Paragon

Origin Child [2]

PARAGON

Origin Child Arc [2]

Chapter 2 : Invitation

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By the time they arrived at the dinner party, the sun had long begun its descent, bathing the afternoon sky in scarlet and lavender.

Beneath the ethereal vista sat another mansion, though it dwarfed Iris' rented abode. Rainbow-colored palm trees lined the concrete driveway that snaked up a gentle hill leading to the mansion proper. Crystal clear rivers lazed down the hill beside the driveway as they emptied from a fountain on the deck of the second floor. The mansion was white, its pristine edges uninterrupted except to make way for more mansion. It seemed to expand ever horizontally and vertically, like some great cubic cloud.

A dozen cars and other luxury vehicles were already parked in front of the modern castle, but their limousine passed them all, coming to a stop in front of the main entrance. A red carpet led to the ebony front door. On either side, twin hordes of journalists and press people waited behind velvet ropes for a glimpse of the new World Champion. This would be their last chance to snap pictures or get an interview, for they were not permitted within. This party was invite only.

"Well then," Cynthia said. "Ready to face the music?"

The four trainers exited the limo, and were immediately assaulted by an array of flashing cameras as the crowd undulated to face the new arrivals. Ash waved to either side of the red carpet politely, but entertained no questions. They'd be stuck outside till midnight if he did, Cynthia had said. She and Iris strode up on his left, while Alain flanked his right, blowing kisses to the others. As they stalked down the red carpet toward the mansion, suited League attendants seemed to materialize out of nowhere, falling in lock step behind them. By the time they reached the shallow marble steps leading to the front door, a small village had accumulated around them.

Ash stepped across the threshold and into the manor. At his appearance, the other guests already in attendance started cheering and applauding, the ones nearest clapping him on the back and pumping a fist. He smiled and raised a hand in thanks and in greeting.

To his left and right, Iris and Alain looked starstruck, and if his attention hadn't been drawn to the sudden congratulation, Ash was sure he would have too. The interior of the mansion was cavernous, somehow still feeling sparsely populated despite the large gathering. Waiters slipped between the guests wielding trays of champagne and appetizers. Just beyond the far wall, which was made of nothing but glass from floor to ceiling, a cerulean pool glimmered beneath fluorescent spotlights.

"This is crazy..." Iris murmured, her eyes transfixed on the League banners that hung from the brutalist vaults above.

"Yeah," Alain agreed. "I've been to several parties for Lysandre Labs before, but frankly, those can't even compare to this."

"The League spares no expense for its Champions," Cynthia said. "Even more so for its World Champion." She was the only one who didn't look shocked, wearing her usual cool visage. "Before I forget Ash, there's something I want to talk to you about later, if you have the time."

"Sure, I'll—" Before he could finish, a dark skinned man in a slate suit walked up to him.

"Ash Ketchum!" he bellowed. The smell of cologne wafted from his body. "Welcome to Rose Manor! I am Rose, of Macro Cosmos! I trust you've been enjoying your stay in Wyndon?"

Ash glanced back to Cynthia, but saw that she had also been captured into conversation with some other guests. Same for Iris and Alain. Catching her eye, she nodded, indicating they'd catch up later, and Ash turned back to Rose. "Yes, Wyndon's been good to me, to say the least!"