Chapter Notes:

I used to have a super long, super boring author's note here. Don't miss it too much.

The Name's N!

N ran a hand over the jagged edges of Team Plasma's headquarter ruins. His sneakers sloshed in the grimy puddles that were scattered over the dusty earth. His finger got caught on a hook, and he flinched and steeled himself so to not feel the sharp pain or smell the metallic aroma of blood.

His reflection stared solemnly ahead as he walked past the glinting shards that coated the laboratory. He kicked one into his hand and grasped it loosely as to not hurt himself, then slid it into his pocket. It would make an excellent weapon. Perhaps a shuriken-like means of self defense.

He reached a mostly-intact computer screen and flicked a few switches near the keyboard. There was a static buzzing noise as the screen flickered to life, displaying a purple insect-like creature. It had a large, flat head and robotic red eyes. A large cannon was on it's back. N glared at the screen closely and his eyes flicked to the bottom, where the word "Genesect" was written. Then the computer fizzled and was dead again.

N turned to the rising sun and frowned, thinking of the metallic bug. What was it? Why did Team Plasma want it? Why did it have a cannon? Did it destroy the research lab? Questions raced through his head like a mob of angry Unfezant, and he closed his eyes, feeling the rays of the burning ball of plasma soak into his skin through the half-destroyed glass dome that covered the ruins.

Genesect…

Where are you?

N strode aboard the massive ferry, still thinking of all the questions he had to answer. This Genesect was most likely a type of Pokemon. It could be Steel type, Steel Bug type, Steel Dark type...but one of the components would definitely be steel.

The excited chatter of Pokemon and people alike filled his ears, and he sighed in frustration. How was he supposed to solve the mystery of Genesect with all this incompetent noise? About gym leaders, no less. Pointless battles that were resolved with wounding your own partner that stayed with you for life. Why did people do it? How had the world come to this terrible present?

"I'm going to get you, Pikachu!"

N's head snapped up, eyes narrowed, ready to fight for Pikachu's rights. Then he saw a young boy and his two acquaintances, none older than 12, and all of their grinning faces.

"Pika pika! Pika pikachu!"

"Haha! Can't catch me, Ash! You may be awesome, but I'm more awesome!"

The boy- Ash, he presumed- had a blue and white jacket and a red and white hat with a blue Pokéball symbol on the front. He had messy black hair and large brown eyes. A dark-skinned girl stood beside him, her raven-black hair large and messy. She had a spring-yellow tunic and white leggings. A cheerful Axew lodged itself in her mass of hair. Behind her was a green-haired boy with green eyes and a waiter's outfit.

He smiled at them all as he watched them play around, Ash laughing with Pikachu. Their bond is very strong. I value that quality in people. The ability to befriend their Pokemon and treat them like family. These three are something special.

Just then, the boy looked up and saw him. He looked at his teammates, who shrugged. N walked off underneath the deck, a hidden smile on his usually stoic face. I may have just found three new allies.

Extending his hearing, the nasal voices of three humans suddenly reached him. He stopped in his tracks and tilted an ear up towards the people above him.

"...chance to catch…"

"Pikachu!"

"...boss…"

"...pleased…"

He had to stay alert. They would most likely be referring to the boy's Pikachu. Wracking his brain, he came out with two solutions: He could either find the vermin and stop them, or he could find the 12 year olds and warn them. They looked pretty capable of defending themselves. Perhaps it's time for a change in my solo activities.

Not quite yet.

Mind made up, he raced off to the Pokemon Battlefield in hopes of finding the antagonists before they could carry out their twisted ideas.

As he came through the glass doors, he saw the boy and his Pokemon on the starboard side, talking excitedly. Apparently they don't have the same hate for battles as I do. But they're young- they'll see my point of view soon enough.

He slid a hand over the smooth glass, opening it to a crack large enough to slip outside. A blast of salty ocean air hit him in the face instantly, and he smiled, the smell refreshing to the stuffy oxygen inside. He had the name Natural for a reason. Harmonia too. Gropius...he still was confused on that.

He leaned back against a pole as he extended his hearing once more to hear Pikachu and Axew.

"Axew yew!"

"Wow! This looks like fun!"

"Pika pika!"

"I can't wait to battle here!"

