DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon or the characters! All rights belong to the original authors and creators.

(A/N: The main story will be told from Touko's POV from here on. With some exceptions depending on how the chapter is written.)

Chapter 12

(Touko's POV)

N had left to meet with the Sages, leaving me alone in the bedroom. My plan was moving along smoothly so far. N was a sucker, and I was a genius.

I just had to stay on his good side for the rest of the night and I'd be out of here once and for all!

I mentally applauded myself for my 5 star performance as I plopped onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling. Somehow, I did feel a bit guilty for playing on his emotions like this..

I couldn't shake this uneasy feeling I had been having.. N certainly had feelings for me, and I was only building him up to knock him down.

I'm sorry N. Let's face it..you and I is just never going to happen. I sighed and buried my head under the pillows. I needed to try and drown out my worries with some sleep..

...

When I opened my eyes, the sunlight was shining strongly into the room through the windows. It was probably late afternoon by now.

I stretched and sat up, looking around the room.

N wasn't here.

I yawned as I walked to the bathroom, and stripped down for a shower.

After I finished up I stepped out in front of the sink to dry off. I wiped away the fog from the mirror and stared at my reflection.

Deep purple creases were beginning to set in under my eyes. I squinted and touched my face. I was looking a bit pale too. Jeez, I really need to get out of this place. It's not healthy staying trapped in here like a caged Pidove.

I quickly brushed my teeth and wrapped myself in a towel. I pushed open the bathroom door and walked out towards the bed.

I noticed some clothes had been laid out; A small yellow sundress with white polka dots, and a pair of strap sandals.

I wonder if Concordia had picked this out too.. But more importantly, where was N?

I got dressed and brushed out my long curls, pulling my hair up into a ponytail. I slipped on my shoes and did a full turn in the mirror. I smiled. This dress was super cute and fit perfectly.

I reached for the door handle, but it pushed open before I could grab it.

"You're awake!"

I jumped.

"Gah! N! You're gonna have to stop doing that!" I shouted.

He held up his hands and apologized. "Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to show you something since you're finally awake!"

I let out a deep breath and folded my arms. "Well what is it?"

N pushed the door open and pulled in a cart with a silver tray.

I raised my brows at him.

"What is all this?" I asked. I wasn't exactly too fond of surprises lately.

N rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously. "Well I just wanted to do something for you, to say thanks for last night."

He pulled the top off the tray and revealed a colorful assortment of beautifully arranged fruits and decorative pastries. My eyes widened and I felt my mouth watering.

I ran to the cart and looked around at the lavish treats. All of it looked amazing. I grabbed an apple square, shoving the whole thing in my mouth, letting out a deep sigh of joy.

Damn it, this was good..

I picked up a strawberry tart and took a large bite.

N chuckled. "Well I take it you must like it?"

I simply nodded; my mouth being too full of sweets to speak. I finished three slices of cherry cheese cake, and a bear claw before I was stuffed. I leaned back onto the bed, letting out a deep breath.

I giggled as N rubbed my shoulders. I didn't really mind his touch at the moment.

"So have you decided yet?" N asked me.

"Huh?"

"Where you'd like to go tonight. I said I'd take you anywhere you want to go."

"Oh, well.. I hadn't exactly made up my mind yet." I explained.

"Well what about Nimbasa city? You said you wanted to ride the ferris wheel." He said, popping a strawberry into his mouth.

"But you said I had to-"

"Forget what I said Touko. I'm asking you now. Is that what you'd like to do?" He grinned.

"Really?" I asked him excitedly.

"Yeah, of course. I'll arrange a ride, and we'll head out there in a minute." He smiled and took my hand.

...

We climbed out of the back of the limousine and stepped out to take in the beautiful scenery. Large buildings towered over us, and lights of every color flashed on the signs.

I smiled the biggest smile I had in a long time. I threw out my arms and squealed.

"It feels so good to be outside! It's amazing!" I giggled as I spun in circles.

N grinned and scooped me up. He kept spinning me as he spoke. "Well I'm glad to see you're so excited!"

I laughed and hugged him tightly. "Thank you N! Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me now, we haven't even gotten to the best part yet!" He let me down and offered his hand, and we ran towards the amusement park.

We reached the ferris wheel, and handed our tickets to the man running the ride.

I climbed into the car and N followed behind me. He plopped down and shut the door. The machine started up and we slowly drifted up into the air.

I stared out the glass and smiled. It was nostalgic being up here again. The two of us riding the ferris wheel together.

I turned back and faced N. He looked happier than I did.

