Disclaimer: I do not own the Pokémon games, anime or Pokémon Adventures/Special. Japan claims ownership of the franchise - especially Nintendo - with their copyright infringement issues and what not. Unfortunately, I do not own the cover photos for either History nor Eventide. What I do have ownership over is fanon material, the series I plan to publish on here and my OCs. No profit will be made when it comes to the For the Love of a King series.
A/N: Welcome. To those of you who have returned, thank you very much. I'm positive that there are newcomers who I had turned away in the beginning; I apologize. Though History is the prequel to Eventide, I could summarize it here to save precious time.
We find out that Platina Arellano Berlitz and Red Electra are White's biological parents. The revelation of their true identities, coupled with Red's return, didn't suit well with White. She had to come to terms that her entire history was but a lie, which wasn't an easy task for her. N, who left Unova for personal reasons, is forcibly returned to Ghetsis by the Shadow Triad. Even though N is deeply affected by his disinheritance, he believes inherent goodness still resides in his father and tries to reach out to him. After an unexpected reunion with White and subsequent prison break, they discover Ghetsis knew Platina and Red when they were younger. Bianca, Iris, Drayden and Cheren are supporting characters present in the fanfic. Despite his efforts, N reestablishes his complicated friendship with White via romance. He realizes he's fallen for her after a mysterious brunette swoops in and saves the day, thereby impressing White. But one problem remains: White's Reshiram no longer listens to her.
A/N: Remember that White is her own distinct character and so are Red, Platina and Black. They have no relation to the anime characters or the manga characters, although some characteristics of them have carried over to this series. As for N, I know that he is not Ghetsis's biological son thanks to Pokémon Black II and White II. However this is an AU sequel of Pokémon Black and White that was written prior to the release of those games so I am sticking with my material. I have made some changes in History, but only to correct my grammar, add another House and stone, and change some last names. Who knows what I have in store for Eventide?
A/N: Reviews and constructive criticism are encouraged strongly. I do not tolerate flaming nor trolling.
A/N: First off, let me address the readers from chapters 22 - 26 in descending order. If you reviewed before Chapter 16, please wait for your reviews to be addressed in the next chapter.
Chapter 26:
Grey Muji: I hope you return because the story of Eventide is going to be intriguing.
lilcook2345: Well, I hope you still look at History because you will be missing out on Eventide and the chance to review the sequel.
Cheep the Hedgehog: I am glad you loved the first one to no end. I hope to see your return for the second one.
The Silver Swordsman: Thank for thinking that about History. And it had to be N who realized his feelings. White is still in denial since she's very stubborn, but you know that already. Hopefully you will make a reappearance for the sequel.
korurin: I can deliver, can't I? I am a romantic at heart so I am glad that scene was portrayed perfectly. I will look forward to your return.
teamedward-slenderman: Yes, I did update. But only to promote Eventide. Hopefully you know about it from my update in History and will check out Eventide. That is, if you're still around.
Guest: I hope you still look at History because now Eventide is here, and ready to be read.
Bella: I am a bit of a romantic at heart, and thank you for thinking the story is awesome. Unfortunately it was not a chapter I posted, but a message in History. If you had read it, then I hope to see your return in Eventide.
BeedyBug: Thank you for saying that about History. I hope you're still alive because Eventide is here, waiting to be read.
Momo-Flying-Lemur: I am glad you are in love with History, and I had always been worried if N, Bianca, Cheren, Ghetsis, Iris and Drayden were in character. I love Ferriswheelshipping a lot as well. Of course I am giddy when he realized his feelings for White too. I am a romantic at heart so perhaps that's why I love romance and thank you for thinking it is romantic and beautifully written. Well, you didn't have to wait for a chapter, but rather a sequel: Eventide. Hopefully you are still around.
thelittleglaceon: Thank you for loving the story. That really means a lot to me. I am sorry I left you in suspense for two years, but I had writer's block for that story. It was solved two weeks ago out of the blue by the idea of a sequel. Now that the sequel is here, I hope you are still alive and will read Eventide.
MotokiTenshi: Seriously, I never knew my fanfic was that good and my writing skills. I am sorry I left you hanging for two years just to get a response from the fanfic. I hope you read the conclusion in Book 1 so that you would know about Eventide.
Chapter 25:
Ai Star: That was Red if you had read chapter 26. I hope to see you return.
stormy64: Thanks for voting on my poll. I always did appreciate your constructive criticism and saw your reviews on mobile. You're welcome. I hope to see you in Eventide.
Grey Muji: He has been a side character. However his importance will be bolstered more in Eventide.
Chapter 24:
UnlockingImagination: How about awesomer? Hopefully Eventide will surpass History, assuming you read it :)
Emodragosprites: I'm glad you like the part about Reshiram and that you were waiting for an update. You really love hounds, don't you? One day, I hope you look at History and learn about Eventide. It has its own share of specters.
