Hard Enough - Chapter 448 - The day before (Patreon)

On the day before the wedding, I donned some of the edgiest clothes that I owned.

Well, edgy for me.

The fur-lined look with woven ceramic pauldrons that were shaped like a Tyranitar and a Ursaluna head certainly gave me a very fierce appearance. Accompanying this with black leather made me feel like I was about to join a punk band, or become the villain in a magical girls’ anime.

… then again, with how Sabrina and Kirlia liked to act, that would tie in rather well.

Orion and Titan had taken up position at my back as we sauntered through the town, which really only reinforced the feeling of being a B grade villain that was about to be redeemed by some magical woman.

Bertha followed after us, almost skipping with how giddy she was at our dramatic entrance to the town square. This caused Agate and Shale, who now had a large black eye and a reluctance to discuss it behind them. 

Bringing up the rear of the group, Empress strode with a bored expression with Regirock next to her.

It wasn’t what I would call my best pokemon team, but today wasn’t about that. It was about intimidation and presenting an image as well as a reminder to all.

I was Overlord, and that meant something.

I was still a block out from said square when I caught sight of the surprise I’d organised for Glimmer, Ruby, Shale and Agate who had set up the Crusher Tribe display in the square.

“They’re weak,” growled one of the Elder Crusher Tribesmen and I rolled my eyes before locking onto where Coke stood. The man had his arms crossed and was watching the flow of traffic coming and going. Most people continued about their day, barely sparing a look at the group of brooding Crusher tribesmen who were dressed much like me.

In a town that was brightly coloured and clean, they looked like a flock of Murkrow. 

“Hmmmm, murmured Edge as he rubbed his chin. “I’d like to have some scouts investigate the training fields. We will get a good idea of the strength of the international trainers there no doubt.”

Coke scoffed. “That’s if they don’t put on a show instead! These people don’t fight hard unless they’re within a stadium!”

“Oh, do be quiet and focus on what is to come. Glimmers-on-the-cliffs shall be performing soon and it will be a good display,” declared Jade, Leader of the revived feather faction.

She, unlike the others, was looking around and happened to glance in my direction, causing her to blink in surprise as she spotted me.

When her eyes dipped up and down before a smile appeared on her features, I knew I’d done the right thing dressing the part.

“Feh! Overlord Brock,” growled Coke, “He is giving us a mere pittance! We should be hosting the event. There is no need to pledge himself in a castle of Rota of all places! This is not the Crusher Tribe way! It shows his outsider heritage!”

Oh look, an old man talking shit like I wouldn’t find out.

Well, that just wouldn’t do at all.

Flickering my aura slightly as I advanced, I caused a good number of people that had been nearby to stiffen and make room as I swept in.

Coke and the other Crusher tribesman turned, their eyes widening as I stalked towards them.

Now, what could I say that would get through to him?

Ah yes…that would do.

“You disappoint me,” I said quietly.

Despite the almost whisper I used to speak, my words still carried clearly across the gap.

Orion and Titan shifted into stalking postures, both of them began to radiate a predatory aura that made you want to stiffen up and track them as threats.

The elders' gazes shifted and I found myself slightly annoyed at my pokemon stealing my show. My lips twitched slightly even as Titan mentally teased me about lacking scales, tail, teeth, and claws that could inspire a proper fear response.

Without those I had to rely once more upon my aura to drag the elders’ attention back to me.

“I present to the tribe a chance to establish themselves internationally and you whine about not sticking to tradition.” I shook my head. “In times where there is famine or sickness in the herds you hunted, did you continue to stick to the old ways or did you adapt and save your people from perishing?” I demanded.

“We—” 

“I do not require you to answer!” I bit out. “It is obvious to any who speak with the Lorekeepers that the Crusher Tribe knew how to adapt. This is merely that, but playing out in new situations.”

Spreading my arms wide I gestured around me. “We are now in Rota, a nation that once feared and vilified the Crusher Tribe. Now we walk the streets and bask in the sunlight,” I stated. “We’ve adapted, and thus will survive.”

“Hmmm,” murmured Coke, Edge, and Topaz almost together.

Jade met my gaze and I decided to push another button that might draw the right response from them.

“I would have thought you liked having an outsider Overlord? It has resulted in your little circle of equals having unprecedented control over the running of the day to day activities of the Crusher Tribe,” I stated as I raised my hand. 

“That too is not something that is traditional, I know this, I have spoken with the Lorekeeper quite a lot now,” I stated calmly.