N started in confusion. Pokemon, happy to battle? Were they joking? No, the genuine grins on their faces said it all. He wasn't losing his mind. They had actually said they wanted to battle. What has happened to this confusing world while I was away, doing my research on Genesect?

"Pika?"

The boy looked out at his electric mouse Pokémon. "Huh? Pikachu, what is it?"

"Pika pikachu!"

The boy turned around and saw N standing there. "Whoa," he commented, causing his other companions to turn around. "It's that boy again!"

N laughed silently as he walked towards them, now unable to hide his identity. Boy? I'm 21! His feet hardly moved dust particles, and he realized knew why nobody ever saw him coming. Maybe he should be known as the silent master. It matched his personality, too- when he talked, it was mostly just something wise.

He stopped in front of Pikachu and crouched down. Pikachu looked up at him. "Pika?" N smiled faintly and scratched the tiny creature behind his ears. A delighted smile lit up his face, and he cooed happily, stomping his hind leg. "Pii! Pika pika!" Yes! That's it! Right there! Aw, he's better than Ash!

The corners of N's mouth upturned in a smile. "You like that, don't you?" He stood up and addressed the raven-haired boy. "Pikachu seems very fond of you," he told Ash.

"Hey, thanks!" the boy replied. "I'm Ash! And you probably already know Pikachu."

Well, I knew your name too.

The black girl went next. "My name is Iris, and this is Axew!"

"Axew yew axew!" She's the best trainer in the world!

The green-haired boy spread a hand over his chest elegantly. "And I am Cilan, a Pokemon Connoisseur!"

...oh no. Not those guys. Their 'it's evaluation time' catchphrase gives me the shivers every time. This guy seems no different. At least he's got Iris to knock some sense into him. He chuckled softly. "My name is N."

That name...probably should start naming myself Nathan or something like that. Natural doesn't sound like a name…

"Pika pikachuuu!" the yellow mouse giggled.

N rolled his eyes slightly. Oh, be quiet, you.

"So N…" started Ash. "Why were you staring at us earlier?"

N frowned. Should I tell them? It can't hurt...they're only 10. Except for Cilan, who looks 13-ish. "I...I have the ability to hear the inner voices of Pokemon."

Ash, Iris, and Cilan all sweatdropped. "Um…" Cilan began hesitantly. "Forgive me, but speaking as a science connoisseur, something doesn't suit quite right with that."

Haha. No offense taken. None at all. Nope. N smiled. "You know, I may have just convinced myself I do have this strange ability." Speaking Connoisseur language. Nice one.

Cilan blinked. "Uh, I see."

Oh, no. I'm getting the feeling this guy talks a lot. Arceus, imagine if he had siblings who acted exactly like him, only with red and blue hair. That would be torture.

"Either way, it's not important to me whether I can hear Pokemon speaking or not. What does is that Pokemon and their Trainers share a unique bond, unlike any other. This bond of trust is what will take both far in life. I want the best for Pokemon. You have this bond, Ash, with you and your Pokemon, as well was Iris and hers. With this show of caring, it will certainly be your basis to success."

Ash grinned. "Oh, yeah! Me and Pikachu totally have a unique bond. When I'm hungry, I look at Pikachu and he's hungry too!"

Iris and Cilan sweatdropped. "...yeah, that's not the best example," Iris muttered to Axew. "Little kids."

The corners of N's mouth quirked into a small smile. "Well, I'm always happy to meet a caring Pokemon trainer." He held out his hand for Ash to shake, and Ash did the same. "So, where are you headed, anyway?"

"We're going to these White Ruins. Apparently they have something to do with Reshiram…"

A wave of nostalgia suddenly hit N as his eyes widened and flashbacks came swarming over his mind. A burning castle. Calling for Zoroark's name over and over. Screaming grunts. His father yelling to a magnificent white beast in fury, asking why. Collapsing into a pile of ashes. Blackness. An ice-cold sensation creeping over his body in the midst of the heat. The phrase burning the world...Reshiram, you're really going to burn the whole world?

"Hey, N, are you okay?"

Dammit. "Yeah. Reshiram's great," he assured them, putting on a fake smile. These ruins...I need to go to them. I have to.

"Really? Have you met Reshiram before, N?" Cilan inquired.

