"I...regret...everything!" Hilda cried out in exhaustion filled breath as she walked up the stairs to the castle. Clutching her hands over her arms, she stopped moving as a cold breeze brushed by her. "How, how is it more freezing up here than in the literal snow-covered town!?" She stuttered out as her teeth chatter.

Seeing she was still halfway up the stairway which led to a doorway inside the castle with over 20 meters still left to go at the least, she decided enough was enough with the cold.

Reaching on her belt, she grabs the first Pokéball on the row and pops it open. Her first Pokémon came out in front of her. What was once an adorable little Tepig, was now a muscular brute of an Emboar. But still her little…

"Porkchop!" Hearing its nickname, the Emboar turned around and caught the trainer in its arms. Hilda sighed in its warm embrace. It was one of those times she was the most thankful for picking her starter. Snivy and Oshawott were great Pokémon in their own right, with Serperior and Samurott as great fits for her friends, but neither of them were as warm or as cuddlable as her Emboar.

A fact Hilda was more than happy to exploit, as the Pokémon's hug was enough to block her body from the cold wind. "I am never letting Cheren lecture me about how Water Types have more versatility ever again." She told it, getting a confused snort from the Pokémon in return.

"Right, right. Okay, Porkchop. Can you do me a solid and kinda carry me the rest of the way up the stairs?" The Emboar continued to look down at her in confusion, before beginning to take in their surroundings. As in the League behind them, the castle in front of them, and the stairway they were on.

A stairway that happened to be suspended miles from the ground. A bad time for Hilda to have forgotten her Emboar does not take heights well.

"Porkchop, stop! I mean, stop! Stop! Fucking, stop!" Hilda shouted, as she pressed her feet down on the steps and thrusted her shoulder forward into her Emboar's gut while it tried to pick her up and rush back down the steps.

A frightened look was in the Pokémon's eyes as it was gripped on the railing and tried to shove itself past Hilda, while also trying not to directly harm her. Not an easy task to do.

Which Hilda could relate too as she was attempting to hold back a Pokémon that was over 330 pounds and was up a few steps higher than herself on the stairs. "We can't go back!" She grunts out as hard as she is able to. "Stop, darn it...waiting for us, N is waiting for us!"

Even her Pokémon knew his name. Knew it so well that to each of them, it was second only to their Trainer's own in recognition.

That was why Hilda's Emboar stopped itself and allowed its Trainer to shove it back a step. Didn't mean it was letting go of the stair's railing though, or even looking, as its eyes were tightly closed.

"Porkchop, I thought we talked about you scaring me like that." Hilda let out an exhausted breath. Already knowing she could not stay mad at her starter, as it pressed its face to the railing and gave out a low whimper of fear.

Her fault for forgetting such an important detail, such as fear of height. Shivering as she feels a chill from a breeze from the wind, Hilda reached for her belt again and grabs the same Pokéball she let the Fire Type out of.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." She told it in as soft a voice she can manage, while petting the Pokémon's back. She was about to return him to his ball but stopped herself. Part of her thought it would be better to just return him and give him a snack later as an apology but given just what she was about to walk into; there was no guarantee there would be a chance for any kind of rest between. While the Emboar was not hurt too badly from the Elite Four battles, it did carry the team through two of the main battles. Least she could do was comfort her Starter properly.

Placing the pokéball back on the belt, she reached into her bag and pulls out a Rawst Berry. Her Emboar's favorite treat.

"I just forgot at the moment. Things are coming to an end for our little journey." A quiet snort is given, and Hilda can see it slowly peeking at the Berry she was offering it. "See that castle there. N is in there. And…" She paused to look up to the castle, trying to find the right words. "You remember him, right? You guys talked once. I think you two did at least." In Mistralton City, N asked to talk to one of her Pokémon. So, she let him do so with her Emboar.

