like a handprint on my heart (pt 2); hc_bingo
Title: like a handprint on my heart
Fandom: Pokemon
Prompt: Wild Card (Brainwashing/Deprogramming)
Medium: Fic
Wordcount: 10,879
Rating: PG
Warnings: Spoilers to Pokemon Black/White and Pokemon Black 2/White 2, implied grooming (non-sexual)
Summary: N's journey opens his eyes to the truth of Team Plasma and his father.
AN: Much of this is based off the game (such as dialogue) and my playthrough(s) (such as the teams and the battles.) The title comes from "For Good" from Wicked.
Part 1
The Elite Four was easy to beat with his friends, and he was disappointed by how easy it was. However, Alder was a bit more difficult, and so Touya managed to catch up and see him defeat the Champion.
“It’s over! Never again will Pokémon be made to suffer or be held captive by humans. It’s all thanks to my friend, Reshiram!”
N almost felt pity for the former Champion. But his goal-his mission to liberate all Pokémon from Trainers-was more important than the tragedy that was Alder.
“You may have the title of Champion… But you can’t stop me with just a title. Your soft heart has left you weak. Years ago, you lost your Pokémon, your partner, to sickness. In order to forget the pain in your heart, you wandered Unova… Who knows how long it’s been since you’ve had to fight with your full strength? I actually kind of like that about you, though.”
He shifted closer to Alder, maybe to be certain he heard or maybe to show that he had won over the trainer. Maybe it was to show that he was the new Champion that should be followed-as the hero of legend.
“As a Trainer who far outmatches the Champion, I shall issue an order across Unova: Trainers of the world, free your Pokémon!”
Alder looked almost terrified by his proclamation-he couldn’t understand why. “I beg you! Separating people from Pokémon… Do anything but that!”
He couldn’t afford to be weak now-he had to hold firm to his beliefs. “You and I both put our beliefs on the line and fought with all our strength. And I won. Do not say another word.”
N wouldn’t admit that he could-maybe-see the appeal of getting to know Pokemon through battles. It would show that his beliefs were weak-and he had proven that his beliefs were anything but weak.
He turned his attention to Touya-a distraction and a final hurdle.
“…I’ve been waiting. In the future I envisioned, you obtained a stone. And, indeed, you have. That Dark Stone… Reshiram is responding to it. Stop. This is not a suitable place for the legendary dragons! From the ground, rise up! The castle of Team Plasma! Surround the Pokémon League!”
The ground shook from the force of the castle breaking through, encaging the Pokemon League. It was magnificent-the result of years of work-as it towered over everything. He could hear the stairs released from the windows in the castle-penetrating the walls of the Pokemon League-and he knew it was time to go to the throne room.
“What has just appeared is Team Plasma’s castle. The king’s words will resound from the heights to all below. You must come to the castle, as well. Everything will be decided there. Whether Pokémon will be liberated from people, or whether Pokémon and people will live together… We will see whos belief is stronger… And our result will change the world.”
He turned around and ascended the stairs to the castle. He walked brusquely by the rooms, only pausing for a moment to stare at what was his room-childish as it was-before arriving to the throne room where he would reign over Unova-and the world.
He waited for Touya to arrive. It was a shame that he was against his ideal world-he was intriguing.
It might have been minutes or it might have been hours-the Six Sages were waiting for Touya to arrive to ambush him-but Touya eventually made it into his throne room.
From his vantage point, he addressed Touya. “What I desire is a world for Pokémon, and Pokémon alone. I will separate Pokémon from people, so Pokémon can regain their original power.”
N regarded him for a moment before he stood up. It would be better if he wasn’t so far from Touya when it came to battle-and he’d rather battle in the spacious area that Touya occupied than right next to the throne.
He slowly moved closer and closer to Touya-and to the final battle that would decide the fate of Pokemon and Trainers. “It’s time to settle this once and for all! My determination is absolute! I will prove the value of my beliefs even if it means my Pokémon friends get hurt! Since you’ve come this far, I believe you are equally determined. If that’s so, prove it to me! Show me the depth of your determination!”
Touya looked directly at N before he moved closer to the center of the room. N took that as a sign that he should also move to the center of this room, and so he did.
“You came all this way to battle me… But Zekrom is not responding.”
N paused before he moved slightly to the left. He looked over at something that wasn’t Touya-he didn’t know how to feel about this Trainer who came to face him despite not having anything to go against Reshiram.
“You haven’t yet been recognized as the hero, have you? How disappointing. I actually kind of liked you a little. Through our many battles, I got the feeling that you might be a Trainer who truly cares for Pokémon!”
N remembered the way Touya’s Pokemon had talked about their Trainer-all good things, Zebstrika and Samurott (the latter an Oshawott when he first her) sticking out in his memory. But still, he wasn’t the hero of ideals.
He slowly moved in front of Touya, taking a good look at him before shaking his head in disappointment. “But I was kidding myself. The idea of Trainers getting to know each other through battles is ridiculous! You have two options. Challenge me to a fight you can’t win, or leave this place and watch the birth of a new world where Pokémon are free of people!”
N took a deep breath before he started to put his plan-his dream-into motion. He held his hand in the air to command his friend to come. “Reshiram! Come to me!”
Reshiram’s cry was heard loud and clear, and they both watched as Reshiram flew. It burst through the wall, taking down the throne with it. Both N and Touya backed away from the middle of the room-the only place that could hold the legendary Pokemon.
It landed and released another cry, showing off its impressive power and stature as it did so. The tail started to heat up before it released the fire in a powerful display. The flames wrapped around Reshiram’s form like a cocoon, the heat spreading and evaporating the water that was held in the room, before it settled down.
N was allowed to go around Reshiram to walk back up to Touya.
However, before he could repeat his offer, something started trembling in Touya’s bag. N knew, before it even came out, that the Dark Stone was reacting to everything.
Touya was surprised, but so was N. He backed away, sensing the danger he could be in if he didn’t move.
“Your Dark Stone is… I mean, Zekrom is…” N couldn’t finish his sentence.
Touya backed away in time for the Dark Stone to come out and start collecting power. The aura it collected was release and out came Zekrom.
It fell to the ground, and then released a mighty roar at Touya.
Zekrom’s tail glowed blue with electricity, which it then released. It formed a beautiful blue dome, and then it dispersed into the room. Zekrom, satisfied with its displayed, roared again at Touya.
It stood proud and tall against the Trainer that could-maybe-catch it.
N couldn’t help but be amazed by the display Zekrom had put on for Touya. “Reshiram and Zekrom… They were once one life. One Pokémon. Complete opposites, yet the same. Reshiram and Zekrom are Pokémon that appear before the hero they recognize. Ah… I see. You really are a hero, too. I’ll tell you what that Pokémon is saying to you.”
He had to translate-he knew Touya couldn’t understand Pokemon like he could. (Although he knew, from experience, that Touya understood his Pokemon well enough to use them in battle-and to gain their affection.)
“‘I want to battle with you. Try to make me your friend and ally.’ It plans to test you to see if you are really pursuing ideals. I, also, am curious to see how powerful you are. Now, catch Zekrom and make it your ally!”
Touya stared at the Legendary Pokemon before he sent out Garbordor to battle against Zekrom. N couldn’t help but think that maybe Touya had lost his mind, using a slow, defensive Pokemon against a Legendary Pokemon.
Garbordor managed to hold on as he got hit by a Fusion Bolt and hit Zekrom with a Sludge Bomb that also poisoned it. Touya then threw an Ultra Ball that caught Zekrom.
Zekrom wanted to be a part of this battle-N could feel and hear it-so Touya had no choice but to send Zebstrika back to the PC to use against N.
“Ah… I see. Zekrom, who is said to lend its power to the hero who searches for ideals, has recognized your power and now agrees to stand by your side…”
N walked up to Touya, wanting to check on Garbordor, who had taken damage from battling against Zekrom. “Hold on. Your Pokémon are hurt. There is no triumph to be gained in battling a weakened opponent.”
Garbordor-and Zekrom-were now in fighting shape, and N was ready to take on Touya for the final time. It would be his truth against Touya’s ideals.
Once he was certain that Touya’s Pokemon were fully healed and ready to fight, N walked back to where Reshiram stood to stand before it. “Now, I will create the future I desire! I shall sweep you before me!” he shouted.
