Chapter 28 Unconvinced Warpath

N watched, shocked, as his Boldore crashed to the ground and ceased all movement. Brycen's Beartic roared victoriously across the arena and the fierce sound echoed throughout the icy cavern. Smugly, it waited for Brycen to stand at its side. The gym leader quietly stepped into place beside it and politely tucked his hands behind his back. "You fight silently, and your focus is commendable. But something troubles you. It threw your pokémon off in the battle," he mused.

But N didn't really register his words. He was trembling, eyes glued to the Boldore's cracked and damaged frame, and despite the ivory sweater he wore, he felt so, so cold. Puffs of steam emanated from his mouth as his breathing grew more rapid and anxious. This didn't make sense, this didn't fit his formula. He had never failed with his partners before. The pokémon he asked for assistance in defeating the gym leaders… he had always had such a good connection with his friends, far deeper than any mere pokémon trainer could hope to have. Yet, the proof was lying in a broken, injured pile in front of him. Somehow, he had not only lost to a misguided trainer, but had allowed his friends to each fall egregiously injured in battle. In the past, he had managed to keep any one of them from suffering too badly, from becoming injured to the point of immobilization and blood… how could he have failed so miserably here?

"Gym Challenger N?" Brycen pressed. N shakily raised a Poké Ball to recall the Boldore to allow it a comfortable place to rest. He knew that pokémon sought comfort in Poké Balls. It was a dirty trick humanity pulled on pokémon. Humans had manufactured the device around a hundred years prior to make carrying their companions more convenient, but the reason pokémon allowed themselves to be trapped in the Poké Ball at all was due to their natural instincts to curl up and rest when seriously injured. Poké Balls were comfortable and pleasant, but N hated them because they were such a symbol of bribery, a sign of how humans no longer felt the need to truly bond with their pokémon before forcing them along for a dangerous, potentially painful, ride.

"Yes?" N finally croaked at the gym leader. He still hadn't heard much of what he'd said and didn't really care to hear whatever advice he may have had. N wasn't even sure why he had asked the question. He needed to leave and go heal at the Pokémon Center, and then come straight back to challenge the gym leader again. The idea of returning to put his friends to the same fate, however, was a sickening one. These were supposed to be some of the gym leaders' final battles. How could he justify repeatedly putting pokémon through pain? Did he even know pokémon as well as he thought he did if he had managed to lose to a gym leader?

"There is something that troubles you," Brycen said again. He had such a melodic, calm voice. Soothing, even. N wanted to lean into it and spill everything to him in that moment. Something about it was so frightfully inviting… but he held his tongue. He knew better. Regardless of his personal shortcomings, his goal was still necessary for the betterment of pokémon's lives everywhere. "As a gym leader, it's my job and my moral duty to provide support and advice for gym challengers that pass through Icirrus. Please, whatever bothers you, Gym Challenger N, allow me to give insight."

"I can't," N huskily whispered. He swallowed hard and turned on a dime, stalking away from the arena glossed with ice. There was a ramp that led back to the front of the arena. Brycen had pointed it out near the start of their battle. He half-slid, half-walked down it. Temporarily, he was able to forget the reality at hand, and his heart thrummed from the thrill of the slide. Who knew gliding downhill could be so fun… He curiously wondered if other humans found such a thrill from sliding as he did.

As soon as his feet hit the crunchy snow at the end of the slide, however, his mind snapped back to reality. Beyond the hurt and confusion from losing to Brycen, there was also frustration. He was furious with the Shadow Triad still for laying hands on Professor Juniper and he hadn't been able to shake the interaction with Hil back outside of Mistralton City's gym. He had not given the order for the Shadow Triad to attack Professor Juniper nor had he even intended her any harm. Admittedly, he had been incensed by the sight of her. The Sages had taught him of Unova's pokémon professors and made sure he'd known their names and their individual accomplishments and explained to him how they saw pokémon as ones and zeroes in a program as opposed to living creatures. Knowing they categorized pokémon like objects when they were already so often abused and tossed out like trash had infuriated him. But that didn't mean he had ever intended to hurt her! What did Ghetsis have the Shadow Triad doing all the time to bring them so quickly to the conclusion he had wanted to harm the professor?