Pluv143000: That's fine. In the end, the poll wasn't taken into entire account. But I thank you for your input. Hopefully you are still around for Eventide.
PositiveCharm416: Black is an enigma for now. But to answer your question, read Eventide.
Ai Star: I can't say if your hunch is right or wrong.
kurorin: It keeps you wanting more, right? :)
Grey Muji: Yeah, and the dawn of a new day.
Chapter 23:
Grey Muji: N could barely deal with Cheren and Red. Now he has to contend with Black.
Chapter 22:
stormy64: I'm sorry for that, storm. Yeah, all of us know it is Black now because Nate was not around at the time.
Guest: It is Black.
PositiveCharm416: I am planning to update more chapters.
Clouds of Silver: How about being happy for a sequel? Yeah, it is Black.
lilcook2258: Assuming you are the same guest who reviewed Chapter 26, you know the answer already. And it's all right to sound like a schoolgirl lol It means you're excited xD
Interested Guest: I wanted it to be unique because I grew up reading novels that contained many genres, i.e. Harry Potter. Though I know you support Othelloshipping, you were right with guessing it is Black. As for Ash, I stopped watching the Pokémon anime after the Johto region.
greenangel77: Omg indeed :) I am happy you love this story. I have updated this story, but also decided to turn it into a series as well. Eventide is out as of today. I hope to see you.
BokuImouto: Thank you :) If you still read History, you should know about its sequel.
Grey Muji: You know that of course.
Sky Slayer: TOUYA!
White: What took you so long to update, JulietShadow - ExaltedLight - whoever you are?
ExaltedLight: Life got in the way, Touko - Hilda - White - whoever you are.
Black: Hello, Lady of a Thousand Names! It has been so long since we have last journeyed together. What brings you to these papery parts?
ExaltedLight: Writing fanfiction.
N: Can we focus on the story and not try to find a cover photo of White, me and him in it?
ExaltedLight: Why not?
Black: It's fine. I do not want to be in the same photo as Natural either. Why have you promoted me to main character status when everyone voted otherwise?
ExaltedLight: You and everyone else will find out why as they read this fanfic.
A/N: I'm still writing Ferriswheelshipping moments, although I have promised Chessshipping ones. That means I am probably going to write Monochromeshipping. Eventide will narrated by Black, N, White and a handful of others. I hope you will like the first chapter. Remember to review.
For the Love of a King: Eventide
Prologue: Anew
Black's PoV.
Sleep in Opelucid City. I would've gotten some if it weren't for those thoughts running through my mind.
I slipped out of the guest room the Evans family had loaned me and made my way to the balcony, surveying the ebony caul called the sky. It stretched before me endlessly, inlaid with glittering pearls and embraced by murky mountains. Beyond the mountainous boundaries lied the rest of Unova and the ocean. On an unrelated note, Unova was far away from Kanto, the Sevii Islands, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kalos and Alola. Nostalgia surged through me as I thought about my homeland.
No, I told myself sternly. I have to keep moving forward!
I took a deep breath as I pulled out a pyramidal pendulum fashioned out of rose quartz from my windbreaker. The pendulum was a memento of my mother, who had given it to me shortly before she went missing.
You must protect our family with this pendulum one day, she had told me. Until that day comes, guard it with your life!
She might as well have poured acid on me, because there were days where I had nightmares about the pendulum. Nightmares about sinister voices belonging to no one. Do you know what they said?
That pendulum is as old as time. It belonged to a very ancient, distinguished house that had lost its dignity - a house you descend from.
Why would I care about that? I shouted. All I want is to track down that boy and find out what happened to my mother! I also want to become a Pokémon Master just like my mother! I couldn't care less whom I descend from!
Your mother had said the same thing once, they chuckled. You'll think differently just as she did, Black. You'll make sure that an old wrong shall be avenged, child. Why bother delaying the inevitable?
I shook my head and produced a Poké Ball.
"I need some company, Blastoise."
Blastoise materialized into being, giving a big, loud yawn before gazing at me adoringly. I rested my head on my Pokémon's shoulder, aware of how cold I was tonight. Having Blastoise here banished the vengeful specters belonging to ancient history from my mind.
Are you afraid of the dark again, Black? Blastoise joked mentally, albeit there was a hint of concern in his voice. Or are you afraid of dreaming about those specters?
I laughed humorlessly.
Why would I be scared of them? Please, Blastoise. They're just jealous I can sleep, that's all! I thought jokingly, grasping one of Blastoise's bazooka barrels. They zap me with visions about how lovely their lives were. In any case, it'd be silly if I were afraid of the dark. I'm named Black, remember?
I knew Blastoise would see through my facade rather quickly; he was rather intuitive when it came to my emotional state.
You're hurting, aren't you? Blastoise surmised. That's quite all right, Black. Just remember I'm here, okay? You've always been there for me ever since I was a baby Squirtle. We're practically family.