It was a beautiful sight-Reshiram’s flames against Zekrom’s electricity. They stood across each other, power radiating.
Reshiram started off by using Fusion Flare, and Zekrom shook it off before countering with Fusion Bolt. N saw that Reshiram had taken more damage than Zekrom had.
“Do you really think you can stop us with that?” N had to ask. He needed to know Touya’s conviction.
Touya, unsurprisingly, didn’t rise to the bait and answer.
He then commanded Reshiram to attack with Hyper Beam-which Zekrom had dodged-and Zekrom retaliated with a Dragon Breath. N fully restored Reshiram’s health, and Zekrom attacked once again with Dragon Breath.
Reshiram then attacked again with a Hyper Beam and Zekrom attacked with Dragon Breath. His partner was unable to attack-or move-so Zekrom hit it one last time with a Dragon Breath. Reshiram then fainted, and N recalled him.
Touya did the same with Zekrom, awaiting N’s next Pokemon.
He sent out Vanilluxe, and Touya had sent out Archeops to fight.
Before Vanilluxe could attack, Archeops knocked him out with a Rock Slide. N had no choice but to recall his friend.
He then sent out Carracosta to deal with Archeops, but Touya withdrew his Pokemon and sent in Samurott instead. N didn’t know how Samurott was going to fight against his Carracosta. He hit first with a Crunch, and Samurott attacked with a Grass Knot-which made sense.
Carracosta managed to stay standing-due to Sturdy activating-and N had no choice but to let Samurott win with another Grass Knot. However, he managed to damage Samurott once again with an Aqua Jet.
N then sent out Klinklang to fight, but Krookodile was sent out after Touya quickly recalled Samurott. Krookodile outsped Klinklang and knocked it out with a powerful Brick Break.
N hoped that Zoroark could knock out Krookodile with a Focus Blast, but Touya called Krookodile back and sent out Archeops to fight against his friend.
Zoroark attacked with Night Slash, but it didn’t do enough damage to activate Archeops’ crippling ability. Instead, Archeops retaliated with an Acrobatics, which was enough to knock out his friend.
N had one more Pokemon he could use in this battle. “My last friend… Please share your courage with me!”
He sent out his Archeops to battle against Touya’s, but Touya withdrew Archeops to send in Samurott. Archeops started the battle with a Stone Edge-that missed-and Samurott attacked with a Waterfall.
Archeops managed to stay standing, but N knew that its ability-Defeatist-kicked in. He attacked with an Acrobatics, and Samurott attacked again with a Surf. Archeops went down with that.
“Everything’s ruined. The truth I held… The dreams Pokemon shared…”
He couldn’t believe he lost-again-against Touya. But maybe he could. The doubt that he felt was now stronger than ever, and he could see that maybe Pokemon weren’t inherently better without Trainers.
These Pokemon with Touya grew stronger because of his belief in them-and their desire to grow stronger for (with) Touya.
N commented, “…Reshiram and I were beaten. Your ideals… Your feelings… They were stronger than mine, it seems…”
He smiled sadly. “Zekrom and Reshiram… Each of them choosing a different hero… Is that even possible? Two heroes living at the same time-one that pursues ideals and one that pursues truth. Could… could they both be right? I don’t know. It’s not by rejecting different ideas, but by accepting different ideas that the world creates a chemical reaction. This is truly the formula for changing the world.”
Turning away, N pondered on the truth behind his words. He believed that there were more ideas-and truths-out there, but he didn’t know why it was that way. He didn’t say anything, even when he heard someone else coming in.
Ghetsis stood behind Touya and addressed N. “After all of that, do you think you’re still worthy of sharing the name Harmonia with me? You good-for-nothing boy!”
It felt like a slap to the face-but he hadn’t expected anything else. But he didn’t understand that look on Touya’s face. It was a mixture of pity and rage-on his behalf-but he couldn’t understand why.
Touya then turned to look at Ghetsis-rage taking over his expression-as Ghetsis stopped talking.
Ghetsis looked over Touya-a mere boy with a typical wide-eye approach to everything Pokemon-before making his way to stand closer to N (and next to Touya, consequently.)
He smiled cruelly, the expression menacing on his face. “To start with, I spurred N into pursuing the truth. The reason we reawakened the legendary Pokémon now was to give MY Team Plasma more power! Power to control the fearful masses! That at least was well done.”
Ghetsis paused his gloating to move even closer to N. He could feel himself shrinking away from Ghetsis.
“After saying you had to put your beliefs on the line and battle to see which one chosen by the legendary Pokémon was the true hero… You lost to an ordinary Trainer! There is such a thing as being too stupid! Add it up, and you are nothing more than a warped, defective boy who knows nothing but Pokémon…” Ghetsis shook his head, as if he was disappointed by N.
He hung his head in shame-or fear. This man who had taken him in, who had cared for him, scared him. N wasn’t completely oblivious to the whispers about his “father”, but he had chose to ignore them.
Maybe he shouldn’t have.
Ghetsis, done with his scolding, walked up to Touya and smirked.
“Touya! I never would have thought the legendary Pokémon would choose a Trainer like you! It caught me completely off guard. This doesn’t change my goal. My plans have not been disturbed! In order to rule this world utterly, in order to manipulate the hearts of people who know nothing, I will have N be the king of Team Plasma. But, for that to work, you-since you know the truth-You must be eliminated!”
He could see that two more people-the former Champion, Alder, and Touya’s friend, Cheren-had come in, but it meant nothing to N. If Touya succeeded, he would be arrested for helping Team Plasma and if Touya failed, then he would be put in a gilded cage, a mouthpiece for Ghetsis.
Cheren, standing beside Touya, couldn’t help but asking, “Rule the world? Wasn’t Team Plasma’s goal to liberate Pokémon?”
Ghetsis didn’t even look at Cheren-choosing to stare at the pillars on the left-when he answered his accusations. “That was just a convenient lie that I needed to create Team Plasma. Use your head. What’s to be gained from letting go of useful things like Pokémon? Certainly, manipulating Pokémon helps people expand their possibilities. That much, I can agree with. So it naturally follows that only I should be able to use Pokémon!”
N could see clearly now that he had been manipulated by this man that called himself father-to take over the world. It correlated with the whispers of Pokemon with Trainers-mostly-that they wanted to go far with their Trainers.
It didn’t hurt-or surprise-him as much as he thought it would.
Alder couldn’t take Ghetsis’ rambling any longer. “You fool! That’s a ridiculous idea!”
He finally turned to face the three Trainers that were roadblocks for his plan. “You can say whatever you want. A Pokémon, even if it’s revered as a deity, is still just a Pokémon. Touya, so what if it chose you! That doesn’t mean you’re a threat. Come on! Now you’ll face ME in battle! I can’t wait to see the look on your face when you’ve lost all hope!”
He was confident as he walked up to Touya-to eliminate him once and for all.
N, seeing what was about to happen, couldn’t stop himself from shouting, “Touya!” He managed to heal his rival’s Pokemon before Ghetsis started the battle.
“I won’t allow anyone to stop me! No matter who does what!”
Ghetsis sent out Cofagrigus. Touya, having no one to really battle against the Ghost-type Pokemon, sent out Zekrom. Zekrom attacked first with a Fusion Bolt, and Cofagrigus countered with a Toxic-that missed. Zekrom got ready to attack again, but Cofagrigus used Protect to stop the move from hitting.
Zekrom, through a combination of Fusion Bolts and Dragon Breaths, took down Cofagrigus and faced Bouffalant next.
Bouffalant attacked with an Earthquake, and Zekrom, still standing, attacked back with another Fusion Bolt. Zekrom managed to knock out Bouffalant without being knocked out-but N was certain it was due to recoil damage.
Seismitoad and Samurott were the next two Pokemon to battle. Seismitoad outsped Samurott, and was attacking first, so it managed to get a few good hits in-and Samurott kept attacking with Grass Knot.
Eventually, Touya changed tactics, and attacked with Waterfall-which knocked out Seismitoad.
Eelektross was sent out to deal with Samurott-and that was a good move, in N’s opinion, if Touya wasn’t known for switching around Pokemon to deal with weaknesses. As expected, Touya called back Samurott and sent out Krookodile to deal with Eelektross.
Eelektross had no moves to really attack Krookodile with, and so it was stuck using Crunch-as was Krookodile. Krookodile, with its type advantaged, outlasted Eelektross and knocked it out with a well-placed Crunch.
