So, here's pretty much Son of Evil, the last part, in Anthea's point of view. I made it as little repetitive as possible, but there're a lot of parts that have to be repeated to see Anthea's POV. It's not too bad though. It also finishes the cliffhanger at the end of Son of Evil (which is once again in N's POV), and explains a lot of other things.
Disclaimer: This is based off of "Maid of Evil", which was also posted on YouTube by Kanannon. It has a few quotes from the song, which are in italics in the last part of the chapter. Anthea's first two quotes and Concordia's quote are not mine; they are straight from the game Pokémon Black.
Edit: I reread this, and found a few mistakes. If you're reading this, it means I fixed them and reuploaded the chapter.
Edit 2: The asterisks were also left out of this chapter, so those are fixed as well.
Sister of Evil
Part 3 of the King of Evil Series
"I am Anthea... Black, before you go to confront my lord N, please take a moment to rest..." I spoke this to a boy I had only heard of many times, but never met in person. I knew his name before he told me, but I let him inform me this never less. He was the exact image N had described. Black was a brown-hair boy around the age of twelve or thirteen, with the same color eyes. He wore a confident look, as if he had no need to rest his Pokémon.
He did anyway, releasing all six of his creatures at one time. I don't remember most of them, having much more important things to remember about that day. I fed them berries, which they ate out of my hands. It was quite a nice experience, now that I think about it. I didn't spend much time with Pokémon back then, only when I needed them to help me with chores around the castle.
"Ah, good. Both you and your Pokémon regained energy... Trainers battle to practice their skills and to grow in experience, but never to hurt their Pokémon. My lord N has realized this, deep down in his heart, but he has spent too much painful time here in this castle to admit it..." The words I spoke to this near stranger hurt, because it knew it was true. Even if I was doing my best to help N, I disagreed with everything he was fighting for. He did have good intentions, as Concordia, the woman I had thought to be my mother, explained to Black.
"I am Concordia. I give peace and comfort to N. N has been separated from people since he was young. He was brought up with Pokémon... Pokémon that were betrayed, mistreated and hurt by bad people... Ghetsis deliberately brought only those poor Pokémon closer to N. N was touched by their plight, and started pursuing ideals, thinking only of Pokémon. N's heart is pure and innocent. But there is nothing more beautiful and terrifying than innocence."
I also knew these words to be true. The thing that surprised me though, was that Concordia called N by his nickname. As his foster mother, she always called him by his given name, Natural. Perhaps it was because she was speaking with Black.
Black left with his Pokémon, silently thanking us with a nod. He wasn't much for words, as N had once explained to me. His Pokémon spoke for him.
"I can't stand here any longer." I said when he left, my legs restless. We had been standing all day, for reasons I'm still not sure of. "I'm going to check on N."
"Alright, but be back soon," Concordia replied, starting to yawn, but she quickly shut her mouth. I wasn't the only one sick of standing around.
I walked out of room we awkward stood in, looking down the hall. Black wasn't to be seen. He must be in another room, maybe on another level of the castle. I noticed how odd it was to have the halls this bright, compared to when the castle was still underground. Now that I think about it… I spent nearly all of my life underground, didn't I? I had been N's servant from a very early age, even if he was two years younger than I. I never did leave the castle until years afterwards, and for all I knew then I was was born inside there.
That wasn't shocking at all compared to N's home for the first twenty years of his life. He hadn't let his room… at all. I wonder how Black reacted when he saw it. I never got to know, as soon afterwards he lost his entire memory and couldn't tell me if he wanted to.
I scuttled down the halls, almost having to squint against the bright sunlight. The waterfall fountains on either side of the staircases reflected the light and made it harder for my eyes to see. Finally at the end of the hall I climbed a staircase, and had to run across another long corridor before coming to the next set of stairs. I was used to it, as being a servant usually means you have to go long distances quickly in a castle like this.
On the top floor, halfway down the hall was the open doorway to N's throne room. I suspected N was the figure waiting for Black in the doorway, but who I saw instead really startled me.
"Why, hello Anthea," Ghetsis said in that unmistakable tone of his, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
I froze at the sound of his voice, and forced myself to relax. It's only your father… I tried to tell myself. The thought didn't help calm me down, but I still was able to act natural.
"I was just about to see if N needed anything," I said, "Before his battle with Black."
"Ah, yes, N… I'm sure he won't need a thing. He has become obsessed with this battle; if anything was wrong or missing, he would notice. You don't need to bother."
This disturbed me. I could tell that the last thing Ghetsis was enter in room until the battle was over. He was planning something… but what?
A clock somewhere chimed three o'clock.
"Oh, it's snack time, as N would say." Ghetsis chuckled. "Most every day you would have something to eat for him, and deliver it to him personally at this time, am I correct?"
I nodded, not sure where he was going with this.
"You're one loyal servant… I don't remember a time you were late.
"…Which is odd," he continued, "Don't you ever wonder why you, the older sibling, got the short end of the stick? To always serve your brother hand and foot? Let me tell you a secret…"
Ghetsis had never failed to scare me. This was no exception. He pulled my pink hair from my face and pulled it behind my ear, leaning forward to whisper into my ear.
"I'm not really your or your brother's father, dear Anthea. Nor is Concordia N's mother, for that matter. I don't know who you belong to, but certainly not me." And he silently slid back into the shadows. I think I heard him chuckle. I didn't even start to absorb what he just told me, just the way he said it made my instincts yell at me to run. I stood there for a moment, still frozen.
"I better get going…" I finally muttered.
"Of course," Ghetsis said, invisible in the darkness, "Concordia must be missing you."
