"I hope you are enjoying the festival as much as I am, Crymson." N took a sip from his Sitrus Lemonade drink from his cup. Me and N are taking a break after about an hour and forty-five minutes of playing all of the games in the Festival of the Setting Sun event in Nimbasa City amusement park. "I bet winning games sure made you feel pretty happy for me."

I giggled, taking a sip from my Pecha-Sitrus smoothie. "Of course, N! Just, I wish you couldn't go overboard with giving me so many prizes. Why can't you have just a few? You've won each and every one of them, after all." Throughout the time me and N have been playing the row of games, I have been piled with a lot of Pokemon plushes and custom accessories that was given to me from N. Even a charm bracelet on my left wrist with little berries on each string of chains.

N smiled and chuckled, placing his lemonade down on the small, round table. "I wanted to make sure you get them so you can feel happy. Isn't that what couples at about, the male giving gifts and prizes to his significant other just to make her happy?"

"Materialistic things alone doesn't make someone happy." I chomped down a ridged fry from my tray. "Showing that person you care for her and staying by her side through thick and thing is what makes her happy. But, with all these prizes you gave me, I am highly thankful you cared about me than just yourself, unlike Cheren."

N stole a couple of fries from my tray. "Your friend only thinks of self power and self glory to become a champion of this region. No matter how many times you and your friends try to reason him, even the champion himself, I don't think anything will phase him. Not even a couple of losses will make him think different." He took another sip if his lemonade. "You, on the other hand, are different. You try to speak the truth with love and compassion towards people and Pokemon alike. But," he placed his cup down and sighed. "that doesn't change the fact that there are countless people who are making Pokemon suffer for their own needs, your glasses-wearing friend for example."

I slipped my left hand on N's hand, having his head move up to see me. "I know you want to create an ideal world where Pokemon don't have to suffer from people lime that. Maybe I can help you with that. I rather have a world where no kind of antagonizing organization would dare try to find any way to use Pokemon as tools or ways of taking over the world, a world where Pokemon and people are equal."

"Crymson," N spoke, his facial expression dropped to a more hurtful one, for some reason. "it's a little complicated to have someone with me to help with my ideal mainly bec-"

"Crymson, N!" Bianca's high pitch voice made me and N turn to see her with Iris along with some prizes in their arms. "Wow, I have never felt this awesome in all my life! Just look at the prizes me and Iris won!" She showed us a little PokeBall keychain, a Patrat plush, a flower hat on her head, and a little necklace with a face of a Tepig, like her starter Pokemon.

Iris has a few Pokemon plushes that are unfamiliar to me, some Dragonite horns, and dragon wings on her back. "I got a bunch of Dragon-Type stuff! I love Dragon-Type Pokemon so much!" She eyed me with my bucket load of prizes around me. "Wow, Crymson! Did you won all that by yourself?"

Me and N laughed a little, confusing the two friends of mine. "No, N did. He just gave every one of his prizes to me. In fact," I gave N a little fry, holding it closed to him so he can grab I with his teeth. "we're just taking a little break before we do the lanterns in fifteen minutes."

"Fun, fun!" Bianca squealed, sitting down next to me with Iris sitting down next to N across from us. "We just got out from seeing a spectacular Pokemon Musical with a few, very adorable Pokemon is such cute costumes! I wish I could've have my Munny up there and wow everyone with their cuteness!"

"Using Pokemon to act in front if a crowd..." N spoke, monotonously. "It ruins their self confidence and dignity to have people tell them what to do and force them to dance and create tricks to astonish the crowd." I noticed one of his hands balling up to a fist.

"N, those Pokemon are fine there." Bianca waved a hand while holding a sandwich with the other. "Speaking of which, I wonder how Joaquin and Cheren are doing during their time here?"

"Aw, come on, Poindexter!" We hear Joaquin yelled and bellowed a laugh from behind me and Bianca. "I tell you, the score is 14 points on me, and 12 points on you. I think you need to clear your glasses." Joaquin has a crown on his head, a sash saying MOST PIE EATEN over his torso, and a huge plush version of his Simisage, Rex.

Cheren growled, keeping his grasp on his Pokemon plushes while holding onto a bag of popcorn and a medium sized drink. "It was 13 points even for the both of us! I think you need to check your Xtransciever and count up the tallies again." He and Joaquin got closer to us, giving out a prideful smirk. "See, I got the most prizes in this festival than y-" he took a quick look if me with a dozen of plus he surrounding me. "Never mind..." He sat down next to me on my right.

Joaquin sat down next to Iris on the far left from my view, setting down his burger and fries on the table. "Beaten by Flare Head, I see? Man, I could've sworn Poindexter will push his a-game o the max, but apparently his pride just dwindled by the dozen plus she has." He took a chomp of his burger. "So, next up is the lanterns, right?"