I smiled gratefully.
Well, of course we're family, I agreed. Whether they're friends or family, Pokémon aren't meant to be used as tools. Now Team Plasma claimed they were liberating Pokémon for the greater good, Blastoise. What good were their words if they're hypocritical? Team Plasma were nothing more than hypocrites who had deluded themselves into believing they fought for justice! In the end, they wanted self-satisfaction just as any other human!
There was a long silence exchanged between the two of us.
It's easy to judge humans, Blastoise warned me. There are Pokémon who are just like their Pokémon Trainers. Of course you already know that.
That was true unfortunately. Time after time, I had seen Team Plasma's Pokémon turn a blind eye toward their heinous transgressions. I often wondered how Natural Harmonia Gropius had dealt with being around his former subordinates' Pokémon, seeing he too was marked with the ability to see into a Pokémon's heart. White and Platina may feel Natural was redeemable though I had my doubts. I found myself recalling the time where Natural had accused me of being a Team Plasma informant, which was absolutely absurd. I loathed each and every one of the Seven Sages for reasons known only to Platina, Red and myself. Now I might not know why my ancestors hungered for revenge twenty-four seven, but I knew this:
I don't care what Red says; I must settle the score, I thought, and save my mother from that boy. Hey, you said you wanted an old wrong avenged, you crazy ancestors! Well, how about making Emerald and that boy repent and despair for their noble cause? You know, the one that had made me motherless? That should satisfy you all, don't you think?
Revenge doesn't solve anything, Blastoise thought sternly. You should abandon your quest for vengeance and carry out the mission, Black. Your mother's counting on you!
I stared at Blastoise for a while before letting go of his bazooka barrels and falling to the floor in exhaustion. The world of dreams consumed me whole before I knew it. Or was it the world of nightmares that would consume me tonight?
Don't leave my side, Blastoise, I thought as I slipped into some much-needed slumber.
My dreamscape decided to head to the National Park in Johto; I knew Johto very well since I had visited the region frequently as a child. I could almost smell the freshly mowed grass trimmed neatly into the shape of a Poké Ball. The aroma of honeysuckle drifted from the Sunkern hiding in the tall grass. A flock of Jumpluff sailed through the National Park morning air, singing merrily. Ledyba whizzed out from under the trees, alight with joy. I noticed a couple of Scyther lurking about as though they were ninja jumping straight from the pages of a Johtonese history book. One Scyther leaped from the grass, sunlight illuminating its bladed wings as it swung at a skinny tree and sliced it cleanly in half.
This was a rather serene memory I was revisiting. However, Black Urania and serenity could never coexist in the same sentence. A pulsating dome made of dark energy appeared in the north, swallowing the Mortar mountain range east of Ecruteak City. It spread outward at the speed of light, turning the most majestic and beautiful of towns into either ruins or rubble. An ear-splitting noise reminiscent of an avalanche reverberated around the collapsing structures. It was far too easy to imagine the bloodcurdling cries and shrieks of agony piercing through the tempestuous sunless morning sky, now dyed a violent shade of red.
I watched in horror as the humble region of Johto was reduced to nothing more than a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The remnants of humanity and Pokémon wandered through the badlands with gaunt faces and weary eyes, their clothes in tatters.
How could you still deny the inevitable? a voice mocked me. Johto, Kanto, Kalos, Hoenn, Unova, the Sevii Islands, Sinnoh and Alola have all waged war with one another in the distant past. Forget about the House of Berlitz, Black!
That's all ancient history, I shot back. Besides, why do I care about House Berlitz, House Levesque and House Parthenos?
You're one of our brethren, the voice responded. By avenging your mother, you're avenging our house! You may still be disillusioned with your mother although you can still save her.
The spook dragged me southward until I stood above a blackened land, husks of buildings lying across ravaged cities and towns. Grotesque curls of gray swirled around an imposing volcano and stretched toward a turbulent mass of iron gray. I was under the impression that the spook had shown me not even a tenth of the devastated region of Sinnoh.
Turn your back on your allies or your mother and Johto shall meet the same fate as Sinnoh! the voice warned me.
You're lying, I snapped. I'll save my mother from Furvum Imperium and defeat that boy! You're lying! ALL I HEAR ARE LIES! LIES!
White's PoV.
Strong sunlight streamed through the windows, which meant it was morning. I opened my bleary eyes and let loose a yawn as I turned on my side. I would've fallen asleep again normally although a voice outside was shrieking something about lying. I replayed the voice in my mind sleepily before I recognized it to be Black's. The cobwebs over my eyes dissolved almost instantly. I bolted upright on the bed, feeling a surge of panic go through me. I flung the cover off me as I climbed down from the bed and threw on my slippers, knowing full well I looked as though I had woken up from the dead. I couldn't care less what I looked like right now - I had to find out where Black was; he might be in more pain than I was. So I dashed out of the bedroom and into the hallway, heading straight for the flight of stairs at the southern end.
