Merry Christmas! Here's your Xmas present -a new chapter! (I could have posted it a bit earlier, but everyone would have been busy having, y'know, actual lives w/ their families. So I'm posting it after all that's done and everyone's bored XP.)

This chapter actually had to be split into two parts, b/c there was so much added to the original (which wasn't that long before). It appears that the original chapter 4 will also be split in two chapters, which means the Black section will actually be about 7 chapters instead of 5. Oh well, you guys would prefer more updates versus reading 17000+ words at once, right? XD

The mutations begin this chapter (though it won't really kick in until a couple more chapters). A lot of added scenes, as well as game scenes greatly altered. Enjoy!

Chapter 3 - The Winter: With a Voice Like Snow

Mistralton City- (Whoa! A cold wind suddenly blew! And now Layla looks happy? Foe N appeared! Foe N just looks so very happy. Gym Leader Skyla became confused!)

Those first snowflakes of winter soon turned into the first blizzard of winter, so Layla spent her first day in Mistralton City holed up inside the Pokemon Center. Though the place wasn't much of a city: it barely counted as a town, really. It was more like a large settlement built around a larger airport.

With the new season came new clothes. Layla was now wearing a black coat with pink trimming and matching Pokeball patterns on the pockets, with black fingerless gloves. A long pink scarf was wrapped around her neck, the stylishly-frayed ends slowly deepening to red at the tips. Her jean shorts were replaced by full jean pants, and her boots…were actually the same, for they could handle snow and ice as well as rough terrain. And of course she still had her trusty baseball cap, which was good for all weathers and seasons.

Getting her sixth Badge was more of a pain than she expected, mostly because she had to track down Gym Leader Skyla before she could have a proper battle with her. Layla normally would have been angrier about this, but as she traveled Servine evolved into Serperior. This alone was enough to put Layla in high spirits for the rest of the day. Her little snake-like Pokemon was now a full-blown snake Pokemon that was over ten feet long! What could be more awesome than that?

After all the hassle of finding Skyla and then getting through her Gym, Skyla herself wasn't that tough a Trainer. Layla's Blitzle-turned-Zebstrika took care of the Flying-types by itself.

"Aren't the cannons fun?" chirped Skyla beside Layla, as they walked toward the Gym exit. Skyla was a cheerful spirit of a girl, with long pink hair and a somewhat skimpy outfit that sported every shade of blue.

Layla did not dignify that with an answer. Being shot out of cannons to get around was more hair-raising than fun. Especially that last one, which actually shot her into a wall. Her shoulder still stung from the impact. It was probably going to have a horrendous bruise by tomorrow. Still, have could have been worse…a lot worse actually. For all the crazy things Gyms were designed to do, this was the first Layla thought of as actually dangerous…

"Your Pokemon are really strong," Skyla went on, apparently not noticing Layla's lack of reply. "I'm sure you'll beat Team Plasma and their Plasma King easily."

Layla let out a sigh of frustration. "Oh, that guy…Mr. King himself…"

"So what's it like fighting against an evil mastermind anyway?" asked Skyla. "I mean, worst thing I usually have to deal with is some goods being shipped to the wrong place or engine trouble…"

Layla paused. "I'm…not sure if I would describe him as an evil mastermind, exactly."

Skyla also stopped, her head cocked to one side. "Really? But he's the leader of Team Plasma, right? And they're obviously bad guys, no matter what they say."

"I know, it's just…" Layla began, letting out an aggravated groan before she started walking again. "I don't know what to think of him, honestly. He's so confusing to deal with."

"Well, what's he like?" asked Skyla.

Layla took a deep breath as she began to push the Gym doors open. "N is…an egotistical liar and poser, who loves Pokemon more than himself, which is really saying something, who did not know how to use sunblock at all when I first met him, yet loves being outside now, who is a Trainer even though he hates it and wants to liberate all Pokemon, who seeks attention constantly yet is almost shy at times, who talks to and understands Pokemon even though he is not a Pokemon, believe me I checked-"

"Slow down," said Skyla. "You're talking too fast. I can't understand you."

But Layla refused to be interrupted, even as she started to go outside. It was so bright out, with snow hiding all the colors and reflecting the sunlight. "-Who is both obnoxiously adult and childish, who is intelligent but stupid, who likes cotton candy and is afraid thunder, who fights me as an enemy yet calls me a friend, who-"

"Hello Layla!" greeted the jade-haired boy waiting just outside, a big smile on his face.

"Arceus!" Layla exclaimed, jumping and nearly colliding with a startled Skyla behind her. "N!"

"The only and one," replied the jade-haired boy, extending his arms out as he took a deliberate step back.

"…Don't you mean the one and only?" questioned Layla with a raised eyebrow.

"I like my version better," N replied, folding his arms and holding his head high.

"Of course you do," Layla answered dryly. "Did you pick out those clothes yourself too?"

N was sealed in very poofy white coat with bright red mittens, along with at least three layers of emerald-green pants. His long white scarf was spattered with black snowflakes. He still wore his usual black-and-white cap under some fluffy white earmuffs with tufts that stuck upward like mini Christmas trees. His dark-green snow boots had a white star stamped on each tip and on the sides.

"This is an outfit in fact selected by the wise Seven Sages," N said with an air of haughtiness, turning to better show his all-important clothes.

…I really shouldn't be surprised, thought Layla, as she remembered Ghetsis and his own unsightly garb. She fought valiantly to suppress her laughter, and was surprised when she succeeded. "You look like an Abomasnow."

N blinked. "I've never seen one of those. What do they look like?"

"They're big and fat and ridiculous-looking," said Layla. She smiled impishly. "In other words, take a look in the mirror."

N frowned. "That's not a kind thing to say of a Pokemon. They cannot help how they look."

"But you're human, and you can help how you look," Layla countered, poking his fluffy coat. N seemed unsure about the momentary touch, but did nothing.

"Seriously, that outfit looks hard to move around in," Layla went on. "You don't have to wear puffy stuff to stay warm - in fact, just a couple extra layers of regular clothes usually works way better. Looks way better too."

N was quiet at first. "…Ah. I will discuss a renovation of my winter clothes with my sages later. I do not want people thinking of me as an Abomasnow."

"Good," replied Layla, nodding. "So, are you stalking me now or what? How long have you been out here?"

"Why, I was just passing through when I saw you enter the Gym, so I thought I would wait outside for you," N answered casually.

So, a couple hours then, thought Layla. Does he have no life? I mean, doesn't he have Plasma stuff to do at least…?

"It's a beautiful day today!" N went on. "So much sunlight today! I love the sunlight now, you know. And snow is fascinating!" The jade-haired boy began cheerfully stomp around and kick at the snow on the ground. His expression was so pure and gleeful that Layla couldn't help but smile.

"So this is…the Plasma King?"