“With that being said, this has worked out for our benefit. I might give the orders on what happens with the Tribe at large with sweeping declarations and the assimilation process but I know that you four control the fine details.”

“Fine details? Feh! Like that matters!” declared Topaz, the leader of the Claw faction.

I snorted. “Don’t pretend it isn’t power,” I replied. “I am not so naive to understand that a plan is fine so long as the people that carry it out are just as important as the ones at the top.”

I eyed them carefully. “If you are that displeased, I can find other tasks that will suit your… capabilities,” I drawled, making sure to emphasise my words so it was clear to all that if they went that route, I’d be demoting them.

“We are loyal as ever, Overlord Brock, and may I offer my heartfelt congratulations on your coming union,” stated Jade, stepping in and putting a hand over her symbol as she bowed.

This caused the others to twitch before they copied her with their own bows and murmurs of congratulations.

Hmmm, something significant just happened there but I didn’t understand it.

Deciding to bow my head back slightly, “My thanks; now, let us depart properly. I do not wish to be late to our own event,” I declared.

With that I raised a hand and my pokemon stepped slightly out to the side allowing the elders and their entourage to fall in behind me.

Just to underscore the impression of power I wanted to convey I signalled and Empress strode up next to Bertha and then released Don into the sky.

With a flex of my will I commanded him to stay above and slightly behind.

When he attempted to ignore the order I let my attention crash down upon him while my hands twitched towards his pokeball.

He fell into position with a soft grumble, making me roll my eyes. Always testing, I thought to myself.

Walking down the street, numerous people went from idly walking and enjoying their day to pausing and staring as they suddenly found themselves face to face with a gang of darkly dressed men and women who were bracketed by obvious powerhouse pokemon.

Just before we reached the town square I pointed at a loose balloon that a child had no doubt let go of. But instead of flying up into the sky it was being forced down by what must have been a downforce wind or something. I wouldn’t know as I wasn’t a flying type trainer.

Rather than order my pokemon to capture it and deliver it back, I decided to play into my semi-villainous outfit and use the balloon as a target for my pokemon to lock onto.

“Empress, Don? Hyper Beam to announce our arrival!” I commanded.

Both pokemon grinned at this and locked onto the target.

A moment later, the day suddenly became even brighter as my pokemon let loose powerful blasts of energy that cut lines across the sky.

It was only as the Hyper Beams closed on the balloon that an idle thought occurred to me. 

Wait, wasn’t there a pokemon that was known to look like a balloon that tried to make off with children

The balloon flinched as the Hyper Beams tore through the space it occupied and my gaze hardened. Don and Empress suddenly found their Hyper Beam empowered as I pushed my aura into them forcing the beams to brighten further.

“Titan, Orion, Bertha, and Regirock! Track that pokemon and make sure it belongs to someone! If not then I want it chased off! It is a possible danger to children!” I barked.

Three of my pokemon stiffened at this news.

One turned, its eyes blinking rapidly as it processed this new information.

Before anyone else could act, Regirock swung a limb and sent a huge rock sailing through the air before smashing into the distant ghost type pokemon.

It warbled and fell out of the air.

I blinked slowly. That… hadn’t been what I’d been aiming for just now…

“...” I raised my hand before reconsidering the situation. Right, Regirock was the epitome of a guardian pokemon.

It had bonded rather strongly to the young kids; learning that there was a possible threat to them would result in this sort of response.

“Orion can you?" I waved towards the distant pokemon that was falling out of the sky. If it was dead, well, I’d deal with that. If it wasn’t… Well, I could have Orion sit on it pretty easily and alert Agatha to the ghost pokemon’s presence.

She could deal with it from there.

Orion chuffed and hurried off.

Coughing, I decided to pretend that had gone precisely… oh, who was I kidding? That had gone off the rails faster than I could have expected.

It was probably a terrible idea in hindsight.

Welp, now there was nothing left to do but own it.

Straightening my spine I nodded my head forward. “Follow,” I ordered of the gaping Crusher Tribesman behind me.

They hung back for a second only for Coke, Edge, and Topaz to practically leap after me when it clicked just what sort of pokemon I had backing me up.

My group entered the square with a lingering silence ahead of us. All eyes had turned in our direction after the Hyper Beams went out and once more space was made as we stalked towards the stage that had been set up.

Slightly off centre of the stage, a small ring of Riolu and servants stood protectively around the royal group. Queen Ilene stared at me while her mother shot a stern look that I let wash over me.