She didn't know what they talked about and wasn't in a position to pay much attention as she had a concussion at the time. But it did seem like the two were having a conversation. Unless N was simply crazy, which was possibility that Hilda hadn't fully ruled out.

"He's in trouble. A lot of stuff is happening, and people want us to battle him. But the thing is, I don't want to do that anymore."

She held in a chuckle as she saw her Emboar look confused. She wondered for a moment if she was really that competitive, that even her Pokémon knew her love of winning. With the thought aside, she used her free hand to grip at her hat. Keeping it in place as another cold breeze comes in that made her shiver.

It felt odd for her to talk to her Pokémon as if it would really understand her. It was true the creatures were intelligent, but it is not like they were able to know exactly what she said to them. All they could do was understand commons for battle, and other tricks.

A chuckle left her lips as she lowered the hand that held the Rawst Berry and leaned against her Emboar. "I just want to make sure he is safe. He needs us. And, I have no idea what I am even doing wasting time, when we need to save N from-!"

She gasped as she suddenly found herself picked up and held in her Emboar's arm, like she would carry it as a Tepig. The look on its face showed it was frantically panicking to race up the steps, without looking to see how far they were from the ground. The Rawst Berry comedically held in its mouth while it ran.

It took Hilda a moment to realize the sudden change in her Emboar's attitude. She said the command.

'Save N.'

She laughed wildly as her Emboar ran with her in its arm's hold. The small bit of doubt in her cleared as she gave out a cheer for it to go faster. The wind tries to give out another chilling breeze. Hilda didn't feel any of it.

When they reached the top of the stairway, it was easy for her Emboar to make an entrance. "Porkchop, hammer arm!" The doors were thrown off their hinges and onto the floor, allowing for Hilda and her Emboar a dramatic Entrance, as she jumped from the Pokémon's hold, she gives out a pose with a finger pointed forward.

"N! It is time to- The fuck?"

Entering the castle, Hilda was immediately taken aback by the inner style of it. With golden walls and beautifully carved blue marble flooring, it was something she wasn't at all expecting. Much like the six Team Plasma Sages that were the only people in the room.

"The door wasn't even locked, why did you punch it open?!" One shouted, clearly startled by her sudden entrance. "We just closed it to not let in the cold air!" Another joined in, seemingly holding his chest as one of the doors was by his feet, showing that it was close to hitting him.

It was Hila's own turn to be startled as the Sagas all looked at her. A rare moment as she felt embarrassed by her own action, as she expected N to be at the direct top of the stairs. "Sorry, I guess? Look, can we just skip this talking bit. I am here to talk to your King."

The Sagas all moved to stand together, with them all glaring at Hilda. One by one, each of them took a step forward, as they recited a quote.

"Those in accord with Fate are preserved, and those who rebel against Fate perish."

"When the Way is forgotten, duty and Justice appear."

"Is this a bit? Like is there a ceremony thing you guys are doing?" She asked, as more of the Sagas stepped up and began to say more quotes.

"One can lose the forest for the trees."

"If you make a mistake and do not correct it, that is a second mistake."

Hilda turned to look at her Emboar, as it was chewing on the Rawst Berry. "Porkchop, are you hearing these guys? It's like they're all reading from fortune cookies." The fire-fighting type just continued to munch, as more of the Sagas stepped forward.

"Superior men understand what is right. Inferior men understand what will sell."

"There are not two suns in the sky, nor two sovereigns over the people."

Mumbling the word 'okay' under her breath, Hilda ran her hand over her face as she held back the urge to shout at the old men before her. "If none of you are going to be making sense, I am just gonna keep going. Sorry again about the door. Then again, fuck you guys. Come on, Porkchop." She can see that there was a way forward on the opposite side of the room. But in taking a step forward, Hilda was stopped as the Sagas all moved to surround her.

Each of them reached a hand in their cloak and took out a Pokéball. An action that very much reminded her of a certain other Saga that she had the displeasure of knowing.

