A/N: Ah, I just love the music that plays when you're in the castle. I was listening to it as I wrote this chapter :D Hope you enjoy it :D


12. Gym Leaders to the Rescue, A bit of background on N, Recognized by the Dragon Pokemon Reshiram

"Do not look down, do not look down…Eep! Why did I look down? WHY? Oh, the entrance!" I exclaimed, running for it and inside the castle, thankful I wouldn't have to stare down at the ground down below anymore. But when I saw the people that awaited me inside, I instantly wished that I was staring back down at the ground below.

All of the Seven Sages were in front of me, and one dressed in maroon moved out of the group, a not so happy look on his face. "Those in accord with Fate are preserved, and those who rebel against Fate perish."

The one in blue moved to stand next to him, "When the Way is forgotten, duty and justice appear."

Then another, "One can lose the forest for the trees."

Then another, "If you make a mistake and do not correct it, that is a second mistake."

The one in brown stepped forward next, "Superior men understand what is right. Inferior men understand what will sell."

And finally, the one in purple. "There are not two suns in the sky, nor two sovereigns over the people." They all took a step forward, while I moved back, panic seeping through me.

"Well…" the one in red said, "if anything should happen to our king, it would be disastrous. It would ruin Ghetsis's perfect plan! Our lord N will be disappointed, but the six of us shall defeat you here!"

"Six against one? T-that's not fair! I can't beat all of you!"

"That's the whole point."

'Well, so much for being the hero…'

"Can ya manage that?"

That voice…

"Still standin', are ya, Sora?" Clay asked as he ran over to me, a smirk on his face as he looked at me. The Seven Sages all backed up, the one in maroon with a look of shock on his face.

"You…You're Driftveil's…?"

Clay looked over at him and smirked wider, "Hrrmph! Ain't just me!"

"Huh? What do you-" I stopped mid sentence as Lenora stopped on my other side with Burgh. I looked behind me to see everyone, Elesa, Skyla, Iris, Brycen, and Drayden all entering the room, partnering up and standing in front of each member of the Sages. I looked around expectantly to see if Cilan, Chili, or Cress would show up, but they didn't.

"So sorry…" Lenora apologized ,"Not only are we stronger than you, but there are a lot of us!"

"Accursed Gym Leaders!"

"Ignoring Team Plasma…That would be a terrible thing for us Gym Leaders to do." Elesa said, hand on her hip as she stood on Clay's other side.

Burgh looked over me and smiled, "Bianca asked us to come, too."

I felt tears well up in my eyes, 'God bless you, Bianca.' "But how-"

"I'm fine! Don't worry!" Skyla exclaimed cheerily, Iris's voice following shortly after hers, just as cheery.

"No need to worry!"

Drayden looked over at me. "Holder of the Light Stone, please proceed!"

I wiped my eyes with the back of my arm and smiled, nodding my head. "Right. Thank you, all of you. Please be safe." I told them all, before I took off, heading to the next floor. I ran into one of the Shadow Triad members and they showed me to a room where I could heal my team and access my PC. I entered the room and found two very beautiful women, one with pink hair and one with blonde. I found out that the blondes name was Concordia, and apparently, she gave peace and comfort to N. She told me that N had never interacted with people when he was young, and that he was brought up with Pokemon…Pokemon that were betrayed, mistreated, and hurt by bad people…Ghetsis had deliberately brought only those Pokemon closer to N. It's what touched N and caused him to start pursuing his ideals, thinking only about the Pokemon. She told me that N's heart was pure and innocent, and that nothing was more beautiful and terrifying than innocence.

The pink haired woman's name was Anthea, and she helped my Pokemon rest up. She told me that N realized why trainers really battled deep down in his heart, but he wasn't able to admit it to himself because he had spent so much time in this castle. I believed her about N knowing deep down in his heart. He was just too…blinded by ideals to really see it. I thanked them both before heading to the next floor, where I found the PC. I stored away my Audino, leaving me with five Pokemon. I needed to have room if I was to catch Reshiram. I moved to the staircase for the next floor, only to be stopped as member of the Shadow Triad appeared in front of me.

"A battle between you and our lord N will reveal whether our lord N is an ideal hero. It will also be revealed how you feel about the current world, where people live with Pokemon." He told me, staring at me for a few more seconds before leaving me to go upstairs. As soon as I got upstairs, I was met by another Shadow Triad member, who pointed to the room closest to the stairs.

"That room was the world that was provided to our lord N…" he looked back at me, "I don't feel anything, even I when I go into the room…But you may feel something." He disappeared after that and I looked at the door to the room. I walked over to and pushed it open, walking inside and staring around. I felt a small smile tug on the corner of my mouth as I moved further into the room.

