Chapter 26:

A/N: SnowCatt: Thanks as always for your reviews! They really make my day and give me the much needed confidence to keep writing! I'm glad the story's not too messy because I was kind of worried I dropped the plot before we getting to the end.

For all my other readers, thank you as well for reading!

"Sage Gorm, we have the report on the Genesect Research," Dudley said as he lightly knocked on the Sage's door.

Gorm looked up from his computer and said, "Any response from it?" When Dudley shook his head, Gorm sighed and said, "Leave the file on the table. Genesect will be a great asset to Team Plasma when it's ready, but for now we may need to put it on standby. I've just been in contact with the other Sages, and Dr. Colress has finished his research. The procedure should be done soon at which point we'll be in our final stages of takeover. P2 labs will be on temporary lock down during the second invasion, but we'll reboot all our research once it's over."

"Finally," Dudley said as he sighed in relief. Gorm looked over at him and arched his eyebrows as Dudley blushed and stood awkwardly in the door frame. "I mean… um… yes, Sage Gorm. I'm just relieved Team Plasma's finally making its move."

Gorm smiled a little, "I understand your concern, Dudley. It's been almost four months since the last attack and N's capture. I know it feels like something should have happened, and," Gorm added with a slight chuckle, "I know you Dudley. You want access to the League's research to continue the Genesect project. Don't worry, it'll come with time."

Dudley smiled a little and said, "I know sir… I just can't wait until it does happen." With that, the scientist turned from Gorm and returned to the main lab to continue researching.

Gorm went back to his computer where he studied the newest experiment proposal that needed his approval when the lights in his office and his screen flickered off until the back-up generators kicked back in. 'It can't be storming,' Gorm thought as he walked from the lab and out into the main lab where dozens of scientists were scuttling back and forth to check the breakers and find out why they had suddenly lost power. He walked by several test chambers and labs filled with beakers and scientists who had all paused when the power had turned off. Several scientists who had been comparing notes also looked around in confusion.

Gorm walked to the main hall of the lab where they were working on Genesect. Several tubes and wires descended from the ceiling to a test chamber where a lifeless bug-like creature remained within. The scientists all looked around in confusion, and only the Plasma guard came up to him and said, "Sage Gorm, our security went down to check the power breakers and it appears that someone or, more likely, something chewed through the wires. We haven't heard from the other security guards since that point. We're worried that-" As he said this, the power went completely out again. This time the lights didn't come back on.

"They must have destroyed all our back up generators," Gorm said softly. "Find out who did this. Interrogate them first and then kill them. Don't bother with dosing them with Dream Mist or using Hypno like the researchers or explorers we find. Whoever or whatever's doing this is clearly attacking us. We can't let them know what we're doing in this lab. Understood?"

"Yes, Sage Gorm," the Plasma guard said as he took out his pokeballs. The scientists looked at each other nervously as a group of security guards went through a side door that led into the basement of the P2 labs.

"At least whoever did this won't be able to get out," one of the scientists said as she nervously adjusted her glasses. "The doors won't open without electricity."

"That means we're trapped in here as well though," another scientist said gloomily.

"They'll have the generator repaired once they find out who did this," Gorm said reassuringly although he himself felt nervous and anxious.

Suddenly they heard a bang echo throughout the small lab, and several of the scientists jumped a little when they heard this. One scientist yelled, "Up in the ventilation system."

Gorm glanced up and saw and heard some shuffling from behind the metal grate. Gorm immediately said, "Arceus. Does anyone have any Pokemon?"

One scientist timidly said, "I-I have a Mincinno… if that's any help."

Gorm sighed as he said, "Have it out and ready to attack whoever's coming. 'All our security is either patrolling the perimeter or down in the basements. These scientists would only have Level 20 Pokemon at most anyway since none of them went on combative journeys and practically all of them released their Pokemon.'

The ventilation vent burst open with sudden power as it sent the metal vent hurtling across the room and landed on the other side of the wall. Out of the small hole jumped a Pikachu… no two Pikachu. One looked at all the scientists before covering its face with its hands and then quickly removing them. It was like an odd game of Peekaboo. The scientist's Mincinno immediately moved to attack one of the Pikachu, but the Pikachu that had done the Peekaboo quickly one shot it with a quick attack which sent it hurtling across the floor like a rag doll.

The two Pikachu sent out sparks as they communicated to each other via electricity. Gorm growled, "Can't someone do something about these creatures? Get a pair of rubber gloves or something and grab them."