"What are you doing? N is expecting me." The Emboar behind her gave a threatening snort, while she moved a hand to her belt for the rest of her team. Immediately, she knew the situation had turned very bad for her.

She has dealt against multiple opponents together at once before, but that was four at most and they still tried to face her with one Pokémon at a time. If all the Sagas had enough skill to lead six Pokémon at once, then she would be at a clear disadvantage. That would be 36 against her five. Adding on that her Team still have not fully recovered from fighting the Elite Four; there was no way she would be able to win here.

A fact the Sagas all seem to know as they smirked at her.

"Well...If anything should happen to our king, it would be disastrous. It would ruin Ghetsis's perfect plan!" The Sage in red spoke out, as he took a step forward towards her, and readied himself to toss out a Pokéball.

Hilda knew that she couldn't show fear, so instead of stepping back, she met the Sage with her own stomp forward. With her teeth bared, and eyes glaring she stared down the red Sage. "Ghetsis huh...What about N then? Last I checked, he's waiting for our final battle." Her hands closed to fists, as she readied herself.

"Our Lord N will be disappointed, but the six of us shall defeat you here!" He tosses his ball out, and out comes a Conkeldurr ready to battle. She reached for her own team, only to stop as a gruff accented voice called out behind her. A familiar kind of voice that she had the joy in shutting up months ago.

"Can ya manage that?" From behind her came the Gym Leader of Driftveil City, Clay, as he rushed forward to stand between her and the Saga's Pokémon. "Still standin', are ya, vermin?" He asked, glancing behind his shoulder towards her.

"What are you doing here, Brown Snorlax? If you're wanting a rematch, you couldn't have picked a worse time." Hilda responded, hiding a bit of relief at the sudden arrival.

With Clay here, it made all the Saga's step back in fear. With the red one's smirk quickly leaving his face as he recognized who the Gym Leader was.

"You...You're Driftveil's…?!"

"Hrrmph! Ain't just me!"

"Did you just say Hrrmph?!" Hilda's call out is ignored, as suddenly all the other Gym Leaders that she had met from all across the Region came into the room from behind her. It stunned her into being quiet for a moment in awe of such a thing.

The Gym Leader of Nacrene City, Lenora, laughed as she held her hand to her hips. "So sorry...not only are we stronger than you, but there are alot of us!" She oozed confidence in her words.

"Accursed Gym Leaders!" One of the other Sages growled out as they all began to visually panic, with them being the ones that were outnumbered now.

Hilda snapped herself into attention, as she took another step forward to join the Gym Leader's side. "What are you all doing here? Aren't I usually the one you lot sic on Team Plasma?" It was the Gym Leader of Nimbasa City, Elesa, who answered her. "Ignoring Team Plasma...That would be a terrible thing for us Gym Leaders to do."

"That was what some of you, fucking did! I had to pick up the slack!" The Gym Leader of Castelia City, Burgh, looked at her with a smile. "Bianca asked us to come, too."

That easily made Hilda's annoyance go away. "Always helping when you can, aren't you, Bi…" She whispered softly to herself and made a mental promise to hug her friend extra tight next time she saw her.

"Holder of the Dark Stone, please proceed!" One of the last Gym Leaders she fought, Drayden, yelled as he and the others brought out their own Pokémon. The Sagas met their force with their own. It set the stage for a battle with so many Pokémon, it filled the whole room.

Hilda almost wanted to enter the fray herself, at the excitement of seeing such a thing, but turned the idea down. She had more important things to do. A king to speak with. A friend to save.

Returning her Emboar in its ball, she stepped back from the Gym Leaders and moved to go around the Sagas, towards the hallway forward.

"You guys...thank you. Seriously."

"This no trouble, Hilda we-"

"You're all still losers! Especially you Skyla! Go eat Swoobat shit, you concussion causing bitch!" Hilda shouted as she ran ahead, moments before the hall was filled with the sound of battle. She kept her eyes looking forward as races down the halls as fast as possible and saw a stairway leading up further into the castle.


