"Dexter, get rid of this web!"
The thunderbolt Pokémon gnawed on the electrical web. In minutes, it dismantled and fell to the ground. White grinned proudly and petted Dexter. "Good boy." With a playful neigh, he returned back to his Pokéball. White placed the ball and took out Lillil's. "Come out girl!"
The bulb Pokémon jumped out of her ball. The Petilil hopped in joy, finally having the chance to train some more. The brunette tapped her shoulder, signalling Lillil to come to her. With a chirp, the grass type jumped and stood on her trainer's left shoulder. White giggled and patted Lillil. Slowly, she entered the Chargestone Cave.
The two females gasped in awe at the elegant beauty. There were floating, electrical rocks everywhere. White clasped her hands, her aqua eyes shined just like the stones. "This is the most beautiful place ever!"
Suddenly, her admiration was cut off as Lillil bounced off her shoulder and hopped a few feet forward. "H-hey! Lillil, where are you going?" White took chase of her friend. But five steps later, she halted; eyes wide in terror.
Standing before the two girls, was a huge Galvantula.
"What the…" The petite trainer scooted backwards. She looked at Lillil, who was growling madly at the EleSpider Pokémon. "Lillil! Get back! That thing is huge!"
The bulb Pokémon shook her head stubbornly. 'I can take it! Come at me you-'
Before she could even finish her sentence, Galvantula released Electroweb, entangling the small creature.
"Lillil!" White screamed in horror for her Pokémon. But just as she ran for the wrapped female, three shadows zoomed right in front of her. The sudden appearance startled White, making her stumble to the ground. "What the…!"
Standing before her, were three statuesque-like men. Their hairs were white as snow. Their eyes were soulless and black. The girl gulped heavily, quickly fumbling back to her feet. "Hey! Back off! My Petilil's in danger!"
The Shadow Triad didn't respond a peep. He stared at White; gaze ever so dead and emotionless.
The more White stared at it, the more she felt the chills. "I said back off!" The young lady fisted her hand and rocketed towards the middle ninja. She raised her arm, ready to land a good punch on his face.
Sadly, the Triad were much, much swifter than her.
Next thing she knew, the ninja avoided in a blink of an eye, and her body was being lifted and placed on one of the ninja's shoulder. "W-what the…Let me go!" She started to flail madly. Her arms pounded on the ninja's back. Her feet swayed up and down, threatening to kiss the man's nose. Even when emotions were never shown in the Triad's face, a slight glint of shock and bafflement shined in their dull eyes.
"Come." The ninja said. The three moved – or according to White, flew – in lightning speed. She felt her stomach hurl. Her sight was getting blurry due to the immense speed. I think…I'm gonna… White held her mouth, holding back her breakfast.
Luckily, the Triad stopped. The ninja put – or more precisely, threw – White on the rocky ground. "Ow!" She yelped in pain. Aqua eyes glared at the ninja. His mouth and nose was covered, only showing his black eyes. Even so, White saw the joy in him to see her cringe in pain.
"Lord N, we have brought the girl you requested." The second ninja spoke calmly. Three set of eyes stared upfront, behind White. The minute that name came to her earshot, White felt her skin prickle. A low growl vibrated in her throat. But her angst was cut off as the Triad disappeared into thin air. Her eyes widened in both shock and awe. Whoah! What the- Cool!
"White."
At the sound of his voice, she froze. White hissed resentfully at his presence. She hopped back to her feet, dusting off some dirt on her shorts. White didn't turn around to meet his gaze. After the incident involving Ghetsis suddenly appearing before Clay's gym and commanding to release his comrades, she wasn't in the mood for some Plasma business. And she was definitely not in a better mood to be facing their leader.
N could feel the cold shoulder she was giving him. He posed a small frown, but quickly shook it off. She hates me. N flinched as his conscience slammed him with those hateful words. Hands in his pockets and exhaling quietly, N said, "Those men are the Shadow Triad, Ghetsis's loyal servants." The greenette looked at White, who was now looking at her nails. Her back was still facing him, and it began to irritate the boy. "They are a part of Team Plasma. And they also created the web at the Chargestone Cave entrance."