I exhaled and leaned my head on his shoulder. We laughed and reminisced over our journey with our Pokemon.

We stayed in Nimbasa city until the street lights had come on and the sounds of the carnival games and the laughter and chatter of all the people had faded.

We had ridden nearly every ride twice, and N won me a stuffed Audino at a bottle rings game.

I hugged my prize tightly as we walked down the dimly lit streets.

"Thank you, N." I smiled.

"You keep saying that! It's no problem at all, Touko." N laughed, and wrapped his arm around me. "You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you smiling."

I looked down at my feet and chewed my bottom lip. I was feeling so much guilt.. I.. I couldn't face him like this.

As we made our way out of the city and back to the castle, my mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts.

We walked through the halls in silence. N noticed something was on my mind.

"What's wrong Touko?" He asked. "Are you getting tired? We can head back to the room if you want to."

"N-No.. can we go somewhere else and talk?"

"Sure." He said, taking my hand.

...

We traveled through the west wing of the castle and turned through several chambers and doors. After what felt like forever I found myself in a room that looked similar to a church.

We walked by several rows of pews; the clacking of our footsteps echoed through the vast room. The pink and orange hues of the sunset shone softly through the stained glass windows.

I wondered where he was taking me.

"This way." N said. I followed him past the stone pillars of the chapel balcony, and up a long spiral staircase to the rooftop.

N let go of my hand and led me towards what looked like a wedding Gazebo.

We sat on the bench and I kicked off my shoes and leaned back, taking a deep breath. We sat in silence, listening to soft sounds of the leaves blowing in the wind.

"The sky looks beautiful tonight.." He whispered.

I looked up at him as he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

My mouth hung open as he pulled out a rose from under the table and kissed my hand. "But not quite as beautiful as you."

I stared into his sparkling azure irises. He flashed me a smile and handed me the rose; his long hair swayed behind him in the breeze.

N wrapped his arm around me and held me tight. I shut my eyes as my lungs filled with his scent. He smelled like spearmint and vanilla.

I was dumbfounded.

Arceus, How could somebody go from being a psycho pervert one moment..to being charming and sweet the next.

"N, I don't even know what to say.." I muttered. "This is all so sweet.. Thank you."

"I told you, don't worry about it." He said, rubbing my hand. "I would do things like this and a million more every single day if it meant I'd get to see you happy like this."

I blushed and looked back down.

He squeezed my hand and looked up at the sky.

"Tonight was amazing. It's so much fun being with you. When we're together.. It's like nothing else in the world even matters. I-I haven't felt this happy in a long time.."

My heart was stinging at his words.

"Touko.." He whispered. "I love you."

My eyes went wide and I gasped.

He.. Loved me?

He placed his hands on my cheeks and pulled me into a sweet kiss.

My heart was pounding and I felt my face growing hot.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I kissed him back. I couldn't explain these feelings I had been having lately. I felt torn between my old life, and these new feelings that were starting to surface for him..

I pulled away and hugged my shoulders. "N, listen.. I have to talk to about you something.."

He stared down at me curiously with that innocent, boyish face. I really wish he'd stop looking at me like that.

I cleared my throat. "It's just. Lately I've felt like-"

I was cut off as Anthea suddenly burst through the doors. We both jumped and looked around.

What on Earth was going on now?

"Lord N, the Sages have called for you. It's an emergency. Come quickly."

N frowned and turned back to me. "Touko, I'm sorry.. We'll continue this when I get back, I promise."

He placed a soft kiss on my lips and left me alone.

I stood and walked over towards the edge of the rooftop. I buried my face in my stuffed Audino. My stomach was tied in knots.

I sighed and gazed up at the sky. "What am I going to do.."

Just then I was thrown back by a powerful gust of wind. I squinted my eyes and looked up. An enormous shadow overcasted me.

My breath hitched in my throat. No way..

"Reshiram!" I shouted. "It's me, Touko! Over here!"

The white dragon roared and let out a fiery blast, hitting the tower above my head.

I quickly jumped out of the way as large chunks of stone and rubble crumbled down, crashing onto the ground.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Reshiram came to rescue me! I rushed back through the balcony and up the long swirl of stairs that led to the high tower's outlook.

My eyes darted up to search the sky. Several Plasma Grunts had sent out their flying Pokemon and were chasing Reshiram through the air.

He growled as the enemy Pokemon attacked him. He was still hurt from our last battle.. Still, those Mandibuzz and Unfezant were no match for a Legendary Dragon.