Iris eyed Joaquin in a disgust manner. "Dude, ever heard of never talking with your mouth full!? A few of the bun crumbs just landed on my poofy and silky hair!" She used her small hands to brush the food particles off of her dark, navy blue hair. "Speaking of lanterns, has anybody thought of some design to put on your lanturn cover? I'm thinking of putting a little Axew on it. Axew is my favorite tiny, Dragon-Type Pokemon."

"Axew?" I broke my silence. "I wish I have my PokeDex to identify it, but I left that and my Pokemon back in my rented room across the Pokemon Center."

Iris giggled and lift up a small Pokemon plush. "This is an Axew!" The plush she is showing us resembles a cute, grayish-green Pokémon with pale, straight tusks protruding from the sides of its mouth. The back of its head is dark grayish-green with a tall, slightly curved horn. Large, dark grayish-green ovals surround its red eyes, and it has a short, rounded snout with large nostrils. A forest green collar marking encircling its neck. "Isn't it cute!?" She held onto the plush tightly against her face.

"I believe so." Bianca said, smiling giddily. "I should have a little tulip design on my lantern. I really do adore tulips when I was little!"

Cheren blew a raspberry through his closed lips. "Pathetic choices. Mine should have a trophy as a symbol of me becoming a champion in the Pokemon League. My dreams of becoming one will fly into the sky, and everyone will notice my strength and dare challenge me who deems challengeable."

"Stuck with the wanting-to-become-champion nonsense?" Joaquin groaned, having Cheren growled at him. "After the champion has told you to think about your dream of becoming a champion with strength alone, I'm not surprised that you are still thick-headed." He took a sip from his small drink. "On a side note, I'm going to have my and Rex's faces on the lantern. I possibly don't think our friendship can ever perish while it still flies out into the clouds."

"Awwww!" Bianca clasped her hands together. "That is the sweetest thing I ever heard from you, Joaquin!" Because of her statement, it made Joaquin flush with embarrassment. "What about you, Crymson? Anything you want to put on your lantern?"

I pressed my chin with my right index. "I'm thinking a Gracidea flower. I really love the flower so much, I even got one as a barrette." I wanted to say that N was the one that gave me the flower, but knowing Cheren's endless loathing of N, I rather keep it silent. "How about you, N? Got anything in mind to put on yours?"

N eyed me and smiled. "I'll keep mine a secret. I've already thought of something to have one my lantern."

"What, like you hearing those inner voices of Pokemon?" Cheren rolled his eyes while having his arm on the table, supporting his head. "I think a creep like you shouldn't be here in the first place, even holding hands with Crymson IN MY LINE OF SIGHT!"

I grabbed Cheren's shirt collar. "A million times already, N is not a freaking creep!" I was about to punch him until a high pitch sound made me, and my group of friends, cover our ears. "Owww!" I yelled, uncovering my ears.

"Attention all participants!" It sounded like Elesa on the intercom. "This is your Gym Leader of Nimbasa City Elsa speaking, informing everyone in the festival grounds that we are five minutes away from casting the lanterns into the sky before our festival mascot will create a stunning dance for all of us to witness under the setting sun! Please make your way to the lantern decal designers near the amusement park for your own lantern and request your unique design. May I also inform you all that the rides will be closed for the rest of the festival time. Thank you all!"

"It's about to begin, guys!" Bianca squealed, standing straight up off the bench. "Come on guys! We can't miss it!" She hopped over the seat as she made her way, running, to the huge crowd of people.

Cheren shook his head, grabbing his and Bianca's prizes. "She's as clueless as you are, Crymson." Keeping a tight home on all of the prizes, he got up off the bench and made his way around the table. The rest of us did the same, while grabbing our souvenirs.

I came close to N's side. "What is the design you are going to put on your lantern?" I am just as curious as a little Meowth finding treasure near the beach.

N chuckled, locking his hand with mine. "As I said, it's a secret. I'll tell you once I get it. And a Gracidea flower on your lantern, is it because of me giving you the flower barrette." He chuckled again. "I knew you kept it hidden to avoid any more conflict with your power-hungry friend."

I giggled along with his chuckle. "Guess I don't need to tell you yes since you've already read my mind. I must tell you that someone told me that the word Gracidea in another language means gratitude back in the Sinnoh Region. I guess it really does match your gratitude with me, right?"

N signified a small nod to me. "Exactly. Now, lets go get our lanterns." Keeping a firm grasp of my hand, we walked along with our friends to the crowd ahead of us.