I turned around and stiffly started to walk back to the room Concordia and I had been in a moment earlier. As I pulled reality back together, I knew Ghetsis was not sane. You had to be blind not to see it. What he just told me… what was the purpose of it? Why did he choose that moment to tell me?
Then I realized the fullness of what he had said—I was not related to that monster! Nor was N! Relief flooded my mind. I'd much rather not know my parents than know he was my father. Telling me that was probably the nicest thing Ghetsis ever did for me.
If only N could know some day…
"We're going to Kanto"
I remember when N told me this, a little after two years after he defeated Black. His face was red and flustered, and I knew he had been arguing with Concordia again. They didn't get along well at this point, as Concordia lived up to her name. Being 'the Goddess of Peace' was more than just a name for her. It was a life style.
Concordia absolutely hated violence, and pain caused to other people. N had no compassion to humans, as Ghetsis had taught him not to. He treated the citizens of Unova like dirt. Because of this, the economy collapsed with the sudden loss of jobs, and we were virtually the only ones with money.
The previously innocent and pure N had turned sour with his new kingdom, although it was hard to tell at first. It always seemed to me he was still my kind brother. He was still shy to those he didn't know, Black being an exception, and had almost so social skills whatsoever. Soon after N took control over Unova I vowed to change that.
When N told me we were going to Kanto, I was catching up on stories of mythology, with both Concordia and I found especially interesting. In Veilstone's Myth, the book told of a swordswomen named White who encountered a demon-like Pokémon. It was very morbid for a myth, but still interesting. Sinnoh's myths were always this way.
"Kanto?" I asked him, "Why?"
"We haven't liberated all of the Pokémon, remember? I was thinking of traveling to Saffron and telling of the success of our kingdom there. Lots of people live and travel there, you know. It might gain us some followers."
I was shocked. For N to suggest such an activity, one that consisted of speaking out loud to a crowd of people, I was impressed. Maybe he could be a king, after all.
"That's… a good idea, lord N," I said, "Like Ghetsis used to do? I'll go… uh, pack our stuff…" I knew right away comparing his idea to Ghetsis was a bad idea, but he did have the right idea to speak in public like that. Ghetsis could so easily manipulate people's feelings… Maybe N could have that talent, also.
I left the room to do just what I had said. Pack our things. It didn't take me very long, but I still had plenty of time to think. Reading about myths made me often think about life, and I wondered how much of my own life was surrounded in myth. Concordia had once told me when N and I were very little, someone had rung the Celestial Bell when we were in the entrance of the tower, which I guess was supposed to be some sort of blessing. I supposed it was Ghetsis's idea, trying to bless his little king. I scoffed. I never understood him.
After a few days of traveling, N, a few grunts and I arrived at Saffron City. The city was more than I could have imagined, with beautiful golden buildings everywhere. People were bustling about—it was almost as busy as Castelia City. I loved it. N seemed to care less. He was more worried about how well he would give his speech, and I can't blame him. We had come up with it on the ride here, and it was very similar to the one Ghetsis gave at Accumula Town.
When I was looking for a spot to set up, I became lost in the large city. I wandered for what seemed like hours, becoming more paranoid with every step. I had no Pokémon to defend me, and in this region anyone could own them. It could turn bad if I ran into the wrong person.
Thank Arceus I didn't. Instead, I ran into a man that was very helpful.
He had dark navy hair and deep gray eyes, one of the most handsome men I had ever seen. When I say I ran into him, I literally ran into him, carelessly turning a corner. He wasn't carrying anything, thank goodness, but he still looked like he was in a hurry.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry" he said.
"Oh—" I didn't have time to say anything before he spoke again.
"It's looks like you're lost," he said with a laugh, "I've seen that look before. Common, I'll show you to where ever you're going."
With that kind voice and smile, I fell in love at first sight.
"Thank you…" I was able to muster, "I'm looking for… the Saffron Gyms." It was the first place I could think of.
"Alright. Right this way," he said, turning to his right.
I couldn't help but stare as I followed him to where he was taking me. I didn't even know his name, and yet I had fallen in love with him. I rue those feelings, as I knew they would never work, and would only give me pain. But I couldn't control my heart.
Before long we arrived at the two gyms of the town.
"Thank you," I said, bowing out of habit.
He laughed. "You're welcome. If you need anything else, I'm sure you'll run into me."
We both laughed at his joke, and he left, leaving me still needing to find N. I had no trouble, actually, because one the grunts that actually knew his way around the city suggested N give his speech there. Within minutes after the man leaving, I saw N down the street, recognizable by his green hair. It wasn't odd to have green hair in any region, although his fluffy ponyta-tail was unmistakable.
We set up, which really was just putting the Team Plasma and Unovan flags to either side of our group, and waited for people to come to us, curious. It wasn't long before the street was crowded, and I nodded to N, signaling him to start his speech.
I wasn't paying attention while he spoke. I was too busy thinking about the kind man, and if there was any way I could find him again. Even if we could never have a relationship, I wanted to at least get to know him. N looked to me, occasionally, probably wondering if he was doing alright. Whenever he did, I gave him a nod, even if I had no idea if he was doing a decent job.
My thoughts were interrupted by the crowd clapping, and I realized N must have finished. The grunts around us gathered up the flags, and N looked to me for one last sign of approval. I nodded again; adding a smile, as if to say, Don't worry. You did great.
A relieved look melted onto his face, and I was glad. I was one step closer to my goal—making up for twenty years without social knowledge. A clock somewhere chimed three o'clock, and N said his all too familiar slogan.
"Oh, it's snack time."