Layla snapped back to reality as she turned toward a puzzled Skyla. She had forgotten that the Gym Leader was there. "Yeah, that's the Plasma King. Lord No-Good himself."

N seemed to regain himself as well, his face growing serious as he pompously walked back over to Layla and Skyla. "So you just battled Skyla and won your badge, yes?"

"Sure did!" Layla shouted, pumping her fist into the air. Then her shoulder started hurting, so she started to rub it. At least it wasn't her Pokeball-throwing shoulder…

"Are you alright?" asked N.

"Yeah," Layla answered, still caressing her shoulder. "Last cannon in the Gym kinda shot me right into a wall, and my shoulder took the brunt of it."

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Skyla exclaimed. "It's not supposed to do that. I'll get that cannon fixed right away."

"Do so!" snapped N, causing Skyla to jump. "That could have been serious! You should not be hurting people with your Gym!"

Both Skyla and Layla gaped at N for a bit. Neither had expected that kind of reaction from him. N's expression remained cross.

"…Say, N?" Layla began with a slight smile. "Since when did you start getting so concerned for humans?"

N suddenly appeared flustered, looking away. "T-The Pokemon may get hurt too. It proves what a terribly absurd formula Pokemon Gyms are. They should not exist. Then no one would be hurt." He tried to pull his cap over his eyes, but the band of his fuzzy earmuffs kept his hat firmly in place. "A-Ah…"

Layla didn't know whether to laugh at him or hug…No. Hugging was absolutely out of the question. Why would she even think that?

After a couple more awkward moments N straightened himself and grew calm again. "They may say it's for understanding one another better, but what Trainers really use battles for is to compete…" Now his blue-gray eyes flared with anger. "And they hurt each other's Pokemon! Am I the only one who finds this terribly painful?"

There N went again with the mood swings. Layla wasn't sure how to reply to that herself. Skyla uncomfortably shifted her feet.

"Whatever…" N muttered, a strangely…normal word for him to say. He turned to Layla. "I'm going to talk to your Pokemon."

As if this was a summons, Layla's Zebstrika abruptly burst out of the Pokeball on her belt. It made a happy bleating sound as it pranced over to N.

"Zebstrika!" Layla protested, as much in surprise as in anger. How did that happen? Pokemon normally couldn't just break out of their Pokeballs, though they could make them quiver. Usually only a Psychic-type could do that, or a Pokemon with Psychic-type moves…neither of which applied to her Zebstrika.

N rubbed Zebstrika behind the ears, glanced at Layla, and then very quickly returned his blue-gray eyes to Zebstrika. Once again he tried to pull his hat down, and once again he failed. "I've been living with Pokemon since I was born, so it's easier for me to talk with them than with people…" he said a bit quietly.

Layla was caught off-guard by the abrupt admission. She was thrown even more off-balance when he looked up to her with a small, awkward smile, so unlike his usual grins.

Layla suddenly felt…she didn't know what she felt. But it felt good.

Then in an instant, his eyes were closed and his little smile was gone, replaced by his typical grin. "Because Pokemon never tell lies." He focused back on the electric zebra Pokemon. "Hey Zebstrika. Would you tell me what kind of Trainer Layla is?"

Zebstrika whinnied, the cry as ear-splitting as ever. This was followed by more neighs and bleats that were just as piercing as the first whinny, as the electric zebra paced around N.

"Oh?" replied N, his tone and body much more relaxed now that he was talking to a Pokemon instead of a human. Layla didn't know how he could stand all the screeching, but he seemed not to notice the shrillness.

While N was absorbed in his conversation with Zebstrika, Layla turned to Skyla. "So, what do you think of him?"

"He's…different," Skyla admitted.

Layla snorted in amusement. "No kidding. Anything more specific than that?"

"Well…" Skyla began, gazing upward for a moment before looking back at Layla. "I dunno, honestly. I've never seen anyone like him before."

"Me neither," said Layla. "I don't think I'll ever understand him…And that's what makes him so dangerous. 'Cause he's the Lord of Neurosis."

Both girls stayed silent for a while, watching N apparently enjoying his chat with Zebstrika. He laughed at one particular whinny, and Layla wondered just what her Pokemon was telling the jade-haired boy.

"But you know, he doesn't strike me as a bad person," Skyla added.

"…I know," Layla admitted. "It makes everything so damn confusing. See my problem?"

"OK, OK, got it," N was saying to Zebstrika, nodding. "So Layla was born in Nuvema Town, lives with Mom, and was given a Pokedex to start off a journey to see the world."

Layla suspected a lot more was said than that. She hoped it wasn't anything too bad…or embarrassing. She didn't really think of how her Pokemon saw so much of what she did, since they didn't comment in any language she or anyone else understood…anyone else besides N anyway…She needed to be more careful.

N turned to Layla, his expression becoming more serious. "Still, this Zebstrika trusts you for some reason."

Layla was about to give a haughty answer when N beamed at her again, that same warm, shy smile from before. Whatever words she had prepared tumbled out of her brain. Her Zebstrika returned to her with a small neigh, and she numbly returned to to its Pokeball.

"That's good!" N said cheerfully. "If every person and Pokemon cared about one another like you two do, I could watch over the future of people and Pokemon without having to liberate Pokemon from people who just use them."

"Does he always talk this much?" Skyla whispered to Layla.

"Yes," Layla replied with a sigh, watching N strut about as he spoke. "And it looks like we haven't even heard half of it yet."

"Ghetsis is using Team Plasma to search for some special stones - the Light Stone and the Dark Stone…" N was carrying on, holding his arms out dramatically. "It is said that when they lost their physical form, they fell into a slumber and were transformed. Now, they wait for the hero's arrival…"

Layla began to tune N out halfway through his latest speech. While N was enraptured by his own voice and motions, Layla bent down and picked up some snow. Skyla, who was looking more bewildered by the moment, gave Layla and puzzled glance.

"I shall resurrect a legendary Dragon-type Pokemon from one of these stones, and become its friend," N continued, oblivious. "That will show the world that I am the new hero. Everyone will follow what I say!"

SPLAT!

N staggered back, the remains of Layla's snowball splattered all over his hair and face. His blue-gray eyes were wide with confusion and disbelief. "…Why did you throw snow at me?"

"Because you talk too much," replied Layla matter-of-factly. "How'd you like the snowball to the face?"

N blinked, his epxression blank. "A snowball…?"

Now Layla was the one who was staring. "C'mon, you gotta know what a snowball is. You know, snowballs, snowball fights, snowmen, snow-angels."

N remained awkwardly silent.

"Oh, of all the-" Layla muttered, stomping over to N. What did she honestly expect? This was the boy who ate sunblock, after all. "Let me show you, Lord Noob."

"Noob…?" questioned N.

"Someone who is deliberately ignorant," Layla explained, as she bent down to pick up more snow.

N mirrored her movements cautiously. "I am not deliberately ignorant."

