N was at the first level of Wellspring cave and he was waiting near the entrance. Earlier, he had seen his father's henchmen entering the cave and heading to the basement level. All of them were men and by looking at their uniforms, low ranking grunts. He could easily beat them if he wanted, but the problem was lying elsewhere. If he was going to comfort them face to face, his father would definitely learn about it and the boy didn't want that to happen. So he had to find another way. Suddenly, he noticed pebbles and dust falling from the cave's ceiling followed by a small earthquake. The boy also saw a huge flock of Woobat coming out from the second level's entrance. After that, the entrance was blocked by some big rocks. He smirked and fixed his hat. Then one of the Woobat went next to him. The boy petted its head.

"Did you find it, my friend?"

The Pokémon nodded.

"Of course I did. What did you take me for?"

"Thank you for your help. Can you give it to me now?"

"Yeah, why not? Just wait a minute."

Suddenly, the Woobat emitted a black aura and in a few seconds, Zoroark was in its place. He searched inside his fur for a bit and then gave N a Pokeball.

"You did a great job, my friend. As expected of you. Now let's go. I don't know for how long these rocks will hold them down."

Zoroark nodded and N returned him back to his Pokeball. Then, he left the cave. Outside a Gigalith and an Excadrill were waiting for him. N smiled and approached them.

"My friends, I don't know how to thank you. If it wasn't for you, I would never be able to retrieve the stolen item."

The Gigalith shook his head.

"No human, it was really you, who helped us out. Those Woobat were getting really annoying. Even though we agreed to give them the first level they demanded and the second after a while. They took our homes and food. We wanted to get rid of them. So, it is us, who owe you a favor."

The Excadrill agreed.

"My friend is right human. You came up with a great plan. First you blend in Zoroark with their flock and when he was ready, I ordered my Drilbur to cause an earthquake to scare them away. In all this panic Zoroark managed to steal your item from those humans. Then, when the Woobat left the second level Gigalith's Boldore threw rocks, sealing the hole and trapping your foes inside. And don't worry because those humans will open it after a while. We will seal it again and dig a new hole. One those troublemakers will never find."

"Thank you for your kind words, but that was an easy formula, a simple equation. I have to go now, before they escape. Farewell, my friends. I hope we will meet again."

Then the boy summoned his Archeops and flew back to the day care center. He thanked god that everything went well. He was sure that Cheren followed him and if he was able to catch him in the cave, his identity would be in danger. That's why he was eternally grateful to whatever slowed Cheren down. There was something that was troubling him, though. Why he helped this little girl? What made him so willing to go against his own people? Was it because… Hilda asked him? He thought about it again and again but not a single answer came to his mind. The only thing he realized was that only the thought of her,made him happy…

After a week, Hilda and N had already arrived at Nacrene city. It was Hilda's first time visiting the place and she found it a bit peculiar. The fact that the city's committee decided to reuse the old warehouses, built about a century ago, as homes impressed her. N also told her, that this city was a popular place among artists who were using these warehouses as a source of inspiration.

After leaving their Pokémon at the Pokémon center and booking rooms they went at Café Warehouse in order to make a plan for the next day. Hilda had learnt from Bianca about this place. The blond told her that it was one of the most famous cafés in the whole region and many famous artists were gathering there. So, this place was a must visit. Of course, N didn't like the idea at all, the boy actually hated crowded places, but the girl managed to persuade him in the end.

"Well Hilda, we will stay here for a week, at least. Lenora is pretty good and we must train really hard in order for you to win. She specializes in Pokémon of the normal type, all of them strong and fast. So we must focus on…"

The girl was listening to him, as she was playing with her drinking straw. N was really very kind and he was helping her as he promised and all but that was about it. He was rarely talking about something else besides Pokémon and he was also very distant. Hilda wanted to get closer to him, to learn more about him. What kind of person he is, what he likes, what he hates…

"N, can I ask you something?"

The boy blinked.

"Yes, of course. Whatever you want."

"Why do you only have five Pokémon? I mean, you are very strong and most trainers like you have a complete team."

