Devastated. Crushed. Mortified. Countless words swarming furiously in my mind like angry Beedrills protecting their young. Recently knowing from the Shadow Triad behind me telling the truth about N left myself feeling petrified and completely speechless. "N..." I whimpered, feeling more tears escaping my lower eyelids. "have...have you kept this from me all this time!?"

N's blue irises locked with mine, his expression neutral without any hint of remorse. "Unfortunately," he spoke at a low volume. "as much as it hurts within me to tell you everything about me, I wanted to keep it hidden until the time comes. But, apparently the Shadow Triad somehow slipped through."

"So," the emotions shifted dramatically to a more furious manner. "all the things you said about wanting to help Pokemon become perfect beings, not being with us near Team Plasma's presence, the crown symbol on your lantern." My teeth tightened and grind within contact. "How can I be so blinded by darkness to let my emotions get the best of me!? There were hints shown from you, and I veered away from them!"

"You're a fool to let yourself be consumed by these feelings," the Shadow Triad leader being me spoke. "let alone being manipulated and toyed by the king of Team Plasma himself. As I said when I stopped those worthless grunts, feelings are pointless. When I was looking at our lord, I was referring to you, trainer. But it appears you are too simple minded to take the hint."

I turned around so our eyes can meet. "Maybe you're trying to manipulate me to think N is the King so your subordinates can sneak into my rented room and take all of my Pokemon while I am out here with him."

"You're partially right." N replied, making me turned my body slightly to see him. "Taking your Pokemon was my plan, manipulating you away from thinking about that seems to have failed. Ghetsis, one of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma, asked me to help him save the Pokemon from their suffering, even enlisted the Shadow Triad to assist." His gaze now turned cold. "But now, since the truth is out, I will do what I can to protect my people and my friends from any trainer who dares make them suffer in those PokeBalls. Even if it means facing against someone I have feelings for..."

That last bit hit me really hard. Both clenching my teeth and fists, I faced my body towards my new enemy. "Then I have no choice but to stop you and your organization from liberating Pokemon away from humans." I jabbed my finger at him as a challenge. "I'll chase you down in every corner of every town and city this region, and I wont stop until I have decimated your plans! Even if my Pokemon and my friends are down, I will keep moving forward just to stop you!"

N remain at a neutral state, a little chuckle escaped his breath. "Chase me, you say?" He began walking to me, chuckling some more. "I think I've done enough chasing in a short amount of time after I met you in Accumula Town. But, if you insist..." He touched the tip of my chin and brought it up to where our faces are merely inches from each other. "Keep chasing me, Crymson. If you want revenge so badly, obtain the rest of the badges before participating in the Pokemon League." He formed his crooked smile I somehow, but not, adore. "Maybe we can play a little game of you catching me and destroy my plans of an ideal world for my friends, the Pokemon.

The heat crept back onto my cheeks every time I tried to look away from his face, with no avail. I felt something yank my arms and flung me back to the point of falling onto the ground. I looked forward, seeing the triad shielding N several feet from me. "This is getting pointless every second we've wasted." He took out a PokeBall. "I'll finish you off right now for our king so you can never interfere with our mission! Bisharp, us-"

"ENOUGH!" The yell from N made the leader stopped. "I didn't order you to harm anyone like that. If anyone were to face off against Crymson in any sort of way, it would have to be me. I want to test her capabilities to see if she is the one."

Perplexing as it sounds, I stood back up onto my feet, feeling like I wanted to ask some questions about N's plans. "The one? What do you mean, is that some kind of game you are trying to play!? If it is, I am not interested in being part of your puppetry show!"

"You can't be damn serious, sire!" The triad leader turned to his king. "Our mission is to push away those who oppose Team Plasma's views of liberation and eradicate them if necessary!"

N only eyed me, ignoring all the words the leader spoke to him. "That is for you to find out, Crymson. Let's see if you are willing enough to become a champion if this region to face me before I reach him. If I do become one, I'll make all the trainers free their Pokemon from their PokeBalls. Just try and stop me from doing so, I'll be unbeatable before you can reach me! If your convictions aren't strong enough, you wont be able to defeat me."

