From Trainer to Beast Tamer Pokémon Trainer! Reader x Twisted Wonderland

Chapter 63: Queen's Gambit

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Chapter 63: Queen's Gambit

Vulpix led the group into a line of stores that reminded (Y/N) of her time in Kalos region apprenticed under Champion Diantha. The Kalos champion's first act as her new teacher was to show her around Lumios City, and this area certainly mimicked the extravagance. Eventually, they settled down at a cafe to regroup.
"So this is the famous Crystal Galleria." Rook identified. "I can see where it gained its name. Its crystalline glass ceiling is a work of beauty! Every little detail has such reality to it. I could easily forget this is a dream and immerse myself in the scenery."
Grim was too busy stuffing his face to care. "All the food here's good stuff! Especially after how bland all the food was when we were adventurin' with Lilia in Briar Valley."
Epel was also stuffing his face happily, along with the rest of the Pokémon, who'd been allowed a breather.
"You ain't kiddin'! This's one mighty fine marinated pork sandwich! That apple vinegar gives it just the right kick! Gotta say though I've gotten kind of used to it, but it's still weird eating and sleeping inside a dream."
Sebek rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you be more guarded, considering the darkness could strike at any moment?"
"You can't exactly muster your full strength on an empty stomach." Silver scolded. "It's like Father says—you should always eat and energize yourself when you can."
"And that's rich comin' from you, Sebek, considerin' you eat more'n the rest of us." Grim happily pointed out as the green haired boy stammered.
"Well, I'm the tallest one here. It's only natural I require more food!"
"I don't think we'll have trouble." Vulpix said, jumping into her trainer's lap. "Whenever those shadows chased me, they always stop short of here. I don't think they can get far from Vil."
"Neither can we for that matter." (Y/N) reminded, petting her Pokémon. "Vulpix, have you been alone this whole time?"
"Mostly. I think Gardevoir came with me, but we got separated. I don't know here she is now."
"Knowing her, she'll show up when she needs to."
Ortho then reappeared, having wandered off with Absol accompany him. "Looks like everyone's having a good time."
"Welcome back, Ortho." Epel greeted, pushing a spare sandwich to Absol. "You wanted to visit someplace while we were eating, right? Where'd you go?"
"A bookstore. I guess Maquillaville is highly regarded in the movie industry for a reason. Then again, maybe Vil deserves more of the credit, since it all comes from his imagination. He's got a powerful imagination. There was a wide selection of information available in the magazines there."
Rook then noted something in the android's hand. "Oh, my! Ortho, what you're holding, That's Prince Fan, the magazine all about young actors, and Monthly Cinephile, the movie information magazine! Vil's graced the front covers and feature stories of both publications."
"Yup. I've only skimmed them, but from what I gathered, in this dream, Vil Schoenheit has been cast as the lead in lots of plays and films since his child actor days. Not as the antagonist."
"Let's see here..." Sebek said, taking the magazine to read it out loud. ""This masterful actor's incredible performances have lit the world of musicals on fire since he was a child star. The movie he starred in last year based on a young adult novel has grossed over 20 million thaumarks since its opening week and a sequel has been green-lit. This movie has earned him a nomination for this year's Diamond Movie Award for Best Actor at the tender age of 18. Even as we speak, fans around the world are waiting eagerly for the moment the most brightly shining star in all the land receives that prestigious crown.""
"What's the Diamond Movie Award for Best Actor?" (Y/N) asked Rook specifically.
"The Diamond Movie Awards is an event held to foster further development of the Shaftlands' film industry. It's a traditional and prestigious film awards event to honor exceptional cinematic works, as well as the cast and staff who create them." Rook explained. "The ceremony itself is held each year at Queen's Palace here in Maquillaville. It garnered more and more attention with each passing year, and nowadays films from around the world are nominated, not just those made in the Shaftlands. Hence, it would be no exaggeration to say that it's the most preeminent film awards event in the entire world. I daresay there's nary a soul in the film industry who doesn't dream of receiving honors on that stage. The Award for Best Actor is the one that gains the most attention out of all of them. And in the real world, the Roi des Neiges is the youngest recipient of said award, having received it at the youthful age of 14."