I scaled up the staircase noisily, Black's shrieks becoming more and more coherent. My footsteps resounded around the room as I drew closer to the balcony where Black was. I made one last turn on the staircase before slamming face first into a bluish-gray wall. I probably would've fallen had the Pokémon not shot its hands towards my wrists and jerked me forwards. I glanced at the Pokémon, which looked like a rather large, bluish-gray turtle hidden mostly by a bulky brown shell that had gleaming water cannons protruding from it. The Pokémon was none other than an extremely concerned Blastoise. Don't ask me how I knew the Pokémon was a Blastoise. All I knew was that the Pokémon was steering me over to the fitfully sleeping form of a teenage brunette male, his timelessly handsome face drenched in sweat and his shoulders twitching. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Black was being plagued by nightmares.
Blastoise let go of me and I knelt next to the enigmatic Boy of a Thousand Names (Touya Yagami and Hilbert Shields to name a couple).
"Black!" I cried.
In my haste to rush to his aid, I'd almost forgotten that my own hand was broken. Imagine the pain from a bruise being prodded by a white-hot iron rod, then increase that pain tenfold. That was how much discomfort I was in while snapping Black to the realm of consciousness.
"Wake up!" I begged him. "Please wake up!"
Black stopped squirming as his eyelashes fluttered like feather dusters. Blastoise inched over to Black, looking rather relieved. I realized right then and there that Black owned this Blastoise. No, owned was the wrong word to use. This Blastoise was pretty much kin to the mysterious Black. Even so, Black's sepia orbs were wide with surprise.
"W-White?" Black asked, completely bewildered. "G-Good morning! Why - ? How - ? What brings you up here?"
The compelling, ironic voice he'd adopted was now a rather pleasant, feathery voice - one which made me melt inside. Picture a melting Vanillite smiling contently in the Desert Resort on a midsummer day. Okay, so that might not be the best example because the Vanillite in question would be absolutely suicidal. Anyhoo, that was the best comparison I could come up with that described how I felt after hearing Black's real voice.
Black and I looked at our intertwined hands, my facial temperature rising. I caught a glimpse of Black's reddened face as I ripped my hand free from his, feeling rather disappointed. Then I got annoyed at myself for feeling disappointed out of nowhere. Whatever I was feeling right now needed to stop; I had to know if Black was all right.
I grinned broadly. "Good morning to you, too," I said softly. "I woke up and heard you shouting at somebody. I ran up here thinking you were in trouble, but it turns out you were having a nightmare. Were you having a nightmare?"
Black's face darkened; he was on guard now for some reason.
"What did you hear?" he asked curtly.
The broad grin on my face vanished upon seeing his narrowed eyes. Black climbed onto his feet, arctic flames burning in his eyes. Somehow those flames made me feel rather apprehensive. I tore my eyes off his and directed them towards his untidy chocolaty halo. I began to wonder where Black's hat was until he swept it up from behind a potted plant and placed it on top of his head.
"What did you hear me say, White?" Black repeated. "Please tell me."
"'All I hear are lies! Lies!'" I said in a horrible imitation of Black's voice. "You dream pretty loud, you know that?"
Black sighed in undisguised relief, which took me aback.
"I've heard that a few times," he admitted. "The answer to your question is yes, White. I was having a nightmare."
Black and I stared at each other meaningfully, his cheeks slightly pink. I stared and stared until I remembered Bianca and N's not-so-secret conversation from last night. Bianca had mentioned Black was crushing on me although I couldn't understand how she'd arrived at that conclusion. The brunette raised an eyebrow and I dropped my eyes almost immediately, a warm and fuzzy feeling settling in my chest.
"May I ask what your nightmare was about?" I asked curiously.
The brunette considered me for quite a while before his face erupted into a smirk. Then he pulled off his hat and tossed it skywards.
"I'll tell you once milady tells me why she's blushing," he smirked.
I dropped my jaw. Was Black toying with me? There was no way I was blushing! Right?
"No way!" I said shrilly. "There's no way I was blushing, Black! No way in hell!"
I couldn't bring myself to look directly at his shining sepia orbs - they were too bright.
"Sure," Black said skeptically. "Whatever you say, White. So in other words, you're saying I'm colorblind, right? I guess that means I am colorblind after all!"
Black caught his hat and slipped it back on as he embraced his Blastoise.
"I never said anything like that!" I protested. "Don't you think you're being unfair here?"
Black barked with laughter.
"Did you hear that, Blastoise?" Black said in his ironic, compelling voice. "The Jewel of Unova is accusing me of being unfair. I mean, doesn't she realize she's being unfair, too?"
Blastoise nodded vigorously, which made me frown.
"How exactly am I being unfair, Black?" I asked him sternly, brushing a tress behind my earlobe.