Before anyone could move, the Pikachu sprinted across the floor towards the exit and started sending a series of quick flashes in sequential order. "It looks like they're sending some sort of signal," Dudley said. "Yes… it's Morse code. N-O-W. Now. Wait."

Suddenly there was a huge thundering noise as an attack of some sort hit the lab. It shook the entire structure of the lab, and there was another sudden blast as a sudden burst of energy hit the doors of the lab. Gorm quickly turned to the scientists huddling to the back wall and roared, "Destroy any physical evidence of what's been going on here. Destroy all the computers as well."

The scientists all began to attempt to disassemble the genesect experiment while others began to put things in the shredder and others attempted to take their laptops and computers to destroy them, but the Pikachus both hurtled towards the scientists and sent out several shock waves to stop them. The scientists and Gorm screamed as the electricity surged through them and locked their muscles as they all stiffly fell in paralysis.

Another blast hit the lab, and this time the door smashed into smithereens. Gorm could only watch in his paralyzed body as a young woman emerged from the smoke of the recently blasted door. Gorm felt dread swell up inside him as he recognized the familiar slender figure, coppery skin, and deep purple hair of the Unova Champion, Iris. She came in with her hulking beast Druddigon along with four other figures. The Pikachus excitedly ran up to their trainers the minute they saw them come into clear view.

"So," Iris said as she stood in front of Gorm and folded her arms. "In Ghetsis' little chess game would you be considered a bishop or a rook? Either way, you're out of the game."

"Do you believe it wise to trust so much information to the girl?" Luke asked Riley as they walked along the sandy coastline of the northern shores of Unova, "She is an outsider and a human. Many of the Celesta traditions, customs and rituals will be alien and foreign to her. I am not opposed to the idea of the girl becoming a Celesta when she comes of age but considering her a candidate as a Guardian is… strange to say the least. Not even outsiders initiated as Celestas have become Guardians before."

"Normally I'd agree with you, however, I'd say that there's nothing normal about this situation," Riley said as he paused to gaze out at the ocean quietly lapping against the many jagged stones protruding from the water. Thick fog curled around the rocks and hung in the air making it nearly impossible to see further than five feet in front of them. Riley closed his eyes to focus his attention on the gentle light of aura that radiated from every object both living and inanimate, "Royalty born in the outside world to a human is unheard of. Guardians bonding for the sake of saving themselves and their ward rather than it being purely rooted in love, compassion, and selflessness is just as unheard of.

"Besides, Chase makes a valid point that there are many coincidences throughout Ivory Greystorm's life that make her stand out from others. She ran into N Harmonia three times in the most unconventional ways, the first being in dangerous woods that would have resulted in her death had she not been a Whisperer, meeting on a journey of her own making the same year Ghetsis Harmonia decided to enact his plan, and just recently in Castelia Sewers of all places. Their quick development of feelings for each other, her avid devotion to him despite him being gone for a year, and the fact that she could stop him from taking over Unova when his own Guardians couldn't are also signs of their unique connection. She may be a human and without any training or experience, but perhaps that's just the person N needs to protect him and stand by his side."

Luke said nothing as he too gazed the shoreline for traces of N's aura which seemed to be emanating powerfully across the shore. "…Perhaps, but humans do view love differently than Celestas. Are we sure she would even be able to bond with him? From what I've heard of Concordia's reports, I'm not sure if N himself will be able to since he currently has no faith in his Guardian."

"Even if they can't bond, N will probably need her when we find him anyway. You're feeling his aura too, aren't you? It's almost sickening to feel how heavy and dark it is from constant suffering. It's like a black cloud smothering the northern part of Unova that blocks out all other auras."

Before the Lucario could respond, they both sensed two boys running across the sand towards them. Riley opened his eyes and looked to the left to see Black and Cheren run around the corner of a rugged cliff jutting out of the sandy beach and lining the shoreline. They came up to him slightly out of breath while Black panted, "We interviewed a ton of workers at a hydro plant near here, and one of them told us that there are some abandoned turbines out by Seaside Cave. Neo Team Plasma could be using those turbines to generate energy!"

"That's the good news," Cheren interjected as he straightened his tie, "but the workers also said that they doubted a Frigate would be able to come anywhere near that area since this entire area is covered with rocks. Not to mention this place is known for its bad weather."

"You sense him though, don't you?" Black asked looking over to Riley. "That means he has to be around here!"

Riley sighed, "I sense him all over this area and not in one specific location… however, I think it'd be worth investigating the abandoned hydroelectricity generators. The Plasma Frigate has managed to evade detection for a while now, I imagine it's because they're hiding in areas no one bothers looking in since it seems too ridiculous from a logical perspective."

