Hidden secrets of Battle Bond
Chapter 34,
Ash and Nina had joined Serena and Fran after the second Zygarde core blew off the hunters. Ash explained the entire story to the two Performers who before that had tied up the woman who attacked Ash with her Arbok. The second core told them that his other half is with Bonnie and Clemont who located Archer and now were in his presence receiving some training. The second Zygarde core told them more about the agreement they made in which his cells would keep its eyes open for anymore potential Battle Bond trainers before retreating back into the woods to avoid further detection by humans.
Palermo's chopper was inbound now. They needed a place to keep Rana locked up and a normal prison wouldn't do as the woman hadn't done anything illegal in the eyes of the law. Prepping a special cell like the one Fran was locked in for some time they'll keep her there until they knew what to do with her.
Fran took off wishing Serena good luck. Serena wished to have spend a but more time with her fellow Performer training Illumise but as most times lately duty calls. Fran was tasked with the imprisonment of the Arbok trainer for now. Having left to Cyllage City, Ash, Serena and Nina went to the Pokémon Center to heal Ash's Pokémon.
The next day arrived and Ash was still waiting for Nurse Joy to finish. He sat at one of the yables eating breakfast with only Serena.
"You sure you're ok?" Serena still worried for him Ash flexed his muscles.
"Don't worry. It's the others that did the hard work." Thanking his Pokémon for the effort he asked Ash couldn't be happier with their actions yesterday. Serena and Nina having had enough for now wanted to freshen up and get changed, particularly the latter.
"How did Nina's performance go?" Ash wondered the result of the music competition.
"I hope fine. Didn't get to see the end result cause when you fired that Thunderbolt the final vote was being counted."
Serena just had to hear the result later. As much as it blew that Nina left her audience hanging she hoped her sudden leaving wasn't going against her score and made people think different about her companion and that she doesn't care.
"Finally." Nina got out of her opera dress at the Pokémon Center and got a good nights sleep in. Back in her normal outfit she loved the free movement. Nina went to join them on the table as Ash got to the part where Rana petrified Jason.
"How's everyone?" The singer wondered about his Pokémon's health.
"Nurse Joy is still taking care of them. They received some hard hits."
"You can be proud of what you did. Facing off against that woman and the hunters at the same time is no small feat." The singer said as she took a spot at the table as Ash continued to talk until they got interrupted by someone.
"There you are." To the three a male stood next to the table interrupting them. Dressed in a white polo with blue buttons and black leather pants Nina recognized him from yesterday but in a completely different outfit.
"It's you. Philippe right?" The host of the music competition out of his getup looked like a normal boy now. He nodded as he kept his eyes on Nina who in return kept her eyes on him. The host looked a bit disappointed at her which Nina picked up on.
"Ash, Serena this is Philippe. He hosted the music competition until you know what." Maybe an introduction could help.
"Nice to meet you." Ash said.
"Nice to meet you too." Serena followed.
"Likewise." Philippe knew Serena but the raven haired boy seemed to not bring up a light. He kept his eyes on Nina though who became suspicious.
"You just went up and left before you got your award. Why?"
"Something important came up that needed all of my attention." It only dawned onto Nina just now what he said full of disbelief.
"Award? Wait? I won?" Stunning even herself with the revelation of winning the contest she saw him take out the trophy the winner would get.
"You did." Philippe told her the result.
"I thought I blew my chance when I left." Nina thinking she'd been thrown out of the voting procedure. At least the crowd liked what she and her Pokémon did. She didn't smile or anything but just let out a heavy sigh as she took it in.
"Another moment I just can't seem to enjoy. Still I beat her." Karin's defeat is what mattered. Philippe held it out to her as much he would rather give it to her in an actual ceremony.
"Thank you." Taking in her trophy she had to show it to Madeleine over the phone later. For now she just wanted the fallout of Ash's battle to wash over her and get to thinking about their next move. Her two companions clapped congratulating her for the win.
"Congratulations Nina." Serena happy there was at least a bright side too yesterday.
"You deserve it." Ash told her knowing how hard she practiced. Nina looking at the award Philippe asked them for some more time as he wanted more with the singer. Nina looked at Ash and Serena as she rather would deal with their next move because their direction is unknown. The two nodded it's ok since Ash waited for his Pokémon anyway.
"Your Primarina. What was that? I never seen anything like it." The moment Philippe saw the shift and then heard the voice he needed to know more. She and Primarina were the perfect match and it echoed beyond anything what he heard before.
"Our party trick. Trade secret." Nina wouldn't give out her Battle Bond that easy to any guy she just met unless they were one themselves.
"Can you give a second performance? I want to hear you two again." Philippe continued to praise her.
"I guess I owe people a little encore after leaving all of a sudden. You just arrange a stage and I'll sing."
"Great! Would you like to do a duet with me and Lapras then?" It was going to be the ending of the competition. He and the winner of it would be requested to put up a duet together but with the winner leaving he bumped it back and promised the audience he'd find her and try again later.
"You sing too?" The suggestion of a duet meant he must have some talent as well.
"You don't know me?" Surprised actually the silver haired girl never heard of him despite her classic and opera style.
"I love music but have a busy schedule which prevents me from listening to everything out there. Sorry if I haven't heard of you." Philippe then explained why he's in Kalos.