Which that always brought him to the dead end of questioning his confrontation with Hil. Hil had, gently as ever, tried to introduce the idea that Ghetsis was perhaps not as innocent and altruistic as N had believed him to be. Seeds of doubt gnawed away at him from the inside, his most basic of instincts screaming at him that humans were cruel by nature, and what Hil had suggested was not outside the realm of possibility. Yet, N had been taken care of by Ghetsis since he was four years old. He had taken him in when his human parents had abandoned him to the boreal forestry of the Giant Chasm to die and provided him with education and luxury N had learned most humans could only dream of, even if at the expense of freedom. He had traded all hedonism for this pursuit, had allowed himself to remain caged, and now, there was the thought that perhaps Ghetsis had not been doing that out of the kindness of his heart, but out of a personal agenda… Whenever that thought reared its ugly face, N would shake his head violently, as if fighting off someone touching his head. He would fix his hat and then repeat something to himself a few times.

You are the King of Team Plasma. You are the New Hero of Ideals. You are helping pokémon.

Recently, he caught himself needing to repeat that phrase more and more, reciting it like a private religious text. He still wasn't done trying to burn those three sentences into his mind by the time he reached the Pokémon Center. He was an absolute bundle of nerves as he handed the Nurse Joy his pokémon.

Was he losing his conviction? Conviction was the key to being the New Hero of Ideals. He couldn't afford to lose it. What if the Dragon no longer responded to him? What if Ghetsis found out? What if—

"Here you are, challenger," the Nurse Joy beamed as she stuffed the four Poké Balls back in his hands.

"Thank you," N murmured distractedly to her. Marlon had joined him at his side while he waited briefly.

"Did you beat him?" he asked in a deadpan. The way Marlon acted bothered N as well. He was aloof and could be bitterly rude on occasion. He knew Marlon was close with Ghetsis, but he also knew it had only happened relatively recently, within the last month or two. Prior to that, Marlon had always been energetic and struggled to hide his accent, said to come from Humilau City. N had never been there… he had heard it was a seaside town with beaches and friendly locals. He had always wanted to go…

"No," N answered, feeling as if his tongue suddenly had swelled too large to pronounce the word clearly.

"What do you mean, 'no?'" Marlon asked as he cut his dark blue eyes at N. N hurried away from the front desk of the Pokémon Center. He was walking back for the front door.

"I mean, no, I didn't beat him," N growled in annoyance. Why did so many people make him repeat himself? Did he really talk that fast?

"Well, you'd better get back in there and do it," Marlon hissed snappishly at him. N just nodded. He couldn't wait to get away from the grumpy footman. As he stepped back into the biting air of Icirrus City, N shut his eyes and drank in the cold breeze. He could not allow his conviction to falter. He had come too far. Team Plasma had worked too hard to get him to where he was today. He was a fool if he was allowing some kid's offhanded remarks to shake his belief so strongly. Hil didn't know what he was talking about. He didn't know the castle, he didn't know Ghetsis, he didn't know the revolving door of abused pokémon N had dealt with throughout his life… he just didn't know. He had to prove to him, and the rest of humanity, that pokémon deserved their freedom and their dignity. Ghetsis and the rest of Team Plasma were supporting him in this endeavor.

He cycled through those thoughts as he made his way back to Brycen's gym with newfound vigor.

He was helping pokémon.

He was the New Hero of Ideals.

He was the King of Team Plasma.

The rest of their trek through Twist Mountain had been much more relaxed. Each of the friends had released their full teams and traversed the winding roads with them at their sides. Well, all except for Hil's Munna, anyway, thanks to her propensity for unannounced naps. Cheren didn't change overnight, of course; he was still reserved, but it was clear he was trying. He didn't immediately bash Hil and Bianca's ridiculous jokes (he even chanced a few of his own!) and he refrained from giving too much unsolicited advice. The highlight of the trip, however, was surely when Hil had convinced him and Bianca to play hide-and-seek with their pokémon. Cheren had laughed in a way neither of his friends had ever heard.

Feeling more confident following their journey through Twist Mountain and comfortable now that he understood Cheren a little better, Hil had challenged him to a battle just before they reached Icirrus. He had still lost, almost spectacularly, considering he had beaten Skyla so easily, but nobody was bothered by it.

"Glad everything's back to normal," Cheren had slyly joked as he recalled his Fraxure. He had captured it as an Axew near the start of their hike through Twist Mountain in a small, offshoot cave. Hil had also tried his hand at one, but had decided it just wasn't worth the hassle, not to mention the guilt he'd have felt for replacing any of his teammates…

"Yeah, me too, if I'm being honest," Hil had laughed back at him. "I feel like the fabric of space and time might unravel if I ever beat you."

Bianca had groaned at him and threatened to have her Dewott wash him off the mountain if he didn't stop berating himself, which, of course, had only amused Hil further, to her chagrin.