"Yes you are," Layla answered, cupping her hands as she began to mold the snow into a sphere. "You lock yourself up in your own little world with your own big opinions, and don't bother listening to anyone else who slightly disagrees with you. That's being deliberately ignorant, which makes you a noob."

"I listen to Pokemon," N countered, very carefully forming his own snowball.

"You need to listen to people too," Layla answered. "You're talking about the relationship between Pokemon and people. You're…how would you put it…leaving out a key variable in your formula. Can't solve the equation to change the world if you don't know all the variables, right?"

N scowled, for once staying quiet. His frown gradually melted away as he became engrossed in the creation of his snowball. By the time was done he was beaming, cradling his perfectly constructed creation. Layla almost felt bad for making him drop it when she ambushed him with her own snowball. Almost.

So the five-minute snowball-making lesson swiftly evolved into a two-hour snowball fight. Skyla even joined in for a little while, but was soon called away to fulfill her duties as Gym Leader. She smiled as she left, but Layla thought she saw an uneasiness behind that smile.

Layla had the advantage, not just because of N's lack of snowball-throwing experience, but because of N's lack of experience in throwing anything besides basketballs and darts (Layla was surprised that he even knew, or bothered, with those two activities). He had never even thrown a Pokeball before: all the Pokemon he had ever caught had come right up to him and volunteered to go into their Pokeballs. It only somewhat surprised Layla at this point.

Still, the snowball fight gave Layla an excuse to try to figure out something that had been bugging her.

"You aim sucks!" Layla taunted after another of N's misses. "Lord…Nate!" She flung one of her own snowballs at him.

N dodged the attack, something he was very good at doing. "That is not my name."

"Then what is your name?"

"N."

"No it's not!" Layla shouted. "Nobody's actually named after a letter! I don't think it's even legal! So I'll figure out your name, Lord…Noah!" She threw another snowball.

N evaded the next snowball too. "No."

"Ned!" Another snowball

"No." Another dodge.

"Neil!" Yet another snowball.

"No." Yet another evasion.

"Nick!" A fifth snowball.

"No." A fifth avoidance.

"I'll keep calling you stupid names until you tell me your real one!" Layla yelled.

"You would keep calling me stupid names even if you did know my real name," N countered smoothly.

"Aha! So you do have a real name!" Layla hollered in triumph.

N's response was cut off when Layla nailed him in the face with another snowball. He appeared rather cross as he wiped the snow off his face.

"So…Nelson!"

"No."

"Nehemiah!"

"No."

"Neville, Newton, Nigel, Noland, Nikolai, Norbert!"

"No, no, no, no, no, and no."

Layla growled. "Alright then…Nancy!"

"…But that's a girl's name," N said with a raised eyebrow.

"Eh, you act enough like one sometimes…Natalie! Natasha, Nina, Nola, Nessie!"

"I am not a girl."

"Sue!" Layla shouted, tossing her snowball. It shot far over N's head.

"…But that doesn't even start with the letter N," said the Plasma King, clearly confused.

"Haven't you heard the song…" Layla began, and then paused upon seeing N's increasingly puzzled expression. "…Nevermind."

"Why do you want to know my name so badly?" asked N.

"Because…" Layla said, before stopping. "Because…Because names are important!"

"Not to Pokemon they're not," said N matter-of-factly. "They are often able to directly identify each other without the use of extra titles. That is all names are - extra titles. Pokemon do not need names as humans do."

"But you're human!" Layla exclaimed with frustration. "You need a proper name like everyone else! You deserve a proper name like everyone else!"

N stared at her curiously, apparently not sure what to make of her words.

"…Whatever," Layla said, sighing. She let herself fall back into the snow.

"Are you alright?" asked N.

"Yeah," Layla answered. "Just…what a day, eh?"

"…I suppose that is true," N replied. His body relaxed and he too fell, landing with a soft crunch beside her. "…I was only supposed to be here a few minutes, you know."

"Yeah, me too," said Layla, gazing up to the pink-and-yellow sky. It was approaching dusk already? "Cheren and even Bianca are probably way ahead of me now…Oh well."

"Oh well," echoed N.

Layla began moving her arms and legs up and down in the snow. N stared at Layla's odd movements for a few moments. Then he smiled and began to mimick her, though he was obviously puzzled by what she was doing.

Layla laughed, and then got up, inspecting her work. N soon joined her.

"See, snow angels," Layla said, pointing to their imprints in the snow.

N studied the snow angels with a curious expression. "…It is a stretch, I think."

"Eh, it's close enough," Layla replied with a wave of her hand.

There were heavy footsteps behind them. Both Layla and N turned to see Ghetsis approaching them from behind.

"Ah, there you are, Lord N," said Ghetsis. "The other Sages and I were concerned when you did not arrive back on schedule."

"Ah, I did not mean to worry you and the others," answered N, his expression now back to its regal seriousness. "I was merely perfecting my snowball-fighting technique with Layla, and forgot about the time."

Ghetsis frowned as he raised an eyebrow. "A snowball fight, your Majesty? Surely such a trivial activity is unneeded for -"

"And I need a new winter outfit!" N added. "One that does not make me look like an Abomasnow! I must be taken seriously!"

"…As you wish, Lord N," Ghetsis replied, clearly unhappy with being interrupted and charged with a new trifling task.

N turned back to Layla with a noble grin. "My vision is to change the world without using force. Trying to change the world by force will just make others resist. If people resist, the ones that will be hurt are the innocent Pokemon used by foolish Trainers." At these words his expression turned somber. "You understand. Pokemon are not just tools for people to use!"

"And I agree with you," said Layla. "For once."

This seemed to calm down N slightly, and he turned away. "As a result…Pokemon and Trainers who care about one another, like you and your Pokemon, will be separated. And that does break my heart a little."

"Can't you just let the good Trainers keep their Pokemon, and only take Pokemon from the bad Trainers?" Layla offered. "I mean, you'd save yourself a lot of trouble that way. If you just focus on the people who are abusing their Pokemon, and not attacking just any Trainer, then you'll get a lot more support that way, and it works out for everybody."

N remained silent, his back still turned toward her.

"Shall we go back now?" offered Ghetsis, stepping closer to N.

N did nothing at first, but then nodded. "Of course. I did mean to arrive back earlier. Let us go."

Both Ghetsis and N began to leave, N following Ghetsis nonchalantly. Then N glanced back at Layla, and offered a smile and a parting wave.

Layla waved back, smiling slightly as she did so. She wondered if any of her opinion got through that thick skull of his, as she watched the two of them walk out of sight. Then she went inside the Pokemon Center, just as snow began to fall.

There was another half-foot of snow outside by the next morning. Their rampant tracks all around town and their two snow angels outside had already been swallowed by the new whiteness.

Route 7- (Layla is challenged by Cheren! Cheren is looking endearingly at Layla. Layla's Attack and Special Attack dropped! Cheren is looking at the mountain as if anticipating climbing it.)

