His lungs burned and the muscles in his legs ached. The stairs only kept coming, rising higher and higher occasionally even crumbling beneath his feet. But Duosion was there to save him before he fell to the floor before, or Lampent was there to catch him beneath the arms. Dragonspiral was an ancient site, more relic than building, with twists and boulders littering its paths. Touya's eyes were determined, not letting himself stop no matter how loud his body screamed this was his limit, he hadn't trained himself to climb this high, this fast. The Plasma Grunts that occasionally planted themselves between him and his goal were not the same as the ones before. They were changing, shifting. Going from people to monsters, and the brunet no longer could recognize the team for what it stood for, but for what it stood against.

And that was what scared him, and compelled him. He had to see if the storm that preceded him here was foretelling what was to come, rather than what was.

And behind, Cheren was with Brycen battling other grunts, stalling them so Touya could run ahead.

Reaching the top of a staircase, the brunet wobbled the uneven flooring onwards. He was almost there, surely he had to be almost there… The building shook, Touya's already wobbly legs collapsing beneath him from the shocks all around. Dewott rushed to his side, checking over his trainer while the rest of his team tensed up, waiting to see the cause. From ahead around a corner were shouts and cheers. It was his resolve that got him shakily rising from his feet, ignoring the cuts and bruises that came from landing on sharp rocks. "Come on." Touya said, and Whirlipede looked to him curiously. She nodded, and the group began rushing forward once more.

Up ahead, as he ran past another giant column, was one of the Sages and four grunts. The elderly man, Giallo, had a glint in his eyes as he spoke, "It's finally time. Our Lord N will become the hero!" He announced. The brunet's eyes widened as he skidded to a halt, the words ringing through his ears. That cry he heard… and the building shaking…

"No…" The word came out of his mouth before he could stop it. I'm too late? The man and grunts turned at the sound, and the brunet instantly regretted his lapse in poor judgment.

"What? Someone made it clear up here?" Giallo yelled, appalled. Turning to the grunts he immediately enforced an order, "Now! Stop that trainer! For our Lord N!" The group of four raced towards the brunet, and panicked he tried to zigzag out and away from their reaches.

"I can't be too late!" He gasped, and then a gloved hand landed on his arm, pausing the brunet just long enough for the other grunts to move in and surrounded him. Touya looked all around at red-haired, blue-eyed faces. "Please, let me…!" Another grabbed his other arm, and instantly the brunet realized what they were trying to do – take away his Pokemon.

"Everyone who isn't Team Plasma is an enemy! Use all of your powers to take them out!" The sage announced, and the grunts nodded in agreement as they began searching the brunet's clothes. Panic gripped at the brunet, because what if they did take his Pokeballs? His team were rarely in them, but if those were gone could they really steal his friends…?

And there was a chorus of battle cries, and the grunts scattered as Dewott and Whirlipede began glowing. Dewott's front legs fell forward, and in the matter of seconds a horn grow and smacked one of the grunts into a wall, immediately knocking them unconscious. Whirlipede's head rose, thinning and stretching into a long neck, pinchers reaching down to lift another grunt and toss them to the side. Duosion used a psychic blast, knocking a third grunt into one whose leg got burst into flame from Lampent's efforts.

"Th-they're attacking us…?" Giallo gasped, stumbling backwards. It was a rare day Pokemon attacked people – only doing so when protecting their young. Which meant… his eyes flickered to the brunet, shaking in the same place he was before while his team quickly moved to surround him and stare the sage down. The stage gave a bow of acknowledgment, stepping back to make it known he was going to give them no more trouble to pass. Touya looked up, staring at his Pokemon – Dewott had just evolved into Samurott, and Whirlipede to Scolipede. They hadn't even been in a battle, and yet…

Samurott bent down, offering his back to his trainer. It's faster… his starter's expression seemed to say. Nodding, the brunet cautiously hopped on, making a surprised sound when feeling Lampent help him get on safely. Wrapping thin arms around a thick neck, he yelped when Samurott bounded forward. The rest quickly followed, heading towards to the stairs. Towards the top. Towards whatever wait for them beyond those doors up ahead. Scolipede was ahead, and through sheer brute force she knocked the doors right off their hinges, the rest following after her storming charge.

