Chapter 267: The Leak in Time and the Pokémon Musical

【Task Completed!】

【Your sincerity has resonated with the Connected Tree! The Connected Tree has sensed a new will—its decaying branches are slowly growing anew!】

【Obtained: Release Jade ×3, Electric Radiance ×1, Artistic Talent ×1, TM (Crazy Volt), Volt Badge ×1!】

【Artistic Talent—Line Artist!】

【Description: —A magician who wields lines as magic wands, crafting the subtle interactions between people! Through different lines—straight, curved, zigzag—you shape the contours and details of all things, conveying distinct styles and emotions!】

【Effect: Line Application +200%. You can express your emotions and imagery purely through lines, possessing unique power in depicting black-and-white subjects, capturing fleeting artistic details! In fashion design, line art is essential!】

【Obtained: Electric Radiance—Shining Star!】

【Description: A special power born from battle fashion shows—life itself has a stage of radiance; to become the brightest star on one’s own stage is every living being’s dream!】

【Effect: Shining Collection +10%. When you receive reward items, some of these non-functional rewards occasionally enhance your Pokémon’s additional stats—for example, Contest ribbons will boost Appeal.】

【Effect: Shining Stunning +50%. While on stage or in performance mode, your Pokémon’s all stats and move Appeal increase.】

【Note: Your Sunlight ability has slightly improved! The Connected Tree has felt the glow—a new green leaf has sprouted.】

【Craftable Item: Silph Scope!】

【Description: A Toushijing that reveals what the human eye cannot see, capable of detecting psychic fluctuations and piercing through smokescreens—fully manufactured by Silph Co., one of the pinnacles of science! It is said even ghosts from the spirit realm can be seen in their true form through this scope—a vital tool for unraveling mystical forces!】

【Note: You may continuously refine your line art to become a “Pokémon Observer.”】

Though this battle did not take place in a Gym, the Connected Tree unexpectedly gained a green leaf—not described as decaying or restored—and Guang Tai acquired a new artistic ability; truly a perfect outcome!

Xiao Juer announced the end of the fashion show, asked Guang Tai to wait a moment, then walked backstage amid cheers, her excitement and joy undiminished as she left.

She seemed to want to talk more with him—likely about fashion design, Guang Tai thought.

Meanwhile, the enthusiastic crowd dispersed; the performance battle between the genius artist and the shining model would remain a topic of conversation in the city for days to come.

He looked at the shiny golden badge in his hand.

【Obtained: Volt Badge.】

【Description: A symbol of defeating Lei Wen’s Gym. Though no formal Gym challenge occurred, don’t mind that! The design concept is lightning! Holder of the Volt Badge—engage in a shocking battle!】

【Effect: Required to enter the Pokémon League; a reward item.】

【Note 1: The Connected Tree has linked with the Volt Badge! Acquired knowledge—Shining Time!】

【Lightning emits bright light; circuits are the same. Beautiful things gradually glow over time—you and your Pokémon’s Dirtiness -50%, Shine +30%, enhancing your elegance and fashion sense. Combined with the Voice from Another World and your special pendant, you may perceive the flow of time, avoiding decay within it—unthinkable events might occur?】

The Connected Tree does not know what will happen.

Guang Tai: “.?”

Ah, the old tree has lived long—many things are unclear, but it doesn’t matter. His job is just to hand out rewards. If this thing is truly powerful, Guang Tai could only say: How generous—you dare give so much!

But now it seems the Volt Badge’s effect is merely cleansing the body—quite nice indeed.

Otherwise, getting dirty would look terrible. Though dirtiness proves battle experience, cleaning it is a hassle, isn’t it?

“Woo! So shiny!”

Zi Yu was thrilled; the stage battle had excited her immensely. Though Big N interrupted midway, the latter part of the battle was truly exhilarating!

In the morning she cleared the Battle Subway, in the afternoon watched the fashion show, rode the Ferris wheel, and received a Pokémon Egg—today felt like a dream to Zi Yu!

