Chapter 471: Platinum's Debut! (1)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Next Day, Hearthome City – Grand Hearthome Hotel]
The golden sun of Sinnoh filtered through the floor-to-ceiling crystalline windows of the Hearthome City Grand Hotel, casting long, shimmering streaks across the plush scarlet carpets. For most trainers, this was a city of dreams—the heart of culture, fashion, and the prestigious Super Contests.
*Ding*
For Pearl, however, it was currently a source of intense, high-strung anxiety. The elevator doors slid open with a soft, melodic chime. Pearl stepped out, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, his signature orange flight jacket slightly rumpled.
He let out a long, shuddering yawn that was cut short the moment his gaze landed on the lobby. Pearl's jaw dropped as he muttered, "What in the...?"
Standing in the center of the gilded foyer was a spectacle of lace, silk, and blinding glitter. Platinum Berlitz, the sole heir to the Berlitz fortune and the girl they were sworn to protect, stood with her hands folded primly over her skirt. Surrounding her were their Pokémon, but they were barely recognizable.
Her Prinplup wore a regal, sapphire-encrusted tiara and a silk cape. Her Ponyta's hooves were polished to a mirror sheen, adorned with silver anklets. Even Pearl's own team hadn't been spared.
Chatler, his Chatot, was wearing a miniature tuxedo vest that looked far too restrictive for flight, and Rayler, his Luxio, looked deeply offended by the oversized velvet bow tied around his neck.
Platinum said happily, her voice like wind-chimes, "Morning, Pearl. I see you've finally joined us."
Pearl sputtered, pointing a frantic finger at the sparkling menagerie, "Miss! What happened to them?! We're supposed to prepare you! We have a schedule! We have training! We don't have... whatever this is!"
Platinum replied with a graceful tilt of her head, "This is preparation. As a Berlitz, one must be well-versed in all forms of refinement. That includes the art of the Super Contest. One must possess grace under pressure. Thus, I have outfitted our companions for the occasion to assist me."
Pearl clutched his head but then asked nervously, "Do you have any idea how much these accessories cost? Diamond and I are basically living on a budget of 'whatever Azure finds in the woods'!"
Platinum blinked, a look of genuine confusion crossing her noble features as she replied innocently, "Cost? Oh, you needn't worry about the bill, Pearl. I went to the finest boutique in the city."
Pearl raised an eyebrow, replying, "And?"
Platinum said matter-of-factly, "The boutique belongs to my family. I told them to put it on the tab."
Pearl froze, his face turning a shade of pale blue as he asked, stuttering, "The... the whole boutique? How rich is your family?!"
*Ding*
Before he could spiral further into a middle-class existential crisis, the second elevator opened. Diamond stepped out, mid-bite of a slow-cooked Combee-honey bun. Dia mumbled, "Mmph? Morning, Pearl…"
His eyes widened as he saw Tru, his Grotle, wearing a floral wreath that made him look like a walking garden bed. Lax, his Munchlax, was already trying to eat a silk ribbon tied to his wrist as he added, "Oh, wow. Everyone looks very... shiny."
Pearl yelled, though his anger was quickly deflated by Dia's calm munching, "They look ridiculous, Dia!"
Dia said, patting the Grotle, "I think Tru likes it. It smells like peonies."
Then, a heavy, rhythmic footfall echoed from the hallway leading to the luxury suites. Azure Sky stepped into the light. He asked, seeing them, "Morning, has anyone seen my partners Pikachu and Eevee– "
As he entered the room, he found his partners were decorated. Both Pikachu and Eevee were draped in intricate, silver-threaded scarves. And Pichu (Mew) is currently sporting a tiny black top hat and a miniature glass monocle wedged into its brow.
Azure took one look at his partners' faces—the Pikachu was scowling so hard its cheeks were sparking, and the Eevee looked like it wanted to sink into the floor—and he lost it. Azure doubled over, clutching his stomach, "Pfft—hahaha! Pikachu, you look like you're heading to a gala you didn't RSVP for! And Eevee, is that... is that real silk?"