Black stopped laughing, adopting a solemn countenance. He drew his arm from Blastoise and made his way over to me, all traces of the happy-go-lucky Pokémon Trainer evanescent.
"That's easy enough to answer," he said seriously. "You're being unfair to Platina Arellano Berlitz and Red Electra."
I glowered at him, my frown deepening.
"That's none of your business," I said coldly.
Black studied me.
"Even though it may be none of my business, it's yours, White," he said matter-of-factly. "Do you want to know why? Because you never what might happen to your loved ones. Really, Blastoise? It's not time for breakfast yet!"
If anybody was being unfair right now, it was Black; his voice had caused my resolve to waver.
"It's easy for you to think I'm being unsupportive, huh? I mean, you're most likely thinking I'm being both unreasonable and unfair," Black observed. "Let me tell you something, White: I've been in your shoes before, and believe me, you don't know what it feels like to be haunted by - by -" he paused, taking several deep breaths, "and to think I could do this calmly."
I stood there, feeling as though I had been run over by a train. I remembered my parents and Cheren calling me out on my uncharacteristic behavior. Bianca merely hinted at my unfairness while N remained silent altogether. Was I behaving unfairly? The mere thought made my own heart constrict.
Black cocked his head.
"I appreciate your concern," he said, "but don't you think you're better off worrying about making amends with your parents than worrying about me? I've been taking care of myself long before you came into my life, White."
I nodded dumbly as I sprang to my feet, my brain waterlogged. Black reached for my broken hand and slipped it through his partially, stroking it with one finger. There was an unexpected swooping sensation in my stomach, which faded right after my hand throbbed painfully. I gritted my teeth so I wouldn't recoil at the agony. The balcony beneath us gave way to a mountain range, a hint of a landslide wedged between two peaks. I recognized it as the same landslide which barricaded Route 10, Victory Road and the Ellis Pokémon League from Opelucid City. N's Castle loomed over the mountains in the northeast, inaccessible by foot or Bicycle. I still felt responsible for these unfortunate turn of events even though Alder and the Elite Four had insisted that Team Plasma were at fault here.
I wonder how Alder and the Elite Four are doing, I thought as an eddy whistled through my hair. This eddy had a special feel to it; changes were about to happen.
I attempted to wrest my hand from Black, who was touching my hand gingerly.
"Could you please stop stroking my hand, Black?" I said pleadingly. "It really hurts, you know."
An expressionless Black unlinked his fingers from mine obediently. Meanwhile I placed one hand over my bosom, feeling uncharacteristically good about my suffering. This pain . . . it left not only a physical impression on me but also an emotional one. Was I turning into N? I wasn't a masochist by nature. However I felt as though I deserved this agonizing pain because it proved that I had hurt an important part of myself - the very core of who I was.
"I-I-I . . . uh . . . "
Words had eluded me completely. Now I was unsure what to say to Black. I knew one thing however: Black appeared to be okay, which meant there wasn't any point in staying here any longer. I glanced at Black one last time before I wheeled about and left the balcony, not realizing I was taking the flight of stairs all the way down to the level where my parents were sleeping at until I arrived there.
What was going on with me? Why did I feel so uncomfortable? Why did it feel as though bricks were falling on top of me endlessly? It seemed as though the world was spinning around and around. That was when Black's words hit me; he was telling me in a roundabout way that I was being unreasonable and unfair to my parents. They wanted nothing more than to protect me from whatever Ghetsis had up his sleeve and I repaid them by shutting them out. All I was really doing was inflicting pain onto them and myself. If I kept on trying to prune the stormy relationship I had with Red, then I would push him away for good this time and blow my chances of ever getting to know him. Did I really want my resentment to breed more contempt inside me?
Then there was also the situation with my mother. I had taken umbrage with her because she'd never said anything about her past or her true name before Ghetsis had showed up on our doorstep. I doubted that I wouldn't have been so antagonistic towards Red and Ma if they'd told me the truth from the get-go. In any case, I knew my mom well enough to know she knew what she was doing. What she needed most was her daughter's steadfast support, which I had withdrawn impulsively.
I had to talk to them, unless I wanted to be haunted by the overwhelming angst that had emerged in the conversation with Black. On the other hand, I wanted to run away from my feelings although they were too powerful to repress this time around. The only place left for me to escape to was through a cherrywood door a couple of feet away. You know what? Strike that! I had to run towards that door! Technically, I didn't have to run over there: I could just turn around and go back the way I came, or I could move forwards by opening that door and facing my mother and Red. Making this type of decision would be as easy as pie to anybody else, but it was really difficult for me.
I sauntered towards the gilded cherrywood door, reaching for the brass doorknob. Suddenly a thought crossed my mind. What were the consequences to barging in unexpectedly? That sort of behavior would cause more conflict with my parents, which was the last thing I wanted to happen. I pulled my hand from the doorknob and rapped on the door twice. I heard footsteps shuffling through the other side of the door before it opened wide and revealed my mother, who was wearing a flowing floral nightgown. In her hand rested a Xtransceiver.