Layla had explored most of the overgrown grasses of Route 7 already, when she had been looking for Skyla. So she very much appreciated the precarious but effective strip walkways that allowed her to avoid most of it. Besides, they were fun - she had always possessed good balance, and here she could show it off. It was almost like being in the circus, only she had wild Pokemon and the occasional Trainer to witness her prowess.

Just as Layla reached the steps leading to Twist Mountain, she spotted a certain bespectacled black-haired boy coming up behind her. She turned with a start to face Cheren.

Cheren too had changed to his winter outfit. A dark blue scarf was coiled around his neck and black gloves covered his hands snugly. A thicker cobalt coat had replaced his usual gray-blue one, and dark brown boots had supplanted his blue shoes. His face and ears looked a bit red, but it might have been from the frigid winds. He had always hated winter and its coldness.

Cheren…Layla thought nervously, remembering the restaurant scene. Now that she thought of it, this had been their first time seeing each other since then. Now even a simple encounter like this felt awkward…

"Layla!" Cheren announced, obviously trying to look tough and cool. "Since we both hold the Jet Badge now, let's see which of us is stronger!" He released his Unfezant, now fully evolved from his Pidove. Now, instead of being a little gray bird, it was a big gray bird with long red feathers around its eyes and a green underbelly. But it still had the same proud posture.

Layla responded to his challenge with a smile and sent out her own Unfezant to fight. A Pokemon battle. This she could handle.

Cheren returned a grin of his own. "Your strength…And my strength…Right. Let's test them."

IIIIII

"Can you be strong even if you lose?" asked Cheren, mostly to himself, as he sent out Pignite. "Is winning everything?"

"Of course it is!" Layla shouted, her Zebstrika neighing and stomping the ground. "Even if it's a small victory, a victory's a victory! The little victories are what lead up to the big victories! So, even in something like this, winning is important!"

Cheren frowned. "I know that's what you always say, but…whatever. Pignite, Arm Thrust!"

"Zebstrika, Spark!" shouted Layla. "And I always say stuff like that because it's true! Only losers say that winning isn't important. Don't be a loser, Cherie."

Zebstrika rushed forward and struck Pignite before the rotund, pig-like creature could even move. The electric ramming attack sent Pignite flying, and it crashed beside Cheren unconscious.

"Pignite!" Cheren exclaimed.

"Whoa, must have been a critical hit," remarked Layla, also surprised by the strength of the blow. She returned her Zebstrika to its Pokeball. "Good job, Zekstrika."

Cheren also recalled Pignite, albeit without any rewarding words.

"And remember, losing to me doesn't make you a loser 'cause I'm awesome," Layla added cheerfully. "Seriously though, that was a great battle. You might be sulking now, Cherie, but I could tell you were having fun too. Don't even try to deny it."

Cheren silently nodded, though he still didn't smile. "Pokemon battles are fun. But what is it to be truly strong?"

Layla rolled her slate-blue eyes. "I told you over and over, you are strong, Cheren. Don't be so-"

"That was a fine Pokemon battle!" a familiar gruff voice echoed from somewhere above, causing both Layla and Cheren to startle. "I'm happy to see that you are both growing as Trainers!"

Both Layla and Cheren looked up to see Alder near the cave entrance to Twist Mountain. The wild-haired man leapt down from his considerable perch, landing perfectly, and then strolled over to Cheren.

"If it isn't the Champion, Alder," Cheren commented coldly. Apparently any previous thoughts of apologizing to Alder had slipped from Cheren's mind now that the man was actually here. "I'm weak, so I lost!…And honestly, it bothers me when you call it a fine battle despite that."

Layla had to refrain herself from slapping her childhood friend. He didn't have to be that much of a grouch about losing. Sure, she wasn't one to talk, but still-

"Oh, honestly Cheren. Just accept the compliment without the stinging remark," Alder replied with an exasperated sigh, echoing Layla's own sentiments. "I've asked you this before, but what do you plan to do after becoming strong?"

Cheren stood straighter, as if he was about to receive a medal. "If I get strong and become the Champion, that will be the reason for my existence. I want to prove that I'm really living."

"Hmm…" Alder mused, rubbing his chin. "You remind me of Marshal."

"Marshal?" both Layla and Cheren asked.

"Of course, having something you want to become is important," Alder went on, either not noticing or ignoring their question. "But what's even more important is what you do with that newfound power."

Cheren's countenance became both puzzled and nervous. Apparently he hadn't thought that far ahead yet.

"Anyway, take this!" Alder said, tossing a HM03 Machine to Cheren. He barely caught it. Alder then turned to Layla. "Here - you too." Layla caught her own HM03 with little trouble.

As Alder blabbed on about how to use Surf - which any respectable Trainer already knew how to do, in Layla's unedited opinion - she glanced back over to Cheren. He wasn't paying attention to Alder's instructions either, gazing at his machine blankly. It bothered Layla, seeing him like that. Why did that Alder guy have to mess with Cheren's head? He was fine the way he was!

"I shall see you again, young Trainers," Alder concluded with a smile. "Don't forget about the needs of the Pokemon at your side!" Then the Champion left them, disappearing into the tall grasses.

Cheren was staring in the direction Alder went long after the man was gone. "What I do with my power…I don't know that answer yet." Then his gaze hardened into a defiant glare. "First, I want to become a strong Trainer so everyone will acknowledge that power!"

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" Layla cheered. "Knock 'em flat, and nobody will mess with you or any of your friends! That's what strength is about!"

He turned to Layla quickly. The determination ablaze in his slate-blue eyes took Layla off-guard. His gaze softened to a more gentle fire as he smiled. "Layla…"

"Uh…" she began, looking away.

Then Cheren's eyes and expression returned to their usual coollness. "Next time, I will win!" He began going up the steps.

Layla followed him hurriedly. "Cheren, about what I was saying before Flame-Head interrupted us…"

"…Yeah?" asked Cheren, not looking back at her.

"You know, you've always been the bravest of us," Layla began. "And before you say otherwise, my bravery is different from yours. As we all know, I'm crazy. I don't feel fear like most people do, or should, so I do all kinds of crazy things. But…when I am scared…I just freeze up. Good thing I don't feel fear much, because I sure can't handle it well."

"You seem to do pretty well to me," answered Cheren.

"Well, like I said, not much scares me, even when it should," Layla replied with a smile and a shrug. "But you, even when you're scared, you-"

"You calling me a coward," Cheren growled.

"No! That's not-" Layla snapped, before sighing. "Look, you remember that time when we were five or six or whatever and Bianca was stuck up a tree because a Trubbish chased her up there?"

Cheren nodded. "I remember that. I threw rocks at it, and when that didn't work I went over there and kicked it. It went away then, but I managed to get myself poisoned and had to be rushed off to the hospital. Man, I was stupid back then."

Layla smiled and shook her head. "No, that was awesome. You remember what I did?"