The mouse hissed, sparks flying from its cheeks, "Pika-pi! (Shut up!)"
*Zzt-zzt*
Eevee moaned, trying to paw off the scarf, "Vee... (I hate everything.)"
Azure laughed, wiping a tear from his eye, "Don't look at me. The Lady has a vision. You've got to respect the vision."
He glanced down at his Pichu (Mew). The Pichu (Mew) let out a delighted cry and adjusted its monocle with a tiny paw, looking incredibly smug about its new fashion sense, "Piii! Chu!! (I don't know about you two, but I'm liking the new look!)"
*Whoosh*
A cold draft suddenly swept through the lobby. Behind Azure, the shadows on the floor seemed to lengthen and deepen, despite the bright morning sun. Two glowing eyes flickered for a second within Azure's shadow, followed by the faint, wispy outline of a Marshadow.
Darkrai and Marshadow, the silent guardians who lived within Azure's shadow, peeked out. They surveyed the glittering, beribboned Pokémon in the lobby.
Darkrai's white hair drifted like smoke as its blue eye narrowed in sheer, unadulterated judgment. Both looked at each other as they thought, 'Nope.'
Without a word, the shadows retracted instantly. The Bodyguard Lineup had collectively decided that they would rather face a horde of angry Primeape than be caught dead in a tutu or a monocle.
Azure whispered under his breath with a smirk, "Cowards."
Platinum clapped her hands together, the sharp crack of her palms silencing the lobby as she declared, "Now that everyone is awake and appropriately adorned, let us begin. Today marks the start of the 'Super Contest Crash Course.' We shall not leave Hearthome until we have mastered the three pillars: Visual, Dance, and Acting!"
Pearl sighed, his shoulders sagging as he groaned, "I guess we're doing this. Dia, stop letting Lax eat the props!"
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Hearthome City – Grand Hearthome Hotel (Hall)]
The group moved to the hotel's private rehearsal hall. The floor was polished wood, echoing with every step.
Pearl shouted, pacing back and forth like a general, "First up: The Visual Competition! We've got the accessories, but now we need the rhythm. The Dance Competition is where most beginners fail. Chimler! To the front!"
The Monferno hopped to the center of the floor, its flame flickering with excitement as Pearl added, "Now, follow his lead! Five, six, seven, eight!"
Chimler began a complex series of steps—a hop, a spin, a backflip, and a stylish pose with one hand on the floor.
*Skritch-slide-clack*
Platinum attempted to follow, her Prinplup mimicking her movements. However, Prinplup's body was built for swimming, not breakdancing. It managed the hop, but the spin resulted in it tripping over its own flippers.
*Thud*
Pearl screamed, his face turning a shade of red that matched his Monferno's butt, "No, no, no! You're off-beat! Platinum, you're too stiff! Prinplup needs more flow! Diamond, what are you doing?!"
Diamond and Lax were currently swaying slowly from side to side, essentially falling asleep on their feet as they replied, "We're… we're feeling the groove, Pearl…"
Pearl turned to Azure, who was leaning against the wall, watching the chaos with an amused smirk. Pearl's eyes twitched as he yelled, "That's not a groove, that's a nap! And you! You're supposed to be the Pro! Help us out!"
Azure chuckled, pushing off the wall as he replied casually, "Pearl, I've conquered the Battle Frontier, but I'll be the first to tell you: Contests are a different beast. It's not about power; it's about flair. You're treating this like a military drill. Relax."
Azure whistled. His Gallade stepped forward, its movements graceful and fluid. Beside it, the Shiny Hisuian Zorua—a cloud of ghostly white and sunset orange fur—materialized from an illusion.
Azure commanded, "Gallade, show 'em a basic Moonstep."