And when they got to the bridge, all movement halted and stopped as five pairs of eyes stared in awe and alarm at what lay at the very top and very heart of Dragonspiral Tower. Standing there, back to them and small in comparison to the great white creature hovering in the center was N. Smoke curled and billowed all around him, twisting with green strands of hair almost like affectionate fingers running through them. Large, mighty, and above all a legend come to life was Reshiram, its giant wings rising and falling with its breath, moving the smoke and air subtly with each movement. There was a heat that was both natural and unreal, emitting from the white Pokemon's tail – hot and alive. Blue eyes buried in coals for eye sockets, Reshiram turned its gaze to the group that burst into its tomb and quarters – into its home. Teeth bared at the team, not even hiding the fact it felt their presence was unwelcome.

"Wait here…" Touya whispered, slowly sliding off of Samurott's back and taking terrified but purposeful steps towards N. Hearing a sound aside from the slow growls emitted from Reshiram, the man turned around to face the brunet. Green eyes widened a fraction, before narrowing immediately into a mask that hid everything he no longer wanted to reveal.

"What do you think, Touya?" N asked, motioning at the great white beast. How do you like the form of the Pokemon who appears before and fights beside the hero who will lead the way to a new world?" He continued, and though his face was impassive… the way he stood stiffly, and seemed so uncomfortable with his own words, the brunet could tell he was having difficultly maintaining such a strict stance. Briefly, the brunet wondered what was happening at Team Plasma. And then he remembered the Shadow Triad, who were silent and unseen until they wanted to be noticed or had been summoned. He wondered if they were watching, if someone was watching… because he could not imagine N acting this way, not to Touya, while they were alone.

Or maybe the presence of Reshiram required a sturdier resolution to one's commitment, and wavering would only cause all of N's work to vanish in one flap of wings.

"I think… the new world you're seeking won't make you, or the Pokemon, happy. I think this path you're taking is filled with good intentions, but it is one that will only take you and those you care about to suffering and loneliness." Touya was surprised at his own words, and though his voice shook a little his resolution was there – his opinion heard. N was mildly startled, finally hearing what was in the brunet's heart. And then, just barely there, was a smile that was so sad Touya almost immediately regretted sharing it.

That was a smile that was finally forced to acknowledge what N wanted most, he could never have.

In turn, it was equally true for Touya and inside his heart felt like it was slowly peeling in two aching pieces.

"Now, Reshiram and I will head to the Pokemon League and defeat the Champion!" N turned around, no longer letting the other see his face. "This will be the last Pokemon battles that hurt Pokemon so. A world for Pokemon alone… It's finally going to be a reality." And with that, Reshiram flew upwards, and made a wide turn to return for its trainer. Turning his head to the side slightly N whispered softly, "If you want to stop me, you must become a hero… as well." He closed his eyes. "That's right. When Reshiram's counterpart, Zekrom, recognizes you, we… we will finally be even, and then you can try to stop us. Well…" N gave another bittersweet smile, "What will you do? My prediction… if the future I see is as true as your words, you will meet Zekrom. The Pokemon with yo believe in you so strongly… Will you be the one who interferes with my formula for changing the world? I wouldn't be surprised… you've already been interfering with my past ones, changing perhaps not the world… but…" He trailed, and shook his head before permitting himself to finish the rest of his sentence.

"If you want to protect the bonds between Pokemon and people, you must search for Zekrom. I'm sure it is waiting for you in the form of the Dark Stone." And with his final words, N raced forward and jumped off the edge – Reshiram swooping down to catch him, and carry him towards the League. Touya stood there, mind reeling as he watched the two forms fly off into pinpoints. N hadn't been as excited as he normally was when speaking, his words slow and carefully chosen. Not fast, rushed, and sometimes difficult to make out.

The brunet looked down, unable to make sense of why N not only explained things so simply for him, but also so slowly. As if he wanted to be sure that Touya, without a doubt, understood what was needed to stop the king. But why? If N's resoluation was wavering, Reshiram would not be there with him still. So how could he have that resolution, and still plainly tell the other how to stop him? That was when he realized there were two people behind him, and Touya jumped backwards settling immediately into the least threatening fighting stance a person could, but the brunet was no fighter and he honestly had no idea whether he could manage threatening if he wanted.