Hydreigon, the strongest Pokemon Ghetsis had, was sent out, and Touya sent out Archeops to deal with him. N didn’t see how Archeops was going to deal with Hydreigon-and he was knocked out by Surf immediately.
Touya, after thinking for a second, sent out Garbordor to fight against Hydreigon. Hydreigon hit with a Dragon Pulse, but Garbordor hit back with a Toxic. Hydreigon, now poisoned, kept attacking Garbordor with Dragon Pulse, and Garbordor kept retaliating with Sludge Bomb until it went down.
Zekrom-weak but still able to fight-was Touya’s next choice, and Hydreigon went down quickly due to him being poisoned.
Bisharp was sent out as Ghetsis’ final Pokemon, and N was surprised to see Beartic out to fight. He knew that Bisharp had the advantage-and showed its power with a Night Slash that Beartic shook off (but N knew it was hurting)-but Beartic surprised everyone, especially Ghetsis, by knocking out Bisharp with a Brick Break.
“My calculations… No! My careful schemes! The world should be mine!”
It was the way he said it that chilled N to the core. He didn’t know how to feel about Ghetsis scheming for years-using him for years-to gain control of the world. N was glad that at least Ghetsis didn’t do anything beyond manipulate his worldview of Pokemon and Trainers.
Touya stood in front of Ghetsis, accepting his tirade.
“What?! I created Team Plasma with my own hands. I’m absolutely perfect! I AM PERFECTION! I am the perfect ruler of a perfect new world!”
Alder stared at Ghetsis with cold eyes. He moved closer to N, hoping to reach him with his words. “Now, N… Do you still think Pokémon and people should be separated?”
N looked away as soon as Ghetsis turned towards him-he didn’t want to see what was in his eyes. He knew his answer-knew, maybe, since the second encounter with Touya-but he needed to think about how he would put it in words.
He obscured view of those in front of him with his long green hair, allowing himself time to think about everything he’s ever seen since leaving the castle. There were things he wanted to say to Touya, personally, but he wanted to be away from Ghetsis and his manipulation.
Ghetsis paid N no attention and turned to the three that managed to foil his plans-again and again. “Mwa ha ha! Since I couldn’t become the hero and obtain the legendary Pokémon myself… I prepared someone for that purpose-N! He’s nothing more than a freak without a human heart. Do you think you’re going to get through a warped person like that?!”
Cheren couldn’t take it any more and walked up to Ghetsis before turning his back on him. “Alder, it’s a waste of valuable time listening to him ramble on. He is the one without a human heart!”
Alder turned when he heard Cheren, and he had to agree. “You’re right. He’s truly pathetic.”
However, there was one final thing Alder needed to take care of-as the person who was viewed as the Pokemon League Champion.
Facing N, once again, Alder tried to address him. “N… I’m sure you have much to think about. I know you were not pursuing the truth because of Ghetsis’ manipulation, but because your heart was truly inspired. That is why you were able to meet the legendary Pokémon!”
N was startled out of his thoughts by what Alder said. It sounded like Alder thought he was the Hero of Truths when he had been manipulated into pursuing the Legendary Pokemon by Ghetsis.
“But… I have no right to be the hero!” he cried.
Alder seemed to consider N’s words before countering with, “It that so? What you and the legendary Pokémon are going to do from now on… That’s important, wouldn’t you say?”
N shook his head, confused by Alder’s words. It almost felt like compassion, but N wouldn’t-couldn’t-believe it. “Acting like you understand… Up until now, we’ve been fighting each other over our beliefs! Yet, despite that… Why?!”
“N, even if we don’t understand each other, that’s not a reason to reject each other. There are two sides to any argument. Is there one point of view that has all the answers? Give it some thought.”
With those words, Alder (and Cheren) apprehended Ghetsis and escorted him out to where the police were waiting. Touya stayed behind-maybe to get some closure with his journey and N.
It didn’t matter to N-there were things he wanted to say, things he refused to see but now felt necessary to tell Touya.
N managed push those confusing thoughts from his head. “I want to talk to you about something.”
There was a small gap between him and Touya. Until Touya walked up to stand face-to-face.
N led Touya towards where the throne used to sit, knocked off the ground by Reshiram’s appearance. It felt like it was a long time ago that he was fighting Touya to prove his beliefs were correct.
N took a deep breath before starting. He wouldn’t look at Touya to see his reaction-it was easier that way. “It’s about when I first met you in Accumula Town. I was shocked when I heard what your Pokémon was saying. I was shocked because that Pokémon said it liked you. It said it wanted to be with you.”
He continued to walk after pausing to tell Touya his thoughts from the beginning-and that, too, felt like a lifetime ago instead of the year it took for them to get where they were now.
Before where the throne used to sit, N paused his walking again and faced Touya for the first time since he started this walk. He noticed that Touya was curious-and that was it-so he turned away again, shaking his head as he remembered the shock he felt when they first met.
“I couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t believe there were Pokémon that liked people. Because, up until that moment, I’d never known a Pokémon like that. The longer my journey continued, the more unsure I became. All I kept meeting were Pokémon and people who communicated with one another and helped one another. That was why I needed to confirm my beliefs by battling with you. I wanted to confront you hero-to-hero. I needed that more than anything.”
N smiled slightly as he picked up his pace-and he stopped in front of the hole in the wall. “There’s no way a person like me, someone who understands only Pokémon-No, actually… I didn’t understand them, either. No way could I measure up to you, when you had met so many Pokémon and were surrounded by friends…
“The Champion has forgiven me, and… What I should do now is something I’ll have to decide for myself.”
Reshiram came out of its Poké Ball, and N turned to face Touya for one last time.
“Touya! You said you have a dream… That dream… Make it come true! Wonderful dreams and ideals give you the power to change the world! If anyone can, it’s you! Touya! Well, then… Farewell!”
He hopped onto Reshiram and with a final wave, N flew off.
Maybe they would meet again-this time as equals battling to see who grew more in the time spent away.
It has been two years since that fateful day, and he spent it in other regions. Traveling-going around and finding Trainers who weren’t cruel like Ghetsis had told him-was enlightening. However, Reshiram had told him he needed to be in Unova, and so he arrived feeling like something bad was going to happen.
There were rumors of a girl going around thwarting the new Team Plasma, and N spent time trying to hear more. He didn’t hear of Touya-except the odd rumor that he left to go find something.
He was enjoying time hearing about how Unova had changed, but he also had an urgency in being here. Then he heard the whispers from Reshiram and the other Pokemon-Kyurem was awakening from something.
Reshiram agreed to take him to Kyurem’s resting place, and he hoped that he could get there before Ghetsis-and Team Plasma-could get control of Kyurem and freeze Unova over. It seemed to be true when Opelucid City-the home of the Dragon-type Gym-had been frozen over.
He had taken Reshiram with him to see the carnage, and he hoped that he could save Unova from whatever it was Ghetsis hoped to do. Reshiram than told him that Kyurem was in pain, and he agreed to go with it to save Kyurem.
N arrived in the Giant Chasm in time, and he saw Kyurem using Glaciate against Rosa. Before it could attack, he called out, “Reshiram! Fusion Flare!”
The icicles shattered against Reshiram’s heat.
Ghetsis didn’t even look surprise to be stopped. “So you came… The freak without a human heart… N!”
N landed in front of Ghetsis, his friend patiently waiting but still cautious. “Reshiram told me Kyurem is suffering! I can’t allow selfish humans to make Pokemon suffer! And I like Unova. It’s the place that taught me how to live as a human…”
He couldn’t help but think of Touya-and he wondered again where he went-as he confronted Ghetsis.
“It’s the place that made me notice the harmony between Pokemon and humans living together… I will protect the Pokemon and humans who live here!”
Reshiram cried out, agreeing with N’s statement.
Ghetsis smiled. “Excellent! That was a moving expression of your determination! So the education I provided to make you king wasn’t a complete waste, then! But I still haven’t forgotten that even though I was kind enough to find you when you were living in the forest with Pokemon, and take you in, and care for you, in the end you were selfish and disrupted my plans. I was supposed to use your abilities to rule Unova!”
N knew that Ghetsis had planned for him to be a mouthpiece, but hearing it even two years later still hurt a bit. But he grew up-learned beyond what Ghetsis wanted him to know-and now he stood in opposition of the man he once considered his father.