"…No, actually…"

"Yeah, I stayed hidden in the bushes, 'cause that Trubbish freaked me out back then," Layla answered with a whimsical yet sad smile. "And when you got poisoned, I spent most of the time whining and crying 'cause I didn't know what to do. It was Bianca who had the common sense to get help."

"Oh yeah, I do remember that," said Cheren. "I remember feeling bad for making you cry. And for getting poisoned. I thought strong people weren't supposed to get poisoned. They never did in the shows."

Arceus, did this all start back then? Layla wondered. "Point is, you were the one who actually did something about the Trubbish, even though we were all scared of it. And that's what makes you strong: Even when you're scared, you know what to do, and you do it. They say that true bravery is doing what needs to be done even if you're scared, and that's the kind of bravery you have, Cheren. I'm just the nutso kind of brave."

Cheren paused at the top of the stairs. "But that won't do me a whiff of good if I'm weak."

"So you work on getting stronger so that you can make a difference when it counts," Layla concluded, catching up with him and smiling. "Get so strong that you can kick a Garbodor into the next region without even trying. Be a hero. Motivation problem solved."

Cheren chuckled. "I suppose so. Need to find myself a hero school, or something…though I'd be starting about fourteen years too late…"

"Yeah, you kinda have to be born into that kind of thing, don't you?" remarked Layla. "Wouldn't that be awesome though? To be chosen when you're a baby and then specially raised to be a hero? You know, like in the old shows we used to watch. You wouldn't have to worry about school or anything stupid like that, 'cause you're a hero!"

"You mean like The Golurk Boy?" asked Cheren with a smirk, as they entered the cave in Twist Mountain.

"Yeah!" Layla replied, her voice reverberating against the massive brown stone walls. "Cause The Golurk Boy was raised by a bunch of priests and a bunch of Golurk on an island in the middle of nowhere, and every episode he was defeating some bad guy."

"You always cheered for the bad guys, if I remember right," Cheren pointed out.

"Hey, they were cool bad guys!" Layla retorted. "Man, I still even remember the theme song. Golurk Boy! Golurk Boy!"

"Beat the sorrow and spread the joy!" Cheren continued. "Prove that justice is not just a ploy! That freedom is not just a toy!"

"BAM! BAM!" both Layla and Cheren shouted together, throwing out a mock punch in sync for each BAM. "Fight for what's right! BAM! BAM! Drive back the night! BAM! BAM! Golurk Boy is out of sight! BAM! BAM! Golurk Boooo-"

Then they spotted a certain self-proclaimed sheriff Gym Leader up ahead, watching them with a smile. Both Layla and Cheren immediately stopped their chorus, and their faces began to turn red.

"What a surprise," said Clay, waving to them casually. "Seein' ya here while I was inspecting Twist Mountain. Th' two of ya seem a bit more rugged than the last time I saw ya." His grin turned into a smirk. "A li'l bit, anyway…"

"Is that so," Cheren said skeptically, his tone purposefully mature to make up for the previous silliness.

Layla glared at Clay. She didn't like the man, not because he was a portly sheriff type, but because he was so obviously trying to be the portly sheriff type, and failing. His overdone accent and way of speech, the way he proclaimed his sheriff status yet did little else beyond usual Gym Leader duties…he was almost as bad as N. No, worse than N - at least N truly believed his cause, as demented as it was. Clay was only playacting and knew it, and was satisfied with that.

"You two sprouts are jus' like peas in o' pod, ain't ya?" Clay added, a big grin on his face. "Couple o' crazy squirts takin' on everythin' together. And when th' two of ya have youngins' of your own, they'll be just as crazy as you are!" He began to laugh loudly as Layla's and Cheren's faces grew from red to scarlet. "Don't go rushin' into nothin' like that now, though," he added with utmost seriousness.

"…Trust us, we won't…" Cheren replied stiffly.

Of all the- Layla thought in outrage. I oughta sic Serperior on his fat ass, see if he's still laughing if he's got Leech Seed sapping his strength…Yeah, I oughta do it right now, I'm gonna-

Layla felt a pat on her shoulder, and glanced at Cheren. He seemed to have quickly reclaimed his calmness, and this caused Layla to relax. She lowered the hand that had been going to her Serperior's Pokeball.

"By th' by…You folks seen that Team Plasma crowd lately?" asked Clay, his face now more sober. "After all that trouble we Gym Leaders met up and had a chat. But we've got no clue where they are. It's like they're hiding under a rock."

Now that I think of it, where would they be hiding? Layla wondered. It'd have to be someplace pretty big, but pretty isolated too…Those guys and their King Nabob are way too conspicuous to blend in…the mess in Castelia City and…well, anytime I've met N is proof enough of that.

"Well, not much to do but wait for 'em to move," went on Clay, shrugging. "Anyhow, this is none of your concern. Squirts like the two of ya should just enjoy travelin' with yer Pokemon."

Layla saw Cheren's brow twitch at the word squirts. She understood his anger - hadn't they proved they were more than squirts when they had tracked down and rounded up those Plasma people back in Driftveil?

Clay turned to the path before them. "Twist Mountain's a fine place to explore! You'll have some fun if you just leave this here path…Weeell…Better ya just go see it yerself, 'stead o' listenin' to me yammer." He turned back to Layla and Cheren. "Be seein' ya, sprouts! Feel free to train yerselves on my mountain for as long's ya like." He proudly strutted forward, and Cheren had to move aside in order for Clay to pass.

There was an uncomfortable silence between Layla and Cheren at first, as they waited to make sure Clay was gone. Layla glanced at Cheren, who was obviously agitated by the Gym Leader's belittlement of them, and was probably still perturbed by Alder's words as well. Anger blazed in Layla - no wonder Cheren's confidence was down, with all these stuck-up adults treating him like he was some troublesome tyke. She hated them for that.

"I thought he was going to get us involved in all that bother again, so I was bracing myself before I knew it," Cheren admitted, shaking his head. "I'm going in first, but I'll be seeing you." He began to go ahead, and then paused. "And…be careful." He started walking again.

"Hell with being careful and being left behind!" Layla exclaimed with irritation, dashing after him. "I'm coming with you! I need somebody to combo with to deal with all the stupid Boldore!"

Cheren stopped and smirked. "Only if you can keep up with me."

"Same to you, Cherie."

Twist Mountain- (Go Layla! And Cheren! Foe Plasma Grunt and Foe Plasma Grunt appeared! Foe Plasma Grunt and Foe Plasma Grunt fled!)

Layla and Cheren did get separated in the labyrinth of Twist Mountain. They got separated many times, in fact. The sheer size of the place, combined with all the Trainers and all the broken wooden walkways (wasn't that dangerous, especially with all the snow and ice?) made it hard to keep track of each other. But each time they finally did reunite, and managed to stay together for longer periods of time.