Along with Cheren, Iris, and Bianca, I stood and wait with them for Joaquin and N to finish waiting for their designs to be finished on their lanterns. So far, I have only see Joaquin standing in front of the decal artist. "Odd, I wonder where N went?" I spoke, keeping a hold of my lantern with the Gracidea flower on the front. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, are near the amusement area where the huge lake is to the east.

"Probably too damn embarrassed to show off his lantern design to anyone," Cheren replied in a unpleasant tone, while holding his lantern with a trophy on it. "maybe even you, Crymson."

"Oh, stop being such a party pooper, Cheren!" Iris argued, placing her free hand on her hip with her right hand is holding her lantern with and Axew head on it. "I think he needs time to come with confidence to show his lantern to us."

Joaquin nodded, holding onto his lantern with both his and Rex's faces aide by side. "Yeah, give Pistachio a break, Poindexter. What if he doesn't want to show it to us and let it fly solo. No offense, Flare Head, on your boyfriend."

I growled. "I keep on telling you, N is not my boyfriend!" Just by that remark, mu face flushed and the heat burned my cheeks. "But, I don't know. Should I go look for him?"

Bianca, with her tulip design on her lantern, placed her hand on my right shoulder. "If you want to, you can go search for him while we still have time before we set our lanterns up into the sky."

"Attention, everyone!" Elesa spoke through the speakers. "We are just a minute away from launching our lanterns into the sky. If you haven't receive your decal on your lantern, do while you can in this last minute. Me, and the champion of Unova, Alder, will let you know when to release them. Thank you all!"

"Better make it quick, Flare Head." Joaquin suggested. "Only one minute left until we release our lanterns."

I nod afterwards. "I'll be quick guys." While holding onto my lantern, I turned away from my friends and jogged, zipping around and past the while cluster of people in front of me. I slowed to a walk once I made it to the edge of the crowd, surveying the open space in front of me. "Where are you, N?" I spoke, keeping a keen eye to my surroundings. I stopped and noticed N to the left of me, holding his lantern on his left hand while waving with his free one. I ran up to him and stopped just inches from him. "N, me and my friends are waiting for you to join us."

N stayed silent with a smile formed on his face. "I rather be alone, away from the crowd. With you."

The heat on my cheeks formed again as I eyed him. "So, what kind of design did you put on your lantern?"

N chuckled and turned the lantern to show me a crown that almost looks like the one back in the ancient castle ruins. "I figure a crown is well suited for my lantern. Because your Gracidea resembles my gratitude towards you, this crown resembles your kind and trustworthy loyalty to me." He switched his lantern with mine. "In fact, why don't we set off each other's lanterns?"

The warm and fuzzy feeling within me began to form dramatically, then noticed the countless number of lanterns being set off near the area several meters from me and N. "Guess it's time, huh?" I said, getting closer to him.

N nodded and lit our lantern lighter before setting them up into the sky. We all eyed the display of lanterns from afar in silence, the illuminating glow reach up in the sky in front of the setting sun. Just the scenery alone with all those lanterns just takes my breath away. "Crymson, do you want to see a better view?"

I turned my head to him. A better view? Where?"

"The Ferris wheel." N spoke. "Since there is no one near the rides, I figure the both of us would witness the view at a higher angle." He moved a foot away from me and held a hand out to me. "Want to come?"

As much as I feel skeptical about going to the Ferris wheel without permission, but I think I can bend the rules a bit. "Sure, N." I grabbed his hand as he lead me to the ally where the Ferris wheel is. I'm glad there are no security guards over here, otherwise me and N would be in big trouble. I thought as we got close to the ride.

N pushed the button to stop the Ferris wheel from spinning, having one of the carriages stop near us. "I've been wanting to ride a Ferris wheel ever since I was little, looking at pictures of them in a book always fascinates me. I love Ferris wheels. The circular motion, the mechanics, they're like collections of elegant formulas mixed together in one structure." He opened the door for me to enter. "After you?"

I giggled a little from his kind courtesy. "Thanks, N." I walked inside and took a seat in what little space is in the carriage. N quickly pushed the button to make the Ferris wheel move before rushing to enter and closing the door beside him. He sat across from me, eyeing the outside as we began moving up. A hint of my acrophobia began kicking in.

"Something wrong, Crymson?" I kind of tell by N's voice that he seemed worried.

"N-N-Nothing..." I whimpered, intake a lump in my throat. "Just that I have a fear of heights...been like that since I was little." I really hate telling people about my fears, makes me all vulnerable through my tough and steadfast personality.

N chuckled and slipped both of his hands on mine."Don't worry, I'll make sure you wont fall out." He turn to his right, his blue eyes glistening from the sun and the lanterns. "Crymson, take a look at that."