Screw you, Cilan! "No, I haven't, unfortunately." Yes, I have, unfortunately. He couldn't tell them yet, though. Not yet.

"Then how do you know Reshiram is great?" Iris asked.

"Of course she would be, she is a Legendary Pokemon! She's in that category for a reason. But...if I ever do meet her, I'll consider myself one of the most blessed beings on Earth." He pulled his hat over his eyes, acting as if he were being humble but in reality to try and hide the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. He hadn't thought about the beast in such a long time that the memory threatened to drown him. No. Don't cry. If you do, these people will know something's up.

Iris nodded brightly. "I would do the same!"

Cilan looked at Ash. "Hey, you were saying how you once saw Zekrom, didn't you, Ash?"

Ash thought back for a moment. "Oh, yeah, I did! That was some crazy first day, y'know."

Zekrom?! N's eyes widened and he looked up sharply. "I would…appreciate it, if you told me about it."

Ash looked startled for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure! But let's get something to eat first, because man, am I famished!" Pikachu squeaked in agreement.

He really wasn't joking about him and his Pikachu being connected through food.

Ash frowned, eyes squinted in intense concentration. "Alright, let's see. It was on our first day in Unova, wasn't it, Pikachu?" The yellow mouse nodded, seated comfortably on the table.

"Well, we were there and Pikachu ran off to the port. I went and followed him, but there was suddenly this huge electrical storm in front of us. It surrounded us and we saw this huge dragon-like shape. It was really, really big, I gotta say, and it had these huge red eyes. It roared and then it flew away, bringing the storm with it, and me and Pikachu were dragged out of it. I guess the force kinda knocked us out, because when we woke up we were in Professor Juniper's lab on beds."

N blinked in awe. "That's quite a story." It just goes to show that you can never underestimate Zekrom's power. Or any Legendary beast, for that matter.

Iris nodded to confirm it. "He's not joking! I was around the harbor at that point with Axew, and I saw this huge electrical storm. It looked sort of like a hurricane, and there was a black shadow near the eye. I then heard this huge cry and the screaming of a little kid."

Ash pouted. "What would you have done if a thousand volts of electricity were flowing through your body?"

"Not screamed."

I would always argue like this with Dusk and the rest of my friends… "So, does this mean you have heard of Zekrom's Legend of the Hero?"

"Huh?" The surprised face and tone said it all.

Cilan sighed. "Professor Juniper's dad told us about it! Don't you remember?"

"Uh…"

Iris shook her head. "How quickly he forgets."

They all laughed, and N noticed that he hadn't felt this relaxed since the Reshiram incident. "Pokémon Mythology: Black Chapter, Section 18: When the hero turns darkness to light, his heart becomes one with Pokemon. At that moment, Zekrom shall descend and lend the hero it's power."

Ash blinked. "Oh! Now I remember!"

Iris sighed. "Dear Arceus, save us from this forgetful child."

"But there is also another one." He stood up and placed his hand against the window solemnly. "'Pokémon Mythology, White Chapter, Section 18: When the hero turns darkness to light, his heart becomes one with Pokemon. At that moment, Reshiram shall descend and lend the hero it's power.'"

"You seem to be well informed about Unova Legendaries," Cilan remarked. "Care to tell us why?"

N smiled. "You see...I've had questions, for a long time. Why do Pokemon exist in our world?" Ash, Cilan, and Iris's eyes widened. "Why is our world the way it is? Are Pokemon truly happy where they are now? There are many different ways of looking at things, especially at gray areas. I can't accept that. I need to know that Pokemon's lives have meaning. Perhaps, if I could meet the legendary Pokemon Reshiram and Zekrom, I could get answers. Then, I could change the world."

The trio stared at him in awe and a bit of confusion.

I should have expected as much. They're 13, max.

He grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. I guess I got carried away."

Ash shrugged. "No, it's fine! Your voice is really soothing. You should read audiobooks or something."

Iris sweatdropped. "Not that we could understand everything you said…"

"It's obvious how passionately you feel, though!" Cilan added brightly.

Passionately. Huh. That's true. Maybe he isn't so bad.

Is Ash the chosen one? He shares such a close bond with Pikachu, and I suppose he shares that bond with all his Pokémon. Zekrom would approve of this ideal character. I vowed to protect them if I ever found them…that shouldn't be too hard.