We set up camp in Cerulean City, near the famous cave that was named after the town. I had packed food, not knowing what we were going to do after the speech we came for. After looking around the towns near Saffron, N saw the spot just to the west of Nugget Bridge and suggested we have a picnic. If anyone else had suggested so, I wouldn't have agreed, but I liked N's puerile nature. I knew it was only the result of his treatment in his castle, but I couldn't dislike it.
As I bit into an apple, I remembered a myth Concordia had told me when I was little about the cave, after one of our schooling lessons. I had just started to become interested in the legends she told, and after she was done teaching N in his own skill level she would tell me a different story every day. I'm not sure why I remember this one, it always stuck out in my brain. It wasn't the cave itself that made me remember it.
"Ledged has it that the strongest Pokémon in the world resided in there. He had angrily fled from his masters, who were abusing his powers," I told N aloud, summarizing the long story, "Years later they say a boy calmed and tamed him, using its strong powers for good instead of evil."
I thought he would enjoy it, knowing that the Pokémon had liberated itself. What I was really trying to get across, though, was that another trainer had treated it kindly—trying to remind him not all humans were bad. He didn't seem to notice, as his attention was grabbed by laughter.
"Who… is she?" he asked, staring at the very champion of Kanto herself.
"That's Leaf," I explained, "She's one of Kanto's champions, alongside Red and Blue."
He seemed mildly surprised I knew who she was. He didn't say anything, just looked at her. I knew that look. That was just how I had looked at the man earlier today, who still lingered in my mind. I held back a sigh. When I wanted N to be more proactive with getting to know people, I certainly didn't want him to fall in love with a Champion.
"You like her, don't you?"
N nodded, confirming my suspicions. "I want to meet her."
"Well, go ahead." I realized I might actually be able to make this work.
"Huh?"
"Go say hello!" I encouraged, "Talk to her! What could go wrong?"
N shook his head, probably trying to dismiss doubt that clouded his head. He stood up, and when the grunts started to mock him, he gave them a glare. I couldn't help but smile. Little N was finally coming out of his shell.
I watched N as he mingled with Leaf, and felt proud of myself. Because of my coaxing I thought N was finally getting somewhere in the world.
After a few days, we decided to stay in Kanto for a while and look around while we were there. We saw all of the sights that random brochures suggested, although the only thing N found interesting was the Power Plant. Even if we acted like we were having fun, I knew there was only one thing on each of our minds—the people we had each found and fell in love with.
Finally, N confessed he just wanted to see Leaf again. She'd told him to come over any time, which was odd, because he was never given an address. I didn't believe him, but I used my fame checker to find her address anyways. I didn't really have a choice against it.
The address the fame checker spat out was in Goldenrod City, in Johto. Oh, great, I thought, Another large city to get lost in.
"This is the place," I said a day or two later, standing in front of her house, which I thankfully had no trouble finding once I got to the city.
"Are you sure?" N had asked me.
"Of course," I told him "I checked the fame checker about a thousand times. Go ahead, she even asked you to come over. She'd be glad to see you!" I lied. I had no idea how Leaf would react, but I had to act positive if I wanted it to work.
"Yeah, with no address," N grumbled at himself. He walked up to the door and knocked it, an answer coming right away.
"May I help you?"
Oh Arceus, I thought, It can't be him. We must have the wrong address. The man standing in the doorway was the same man I met in Saffron. He looked to N, confused, and then to me. A faint flash of recognition registered in his eyes, and I wanted to go home more than ever.
N and I must have noticed Leaf at the same time. I knew exactly what was happening before she even spoke.
"Who is it, Ethan?" She asked the man, and I knew with the look in her eyes that my crush had turned into just that. A crushing sensation in my chest. I could almost feel the same thing happening to N. I don't know how I could muster enough courage to finally speak.
"I'm sorry. I think we have the wrong address. Sorry to bother you." The man, Ethan, looked at me for a moment, with a look I couldn't recognize in his eyes before he answered.
"No problem. I understand."
He shut the door, and I could feel N tremble beside me. I held my hands on his shoulders, not to stabilize him, but me.
"I think we should go home now," I said to him, not wanting to do anything else. I did my best to keep my voice strong. N could not know the feelings I held for that man.
The next few days were terrible. N sobbed enough for the both of us, and I was almost thankful his many requests gave me time to be busy. I was able to keep Ethan in the back of my mind, and I would not let myself cry. Concordia was sure to find out sometime, and she was having enough trouble trying to cheer up N. I forced my somberness in the far corner in my mind.
I had just taken a break one day when Concordia called for me. Because she was constantly caring for N, I had to do her jobs as well as mine. I barely had time to think, but then again, that was a good thing.
"Natural's not calming down," Concordia told me, "I think it'd be best if he saw you for a while. You've been getting good at encouraging him."
I couldn't help but laugh. Me, calming down N. What a thought. If Concordia thought it might work, I decided I'd at least try.
I told the chef to start baking a brioche, N's favorite snack, and followed Concordia to his room. I used to love going to N's room as a child, but now I hated it. Any sane person would. The sky-painted room was covered with toys, both old and new. Normally this wouldn't bother anyone, but most of the toys were recently played with. When N, a man of 23, got bored, he was more than happy to play with his old train set. The eerie room more often than not gave even Concordia chills.
We entered the room, and I shooed away a Purrlion that roamed the castle halls. As Concordia walked off to the side to pick up a toy, I noticed that N was wearing a smile more ominous than the room itself.
"Feeling better?"
"Much," N told me, "I just had an epiphany."
"Great!" Concordia sounded more than relieved. "What did you think up?"
N faced me as he spoke. "Anthea, I want you to be rid of Ethan, the man that was with Leaf."
My heart skipped a beat. "Be… rid of?"
