my request. You like it?" Madeleine could see the glimmer in her eyes. Nina admitting she has no talent for instruments still held the flute and moved her fingers over the holes expertly getting a feel for it.
"It's different than the ones I know. It's beautiful."
Admiring the flute there of course was a condition to it.
"I guess you expect me to play it?"
"If you're not out of breath already." Madeleine teased her with a smug grin knowing how to trigger her. Never tell Nina she can't do anything as it will only make her more determined.
"Watch this." She put the flute to her lips and started blowing. Playing the basic tune of the flute the noises it made reminded Ash and Serena of when they heard it before. The Pokémon all calmed down listening again. Ash and Serena were amazed how much control the singers had over all of them when they produced noise. Nina being the pied piper finished up as another applause rounded up.
"That was great! Can you teach me how to play it?"
Serena asked Nina. She would've gotten the chance to play her own Pokeflute if the hunters didn't interrupt them. Madeleine wanted to fully focus on her protégé and apologized to Serena for making her wait and that she can come back anytime for a few lessons. Perhaps on the way to Laverre City Nina can give her some advice on how to play it.
"I think you're ready." Madeleine said. Still she had some final words before Nina and the group had to leave.
"Don't let them get to you. Like before when you didn't get Sparkling Aria your mood affects your voice. Be determined, not angry or else you will lose not only against her but everyone else that is competing there. Thank your audience for the time they have given you before and after your song with a bow just like you did now. Keep their interest by also doing body motions like a little sway in your step. Don't be a statue."
Nina nodded taking everything in.
"As for your outfit I'll let Serena handle it. She apparently knows a thing or two about it." Serena gave the singing coach the thumbs up. Since they're heading to Laverre City she just had to drag Nina to Valerie's shop.
"I can't thank you enough Madeleine. I'll make you and all the Pokémon here proud." Nina said. Ego or not she never would let her teachers down.
"Just remember what I taught you. Do this for yourself and your audience. Keep your pride and ego in check when you see her."
"I'll try."
"My door is always open. Come back for classes whatever you want." The offer open to become a professional singer under her guidance Nina and Primarina nodded. They knew Madeleine would give her the time needed to make the decision.
"About that."
"Yes?" Hoping she did enough to convince her potential protégé to stay Madeleine awaited Nina's answer. She and Altaria did their best to make her feel at home as much as possible. Ash and Serena waited too clutching each others hands as they all were anticipating Nina's answer.
"I can't just yet." Madeleine and the others were let down. Nina saw their looks and told them it didn't have anything to do with them.
"I want permission from my mentors. I want to sing the song we've written for them. The song is a thank you for everything they've done for me and I want to let them hear I'm in the right hands with you. But once I get their permission I'll be here until you get bored of me."
"You're interesting. It be a long time before I get bored of you."
At least she had her protégé hooked. The trust and gratitude to her Battle Bond mentors overshadowed her own dreams. Madeleine did enough for now and she now knew it was only a matter of time before she got a new housemate. One rough gem she's eager to refine into a platinum artist like herself.
The singing expert held her arms open.
"Hug?"
"Why not?"
The two singers embraced. Ash and Serena happy as well that Nina made physical contact with a Mega user that did not involve hitting her or purposefully tripping her over. The last few days were a minor miracle as Nina managed to let go off her hate just for Madeleine and Altaria being comfortable in this new potential home of hers.
Altaria wrapped her wings around the duo wanting to join in. Nina reached out and felt the wings of it letting her fingers stroke them. Being able to trust the Altaria after the work they put in she commented on how they felt.
"You were right. They are fluffy."
The two pulled away. It unfortunately was time to say goodbye. They had to travel a bit to get to Laverre City and the group decided to go on foot to see a bit more of the region and to do something they should have done a long time ago.
"Bye Madeleine."
"Bye Nina."
"Primarina. Stay safe." The Soloist Pokémon bowed her head as Nina then returned her to her Pokeball. Primarina being in it she told Nina she wanted to see the singing instructor again soon. A thought her trainer shared.
"You two are also always welcome. Feel free to visit anytime." Madeleine said goodbye to the Performer and her supposed boyfriend. They may not be official yet but they might as well be after having them over studying their actions.
"Bye Madeleine!" The group waved goodbye to the singing expert as they left for their next destination. The Pokémon in the garden all ran out to wave goodbye as well.
"These last couple of days were great huh?" Serena learned more about music than before. Even listening to Nina doing her lessons she found inspiration for future performances. And with the Minccino in her arms already being trained a bit in music there were a bunch of things she'd love to try with her Pokeflute and new Pokémon.
"Can't deny it apart from one thing." Ash said referring to the hunters. Serena peeked over to Nina who was a bit sad but it was for a good and happy reason in her eyes. Nina is willing to be with a trainer with a Mega Evolution Pokémon.
"You're going to love Laverre City! I can't wait to see Valerie again and get that dress designed we found in those ruins!" The Kalos
"So…how do you feel about visiting Professor Sycamore?" They had to take a small detour through Lumiose City. Ash suggested now that his battle partner accepted a Mega user she can apologize to the researcher for the trick she pulled with her mentor.
"Don't get excited. Madeleine is the only one I'm making an exception for."
"You mean the first one." Serena smiled as they continued their journey despite the dangers they were heading towards.
Serena has a Minccino now. Bit off screen but so are Ash's 30 Tauros which episode I had never seen before and Brock's Zubat.
See you around.