It was that of child's room. There was a large skateboard ramp, a basketball hoop and court, and a train set. The carpet was sky blue, clouds on it, while the walls were white and purple, checkerboard style. A toy airplane was flying around overhead and I noticed that a toy train was in the basket ball hoop, while the ball was on the floor. The track set look liked someone had recently played with it, and the toy box was full of a lot of toys.

My smile left my face as I took in the room once more. That's all that this was. A child's room. N was…around my age. 16 or 17, maybe 18. If this room had been his world, even up to now, than…no wonder he doesn't understand the outside world. I picked up the basketball, finding some writing scribbled onto it.

"Harmonia…" I said aloud, finding that it was actually very pretty…

N had been living like a child his entire life…and it was rather saddening to me. I felt my anger dissipate a little as I really thought about how N had lived. I didn't blame N for the way he had grown up.

I blamed that bastard, Ghetsis. He was the whole reason that N sought these ridiculous ideals.

After a few more minutes of studying N's room, I left, continuing on to the very last floor. I felt my stomach twist around, realizing that I was still actually very afraid of what would come next. Yet despite that fear, I did my best to ignore it and entered the last room…well, almost, but Ghetsis walked out, pushing me back some. I backed away as he moved forward a bit, a smirk on his ugly face.

"Welcome, holder of the Light Stone. The castle appeared as if it were enveloping the Pokemon League is a symbol. It means Unova will change. The King of this Castle is the strongest trainer in the world. He is accompanied by the legendary Pokemon. He has defeated the Champion. Added to all that, his heart burns with the desire to improve the world. If that's not what makes a hero, what more do you need?"

"In order to be a hero, you must have dreams and honor! N has dreams, but his dreams…the dreams that he has are not the dreams that a hero should have! He wishes to take Pokemon away from people! Something like that brings sadness to the world. Because of this, he has no honor. If he does…I haven't seen it yet."

He looked at me with an uncaring look. "Hmph. Foolish child. Dreams and honor do not play a part in this plan. Now that the stage is set, we can seize people's minds and hearts. We can bring into being the world that I-no, that Team Plasma-desires more easily than you can imagine! We and only we will use Pokemon, and shall rule the powerless populace!"

"Bastard!" I growled out, only to be ignored as he looked away.

"I've been waiting so long for this! I've kept my silence so no one could piece together what I planned. Now, those painful days are at an end! Go! Onward! Discover whether you have what it takes to be a hero!"

"I don't need to discover it. Because…I know I already do have what it takes."

Funny thing about that: I wasn't sure at all.

I strode past Ghetsis and entered the room, finding it vast and very…bright. At the very end of the room, which was quite a ways, was a throne, where N was seated. He knew I was in the room. I just felt that he did.

"What I desire is a world for Pokemon and Pokemon alone. I will separate Pokemon from people, so Pokemon can regain their original power." He got up and began to make his way towards me. "It's time to settle this once and for all! My determination is absolute! I will prove the value of my beliefs even if it means my Pokemon friends get hurt! Since you've come this far, I believe you are equally determined."

"I am! Although I'm not sure of what the future holds, I hope, no…I know that it will be one where there is happiness! If you win, the future will be a sad one. And I won't let that happen! Believe it!"

"If that's so, prove it to me! Show me the depth of your determination!" We both moved forward and met halfway, N beginning to pace around while I was beginning to get anxious.

'Where is Reshiram? Why hasn't it showed up?'

"You came all this way to battle me…But Reshiram is not responding. You haven't yet been recognized as the hero, have you?" He asked me, and I could only shrug.

"How am I supposed to know?"

He frowned sadly, "How disappointing. I actually kind of liked you a little," I felt my face heat up at the comment, my stomach twisting in knots. "Through our many battles, I got the feeling that you might be a trainer who truly cares for Pokemon!" He laughed a bit as if to humor himself before looking at me and shaking his head. "But I was kidding myself."

I felt my eyes water a bit. "K-kidding yourself? I do care for Pokemon, N! I love my team! I love them so much, like family! Did you not see that during our battles?"

"The idea of trainers getting to know each other through battles is ridiculous!"

"Some people grow stronger by being with Pokemon! Even if Pokemon and people are separated, nothing good will come of it, N!" I exclaimed, fulfilling my promise to tell him the words Alder and Cheren had asked me to pass on to him.

He only frowned, staring at me intently. "You have two options, Sora. Challenge me to a fight you can't win, or leave this place and watch the birth of a new world where Pokemon are free of people! Which will it be?"

I wanted to cry. "Please, N. I don't want to fight you…But don't go through with this! P-"

"Which is it, Sora? Leave or fight me!"

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, clenching my hands into fists. "I swore that I wouldn't let you separate people and Pokemon. I made a promise to a lot of people, and no matter what happens, even if it's at the cost of my own life, I intend to keep that promise, N. No matter what…I will not give up!"

He actually seemed sad about my choice, shaking his head while raising a hand up. "Zekrom! Come to me!"