"Exactly," N said, his mouth opening into a grin. "What is keeping me from Leaf? Ethan. If he wouldn't be in the picture, I would. It's simple."
"Natural…" Concordia silently said, "You can't just… be rid of someone because they did nothing but fall in love—"
"Why not? I have the power to do so. Anthea, you know exactly where he resides. I have a whole kingdom under my control!" Oh, Arceus, don't tell me he's serious… Please…
"Natural…"
"Johto. The man lives in Johto, along with all of his things." N recalled. "We could keep Leaf safe here while we take care of those things. He was surely born in another town, but we don't know where, so why not just destroy the entire region?" After all of these years, N had finally snapped. The craze in his voice was only too clear.
"Natural Harmonia Gropius! Do you realize what you're saying? You're willing to kill hundreds—no, thousands of innocent people just to get what you want! Don't you see how wrong this is?" I had stopped listening long ago. I was too far in shock.
"I don't care! I can see it! It will only be a few simple steps, and Leaf will be mine!" He started to laugh, past the point of returning to sanity. "Call Gorm in here! I wish to discuss with him my plans!" He looked at me with those crazy grey eyes. "Go ahead, Anthea! You know how you can help me! The sooner Ethan is eliminated, the sooner my plan will unfold!"
The moment I was released from N's room I fled to my own. I held it together just long enough to shut my door behind me, and then I burst into sobs. N had requested me to do something I could never do. And yet, I knew I had to.
It wasn't just that N was the king of Team Plasma, my 'lord'. Because for so many years I was not only portrayed as N's maid, but also his big 'sister', I had become that. I had always guided him, done what he asked, and kept him safe from harm. In return, I had the satisfaction of knowing N would always be somewhere smiling.
N was not smiling. He was in pain past the point of sanity, and I had been too distracted to realize this. Leaf breaking his heart wasn't even the start of it. He was guilty of killing Ghetsis, and even if neither of us cared for him, as I would later learn, something happens when you take a person's life. It is a terrible feeling unlike any other. Black, the closest thing to a human friend he had, had also suffered because of him. Losing Leaf just cut the final thread keeping him together. I knew if I did this for him, maybe he would come back. If not, he would still be a happier person. That was what convinced me to follow through.
I decided to dye my hair. I couldn't face Ethan if he recognized me. He would just look at me with those bright, friendly grey eyes, and I wouldn't be able to do it. I was given a rare trait—pink hair. He would recognize me right away, and so would other people. I would be much easier to for the international police to find me if I had such a rare quality.
As I looked through the castle, sure there was some sort of dye somewhere, I soon found there was none to be stumbled upon. I would ask Concordia if she knew where some was kept, but she was still arguing with N. To go into his room would make me break down again.
Finally, I realized I might know where some dye would be kept. If Ghetsis wasn't really N's father, I had a growing suspicion that green wasn't his natural hair color, either. It was surprising enough that I had pink hair, two odd hair colored children wouldn't make sense in the least. Pink is highly recessive, which could explain missing generations of the color. Green wasn't.
Standing at Ghetsis's room's door, I shivered at the thought of might be in there. It hadn't been touched by anyone in almost three years. Without looking at anything in the room, I ran in, and went straight into the bathroom, where a bottle of dye was sitting. That bastard, I knew it! I grabbed it and ran out, forgetting to shut the door behind me. I didn't care; I didn't want to go back there. The atmosphere was enough to want me to stay out for good.
When I looked into the mirror for the first time with green hair, I was shocked. The face looking it me through the glass surface was N's. My hair was the same shade as his. It wasn't just my hair that looked the same, it was my face. I hadn't noticed before, but for not actually being related, N and I looked very similar. I stared at myself for a while, and then remembered why I looked for the dye in the first place. I had orders that need to be completed.
I didn't bother packing, knowing I'd only stay in Johto long enough to complete my job. The only thing I took with me was a knife from the kitchen. No one noticed when I took it from the knife block. Summoning an Unfezant, I flew towards Ethan's house, tears streaming from my eyes as we flew.
Finally, the Unfezant landed, and flew back to some roosting place nearby. I was in the center of Goldenrod, at the entrance of the city's Pokémon Center. It was an odd sight, not seeing one in years. I had memorized the directions to Ethan's house from here. I sighed, trying not to think of what I was going to do once I got there. Even if I told myself I was just going for a friendly visit, there was no convincing my brain.
Upon arriving at my love's house, I looked in the windows to see Ethan was sitting in his kitchen, enjoying lunch. I walked behind his house, where the back door was unlocked.
I try not to remember what happened next.
Bong… Bong… Bong…. Outside N's room, I took a breath. It was time to report I had completed my assignment.
As I entered the room, plate in hand, I noticed N's face fill with happiness when he saw me. I wasn't sure if I was going to start laughing or sobbing when I opened my mouth. I was never good at hiding my emotions, unlike Concordia, although I seemed to be getting better at it.
I did neither.
"Today's snack is brioche," I said, keeping my voice natural.
N laughed, happiness lighting up his eyes.
"Thank you, Anthea. My faithful sister." I held back a flinch as he said the word sister. If only he knew… "Has everything gone as planned?"
I nodded. "Everything is going very well. I even hear Zekrom's job is almost done…" I paused, not wanting to think of Ethan's homeland being destroyed. "…in Johto."
"Great! I've been paying more attention to the garden's Pokémon lately, but even so, it doesn't seem right without that dragon here. I'm sure it feels the same without its hero."
I couldn't believe he was acting like everything was wonderful. He dismissed the fact a region was burning with a laugh.
"I am glad you are pleased," I said anyways. I wasn't lying; I couldn't stay sad with his cheerfulness, no matter how hard I tried. I had made him happy. That's all that mattered.