"Tch. Figures," White muttered sourly. Each time his voice rang in her ears, White had to resist the urge to punch him stupid. He sounded boastful and cold, intimidating her every second.
N stood still. White wasn't going to face him, let alone lock eyes with him. Her ignorant attitude was making N sad. His heart dropped to see such icy behaviour from her. For some unknown reason, he missed it when she faced him. He missed getting snarky comments from her. He missed hearing her say some words that baffled and confused N. He missed seeing her smile, even though those smiles were for her Pokémon.
He missed his…'girlfriend', as the old lady once put it.
Because even though White acted a bit harsh, haughty, and cold with him sometimes, he took it as that's how a 'friend' – something he never experienced with another human before – would behave.
N took one sharp breath and looked at the floating stones; averting his attention from White. "Electrical equations are put in practice, and it has connections to Pokémon. If it weren't for the occasional human visitors, this place would be an ideal place for me." A happy smile appeared on his face at the thought. The minute N knew about Chargestone Cave, he was utterly mesmerized. He loved everything about the place. Its countless Pokémon frolicking about, free from any human orders. That's what N wished for. That's what he wanted: The happiness and freedom of Pokémon. The thought of the most beautiful creatures of Arceus made his day.
Yes. Who needs to care about other humans; about White? Pokémon makes him happy. Pokémon never cease to amaze him. Pokémon never let him down or make him sad. All N needs are Pokémon, and his life is perfect.
Engulfed in his own thoughts, N placed his hand on one of the stones. The jolts and shocks zapped his hand, but the boy ignored it. To him, it was as if the cave was welcoming him; accepting him into their humble home.
After a few minutes of silence, White got curious. She slowly turned around, peeking at N. The greenette was touching one of the floating rocks. He looked mesmerized and entranced; the same look he gave when saw the Ferris wheel. The girl sighed bitterly. Strange idiot. She looked at the stone by her side. The need to touch it was nagging White. Seeing that N was doing fine with his hands on the electrical matter, the brunette copied the greenette and placed her palm on the stone.
Well, she then regretted it horribly a few seconds later.
The jolts of the stone zapped White's palm. "Wahh! Fuck!" She cursed out loud, kissing the swollen skin. Stupid dumb rock stupid stupid!
N jumped at the sound of her voice. He looked at White, who was constantly kissing her hand. "White, are you okay?"
If White didn't know better, it was as if the man sounded worried. She chuckled sourly. "Oh hell no. The skin on my hand just got ripped into two, and now it's oozing blood." She said sarcastically, waving her slightly burnt palm. The young woman rolled her eyes in irk, tone mocking at her enemy.
But apparently, N took it seriously. "What?!" Blood rushed to his head. Fear began to stab his mind. Out of reflex, he dashed towards White and gripped her wrist; completely unaware of what he was doing. Even so, his concern was blinding his conscience and reality. The thought of White being harmed made his blood boil in fear. N pulled her wrist and looked at her palm. Once seen, he exhaled in loud relief. Thankfully, all he saw was a red, swollen bruise.
White froze in complete stupor. The young man was tugging her wrist upwards, making her tiptoe to her feet. He was standing closely to White as his emerald eyes observed her burnt palm. Heat rushed to her face faster before she could say "Mew". "L-let me go!" The brunette harshly swiped her hand back to her chest. The girl scooted a few steps backwards, until her back slammed the rocky wall.
N stood in his position, eyes blinking like an idiot. Her palm was burnt. It wasn't ripped into two. Why did she- Another second passed by and he finally realize what he just did: He just touched her. His emerald eyes were widened in aghast as he gawked at her. "I…I…Sorry…!"
White gritted her teeth. "Back off or I will kick you in the shin."
N stared at White. His eyes gleamed in sorrow at her remark. "I won't hurt you…"
The brunette narrowed her eyes, focusing on N. She saw the hurt in his gaze. Compared to before, his voice had gone soft and mellow; like a child. Great. I hurt his feelings again. He saw N moving closer. White braced for impact. Her good hand balled into fist, ready to launch an attack just in case N did something stupid like that night.
But N not just stopped a few feet from her, but he took out a piece of handkerchief from his pocket.
"Here." He said, giving the white cloth to White. "You should wrap that and go to the nearest Pokémon Center."