"What are the odds? We were just talking about you," my mother said.
My mother grabbed my hand and dragged me inside the bedroom before she shut the door with her back. A cherrywood bookshelf was pushed against one of the cyan-painted walls, crammed with outdated magazines and manga. Next to the bookshelf was a sturdy cherrywood (Drayden and Iris must really love cherrywood) table supporting a twenty-four inch flat screen television. A Blu-Ray player, cable box, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 rested underneath the television. I turned around again, hoping to catch a glimpse of Red. The only things left unexamined in the bedroom were the queen-sized bed draped in comfy-looking creamy white sheets and cyan blankets, and the dark pillows propped against the bed stand. A nightside table was stationed beside the bed, my mother's ginormous backpack parked on top of it.
"Why were you talking about me?" I asked warily. "Where's Red?"
"Red? Are you asking about the holier-than-thou Red Electra?" a haughty, light voice drifted from the Xtransceiver. "Where is he? Well, he's being Red obviously."
A distant humble region popped into my mind. It was a beautiful, peaceful land, rich with secrets and lore. In my mind's eye, I saw a picture-perfect ecovillage at the edge of an enormous sparkling lake. The ecovillage was surrounded by lush backwoods and a rivulet that cut through a majestic country house's premises. The ecovillage was the threshold between the past and the present, its winds smelling of new beginnings and cleanliness.
My mother sighed heavily.
"You should know how he is already," she reminded him. "Haven't you known him for much longer than I have?"
"Yeah," the family friend agreed. "I always did prefer you over Red, Platina. You never compared me to my cowardly old man once."
I cleared my throat.
"Ma always said to me -"
"That 'you are yourself first before you're anyone else's child?'" he cut across me. "Trust me, White. I already know. So lemme get this straight," he paused, "you're coming here, is that right?"
My mother nodded.
"Of course we are. I believe going there might do White and N some good, especially N. I know I might not be his mother, but I still feel responsible for him. You're the best person he could confide in and relate to."
There was a pregnant pause.
"Are you suggesting that I talk to Natural, Platina?" the man asked cautiously. "How come you can't do that?"
My mother cocked her head.
"You walked a similar road first," she pointed out. "I know you'd never admit it, but you'd never want someone to go through what you went through with your father."
There was a long silence on the other line.
"I'll see what I can do," the man said finally. "Does that mean I have to talk to White, too? I'm not her therapist; if she wants to make amends with Red, then she's better off figuring how to do that on her own, Platina. Sorry."
I pouted.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"It means that I have higher priorities on my list than sitting down with you and talking about Red," the family friend said coldly. "I'll tell your cousin and aunt that you're on your way, Platina. Later."
The Xtransceiver call ended.
I looked straight into my mother's stormy gray eyes.
"I guess this means we're off to see our cousins, family friends and my great-aunt, Ma," I said quietly. "I wonder how my first cousin once removed and he are still best friends after all this time."
I fiddled with the buttons woven through my long-sleeved nightgown absentmindedly.
"Their friendship is proof that miracles do happen," my mother mused.
She has a point there, I thought. My perverted cousin says they loathed each other when they were younger.
"I think he's looking forward to seeing us," Mom continued.
"I doubt it," I disagreed. "He sounded more bored if you ask me, but he's been like this for as long as I can remember. It's been thirteen years now and he's still determined to find her. If that's not true love, then I don't know what is. Ma," I paused as I bowed my head, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry for being such a world-class brat towards Red and you! I let Ghetsis get to me and doubt you! I-I . . . "
The words I was about to say died in my throat. I brought my head up and threw my arms around my mother. She froze instantly at my touch before embracing me awkwardly.
"Ma, please forgive me!" I said tearfully. "We'll start anew, okay? I'll turn over a new leaf with Red. I promise."
My mother's eyes softened as she patted me on the back gently.
"I'm in the wrong for keeping my past a secret," she apologized. "I'm so sorry for that, White. I've done more harm than good in the past twenty four hours, sweetie. That's why I'll answer any questions you have for me from now, okay? I want you to trust me again."
She unwrapped her arms from me and approached the nightside table, slipping her Xtransceiver into her backpack's phone pouch.
"Trust is earned," I reminded my mother, "not given."
"Don't worry," she said confidently. "You'll be able to trust me wholly again one day, White. We must begin to trust each other again if we're to stop Ghetsis."
I nodded.
"As long as we believe in our bonds, I know we could defeat Ghetsis."
Ma wheeled around.
"You asked me where Red is," she said softly. "He stepped out for a bit although I'm sure he'd be ecstatic if he knew you wanted to start anew with him. We should start getting dressed now, wouldn't you agree?"
N's PoV.