"Touya, did you see what just flew off?" Cheren gaped, and then paused to stare at the brunet. He took a quick breath, obviously fighting to not laugh at his friend. Embarrassed, Touya relaxed and weakly tried to pretend that didn't happen. Brycen, the gym leader, had a grave expression on his face throughout the exchange.

"How could this happen?" Brycen sighed, eyes watching the retreating legendary Pokemon and its new trainer.

"Why, is what I want to know. That was that guy N, right? Why was he with the legendary Pokemon? He couldn't really be the hero, could he?" Cheren sounded dubious in his guess, but there was an undertone of shock – all things considered, there was no other explanation. But still, he couldn't fathom someone like N commanding Reshiram. "Also… did I hear him to tell you to search for the other legendary Pokemon?" He asked, staring intently Touya, who merely looked down.

"Calm down!" Brycen's voice cut through the air, and both the brunet and Cheren jumped. Suddenly, the brunet realized his friend's voice had been raising, and then his visage was covered with worried lines. "First, we go back." The man ordered. "It's more important to decide what to do next than analyze what just happened."

"Wh-what…?" Touya stammered. But how could they decide what to do next, if they weren't sure what just happened? In a daze, he found his legs wobbly but following after his friend and Brycen, the sounds of his team following quietly after. They all traveled together back down the tower, and when they walked out everyone was talking and discussing and deciding all around the brunet, but not once did he participate in it. Noticing the furrowed brows and thoughtful expression, Cheren explained the basics of what he saw happen in his friend's place. But from the sounds of the conversation Touya did get, he heard there had been a giant tower of fire Reshiram released upon being summoned.

If it was that powerful… N really can make whole new world for Pokemon… he realized sadly, shoulders slumping. At the end of the conversation, all that had really been decided was they were all going to seek out the Dark Stone in hopes of obtaining it before Team Plasma did… before another dragon was added to their team. And the best place to search for it, was at Relic Castle. Bianca remained next to Touya, silent and contemplating. "I'll… I'll go there next. But first…"

"Of course. You need to heal your Pokemon, right?" Bianca asked with a smile, glancing to the side at his team. Lampent had returned herself to her Pokeball, hiding away from the light drizzle of rain so common to Icirrus City and its surrounding area. Nodding to her words, they said their farewell and he began following the path back towards the city itself trying to make sense of what was happening.

All he could figure, was N told him everything not because he wanted Touya to stop him, but because he wanted to give Touya something… to find a way to amend for the two parting ways based on opinion and nothing more. Spotting a large boulder, Touya sighed and walked over to sit on it, not even caring it was slick from the daylong drizzle. Taking a short break, he rested his chin on his hands, looking down and letting his eyes water. Samurott and Scolipede sat on either side of him, exchanging glances on occasion but letting their trainer be. Duosion rested, closing his eyes and meditating. They weren't particularly injured, and were willing to give Touya a chance to catch his breath and put his mind back in order.

"I think…" Touya began in a thick voice. "I think there's more to it. I think N wants to give me a chance, but there's more to it…" He couldn't look up – he couldn't open his eyes. "But I don't know what. That was N, but it wasn't him… I don't think he's the only one pulling strings in Team Plasma, but he's the king so it doesn't make sense…"

"Ghetsis." A woman's voice interrupted his thoughts, and immediately wide watery brown eyes snapped up to stare at the newcomer. The woman several years older, with brown hair cut short that curled into her face. She wore blue skinnyjeans, and a black turtleneck with a white vest over it. She had blue eyes that were cutting and narrowed at him. "Member of the Seven Sages, he leads them and guides Lord N down the righteous path a king of Team Plasma must follow." Her words were curt, and to the point.

"Who…?"

"You don't remember me?" The woman sneered. "Your fought my Pokemon into the ground, praised me for serving my lord, and then stabbed me where it mattered most with your lies and you forget my face already?" She spat. "I knew my Lord N had his head in a land of fantasies when he grew a fondness for you."

"I don't…" Touya wiped his eyes, and tried to stare harder at her. The hair style… those eyes… he gasped. "You look… different." He finally realized. Last time he saw her was in a cave, and she was cleaning up after her Trubbish's poisonous attacks – she used her uniform to do so, in order to not taint the natural habit of the local Pokemon. Back then, her head was red though… "What happened?" At Touya's inquiries, she rolled her eyes.