"Then what're we waiting for," Black said as he pulled out a tablet displaying a schematic layout of the old, abandoned hydro plant. "They said that the areas around Seaside Cave are the furthest south and that the only way to access the area is by swimming or surfing on water type Pokemon. This fog isn't going to make navigating around here easy, but that shouldn't be a problem with Riley and Luke's nifty aura powers."

At that moment, Eichi appeared with two girls and a Shinx which caused Black to jump and say, "Holy mother of Arceus… Oh, it's you two." Black then stared at them blankly for a moment, "Wait… what are you doing here?"

"I asked them… well at least one of them to come. I imagine the other came because she wanted to help," Riley said simply as he walked up to one of the girls glowing with a brilliant white aura while the other glowed with an amiable yellow. "You must be Ivory Greystorm," His eyes shifted to the Shinx sitting on top of her shoulder and said, "And you must be Nightstar. Yellow's told me great things about you."

The girl's face turned a distinct shade of pink while she stuttered, "Th-thanks. You must be Riley. Eichi told me you wanted to talk to me."

"Yes, and we'll be searching for neo Team Plasma as we do so," Riley said as he pulled out a pokeball and released a Lapras into the murky ocean water. I feel we're very close to wherever they're hiding, and with Black and Cheren's lead, we'll be able to find them."

"Wait a minute, they're coming with us?" Black asked incredulously while Cheren also looked skeptical. This earned him a nasty glare from Ivory while Bianca huffed and folded her arms indignantly. "Look, no offense you two, but you kind of have a bad reputation when facing neo Team Plasma. Not to mention all their admins would recognize you on sight. Just saying, it'd probably be better if they didn't come."

Cheren nodded and said, "I completely agree with Black. Not to mention, Bianca, your Pokemon are only in their Level 40s at most. Ivory being a Whisperer could be helpful, but not if we're facing other Whisperers or their device."

"Oh like you two would do any better than us," Ivory said irritably. "Nightstar's probably the most useful since he'll be able to still fight whether or not there's a device or Whisperer around."

"Enough," Luke said sharply. "The girls volunteered to come, and I see no reason they shouldn't accompany us. They may be recognized, but since you're all attacking as League members, I don't see how that'll make much of a difference."

The four exchanged glances at each other, and at last Cheren said, "Fine, but they'll have to travel on one of our water type Pokemon since neither of them have one."

"A matter easily arranged," Riley said simply, "Ivory and Nightstar can accompany me while the other, I'm sorry what was your name… Bianca, can go with one of you."

I shivered slightly in the cold as we sailed into the thick fog that seemed to cling to my very skin. I couldn't see two feet in front of me, but the Lapras, who Riley called Anahita, didn't appear to be worried. Neither did Luke or Eichi who were leaping by us from one jagged rock to the other. I glanced behind me to see Riley sitting there in an almost meditative position with Black and Bianca trailing behind on Black's Samurott, Blade, while Cheren was next to them on his Carracosta.

I looked ahead and again only saw swirling white mist. "Ivory, it was very brave of you and Bianca to come out here and help us find neo Team Plasma. Many who have been through what you two have would not be so brave."

I glanced back at Riley who was still gazing at the fog serenely, and I said, "Thanks. I don't know if I would call it bravery though. More like just wanting to do the right thing after screwing everything up… and I want to get N back."

Riley looked at me seriously, "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Ivory, you're a smart girl which is why I assume you know that your relationship as it is right now won't last even after we've found N."

I shifted a little uncomfortably on Anahita's hard shell, and said, "I know. Yellow already told me that when you guys find N, you're going to bring him back to Celesta Society… and that… human guests are rare. I know that if we find N, I'll have to say goodbye to him forever or decide to leave my family and join the Celestas as well."

"Yes, it's not an easy choice which is why there aren't many outsiders that join," Riley said quietly. "It's giving up an old lifestyle for a new one with rules and traditions completely different from the outside world."

I stared down at my hands and began to silently swirl my finger along the shell. "It's… still so hard to think about… I mean, I have my family and friends here in the Unova Region. I love N, but the idea of leaving my entire life behind is really, really hard. I'll admit that I've been avoiding thinking about it and only focusing on finding N in the first place."

"Ivory… you're going to have to make that decision at some point," Riley said evenly. "You have to know what you're willing to sacrifice to be with N, and whatever that decision will be, you must live with that choice no matter the consequences."