Ghetsis said, “But I’ll forgive you for that as well.”
He didn’t like how this was going-he didn’t know what Ghetsis wanted, and he didn’t want to be around… But he needed to stay to counteract whatever Ghetsis planned on doing.
“Reshiram, which you were kind enough to bring with you, can melt ice! Now you’ve saved me the work of searching for it! Well, actually, I knew you’d appear if we fired ice missiles into Opelucid City and you noticed the change!”
N gritted his teeth. “That’s an ugly formula! It won’t work!”
Ghetsis grinned. “Oh, but it will! If I use these! The DNA Splicers!”
The DNA Splicer was released into the air, and it transformed, turning into a weapon for Kyurem. N didn’t know what would happen, but he could hazard a guess-and it was bad.
Kyurem gave a warning shot-and Reshiram dodged and flew into the sky. Kyurem shot out four rope-like shots, honing in on Reshiram as it flew around the cave, trying to avoid whatever it was.
However, these purple rope-like shots managed to catch Reshiram, and it wrapped around, pulling it down and closer to Kyurem. It was then forced to go back into its dormant form-the Light Stone-and it floated before Kyurem.
N was shocked. “R-Reshiram!”
“Kyurem! Absorb Rehsiram!” Ghetsis commanded. “Use Absofusion!”
Kyurem absorbed the Light Stone into its body-through the same mechanism that allowed Kyurem to force Reshiram down-and it started to transform.
Its tail glowed orange, flames bursting from it, and it reminded N a bit of how Reshiram had introduced itself formally to Touya two years earlier. What now stood before him-and Rosa-was White Kyurem.
“I never would have believed Pokemon could fuse together… That there was a formula like this…” He trailed off, a bit horrified and fascinated by what had occurred.
“You fool… Last time, I was going to use you to capture people’s hearts and minds to rule them! But this time, I’m simply going to use overwhelming power and rule with an iron fist! Do you understand?”
He sighed, mocking. “If you had simply become king, Unova would have remained beautiful!”
Ghetsis turned his attention away from N, and he instead focused on Rosa, who didn’t look as scared as N thought she would have. She was nervous-he could tell-but she was also determined to do whatever she could to defend Unova from this horror.
“Come now, Trainer. This time no one will save you! But to make things interesting, I’ll give you a chance. Let’s see if you can stop THIS Kyurem!”
Rosa’s Pokemon were itching to fight-and protect their Trainer. N could hear them-and even Ghetsis noticed that there was something going on with her Pokemon.
“What’s this? Your Poké Balls are trembling. Could your Pokemon be shaking with rage?” Ghetsis shook his head. “No! That’s not possible! Simple tools don’t have emotion or thought! Come! Challenge Kyurem! Just so you know, catching it is impossible! My cane emits signals that disrupt the function of all Poké Balls!”
N didn’t believe Ghetsis understood Pokemon at all, as they were not simple tools with no feelings. He also felt like Rosa could win against Kyurem-his friend being forced in there-much like Touya had done all those years ago.
With Reshiram fighting against this Pokemon’s control, Rosa had a chance to beat it.
If she won against Kyurem, he could get his friend back. At least, the faint voice he recognized as Reshiram had said that.
She fearlessly approached the Legendary Pokemon, and she sent out Excadrill to battle against it. It used Rock Slide against it, only to be knocked out by Ice Burn. She then sent out a Garbordor-and N felt a bit surprised she had one-which managed to poison it. Garbordor, through the use of Protect and stalling, managed to stand against White Kyurem and won.
Kyurem and Reshiram were separated, and N quickly went to go check on his friend.
Ghetsis didn’t look happy. “I can’t believe it! The White Kyurem I went to all the trouble preparing! How irritating! Now I have to go recapture Kyurem, don’t I?” he asked Rosa rhetorically.
N noted that Kyurem had fled as soon as it could-and N couldn’t blame it.
“But first, I’ll take down this disgusting Trainer with my own hand! This time I WILL succeed! No matter what they try, no one will be able to stop me!”
N, sensing what Ghetsis was about to do, managed to heal Rosa’s Pokemon before the battle started. He hoped that she was able to take down Ghetsis.
Cofagrigus was sent out, and Rosa sent out Excadrill to battle it. Excadrill hit it with an Earthquake, and Cofagrigus countered with Shadow Ball. Excadrilll attacked again with another Earthquake, and Cofagrigus went down.
He then sent out Seismitoad, and Rosa recalled Excadrill and sent out Leavanny. He quickly attacked Seismitoad with a Leaf Blade, and Seismitoad went down.
Eelektross was then sent out to battle, and Rosa sent out Flygon to counter it. She managed to knock it out with Dragon Claw, but not before taking considerable damage herself.
Hydreigon was sent out to counter Flygon, but Rosa recalled Flygon to send out Azumarill. N couldn’t see what she was planning, but then he saw it as Azumarill used Ice Punch against Hydreigon.
He also couldn’t help noting that Hydreigon’s moves didn’t compliment what it was good at. Azumarill barely hung on before Hydreigon went down.
Ghetsis then sent out his Toxicroak, who was going against Rosa’s Flygon. Toxicroak used Sucker Punch, and then Flygon used Earth Power, which knocked out Toxicroak.
Rosa kept Flygon out as Ghetsis sent out his last Pokemon-Drapion.
He briefly wondered about Bouffalant and Bisharp, but he didn’t think he wanted to know. Instead, N focused back on the battle.
Flygon was being battered by Drapion, but it was attacking back with Earth Power. It was close, but Drapion outlasted Flygon. Rosa recalled her Flygon and sent out Excadrill to finish it.
Excadrill knocked out Drapion with an Earthquake.
“Could it be?! My plans for complete and total world domination foiled yet again? No! It mustn’t be! I couldn’t have been defeated by some random Trainer from who knows where!”
Ghetsis backed away in disbelief.
“How can this be? I’m the creator of Team Plasma! I’m perfect! I’m the absolute rule who will change the world! But I’ve lost to some unknown Trainer not once, but TWICE?!”
He started pacing, agitated by his failures, before turning to N.
“I can’t accept this! This isn’t possible! I can’t be bested by fools who can’t even use Pokemon correctly!”
N heard enough, and he had to step in. “It’s hard to call you this, but… Father!” That title being attributed to Ghetsis left an awful taste in his mouth. “Please understand. Pokemon are not tools. Pokemon and humans take each other to greater heights. They are out wonderful partners. Some humans understand this. Why can’t you?”
Ghetsis, sickened by N, turned away. “Shut your mouth! Shut up! Shut up! Shut UP! Don’t talk like a person, you freak! No real person could talk to Pokemon!”
Before N could argue-or dwell on his words-a member of the Shadow Triad appeared.
“Lord Ghetsis has… lost control… We’ll take it from here…”
N sadly said, “Okay… Without Father, Team Plasma is…”
“Farewell…”
He disappeared with Ghetsis, leaving the scepter behind.
N took a moment to collect himself-he didn’t realize how emotional he would become-before addressing Rosa. “On behalf of everyone… Thank you. Kyurem is fin. Now, it has lost its power, but it will come here again.”
Reshiram let out a cry.
N smiled, hearing his friend. “Reshiram says thank you as well! That’s right… I can talk with Pokemon.” It was a skill he liked sharing two years ago, but Ghetsis had made him ashamed of it by the time he left Unova to discover himself.
“On that day two years ago, Touya and Alder taught me something… By accepting different ideas, this world creates a chemical reaction… So I met many different Pokemon and people and heard so much… And that’s how my world quietly grew bigger… By being with Pokemon, humans can continue toward new horizons. By being with humans, Pokemon can exhibit their true power. That’s what Reshiram taught me: the truth for Pokemon and me. And someday both truth and ideals will come together… The Pokemon and humans will be free from the oppression of Poké Balls.”
N knew it was an invasion of personal space, but he needed to convey the important message he had for her. “You! What are you and your Pokemon striving for? You should head to the Pokemon League and put your truths to the test!”
Having said what he wanted, N left on Reshiram.
As he flew to where the ruins of Team Plasma’s castle laid, he thought about what he would do. He would wait here for now-maybe a year or two-for Touya to return. If he didn’t, well, N could always go back to other regions to find his friend.