"Hair dye washed out. Red never stays very well." The woman, the ex-Plasma Grunt, scoffed. "And what do you mean, what happened? You lied to my lord. You told him I was attacking innocent Pokemon." Her eyes narrowed, and she moved into a more threatening stance. Immediately, Touya's Pokemon moved, ready to push the woman away if she tried anything. Once more, she sneered. "A real man fights his own battles, doesn't let his Pokemon fight all of them for him." It wasn't a tone that was challenging – just an opinion the woman believed in. At that moment, Touya realized she had no Pokemon out. It was just her, facing him and showing no fear of the brunet or even of his team.

"…this isn't a battle, though." Touya murmured, and stood up. He motioned to his team it was all right, and they backed down – but none of them let the tension leave their bodies. "I don't even know your name. I couldn't have told him that." And he knew what she was referring to, which made him all the more confused. "I just told N I had seen some Plasma Grunts attacking a Munna in the Dream Yard several weeks ago. I didn't know who, or exactly when… and he told me he would look into it."

The ex-grunt stared at him, eyes still hard but searching and seeking out any implications he was lying. Finally, she relaxed and took a few steps back but confusion was evident on her face. "But if you didn't…"

"You don't strike me as the kind of person who can-"

"I'm not that kind of person!" The woman snarled. "It's why I joined Team Plasma to begin with! I was sick and tired of standing by, and watching… always watching! It's why I supported and continue to support my lord, cast out or allowed in! And it's why I will track down every man and woman that dares to take that from me, from others, from my lord, and from Pokemon themselves! …but… I was wrong this time. It wasn't you." She paused, catching her breath and furrowing her brow at Touya. "Which is why I really can't understand why I have been stripped of my uniform, of my role in helping create a new world…"

"…you said Ghetsis was the other-"

"Don't even suggest that!" She hissed, though she sounded more alarmed than angry. "Just… just leave that be. That is a road we do not travel, neither in or outside of Team Plasma. All right? If you wish to remain close to N, you never question Ghetsis. But if you do not mind tearing what little threads still attach you together, then feel free to. But… please try not to." The woman gave him a pleading look, and then got on one knee – bowing in a typical knight fashion to him. "Please. Remain close to my lord, and protect him in my stead. I know what you are trying to do – both for and against N. And… and my only wish is to serve my lord, and protect all those I love. If you really do become the hero of ideals as N requests… it is my hope your actions will reflect my own ideals, as well." Standing, she nodded to him. "I will be around. If you need me, just leave notes. I will find them, and come as fast as my legs will carry me." And with that, she turned on her heel and left Touya speechless.

Another ally.

Rousing himself from his silenced stupor, he ran after him. "Wait!" She paused, looking curiously and impatiently at him. "What's your name?"

"…Rowan. Yours?"

"Touya."

"…pleasure to work with you this time, Touya." Rowan hesitated, and then forced a smile to him. "Do you need something of me so soon, aside from my name?"

"In Nimbasa. There's a Zebstrika and a Petili…"

"Of course. I will leave them a present for you." Rowan gave a final bow, and then not even giving Touya a chance she released a Swanna and hopped onto it to fly away. He watched, part of him wishing he could fly after somehow… and then realized Relic Castle was far away, and he had no idea how to get there aside from running. His legs trembled, and Scolipede was immediately there, helping support him before they gave out again.

"I have no idea how we're going to get there." Touya admitted weakly.

A/N: YEAH. THAT TEAM PLASMA GRUNT CAME BACK. I'm sure you've all already forgotten her though, since this fic took such a LONG hiatus until recently and if I didn't have a lot of this pre-planned to begin with I probably would have forgotten, too. Anyway, until this chapter totally forgot he probably needs that Braviary ASAP. Think that'll be next chapter. But, uh... this one was a few days late. Sorry about that. Also, have you guys seen the promo for the new Pokemon Black and White 2 games? HOLY CRAP. I WANT IT. SO HARD. You don't even KNOW. Cannot stop fangushing over it.
Disclaimer: Nope. Still don't own nor am affiliated with Pokemon or Nintendo.