Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. Obviously.

To Reader:

I actually started this fic a year ago, when ORAS first came out. However, since I've been very fickle with it, I thought that maybe if I posted it here I'd have more dedication to it. I wanted to do something with my favorite character, N, but I didn't want it to be that regular N/Touko stuff. So I made his life even more miserable and gave him a daughter and stuck him in Hoenn. This story takes place about ten years or so before the events of ORAS and will only be based off the games (ORAS and Black and White). It will not be compatible with the anime (original series or Mega Evolution series). So, without further ado:

Prologue

The mysterious man with steel-blue eyes and cropped hair stepped off the bus with only a small bundle and a suitcase in his arms. Passersby glanced at him curiously. He didn't rush into the waiting crowd to embrace a family member or friend, as all the other disembarked passengers did. He merely stood there as if he were rooted to the sidewalk, his gaze fixed upon a young couple in each other's arms.

Then he walked away silently, clutching the bundle close to his heart.

Mrs. Fay was just about to leave for lunch when she heard a knock on her door. It was a single, blunt rap and so soft that she almost dismissed it. Nevertheless, she sighed and sank back into her chair, setting down her handbag.

"Come in," she called.

The door opened, and a man walked in. He regarded her for a moment with his hard blue eyes before shutting the door behind him. Mrs. Fay returned his unwavering gaze, feeling rather flustered.

"You are Edith Fay?" the man said, almost in a whisper.

"Yes. What can I do for you?"

She scrutinized him intently. He dropped into a chair and set his suitcase beside it. The bundle in his arms he kept pressed close against his chest. She inched forward in her seat to get a glimpse into the folds of cloth. Oh, a baby girl! She was awake, her golden eyes wide and her long eyelashes batting as they blinked. Mrs. Fay's eyes flashed instinctively to the man's left hand, but she saw no trace of a ring. An expression of scorn settled across her face.

"I would like to rent an apartment," the man answered. Mrs. Fay passed her eyes over his frayed jacket, uneven haircut, his worn suitcase and sallow complexion. She didn't believe for a second this man could pay his rent.

"I'm sorry, but we have no houses available right now. You can call later, if you wish." She offered him a smile.

"Please…"

"I'm sorry, but maybe you should look for somewhere that is within your budget. Have a good day." With that, Mrs. Fay picked up her handbag, intending to finally leave for lunch.

Without a word, the man stood up and swung his suitcase onto her desk. He undid the latch with shaking hands and opened it, glaring at Mrs. Fay with cool, barely-contained anger.

She gasped. The suitcase was full to the brim with money.

"Where… Where did you get this?" she asked in a hushed voice, suspicion racing through her mind.

"I was once a king," he said curtly.

Mrs. Fay's hand went to her mouth, her heart fluttering in her chest.

He glanced at her. "Metaphorically," he amended. "Don't worry, this wasn't acquired illegally. My father was wealthy and he left his fortune to me when he passed away. I just needed to… get away from my past and start a new life. I apologize if I have frightened you."

"It's… quite fine." Mrs. Fay took a deep breath. She glanced again at the absent wedding ring. The man had paused when he spoke just now. Something just wasn't right.

"Do you have your ID?"

The man pulled out a Trainer Card from his pocket and placed it on the desk. Mrs. Fay examined it, reluctantly admitting it was authentic. He was from Unova, she noted as she handed the card back.

She swiveled her chair around to face her computer. "Just let me put you down. What's your name, sir?"

The man did not respond.

Mrs. Fay turned back to the man. "Sir? Your name?"

He pressed his lips together, and Edith Fay once again had the feeling that something wasn't right.

"Sir," she said again, tapping her fingers impatiently against the keyboard.

"It's Harmonia," he said in a rush. "Just call me N Harmonia."

Fourteen Years Later

It's time to start your journey as a Pokemon trainer!

Visit Professor Birch of Littleroot Town from April 1 - May 30 and receive your very own Trainer Card, Pokedex, and a choice between three starter Pokemon:

Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip!

Your adventure awaits!

Hazel gazed down at the flyer in her hands. She could hardly believe after a lifetime of hoping, she finally held her dream between her fingertips. She had felt the fierce desire burning within her ever since she was a child, when she had seen tourists stroll around Mauville with their pet Pokemon on their shoulders, and when she had picked out trainers that were heading to the Gym from among the crowd, and when she had seen the Taillow that was always perched on the tall electricity tower. She wanted to be that Taillow, free and high in the skies, with only the wind ruffling its feathers.

"What's that?" Ebony Fay asked, startling her. "Can I see?"

Hazel handed her friend the paper, watching as Ebony's green eyes lit up. Hazel smiled.

"A Pokemon adventure, Ebony!" she blurted before the other girl could finish reading. "We could go on this journey together. You've always wanted to explore Hoenn, and I've… I've wanted to become a Pokemon trainer ever since I was little."

Wordlessly, Ebony gave the flyer back to Hazel. The spark was gone from her eyes.

"Let's just go home, Hazel," she muttered. She strode away on her long legs.

"Wait!" Hazel ran to catch up. "What's the matter, Ebony?"

Her friend merely quickened her pace, almost knocking down a child that just bolted out of the candy store.

Hazel grasped Ebony's sleeve and pulled her to a stop. "Look, I'm sorry about that literature test today. But you know essay scores are heavily opinionated."

"It's fine. I'm over that," Ebony grumbled, although her angry eyes suggested quite the opposite.

Hazel sighed and squeezed the other girl's shoulder. "Then tell me what's wrong."

Ebony drew in a sharp breath. She shook off Hazel's hand and turned to scowl at one of Mauville City's direction signs.

"You wouldn't understand."

"I'll do my best. You can tell me," Hazel prompted.

Ebony shook her head, her hair drifting into her eyes. "Please, Hazel. Just let it go."

They went through the security checkpoint on the elevator silently and ascended to Mauville Hills, Hazel wishing all the way that she could somehow pry open her friend's brain and discover what was bothering her. But as the elevator jolted to a stop, she couldn't help but feel another overwhelming wave of excitement.

"Goodbye, Ebony! See you tomorrow," she called as they parted ways on the landing.

There was no reply from her friend, but Hazel wasn't bothered much. She let out a laugh as she traced the adorable face of the water-type Pokemon on the flyer.

I'm going to be the best Pokemon trainer in Hoenn, she thought to herself. No - the best in the world!

"And that's a promise," she said confidently.

Ebony slammed the door to her apartment. It was dark inside, and the only light was the faint glow on the edges of the covered windows. Her parents weren't home yet.

She trudged to the bathroom, peering at her reflection in the mirror. Bone-straight black hair, green eyes, a smattering of freckles across her nose. And of course, that ever-present scowl. As she watched, her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She didn't rub them away. Rubbing only made her want to bawl. Instead, she tilted her head up and looked into the lights in the ceiling. Her eyes burned, but the tears soon dried away.

Her thoughts turned to Hazel. She had half hoped that Hazel wouldn't find out about the Pokemon adventure. Ebony had known about the journey for a month already and was ready to leave the next day, but she hadn't told Hazel about it.

Ebony's mother, Edith Fay, had labeled Hazel as a bastard child and a daughter of a madman. But Ebony had never been better than Hazel at anything. Not in the games of four corners they played as children. Or the races they had with their bikes. Or the tests they took at school. Would Ebony always be inferior? Always a step behind? Even as a Pokemon trainer?

No. She refused to believe it. She would go mad if she went on the journey with Hazel. But there would be a day, a day when she would be better than Hazel. Ebony was going on this adventure alone. And when she reached the end, she would be better than anyone who ever started.

"And that's a promise," she whispered to her reflection.