I trembled a bit in fright as Zekrom let out a loud roar, nearly falling backwards when it came crashing through the wall where N had been seated moments ago, flying through and over to us, landing in front of N, causing the ground to shake. Zekrom let out a loud roar, and I covered my ears with my hands. I could only watch as its tail lit up with electricity, lightning shooting out of it before it calmed a bit.

I clasped my hands together and held them to my chest and closed my eyes. 'Please…Please, Reshiram. I…I know that I may not be hero material and cut out for such a responsibility. And if I'm not, that's fine…But…Please…Please help keep Pokemon and People together. Don't let the happiness die. Please…Please! Reshiram!'

The Light stone trembled all of the sudden from inside my bag, causing me to open my eyes and stare at my bag, opening it and pulling it out to reveal a glowing Light Stone. N backed away from me, his eyes full of shock and disbelief.

"Your Light Stone is…I mean, Reshiram is…" I moved back a bit as the stone in my hand lifted up into the air, glowing bright enough to hurt my eyes, which I used my arms to cover. The light disappeared, and energy began to flow around it quickly, before a large, white and beautiful Pokemon was put in its place, blue eyes opening as it landed before me and let out a loud roar, my fear being mixed with excitement and joy. Reshiram's tail glowed red and powerful flames surrounded it and spun around as it roared once more, before finally calming down.

"Zekrom and Reshiram…" I heard N mutter as he stared at Reshiram in wonder before staring over at me. "They were once one life. One Pokemon. Complete opposites, yet the same. Zekrom and Reshiram are Pokemon that appear before the hero they recognize."

Zekrom growled softly, staring right at me, causing me to smile slightly.

"Ah…I see." N said, a smile making its way onto his face. "You really are a hero, too. I'll tell you what that Pokemon is saying to you. 'I want to battle with you. Try to make me your friend and ally.' It plans to test you to see if you're really pursuing truth. I, also, am curious to see how powerful you are. Now, catch Reshiram and make it your ally!"

I stared at the white dragon before me, pulling out the Master Ball Prof. Juniper had given me before I left Opelucid City. "This Master Ball is the most powerful kind of Poke Ball. It can catch any Pokemon without fail." Well…Might as well see if that's true or not, right? My team battled bravely, though most of them got injured. In the end, when I had had enough battling, I threw the Poke Ball at Reshiram. "Go, Poke Ball!"

It landed and moved once, twice, thrice, until it finally stopped. I walked over and picked up and held it, smiling down on my newly caught Pokemon. I looked up to find N smiling at me. "Ah…I see. Reshiram, who is said to lend its power to the hero who searched for truth, has recognized your power and now agrees to stand by your side…Hold on. Your Pokemon are hurt," N said with a frown as he stood close to me. "There is no triumph to be gained in battling a weakened opponent." he used several Full Restores on my team, making them feel all better before moving back to Zekrom with a determined look on his face as he yelled to the high heavens. "Now, I will create the future I desire! I shall sweep you before me!"

And we both ran forwards, meeting halfway.

"ZEKROM!"

"RESHIRAM!"

(A/N: Now, the entire story has been Sora's recollection of all the events so far, so now, we move to present day, which would be her battle with N)

"Fusion Flare!"

"Fusion Thunder!"

I grunted as the heat from both attacks hit me a bit, causing me to sweat a little. I removed my sleeveless jacket and threw it to the side, leaving me in my purple tank top. I tied my haired back a while ago into a messy ponytail, my black and white bandana still on my head.

"Giga Impact!"

"Dragon Breath!"

When Zekrom fell, I could see the anger in N's eyes as he recalled it back and sent out a Carracosta, which took out Reshiram. I recalled the fallen Pokemon and sent out Samurott, who was ready for anything.

"Stone Edge!" N commanded, stones flying towards Samurott at a fast speed.

"Hydro Pump them away with Carracosta!"

It worked, and N sent out a Klinkang next. I felt sorry for N as Samurott used Water Pledge on it, weakening it to a large degree, until it fainted. A Zoroark came next, and I had Samurott use Hydro Pump on it, but it retaliated with Focus Blast, injuring poor Samurott severely.

"I won't give up! I believe in my team! Samurott, Water Pledge!"

But it wasn't fast enough and Samurott got hit with Focus Blast again, getting knocked out. I sent out Charizard and had him use Fire Blast, knocking out Zoroark. N sent out an Archeops next and ordered it to use Acrobatics on Charizard, who easily dodged it.

"Flame Thrower!"

"Archeops!" N shouted as the Pokemon fell, no longer able to battle. He recalled it and sent out his last Pokemon, a Vanilluxe. "My last friend…please share your courage with me! Ice-beam!"

"Charizard get out of the-" But the command was too slow, and Charizard got knocked out. I hurriedly used a bunch of Max Revives on my fallen comrades, sending Samurott back out.