After all, he had to thank Touya for showing him the truth of Pokémon and humans.
Fandom: Pokemon
Prompt: Wild Card (Brainwashing/Deprogramming)
Medium: Fic
Wordcount: 10,879
Rating: PG
Warnings: Spoilers to Pokemon Black/White and Pokemon Black 2/White 2, implied grooming (non-sexual)
Summary: N's journey opens his eyes to the truth of Team Plasma and his father.
AN: Much of this is based off the game (such as dialogue) and my playthrough(s) (such as the teams and the battles.) The title comes from "For Good" from Wicked.
Part 1
The Elite Four was easy to beat with his friends, and he was disappointed by how easy it was. However, Alder was a bit more difficult, and so Touya managed to catch up and see him defeat the Champion.
“It’s over! Never again will Pokémon be made to suffer or be held captive by humans. It’s all thanks to my friend, Reshiram!”
N almost felt pity for the former Champion. But his goal-his mission to liberate all Pokémon from Trainers-was more important than the tragedy that was Alder.
“You may have the title of Champion… But you can’t stop me with just a title. Your soft heart has left you weak. Years ago, you lost your Pokémon, your partner, to sickness. In order to forget the pain in your heart, you wandered Unova… Who knows how long it’s been since you’ve had to fight with your full strength? I actually kind of like that about you, though.”
He shifted closer to Alder, maybe to be certain he heard or maybe to show that he had won over the trainer. Maybe it was to show that he was the new Champion that should be followed-as the hero of legend.
“As a Trainer who far outmatches the Champion, I shall issue an order across Unova: Trainers of the world, free your Pokémon!”
Alder looked almost terrified by his proclamation-he couldn’t understand why. “I beg you! Separating people from Pokémon… Do anything but that!”
He couldn’t afford to be weak now-he had to hold firm to his beliefs. “You and I both put our beliefs on the line and fought with all our strength. And I won. Do not say another word.”
N wouldn’t admit that he could-maybe-see the appeal of getting to know Pokemon through battles. It would show that his beliefs were weak-and he had proven that his beliefs were anything but weak.
He turned his attention to Touya-a distraction and a final hurdle.
“…I’ve been waiting. In the future I envisioned, you obtained a stone. And, indeed, you have. That Dark Stone… Reshiram is responding to it. Stop. This is not a suitable place for the legendary dragons! From the ground, rise up! The castle of Team Plasma! Surround the Pokémon League!”
The ground shook from the force of the castle breaking through, encaging the Pokemon League. It was magnificent-the result of years of work-as it towered over everything. He could hear the stairs released from the windows in the castle-penetrating the walls of the Pokemon League-and he knew it was time to go to the throne room.
“What has just appeared is Team Plasma’s castle. The king’s words will resound from the heights to all below. You must come to the castle, as well. Everything will be decided there. Whether Pokémon will be liberated from people, or whether Pokémon and people will live together… We will see whos belief is stronger… And our result will change the world.”
He turned around and ascended the stairs to the castle. He walked brusquely by the rooms, only pausing for a moment to stare at what was his room-childish as it was-before arriving to the throne room where he would reign over Unova-and the world.
He waited for Touya to arrive. It was a shame that he was against his ideal world-he was intriguing.
It might have been minutes or it might have been hours-the Six Sages were waiting for Touya to arrive to ambush him-but Touya eventually made it into his throne room.
From his vantage point, he addressed Touya. “What I desire is a world for Pokémon, and Pokémon alone. I will separate Pokémon from people, so Pokémon can regain their original power.”
N regarded him for a moment before he stood up. It would be better if he wasn’t so far from Touya when it came to battle-and he’d rather battle in the spacious area that Touya occupied than right next to the throne.
He slowly moved closer and closer to Touya-and to the final battle that would decide the fate of Pokemon and Trainers. “It’s time to settle this once and for all! My determination is absolute! I will prove the value of my beliefs even if it means my Pokémon friends get hurt! Since you’ve come this far, I believe you are equally determined. If that’s so, prove it to me! Show me the depth of your determination!”
Touya looked directly at N before he moved closer to the center of the room. N took that as a sign that he should also move to the center of this room, and so he did.
“You came all this way to battle me… But Zekrom is not responding.”
N paused before he moved slightly to the left. He looked over at something that wasn’t Touya-he didn’t know how to feel about this Trainer who came to face him despite not having anything to go against Reshiram.
“You haven’t yet been recognized as the hero, have you? How disappointing. I actually kind of liked you a little. Through our many battles, I got the feeling that you might be a Trainer who truly cares for Pokémon!”
N remembered the way Touya’s Pokemon had talked about their Trainer-all good things, Zebstrika and Samurott (the latter an Oshawott when he first her) sticking out in his memory. But still, he wasn’t the hero of ideals.
He slowly moved in front of Touya, taking a good look at him before shaking his head in disappointment. “But I was kidding myself. The idea of Trainers getting to know each other through battles is ridiculous! You have two options. Challenge me to a fight you can’t win, or leave this place and watch the birth of a new world where Pokémon are free of people!”
N took a deep breath before he started to put his plan-his dream-into motion. He held his hand in the air to command his friend to come. “Reshiram! Come to me!”
Reshiram’s cry was heard loud and clear, and they both watched as Reshiram flew. It burst through the wall, taking down the throne with it. Both N and Touya backed away from the middle of the room-the only place that could hold the legendary Pokemon.
It landed and released another cry, showing off its impressive power and stature as it did so. The tail started to heat up before it released the fire in a powerful display. The flames wrapped around Reshiram’s form like a cocoon, the heat spreading and evaporating the water that was held in the room, before it settled down.
N was allowed to go around Reshiram to walk back up to Touya.
However, before he could repeat his offer, something started trembling in Touya’s bag. N knew, before it even came out, that the Dark Stone was reacting to everything.
Touya was surprised, but so was N. He backed away, sensing the danger he could be in if he didn’t move.
“Your Dark Stone is… I mean, Zekrom is…” N couldn’t finish his sentence.
Touya backed away in time for the Dark Stone to come out and start collecting power. The aura it collected was release and out came Zekrom.
It fell to the ground, and then released a mighty roar at Touya.
Zekrom’s tail glowed blue with electricity, which it then released. It formed a beautiful blue dome, and then it dispersed into the room. Zekrom, satisfied with its displayed, roared again at Touya.
It stood proud and tall against the Trainer that could-maybe-catch it.
N couldn’t help but be amazed by the display Zekrom had put on for Touya. “Reshiram and Zekrom… They were once one life. One Pokémon. Complete opposites, yet the same. Reshiram and Zekrom are Pokémon that appear before the hero they recognize. Ah… I see. You really are a hero, too. I’ll tell you what that Pokémon is saying to you.”
He had to translate-he knew Touya couldn’t understand Pokemon like he could. (Although he knew, from experience, that Touya understood his Pokemon well enough to use them in battle-and to gain their affection.)
“‘I want to battle with you. Try to make me your friend and ally.’ It plans to test you to see if you are really pursuing ideals. I, also, am curious to see how powerful you are. Now, catch Zekrom and make it your ally!”
Touya stared at the Legendary Pokemon before he sent out Garbordor to battle against Zekrom. N couldn’t help but think that maybe Touya had lost his mind, using a slow, defensive Pokemon against a Legendary Pokemon.
Garbordor managed to hold on as he got hit by a Fusion Bolt and hit Zekrom with a Sludge Bomb that also poisoned it. Touya then threw an Ultra Ball that caught Zekrom.
Zekrom wanted to be a part of this battle-N could feel and hear it-so Touya had no choice but to send Zebstrika back to the PC to use against N.
“Ah… I see. Zekrom, who is said to lend its power to the hero who searches for ideals, has recognized your power and now agrees to stand by your side…”
N walked up to Touya, wanting to check on Garbordor, who had taken damage from battling against Zekrom. “Hold on. Your Pokémon are hurt. There is no triumph to be gained in battling a weakened opponent.”
Garbordor-and Zekrom-were now in fighting shape, and N was ready to take on Touya for the final time. It would be his truth against Touya’s ideals.
Once he was certain that Touya’s Pokemon were fully healed and ready to fight, N walked back to where Reshiram stood to stand before it. “Now, I will create the future I desire! I shall sweep you before me!” he shouted.
It was a beautiful sight-Reshiram’s flames against Zekrom’s electricity. They stood across each other, power radiating.