In a way, I was their equal here and now, as I represented a ‘nation’ in a sense. Mine was smaller, more feral, and less advanced.

But they were mine, and for that I needed to act the part.

So I walked past the group, ignoring the slight hitch in their postures or the way the Riolu growled lowly at us.

My gaze stayed locked upon Glimmer.

I still caught the way Ilene’s eyes turned thoughtful as she studied my attire and pose. She knew what was happening with this statement of mine. She turned away and gave a small signal, causing her guards to settle down instantly while others glanced at her in surprise.

Lance, who I noted was sitting nearby, gave me a nod before turning to a purple faced President Kruger. Whatever he said to the man had him relaxing and settling back in his chair.

“Lorekeeper Glimmer-on-the-cliff!” I barked, not letting other people’s drama slow me down. “I bring the tribe to witness your performance! Will you require any of them to assist you?” 

Glimmers didn’t miss a beat, her gaze shifted up to the other Lorekeepers and she smiled widely as she stomped forward once, sending her beaded hair clacking as she shifted position.

“Be welcome! We perform for the Overlord to celebrate his union! Fall in behind me!” she crowed.

From the tribe, several men and women with long hair and a myriad of beads woven into their hair stepped forward. Interestingly, none of them had anywhere near as many beads as Glimmers did, nor as many colours.

The significance of the beads, I wasn’t entirely sure of, but I suspected that it had to do with your level of knowledge of the songs, dances, and tales of the Crusher tribe.

Another thing that caught my attention was that several of them paused and inspected her hair, or more specifically, some neon pink and yellow beads that she had at the ends of her hair now.

“The beads? Do they signify mastery of songs, dances, and tales?” I asked Jade, deciding it was best to ask as another suspicion formed.

“It is, yes, as you can see, none are equal to Glimmers-on-the-cliff,” declared Jade proudly.

“So if she were to learn dances and songs from Pewter and other tales, she would add them with new colours,” I murmured, nodding along.

This caused several of the elders to hiss in surprise. “She learned more dances?”

“She’s attending… well over eight different studios, along with having private instructors coming to the gym,” I chuckled. “We’re going to either rent or build a dance studio for her own needs soon enough.”

Jade considered me, her lips twitching slightly. “Ah, she has gotten some leverage over you then?” she teased.

“More that I will invest in talent,” I denied, not wanting them asking around too much about what possible leverage.

Thankfully, another distraction arrived with Ruby stepping up next to Glimmers with her hair clacking quietly. The tilt of her chin, however, was extremely proud, and her smile grew as the tribe stiffened.

“Ruby!” gasped Jade, her hand shooting towards her mouth in shock. “Is this a dream?” she murmured.

“No,” I said into the silence. “This is the future of the Tribe,” I stated, and before anyone could interfere, I gave Glimmers a nod.

“People of the world hear our song~!” began Glimmers with a voice that made my breath hitch even though I’d been expecting it.

For a second no one spoke. No one moved and glimmer used that moment to let the sound of her voice resonate outwards.

She smiled, and just like that I knew I was about to watch a master of their craft perform to the best of their abilities.

And so she sang.

She sang of the people, of the Crusher tribe and their sacred duty as nomads of the land. How they saw the towering mountains, the spiritual landmarks, and had journeyed thousands of kilometres in their lives.

She sang of hardship and joy and sorrow all woven together.

Then she sang of hope for the future and union.

Behind her the other dancers followed along but when it came to set moments they faded back, allowing Glimmers to dominate the stage.

And through it all Jade cried tears of joy as she stared at Ruby, dancing on her two feet, whole and unblemished.

At the end, I smiled and nodded to Glimmers instead of clapping like my heart wanted to.

In response, Glimmers bowed low, completing the ritual to me as Overlord.

I glanced back at the elders and the other tribesmen. One and all shock held court on their faces and I smirked.

Hmmm, I probably hadn’t even needed to dress up or pull them into line. Glimmer and Ruby’s performance had blown their arguments and resentment away.

Ah, well, it wasn’t all bad.

I turned from them, a smile on my lips as I felt the psychic touch a moment before a multitude of Psybeams shot across the sky much like my earlier Hyperbeams had.

People gasped in surprise and turned to find Sabrina approaching.

Unlike me, she was not wearing a Crusher Tribe outfit. 

Instead, she bore the usual attire for those who challenged her.