My lips curled up to a smirk, a challenging smirk to be specific. "Heh, now that's a challenge I can't refuse!" My smile faded instantly. "Just you wait, N! I'll prove to you that I will defeat you in your own charade! Me, my Pokemon, and my friends!"

N nodded. "Very well. I guess this is where we become enemies from now on, judging by your instantaneously process through your mind. I won't be following you any more, nor will I stick by your side and figure a decisive way to take yours and your friend's Pokemon from you. We will meet again, soon. Two heroes will clash when the times comes, and the people of Unova will look up to the person who is deemed their hero. Until then, become strong...for me."

"I won't journey through Unova and battle to become strong for you, N." I clarified. "I'll strengthen my Pokemon to protect the bonds of people and their Pokemon, never to able have their minds warped into releasing their close friends. Because I care for their future, their life, and the times they've struggle to get this far! And I won't become some stupid hero and be praised by that!"

"Very well." He lowered his head to have the bill of his hat shield his eyes. "Put her to sleep, Shadow Triad. I don't want no harm become of her until I see her again. And," he turned his back to me. "make sure the other grunts battle her friends. Leave Crymson under my care."

Under his care!? I thought. "What do you mean under your care, N!? I am not some defenseless child!" I know N would probably stay silent and not reply, but I am not just going to stand here and leave my question unanswered. Seems like I am going to punch the answer out of him. "Guess I'll have to find that answer myself!" I made a run for it towards N, not giving a damn about the triad ahead of me.

The triad leader threw his PokeBall up and released some kind of Pokemon half his height with blades on its gloves, head, and torso. "Bisharp, Hypnosis!" He commanded. The one called Bisharp opened its eye wide as a wave of energy traveled to me.

I stopped just a foot from the mysterious Pokemon casting its attack on me. "Huh?" I got caught in the wave, feeling myself getting drowsy quickly every second. Everything went blurry, my body feeling limp as I slowly falter to a sleep-like state. I couldn't move nor try to fight this effect that Pokemon used. Great, just my luck...

"I'm sorry, Crymson..." I heard N's voice echoing, almost inaudible for me to hear. "I have no choice..." That was the last thing I heard from him before succumbing into a deep sleep.


I somehow break through my sleep state due to the sun's rays piercing through the little gap between the curtains. I moved my head to the right, opening my eyes to the white ceiling above me. "I'm...in the rented room?" I groaned, lifting my upper body up as I feel the bed and covers under my palms. 7:24 a.m. was shown on the little digital clock next to me on a small table, making me realized I was force into sleep by one of the Shadow Triad's Pokemon.

A few, soft taps were heard on the other side of the door. "Crymson? Are you there?" It sounded like Bianca. "We've been wondering why you and N haven't came back to us before the festival ended."

Sharp, inflicted pain began to fill up my chest cavity form even the mention of N, now knowing that he turned out to be the king of the nefarious Team Plasma. I got on my bare feet, which I have no clue who took them off, and plant them on the carpet before walking over to the door. I opened the door to see Iris, Joaquin, Cheren, and Bianca waiting for me with their things ready to go. "Are you alright?" Iris spoke.

"I..." I stared blankly at the four. "I need a few minutes to get ready. There is something important I need you all to hear. And..." I feel a tear streaming down my right cheek. "this may surprise you..."

All four of my friends stared at each other, questioning about what I said.

I closed the door slowly, leaning myself with my back on the door. The tears started pouring out of my eyes from the endless pain I my chest. As damaged as I am right now, I don't know if I can handle the truth from him any longer. "Damn it..." I whispered, slipping down to the floor, letting the quiet sobs take over myself.


"KING!?" All four of them shout at the same time. We are now inside my room after it took me ten minutes to get myself clothed to my usual clothing.

"Not so damn loud guys!" I yelled back, trying my best not to attract any more attention to those in the apartment. "Yes, it is shocking, I'll have to admit."

"Not as shocking as you being completely oblivious to all the hints he showed but not tell." Cheren is sitting on a small chair close to the desk near a window. He turned away with his eyes closed and arms crossed. "I knew that guy was bad news from the start when he mentioned about hearing voices and wanting to create a world where Pokemon are not in PokeBalls." He pierced his angered, dark eyes at me. "But did you listen to a damn word after I warned you countless times about him? Noooo!"