Reshiram started off by using Fusion Flare, and Zekrom shook it off before countering with Fusion Bolt. N saw that Reshiram had taken more damage than Zekrom had.
“Do you really think you can stop us with that?” N had to ask. He needed to know Touya’s conviction.
Touya, unsurprisingly, didn’t rise to the bait and answer.
He then commanded Reshiram to attack with Hyper Beam-which Zekrom had dodged-and Zekrom retaliated with a Dragon Breath. N fully restored Reshiram’s health, and Zekrom attacked once again with Dragon Breath.
Reshiram then attacked again with a Hyper Beam and Zekrom attacked with Dragon Breath. His partner was unable to attack-or move-so Zekrom hit it one last time with a Dragon Breath. Reshiram then fainted, and N recalled him.
Touya did the same with Zekrom, awaiting N’s next Pokemon.
He sent out Vanilluxe, and Touya had sent out Archeops to fight.
Before Vanilluxe could attack, Archeops knocked him out with a Rock Slide. N had no choice but to recall his friend.
He then sent out Carracosta to deal with Archeops, but Touya withdrew his Pokemon and sent in Samurott instead. N didn’t know how Samurott was going to fight against his Carracosta. He hit first with a Crunch, and Samurott attacked with a Grass Knot-which made sense.
Carracosta managed to stay standing-due to Sturdy activating-and N had no choice but to let Samurott win with another Grass Knot. However, he managed to damage Samurott once again with an Aqua Jet.
N then sent out Klinklang to fight, but Krookodile was sent out after Touya quickly recalled Samurott. Krookodile outsped Klinklang and knocked it out with a powerful Brick Break.
N hoped that Zoroark could knock out Krookodile with a Focus Blast, but Touya called Krookodile back and sent out Archeops to fight against his friend.
Zoroark attacked with Night Slash, but it didn’t do enough damage to activate Archeops’ crippling ability. Instead, Archeops retaliated with an Acrobatics, which was enough to knock out his friend.
N had one more Pokemon he could use in this battle. “My last friend… Please share your courage with me!”
He sent out his Archeops to battle against Touya’s, but Touya withdrew Archeops to send in Samurott. Archeops started the battle with a Stone Edge-that missed-and Samurott attacked with a Waterfall.
Archeops managed to stay standing, but N knew that its ability-Defeatist-kicked in. He attacked with an Acrobatics, and Samurott attacked again with a Surf. Archeops went down with that.
“Everything’s ruined. The truth I held… The dreams Pokemon shared…”
He couldn’t believe he lost-again-against Touya. But maybe he could. The doubt that he felt was now stronger than ever, and he could see that maybe Pokemon weren’t inherently better without Trainers.
These Pokemon with Touya grew stronger because of his belief in them-and their desire to grow stronger for (with) Touya.
N commented, “…Reshiram and I were beaten. Your ideals… Your feelings… They were stronger than mine, it seems…”
He smiled sadly. “Zekrom and Reshiram… Each of them choosing a different hero… Is that even possible? Two heroes living at the same time-one that pursues ideals and one that pursues truth. Could… could they both be right? I don’t know. It’s not by rejecting different ideas, but by accepting different ideas that the world creates a chemical reaction. This is truly the formula for changing the world.”
Turning away, N pondered on the truth behind his words. He believed that there were more ideas-and truths-out there, but he didn’t know why it was that way. He didn’t say anything, even when he heard someone else coming in.
Ghetsis stood behind Touya and addressed N. “After all of that, do you think you’re still worthy of sharing the name Harmonia with me? You good-for-nothing boy!”
It felt like a slap to the face-but he hadn’t expected anything else. But he didn’t understand that look on Touya’s face. It was a mixture of pity and rage-on his behalf-but he couldn’t understand why.
Touya then turned to look at Ghetsis-rage taking over his expression-as Ghetsis stopped talking.
Ghetsis looked over Touya-a mere boy with a typical wide-eye approach to everything Pokemon-before making his way to stand closer to N (and next to Touya, consequently.)
He smiled cruelly, the expression menacing on his face. “To start with, I spurred N into pursuing the truth. The reason we reawakened the legendary Pokémon now was to give MY Team Plasma more power! Power to control the fearful masses! That at least was well done.”
Ghetsis paused his gloating to move even closer to N. He could feel himself shrinking away from Ghetsis.
“After saying you had to put your beliefs on the line and battle to see which one chosen by the legendary Pokémon was the true hero… You lost to an ordinary Trainer! There is such a thing as being too stupid! Add it up, and you are nothing more than a warped, defective boy who knows nothing but Pokémon…” Ghetsis shook his head, as if he was disappointed by N.
He hung his head in shame-or fear. This man who had taken him in, who had cared for him, scared him. N wasn’t completely oblivious to the whispers about his “father”, but he had chose to ignore them.
Maybe he shouldn’t have.
Ghetsis, done with his scolding, walked up to Touya and smirked.
“Touya! I never would have thought the legendary Pokémon would choose a Trainer like you! It caught me completely off guard. This doesn’t change my goal. My plans have not been disturbed! In order to rule this world utterly, in order to manipulate the hearts of people who know nothing, I will have N be the king of Team Plasma. But, for that to work, you-since you know the truth-You must be eliminated!”
He could see that two more people-the former Champion, Alder, and Touya’s friend, Cheren-had come in, but it meant nothing to N. If Touya succeeded, he would be arrested for helping Team Plasma and if Touya failed, then he would be put in a gilded cage, a mouthpiece for Ghetsis.
Cheren, standing beside Touya, couldn’t help but asking, “Rule the world? Wasn’t Team Plasma’s goal to liberate Pokémon?”
Ghetsis didn’t even look at Cheren-choosing to stare at the pillars on the left-when he answered his accusations. “That was just a convenient lie that I needed to create Team Plasma. Use your head. What’s to be gained from letting go of useful things like Pokémon? Certainly, manipulating Pokémon helps people expand their possibilities. That much, I can agree with. So it naturally follows that only I should be able to use Pokémon!”
N could see clearly now that he had been manipulated by this man that called himself father-to take over the world. It correlated with the whispers of Pokemon with Trainers-mostly-that they wanted to go far with their Trainers.
It didn’t hurt-or surprise-him as much as he thought it would.
Alder couldn’t take Ghetsis’ rambling any longer. “You fool! That’s a ridiculous idea!”
He finally turned to face the three Trainers that were roadblocks for his plan. “You can say whatever you want. A Pokémon, even if it’s revered as a deity, is still just a Pokémon. Touya, so what if it chose you! That doesn’t mean you’re a threat. Come on! Now you’ll face ME in battle! I can’t wait to see the look on your face when you’ve lost all hope!”
He was confident as he walked up to Touya-to eliminate him once and for all.
N, seeing what was about to happen, couldn’t stop himself from shouting, “Touya!” He managed to heal his rival’s Pokemon before Ghetsis started the battle.
“I won’t allow anyone to stop me! No matter who does what!”
Ghetsis sent out Cofagrigus. Touya, having no one to really battle against the Ghost-type Pokemon, sent out Zekrom. Zekrom attacked first with a Fusion Bolt, and Cofagrigus countered with a Toxic-that missed. Zekrom got ready to attack again, but Cofagrigus used Protect to stop the move from hitting.
Zekrom, through a combination of Fusion Bolts and Dragon Breaths, took down Cofagrigus and faced Bouffalant next.
Bouffalant attacked with an Earthquake, and Zekrom, still standing, attacked back with another Fusion Bolt. Zekrom managed to knock out Bouffalant without being knocked out-but N was certain it was due to recoil damage.
Seismitoad and Samurott were the next two Pokemon to battle. Seismitoad outsped Samurott, and was attacking first, so it managed to get a few good hits in-and Samurott kept attacking with Grass Knot.
Eventually, Touya changed tactics, and attacked with Waterfall-which knocked out Seismitoad.
Eelektross was sent out to deal with Samurott-and that was a good move, in N’s opinion, if Touya wasn’t known for switching around Pokemon to deal with weaknesses. As expected, Touya called back Samurott and sent out Krookodile to deal with Eelektross.
Eelektross had no moves to really attack Krookodile with, and so it was stuck using Crunch-as was Krookodile. Krookodile, with its type advantaged, outlasted Eelektross and knocked it out with a well-placed Crunch.