Aside from constantly losing their way and each other, there was only one snag in their lengthy trip. They encountered a Plasma grunt near the exit, and Cheren yelled at him about how it wasn't true strength to steal other people's Pokemon. There would have been an outright Pokemon match, if it wasn't for a second Plasma grunt running in and saying something about finding that item. Neither Layla or Cheren knew what that item was, and both grunts dashed out before they could find out.

Icirrus City- (Wild Cedric Juniper appeared! Gym Leader Brycen appeared! Shadow Triad appeared! Cheren used Wild Charge!)

When Layla and Cheren emerged from Twist Mountain, the first thing they saw was a man with pale brown hair, a matching goatee, and a great big smile. The man introduced himself as Cedric Juniper, father of the Professor Juniper they knew, and blabbed on about some legend about someplace called Dragonspiral Tower. Neither Layla or Cheren listened closely - both they and their Pokemon were exhausted from their trek, and just wanted to find the nearest Pokemon Center.

After Cedric Juniper finally stopped talking and left, Hilbert popped out of the cave mouth behind Layla and Cheren. He grinned and said how long the trip was, and how surprised he was that they still remembered Golurk Boy, much less its hokey theme lyrics. He also wholeheartedly agreed about Clay's comments about their relationship earlier, except for the part about the whole rushing into things. He sincerely believed that if they were allowed to go on a potentially dangerous journey with potentially dangerous creatures, then they had every right to misbehave and-

Layla stomped on Hilbert's foot. Hard. After that Hilbert wore a slightly pained smile and hobbled away from her and Cheren.

Layla and Cheren stayed the night at the Pokemon Center, and split up to explore Icirrus City the next morning (Bianca woke them up with a Xtransceiver call as usual - apparently she was somewhere in Twist Mountain now, and hoped to meet with them soon). Layla found out the hard way not to walk in the shallow pools around the boggy town. When she was splashing about she got shocked by a Stunfisk she stepped on. She caught the smugly-smiling flounder Pokemon with a hard-thrown Pokeball.

Layla soon realized there wasn't much to see in Icirrus City - most of the place was either forest or swamp, with a few windmills here and there. Once again, Layla wondered why people even bothered calling such a place a city - they obviously had never seen Nimbasa. Now that was a city.

Oh well, Layla's main goal was collecting Badges, and the next Gym, belonging to Gym Leader Brycen, was right here. After a lot of slipping and sliding across the Gym's icy floors (which was fun when she wasn't skidding right past the areas she wanted to go), she finally came face-to-face with the man. It was a shocking experience, actually: she recognized the stern-faced, blue-haired man from many of the kid shows she used to watch. This guy wasn't just a Gym Leader - he was a TV and movie star!

So she found it rather disappointing when she beat him so easily. She expected more of a challenge from such a famous person. Still, she got her Badge, and that was always awesome. She wondered if Cheren had earned his Badge yet.

Layla got her answer when she found both Cheren and Bianca waiting for her outside of the Gym. Cheren seemed a bit uncomfortable.

"Layla, I've been talking with Bianca, and I've been wondering…" Cheren began, glancing away. "Since we left Nuvema Town, has something about me…changed?"

Layla wasn't entirely sure how to respond at first. "What do you mean? Of course you've changed: we're all changing all the time. We're all becoming more awesome every day! What's the point of a journey if you don't change some along the way?"

This didn't seem to comfort Cheren. "Thinking about what I want to do…Thinking about what I should do…It felt like there was nothing…"

"Hey-" Layla began.

"Have I really become stronger? Or is it just my Pokemon that have?" Cheren interrupted, his voice suddenly rising. "I don't know anymore!"

There was an unnerving stillness among the childhood friends, as Cheren clenched his fists and glared at the ground. Layla felt her throat unexpectedly tighten. She hated seeing Cheren like this. Maybe…Maybe they shouldn't have traveled separately for this journey. Maybe the three of them should have been together the whole time, from that very first moment where they all stepped at once onto Route 1...

"Hey, hey. Cheer up, Cheren…isn't this nice to see everyone?" said Bianca, her tone far too cheery and smile far too wide. "Layla! Know what? This time, I'll go to the Pokemon Fan Club. I'm really searching…for what I want to do and what I can do!"

"Yeah, our journey's not done yet," Layla added with a big smile of her own. "There's so much stuff to see and do, you know. And once you're Champion, you can see and do whatever you want. You're bound to find something you want to do eventually."

Cheren seemed to relax some at her words, but disquiet still shone in his slate-blue eyes. He smiled anyway.

Then Brycen abruptly burst out of the Gym, forcing Layla to jump out of the way or get smacked by the Gym Door. Cheren and Bianca also scuttled back in surprise at the Gym Leader's sudden emergence.

"Who are you?" Brycen demanded, expression fierce. Layla was reminded of a hero he used to play in one of the shows she once watched.

…What the crap? thought Layla.

"Who? Us?" Bianca squeaked, pointing to herself with a nervous smile. "I'm Bianca, and this is Cheren…"

Cheren was merely staring at the Gym Leader in puzzlement and wariness.

"I know you are there!" Brycen continued to rave, snapping his head in all directions. "Why don't you show yourselves?"

…Is this guy on something? thought Layla. Man, he might just be the nuttiest one ye-

The Shadow Triad materialized out of nowhere, surrounding all of them in an upside-down triangle formation. Cheren and Bianca startled and turned her backs to each other defensively. Both were equally unnerved.

Layla stiffened in shock. These guys again? And out in broad daylight, and in front of a Gym Leader…who detected them! Wow, Brycen is even more awesome than I ever imagined!

"…Impressive, Gym Leader of Icirrus City," spoke the Shadow on the left. "We, the Shadow Triad, are beings of the shadows…and not easily noticed."

"Our mission was to speak only to Layla, but so be it," said the Shadow on the right.

Everyone shot Layla a confused glance that obviously said You know these people?. Cheren and Bianca's gazes were ones of alarm and concern. Brycen's look was one of disapproval and suspicion.

Their inquiring stares bothered Layla, so she settled for glaring at the Shadow on the right. "You guys like scaring the crap out of people, don't you? So whatcha want?"

"Ghetsis has a message for you," said the Shadow on the right, impassive to Layla's rudeness. "Come to Dragonspiral Tower."

"Dragonspiral Tower?" Layla questioned. She had briefly visited the ancient spire while she had been exploring the area around the city. She had really wanted to explore it, actually. But she couldn't go in because there was no door, or any visible opening for that matter.

"It is there that our lord N waits for you…" added the Shadow furthest away.

Layla grimaced. Of course N had something to do with this. These were his men, after all.

Bianca cringed further against Cheren's back. Cheren anxious stare turned into a glare.

Brycen's stern look turned into alarm. "Dragonspiral Tower? What's going on? Hey! Tell me!"

The Shadow Triad didn't bother answering. Instead they vanished just as quickly as they had appeared.