White gawked dumbly at his reaction. She looked at the wrap, and then back at him. She was cautious, but in the end, White took the handkerchief. "Thanks…" she muttered faintly. The cloth was soft and cotton. It felt good on her fingers. Without a word, White wrapped her swollen palm. She bit her lip at the ache, but continued nevertheless. Finally, with some help from her teeth, the brunette tied the end into a bow. N stood still, eyes on her handy craftsmanship. He was impressed the girl was able to handle herself.
And the second he saw her smile, his heartbeat raced like before.
N coughed awkwardly, removing the awkward feeling. "You have been chosen. Did you know that?" he asked; voice back to its stoic tone.
White stared at her bandaged hand. She gave N a lazy look. "Do I need to ask what?"
An amused chuckle wheezed through his lips. "Are you not curious?"
Last time I got curious, my hand turned into barbeque. But White just kept her mouth shut.
The boy took a few steps backwards, giving White some air. He had learned one thing as they kept bumping into each other; White prefers distance. "The Shadow Triad had been investigating about you and your friends."
That made her eyes widened in shock. "What?!" she shouted angrily. N, taken aback by her loud voice, took a few more steps backwards. "You…you were spying on us?!" Her body trembled. Her teeth clenched inside her mouth. N was strange. Yes. But for him to send some ninjas to spy on her friends and family? N had just received a whole new level of creepiness.
The green-haired teen pouted slightly. "I did not spy."
White scoffed acidly. "Oh yes. So I guess you're just 'observing' then." She spat sarcastically, not caring about his feelings anymore.
Sadly, his obliviousness was blinding him. "Yes. I was merely observing." He curved a small but cocky smile. "Need not to worry. The Triad were merely observing. Or studying to be exact. There is no harm."
Great. Now he makes me feel like some biology project. The ponytailed brunette crossed her arms and looked away. She was still mad and irritated. She wanted to move, to walk away and leave him behind. But even if she could, her gut was telling her that those Shadow Triad might hunt her down.
Without waiting for her response, N flashed three fingers. "Apparently, you three have very different perspectives. One, there is that Cheren boy." He stopped. Unknown and unwanted rage gurgled inside him. N could vividly remember the night White was in the dark brunette's arms. Unwarily, his teeth gritted inside his closed lips. He took one sharp breath and exhaled slowly. I am not jealous. Once he was fine, N continued. "He pursues strength. His Pokémon are all striving hard; winning battles so that they can please their 'master'." Upon remembering back what the Triad had told them about the dark brunette, it made N mad.
Yes. N knew there was a reasonable reason he hated that boy.
White crossed her arms and glared at the tall boy in front of her. He was practically badmouthing Cheren – even though what he just said was true. But her lips were pressed into thin line, wanting to hear what he had in mind.
"And then there's the blonde one…what's her name…?" N bit his lower lip; something he picked up from White.
"Bianca."
"Ah right!" N smiled happily. But his line of joy slowly receded as White didn't return his smile. He felt like a stone had just slammed his beating heart. Back to his intimidating state, N calmly said, "She is different. She sees the sad truth in her, believing that Pokémon and humans have no reasons to become strong. She only pursues happiness and a free life. And that is why her Pokémon do not prefer to battle." His reaction about Bianca was far different than Cheren's part. He actually agreed with the southern belle.
The brunette stayed quiet, pondering on his explanation. As much as it pains her to admit it, N was right. Cheren and Bianca had two different perspectives. Both were like Yin and Yang; like black and white.
As if N read her mind, he replied, "Yes. They are black and white."
White stared into the young man's eyes. His emerald pairs gleamed inside the electrical cave. It shined beautifully, giving his eyes a radiant glow. And to White, she hated it – because it was giving her a good shudder. She huffed annoyingly and looked away. "So? What's your point?"
N pursed a broken smile. "And then there's you."
She shot him another – this time threatening – glare. Even without words, it was her way of saying, "You better not say bad things about me unless you decided to not make babies."
Luckily, N didn't understand her mental threat. "I have battled you many times and yet, I always lose in the end. It shows that you pursue strength. But after every battle, your Pokémon cheered and looked very enthusiastic even when exhausted. It is as if they are happy to be in such a barbaric battle."
