I still don't think anyone's getting the chapter update notices. I wonder if there's a glitch on my account? I'll see if I can get it fixed. By the way, this is the 3rd chapter I've uploaded since the glitch, so make sure you've all caught the last 2 chapters.

Polaris–Ponyta, Tsuki–Serperior, Mamoru–Samurott, Tlaloc-Braviary, Carrara – Liepard, Croatan - Scolipede

Truth and Ideals

We found ourselves in Nimbasa city once again. So, what to do but visit the theme park? (Yaay rollercoasters!)

This time all three of us crowded into one of the Ferris wheel cars. But our view of the distant desert was interrupted when I caught sight of a figure below us.

"What the freaking heck!" I shouted.

Ben and Hari jumped and stared at me, alarmed.

I groaned and shook my head, pointing down.

Hari growled when he caught sight of N. "Make him leave! Why does he keep coming back?"

I shook my head again. Just the sight of him was enough to make me frustrated.

"I could let Tlaloc out, and we could fly away," I suggested. That way we could avoid him completely.

Ben laughed. "If you want. I could blame him for kidnapping me, but I guess technically it's not his fault, huh?"

"Blame him!" Hari hissed.

In the end though, the Ferris wheel deposited us on the ground, and we stood facing N.

He gave a rather uneasy smile. "Hi. I guess you're probably not thrilled to see me, with all the trouble that's gone on. I'm glad I caught up to you though."

"Stop following us!" Hari snapped, waving his arms to shoo N away.

I herded everyone away from the Ferris wheel, since people were staring at us. "Seriously though, are you following us?"

N hesitated. "I wasn't at first. But I did follow you to Black City. Then I was called back to Castelia City and I didn't think I'd see you again. But when you showed up again, well…" he broke off and looked away. "= I know that two of you can talk to Pokémon also. And I've tried to ignore the fact, but I, well, I'd like to get to know you a little better. And since we're both headed in the same direction…"

"No." Hari continued to glare at him. "You want to make Gro and the rest of the Pokémon leave us forever!"

"I won't talk about it while I'm with you," N promised.

Ben looked at me, trying to judge my reaction. I was staring at the ground, trying to judge what would happen if he did come with us. I kinda never see him again. But I was still drawn to understand him – this other person who could talk to Pokémon. I wanted to get through to him somehow – let him see that not all people were bad for Pokémon. Discounting Hari and I, who could speak to Pokémon like N could. I guess neither of us made the best impression on the other… and yet we were still intrigued by each other.

"Sure, you can come," I said. Besides, I could always kick him out if he was a pain.

Hari groaned. Ben just rolled his eyes.

N bowed his head in appreciation. "Thank you. I'll try not to be a bother."

"You will be," Hari hissed.

I sighed. "Hari, please don't say that every single minute. You've made you opinion quite clear."

"I'm sorry I upset you," N said to Hari. "Since you can also understand Pokémon, you must be much closer to them than most people."

Hari raised an eyebrow.

"You should see what Hari's able to do," I said, trying to lessen the tension. "He makes the most amazing medicines, and can make any Pokémon feel better in record time."

As I had hoped, this fascinated N. "Really? That's great!"

Hari just huffed in response. Though maybe flattery would get him to loosen up in time.

"Hari grew up with wild Pokémon, and learned a lot about taking care of the sick ones," I said. I was exasperated by Hari, but at the same time I understood where he was coming from. I might want to have duck tape handy in case I needed to seal his big mouth. He never really understood when it was "enough."

"We always ride when we travel," Hari said bitterly. "So you'll have to keep up."

I almost laughed. Somehow I was sure that N could find a ride of his own.

"Do you know about the legendary Pokémon of Unova?"

The question caught me off guard. I turned to look at N, who was riding beside Poalris and I. A wild Sawsbuck had agreed to give him a lift to Driftveil.

"Yeah, I always study the legendary Pokémon when I go to a new area." That had saved me a lot of trouble in the past. Plus I loved learning about legendary Pokémon. "Which ones? You mean Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion saving Pokémon from the forest fire?" That sounded like the sort of thing N would be interested in.

"That too. I was thinking of the legendary dragons, Reshiram and Zekrom. What do you know about them?"

It wasn't the question I was expecting, so I had to pause and think for a bit. "Well, a long time ago, two brothers fought, right? One wanted truth, and the other ideals. The dragon Pokémon with them split into two pieces, Reshiram and Zekrom. Reshiram represents truth, and Zekrom is ideals. The two brothers fought, and eventually made peace. That's how Unova was founded."

N nodded, apparently satisfied that I knew the basics. "Which one do you associate with?"

"Mmm, well I've always kinda been an idealist."

N grinned. "So have I! But what about Reshiram and Zekrom? Do you know where they are now?"

I hesitated. "Well… Aren't they sealed away somehow?"

N nodded again. "Yes. They're sealed inside two separate stones, the light stone and the dark stone. Their location… isn't known. But it seems that if anyone ever wanted to become recognized in Unova, they'd need the help of one of the legendary dragons. Short of beating the Pokémon League champion, that would be the fastest way to gain attention."

I stared at him. "So, you want to find one of the dragons so you can convince people to get rid of all their Pokémon friends."

N shrugged and didn't elaborate.

"What about Kyurem then?" I asked. "Is he part of this plot?"

N shook his head and let Sawsbuck fall back. Apparently he was done talking. Which suited me fine.

I wasn't overly worried about his plan to find Reshiram or Zekrom. He said himself that no one knew where the stones were. But still… Was this something he was actually planning, or just a passing idea?

I gazed out over the bay. We were nearly to the other side of the Charizard Drawbridge. We'd be in Driftveil soon enough. I absently ran my hands across Polaris's shoulder as I thought about what N may have meant. Why bring up the legendary Pokémon out of the blue like that?

We were on land again, the bridge behind us. I heard a rustling in the bushes beside us, but wasn't really paying attention. That is until a figure burst out and galloped into the road. Polaris started and reared back. I braced myself against her neck, barely keeping my balance.

Polaris pranced backwards and the Pokémon wheeled around, hooves spread in battle stance. That blue and cream-colored coat and orange mane left no doubt as to what Pokémon it was.

Keldeo.