He meets White for the second time when he is fourteen years and five months old.
Two weeks out of Nuvema, and Black is nearly at the end of Route 1. Accumula's skyline is in sight, and the trail opens up into a grassy clearing, some sort of park or something.
The area isn't too busy; in the distance, he can see a group of people setting up some sort of equipment, and a couple of Pidove are roosting in nearby tree. The sky is clear, the air is fresh, and Black is full of new-journey energy. It's the perfect time to shout his daily affirmations into the world for everyone to hear.
He launches into them without hesitation. "Grimsley, Caitlin, Marshall, Shauntal!!! Just wait! I'll get my badges and come battle you! Champion Alder! You'll be next! I'm definitely, absolutely, going to be— "
"Excuse me!" The voice is quieter than his, but so deeply familiar that it makes the rest of his words die in his throat.
"Wha—Prez?" He swings around.
She's standing a couple yards away, flanked by a pair of disgruntled-looking guys. Her hands are on her hips, her expression similarly indignant; but when she sees his face, it fades to a sort of comical disbelief. "Black?"
In unison they both move forward, meeting in the middle. A moment of hesitation, and then White reaches out to seize his hands. "Black! I can't believe you're here. It's been so long! I thought I recognized that loud voice of yours..."
Black nods dumbly. It's bizarre to have her here, in front of him and not on a tiny Xtransciever screen. She's both familiar and strange: the same bright eyes, the same lively face—but her hair's longer now, and her hands are rougher. Black is both embarrassed and pleased to realize that he's finally taller than her.
"I got a call from Cheren a few days ago," she's saying now. Her expression suddenly becomes stern. "Black! How could you run off without giving Cheren and Bianca their Pokédexes? Professor Juniper says they got damaged and now you have the only one that works!"
"Oh...oops." He'd had a feeling that he was forgetting something important. "Sorry."
White shakes her head. "I told them they could meet you in Striation to get this mess figured out. You're heading there to get the Trio Badge, right?"
"That's ri—"
"Miss White!" One of the guys from before cuts in, his arms waving energetically. "We really must get the camera rolling soon! Our equipment is rented by the hour, you know."
"Oh! Of course. I'm so sorry for the delay. Please go ahead and finish setting up." White dips her head apologetically as the two guys start walking away, grumbling to each other. "That was the director of a commercial we're shooting today. The BW Agency is providing the talent!"
"That's amazing, Prez." He's not surprised she's already accomplishing stuff like this—she's still White, after all. "Can I finish my affirmations now?"
White sighs. "You haven't changed at all. All right, just aim away from the microphones, okay? I need to go and get my star actress ready for her closeup."
"Oh, right. Gigi."
White looks pleased. "You remembered. After you're done shouting, come over to the set and I'll introduce you to her."
Black nods. Gigi...what kind of Pokémon could she be? White has never mentioned.
She turns to leave, but looks back at the last moment, a tender smile blooming across her face. "And, Black? It's really good to see you again."
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By Your Side - An AgencyShipping Fanfiction
FanficBlack was five years old when White moved to Nuvema town. They become close friends, and, soon enough, White gets a job application for Pokestar studios, which means she will have to leave Nuvema Town. Her home. Black's home. What will happen when t...