She was truly, truly happy!

“I saw… you were quite radiant on stage. Your Pokémon… were too.”

“They genuinely felt they were unique—that confidence I rarely see in other Trainers’ Pokémon. Because you are an incredible person, and your Pokémon have become incredible too.”

Big N had watched the battle, but he focused not on human will, but on the Pokémon’s hearts. The voices of the Pokémon on stage had gradually drawn him in—and that Darumaka—

It seemed to have been born recently, yet also as if it had lived for many years—utterly strange.

And the power Guang Tai finally displayed—undoubtedly, Darumaka had been granted immense psychic power, the key to defeating Electrike.

“I was very happy today too.”

N expressed it sincerely; he now understood the Radiant Stage a little deeper.

Life blooms with radiance on its own stage—every living being, human or Pokémon, will face such a stage. If none exists, one must seek it.

“I increasingly hope to meet you again in Lei Wen City. That tower I happened to think of earlier—perhaps it wasn’t chance, but a sixth sense I possess as a… Special Ability User.”

“Fate is such a strange thing.”

At that moment, someone approached, attempting to speak with Guang Tai, such as:

“Hello! I’m from BW Entertainment! May I take a moment of your time? I’m very sorry!”

BW Entertainment was originally an entertainment company from the Pokémon Special manga, but it exists in this world too—easily understandable. Though its president is no longer Hoid, the original game’s leader of the Pokémon Musical was the head of an entertainment company.

BW Entertainment’s mission is to supply “Pokémon Actors” in large numbers for advertisements, films, and TV dramas, operating successfully in many towns of the Unova region.

“Our main business is, of course, the Pokémon Musical in Lei Wen City!”

“Your Pokémon were dazzling! Whether Miss Ancient Skirt’s graceful dance, the cloaked Leafeon, or the final Darumaka like the sun—ah! My heart still trembles with excitement. I hope you’ll consider…”

“Honestly, if the genius artist you are were to grace the Pokémon Musical stage, it would be an immense honor for us!”

“The Pokémon Musical… a game where Pokémon friends perform on stage. Honestly, such a performance—”

Before Guang Tai could answer, Big N offered a sharp critique—but he held back, not finishing his thought; in N’s subconscious, he disliked this forced “entertainment” of making Pokémon perform.

Yet the representative smiled:

“It’s not a game. The Pokémon are performing seriously.”

“Do you know the history of musical theater?”

“Originally, there were no Pokémon. The theater was performed by humans—but at some point, some Pokémon, drawn by the spectacle, wandered onto the stage themselves.”

“They imitated human performances—and instantly became a worldwide sensation!”

“Thus, the Pokémon-exclusive musical began!”

“Pokémon costumes create different impressions: cool, cute, elegant, unique! Decoration, music, dance—all together create emotion. The Musical Theater is a place that brings emotion to people!”

Zi Yu spoke up Shishi : “Indeed. Pokémon perform different works—some even dream of appearing on the Lei Wen Musical Theater stage! Mr. N, why don’t you check it out? We still have time this afternoon!”

“From afternoon to evening is the perfect time to watch a musical!”

N hesitated slightly, but did not refuse.

He had already cleared the Battle Subway and experienced the fashion show—adding one more thing wouldn’t hurt.

After all, his team members weren’t here—he had confirmed it just now. They had been expelled from Lei Wen City.

This made N sigh slightly. Lei Wen’s entertainment atmosphere was still too thick—and when had he started enjoying it here?

No! This wasn’t enjoyment. N rejected the thought in his mind.

He was confirming—whether with his partner Zi Yu or with Lord Guang Tai—his actions had clear purposes, and the outcomes were certainly satisfying.

In the future he could see—the future composed of equations—the people he met might truly each possess different powers and stages.

“Then, alright.”

N agreed.

Guang Tai did not refuse the invitation—it would also serve as a display!