The Gallade glided across the floor, its feet barely touching the wood. It wasn't just moving; it was performing.
The Zorua followed, leaving a trail of ghostly embers that vanished before they hit the ground. Azure said, casually pointing at them, "See? It's about the connection between the trainer and the Pokémon. If you're stressed, they're stressed."
Platinum wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. Her eyes were hard with determination as she declared, "I understand. I have read the manuals. I have studied the theory. I will not fail. I made a promise to the audience, and Berlitz never breaks her word."
Azure said, though his voice carried a hint of warning, "That's the spirit. But Platinum, you're trying to cram months of coordination into eight hours. The evening round is coming up fast. Don't push yourself—or your Pokémon—too hard."
She replied, her voice low, "I have no choice. The bet is set."
Pearl groaned, checking his watch as he yelled, "Eight hours?! That's it?! We need to practice the acting round, the Poffin feeding, the dress-up—Aaaah! There's not enough time!"
The rehearsal became a blur of motion. Whoosh-swish-thump! Pearl's voice became a permanent fixture of the background, yelling directions.
"Left! I said left, Lax! Not toward the snacks!"
"Prinplup, use Metal Claw to catch the light, not to scratch the floor!"
"Chatler, stop mimicking my screaming! It's making me nervous!"
Azure watched them, occasionally stepping in to correct a posture or offer a tip on how to highlight a Pokémon's move. He kept his 'Bodyguard' lineup hidden as they didn't want to participate, but he could feel them.
Darkrai was particularly agitated; the legendary Pokémon of nightmares didn't seem to appreciate the upbeat pop music Pearl was playing for the dance rehearsal. Azure thought, 'Patience, Darkrai. We'll be back in the wild soon enough.'
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Hours Later, Hearthome City – Plaza]
Hours later, the group emerged from the hotel, looking exhausted but refined. They were heading toward the Contest Hall when Diamond stopped, his nose twitching.
Diamond muttered, "I smell… something… round."
Pearl snapped, "Diamond, everything smells round to you."
They were crossing the plaza when a short man with a truly magnificent, flared-out hairstyle and a perfectly groomed beard bustled toward them. He was wearing a bright yellow suit and carrying a cane.
He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening as he looked at the trio. The man exclaimed, his voice high-pitched and full of energy, "My, my, my! What do we have here? Rare Pokémon! Rare trainers! Such youthful vigor!"
He scurried around Diamond, poking at Lax's belly as he examined their Pokémon, "Incredible! This Munchlax has an excellent coat! And this Monferno—the flame is a perfect shade of scarlet!"
Pearl blinked, confused as he muttered, "Uh, thanks? Who are you, mister?"
The man didn't answer. He was staring at Platinum's Prinplup as he praised her, "The poise! The grace! You three are clearly preparing for the Super Contest!"
Suddenly, the man's eyes shifted to the back of the group, where Azure was standing, arms crossed. The man's jaw dropped as he exclaimed in pure shock, "Azure? Azure Sky?! Is that you, my boy?!"
Azure grinned, stepping forward as he greeted an old friend, "Hey, President. Good to see you're still as energetic as ever. How's the beard?"
The man let out a boisterous laugh, stroking his whiskers as he replied happily, "As magnificent as the day you first saw it in Vermilion City! Ho ho!"
The trio stared at Azure in shock. Pearl asked, confused, seeing him be friendly with the stranger, "You know this guy?"
Seeing their confusion, Azure cleared his throat as he introduced him, "Ahem! Everyone, meet the President of the Pokémon Fan Club. He's a legend in his own right. I first met him back in Kanto when I was just starting. Then again, in Hoenn with a friend. He's a trustworthy fellow."
The President beamed at Azure's words as he exclaimed happily, "And what a trainer he turned out to be! Three Leagues! Conquering the Frontier! And yet, here he is, traveling with such promising newcomers."