There was a soft knock on the door almost immediately after I thought today was going to be a good day. I believed White was behind the door so I told her to wait excitedly. I straightened my room hastily before performing my daily hygiene. I preened myself while I headed for the door, hoping I looked presentable in her eyes. I wrenched the door open eagerly and poked out my head, my heart sinking at the sight of my guest: a dashingly handsome ravenette with blood red eyes leaning against the wall languidly.
My mixed feelings about the Kantonian Pokémon Champion caused me to be on guard immediately. Despite not having a high opinion of Red, I managed to have a civilized conversation with the man. I was surprised when he admitted he wanted to talk to me and me only. I asked him if he wanted to move our conversation into my borrowed bedroom though he declined my offer. What really surprised me next was Red inviting me out to breakfast at Delta Rose. Delta Rose was a worldwide restaurant chain whose roots could be traced back to Opelucid City. We left Drayden and Iris's home and made our way into the futuristic city. There must be countless Delta Roses in Opelucid City, but the nearest one was south of the Opelucid City Gym. On an unrelated note, this Delta Rose restaurant looked very much like an Unovan temple from the olden days.
I saw people glancing curiously at Red and Pikachu as we took our seats. I had completely forgotten that Red himself was a worldwide celebrity, which meant he was most likely bombarded by his fans whenever he went out in public. I was having breakfast with one of the most accomplished Pokémon Masters in contemporary history. Now I was unsure about what I should feel in the man's presence. Red seemed to have picked up on my discomfort because he swept a menu into his hands and buried his face behind it.
I unglued my eyes from Red and roved them around the temple, taking in its appearance. The roof was slanted, comprised of sandstone. The temple was painted deep-red-and-ebony, its patio made of cherrywood. The tables on the patio were fashioned from oak, all embossed with delta characters. Atop the tables were silverware, menus and black napkins depicting Dragonair lying in beds of roses.
A shrine priestess with bubble gum pink hair and light blue eyes, about fifteen, skated over to our table with a black pocketbook in her hand. A black fountain pen rested above her earlobe.
"Hello, my name's Wendy! I'll be your server today!" she said brightly. "Do you need more time to look over the menu or are you ready to order, gentlemen?"
Red set his menu on the table. Meanwhile Pikachu climbed onto his friend's shoulder.
"Can I have the Dratini's Spirit?" he asked Wendy. "I'd also like a large Delta Rose latte with a lot of whipped cream if you don't mind. That would be it for me, Wendy."
Wendy stared at Red, her face rosy red for Arceus knew what reason. She turned to me and asked what I wanted cheerily. I chanced a glance at Red, already suspicious about his motives.
"I'm not eating," I announced.
Red regarded me as I turned away from him in my seat.
"You don't have to pay for your breakfast, Harmonia," he assured me. "It's on me. So would you please look at your menu and choose something?"
I turned around and glowered at him. You see, I hated being called by my surnames far more than being called by my actual name.
"Do I really have to say it again?" I said crossly. "I said I'm not eating; I'm not hungry."
My stomach grumbled in disagreement. The waitress giggled in response.
Red sighed. "You have another thing coming if you think that I'll let you eat from my plate," he promised me. "If you don't order something, then I'll order something for you."
I faced Wendy, who was scribbling down Red's order in her pocketbook.
"Which one of your orders includes biscuits and gravy, Kalosian toast, bacon strips and scrambled eggs?" I asked her.
"The Ace of Altaria," Wendy answered. "Is that what you want?"
I nodded mechanically.
Wendy smiled. "What would you like to drink?" she asked me kindly.
"Hot black tea with lemon," I replied.
Wendy asked us if we wanted anything else as she scribbled down my order. We told her that would be all before she slipped her fountain pen back over her earlobe, shut her pocketbook and relieved us of our menus. Her eyes lingered on Red briefly before she turned around and skated up the patio and through the double doors, the waft of baking bread coming out from where she entered.
"Don't you want to feed Pikachu?" I whispered.
Red picked up the knife and banged it against the fork.
"I share my food with whatever Pokémon I have out at the time," he said. "Look, I know you're suspicious about my motives, Harmonia. But," he paused as he put down the silverware, "I want to start anew. I made a really bad first impression, so that's why I want to start over on a clean slate."
I leaned forward, studying White's father.
"Do you know what Amara used to tell me, Red?" I said warily. "'There's no such thing as a free lunch. One way or another, there will be a cost.'"
A dreamy Pikachu glimpsed Red as he jumped onto the table and sniffed the air.
"Pika, Pika! Pikachu!" he said, wagging his tail delightedly.
Red appeared rather pensive.
"Amara was a very wise woman," he approved.
I raised an eyebrow.
"You speak about her as if you know her," I noticed.
"I only met her once," Red confirmed. "I know her father Wilton and cousin Amarillo del Bosque Verde better."
I dropped my jaw, my heart pounding wildly.