Today she was very much Gym Leader Sabrina, and she marched at the head of a group of psychics, pokemon and trainers both.

I didn’t hold back the smile that my heart offered up and Sabrina matched it.

Damn… I kind of didn’t want to wait for tomorrow.

Today was just a nod to the Crusher Tribe, but part of me wanted to throw it all away just to have her as my wife now.

Some of my desires must have been projected, that or Sabinra just knew me as her voice gently wafted through my mind.

“Settle down, tomorrow is our day,” she said even as she shot me a smouldering look in response. “You look good in dark clothes.”

My lips twitched as my eyes bobbed up and down.

She looked amazing, like always.

Sabrina allowed a small blush to appear on her cheeks as she closed the distance with us.

When she paused, she was easily within arm’s reach.

“Overlord,” she greeted with a small incline of her head.

“Sabrina, I bear a gift to celebrate our coming celebration!” I said, making sure to pitch my voice so that it carried to as many people as possible while making them still strain to hear.

Sabrina tilted her head. “Oh? This I did not foresee,” she replied with an interested air.

I grinned back at her, knowing that she would have been extremely interested in this particular stone in the coming days.

I turned slightly while Bertha stepped forward with a box that was small in her hands. Turning I opened the case and presented it to her.

A soft glimmer of light heralded the new stone, and Sabrina’s breath hitched. Around the square people rose, murmurs joining them as interest grew in what I’d presented to Sabrina.

Sabrina took the gift in her hands and gently drew it out of the stone. It gleamed pink and green with the smallest trickle of red running through it.

It shone brighter in Sabrina’s hands and I grinned.

“Gardevoirite,” she said, not needing to question it. Her gaze shifted. “Where did you… no, what did you trade for this?”

I smirked. I got a good deal,” I declared as I projected the actual story towards Sabrina. I wasn’t about to air the actual negotiations that had gone down behind closed doors to everyone within earshot. 

Especially not with Steven Stone here.

Surprisingly, the megastone wasn’t found by Devon Corp. A small mining firm had reached out to me as CEO of Mega Rock Inc and asked to make a rather interesting trade. Instead of money, another stone, or even some other rare item that I might be able to procure or even access rights to certain dig sites, they instead asked for experience. 

They asked for training courses delivered by Mega Rock Inc’s geologists.

The idea actually had appealed to me greatly as it wouldn’t cost me or the company much in the short term. What it would do however was cause slight issues for Devon Corp, as the large corporation had been rather ruthlessly recruiting any geologists they could while locking out any that quit, or didn’t join up with them.

These hostile methods were creating a great deal of resentment with smaller firms who were looking to expand their market into mega stone discovery finding themselves pushed aside. While they knew they couldn’t compete with Devon Corp in size of capabilities, they were hoping to snatch a few gems by picking up some experience on where it would be best to look.

When I’d pitched the idea to the other board members I might have felt like a bit of a heel, only to be surprised when I discovered just how tightknit the geologist community was. Apparently having a passion for rocks in all their forms made them rather eager to stick it to Devon Corp.

While it wasn’t something I’d expect Sabrina to be using any time soon, I know that Kirlia would be ecstatic.

Speaking of which… I glanced around, noticing the lack of said pokemon dancing around like a maniac.

Sabrina wouldn’t have cut Kirlia from her wedding party.

Not without a good reason.

Sabrina gave me a bemused look. “Don’t ruin all my surprises,” she projected to me and I knowingly nodded back, understanding without saying a word what her plan was for tomorrow.

I suppose she wasn’t going to be a flower girl for the weddin—

“I’d like to offer five million pokedollars for that stone,” intruded a rather unwelcome voice.

I blinked, turning to the side to find that Steven Stone himself had approached us and had his eyes locked on the stone in Sabrina’s grasp.

“No, I’m not going to give this up for any amount of money,” Sabrina replied. “Brock gave it to me.”

That gave both me and Steven pause. He gained a calculating look that made me suspect he only heard the earlier part of her statement.

I heard the latter, and more importantly, the subtext. 

If I’d given her a pebble off the side of the road, I had a feeling she’d reject all offers to purchase it from her.

Simply because I had given it to her.

Huh… now I was blushing.

“I could—” Steven began, only for Sabrina to shake her head lightly.

Steven bowed. “Very well, I know when to back down!” he declared. As he bowed he shot a wink at me before sweeping away.

That… Did he think he was doing something nice just now? Assigning a high price tag to my gift to Sabrina.