The boy then lowered his eyes and covered his mouth with his hand. Hilda observed him. He seemed like he couldn't decide if he should tell her or not. The girl sighed and smiled. She purposely asked a question about Pokémon, so he could feel more at ease but she didn't know it would make him feel so uneasy.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me N. I understand. I'm sorry if I asked something personal. I thought it wasn't a big deal so-"

"Reshiram and Zekrom. I want my last friend to be one of those two."

Hilda's eyes opened wide and she was staring him with her mouth wide open. She was frozen with surprise. The girl couldn't understand if N was making fun of her or if he was serious. When she realized that N was indeed serious, Hilda looked at him worried.

"N, these are myths. Nobody has ever seen them. The only things that exist about them are stories and folklore. I'm sorry to say that, but… those Pokémon aren't real."

N looked at her sadly.

"I-I think you are wrong. Nobody has ever seen them because they are dead. They died in the battle of truths and ideals. But, in reality, they have been waiting for a new hero so they can be reborn. And I believe I am one of those heroes."

Hilda was very surprised by what she heard. She couldn't believe it. N, who was usually so calm and sensible, still believed these fairy tales. Specifically, he reminded her of her little cousin when he told her that when he grew up, he was going to be a giant robot with lasers.

"Okay let's say that I believe those tales. Do you really think you can control them when they wake up? No offence N, I know you are very strong and all, but what makes you believe that those really powerful Pokémon will obey to someone like you or me? There are so many skilled trainers out there that-"

Then the boy stood up while slamming his hands on the table. Hilda stopped talking and looked at him very surprised. His face was bright red and he was clenching his teeth. He was staring her, his eyes red with anger. It was the first time she saw him like that.

"You don't believe in me either, am I right Hilda? I thought you were different! That I could trust you! But I was wrong! You are like everyone else! You never really believed me, you just lied because you wanted my help! You think I am a freak, right? A crazy lunatic who believes he can talk with Pokémon!"

The girl stood up. She was really panicked.

"N-No N, you are wrong! I-I never thought any of these things! To me y-you are a precious friend! I'm sorry I was rude, please forgive me!"

N then lowered his eyes and shook his head. He walked away but the girl suddenly grabbed his arm.

"Please N, don't leave! I promise I won't say anything about it ever again, please!"

He turned around and raised his arm.

"Can you just shut up for once?"

Then he slapped her face. After that, he froze up. N looked at the girl. She was holding her red cheek and had her eyes lowered. She didn't say anything else. He panicked. The boy didn't know what to do. He tried to embrace her, but for some reason he hesitated.

"H-Hilda I am sorry… I-I didn't want to hurt you, I-I just…"

The girl raised her head. She was crying. And the reason was him. He made his one and only human friend sad. Or were they still friends after what he did? N couldn't look at her eyes anymore. Once again he succumbed to his feelings and ran away, leaving her behind. He felt like thrash…

A few hours later, N was at the Pokémon center, still very sad. He was sitting on a chair alone, lost in his own thoughts. Hilda hadn't returned yet. The boy was thinking what happened again and again but that only made him to feel worse.

"Hello, handsome. I see you sitting here alone for a couple of hours and I thought that you might want some company. My name is June."

N then came back to reality. He raised his head and saw a red haired girl with a Vulpix standing in front of him. He immediately ignored her and covered his eyes with his hands. June just sat next to him.

"It's about a girl, isn't it?"

N shocked, looked at her.

"Surprised? Well, when I see a boy sad it's usually because a girl broke his heart. But don't worry. With your looks you will find a new sweetheart in no time, I'm sure."

The boy shook his head.

"It was not her fault. It was me… We had a disagreement and then I got mad. I tried to leave but she grabbed my arm. Then I turned around and… I am an idiot. I am not worthy to be her friend. She will never forgive me."

Then he covered his eyes once again and sighed heavily. June looked at him totally indifferent. In her opinion, the boy was such a drama queen. Her Vulpix yawned.

"Then why don't you just apologize?"

"I said I was sorry, but she started crying. Do you know any other way to apologize?"

June's eyes opened wide. This boy was a complete moron, unlike what Blue told her.

"Well, you can do some of the usual stuff. You know, buy her a gift or some flowers and treat her to dinner."

The boy's face beamed.

"Are you sure these formulas are going to work?"

"Definitely."