"I… I know," I was surprised to see my vision blur as tears began to run down my cheeks, "But I… I think I've always known what I'd choose. I… I wanted to be with N even if meant that I would get in trouble with the law. I wanted him to take me with him when he left last year, and I felt so empty and useless when he was gone. I know that's like a sign of a bad relationship or something, but I swear to Arceus it wasn't like that. I can't really describe it, but everything feels so much better when N's around. Like I'm… I don't know… complete."

Riley smiled a little, "I understand the feeling. Not so much in romantic terms, but I have a younger brother whom I'm very close to. It's kind of like meeting your other half, and when they're not around you worry about them." He paused for a moment and studied my expression before saying, "Ivory, you've studied Guardians with Yellow and Eichi haven't you?"

"Well… yes… and I do know where this is going," I let out a shaky sigh and said, "Yellow said I had a lot of characteristics of a Guardian, but that's a much bigger deal than me just becoming a Celesta. Guardians protect their wards with their lives if they have to. They're absolutely devoted to them. I love N, but… I don't think I qualify for that… I mean… I've run away from N just to save myself several times."

"Hmm… perhaps, but I wouldn't disqualify you. You're coming with us now despite the danger, and you ran away before because there was nothing you could've done to stop Team Plasma. If you were bonded, you'd have the power and the courage to stop them." Riley bit his lip for a moment before saying, "But it isn't easy to bond. No matter the feelings you have for N now, they aren't enough to create a bond."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "If a bond was the only way to save N, then I'd bond with him in a heartbeat. I'd leave everything behind for him. I'd die for him. Isn't that enough?"

Riley didn't so much as blink when he said, "No. That's nowhere near enough. You see, what you're feeling is tied to the situation. 'If N's in danger' or 'if he needs me' isn't enough to create a bond. What if N isn't in danger and he asks you to leave your family and go to the Celesta Society? What if he asks you to stop pursuing a dream you had?" Riley then looked me in the eyes and said, "What if he says he doesn't love you? What if he says he doesn't want to be around you anymore and he's better off on his own? What if he said he hated you? Would you still follow him?"

I stared at him in complete shock and said, "N would never say something like that. He loves me as well."

Riley shook his head, "A part of bonding is loving your ward even when they don't love you back. That's one of the hardest realities a Guardian must face. It's much like the reality Nightstar faces with you."

At this I got angry and nearly shouted, "I love Nightstar. We do everything together."

"Ivory, Nightstar does everything for you, not the other way around. He's living in your home in the Unova Region rather than you following him out into the wild. He follows where you go and goes through with your decisions. He sacrifices himself for you, not the other way around. He listens to everything you say even though you don't necessarily listen to what he has to say. His life revolves around you. If you had chosen not to get involved with Team Plasma, he would've followed even if he wanted to join the fight."

I stared at Nightstar in shock, and whispered, "That… that's not true… I… I love Nightstar… I… we… um, Nightstar, what do you think of this situation."

Nightstar calmly smiled at me, and said, 'I think that I love you, and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. I'd gladly go where you wanted.' He then shook his fur slightly before saying, 'I see Riley's point, but it just doesn't seem all that important in my point of view. I wanted this life.'

"Which is exactly what Guardian's want as well," Riley commented. "In a proper bond, they'd gladly give up their time and energy for their ward's happiness. It's easy for Pokemon to understand since they view emotions and the world differently, but from a human standpoint, it's entirely selfish on the wards end." I said nothing as I watched the water churn past. "Look, I'm telling you this because you may need to know it when you do see N again. You might… need to bond with him to save him, and if you do, you'll have to understand that you're willingly devoting your life to him. You'll have to love completely even if there is no love being returned."

I continued to stare at the water beneath us and said determinedly, "If that's what it takes to save N, then I'll do it. I don't care." I looked up at Riley who was still watching me questioningly as if he didn't fully believe me. "I love N, and I really will do anything for him."

Suddenly I felt a sharp sting on my leg as the cold water splashed onto it from Blade speeding up next to us. Black and Bianca's eyes were wide, and Black pointed directly ahead of us, "I think we're in the right spot." I looked up and I felt myself go cold as I saw the abandoned hydro plant with the hum of turbines being spun rapidly from water type Pokemon blasting them with water gun, but that's not what caught my attention. Through the cold, gray fog I could see the outline of a large hulking ship amidst the turbines and jagged rocks. As we got closer, I saw large white sails, a black sleek exterior, and electric blue along the sides. "We found them," I heard Black say, "We really did it. We found neo Team Plasma."

A/N: Wow guys! Things are really looking great for our heroes! Just think, neo Team Plasma's probably going to be stopped once and for all… right?