Layla still remained tense. What is King Nettlesome up to now? What's he want with some old place like that?…Wait, that legend Juniper's dad was talking about…wasn't it something about it being the place of the legendary Dragon-type? So he thinks he can find out something about Zekrom there, then?

"Now hold on," Brycen was saying to Cheren and Bianca, who had now walked over to him. "Young man, if you're here for a Gym Challenge, hang on for a bit. I've got to head to Dragonspiral Tower!"

But why does he want me there? Layla continued to ponder. Certainly I'm the last person Team Plasma wants to be seeing right now…

("You have been chosen, you know," N had said.)

Layla frowned. …He never did explain that to me. Is this about this chosen business as well?…Is it even a good idea to go up there? I mean, 'chosen' might mean 'sacrifice to summon the dragon' or something…

"I'm going too," Cheren announced firmly. "Dragonspiral Tower is to the north of here, right?"

Brycen nodded. The Gym Leader and the black-haired boy soon rushed out of the area, leaving Layla and Bianca behind.

"Whoooooa! Whoa," Bianca exclaimed, hurrying over to Layla's side. "Wh-What should I do?"

Layla turned to Bianca with a toothy grin. "What else? We're going to Dragonspiral! Can't let Cheren have all the fun and glory, right?"

"Uh…hey."

Both Layla and Bianca turned to see Hilbert there, a bag of potato chips in his hand and a blank expression on his face.

"…Were those seriously ninjas just now?" Hilbert asked somewhat dumbly. He glanced at his snack bag "Or were my chips laced with Amoongus spores and I'm just dreaming all this?"

Dragonspiral Tower- (Go for it, Layla! Foe N appeared! N swayed and danced around as he pleased. Layla seems to be getting an electrifying feeling!)

Layla had been wondering how they were even going to get into Dragonspiral Tower. Her question was quickly and bluntly answered when they saw the huge hole gaping at the base of the bastion. Well, at least that part was easy.

The inside of the tower was just as ancient-looking as the outside. Only some turqoise-colored tiles dressed the place up - everything else was cold brown stone just like the exterior of the tower.

Layla and Hilbert had just reached the first stairway (Bianca had elected to stay and guard Juniper's father in case anything happened) when there was a great rumbling. For a moment Layla thought the entire place was going to fall in on their heads, but then it stopped.

"We better hurry," said Hilbert a bit uneasily. "I'd rather not die here personally."

"No kidding," Layla muttered, already heading up the stone staircase.

They met with Cheren on the second floor, who advised them on how to get around and over the many fallen columns in the room. Layla was a little frustrated when he didn't wait for them, but then again there wasn't time to be wasted.

So all the hopping around she and Hilbert had to do on the third floor was a very irritating waste of time. Why could they just build a proper floor here instead of all these little platforms with the previous floor looming far below?

The fourth floor was infested with Team Plasma members. Brycen, Cheren, and Hilbert were too busy fighting them off to move forward.

"We'll hold them here!" Cheren shouted to Layla, as his Liepard dueled against an opposing Liepard. The two purple-and gold cats sliced and hissed at each other relentlessly. "You go on ahead!"

"You sure?" Layla called back, her Serperior having just defeated the last Grunt next to the door.

"Hey, you're the strongest Trainer here!" said Hilbert, his own Serperior coiled around an enemy Watchog. "You've got the best chance of dealing with His Highness! Once we take care of these guys, we'll come join you!"

Layla nodded. "Right."

"This is nothing!" Cheren added. "But there sure are a lot of them…Oh, what a complete bother!"

Layla smiled a bit despite herself. "Oh, Cherie, everything's a bother to you. Just kick their asses!" Then she dashed up the next set of steps.

The rest of the tower was easy, if annoying. After literally running in circles to get around on the fifth floor, she was ambushed on the sixth by one of the Sages and several other Plasma members. She defeated them handily, and would have had her Serperior properly terrorize them if she had the time. But she didn't , so she charged right past them.

She abruptly froze right when she reached the last few steps from the top. She didn't understand it - she both wanted to run away and charge forward at the same time. Maybe she should wait for the others for once? Maybe - Layla had never felt like this before. She would usually barge in without a second thought, but something here made her feel different…

She kept going.

The open sky above greeted her with soft snow and biting cold. Large rocks littered the floor, and there was a large hole where part of the back wall should have been. And, in the middle of four dark broken pillars, stood N, his back turned to Layla. The fluffy earmuffs were gone, and the poofy white coat from before had been replaced by a sleeker white coat with black faux-fur trimming. The black-splattered scarf was still there, billowing behind him.

And before N stood a great black dragon, growling gently. Its bright red eyes glowed as if they burned. It had a sharp, almost mechanical look to it, though it was obviously an all-flesh creature. Its tail, big and wide with a drill-like shape, was glowing faintly blue.

Zekrom! Layla thought in an utter stupor, staring at the impossible sight. The dragon of ideals! It actually exists! And it was unlike any Pokemon she had encountered before. She knew she should be scared, even terrified, but there was something so…mesmerizing about it. Maybe that was why everyone called it a legendary Pokemon…

And…it wasn't attacking N! If anything, it was…

No way, Layla thought. There's no way he's that good…

Zekrom noticed her, and made a soft rumbling noise. Layla felt awkward, like she had walked in on something private but was welcome anyway.

N turned around slowly, a look of enraptured shock on his face as his bright blue-gray eyes gazed at Layla, white exhalation trailing from his mouth like smoke. "…Other?"

"…Huh?" Layla asked, tilting her head slightly. "Other what?"

N shook his head, putting on the excited smile of a child who had finally gotten the big toy he had really wanted. "What do you think, Layla? How do you like the powerful form of the Pokemon who appears before and fights beside the hero that will lead the way to a new world?" He said the last sentence even faster than usual, not even pausing for breath.

Layla was speechless at first. "…How did you do that?…Seriously! How'd you get Zekrom to side with you?"

"Oh, I talked to it for a while," N explained with a big smile. "We discussed right and wrong, truth and ideals, and Zekrom chose to be my friend. Isn't he wonderful?"

Layla honestly had no idea what to say to that. Despite, or perhaps because, of all his ramblings about Zekrom, Layla had not taken him seriously even once. Yet not only did he manage to somehow find the dragon, but he had befriended it as well. Without even a battle! How could a person like N even exist?

…No, that wasn't what was bothering her. Well, it was bothering her, but it wasn't the only thing. There was…something…

Layla had been so lost in her musings that she didn't notice N until he was inches away from her. She jumped and backed up despite herself. When had he gotten so close? Zekrom remained in the same spot, watching them.

"Layla," he murmured to her, his voice quiet and soft like the snow descending around them. "Is it strange to say that you look especially pretty today?"

Layla was taken aback by the forthright flirting. She felt herself blushing a little even as she kept a wary eye on him. "…Yeah, actually…Have you been eating sunblock again, Lord Nonviolence?"