Hydreigon, the strongest Pokemon Ghetsis had, was sent out, and Touya sent out Archeops to deal with him. N didn’t see how Archeops was going to deal with Hydreigon-and he was knocked out by Surf immediately.
Touya, after thinking for a second, sent out Garbordor to fight against Hydreigon. Hydreigon hit with a Dragon Pulse, but Garbordor hit back with a Toxic. Hydreigon, now poisoned, kept attacking Garbordor with Dragon Pulse, and Garbordor kept retaliating with Sludge Bomb until it went down.
Zekrom-weak but still able to fight-was Touya’s next choice, and Hydreigon went down quickly due to him being poisoned.
Bisharp was sent out as Ghetsis’ final Pokemon, and N was surprised to see Beartic out to fight. He knew that Bisharp had the advantage-and showed its power with a Night Slash that Beartic shook off (but N knew it was hurting)-but Beartic surprised everyone, especially Ghetsis, by knocking out Bisharp with a Brick Break.
“My calculations… No! My careful schemes! The world should be mine!”
It was the way he said it that chilled N to the core. He didn’t know how to feel about Ghetsis scheming for years-using him for years-to gain control of the world. N was glad that at least Ghetsis didn’t do anything beyond manipulate his worldview of Pokemon and Trainers.
Touya stood in front of Ghetsis, accepting his tirade.
“What?! I created Team Plasma with my own hands. I’m absolutely perfect! I AM PERFECTION! I am the perfect ruler of a perfect new world!”
Alder stared at Ghetsis with cold eyes. He moved closer to N, hoping to reach him with his words. “Now, N… Do you still think Pokémon and people should be separated?”
N looked away as soon as Ghetsis turned towards him-he didn’t want to see what was in his eyes. He knew his answer-knew, maybe, since the second encounter with Touya-but he needed to think about how he would put it in words.
He obscured view of those in front of him with his long green hair, allowing himself time to think about everything he’s ever seen since leaving the castle. There were things he wanted to say to Touya, personally, but he wanted to be away from Ghetsis and his manipulation.
Ghetsis paid N no attention and turned to the three that managed to foil his plans-again and again. “Mwa ha ha! Since I couldn’t become the hero and obtain the legendary Pokémon myself… I prepared someone for that purpose-N! He’s nothing more than a freak without a human heart. Do you think you’re going to get through a warped person like that?!”
Cheren couldn’t take it any more and walked up to Ghetsis before turning his back on him. “Alder, it’s a waste of valuable time listening to him ramble on. He is the one without a human heart!”
Alder turned when he heard Cheren, and he had to agree. “You’re right. He’s truly pathetic.”
However, there was one final thing Alder needed to take care of-as the person who was viewed as the Pokemon League Champion.
Facing N, once again, Alder tried to address him. “N… I’m sure you have much to think about. I know you were not pursuing the truth because of Ghetsis’ manipulation, but because your heart was truly inspired. That is why you were able to meet the legendary Pokémon!”
N was startled out of his thoughts by what Alder said. It sounded like Alder thought he was the Hero of Truths when he had been manipulated into pursuing the Legendary Pokemon by Ghetsis.
“But… I have no right to be the hero!” he cried.
Alder seemed to consider N’s words before countering with, “It that so? What you and the legendary Pokémon are going to do from now on… That’s important, wouldn’t you say?”
N shook his head, confused by Alder’s words. It almost felt like compassion, but N wouldn’t-couldn’t-believe it. “Acting like you understand… Up until now, we’ve been fighting each other over our beliefs! Yet, despite that… Why?!”
“N, even if we don’t understand each other, that’s not a reason to reject each other. There are two sides to any argument. Is there one point of view that has all the answers? Give it some thought.”
With those words, Alder (and Cheren) apprehended Ghetsis and escorted him out to where the police were waiting. Touya stayed behind-maybe to get some closure with his journey and N.
It didn’t matter to N-there were things he wanted to say, things he refused to see but now felt necessary to tell Touya.
N managed push those confusing thoughts from his head. “I want to talk to you about something.”
There was a small gap between him and Touya. Until Touya walked up to stand face-to-face.
N led Touya towards where the throne used to sit, knocked off the ground by Reshiram’s appearance. It felt like it was a long time ago that he was fighting Touya to prove his beliefs were correct.
N took a deep breath before starting. He wouldn’t look at Touya to see his reaction-it was easier that way. “It’s about when I first met you in Accumula Town. I was shocked when I heard what your Pokémon was saying. I was shocked because that Pokémon said it liked you. It said it wanted to be with you.”
He continued to walk after pausing to tell Touya his thoughts from the beginning-and that, too, felt like a lifetime ago instead of the year it took for them to get where they were now.
Before where the throne used to sit, N paused his walking again and faced Touya for the first time since he started this walk. He noticed that Touya was curious-and that was it-so he turned away again, shaking his head as he remembered the shock he felt when they first met.
“I couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t believe there were Pokémon that liked people. Because, up until that moment, I’d never known a Pokémon like that. The longer my journey continued, the more unsure I became. All I kept meeting were Pokémon and people who communicated with one another and helped one another. That was why I needed to confirm my beliefs by battling with you. I wanted to confront you hero-to-hero. I needed that more than anything.”
N smiled slightly as he picked up his pace-and he stopped in front of the hole in the wall. “There’s no way a person like me, someone who understands only Pokémon-No, actually… I didn’t understand them, either. No way could I measure up to you, when you had met so many Pokémon and were surrounded by friends…
“The Champion has forgiven me, and… What I should do now is something I’ll have to decide for myself.”
Reshiram came out of its Poké Ball, and N turned to face Touya for one last time.
“Touya! You said you have a dream… That dream… Make it come true! Wonderful dreams and ideals give you the power to change the world! If anyone can, it’s you! Touya! Well, then… Farewell!”
He hopped onto Reshiram and with a final wave, N flew off.
Maybe they would meet again-this time as equals battling to see who grew more in the time spent away.
It has been two years since that fateful day, and he spent it in other regions. Traveling-going around and finding Trainers who weren’t cruel like Ghetsis had told him-was enlightening. However, Reshiram had told him he needed to be in Unova, and so he arrived feeling like something bad was going to happen.
There were rumors of a girl going around thwarting the new Team Plasma, and N spent time trying to hear more. He didn’t hear of Touya-except the odd rumor that he left to go find something.
He was enjoying time hearing about how Unova had changed, but he also had an urgency in being here. Then he heard the whispers from Reshiram and the other Pokemon-Kyurem was awakening from something.
Reshiram agreed to take him to Kyurem’s resting place, and he hoped that he could get there before Ghetsis-and Team Plasma-could get control of Kyurem and freeze Unova over. It seemed to be true when Opelucid City-the home of the Dragon-type Gym-had been frozen over.
He had taken Reshiram with him to see the carnage, and he hoped that he could save Unova from whatever it was Ghetsis hoped to do. Reshiram than told him that Kyurem was in pain, and he agreed to go with it to save Kyurem.
N arrived in the Giant Chasm in time, and he saw Kyurem using Glaciate against Rosa. Before it could attack, he called out, “Reshiram! Fusion Flare!”
The icicles shattered against Reshiram’s heat.
Ghetsis didn’t even look surprise to be stopped. “So you came… The freak without a human heart… N!”
N landed in front of Ghetsis, his friend patiently waiting but still cautious. “Reshiram told me Kyurem is suffering! I can’t allow selfish humans to make Pokemon suffer! And I like Unova. It’s the place that taught me how to live as a human…”
He couldn’t help but think of Touya-and he wondered again where he went-as he confronted Ghetsis.
“It’s the place that made me notice the harmony between Pokemon and humans living together… I will protect the Pokemon and humans who live here!”
Reshiram cried out, agreeing with N’s statement.
Ghetsis smiled. “Excellent! That was a moving expression of your determination! So the education I provided to make you king wasn’t a complete waste, then! But I still haven’t forgotten that even though I was kind enough to find you when you were living in the forest with Pokemon, and take you in, and care for you, in the end you were selfish and disrupted my plans. I was supposed to use your abilities to rule Unova!”
N knew that Ghetsis had planned for him to be a mouthpiece, but hearing it even two years later still hurt a bit. But he grew up-learned beyond what Ghetsis wanted him to know-and now he stood in opposition of the man he once considered his father.