Moreover, it was already in his original plan!

He needed to acquire vital knowledge of music and rhythm to craft more items. Those musical items contained incredible things!

The Offering Flute to summon Lugia, the Sun Flute to call Solgaleo, the Moon Flute to call Lunala, the Infinite Flute to summon the Water Twins, and the Ukulele that uses music to capture Pokémon by boosting confidence!

Especially the last one—Guang Tai remembered clearly: it was the exclusive item of the Ukulele Pikachu from the Alola region, crafted from special wood from Doro Island!

So Guang Tai made a request: he might modify some props. BW Entertainment rented out props—after all, unlike in the game, props couldn’t rely on fans’ gifts; he had no way to obtain them.

The representative happily agreed. Though Guang Tai performed only once, having this newly risen genius artist grace their musical was an excellent promotional opportunity.

And there was another crucial point!

“Ah, you’re going to the Pokémon Musical Theater? Perfect—let’s go together!”

Xiao Juer had changed clothes and walked out from backstage. She wore her Black-and-White-era outfit again, but the headphones and two dangling wires made Guang Tai find the decoration confusing—his preference remained her Black-and-White 2-era attire.

“I’m the host of the Pokémon Musical Theater! And… Xiao Zi Yu, I saw you long ago.”

“You looked beautiful today—extremely radiant!”

Xiao Juer knew Ju Laoda well—in the game, she was the one who told Ju Laoda to lower the Fanba Bridge—so she naturally recognized Zi Yu. But she couldn’t bring her daughter onstage during the performance. Now she looked at N and the two trophies in his arms.

“Battle Subway… so that’s where those trophies came from. You’re a duo from the Battle Subway? You defeated Beishanghenan? Impressive!”

“It’s all thanks to Mr. N!” Zi Yu said happily. She knew she had contributed, but it was N beside her who truly guided her to victory. Big N merely lowered his hatbrim again.

He didn’t want too many people remembering his face—his position meant these Gym Leaders would become his enemies.

Still, N wished to compliment:

“Your Pokémon just spoke words that moved me deeply. Their unyielding will truly merged with their Trainer’s will. Yes—if there were more Trainers like you, Pokémon and humans would surely gain a bright future.”

Xiao Juer paused slightly, and Zi Yu quickly defused it: “Mr. N likes saying strange things, but he really is a good person—and an excellent fighter alongside Pokémon!”

Zi Yu knew N disliked the term “Trainer,” so she phrased it differently. Xiao Juer smiled: “In short, that was a compliment—thank you very much. I actually find it incredible too.”

“Suddenly, I could feel Pichu’s feelings—perhaps because of the replica outfit, or maybe just my imagination—but in that moment, my heart felt fused with Pichu—yearning, joy, desire for recognition, to shine brighter, even to defeat that Leafeon—those emotions still pulse within me.”

“So, I’m grateful.” Xiao Juer looked at Guang Tai: “As Aty said, you are an incredible traveler who brings others wondrous experiences—and the most brilliant artist in Unova. I believe this title is fully deserved!”

“Indeed.”

N rarely agreed with others—but he recalled how Guang Tai’s creations had helped him overcome his first crisis.

Perhaps what people often lack is simply that first step.

At that moment, the Connected Tree, in equally good spirits, sent a side quest.

【Connected Quest: Perform on the Pokémon Musical stage.】

【Description: Your radiant talent has been recognized—you’ve been invited to perform on the Pokémon Musical stage. This performance may serve as a display, helping express your personal inclinations and ideas. Music theater touches the soul—so… will you use the Ancient Song again?】

【Reward: Release Jade ×2, Musician’s Melody ×1, Masterpiece Inspiration ×1, Infectiousness ×1, Special Item ×1.】

Meanwhile, at this very moment—the incubator on Zi Yu’s back stirred!

He sensed it immediately!

"Zi Yu. That Pokémon is about to hatch!"

(End of chapter)