N gave her a surprised stare, and then erupted into a fit of laughter. "Yes, Lord Nonviolence! That is a good one for me!" His laughs broke down to giggles.

Layla felt her entire body grow rigid. This is way too weird, even for N. Is he drugged or something?

"But why should it be strange to hear that you are pretty?" N went on, after he finally regained some control of himself. "Because you are pretty. Certainly others have noticed this and have told you so before?"

Layla put on an amused yet nervous smile. "Actually, I mostly scare the boys away. 'Cause I'm nuts, ya know. I prefer scary stuff to cute things. I like night more than day. I always root for the bad guys on TV and in the movies. I favor the predators over prey. I play sports better than most of the guys I know."

N began to amble toward her again with a serene smile. "Any why does any of that make you frightening?"

"W-Why?" Layla asked, shivering a little. Why did it have to be so damn cold? "Well duh, 'cause it means I'm a tomboy with a temper that can blow up mountains with a single shout, as Cheren says…" Upon uttering his name Layla thought of her shifting relationship with her childhood friend, and felt even more of her confidence slip away…What was wrong with her? This was the time when she needed to be awesome!

N picked up on her sudden loss of nerve, and seemed almost angered by it. "That's not a kind thing for your friend to say."

"No, it's an awesome thing for him to say!" announced Layla proudly, prancing about and glaring at N and willing him to just go away. "'Cause it means that I'm strong and I can make anyone fear me and that I don't need anyone! I only need me and my Pokemon and nothing-"

N suddenly embraced her tightly. Layla stiffened like she had been struck by a Thunderbolt. N's body felt hot, very hot, against hers. Was he feverish? Was that why he was acting so strange? His warmth…was nice in this cold…

Somewhere in the background, Zekrom made an approving crooning noise.

"But I'm not scared of you, Layla," N murmured into her ear, his hot yet frosty breath causing her skin to prickle. His tone was teasing yet reassuring, as he began to stroke her ponytail. He smiled subtly. "Does that disappoint you?" He ran his fingers through her dark-brown hair and started tracing mindless patterns on the back of her neck.

Layla couldn't coordinate a response, as her mind whirled deliriously. She could barely think, much less reason. His touch was much more sensual than she had expected, almost electric, like he was the Electric-type instead of the dragon Pokemon he had just befriended.

"Layla…" N whispered, chuckling as he nuzzled her and rested his head on top of hers. "I suppose everything was true then. This was preordained."

Layla felt herself begin to relax to his hold despite herself. N was right. There was something…inevitable about all this. Standing here like this…it felt so…

"Layla!"

A Pokeball smacked N right between the eyes, causing N to stumble back and let go of Layla. The Pokeball then released a light that formed into a massive bipedal pig Pokemon - an Emboar. It snorted and stomped in front of Layla.

"Are you alright?" Cheren shouted, running up to Layla's side.

"…Yeah," Layla answered dully, though her head still felt like it was full of miasma. That one word took a lot more effort than it should have.

Cheren glared at N. "Don't you dare touch her!" he shouted, stomping the ground when he said the word dare.

Emboar stomped in sync with Cheren, huffing out smoke.

N held his head high as he leered back at Cheren. "There are many things I have seen in the future I've envisioned. You are not one of those things." He grinned impishly. "So you do not concern me. Right, my friend?"

The big black dragon clambered up behind N and roared.

Cheren became chalk-white as he lurched back at the sight of the mighty dark beast. "T-That's-!" His Emboar too staggered back, his poise much less confident than before, though it still stayed in front of both Cheren and Layla.

"Yes, this is the legendary dragon of ideals, Zekrom!" N announced proudly, his eyes shining too brightly as he spun in place. "Is there anything else rude you would like to say, Cherie?"

Cheren snarled at the stolen nickname, but didn't do anything else.

N reached up to pet Zekrom, who gave pleased rumblings at the attention. "Now, Zekrom and I will head to the Pokemon League and defeat the Champion! This will be the last of the Pokemon battles that hurt Pokemon so. A world for Pokemon alone…It's finally going to be a reality."

Zekrom roared, and then rose into the air.

N turned to Layla, his smile much friendlier now, though his eyes still had the same too-bright look to them. "If you want to stop me, you must become a hero as well! That's right! When Zekrom's counterpart, Reshiram, recognizes you, we will finally be even, and then you can try to stop us!"

…Reshiram? Layla wondered. There's another legendary dragon Pokemon?

N stepped toward Layla, arms extended. "Well, what will you do?"

Cheren automatically stepped forward, keeping a insolent yet anxious eye out for the currently-absent Zekrom. N gave him an annoyed glance, but little else.

Layla stood her ground, though her still-muddled mind was telling her to run…or at least go back a few steps. "I'll defeat you," she said, still have trouble articulating the words. "I'll defeat you, and your team." But instantly those words felt wrong, somehow.

N seemed amused rather than hurt by her reply. "My prediction…If the future that I see is true, you will meet Reshiram. The Pokemon with you believe in you so strongly…Will you be the one who interfers with my formula for changing the world?"

Did this boy always have to go on and on? Though perhaps if Layla's mind was working better he would make more sense…"I hate you," she growled as fiercely as she could.

"No you don't," answered N cheerfully. "That's one of the reasons why I like you, you know. You're not a hateful person, Layla. I see too much hate on both sides. All the more reason why Pokemon and people should have their own worlds."

Layla leered at him, but said nothing else.

N turned away from her and Cheren. "If you want to protect the bonds between Pokemon and people, you must search for Reshiram! I'm sure it is waiting for you in the form of the Light Stone."

N began to walk away. Suddenly Zekrom swooped down from above, and the jade-haired boy jumped aboard the massive black dragon Pokemon as it passed. Together N and Zekrom zoomed out into the distant cold sky, until neither could be seen.

Layla and Cheren were still staring up at the snowing skies when Brycen arrived, soon followed by Hilbert.

"Uh…was that…?" Hilbert asked, eyes wide in disbelief.

Both Layla and Cheren nodded mutely, still mostly preoccupied by thoughts of what had just happened. Cheren took Layla's hand.

"How can this happen?" Brycen muttered, in both shock and anger, also staring at the sky.

"Why?" Cheren asked with a flare of rage, gripping Layla's hand tighter. "That was that guy N, right? Why was he with the legendary Pokemon? He couldn't really be the hero, could he?"

"Calm down!" Brycen ordered, causing Cheren to become sullenly silent. "First, we go back! It's more important to decide what to do next than to analyze what just happened."

Layla disagreed deeply. She thought it was very important to analyze what just happened. But, still in a daze, she quietly followed everyone down the tower.

IIIIII

Bwahaha, the plot thickens (evil cackling) (is shot).

Next chapter just needs to be sent to betas, so it probably won't be too long until this updates again (of course whenever I say something like that...) At the least it should be up before the end of the year, or right at the start of the year.

Cya!