They arrived now in Icirrus feeling stronger than ever. Whatever problems Icirrus City threw their way, Hil was certain they could tackle it together. Bianca's Dewott squeaked excitedly as he ran up next to Cheren's Emboar, and the two of them seemed to survey the city together. Noodle idly flicked his tail from his place on Hil's shoulder. He swore the Servine was looking down on the two disdainfully.

"Feeling high and mighty from your perch?" Hil teasingly asked Noodle. The Servine yawned lazily as his only response. Hil snorted in amusement.

"I think my team and I are ready to take on Gym Leader Brycen," Cheren said as he, too, scanned their environment. It was another rather quaint city, though not as bad as Mistralton. He was pretty sure Mistralton was only considered a city thanks to its airport… The foliage was a dull, blue green here, and snow and ice occasionally dappled the area. If Mistralton had felt too cool for late spring, Icirrus was a joke. Hil was very grateful for his hoodie right about then and was also glad Cheren had convinced Bianca to buy the pale green jacket she now boasted back in Driftveil. Meanwhile, Cheren had sunk back into his blue and black windbreaker, not that he needed anything thicker, since his Emboar walked at his side and seemed to be doing a good job of keeping him warm. Cheren sheepishly smiled at his friends. "Would you two want to watch me battle him?"

"Of course!" Hil and Bianca had responded in almost unison.

"Jinx," Hil called right away.

Bianca giggled and pulled on his wrist some, dragging Hil with her as she started off after Cheren for the gym. It was apparently carved into a mountainside, or perhaps it was a natural cave that had simply been converted into use for a gym. Beige, stout pillars marked the entrance. Within, they did the usual ritual of speaking to the gym's Clyde, and then were tasked with something far more intriguing: sliding around on sheets of ice to advance through the gym. Gym trainers laughed and joked at the three friends as they ricocheted around the glossy floor. Some challenged them on their way through, and while Bianca regularly declined, Hil thought to go ahead and give it a try. He'd be battling Brycen soon, anyway, so getting some practice in wouldn't hurt.

He had gone with Prada again since, as far as he knew, none of his other pokémon knew anything that could give Ice-types a hard time, while Prada knew Flame Charge. The Zebstrika had hilariously scrabbled for a foothold against the slick floors upon his release. Hil had doubled over in laughter, trying his best to spit the order for a Flame Charge out, but it never came. Finally, Prada's mane blazed anyway, the flames melting away the unforgiving flooring. He gave Hil a murderous glare and then had taken out the opposing pokémon, a Cubchoo, with less-than-graceful ease.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Prada," Hil had howled once the battle was over and Prada had stomped his way to stand in front of Hil incredulously. "That was just… oh, that was too funny. I'm sorry."

Prada shook his head irritably and the tip of his ears slapped Hil's forehead. He could only laugh even harder, rubbing his temple, and then recall Prada. Once he regained his composure, he joined back up with Bianca and Cheren further into the cavern.

They both grinned once they spotted him. It seemed Cheren had made his way to the gym leader at last. Brycen was surprisingly underdressed considering the frigidity of the cave. Hil didn't quite know what to call what he was wearing, but half of Brycen's upper body and a significant portion of his legs were exposed to the cold. A sapphire blue mask covered most of his face except for his eyes. At Cheren's declaration of a challenge, he bowed respectfully, and the battle was on.

Cheren's Emboar, as expected, made easy work of Brycen's team, which had consisted of a Vanillish, Cryogonal, and Beartic. But the fact Cheren won was hardly the most important part of the battle. Cheren had clearly tried to put his heart into it; he offered awkward words of encouragement to the Emboar, and once all was said and done, almost fearfully had pet its head. The ring of flames across Emboar's shoulders had died down at his affections and the Emboar eagerly leaned into Cheren's comforts. Hil had smiled at Noodle as they watched the display together.

"What you think, Noodle? Think he's getting better?" Noodle trilled that squeaky, high-pitched sound and Hil, the smile still tugging at his lips, gave an almost pained grunt. "Oh, Noodle, you kill me with that noise, buddy. It's so cute. I can't stand it."

Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, Hil's battle with Brycen once the gym leader had healed his team went much less smoothly. He had tried to muscle his way through with Prada yet again, but Flame Charge just wasn't enough, and once Prada went down, Hil wasn't sure where to go from there. It was a three-on-three match like every other gym battle thus far, and he knew none of his other pokémon had an advantage, and yet again, Noodle was out of the question thanks to the distinct type disadvantage. Prada had seemed to give Brycen's Vanillish some trouble, but once he was sent down by it, Hil had been defeated decisively. To try and pull the battle back in his favor, he had gone with Sleepy and Roadie to try to abuse Sleepy's Yawn and Roadie's Super Fang and Confuse Ray, but Brycen didn't really give him a chance to set that up before they, too, were swept off the field.