White snorted as N implied Pokémon battling as 'barbaric'.
"It means that you too pursue happiness. I could see and hear the joys of your Pokémon, even from something I extremely detest." N flashed a small smile, even if White didn't return it. "You resemble both strength and happiness."
What he just said; the way he just said it, it gave White a good flutter. The petite trainer bit the insides of her cheeks, her hands fisted in and out. "So what? I'm both?"
N nodded. "A neutral entity is more fitting."
"Ah," she mused, now a tiniest bit interested in the topic. A dry chuckle wheezed through her lips. "So we got Black Cheren and White Bianca. So since I'm both black and white, that makes me gray?" The girl sneered jokingly.
She soon realized the boy was oblivious as a dead rock. "Yes. You are like gray." She also realized that he was the worst smooth talker ever when N said, "Gray is the colour of depression."
"Hey!" She unwarily shouted, making N scoot a step backwards again. His emerald eyes widened to see the flare in her.
Before she could pounce on the young man, N muttered, "You are certainly not a depressed person."
How nice. The enemy is cheering me up. White laughed bitterly. "Oh really?"
The greenette nodded. "You are stubborn, loud, quite a hothead, likes to yell, hyperactive, brutal-"
"Hey!" White shouted again, voice slightly louder than before. Her face was tinted in light red. Her hands were now balled into small fists. "I am not those stuff! Just because you have some prying ninjas poofing about doesn't mean you know my entire existence-"
"-and beautiful…" N finished his last sentence before White could ramble some more.
White stopped completely, her mouth hanged open. N stood a few feet from her, blinking curiously. He seemed like he didn't say anything strange; just the truth.
But to White, the words left her completely astonished. He thinks I'm beautiful? Never in her life had she been called 'beautiful'. Sure Cheren, Bianca, and her mother had said it before but not by an actual, non-related man. She froze like a statue. The heat from her face was glowing into a lighter shade of meek pink.
Seeing her fluster – something very rare from her – it made N happy. He felt at ease to see such an adorable look on her face. White looked like a Pokémon. And it made N break a small chuckle.
All the hate, all the remorse from before, was clearly erased from her face. And N liked it very much.
"Being neutral," he chimed calmly, his voice beginning to sound like a happy little kid, "is a good thing." Now, even he could feel the heat in his cheeks. His heart began to race madly – something he was getting used to every time he met White.
The brunette closed her mouth shut. Her teeth dug the insides of her lips. She looked down, mentally yelling at herself for giving in. "Fuckin' airhead…"
Thanks to the silence and echoes of the cave, N heard her perfectly. He tilted his head slightly. "White."
"What." She replied coldly. She didn't meet his gaze, for she was still angry with herself and at the young man before her.
Looking at White, N asked loud and clear. "What is this 'fuck'?"
It was as if time stopped for White. Air was intensifying tenfold. Her legs almost gave in, wanting to stumble as if a great earthquake had just happened. She gawked at N. Her aqua eyes were round and wide as they can be.
An eyebrow shot upwards as he kept his stare on her. "White?"
And once again, just like the time in the Ferris wheel, White cackled out loud.
Worry slipped into his mind. "White…?"
The brunette fisted the rocky wall. She kept laughing, her voice echoing inside the cave. "Okay, okay, now I get it." White guffawed louder. She held her stomach as it churned in ticklish numbness. "You saw me being sarcastic and now you're trying to be sarcastic back? I gotta admit, that is stupidly cute." She leaned her back against the wall. Her laughs were slowly turning into amused giggles.
Compared to White, N wasn't a least bit amused. "I am not stupid!" he shouted like a little 5-year old. "And I am not being sarcastic. I mean it. What is 'fuck'?"
This time, any sounds of joy were cut off from her. She stared at N. "You're kidding right?" She was praying so hard that he was.
He wasn't. "I am not."
White couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe her ears. She couldn't believe her eyes. Heck, she couldn't believe the man in front of her was even real.
Whether he was being oblivious or ignoring it, N continued. "I have heard you said it a few times. In fact, Dewott once said the same thing. This 'fuck', it sounds nice. It has a nice ring to it."