Ghetsis said, “But I’ll forgive you for that as well.”
He didn’t like how this was going-he didn’t know what Ghetsis wanted, and he didn’t want to be around… But he needed to stay to counteract whatever Ghetsis planned on doing.
“Reshiram, which you were kind enough to bring with you, can melt ice! Now you’ve saved me the work of searching for it! Well, actually, I knew you’d appear if we fired ice missiles into Opelucid City and you noticed the change!”
N gritted his teeth. “That’s an ugly formula! It won’t work!”
Ghetsis grinned. “Oh, but it will! If I use these! The DNA Splicers!”
The DNA Splicer was released into the air, and it transformed, turning into a weapon for Kyurem. N didn’t know what would happen, but he could hazard a guess-and it was bad.
Kyurem gave a warning shot-and Reshiram dodged and flew into the sky. Kyurem shot out four rope-like shots, honing in on Reshiram as it flew around the cave, trying to avoid whatever it was.
However, these purple rope-like shots managed to catch Reshiram, and it wrapped around, pulling it down and closer to Kyurem. It was then forced to go back into its dormant form-the Light Stone-and it floated before Kyurem.
N was shocked. “R-Reshiram!”
“Kyurem! Absorb Rehsiram!” Ghetsis commanded. “Use Absofusion!”
Kyurem absorbed the Light Stone into its body-through the same mechanism that allowed Kyurem to force Reshiram down-and it started to transform.
Its tail glowed orange, flames bursting from it, and it reminded N a bit of how Reshiram had introduced itself formally to Touya two years earlier. What now stood before him-and Rosa-was White Kyurem.
“I never would have believed Pokemon could fuse together… That there was a formula like this…” He trailed off, a bit horrified and fascinated by what had occurred.
“You fool… Last time, I was going to use you to capture people’s hearts and minds to rule them! But this time, I’m simply going to use overwhelming power and rule with an iron fist! Do you understand?”
He sighed, mocking. “If you had simply become king, Unova would have remained beautiful!”
Ghetsis turned his attention away from N, and he instead focused on Rosa, who didn’t look as scared as N thought she would have. She was nervous-he could tell-but she was also determined to do whatever she could to defend Unova from this horror.
“Come now, Trainer. This time no one will save you! But to make things interesting, I’ll give you a chance. Let’s see if you can stop THIS Kyurem!”
Rosa’s Pokemon were itching to fight-and protect their Trainer. N could hear them-and even Ghetsis noticed that there was something going on with her Pokemon.
“What’s this? Your Poké Balls are trembling. Could your Pokemon be shaking with rage?” Ghetsis shook his head. “No! That’s not possible! Simple tools don’t have emotion or thought! Come! Challenge Kyurem! Just so you know, catching it is impossible! My cane emits signals that disrupt the function of all Poké Balls!”
N didn’t believe Ghetsis understood Pokemon at all, as they were not simple tools with no feelings. He also felt like Rosa could win against Kyurem-his friend being forced in there-much like Touya had done all those years ago.
With Reshiram fighting against this Pokemon’s control, Rosa had a chance to beat it.
If she won against Kyurem, he could get his friend back. At least, the faint voice he recognized as Reshiram had said that.
She fearlessly approached the Legendary Pokemon, and she sent out Excadrill to battle against it. It used Rock Slide against it, only to be knocked out by Ice Burn. She then sent out a Garbordor-and N felt a bit surprised she had one-which managed to poison it. Garbordor, through the use of Protect and stalling, managed to stand against White Kyurem and won.
Kyurem and Reshiram were separated, and N quickly went to go check on his friend.
Ghetsis didn’t look happy. “I can’t believe it! The White Kyurem I went to all the trouble preparing! How irritating! Now I have to go recapture Kyurem, don’t I?” he asked Rosa rhetorically.
N noted that Kyurem had fled as soon as it could-and N couldn’t blame it.
“But first, I’ll take down this disgusting Trainer with my own hand! This time I WILL succeed! No matter what they try, no one will be able to stop me!”
N, sensing what Ghetsis was about to do, managed to heal Rosa’s Pokemon before the battle started. He hoped that she was able to take down Ghetsis.
Cofagrigus was sent out, and Rosa sent out Excadrill to battle it. Excadrill hit it with an Earthquake, and Cofagrigus countered with Shadow Ball. Excadrilll attacked again with another Earthquake, and Cofagrigus went down.
He then sent out Seismitoad, and Rosa recalled Excadrill and sent out Leavanny. He quickly attacked Seismitoad with a Leaf Blade, and Seismitoad went down.
Eelektross was then sent out to battle, and Rosa sent out Flygon to counter it. She managed to knock it out with Dragon Claw, but not before taking considerable damage herself.
Hydreigon was sent out to counter Flygon, but Rosa recalled Flygon to send out Azumarill. N couldn’t see what she was planning, but then he saw it as Azumarill used Ice Punch against Hydreigon.
He also couldn’t help noting that Hydreigon’s moves didn’t compliment what it was good at. Azumarill barely hung on before Hydreigon went down.
Ghetsis then sent out his Toxicroak, who was going against Rosa’s Flygon. Toxicroak used Sucker Punch, and then Flygon used Earth Power, which knocked out Toxicroak.
Rosa kept Flygon out as Ghetsis sent out his last Pokemon-Drapion.
He briefly wondered about Bouffalant and Bisharp, but he didn’t think he wanted to know. Instead, N focused back on the battle.
Flygon was being battered by Drapion, but it was attacking back with Earth Power. It was close, but Drapion outlasted Flygon. Rosa recalled her Flygon and sent out Excadrill to finish it.
Excadrill knocked out Drapion with an Earthquake.
“Could it be?! My plans for complete and total world domination foiled yet again? No! It mustn’t be! I couldn’t have been defeated by some random Trainer from who knows where!”
Ghetsis backed away in disbelief.
“How can this be? I’m the creator of Team Plasma! I’m perfect! I’m the absolute rule who will change the world! But I’ve lost to some unknown Trainer not once, but TWICE?!”
He started pacing, agitated by his failures, before turning to N.
“I can’t accept this! This isn’t possible! I can’t be bested by fools who can’t even use Pokemon correctly!”
N heard enough, and he had to step in. “It’s hard to call you this, but… Father!” That title being attributed to Ghetsis left an awful taste in his mouth. “Please understand. Pokemon are not tools. Pokemon and humans take each other to greater heights. They are out wonderful partners. Some humans understand this. Why can’t you?”
Ghetsis, sickened by N, turned away. “Shut your mouth! Shut up! Shut up! Shut UP! Don’t talk like a person, you freak! No real person could talk to Pokemon!”
Before N could argue-or dwell on his words-a member of the Shadow Triad appeared.
“Lord Ghetsis has… lost control… We’ll take it from here…”
N sadly said, “Okay… Without Father, Team Plasma is…”
“Farewell…”
He disappeared with Ghetsis, leaving the scepter behind.
N took a moment to collect himself-he didn’t realize how emotional he would become-before addressing Rosa. “On behalf of everyone… Thank you. Kyurem is fin. Now, it has lost its power, but it will come here again.”
Reshiram let out a cry.
N smiled, hearing his friend. “Reshiram says thank you as well! That’s right… I can talk with Pokemon.” It was a skill he liked sharing two years ago, but Ghetsis had made him ashamed of it by the time he left Unova to discover himself.
“On that day two years ago, Touya and Alder taught me something… By accepting different ideas, this world creates a chemical reaction… So I met many different Pokemon and people and heard so much… And that’s how my world quietly grew bigger… By being with Pokemon, humans can continue toward new horizons. By being with humans, Pokemon can exhibit their true power. That’s what Reshiram taught me: the truth for Pokemon and me. And someday both truth and ideals will come together… The Pokemon and humans will be free from the oppression of Poké Balls.”
N knew it was an invasion of personal space, but he needed to convey the important message he had for her. “You! What are you and your Pokemon striving for? You should head to the Pokemon League and put your truths to the test!”
Having said what he wanted, N left on Reshiram.
As he flew to where the ruins of Team Plasma’s castle laid, he thought about what he would do. He would wait here for now-maybe a year or two-for Touya to return. If he didn’t, well, N could always go back to other regions to find his friend.
After all, he had to thank Touya for showing him the truth of Pokémon and humans.