"So Neige won it in reality..." Epel repeated.
Silver brought a hand to his chin. "But from what we saw, he isn't an actor here."
Sebek nodded. "That human was acting like a humble assistant, though I suppose that's all a scheme to keep Vil absorbed in pleasant dreams."
"Yeah." Ortho agreed. "Unlike with Epel and Rook, the GM is by the dreamer's side at all times here. Considering circumstances were much the same with my brother. That might mean even Malleus is wary of housewarden-class mages, and keeps them under tighter surveillance."
"Why do you think I kept trying to get him away from there?" Vulpix piped up.
Epel tilted his head. "...Hold on. If this is supposed to be a happy dream, isn't it weird that Neige, a source of stress for Vil, would be his assistant? If I couldn't stand to even see someone's face, I definitely wouldn't want to be stuck with them all the time, I reckon that'd make your inner darkness worse, not better, right?"
"Maybe deep down, Vil wished he could bully Neige and make him work like a dog." Grim suggested as the other Pokémon nodded in agreement. "I wouldn't put it past him!"
"Huh?! Surely even Vil wouldn't go THAT far..."
"Epel." (Y/N) said, giving him a look.
"Okay, it's hard to completely rule out..."
"This is purely speculation on my part, but..."Vil Schoenheit pursues the apex of beauty and aims for those heights with stoic determination."" Ortho stated. "That status quo hinges heavily on the existence of his rival, Neige."
Rook nodded, agreeing with Ortho's logic. "So the presence of someone he feels the need to beat is what motivates Vil to strive as hard as he does. Is that what you're suggesting?"
"Right. Neige LeBlanche is too much a part of who Vil is to completely remove from the picture."
"I see." Silver said. "Altering or omitting something that's critical in the real world could make the dream world more prone to paradoxes and breakdowns?"
Ortho nodded. "Exactly. But maybe due to latent defensive instincts, Neige has been defined within this dream as someone who can't possibly be a rival."
"And then, with no rival to speak of, Vil can easily win the Diamond Movie Award for Best Actor?" Idia asked.
"Non...!" Rook insisted. "Vil would despise such a scenario more than anyone else. Neige has inflicted pain upon Vil many times, but Vil knows better than anyone else how strong and capable Neige is. That's why he was so desperate on the day of the SDC. That's what drove him to such...such extremes. My heart breaks at the thought of Vil's pride being trampled upon so flagrantly while he remains blissfully ignorant. How happy Vil is now, never having to experience setbacks or jealousy. But that happiness comes at the cost of that which he holds most dear! The spirit of tenacity! The very spirit of the Fairest Queen, which makes him who he is! Oh, would that I could wake Vil up right now, I can hardly bear the sight of him like this!"
"Rook..." Epel lamented before a voice chimed in.
"And that's the key."
The boys nearly reeled back as Gardevoir teleported in.
(Y/N) smiled at her Pokémon, handing her another sandwich. "I was wondering when you were going to show up. I take it you've been analyzing from a distance?"
The Psychic type nodded, taking a seat. "Yes. The shadows have a limited range of awareness, so a little experimenting allowed me to figure out how close I can get."
Vulpix puffed her chest. "You watched them chase me around!?"
"I knew you'd be fine." Gardevoir insisted. "You're old enough and have enough training to fight back. Besides, you exposed the lynchpin to causing this dream to collapse."
"She did?" Grim asked.
"I did?" Vulpix repeated.
(Y/N) nodded, knowing what Gardevoir was getting at. "Epel, Rook, Grim, remember the real reason Vil Overblotted that day. It wasn't ultimately because of Neige, it was because he was ashamed of what he tried to do. What has Vulpix been saying to Vil this whole time?"
"This isn't you!" Epel realized.
"This dream isn't what Vil wants, it's what Malleus thinks he wants! That's why the shadows were so agitated by Vulpix. As soon as Vil realizes that, this whole dream falls apart!" (Y/N) then brought her hands together. "Which means we have a clear path. Rook?"
The blonde smirked. "Oui."