Rose sighed worriedly as she passed another poster with an ever familiar white, black and blue shield. Below it, a few paragraphs, updating the public on Team Plasma's work and accomplishments. These posters, which had been met with indifference, and even anger at first, were now becoming popular and anticipated. A child dashed by Rose, nearly causing her to trip, and ran up to the poster, pointing and asking for his mother to read the news for him.

"They are becoming more powerful." Roma murmured from her shoulder, flicking out his forked tongue in distaste.

"I know…" She replied, an uncomfortable knot forming in her stomach. "People are beginning to sway to their side, they are being brainwashed."

"We need to do something about it." Her eyes, fearful and confused, met his and he nodded once. "They know not what they do."

"How are we supposed to do anything? Team Plasma is a huge organization, and we're just three Pokemon and a human."

Roma was stern for a moment, and then cracked a soft smile, placing a claw gently on her cheek.

"Rose, together…we can do anything."

"Yea?" She asked, a smile creeping onto her lips as well. He nodded and she grinned, nodding as well.

"It will be hard, but we have to try our best." He turned his head and observed the street around them for a moment, worry furrowing his brow. "There are even less now…"

Ever since the Ball, about two months ago, Roma and Rose had noticed fewer Pokemon with Trainers, and more confused and lost Pokemon in the wild. It seemed that Plasma had either stolen Pokemon, or convinced Trainers to release theirs.

"Wh-what are you doing?!" An unfamiliar voice asked. Rose turned to see a frightened looking young boy staring at Roma. The Servine tensed, ready to handle any trouble, and Rose backed up, alarmed.

"You need to hide that Servine!" The boy hissed, looking around warily. "Plasma is here. We hid our Pokemon so they won't take them. If you aren't careful, they snatch away yours!"

"I'd like to see them try!" Roma huffed, puffing out his chest, and almost immediately afterwards they heard another shout, and turned to see three Plasma Members charging towards them.

"Careful what you wish for." Rose mumbled, unsure of whether to run or stay and fight. A quick survey or the area revealed an easy escape, but also many onlookers, some curious, and some…worried?

"We need to fight." Roma told her quietly, sensing her thoughts. "We need to make a stand, to show these people that they can fight back."

Rose glanced at Roma rom the corner of her eye and grinned.

"Well then, let's give them one hell of a fight!"

N walked silently through the streets of Mistralton city, his head lowered and hands shoved deep into his pockets. His mind swam through dark thoughts, and he instinctively sought the sunlight, as if it could pierce the shadows in his head. In plain clothes he was not recognized, and wearing a white hoodie to cover his mint green hair helped, as did pulling the brim of his hat low over his eyes.

He was here for two reasons, one being that this town was on the way to Dragon Spiral tower, where he was going to bring the Black Orb and summon Zekrom, and the other being that his incompetent grunts had actually located the White Orb, and he figured he could bring that along with him as well, after all, the more the merrier.

About half a block away he noticed some sort of event, though he had no clue what it could be. There was a large crowd, but it was silent…until a Pokemon's cry broke through the silence, a cry he would recognize anywhere.

"Roma…?" His heart, which had felt heavy and useless, began to beat, thumping noisily in his chest. What was Roma doing here? Was Rose with him? Had his grunts captured the Servine? And if so…what had become of Rose?

He took a step toward the crowd, but halted, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Looking around, he noticed a nearby building with decorative stone that looked easy enough to climb.

He scaled the building easily and found a nice, flat surface to view from, but as soon as he found the middle of the crowd, the world began to swim.

She was there.

Her clothes were different, perhaps she had purchased new ones? She appeared thinner, and most notably of all, meaner, but he still recognized her. Those wide blue eyes which always glittered, now glinted like fragmented glass, those soft pink lips were pulled back as she shouted a command. She looked concerned, and N understood why, she had defeated one of the grunts, but they had all attacked her at once, and two of her Pokemon, Liam and Blight, lay unconscious beside her.