"I have another question… Why is your hair the same hue as mine…?" N asked, and I realized I had forgotten about dying my hair.
"Too many people saw me in both Kanto and Johto," I explained, "Not many people have pink hair like mine, and so I thought a girl with green hair would be much less noticeable. And we don't want anyone recognizing me, do we?" I forced myself to laugh. "I didn't want to use your hue of green, but for some reason I found the dye in one of the restrooms. It was the only bottle I could find."
"Good thinking."
Oh, good, he understood. I thought.
"I always knew you were a clever one, Anthea…"
Clever, I wasn't. I knew I was just a coward.
When I said the last few days were terrible, it was nothing compared to the days after the first revolutionary battle. The whole castle had a nervous atmosphere to it, and we were constantly working. N was still requesting lots of things, from food to random everyday objects, and so were all six of the sages. All of the time those days I spent running back and forth from their rooms to whatever they needed and back.
Along with fetching objects, we were busy with soldiers. Even if most Pokémon did the fighting for them, their partners—N did not want them called trainers—where often hurt by rogue attacks. Unlike the time were battling was legal, it was a very dangerous feat without the usual safety restrictions.
Concordia, who to me seemed to know everything, knew a little about medicine, so when she was helping the doctors I once again had to do her work for her. Every day, Concordia told me, the number of wounded was growing larger. Team Plasma was slowly losing its power again the rebels, who only grew more powerful with experience. At first Team Plasma was able to fight the rebels off, but before long, it seemed, the tables began to turn. One day Concordia flat out told me we were not winning the war.
I knew if I wanted my previous efforts to count I had to take action. I admit N wasn't a very good king (at all), but his rule was the only thing holding Team Plasma together. If he was defeated, so was the whole kingdom.
When I was younger I would protect N from overly angered Pokémon and even Ghetsis, and so I decided I would once again protect him, so he could hopefully live on with a smile.
If N would ever battle, which I doubted he would, I knew the one Pokémon he would use. Zekrom, the legendary dragon of ideas he had since before he battled Black. Because of this, I decided to befriend it.
One of the Team Plasma grunts from Sinnoh long ago had showed me how to make poffins, a popular treat for Pokémon there. N had once told me Zekrom preferred the sour taste of the sitrus berry, so I used that in my mix. I cooked the batter, and got a somewhat decent result. I decided it was fine, especially for not making one in years.
That evening after everything had settled down a little, I snuck out of my bedroom. I was allowed to roam the castle at night, but I still didn't want anyone to know what I was doing. If someone would tell N why I was visiting his dragon so late, he'd probably want to know why. I really didn't want to tell him. If he knew I was risking a lot to protect him, he'd probably freak. His mind wasn't very stable at the time.
The first time I exited the garden and looked to the looming thunderhead where the dragon resided, nothing happened. I called Zekrom's name, told it I had something for it, but it never came down. Giving up, I left the poffin on the ground, shivering from the cool evening. The next morning, I was able to sneak out again. The poffin was gone. I'd smiled. Either some wild Pokémon got to it, or Zekrom eventually took my gift.
I repeated this schedule many nights, and was about to give up, although every morning the poffin was gone. I started to think Zekrom hadn't taken them at all, but some other hungry creature. The last night I decided to leave the poffin, the night before the battle at Victory Road, something finally happened.
As I called Zekrom's name, I could hear a few seconds later the rumble of thunder. At first I dismissed it, but then heard it again.
"Zekrom?" I repeatedly asked in only a whisper, hoping I could finally see the creature.
As if hearing my miniscule summon, a single blue bolt of lightning flashed in the clouds, and a blue light started coming closer.
Zekrom was finally coming to my call.
The dragon shook the ground at as it landed; its generator lighting up the early night with a receding blue glow. I was awestruck at such a behemoth creature. It stared straight at the poffin in my hands, and after a few seconds I realized that was the only thing it wanted. But why didn't it just wait until I was gone?
Realizing Zekrom trusted me, I carefully walked up to it. I could feel my hair being pulled up by the static in the air. The creature didn't take its eyes off of the treat in my hand. I gingerly lifted it up to its gigantic form. A single, black arm reached towards mine. My heart pounded loudly in my chest. The Pokémon used one large clawed palm to grasp to poffin, and ate it eagerly. I was frozen in place the whole time, barely believing it. This legendary dragon, that could, and had, easily kill a country of people, was eating from my hand.
The creature snorted, and continued to stare at me. I didn't know what else it wanted. Could I come closer? I started to take a step forward, but it let out a silent growl. I shivered. Apparently it didn't trust me yet.
We continued this awkward pose for a while, and in my clouded head I put together that this dragon was smarter than it looked. I was giving it these treats for a reason, and it had figured that out. It now wanted to know that reason.
"I would like a favor…" I started, not knowing if it even knew human speech. Its stare didn't waver, and so I decided to continue.
"If N would ever fight in one of these battles… He would surely be injured, maybe killed. If he was, the war would be a lost cause. So, I'm asking you this… If you go into a battle, and I tell him to go home, you take him home. Understand?"
The dragon nodded. It actually nodded. Seeing I had nothing else to ask, it turned its back, and the generator tail started to spin, creating the same blue glow.
Within a flash, it was gone, along with my worries. N would be safe… at least for a little while longer.
The events of next day everything were mostly the same, and I acted as if nothing had happened. I had to stop myself from smiling about completing the first part of my plan in keeping N safe. Lately I had often sulked in my free time, and smiling would arouse questions, especially when N had done the same when he snapped.