As much as I want to punch Cheren's glasses through his face because of his damn attitude, but there are more important issues than just a childhood rival/friend. "I know, Cheren. I should've listened to your from the start."

"Exactly! Cheren replied, loudly. "If it hadn't been for me, you w-" a glass vase went through Cheren's face, missing him by a hair, and smashed onto the wall on the other side of the room. Cheren eyed me with his eyes widen and breathing and a rapid pace. "What the hell, Crymson!? You trying to kill me!?"

"Crymson," Bianca placed her hand on my right shoulder. "please calm down. This doesn't have to be the reason to be all worked up for."

I turned my head around to meet Bianca's green eyes, glaring at them coldly to the point where she had to back away from me. I moved my eyes to gaze at the gray carpet in front of me. "Can't believe I was being toyed with, having my eyes covered by the enemy under our noses. Letting my damn emotions overcome me was a mistake from the get-go!"

"It wasn't just your fault, Flare Head." Joaquin interject. "All of us were oblivious to his true nature. Hey, we didn't even know that he turned out to be the king of that damn organization of weaklings."

"Not only that," Iris added. "Team Plasma is trying to find one of the legendary Dragon-Type Pokemon for their liberation. I doubt there will be any way to stop them once one of them has been obtained." Her face brightened up once she turned to me. "Wait, Crymson. Did you say one time that you and Joaquin saw a drawing of what appears to be a white and black Dragon-Type Pokemon back in the castle ruins?"

Joaquin's head twitched up. "Yes, as a matter if fact! There were two people standing under a crown with each having a Dragon Pokemon of different colors on opposing sides. We figured that Ghetsis geezer might have the facts wrong."

Iris pressed her fingers on her chin. "Well, the only person who know the story of the Two Heroes would Drayden back in Opelicid City, my hometown! Maybe once we have enough badges obtained, we can go see him and tell all of us that."

The words 'two heroes' have brought my full attention. "Wait, two heroes!? N mentioned something about the people of the Unova Region seeing someone who will be deemed a hero. He also said that he will test out my capabilities to see if I am the one." I scratch the back of my head. "Though I am not the kind of person that would strive to be famous and all that if I become a hero..."

"Either way," Cheren spoke up. "we know what we are up against the next time we see that creep." He went silent for a few seconds when a large exhale escaped his lungs. "Trying to stop me from becoming champion is one thing that makes me tick, but hurting my friends emotionally is not one I tolerate the most." He got up off the chair and walked to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I may be rude, self-centered, and want to achieve self glory, but I care about my friends and their well-being."

Bianca nodded next to me. "Cheren is right. I may not be that strong and have intimidating looking Pokemon with me, but Ill do the best I can to keep the bond of both Pokemon and trainers."

Joaquin is the next one to walk to me. "Pistachio sure did mess up our minds and kept the huge news from us. But now he is an enemy to all of us, and we won't go quiet and let him control us again!"

"I agree!" Iris popped up between Cheren and Joaquin with a fist in the air. "We can't let those dumb doo-doo headed goons control Unova! And we can't let them have a hold of one of the dragons of legend in their dirty hands!" Iris grabbed both of my hands together. "No matter the cause, friends help each other out!"

Just when I was about to speak, I heard my Pokemon popping out of their PokeBalls. Muji, Jet, Molek, and Mucub sat on the bed behind me and grinned, making me grin along with them. "You're right guys!" I took my hat from the bed and placed it on my head. "Team Plasma will say their prayers once we defeat them in their own game. And N, my revenge for him will be personal, and I am going to need all the help I can get before I can face him again. The help from both my Pokemon and my friends."

Their grinning faces, even my Pokemon team, lifted my spirits up despite my devastated night near the Ferris wheel. But now I know I got friends with me to help prove Team Plasma that they can never separate the bond of both trainer and Pokemon. "By the way," Joaquin spoke. "I think you are the only trainer in this group that hasn't obtained the four badge, right?"