The loss didn't really upset him, though. Hil had still had fun, and he had been certain his recent luck would run out with Brycen, anyway. He'd just have to come back again, stronger and with a better strategy, next time. Maybe Cheren could help him… Following the battles at the gym, they had returned to the front of it by sliding down a pretty long, icy slope. Hil shyly thought that if they got to do that every time they left Brycen's gym, maybe losing a few more times wouldn't be so bad after all… of course, he was kidding himself, he would never put his pokémon intentionally through harm for such a fleeting moment of fun, but still. The ice slide made him feel like a small kid again.

Hil had two more attempts go south with Brycen as well. Each time, the gym leader was cold (no pun intended) and calculating in his actions and the way he handled his pokémon. Yet, it wasn't an unkind demeanor like how Cheren's had been prior to Twist Mountain. It was as if his pokémon understood him so well they no longer needed to vocalize to one another praise and questions, only attacks. Hil honestly thought Brycen was quite the admirable opponent, and he swore his pokémon, did, too. Even Prada, with his snotty attitude, seemed to calm down a little under the gym leader's gaze.

After his third loss to Brycen, Hil was heading back out of the gym again, Cheren and Bianca hot on his heels once more, when they heard an Xtransceiver ring from the gym leader's clothes. He said nothing as he dug in his clothes to answer it. Hil and his friends didn't stick around long enough to hear the conversation, but within seconds of them taking the slide to exit the gym, Brycen appeared behind them. Poking his head out of the gaping maw of Icirrus City Gym's entrance, he gruffly barked, "Show yourselves!"

Hil and his friends were taken aback by the ferocity of his tone. He had hardly spoken to them up until then, much less yelled. "Er… is everything okay, Gym Leader Brycen?" Hil questioned nervously.

"I know you're there! You three!" Brycen snarled, appearing to all but ignore Hil.

They soon discovered who Brycen had been talking about, though. Three dark-clad men materialized in a triangle around the entrance of the gym. Two flanked Hil and his friends while a third had appeared inches away from Brycen's face.

"Impressive, Gym Leader of Icirrus City," the one in front of the gym leader commented, tone hushed.

"We, the beings of shadows…" the one to the left of the group hissed but trailed off.

"…are not usually so easily detected," the one to their right finished. The fact they had just teleported into view was terrifying enough, but their perfect coordination was so… eerie.

"The Shadow Triad," Cheren whispered under his breath. Hil and Bianca both glanced at him but were speechless to ask the questions at the tips of their tongues.

"It was our mission to merely speak with Gym Challenger Cheren," the first of the men gasped. Hil felt a cold chill run up his spine at how the man seemed to be struggling to speak…

"But so be it," another of the men chimed in. He seemed to have no difficulty speaking, but his voice was hoarse and scratchy.

"Lord Ghetsis has a message for Gym Challenger Cheren, and for you, Gym Leader Brycen. Come to Dragonspiral Tower," the third finished. That one had a much smoother, deeper voice than the other two.

"Dragonspiral Tower? What's that? What's going on there…?" Bianca whined as she took a step back out of fright.

Cheren seized her hand and squeezed it tightly in his. He bared his teeth at the Shadow Triad with almost animalistic fury. "I'll come to Dragonspiral Tower. Now leave!" he spat.

The three men dipped their chins in unison at him and as fast as they had appeared, they vanished in a flourish of black smoke that wafted away in the breeze. Hil went to splutter a question at the gym leader, but he jerked a hand up to hold out at them. "I don't have time to talk, I have to head to Dragonspiral Tower!" With that, he booked it for the northern end of the city, his blue clothing trailing behind him in the wind. In the direction that he had tore off, Hil could see a faded, beige tower looming over the forestry.

"I need to get over there," Cheren tensely said as he began a brisk pace after the gym leader.

"We're coming with you!" Bianca exclaimed and scrambled after him. He looked as if he wanted to argue, but hesitated.

"Yeah, remember, no more of this 'I gotta be strong alone' stuff," Hil shakily agreed with Bianca. His voice was quivering from the rapid thumping of his heart. "Starting with, Shadow Triad? That's what happened to you back in Chargestone Cave, right? What with the teleporting…"

"Yeah," Cheren nodded. "I don't know much about them. Let's just get to Dragonspiral Tower. Whatever happens, I'll… we'll face it together."

Bianca and Hil nodded with conviction. "Together."