I was just about to finish my final jobs that night when I could hear yelling on the floor above me. The ceiling almost shook with frantic footsteps, and I knew exactly what was happening. Another battle had broken out, and if someone was in that much of a hurry, it had to be pretty bad. Then, it struck me—Victory Road was being attacked. It was the only place other than the castle itself to arouse so much concern.
I dropped the stack of dishes I was carrying, not caring that they broke as they hit the floor. I had to get to the battleground, as fast as possible. My legs carried me as fast as my muscles would allow, and I flew down the many stairs. It's a wonder I didn't trip and break something. My drowsy head cleared as I tried to work out a plan. I could quickly call a bird and fly to Victory Road, arriving before N if I left from the main entrance. I doubted it would be open, but I had no other choice.
Panting, I reached the front doors, which thankfully weren't locked. Yet. Guards were barring the doors, keeping form any intruders.
"Stop!" I yelled, "I have to get out!"
One of the guards eyes me suspiciously.
"Why's milady hurrying out? Not towards the battle, I suppose?"
Of course. They wouldn't want N's precious sister to be carelessly killed when she could be kept safe in the castle, would they?
"I have to get out!" I repeated, not having the time or the mind to explain. I kept running, and it was clear to them I wasn't going to stop. Even if I was treated as a servant, I was still known as N's sister to these people. They had to listen to me.
The two opened the door, barely getting it open enough before I flew through. As soon as I got outside, I whistled. Hopefully there'd be a Pokémon left to fly me there. As I looked into the sky, I saw it was filled with all types of flying Pokémon. There was an unbelievable cloud of them. I had no idea we even had this many soldiers. There were only birds in the sky, so thankfully N hadn't flown off with Zekrom yet.
Thought the setting sun, which I barely noticed, I could barely see a shape coming towards me. A Mandibuzz was flying towards me. I started to sigh, but figured it could work. It had to.
"Common, girl," I said as I got onto the Pokémon's back, "Let's go."
The Mandibuzz took off. The wind already forcing my hair to whip my face got stronger. I struggled to see, but couldn't. I could only pray the Pokémon understood where I wanted to go. I kept a strong grip around the Pokémon's neck, terrified at not being able to see. I could only hear the wind whistling past me, and feel the chill of the cooling air.
Before long, I was able to free one hand without the fear of falling off stopping me. I pulled my blowing hair out of my face, only to see the ground quickly approaching. Adrenalin started to pulse through my veins as the Pokémon showed no signs of slowing down. I tried to pull on its neck, trying to slow it down. It didn't, just seemed to wriggle under my grasp. So close to the ground I could have sworn we would have crashed, the Mandibuzz held out its wings and buffered the air, slowing us to a gentle stop.
I got off of the bird's back, dizzy. "Thanks…" I mumbled, trying to regain my footing as it flew away.
"I'm never doing that again," I said to myself, and pulled my hair from out of my face.
As if someone flipped a switch, the world around me was filled with chaos. Soldiers from both sides were running either direction, either trying to get in or keep others out. I was in the middle of a crossroads.
I looked around, trying to clear the confusion around me. The robed figures of Team Plasma were everywhere, and battles were spontaneously beginning as they ran into the rebels. Many were dressed in dirty, ragged clothing. With so many battles they fought in, I expected there wasn't much time to change clothing in the between them. A few of them, though, wore suits of armor, straight from Concordia's history books.
While most Team Plasma members were men, women also fought with their Pokémon. Even the leader of the rebels was a young woman, eighteen at the oldest. Her armor was a blindingly bright white, covering all of her body other than her head, with was covered instead with a pink and white cap. I took one look at her face, and my brain was instantly filled with confusion.
It was the same sensation when I looked into the mirror. The face I was seeing was that person's face, but looked strikingly similar to another's. Rumors had said Black's sister had fighting, but I knew better. Despite being female, she was Black's near identical twin, and she was the rebels' leader.
I looked out onto the field, and saw an empty space just large enough for Zekrom to land. I ran towards it, perpendicular to the running people. I constantly ran into them, being treated like a pinball. A roar of thunder echoed in my ears, and I knew any moment N and Zekrom were due to land.
I was almost to the spot I had selected, when a body hit me, full force. The collision made me lose my footing, and I landed onto my back—face-to-face with the person who had hit me. The rebel, I thought, was in armor tinted green, although it could have been the light. She also was not wearing her helmet, and I knew instantly who it was.
Leaf had taken revenge against the person responsible for her lover's death. Her eyes were bright with anger and pain, and I knew she was fighting for the man I killed. My heart burned at the memory, and I got up and ran as fast as possible. I had to get away, and stay away from the sin I had done…
Barely getting to the spot I had picked out, I waved my arms in the air towards the sky, not even bothering to see if Zekrom was even close. The sky had now turned black with night, and the dragon would blend in perfectly, even if its generator was on. My hair started to blow in my face again, but I waved my arms anyway, trying to ignore it.
I suddenly had another reason to stop N from fighting. If both Leaf and Black's mirror image were battling, N would surely see one, if not both of them fighting against his reign. When he would, I knew his heart would tear open, and there would be no going back. If N was upset now, and ordered people to be killed, I had a strong feeling he would be responsible for one last person's death. And that was his own.
"Anthea!" I finally heard N's voice, carried by the wind towards me. "What are you doing? You're going to get yourself killed!"
I felt the ground shutter as the dragon hit the ground in front of me. I lowered my arms, cleared my hair from my face, and yelled back, "So are you! You need to leave! Right now!"
"Leave? I just came!" It was getting hard to hear, as the voices of the soldiers were becoming louder.
"Exactly! Pokémon aren't the only ones in danger! I can't let you go any further! You'll get yourself hurt! Killed, even!"