Excuse me? Who in the right mind thinks 'fuck' has a nice ring to it?! All her blood was certainly fuming up to her brain. She was at lost for human words. The sounds of Pokémon chirping were the only thing occupying her ears. Her eyes were – if possible – getting wider than it already was to see the innocence in his face. There was no spite. There was no cockiness. There were no obvious signs that he was joking.
He was dead serious.
"White?" N was getting slightly concerned about her blank state. "Did you not hear me? What is-"
"Don't!" White shouted before he could finish. Her voice came off as a harsh squeak.
N blinked in surprise. "But I want to kn-"
"No."
"But I-"
"D'ahh!"
"But it-"
"Nothing."
"But-"
"IT MEANS NOTHING OKAY!" Her voice was getting louder each time she denied. N finally stopped, giving up as he saw her shake viciously. He stared at White, who was now gasping heavily like she just ran a marathon.
The atmosphere was so silent, they can hear each other's heartbeat.
Finally, N posed a small frown and crossed his arms. "Fine." His tone wasn't cold and harsh like the usual, no. Unless White's ears were deceiving her, N sounded like he was…sulking?
The greenette spun his heels and walked away. "Team Plasma is down this cave. Ghetsis wishes to see if you have what it takes to be the next hero." And without a glance, N disappeared out of her sight.
White stayed there, frozen like a block of dumbstruck ice. Her heart began to ease down. Her breathing began to flow normally. The girl sighed loudly, as if she was releasing all her mixed up and jumbled emotions. First, N was cold towards her. Then, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and was filled with worry. Then, he was cold back. Then, he said some pretty nasty things about her and her friends.
Then, he called her 'beautiful'.
White couldn't help but blush at the thought.
Then, he wasn't that cold anymore and acted all innocent.
Then, turned out he was innocent for asking such stupid questions.
And then, lastly, he walked away – behaving like a sulking 5 year old.
"Who the hell are you?" White asked by herself. She was definitely dumbfounded. N was the enemy and the leader of Team Plasma. But how he acted back then – innocent and clueless – it was as if they weren't related at all.
"Lil idiot…" A low hiss escaped her pink lips.
"Lillil." A sound tapped her eardrums in a tone of an "Ahem". White looked to her left, only to see Lillil was still strapped by the electrical webs. The bulb Pokémon looked horribly annoyed and her patience was about to burst any minute.
"Ah Lillil!" White gasped in shock. She quickly kneeled down and mouthed an apology. The Petilil rolled her eyes and struggled harder. 'Get me outta here!'
The brunette reached out to touch the web, but then cursed at her hasty attitude as another jolt hit her skin. "Ouch!" Her lips quickly kissed the tiny zap. "Oww…" Luckily it wasn't as bad as the first one.
Speaking of which, it made White look at her bandaged hand. It was wrapped neatly. It did feel soft in her grasp. By looking at the handkerchief, White couldn't help but remember its owner. N had totally switched from 'harsh and cruel' to 'worry and care' when she joked about her hand. Panic was written all over his face, worried about her wellbeing.
Thinking about it, it made White's stomach churn. "Idiot…" she breathed heavily. Do not be attracted. He's just playing around. A sour chuckle bounced off her lips. That's right. He's playing around. And no way in hell will I be attracted to some idiot of an enemy.
Deep down inside of her, right below her very heart's core, a part of White was slowly hoping she will.
'White! I'm not getting any younger! Get me out!'
Lillil loud shriek snapped her back to reality. The high-pitching squeal shook White and she jumped to her feet. "Right, right!" She quickly took Dexter's Pokéball and released him. "Dex, help Lillil out."
The thunderbolt Pokémon neighed loudly as he zoomed out. But then stopped, baffled to see Lillil in a wrap of jolt. 'Lillil, what happened?'
'Oh, you know me. Just tryin' to slim my body by wrapping myself with deadly electrical webs that might, might paralyze me for life.' Her sarcastic tone was swiftly dissolved once she locked eyes with Zebstrika. 'What do you think happened? I've been attacked NOW LET ME OUT!'
The thunderbolt Pokémon flinched to hear her banshee-like scream. 'Alright, alright. Sheesh. You don't need to be sarcastic about it.' With swift movements, Dexter gnawed the web off without harm.