Reshiram felt its consciousness come back to it. Had it been sleeping? No, it didn't feel like waking up, certainly not like being awoken from its dormant stone self. But that did happen; if it was conscious, that meant it had to have been awoken. But then, what was this feeling? It was almost like being made aware of itself while in a state of nonexistence. Was such a thing even possible?

Reshiram gathered its thoughts, trying to recall what happened before feeling like it did now. It tried to think back to being awoken, since that must have happened. Images began to form in its mind. It could see a large room. A throne room, perhaps? It certainly had an air of grandeur. There were two humans there: one was a young man, easily at twenty years of age, who held himself in a way that seemed paradoxically proud yet humble;and there was another male with him, though much younger, somewhere between child and man.

Yes, Reshiram thought to itself. The memories of this boy were much more vivid. He was the one who had summoned Reshiram from its stone self. He fought with it, proving his worth to it. Reshiram now recalled, at the very end, the boy threw a small orb of some kind, just as its strength was beginning to ebb. The orb had opened from the middle and…

Nothing. That was all Reshiram could remember. The world seemed to fade after that moment.

Reshiram once again considered its current state. Its body felt almost ethereal, like it existed but had no physical form. It could feel an odd sensation creeping into its psyche. It took a moment, but this sensation soon felt familiar, and only after another moment was it able to identify it.

Bond. This is the boy bonding with me. Whatever that orb was, it must have been some new technique of the current age that allowed the trainer and Pokėmon to bond. It briefly marveled at how efficient this was; in ages past, bonding with humans took a lot of focus between both human and Pokėmon before true cooperation was achieved. But now, Reshiram already understood seemingly everything about the boy.

No, not 'boy,' Reshiram told itself. Hilbert. A strong name. One that indicates a great warrior. That much is clear. Hilbert, you summoned me for a reason, and I can see that your need for my power is great. Tell me, Hilbert, for what cause I shall be your champion.

Reshiram let its consciousness combine with Hilbert's, looking into his memories. It could see many things; an army that took from others under flimsy pretenses, the man who had been with him who championed a shortsighted notion of "liberation," and…

Brother. Reshiram felt a hint of sorrow as it saw the other man, N, had found his own champion, just like Hilbert. Apparently, your need for my power is greater than I had anticipated. My brother's sense of ideals is far too strong to be swayed so easily, and this 'N' must be just as determined. Therefore, in the name of truth, I shall be your champion.

Just as its purpose was resolved, Reshiram felt another new sensation. Now it felt as though its existence was being regained. No longer did it feel so ethereal; its physical self was reappearing. As soon as it felt solid again, it opened its eyes. It was back in the throne room. Behind Reshiram, Hilbert, looking just as determined as when the two faced off. In front, N, with a similar look of determination.

And between Reshiram and N, N's champion. The closest being in existence Reshiram had to a brother.

Zekrom.

For the two Pokėmon, time slowed to a standstill. Then, in a voice only Reshiram could hear, Zekrom spoke.

"So, we meet again, brother."

Reshiram let out a mournful sigh. "So it would seem. Tell me, what cause do you champion this time?" Reshiram already knew the answer, but wanted to hear the answer in Zekrom's words.

"The liberation of Pokėmon from the tyranny of humankind."

"'Tyranny.' Is that what you call it?"

"What else could it be? We both know that humans exploit Pokėmon for their own ends. To call these unfortunate creatures 'beasts of burden' would be both understated and misrepresentative of the larger picture."

"I can see the larger picture, brother. What you see is but a fraction of that picture. I do not deny that selfish humans exist nor that they use Pokėmon in cruel ways. But not all. We've seen firsthand that humans and Pokėmon can live and work together in harmony."

"So we must simply ignore the problem because the fraction is not indicative of the whole? If we can stop pain and suffering from occurring at all, is that not better?"

"Pain and suffering are how we live. By knowing pain, we know pleasure. By knowing suffering, we know peace."

"But not everyone is so lucky to know pleasure or peace. For them, pain and suffering are all that exist. Do they not deserve to know the opposite? Should they not be removed from their circumstance?"

"Yes, they should. But what of those who enjoy their companionship with their partners? What of those who see themselves as equals, both humans and Pokėmon? You would risk their happiness for the sake of those who suffer through no fault of theirs? You would punish those who treat their Pokėmon with respect and care for the crimes of those they do not even know?"

Reshiram looked to N. "And what of your master? He is human. He uses you. If you truly stood for such liberation, should you not break off your ties to him as well?"

"N is hardly like most humans. He's lived his entire life with Pokėmon, befriending them on a level that other humans could never understand. He can hear the hearts of Pokėmon as easily as simple conversation. Any Pokėmon he uses for battle, he releases back into their homes, with no caveats. Only his closest friends are ever in those dreaded Pokė Balls forever, and that's because they chose to be."

Pokė Balls, huh? Reshiram briefly thought. So that's what Hilbert threw at me.

"N, I, and all of his Pokėmon, we are true equals. But your master, he only seeks your power because he sees us as a threat. He knows that only you have a true chance of defeating me. Were I not here, he'd have never sought you out in the first place. To him you are simply a means to an end."

"Do not presume to know my master!" Reshiram's anger was immediate upon hearing such slander. "True, Hilbert only awakened me after realizing it was the only way to stop you and your master. But why should he not? I am the only one who can defeat you. Were our positions reversed, with me as the first of us to awaken, I daresay the same argument would apply to you."

"Hypotheticals do not suit you, brother. Stick to what you do best and only focus on what you see in the moment."

"Then allow me to tell you what I have seen. I have seen Hilbert's memories and his encounters with N. And I can safely conclude that your master's resolve might not be as strong as you think."

"Hypocrite! You accuse me of slandering your master, but then proceed to turn your tongue against mine?"

"You presumed to know Hilbert's intentions in summoning me. But what I say is based strictly on what Hilbert has seen with his own eyes. He has seen N waver in his convictions. N finds his philosophy intriguing. If I'm being honest, N seems quite fixated on him. True, N wants to succeed at his goals, but he seems to find Hilbert's goal of preserving the status quo and the conviction that Pokėmon and humans belong together quite fascinating."

Zekrom paused for a moment. "True. N's life has been spent in the company of Pokėmon that have known only abuse by their trainers. Seeing other Pokėmon not live such lives has been… confusing to him. But this does not mean he will give up so easily."

"He certainly hasn't made it hard for Hilbert, either. In fact, if these memories are anything to go by, N wanted Hilbert to awaken me. He's already achieved his goal of becoming the League Champion, and he could easily use that influence to sway mankind's opinion. Yet he hasn't. Why not?"

Another pause from Zekrom. "He… He wishes to test his resolve against your master. Only by pitting ideals against truth, liberation against bonds, will he gain the resolve to finally see his goals to the end. And I intend to ensure that happens."

Reshiram sighed. "As it has been and always will be."

The two Pokėmon looked at each other with determination, but a slight hesitance took over just one more moment.

Zekrom sighed. "In truth, brother, I wish we would stop meeting like this."

"...As do I."

Words had been said, so now time flowed forward once more.

N spoke up. "Now let us see whose values will stand. Zekrom, use Fusion Bolt!" Zekrom began to spark with blue electricity.

"I'm not going to let you take people and Pokėmon away from each other. Reshiram, use Fusion Flare!" Upon HIlbert's command, Reshiram's tail lit with flames as it opened its mouth, ready to expel the intense heat.

The battle of truth versus ideals had begun once more.