"Ash…" N leaned forward, resting his chin on his interlocked hands. "Do you have any dreams?"

Ash beamed. "Sure do! I'm gonna be the greatest Pokémon Master!"

"Pokemon…Master…" N frowned. "I...don't like Pokemon battles."

Ash blinked, and his friends had equally puzzled expressions on their faces. "Huh?"

They'll see soon.

"Let's drop it," N stated. He stood up to leave, pulling his hat over his eyes. "Talking too much when I'm...passionate, is a bad habit of mine." And so is leaving whenever someone talks about Pokemon battling.

"Uh...N, where are you going?" Ash asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, you did nothing wrong," N assured him. "I'm just going out for some fresh air." I still have my name going for me. "I'll see you later."

What?!

N's head snapped up. That was Ash's Pikachu. It seemed they were at the back of the ship. Quickly, he sprang to his feet, and started running.

Let me go!

"Of all the times for me to be at the bow," he muttered furiously. "Dammit. Hang on…"

I need to get back to Ash!

"Sorry," he muttered absently to the surprised passerbys. He vaulted over crates and slid down the railings of staircases, heart beating in his throat.

Why won't Thunderbolt work?!

Wait for me!

He arrived, panting, to see the former boat residents now in black and white uniforms with red "R"s on their chest. They were standing on a large balloon in the shape of a Meowth. The actual one stood on the edge, chest puffed up proudly. A Frillish and Amoongus floated next to them. Pikachu was levitating inside a transparent prison box. Ash was on the ground, seemingly injured, while Iris and Cilan knelt down next to him. His Snivy and Iris's Axew were on a platform in front of them.

"Frillish!" The woman called out. "Shadow Ball!"

"Frill!"

"SNIVY!"

"AXEW!"

Not again!

His feet moved on their own accord.

N leaped in front of Snivy and Axew.

The Shadow Ball crashed into his back.

The breath was knocked out of his lungs, and he coughed up blood, gasping.

"Sni…"

"Axew-yew!"

He smiled weakly at them, blood dripping from the sides of his mouth. "Thank goodness...you're okay," he whispered.

Tears welled in Axew's eyes, and Snivy looked down guiltily. "Don't feel bad, my friends. I chose to do this. Even though you wouldn't have gotten seriously injured...I could never bear to see Pokemon with good intentions getting hurt, without trying to help them."

N stood up, wiping the blood off, and faced the stunned enemies. "It's because of selfish people like you that this world remains as imperfect as it is," he accused quietly.

The woman frowned. "Hmm? Speak up!"

"You are a bunch of fools," he growled.

"Open yer trap," Meowth yelled.

N's eyes narrowed in confusion and anger. "Why do you speak our language? Pokemon should be speaking the beautiful language of Pokemon!" It'd be much more appealing than that voice you have right now.

Meowth twitched. "Well, ain't you a wordy one."

"N."

He turned to see Ash standing there determinedly. "Thanks a lot. We got this now."

N nodded in acknowledgement and stepped aside.

"Snivy, return!" he called. He then threw out a different Pokeball. "Unfezant, I choose you!"

"Unfezant!"

"Frillish, use Bubble Beam!" The woman commanded.

"Quick, dodge it, then use Aerial Ace!"

"Frillish, dodge!"

The pink jellyfish flipped gracefully away from the regional bird, however that wasn't what Unfezant was aiming for. N watched in awe at the synchronization between trainer and Pokemon. The top of the box was lopped off, and Pikachu leaped out as Ash ran towards his partner. "Pikachu!"

The woman gritted her teeth. "Frillish, Shadow Ball!"

Iris reacted quickly. "Axew, counter with Dragon Rage!"

"Axew!"

The two attacks collided and neutralized each other, however Pikachu got blown off course from the aftershock.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika…"

"Amoonguss, use Stun Spore!" The blue-haired man ordered.

"Amoon!"

Rather than neutralizing each other, the two Special Moves hit their targets, and the team was sent blasting off as Pikachu fell, paralyzed. Ash caught his friend and dropped into a roll as to not fall onto his face. "Pikachu, are you okay? Pikachu!"