Roma seemed to be in rough shape, but he let out what could only be described as a roar as he performed a giga drain attack, completely sapping one of his opponent's energy and rejuvenating himself some.

N was surprised to find himself cheering for her, and after a moment of reflection, he realized why. If anyone was to defeat her, he wanted it to be himself. He wanted to be the one to impress her, to make her submit.

His thoughts were derailed when the last grunt's Pokemon fainted, letting out a soft cry and collapsing. Rose froze for a moment, meeting Roma's eyes, then let out a cheer.

The crowd around her exploded with applause.

She recalled her fainted Pokemon, pressing her lips to their capsules as they shut, and reached out for Roma.

Instead, one of the grunts stepped forward and held out a white object.

Rose couldn't believe they had won. Nine against three were odds she didn't want to take, but her team had fought valiantly and they had been rewarded. Roma staggered towards her in an almost drunk state, barely able to keep conscious. He had been at a type disadvantage for most of the fight, but sheer determination had kept him going.

He had almost reached her when he suddenly froze, eyes widening and spine stiffening. He turned to his left and let out a deep hiss, vines unfurling as a white hooded figure parted the crowd.

"Just handing over my possessions now, are we?" A silky voice asked. The grunt who had offered her the Orb froze, eyes terrified.

"My L-lord!" The grunt stuttered, almost losing her grip on the precious sphere. "She defeated us, we must keep our word…"

"Yes…keeping one's word is always important…always." He pulled back his hood and stared directly at Rose, familiar slate grey eyes bearing into her soul.

"N." She breathed, feeling her knees grow weak. She had hoped to not have to see him again. At least, not so soon. It had occurred to her that if she were to take down Team Plasma, she would have to battle him, but that would be a long ways off. She wasn't ready to battle. But mostly, she wasn't ready to see him.

She wanted her heart to be icy and hard and stone, but as their eyes met she only wanted to run to him and throw her arms around him, feel his warm body against hers, smell the scent she had grown so fond of, hear a chuckle emanate from his chest.

"I see you have defeated my associates." He announced loudly, as if putting on a show. "Very well, I am a fair King. You have won your prize, the White Orb." He strode forward elegantly, as a King should, and retrieved the Orb before facing her.

Roma let out another deep hiss, but his stance was wobbly, and he shook as if in pain. N stared down at him for a moment and a look of genuine concern crossed his features.

"Rest, Roma. I will not harm her."

"That's what you said last time, liar!" Roma snarled, voice faltering ever so slightly. "Oath breaker, bond wrecker!"

"I will not harm her." N repeated, stepping forward. Roma moved as if to attack, but his legs gave out beneath him and he collapsed, unconscious. Rose gasped and reached towards her fallen friend, but N reached him first, scooping up the exhausted Servine and walking over to her.

Silently he transferred Roma to her arms, careful not to make any contact with her. She cradled the exhausted creature like a child, whispering sweet words to him. N smiled gently at the gesture, knowing that she truly did care for her Pokemon, and they her.

But not all Trainers were like her. Not all people were like her. No, she was different in every way, and that was what he so adored about her.

"You have won this prize, the White Orb." He told her, his voice slightly raised. She looked up at him almost sadly, but said nothing.

"Bring this to the top of Dragonspiral Tower and attempt to summon Reshiram! Once I summon Zekrom, Reshiram will be your only hope of challenging me. Our battle will decide who is truly the Hero of Unova, if Ideals or Truth are the right way."

She reached for the Orb, and this time he reached forward and clasped a hand over hers, pulling her close.

"I will wait for you there. But tonight, I will wait for you on Route 7." He pulled her closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "Come while your team rests. I will not harm you. I just don't want us to be interrupted."

Short little chapter, I know, I just wanted to get it out so I can work on the next one. This is one I've been waiting to write for a long time.

I didn't get any feedback from my last chapter, and I wonder if nobody liked it, or if no one is reading anymore because I'm so lousy at updating lol

-Vayel