Platinum stepped forward and gave a graceful, low bow as she introduced herself, "It is an honor to meet a man of your standing, sir. I am Platinum Berlitz."
The President's eyes twinkled as he replied politely, "A Berlitz! Of course! I should have recognized that regal aura."
He looked at the three of them—Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum—and then back to Azure. He then declared, "Azure, if these are your companions, then they must be extraordinary. I hereby declare the three of you honorary members of the Pokémon Fan Club!"
Pearl scratched his head as he asked, confused, "Honorary members? Does that come with a discount on Pokéballs?"
The President shook his head as he said with a wink, "It comes with something much better. Follow me! The Fan Club is just around the corner. If you're entering the Contest tonight, you're missing one vital component."
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Later, Hearthome City – Pokémon Fan Club House]
Still reeling from the whirlwind of events, the trio found themselves being led by the effervescent President to the Pokémon Fan Club headquarters in Hearthome City. The interior was a testament to organized obsession – walls adorned with countless Pokémon posters, shelves overflowing with memorabilia, and the faint, comforting scent of Poffins wafting through the air.
The President greeted the receptionist warmly, instructing her to send a letter, stamped with a rather unique Pokémon design, to the Jubilife TV producer. He then turned back to the trio, his eyes twinkling as he said, "I overheard your discussion earlier. You're preparing for a Super Contest, are you not? A wise endeavor!"
He then produced a small, intricately carved wooden case as he explained, "To aid you in your culinary pursuits, I present you with this Poffin Case."
Platinum, her brow furrowed slightly, asked kindly, "Poffin? Could you perhaps explain what a Poffin is?"
Diamond, who had been fighting a valiant battle against a sudden bout of drowsiness brought on by the President's lengthy explanation,'s ears perked up at the word snack. He jolted awake, asking, "Poffin? Is it… edible?"
A while later, Pearl was back to his usual routine, practicing his comedy routines, trying to inject some humor into the stressful situation. He paced the room, delivering his lines with dramatic flair. The President, who had quietly returned, listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face.
The President commented, much to Pearl's surprise, "Ah, Pearl, your timing is improving. But you know, Diamond here has been quite the culinary wizard lately. He visited the Poffin House earlier and has been diligently mastering the art of Poffin cooking."
Diamond, who had indeed been enthusiastically experimenting with Poffins, blushed slightly. He mumbled, already thinking about his next batch, "Well, they're easy to make after you get the hang of it…"
The President continued as he gestured to Platinum, focusing on her dance, "And Platinum, I've observed you practicing your dance moves. You've been studying the routines of past contestants with great dedication."
Pearl's eyes widened as a sudden realization struck him. He had been so focused on dance and comedy, and Diamond on Poffins, that he had overlooked a crucial detail. He breathed, "The Super Contest… it has three rounds! The first is the Performance round, focusing on Pokémon's appeal and coordination, which Platinum has been practicing for. The second is the Action Round, where the trainer's skill and Pokémon's attacks are showcased, something Diamond's Poffins could potentially boost. But there's a third round… If I focus on that, we can complete all our practice on time!"
The President smiled, a silent acknowledgment of Pearl's quick thinking as he replied casually, "Indeed."
With a nod, he excused himself and made his way towards the exit. Azure, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange, caught up to the President as he reached the door. Azure said knowingly, a sly grin playing on his lips, "You know, President, you just happened to show up right after Pearl and Platinum were having that little tiff. Quite the opportune moment."
The President let out a hearty chuckle, the sound echoing in the hall as he replied, "Azure, my boy, you always did have a way of seeing through things. Life has a funny way of presenting opportunities, doesn't it?"
The two men shared a knowing glance, a silent understanding passing between them as they continued to catch up on each other's lives amidst the vibrant chaos of the Pokémon Fan Club. The Super Contest was looming, but with a full cast of characters, a dash of luck, and a whole lot of Poffins, Hearthome City was about to get a lot more interesting.
/////
A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!