"The Amarillo del Bosque Verde?" I breathed.
I had heard stories about Amarillo del Bosque Verde from Amara. Amarillo was a Pokémon empath just as I was, except she could heal a Pokémon's wound with her magic touch.
Pikachu nudged Red, who started petting the Electric Mouse Pokémon.
"The one and only," Red agreed. "Amarillo had changed her name to Yellow del Bosque Verde when she had come of age. Did you know Yellow had researched about her own gift among other things?"
He was about to say something else when the waitress came back with my Ace of Altaria and Red's Dratini's Spirit. The Dratini's Spirit turned out to be over-easy eggs, pumpkin pancakes, sausage patties and buttered biscuits. Red started fishing out money from his pockets just as Wendy set down the plates on top of the table.
"Do you take Kantonian currency?" Red asked the waitress.
Wendy plucked the piping hot black tea and Delta Rose latte from the platter she held aloft and placed them next to our plates.
"Yes," she answered. "You look an awful lot like the Kantonian Pokémon Champion Red Electra. Red is said to be the most powerful Pokémon Trainer in modern times. Are you Red by any chance, good sir?"
A bored Red brandished a wad of Kantonian Poké Dollars in front of Wendy.
"Would it really matter if I was Red Electra?" he said tonelessly.
Wendy swiped the money from Red's awaiting hand, looking rather gleeful. The teenager skated toward the double doors again swiftly - perhaps a little too swiftly.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu reproached his friend.
Red laughed nervously as he ripped open several packets and drenched his stack of pancakes in maple syrup. Meanwhile I grasped a bacon strip and munched on it, savoring the smoky flavor.
"You're going to drown your pancakes," I moaned.
I slurped up the rest of the bacon strip just as Red cut through the pancakes.
"They taste a lot better this way," he assured me.
I pulled out my belated mother's Menger Sponge pendant from my shirt, watching Red wolf down his pancakes. I remembered Red mentioning a female friend who had once owned a Menger Sponge that looked exactly like mine. I found that to be quite the coincidence. I twisted and turned my pendant, seeing Red scarfing down his food. He sure could eat a lot for someone as lean as him.
"What other things was Amarillo researching?" I asked Red.
Red, who was feeding Pikachu forkfuls of buttered biscuits and pumpkin pancakes, considered me.
"Yellow was trying to see if the Platinum Trinity had cadet branches. House Berlitz, House Parthenos and House Levesque are considered to be the Platinum Trinity," he added quickly, seeing my confused face.
"Why were you trying to see if they had cadet branches?" I wondered.
Red waved his silverware-free hand airily.
"There might be an off chance that the cadet branches of House Levesque and House Parthenos have the God and Void Stones in their possession."
The ravenette dug his hand into his snug shirt and fished out his Heal Ball pendant. Pikachu arched himself over Red's plate and nibbled at the food.
"Yellow doesn't have any connection to the Platinum Trinity," Red continued. "None at all."
Silence settled between us and I decided I should start eating my Ace of Altaria; I wasn't much a fan of cold food. Red, Pikachu and I breakfasted at the table, hearing the sounds of chattering and silverware clinking against the plates all around us. It only took a matter of minutes for me to get stuffed. I crossed my knife and fork over the plate, dabbing at my face with the napkin. I crumpled the napkin into a ball and tossed it onto the plate as I showed off my Menger Sponge to Red.
"You said a friend of yours had a pendant such as this," I recalled.
"Yeah," Red agreed. "You remind me of her as a matter of fact. I see more of her in you than Ghetsis for some reason. That's really saying something, you know?"
"What was her -?" I started to ask Red.
"OH, MY ARCEUS!" voices screamed from behind us.
Both Red and I looked up from our unfinished breakfast. Wendy had returned with a throng of her coworkers, all of them holding notebooks and pens. A few were clutching their Xtransceivers.
"That's Red Electra all right, Wendy," a swooning coworker of Wendy's said. "Can I have your autograph, Red? No, make that a picture! I want to remember how handsome you are!"
Red and I shifted in our seats nervously as Wendy and the others surged forward in unison.
"I'm not in the mood for autographs or photos, ladies," Red said nervously. "I only came here to have breakfast in peace."
Wendy cocked her head.
"There's only one thing to do, then," she said regretfully.
"Let us go?" I suggested hopefully.
Red stood upright, locking his eyes onto mine.
"There's something Harmonia and I need to do first before we sign any autographs or snap photos, Wendy," he said innocently.
"And what would that be?" I asked suspiciously.
I jumped to my feet right when Pikachu perched himself on Red's shoulder. Red knocked over his chair seconds before his horde of fan girls lunged at him crazily. He pushed past them as fast as thought and came toward me.
"Run, of course!" he said shrilly.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the prologue, my readers. Here's a question. Who do you think the mystery person Platina and White contacted is? When you review, feel free to leave your answer there. Thanks for reading!