"Can you be more specific?" Alex asked.
"Since I'm only restricted to cash, I've had to order from everywhere to get enough materials for the turrets, and it's been getting hard to find wholesalers since construction companies have a monopoly on them," Rhea complained.
"How many of the required thousand have you made so far?"
"A little over a hundred. I would need a few hundred million Pokédollars more for just raw materials. And you're going to run out of money."
"I'll get right on that then. What about you, Celise? How much cash would you need?"
"Three hundred million to have the wall built. It would be made out of a special clay that can be easily molded by Ground types to build up the wall. Once solidified, it can resist Elite rank damage and can be easily remolded after a battle to repair it. It doesn't even need more materials, as the chunks that were broken off can be reused."
"Wouldn't that be weak against Ground types?" Nyx asked.
"Ground types usually dig to escape when threatened and prefer to retreat underground. The wall isn't likely to take direct damage from them, and even if it does, they typically close the tunnel behind them to avoid being followed."
"Makes sense to me," Alex said. "As for the cash, I'll start by selling the spare meat we have in storage from Pokémon below Elite rank. It's not enough for now, but the new territory has plenty of Pokémon to hunt. They're an inexhaustible resource; it'll just take time. For the credit deficit, I'll rely on selling any Elite ranked Pokémon that come near the territory. That should help balance the books and also serve as a deterrent to keep the stronger locals away."
"Speaking of credits," Nyx said, "I've managed to sell out the Elites. Your current balance is at 85 million."
"So, 65 million more to go? That should be about three to four more Champion ranked nests. That's good, considering I need more Champion ranked meat to strengthen my team."
"As for the report you wanted on Team Dominion, they're currently shifting focus to other regions. They've expanded beyond just orphanages and media outlets and are now trying to influence a wider range of industries. The League has started cracking down hard, but Team Dominion is managing to stay afloat thanks to a few Gym Leaders they've convinced to support them, either through shared ideology or outright bribery. Their presence is especially strong in Olivine City, where their base still hasn't been located, and in Cinnabar City, where they recently called in reinforcements. It seems Blaine is open to working with them. I haven't heard of any new bases being constructed, though."
"That's fine. Keep monitoring the situation. I want more crystals for Rhea, so if you hear anything about their shipments or a fully stocked base, let me know."
"Sure thing."
"I have one last thing to mention," Celise said.
"What is it?"
"The property in Clearstone Valley, south of our location, has risen in price to double what it was. It's stirred up some discussion but hasn't piqued anyone's interest. Will this be a problem?"
"I called a friend. They and perhaps we will likely profit if anyone decides to buy it."
"How did you manage that?" Nyx asked, intrigued.
"I have friends in high places. Anyway, the more plots that are sold south of us, the more extra income we'll be getting. So we need to work hard to make sure they remain protected through a flood."
As they were about to end their meeting, Celise spoke up. "Alex, I just wanted to remind you about tomorrow."
"What's happening tomorrow?"
"Hah! I knew he'd forget! Pay up, sucker!" Rhea suddenly exclaimed, gesturing for Nyx to hand over the money.
Nyx groaned but pulled out her phone and sent Rhea what she owed.
"Ah, sweet, sweet money."
"What's happening tomorrow?" Alex repeated, a frown forming.
"Your wedding with Vera is tomorrow at the courthouse in Saffron City," Nyx said, her shoulders slumping from having lost the bet.
"That's tomorrow? I must have lost track of time."
"Yeah, and you'd better be ready. Vera said, and I quote, she's going to rock your world," Rhea said with air quotes.
-----
The next day, Alex and the girls teleported to the courthouse in Saffron City.
The building was smaller than Alex had expected for a place of law, likely because it handled only minor cases. Serious crimes, by contrast, went through an expedited process overseen personally by the city's leading gym, usually accompanied by a psychic evaluation to conclusively determine guilt.
As for why they chose a courthouse over a grand wedding, Vera didn't want to make too much of a scene. Alex tried to convince her she could have any option she wanted but she stubbornly refused. She even refused a honeymoon in favor of staying at the farm to take care of the baby.
Alex shrugged and accepted her decision. He didn't particularly care either way, though he silently promised to make it up to her someday, preferably when he could leave the farm unattended.
They shuffled through the courthouse, claimed their reservation, and were standing before a judge in no time.
The judge cleared his throat and looked over the couple with a mild, professional smile. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Alex Ashford Wattson and Vera Madison. Do you, Alex, take Vera to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Alex replied firmly, glancing at Vera with a small, reassuring smile.
"And do you, Vera, take Alex to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Vera answered, her eyes sparkling with quiet happiness.
"By the power vested in me by the Pokemon League, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Alex leaned forward, capturing Vera's lips in a brief, tender kiss. Around them, the courthouse remained quiet, the faint shuffle of papers and the soft footsteps of the few onlookers the only background noise.
After the kiss, they stepped over to the small table at the front of the room. With the judge overseeing, Alex and Vera signed the necessary documents, each stroke of the pen a final, tangible confirmation of their marriage. Once the papers were in order, the judge nodded approvingly and handed them copies of the signed documents.
"Congratulations, you are now a married couple. Off you go!" the judge said hurriedly.
On their way out of the room, Alex spotted a well-dressed man among the audience, someone who clearly didn't belong. A purple-haired man with a beard and a man bun, he wore a black suit with striking purple highlights. Most remarkable was the faint wisp of power Alex sensed. There was no doubt he was a Champion ranked trainer.
"Vera, why don't you and the girls go ahead and wait for me by the courthouse entrance?" Alex said in a calm tone.
"What's wrong, Alex?" Vera replied, concerned.
"Nothing. Just go. I'll be there in a moment."
"Alright, but be careful."
"I will."
Alex moved to the side, standing by the audience seats, and positioned himself between the man and the girls as they walked out of the room. Once they were gone, Alex turned to the man.
"Can I help you?" Alex asked in a neutral tone, his fingers ready to give the signal at the slightest hint of killing intent.
"As professional as always, Mr. Wattson. Congratulations on your wedding," the man said, sincerely.
"Thank you," Alex replied calmly.
"I apologize for visiting on your wedding day. I would have preferred a personal visit, but even I am not confident in keeping my life safe with your farm being surrounded by Elites."
"A call would have sufficed. Or an email, a text. Actually, even regular mail would have been preferable."
"Hahaha," he laughed, genuinely delighted.
"No," he said, regaining his sharp composure. "This calls for a personal touch."
"Well, go ahead. Say your piece."
"It has come to my attention that the Johto branch of our organization has been less than accommodating."
"There has been some friction."
"Yes, well, I have come to personally apologize for their misconduct and to inform you that our Kanto branch, under my leadership, does not condone such actions. We like keeping those with whom we have an agreeable relationship… well, agreeable."
"Apology accepted."
"Excellent. Your business with us has been among the most successful, so we very much would like to continue working with you. Certainly not at the cost of anything to your person. We humbly accept any refusal of our requests."
"Consider it water under the bridge."
"As compensation, we will double the price of any requests you fulfill for us."
"That's very generous."
"Hardly. We only send the most complex of tasks to you. However, I detect that, not too long from now, you will be more than happy with the result of this gift. Please accept this new phone to communicate with us, and feel free to destroy that insulting device they gave you."
"Understood," Alex said as he took the phone handed to him. "Is that all?"
"Yes. Have a lovely wedding day, Mr. Wattson."
"You too," Alex said, walking out of the room and back toward the girls.
Ace Monique allowed a smile at the jest to linger on his face before slipping into the shadows.
-----
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