N then thanked her and ran away, but the girl grabbed his arm.

"Where are you going? Do you know where she is?"

He shook his head sadly. June sighed.

"As expected. Can you describe her? Maybe I met her on my way here."

N did as he was told and after some thought, June smiled at him.

"I think I saw her at the museum. If you are lucky she might be still there."

N thanked her many times and left in a hurry. June then burst into laughing. She sat on the chair and petted her Pokémon's head. She raised her hand and looked at her palm, smiling.

"And the troubles begin in five, four, three, two, one…"

Meanwhile…

It was winter in Sinnoh at this time of the year and a heavy one too, especially compared with the previous one. Not that the rest of the year was much warmer. Sinnoh was located north and that's why many people called it one of the coldest regions on the planet. Gabe was at the Pokémon League's reception and he was looking the snow from the window. He was dressed very lightly, wearing only a jacket and a long scarf over his clothes, but that was the fashion this winter, so he couldn't do otherwise. As a professional, he had to be the best at his job, regardless of the situations. After a while, a door opened and a woman came out.

"The elite four are ready to see you now, mister Eldritch. Please come inside."

The boy nodded and followed her. If someone saw him right now, they would suppose that he was there to challenge the Pokémon League, but that was not the case. When he finally got into the room, he saw four people, three men and an old woman, sitting around a table. He gulped. Gabe knew he wasn't welcome here and for a good reason. One of the men then, Gabe thought his name was Flint, came closer. He observed him a little and then he looked at the woman from the reception.

"Who is this girl? I thought Cynthia said it was a boy."

Gabe lowered his eyes. He really wanted to give him an appropriate answer, but the mood was already bad. He didn't want to make things even worse. So he ignored him and went to greet the others. Deep inside him though, he wished for June to be there. She would probably told Flint that his eyesight was as useless as his brains or something like that. It was not the first time he was mistaken for a woman, though. His long white hair and delicate features made many people think he was a girl.

"It's very nice to meet all of you. My name is Gabriel Eldritch and I am here to replace Cynthia, until she returns from Unova."

The other two men glared at him and only the woman shook his hand.

"Hello young man. I like when I see people of the next generation surpassing us, the old. My name is Bertha."

The boy smiled. Bertha was a kindhearted woman.

"What are you talking about Bertha? Who surpassed who? He only bribed the federation to give him this position."

The woman looked at the green haired man annoyed.

"Aaron, stop saying stupid things. You know that Cynthia herself chose this lad, so he must be very talented."

The other man fixed his glasses and stroked his hair from his forehead.

"Gabriel, you are a model, am I right? How old are you exactly?"

Gabe nodded.

"Yes I am a model and I am seventeen years old."

The man then shook his head.

"Bertha, you heard him, didn't you? He is seventeen and he is not even a trainer. There is no way he is more talented than us."

Bertha sighed sadly.

"Lucian, not you too. Even the champion herself recognized Gabriel's strength, what else do you want?"

"I just find it weird that she chose a random stranger as her replacement. It would be a more reasonable choice for her to choose one of us instead of a kid who is not even a real Pokémon trainer and barely had any hardships in his life."

Gabe put his hand on the woman's shoulder and gave her a big smile. After that he glared at Lucian. His last words made the boy extremely angry. Bad mood or not, he didn't care anymore.

"You are not in position to talk about hardships, mister Lucian. I understand you are disappointed with the current situation, because as the strongest of the elite four you were sure that you would fill Cynthia's position, but please don't talk as if you know my past."

The boy then took his scarf of and showed it to Lucian. On its back side, there were five small Pokeballs and a luxury ball.

"My job taught me one think. If someone who believes he is superior to you appears, show him that you are the best. That's what I'm going to do now. I challenge all of you. Battle me! If by any chance someone manages to win, I will quit and give him this stupid position. But if I win, you will have to accept me as the champion. Any questions?"

Bertha looked at him with sad eyes while the three men were grinning mischievously. The look on their faces was enough to made Gabe sweat. They reminded him of Mandibuzz staring at their prey. He gulped once again and grabbed the luxury ball, as Aaron stepped forward. The boy wished for Cynthia's quick return from Unova, so he could leave this hunting ground as soon as possible.

…