"I have to go." I knew he would say that. "It's my duty, as king!"
"Duty?" I cursed. "Who cares about duty? Without you this kingdom is nothing. You can't risk everything like this! If you die, we've just lost the war without even fighting!"
I saw N sigh. I was getting to him. I had to make the final push, literally. I started to push N toward his black dragon, hoping it would take him home. Tears started to run from my eyes.
"Go! Leave! The battle is just about to begin!"
Taking a deep breath, I tried my best to stay as calm as possible. To tell anyone news this grave, you had to act calm, or else all hell would break loose. I tried to remember how Concordia would act, as she always wore a calm face. I mimicked this posture as I entered N's room, trying to think how I would tell him.
"N, I think you should see something." I said to the king sitting in his throne, playing with his favorite toy, his void cube. I tried not to clench my teeth, knowing this would be worse for N to handle than for I.
"Did… another battle start?" He asked, nervousness in his voice.
I nodded, not being able to say anything. It would be best to show him, I decided. I walked to one of the grand windows in the throne room, and motioned for N to come. He didn't at first, and I wished I didn't have to show him.
Finally he came, and I opened the curtain, revealing the sight of what at first looked like just another battle. In reality, it was the largest battle to occur during the war, twice the size as the first at Victory Road. Every single person that was able to defend the castle was out there, except for the sages. They normally didn't fight, anyways. I would expect all of the rebels would be fighting, also. The crowd trying to get into the castle was larger than the one that released their Pokémon nearly three years ago.
"Why… haven't I seen this?" N cried, and I could feel him tremble beside me. Soon he literally was crying, sobs racking his body.
"The battle just started, and the sages decided it would end just as quick. Concordia is trying to stop them, but… they're leaving." I was barely keeping my voice strong. "They have no hope left for Team Plasma, N." They weren't the only ones. This battle was in such a large scale, and so many people and Pokémon were being injured. I could tell Team Plasma couldn't hold them off forever. Sooner or later they would invade N's castle, and it would all be over with.
I heard footsteps behind me, and was almost surprised to see Concordia walking towards us.
"They're gone. All six of the sages have left." She calmly said, "This… may be the last battle."
I couldn't help but to look back to the chaos only a glass plane and a few stories away. It hurt so badly to watch them fight, and yet I couldn't look away. Concordia was right. So many lives were being lost. Whoever would win this battle would win the war. Team Plasma was definitely not winning the battle.
A familiar blue glow caught my eye, and through the mass of fighters I could just barely see Zekrom trying to swat at something. I couldn't tell what was happening at first, but then realized with a pang in my heart Zekrom was being attacked. This powerful creature of ideals, hundreds of years old, that helped originally build Unova, was being attacked by three knights. I let out a silent gasp.
"N…"
Through the corner of my eye I saw N look towards the battle, and a look of pure despair covered his face. He had lost all hope in Team Plasma, his dragon, and even his dream. It was one of the most terrible things I had ever seen. Something deep in my mind reminded me that Ghetsis seemed to like these moments of loss. I couldn't believe anyone could even stand watching it.
As I watched the three warriors, I realized occasionally one would disappear and reappear in another spot. The way they did that, and how they moved together, I knew it was the Shadow Triad that was fighting Zekrom.
"I thought they were dead…" I said, confused. I had never seen them after Ghetsis was killed, and I assumed something had happened to them.
Concordia agreed with me, and said something about them being loyal, but I wasn't paying attention. I had grown attached to the dragon, and knew N must have been feeling a million times worse than I.
"The creature can't die, can it? It will just convert back into the Dark Stone if defeated, correct?" I had to ask. The Shadow Triad seemed to be giving it quite a beating.
Concordia sighed. "Nothing can live forever, Anthea. But, I'm sure it wouldn't disappear forever anytime soon."
N and I both gave a sigh of relief. To see that proud creature fall would be terrible.
Concordia continued to speak. "We should leave. Once Zekrom is finished, and most of the troops, the warrior in white is sure in invade, if they haven't already."
To my surprise, N quickly said he wasn't leaving. I was just about to argue when Concordia spoke in my place, her firm voice finally starting to waver.
"Natural, if you want to stay, I'll let you. What is that old saying? A captain always goes down with his ship?" She asked herself, "Well, I can understand that. You know if you stay, you will almost surely never leave…?"
"Yes."
"Alright…" Concordia's voice grew more solemn. "I wish you luck. And If I don't see you again… I'm proud to have called you my son. You've done well. Come on, Anthea. We better—"
My mind swirled. This was too much like in the Dark Ages, when kings were thrown out of power they would be executed. N wasn't much of a fighter, and without Zekrom he was defenseless. My mind gave me the image of him being captured, tortured, and finally beheaded. I couldn't stand it.
"I'm not going either." I said before I could stop myself.
"But, Anthea, you don't have to stay…" N's voice was almost half commanding, but I knew he wanted me and Concordia to stay, and for everything to go back to normal. I silently told him in my mind I would make that happen, if only it was possible.
Concordia tried to make me leave, also. "N's right. They'll probably leave you alone, but I wouldn't take any chances, angry people punish whoever they can get their hands on…"
"No, I'm staying." I said, knowing I had to. "Just like you said, a captain going down with her ship, except I'm only part of the crew."
"I can't stop you two," Concordia said, all control in keeping her voice steady gone. "So do whatever you wish. It's brave of you, Anthea, to stay, but…" She paused, clearly trying to hold back tears. "I'm leaving."
I couldn't look back at her as she left, and N silently wished for her not to go, but I only shut the blinds. If I looked back, I knew I would lose all of my strength, and like N, start to sob. I had to keep him safe, and to do so, I had to stay together. I set my final resolve, and firmly decided to keep N alive and smiling, no matter what it took. Even if it cost me my life.