"P-pi-ka-chu…"

N ran up with Cilan and Iris close behind. "Let me see," N commanded. Ash lowered Pikachu, and N lay a hand on the yellow mouse's forehead. It was hot and feverish. That did a lot of damage. More than it should have, really. Did that box drain part of Pikachu's Special Defense? "He's in bad shape. Follow me, quickly."

N stood at the front of the boat, eyes closed. He searched through all the Pokemon auras near him. Pikachu's fluctuating one, Axew's tense one. A crabby Tentacruel's, a serene Mantine's. He then saw a gentle pink color. "Ah ha," he muttered, to the confusion of the young trio. "My friends. We are in need of your assistance. Can you help us?"

"Alomomola."

The two beautiful fish leaped out of the water above the boat, and began to glow green. Healing pulses radiated from them. They then landed back in the sea.

Pikachu stirred slightly, the unhealthy purple fading. It blinked a few times in surprise. "Alomomola's Refresh," Cilan remarked.

N walked over to them. "The paralysis has been neutralized," he informed them.

Ash struck a huge grin. "Wow! Thanks, N."

His enthusiasm is contagious, N noted, feeling a smile creep onto his own face. "This Oran Berry will help Pikachu recover his strength." He handed the blue fruit to the Pokemon, who ate it hesitantly at first, but finished eagerly. "Pikachu!" He clambered up Ash's shoulder to his head, where it grinned gratefully at N. "Pika pika!"

It feels nice to be appreciated.

"Come on! Let's go thank the Alomomola," Ash urged, running up to the edge. He peered for a few moments before sighing, shoulders slumped. "Huh. They're gone."

N could still feel their auras. "I'm sure they'll hear you, Ash, even if they're out of sight."

Ash nodded. "Hey, Alomomola! You saved Pikachu! Thank you very much!"

"Pika!"

"Thanks a lot!" Iris and Cilan added.

"Axew!"

Their auras rose to the surface before the Alomomola jumped out again, in a much less extravagant fashion, but still enough to show their appreciation.

"Hey, you were right, they did hear me!" Ash turned to N, gratitude and awe shining in his eyes. "You know, N, you're amazing."

"It's true!" Iris confirmed.

N smiled, holding up a hand. "I appreciate it. But I'm nothing special. No more than anyone else." I couldn't save Dusk...I don't deserve these words.

"But N...there's something that's been bothering me," Ash continued. "You said you didn't like Pokemon battles, right?"

"Oh. Yes, I suppose I did." Here it comes.

"Well-"

At that moment, the intercom crackled to life, and N inwardly thanked Arceus and all the legendary Pokemon out there for being spared another monologue. "Attention, passengers. We will be docking in Castelia City very soon. All leaving passengers, please go to Deck 2. We hope you enjoyed your travel with us. Arigatou!"

N quickly decided to wrap things up for now with a few words. "So. It seems our desired worlds are very different. Nonetheless, I still believe that we can get along. I hope you agree."

"Huh?"

Oh, why do I even bother trying to sound wise?

"I'm getting off at Castelia City. But we will meet again. I'm sure of it." With your connections to Zekrom and my hunt for Reshiram, it's inevitable.

"But- But N-"

"Take care!" I've talked too much today. My throat hurts.

As N left the boarding platform, he heard Ash's voice once again. "Hey, N! Are you sure we'll meet again?"

N turned towards the red sky, where the trio was standing. "Yeah. Count on it."

"I've got a whole lot more questions I want to ask you!"

As do I. "Alright. And so it shall be."

The boat horn blew, and the boat left the dock. N leaned on the railing, watching the water sparkle beneath him. There had to be a reason Ash met Zekrom. Maybe he is the chosen one, after all. Or maybe it was so he could cross paths with me. Either way, I will protect him and all that he considers precious. Then, maybe, after so long, I will meet Reshiram. And may I change the world.

A/N: Writing action scenes is fun, but when they're mostly punctuated by dialogue, it gets kinda annoying to both read and write. Which is unfortuately how Pokemon battles work. Also, I feel like I make horrible use of Chekhov's Gun.

Also, if you noticed this- N is kinda self-centered. I mean, he believes that he's the chosen one and stuff. He doesn't brag about himself or anything, and he's a bit self-depricating, so he doesn't realize it. But that's something that adds to his character development later on when he begins to accept help from others, and starts to share their goals and ideals. I think. ...sorta.