I turned my head to the same direction N is facing. My eyes widen slowly when I notice several moth kind if Pokemon with a white top, dark gray bottom, and red wings that almost resembles the sun's rays, dancing and flying in the sky. Me and N are just one-fourth of the way up. "Wow! Those are beautiful Pokemon! I wonder what they are?" I didn't need to have an answer since my mind is focused on the performance in front of the sunset. But what is more romantic is having N in front of me.

"Crymson," N murmured, making me eye him. "Even though we've only known each other for a short amount of time, but ever since the time in Pinwheel Forest I've feel like there was something about you that draws me close to you. Your personality, the way you treat your Pokemon kindly, and willing to help others in need, that is what makes you you."

My heart started beating rapidly against my chest with a smile forming without my notice. "Thanks, N. But, I will have to thank you for being there for me. Even protecting me from any kind of danger that might come near me." My crimson colored irises stared directly at N's blue eyes, in a loving kind of way. "I'll have to admit that I am feeling there is more to us than friendship."

N's eyes rose with a little gasp escaping his breath. "You...you really mean that?"

I gave him a sunny smile with a little giggle after that. "Of course, N." I turned my head back to the sunset to my left. "N, what I am trying to say is..." I turned back to face him, a blush intensifying on my cheeks. "I...I think I am falling in love with you."

N's face went into a few shades of red after my confession to him. "Crymson..." He murmured, his signature crooked smile formed on his lips. "I guess that makes the two of us, right?"

I twitched, noticing the Ferris wheel is just three-fourths done. "What do you mean, N?" The heat remained on my cheeks over my high curiosity to his question.

N chuckled again, grabbing my face with one of his hands on my left side. "Meaning that I am falling in love with you, too."

My eyes remained locked with his through the rest of the ride before our carriage stopped at ground level. N opened the door to the outside, letting me go out first before him. I turned to him as he closed the door, letting the Ferris wheel spin on its own. "N, I'll have to admit that the Ferris wheel ride was the best one I ever been in, even seeing the view of the Pokemon performance in front if the sunset. Even with your help overcoming my fear of heights a little."

N grabbed a hold of both my hands on each side. "Even being with someone you love in the ride?"

I nod, drawing myself closer to him and rest the side of my head against his torso, feeling his arms wrapped around me. "Of course." I can hear his heart pounding in a rhythmic beat against my right ear, having my mind and soul all soothed by the symphony. I lift my head away from his chest to gaze at his eyes yet again.

"Crymson, if it's okay with you," N spoke softly, holding my chin up with his fingers. "can I kiss you again?"

"Why?" I asked, the rapid neat of my heart intensified greatly. "Is it because you want to experiment that with me like back at Pinwheel Forest?"

He shook his head, still keeping a firm grip of my chin."No, this is to make our bond official." I couldn't help but be drawn to his inescapable charm in his eyes. I felt his fingers on my chin pulling me towards him, making my eyelids slowly close on its own each inch our faces draw near. I readied myself, waiting for his lips to touch mine. But nothing happened. "What are you doing here?" He spoke, alerting me.

I opened my eyes quickly, noticing N looking past me. I turned around, and in shocked, to see the Shadow Triad standing feet away from me and N. "We're here for you." The middle guy said, taking a few steps forward. "You are needed at the castle, immediately."

I swiftly twist myself to make myself a shield in front of N. "You again!? What are you guys doing over here?"

The middle Shadow Triad member stopped feet from me and N, eyeing me coldly with his dark gray eyes. "Our lord is need back at the castle. He is to be summoned to his throne immediately to further Team Plasma's mission of Liberation."

"Lord?" I asked, not buying what he is saying. "I don't know who you are talking about, but your so called 'Lord' is not here."

"You're so oblivious and stupid, trainer!" The leader spoke harshly. "Obviously you didn't know that the one behind you happens to be none other than our lord and king of Team Plasma. I think he must've manipulated you to think he has fallen in love with you so he can easily take your Pokemon away from you!'

My whole body became petrified in one place, my mind went blank and my heart feels like it is shattered in millions of pieces. "No..." I growled. "No, that's can't be true! N can never be a king of some stupid organization like that!" I felt tears beginning to pour down my face as I glared at the Shadow Triad leader's serious expression. I turned around slowly to see the bill on N's hat covering his eyes. "N, you...you can't be king of Team Plasma...are you?"

N remained silent for a while, still shielding his eyes with his hat's bill. "I guess there is nothing to hide from the truth, is there?" He spoke, raising his head up to see my face full of endless, streaming tears. "Yes...I am Team Plasma's king."

Every bit of my whole body feels like has been shattered. Have...Have I been played with all this time!?