~N's POV~
"This country is coming to an end," Anthea said. "Even if this is our punishment… I will still go against it."
She looked back at N, and started to take her sash off of her dress.
"Here, borrow my clothes," she said, "Wear them and escape quickly. It's okay, we're siblings. No one can tell the difference."
N opened his mouth, wanting to argue. The pieces of Anthea's plan were coming together in his head. He couldn't let her do this, he was the king, he had to take responsibility for whatever was coming… and yet, he couldn't. His mouth couldn't form any words to stop her. He wasn't strong enough.
The room shuttered as a deafening roar from the outside was called. N knew this call, the same one he had heard so many times. The Shadow Triad had finally defeated his dragon. He could see it in the pain his sister's eyes.
"We better hurry," she said, almost cheerful as she held her clothes in her arms, waiting for N to do the same.
Not having a choice, almost calmed by the look in Anthea's eyes, N swapped his shirt and pants for a dress, which seemed to fit him perfectly.
Anthea, who now was the 'king', went to sit in her throne.
"Well," she said, "Aren't you going to leave?"
N shook his head. His feet wouldn't move. Anthea stood up, and walked towards him.
"At least you shouldn't just stand there. Come on." She took him by the shoulders and led him to the throne, where it was large enough for both of them to sit. They stay there for a while, sounds coming from the lower levels. A door being rammed open. People yelling. Footsteps running through the halls, looking for the king.
N looked at Anthea, whose focus didn't move from the entrance to the throne room. Her face, which was so much like his own, was full of determination. His voice once again failed him, wanting to ask so many things. How could she stay so strong through all of this? N knew she would die. He would get away without a scratch, and yet he was the one sobbing like a baby.
His mouth finally let out a silent "Why?" At first N thought Anthea didn't hear him, as she didn't react. Then, as footsteps could be heard outside of the doorway, Anthea said one final thing to N.
"Please live on."
With those words, Anthea pushed N to the side wall, making him stumble and fall. As he sat up against the cold stone, the rebels entered the room.
The first to enter was Black. A female black, with the white armor and a sword in hand, ran into the room, Black's precious Samorott running beside her. Anger and triumph entered the female Black eyes as she slowed, and walked towards Anthea, who was now N.
The next was Leaf. Her eyes were just as determined as the female Black's, although she showed no happiness in the capture. Red splatter covered her armor, and no Pokémon were by her side.
The last rebel N recognized was Cheren, although he had no armor on. Six shiny electronic Poké Balls sat in his belt. Surely they were a rarity barely anyone had.
Two more entered the room, and N recognized neither of them. They all walked forward a few steps, but held back, except for the female Black. It was her job to capture the 'king', and take her to what should be N's fate. The female Black walked forward, right past N, who was invisible in the shadows.
Anthea stayed still, calmly staring into the female Black's eyes as she and the Samorott walked closer. Finally, inches from Anthea, the female Black stopped walking, and the Samorott took a hidden sword and held it to Anthea's neck. Checkmate, it seemed to say. The king had been captured.
"You insolent woman!" Anthea yelled, fake anger in her voice.
The rest of the rebels walked up to the captured Anthea, and Leaf just happened to glance in N's direction. He held his breath, and stayed still, other than the tears still streaming down his face, praying Leaf couldn't see him. Leaf made a double take, and stared where N sat for a few breathless moments.
"We're leaving," the female Black announced, and Leaf looked away from N. The two rebels N didn't recognize took Anthea by the arms, and led her out of the room.
A chilly silence hung in the empty room, and N broke down into loud sobs, and he collapsed onto the cold stone floor, where he lay for the rest of the night.
And so the time comes…
N stood at the foot of the Celestial Tower, where the execution was about to take place. He clutched the cloak that covered his miss-matched clothing. He had put on the first things that fit in the castle, as Anthea still had his clothes. His face was covered with dried tears; tears he had to stop unless he wanted to attract attention in the crowd.
The crowd had a happy atmosphere; everyone was celebrating the independence they had won only a day ago. They would only, truly be free once the king was gone, along with his laws, because the only possible heir to the kingdom had fled. Or, that's what they were told. The real king was standing among them, alive and well. It was the heir who would be gone in only a few short moments.
The celestial bell signals the end…
Alder and Leaf stood on either side a tall and threatening guillotine. N had never seen one, and yet remembered it from a lesson Concordia had taught him. He solemnly sighed, wondering where his mother had ever gone.
The crowd around N had grown even larger, and even more cheerful. A laugh here was heard; plans of the future there. Poké Balls were being passed around like party favors, which would be able to be used to, once again, capture Pokémon once three o'clock passed.
Finally, moments before the bell was to be rung, Anthea was taken into the crude stage made moments before this occasion. She was dressed in the same clothing N normally wore, looking just like the king down to the smallest detail. Anthea looked up only for a moment, and N saw in her familiar eyes no regret.
You ignore the citizen's stares…
As Anthea was led to the guillotine, N's memories of her flashed before his eyes. When they were little, standing in front of this very tower, the earliest memory he had. Times when she had played with him, cheered him up, and even protected him. Her face when he had told her to kill Ethan. The wonderful moment of seeing her face after the task was done. When she shooed him form the battle at Victory Road. The very last thing he remembered was her confident face, telling him to live on. Then, the Celestial bell rang.
And say my line.
"Ah, it's snack time."
Tear streamed down N's face as he called out Anthea's name, drowned out by the sound of the blade dropping.
If we were ever reborn…
"Arceus, forgive me… Anthea, please… Forgive me…"
Let's play again.