Or was that some method of saving face?

Sometimes I just couldn’t tell with that guy. 

Off to the side Lance looked like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to facepalm or laugh. I shot him a wink and he turned his head away so he wouldn’t be too obvious, but his shoulders still shook with mirth.

Behind me Glimmers began to ululate before stomping once. Instantly the other Lorekeepers fell into another dance.

I shot her an amused look. Give the girl a stage and she’d perform.

She was almost as bad as a politician with a microphone. Still, with everyone’s attention drawn to her performance Sabrina and I were able to slip away, leaving the Crusher Tribe to integrate without me looming over them.

We reappeared on the castle’s lakeside garden where we lay back and enjoyed a quiet moment.

I shot Sabrina a look and she huffed and pushed me. “You weren’t supposed to work it out!” she grumbled.

“Eh, it’s fine,” I replied. "Although I thought you were going to show it off with one of your detective episodes?” I asked.

“I lied,” she answered easily, only for the pokeball at her hip to open and reveal an extremely miffed Gardevoir.

She raised her tiny elegant fists and growled as she loomed over me. “Yup, that’s the Kirlia I’ve come to know and love,” I said as I smiled up at her.

“You looking forward to being able to Mega Evolve tomorrow?” I asked.

She stared at me, her green hair drifting slightly before she pouted and stomped her foot. “Gard evoir!” she huffed as she stormed off to the side only to turn about and walk back over. She sat next to us and reached over to hug me in a show of thanks.

Then she looked to Sabrina.

“Garde?” she asked, her hand flickering between them.

Sabrina held up the stone only for it to float off her palm and into Gardevoir’s waiting hands. A moment later a sheen of energy swept through her that caused her to shudder and moan in ecstasy. 

I coughed. That had been… rather like watching my sisters act out something vulgar.

Extremely awkward.

Gardevoir shot me a look and huffed before sighing. She glanced towards Sabrina, her hand moving back and forth between them.

In response, Sabrina raised her keystone ring and allowed it to shimmer and glow.

I blinked, realising what they were about to do.

I had half a mind to record it, only to push that idea away. This wasn’t something to be shared around with others.

This was Sabrina, Gardevoir, and I.

When the light show finished Sabrina glowed faintly while Gardevoir had a much larger dress with her hair having grown.

“Gardevoir!” she intoned.

I chuckled. “Well, you’re both going to shock the world tomorrow,” I announced only to humm. “Sadly you’re going to have to tell my family. Or else I don’t think the flower girls will be able to walk properly for tomorrow’s event with how happy they’ll be.”

Sabrina and Gardevoir both blinked at this. Then they laughed as one, knowing I was right.

“We’ll tell them at the practice tonight,” Sabrina decided. “They can freak out then.”

I made sure to get out my ear muffs and some dull plugs before we teleported to the hall where the event would take place.

My family were there, waiting.

The girls turned, smiling at the flash that had heralded Sabrina’s arrival.

Then they froze as they all locked eyes on Gardevoir.

Then the screaming started.

It was almost worse because it was joyful, as you didn’t really want it to stop.

What I did do, as a responsible adult and brother, was to approach the boys in my family and offer them some ear protection which they gratefully accepted.

By the time the girls had calmed down, the sun had begun to set. Then Sabrina Mega evolved Gardevoir again.

And back in the earplugs went.

It was not the most productive of practices, I had to admit that.

But it was a happy one, and Sabrina and I knew that if it carried over for tomorrow, then we were in for a very joyful day.

Before bed that night Sabrina and I lay on the roof of my chateau. Away from the lights, cameras and prying eyes.

We didn’t say anything, just lay together, watching the stars, perfectly aware of the other.

When Sabrina’s alarm buzzed, warning that she needed to go to bed she lingered another ten minutes. 

“It’s time you went to bed,” I eventually voiced.

She nodded, floating off me.

She kissed me once and smiled. “See you tomorrow… No getting cold feet, alright?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I stated. “Not even Arceus could stop me from making it to our wedding.”

“Don’t say things like that,” she replied.

I cupped her face and smiled. “I mean it,” I whispered before kissing her one last time. She teleported away, leaving me on the roof.

I lingered there, considering what had been, and what would come to pass.

Then I sighed and jumped off the roof to head to bed.

Tomorrow, no matter how amazing, was going to be a long one.

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A.N. Thanks go to my patreons for your continued support!

It also goes to Twmmy for proofreading this chapter!