I froze and gulped. "Craaaaaaaaaaap!" I yelled, clenching my head with both my hands. "My mind was all boggled and fuzzy since last night that I've forgotten about my Gym battle against Elesa!" I started shoving things into my backpack as quickly as ai can. "I need to get ready before I head on over to the Gym! Damn it, damn it, damn it I'm left behind!"

Cheren held my shoulders and kept myself still. "Crymson, no need to be so damn flustered over a badge! We can't go anywhere due to the draw bridge being up until further notice. You have enough time to get your fourth badge, and we will accompany you to see you get it."

I kept staring at Cheren for a moment before I nod my head. "You're right. I just wanted to find a way to forget last night's situation in my mind. I would hate to end up feeling like a broken PokeDoll in the middle of a Gym battle."

"Thinking about that creep won't get you anywhere." Cheren replied. "You just need to keep your mind focused on getting your next badge and strengthen your Pokemon."

"Exactly!" Iris added. "As Drayden always say: Never look back in the past or you will never look forward to the future. The future of all the Pokemon's bond with people is at stake, and we will fight our way to ensure that bond stays intact!"

I smiled, bringing my four Pokemon back into their respective PokeBalls, then put them in my back pouch near my back pants pocket. "We should be heading over to the Gym right away if we are ever going to journey out to our next Gym Battle."

"Oh, umm, Crymson?" Bianca brought my attention to her. "I must warn you before we all head to the Gym. Elesa's Gym, well...lets just say it will leave you to the point of stumbling onto the floor."

"I hope you are not mentioning that boring roller coaster inside the Gym Leader's building. I really hate the twists, turns and loops in there." Joaquin groans.

"Wait, what!?" I shrieked. First my fear of heights, now my fear of high speed moving vehicles. "You can't be serious!"

Iris waved a hand. "Oh, no worries! It's not all that scary once you get the hang of it. Plus, it's even more fun with friends riding with you. Get what I mean?"

All I did was give Iris a smug look. "Easy for you to say..." I mumbled.


I swear to Arceus that going through the roller coaster in Elesa's Gym was hectic. The sharp turns, the endless speed, the loops are really not my cup of tea. But one good thing js that I get to battle some trainers to warm up for my next Gym match. Muji learned Aqua Jet, Jet learned Take Down, Molek learned Psybeam and Protect, and Mucub became stronger and caught up to her fellow Pokemon teammates, learning Charm, and Headbutt with her Blizzard attack. We all made it to the end of the ride where Elesa is waiting on the platform. I was the first to exit off the little cart, stumbling left, then right before landing myself on the floor. "Please...is it over!?"

"Judging by how you handle that ride, I think you need a little break." Iris spoke from behind me. "Oh, I didn't know you are over there, Elesa. Our friend here wishes to partake in a Gym battle against you."

I regain myself out of my dizziness to see Elesa sitting on a burgundy, soft chair with a little glass in her hand. "Hmm, I figure there would be one more of you to challenge me. I was about to get really bored from waiting." She beamed a friendly smile at me. "I think you are the only one out of the group that still want to battle for the Gym Badge?"

I got back up on my feet and adjusted my clothing. "Yep, I've been battling other trainers every stop in the roller coaster ride. I just hope my Pokemon are strong enough to earn me my next Gym Badge!"

Elesa smirked, pulling herself off of the chair and catwalk towards me. "I really admire your determination, young trainer. That's what I love to see each time I meet a new competitor in my Gym. But, are you ready to take on me for your Gym Badge? I am pretty tough after all."

I grinned from ear to ear, my anticipation at a boiling point. "Just you wait, Elesa!" I declared, raising my right fist up midway. "I will battle my way with my Pokemon to get my fourth badge! I will rock the battle with anticipation! And with my friends cheering me on, I know I will do my best!"

Elesa nodded, gesturing a hand to follow her. "Then a battle it shall be! Let's make our way to the Gym and commence our battle." She turned around, doing a catwalk past her chair and to the wall in front of her. A little slab rose up from her left, showing a little red button that she pushed, making the secret door open up to the gym.

Just you wait, N... I thought, following Elesa into the Gym with my friends following from behind me. I'll destroy your plans for an ideal world. After that, it'll be personal! I clenched my fists tightly just as soon as I got to my side of the arena, awaiting the call for the battle to begin.