"I believe in you, Samurott! You can do this!"

"Give up, Sora. I don't want to see your Pokemon suffer anymore than they already are."

I looked at him and felt my eyes well up with tears as realization hit me like a train.

I had fallen for the enemy. N…I liked him…a lot, more than as a friend…And that's what sucks.

He's the enemy. And I like him.

"Your words will not discourage me! Samurott! We can do this! Together! I believe in you, buddy! SAMUROTT!"

"SAMU!"

"Hydro Pump, full throttle!"

I watched the jet of water hit Vanilluxe dead on, sending it flying back several feet.

It was unable to battle. I felt sorry for N as he knelt down next to fallen Pokemon, a crestfallen look on his face. "…" He returned his Pokemon and stood up, turning to face me, though the bridge of his hat shadowed his eyes. "Zekrom and I were beaten."

"N…"

"Your truth…Your feelings…They were stronger than mine, it seems…Reshiram and Zekrom…Each of them choosing a different hero…Is that even possible? Two heroes living at the same time-one that pursues truth and one that pursues ideals. Could…Could they both be right? I don't know. It's not by rejecting different ideas, but by accepting different ideas that the world creates a chemical reaction. This is truly the formula for changing the world." He looked away from me in thought, and I made the move to step forward.

"N-AHHH!" I screamed as I was grabbed from behind, someone wrapping their arm around my neck and waist to restrain me form moving forward. "W-what?"

"After all of that, do you think you're still worthy of sharing the name Harmonia with me? You good-for-nothing boy!"

Ghetsis! That bastard was poor N's father? No wonder N is so messed up…

I struggled in Ghetsis's grip, "Y-you're his dad?"

"To start with, I spurred N into pursuing ideals. The reason we reawakened the legendary Pokemon now was to give MY Team Plasma more power! Power to control the fearful masses! That at least was done well." He threw me to side and strode over to N, getting right into his face. "After saying you had to put your beliefs on the line and battle to see which one chosen by the legendary Pokemon was the true hero…You lost to an ordinary Trainer! There is such a thing as being too stupid!" He slapped N, rather hard, the boys head whipping to the side as the impact hit his poor face. "Add it up, and you are nothing more than warped, defective boy who knows nothing but Pokemon…Sora!" I glared at him from my spot on the floor, "I never would have thought the legendary Pokemon would choose a Trainer like you! It caught me completely off guard. This doesn't change my goal. My plans have not been disturbed!"

"Oh, really? Face it. You have lost. Give up already, Ghetsis!"

He grabbed me again, and I cringed in pain as his arm wrapped around my neck and he pinned my arms to my sides. "In order to rule this world utterly, in order to manipulate the hearts of people who know nothing, I will have N be the king of Team Plasma. But, for that to work, you-since you know the truth-You must be eliminated!" A gleaming blade was now staring me in the face, my brown eyes visible in the reflection of it.

"Rule the world?" Cheren! "Wasn't Team Plasma's goal to liberate Pokemon?"

Ghetsis turned us around, holding the knife to my throat. Alder and Cheren's eyes grew wide as they saw the predicament I was in. "A-Alder, C-Cheren!"

"Sora!"

"That was just a convenient lie that I needed to create Team Plasma. Use your head. What's to be gained from letting go of useful things like Pokemon? Certainly, manipulating Pokemon helps people expand their possibilities. That much, I can agree with. So it naturally follows that only I should be able to use Pokemon!"

"You're heartless monster! You talk as if you're some God!" I shouted, wincing a little as he added pressure onto the blade against my neck.

"But that's just it! As soon as I take over everything and have every single Pokemon of the world under my control, I will be a God!"

"You fool!" Alder shouted, "That's a ridiculous idea!"

Ghetsis merely chuckled. "You can say whatever you want. A Pokemon, even if it's revered as a deity, is still just a Pokemon."

"I-idiot! Pokemon aren't just Pokemon! They're our friends! Not just some creatures you can treat like slaves!" I was rewarded with a slap to my face, tears forming in my eyes.

"I don't care about your useless words against me. Your just a ordinary trainer who shouldn't exist anymore. I'm going to be kind and instead of shedding any of your blood, I will just allow you to fall to your death." He moved over to the edge, and I was sobbing quietly. Fear of Heights…I despise you so!

"L-LET ME GO!"

"Sora! Let her go, Ghetsis! LET HER GO!"

"It pleases me to see such a look on your face. A look that shows you have lost all hope! Have a nice death." He pushed me and I fell over the side.

"Sora!"

I screamed as air rushed past me, my poor heart feeling like it would go into cardiac arrest as I fell.


A/N: DUHN-DUHN! A cliffy! Le gasp! Lol, well, we'll just see what happens, eh? LATER TATERS!