"I'm famous soprano in Johto and Lapras is my partner. Currently we are on a break and travelling to find new talent and get inspiration. I'm hosting competitions all around but I never would've imagined what you and your Pokémon did together. Can I invite you to have lunch with me before we hit the stage? I really want to know more about you."
To Nina this seemed all of a sudden. She barely knew him and this famous soprano wanted to take her out to lunch and then do a duet with her. Looking at her with her sight she saw the signs and it wasn't good. He began to develop a little fondness for her already.
"Actually…"
"She'd love too." Serena budged in. Nina glared at her not appreciating it. Before she could protest against the Queen Philippe was grinning from ear to ear.
"Great! I'll make the arrangements for your performance and I'll see you at lunch. You know where the café is right?"
"She knows. And if not I'll show her." Serena told the male soprano not to worry. Philippe left in a rush to arrange everything he needed leaving the Pokémon Center before Nina could say more to him.
"What are you doing?"
"Arranging you a date." Serena boldly stated. It be good for Nina to expand her music circle a bit more.
"Who asked you?" Serena brushed it off with ease as she reminded her friend of something important.
"Shouldn't you call Madeleine now?"
"Congratulations on your victory." The singing expert saw her protégé with trophy on hand on the phone screen. The end result being what she hoped for it made the old woman a bit proud too. Just from a few days they were already winning prizes together. Nina thanked her singing coach for what she did.
"I wouldn't have won without you."
"You were on stage and you followed my advice. Your talent with my guidance made you the victor. It's a nice trophy. Where are you going to keep it?" Nina already knew the moment she got challenged but kept it as a surprise.
"Can I send it to you? You deserve this one more than I do." Madeleine giggled shaking her head. Nina continued trying to convince her to take it.
"I know you have dozens of them but I want you to have it. It may not be much compared to the other trophies you have…"
"Don't worry. I'll go clear out a spot for it." Telling her student it was fine. Any trophy no matter how small should be celebrated. Plus this one would hold a special meaning to both as it was a symbol of their relationship and effort together. Nina wouldn't send it right away though.
"Great. I want to show it to the people who adopted me first and then I'll send it to you."
"You and Primarina are all the talk right now. Some of the people I've trained have asked if I know you. They were pleasantly surprised I did and helped you write your song. They asked me to introduce you to them soon so they can integrate you into their shows and songs."
"Your offer? Is it still open?"
"It never closed. You reconsidered?"
"Being on stage, seeing them listen, enjoying what we did, it's an amazing feeling. It's what we want to continue doing till we're as old as you."
"I'm not that old. I still got some miles in the tank."
"Then would you spend those miles trying me and my Pokémon further? We would love to become your permanent students."
Madeleine smiled at capturing her. They had to make up lost ground but with both women work ethic it should be a breeze.
"I'm happy to hear it. Will you be coming back soon to resume where we left off?" Nina shook her head.
"I unfortunately need more time to get rid of my issues. I don't need them interrupting us like last time. Once I've done that I'm running straight to your house and get that career off the ground like I always wanted."
"I have no doubt you'll be a major star under my wing. And I'm sure the Pokémon here will be happy too you're staying longer. Right everyone?"
Nina heard all of Madeleine's Pokémon yell in the background. It made the silver haired girl eager to go Coumarine City again.
"Can I ask you something about someone?"
"Who?"
"The presenter of the contest came up to me and asked me to do a duet with him. His name is Phillippe."
"Phillippe huh?"
"So you know him?"
"He's been making waves in the music scene lately. From what I heard he is quite a hit among people your age thanks to his looks. He has quite a deep voice and I think both your styles can mix well. I want to hear your duet. Just don't be outshined by him." She joked as she wanted her pupil to be the star.
"I won't." Duet or not nobody is going to beat her. The path to becoming one of the best singers started now.
"Good girl. Be safe."
"You too, master."
"Just call me Madeleine."
The phone screen shut off breaking the line. Serena and Ash listened in out of view and were happy for her.
"Congratulations. You earned it."
"I'm sure Archer and Vivi will be proud of you chasing your dream again."
"Thanks you two."
The singer began to shake a little with clench fists. A tiny smile on her face a droplet of water left her eye. The drop soon turned into a tiny stream as tears began to fall. To Ash and Serena this came as a shock. The whole time they knew Nina she has shown indifference, anger, discipline, hate and distanced herself from others but her mentors. A sweet emotional moment like this was far away from her normal image.
"You're crying." Ash knew the symptoms. Nina wiped away tears from her face trying to stop it.
"This is my first dream. A famous singer taking me in as her star pupil, getting offers doing duets with other great singers, the crowd loving our performance. I've been dreaming about it since I was little and it's so close now for me." Ash and Serena gave her the time to sob out. Telling her its ok to cry they were here for her. Sniffing her nose in a bunch of tissues and drying her eyes she felt better. The way she looked now Serena would help her prepare. She couldn't go on stage the way she's dressed with Philippe cause as a Performer she knew what it took to look great.
"Come on! I'll get you ready for your duet!"
This will be the last Nina focused chapter in quite a while. From now on it will be more Ash and Serena as most of you guys want but I think this is a good part to close a large part of the book I did for Nina.
And the best part is I know how I want tge story to go for the next bunch of chapters so updates should be more regular then they were before.
See you around.