Damn it! I'd never catch up to them on foot! I held my breath as I stepped out onto the stone rails. My hair was blowing wildly as the fierce wind rushed by.

"RESHIRAM!" I screamed as loud as I could and waved my arms. "Come this way!"

Reshiram's eyes looked my way for a moment before he whipped around and sailed towards me.

I stumbled back as he crashed onto the roof. The vast white Pokemon lowered his head and stared at me.

"Reshiram.." I whispered. "You came back for me."

My eyes started to well with tears. He closed his eyes and let out a soft coo as I embraced him.

The shouts and cries of the Pokemon and Plasma grunts broke us from our short-lived reunion.

It only took one gaze as our eyes met to know we were both thinking the same thing. I hopped onto his back and we launched into the sky.

"Woah!" I cried as we suddenly shifted to the side, dodging an Aerial Ace and a Razor wind.

Reshiram growled and shot out a Dragonbreath, knocking the smaller bird Pokemon to the ground.

"Good job!" I cheered.

We sailed through the air at breakneck speed, whipping past the courtyard and the garden.

I gritted my teeth as we neared the front wing of the castle and soared towards to main gate. Almost there.. Almost there!

BOOM!

I screamed and clung tightly to Reshiram's ashen fur as we were knocked back.

"Ugh.." I held my head and tried to focus on what just had happened.

My eyes shot up and I felt my heart skip a beat.

Zekrom was flying towards us just feet away, preparing another Zen Headbutt attack.

"Reshiram hurry get out of the way!" I shouted. But it was too late.

Reshiram flinched and roared as he was slammed with another Zen Headbutt.

"NOOO!" I cried as we were sent flying, crashing hard onto the ground of the courtyard.

I shrieked as Reshiram rolled out of the way of a Fusion Bolt; The powerful lightning attack just barely missing us and splitting a large crater into the Earth.

I jumped down, and struggled to gain my balance. "Huff.. Huff.. Reshiram, are you okay?" I panted.

I looked up at him in horror. He was bleeding.

"Reshiram.." I choked out, reaching up to touch his face.

He roared and shot back up into the sky, Zekrom was right on his heels. They flew over the main gate and off into the horizon.

"Wait! Reshiram come back!" I screamed.

I stumbled across the long marble path of the manor as fast as I could.

I slammed into the front gates and tugged on the bars, but they wouldn't budge. Tears prickled in my eyes.

"No!" I cried "No! No! NO!" I sobbed.

Frustrated, I snapped a branch from a nearby tree and slammed it into the lock. The only thing standing between me and freedom is just one gate!

One!

Clang!

Fucking!

Clang!

Gate!

Clang!

Reshiram and the others need me!

I'm NOT giving up here!

I beat the branch against the chain and lock until my shoulders felt as though they would slip out of their sockets.

Before I could make another move I found myself being jerked backwards and flung to the ground by my hair.

I rubbed the back of my head and twisted around. "What the-!"

There stood Anthea, gazing down at me coldly.

"And where exactly did you think you were going?" She asked flatly.

I gritted my teeth and jumped to my feet, swinging my fist at her.

Concordia appeared behind me suddenly; shoving me hard back onto the ground.

Anthea picked up the branch, lightly swinging it back and forth as she spoke. "Answer the question, girl."

"Fuck you.." I panted out.

"I see. Lord N will be displeased to find his goods returned with a bit of.. damage. But it would certainly disappoint him more if he discovered they had gone missing." Anthea said with a sinister tone.

"You must really think you're something special don't you? I don't even know what he sees in a such a stupid bratty girl with no manners." Concordia chimed in.

She grabbed the chain from the gate and wrapped it around my neck tighter and tighter; choking the air from my body.

I struggled to move but Anthea held my arms in a vicegrip. The chain tightened even more and I dropped to my knees, gasping for air.

Concordia jerked the chain and started to drag me back in the opposite direction. I reached my arms out and dug my nails into the dirt as I was pulled further and further from the gates.

The tears flowed down my face and I squeezed my eyes shut. No.. no.. Reshiram.. We were so close..

We stopped moving when a stern voice called out for us to stop. I gulped and slowly looked up.

My blood ran cold when my eyes met with the face of none other than Ghetsis.

"My my.." He tutted. "What do we have here.."

The look in his eyes was poisonous as he grabbed the chain from Concordia. "My dear, I told you not to cross me. It seems to me that you must have taken my words lightly."

"Very well." He said, sending me that same chilling smile.

"I see you're just going to have to learn things the hard way."