"Subtlety, thy name is not Team Plasma apparently." Having gone up the stairs, Hilda was met with more golden walls, marble floors, and now an indoor waterfall that led to a river that stretched the entire hallway. "By The Fonz's horn, this is insane." She flinched as she caught her own voice echoing throughout the overly designed hallway.

In the long list of stuff she was expecting to see when she arrived in the Pokémon League; a large castle that erupted from below the ground, that had within it long golden hallways, and an indoor river was not one of them. If someone had told her this was where she would find herself on the one-year anniversary of her journey, she would have asked if they were smoking an Oddish.

Through the hallway she can see large arch openings that lead into separate rooms. The first offered Plasma Grunts that were sitting in wait on a table. Without a word they took notice and attempted to goad her. They call out how they would steal and force Pokémon to serve them. That N proved himself the strongest trainer and that people will do as they see, because of their power.

Hilda took delight in how they flinched when her hand reached for one of her pokéball. "Skittys." She spat the insult out as she walked past their arch. Heading towards the end of the hallway where she expected to reach either another stairway or something that will lead to N.

It took less than 20 paces before she felt the need to stop. Felt the need to address the one spying on her. "You can come out now." She watched a shadow detached from the ceiling and let itself drop before her eyes. A member of The Shadow Triad once more. "If you're here to get in my way, walk away now." Not a chance is to be taken by these men. With Ghetsis's harassment on the bridge and the Sagas, she was more than ready to expect some underhandedness now.

She watched the Shadow Triad raise a hand and point to the second archway in the hallway. "Your Pokémon may rest in that room. When they are healed, it is our lord N's wish that you be moved to the innermost part of this castle." It took a glance at the archway that lasted less than a second for The Shadow Triad to vanish from her sight. Muttering an insult under her breath, Hilda tried to weigh the idea of following what was offered.

Her Pokémon did need a chance of rest after battling the Elite Four. Much as she didn't want to admit, there was only so much Potions and Ethers could do. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Hilda stepped towards the Archway that The Shadow Triad pointed to.

When she stepped into the room, she was greeted with two women with colorful hair, wearing elegant dresses. "Greetings, Hilda Touko White. We are honored to have you with us." They spoke and moved in unison, right down to the syllable and right down to both of them nodding their heads towards her at the same time.

Hearing her full name called out in such a way, immediately put Hilda on the alert as she stepped back towards the way out of the room. "Why are you alarmed? Did you not come here seeking relaxation for your Pokémon?" They spoke together, even tilting their heads in the exact same way as each other, in the same direction.

"Can you both fucking not...just like, stop with this creepy talk." Hilda said, instinctually holding a hand towards her pokéballs at her side. One of the two women stepped forward. A sash hung from her shoulder to her waist, and her hair was a bright pink. "I am Anthea. You have no reason to be afraid of us Hilda." The other woman stepped forward, her hair a bright blonde that was braided. "I am Concordia. You have no reason to be afraid of us Hilda."

Holding her arms up, Hilda took another step back towards the archway. "Okay, I think I am gonna leave-" Before she is able to, she feels something drop behind her. Turning around and expecting one of The Shadow Triad, Hilda was in shock to see it was not anyone. Just a large doorway suddenly being where she just came from moments ago.

Quickly grabbing the handles and trying to pull, she feels her heat sink as she notices the doors were locked. Meaning she was trapped within the room with the two women. It wasn't long before the halls of the castle were filled with her muffled screams.

She desperately begged for the pain to stop, for them let her go. She had tried to reason with them, but it only seemed to fuel their zeal in wanting to please their king. Her Team was taken from her, each one was released from their Pokéball. How easily those she trusted betrayed her, even her own Emboar.

Whimpering, and with tears threatening to leave her eyes, Hilda already gave up on trying to escape her grim fate. She watched her Emboar as he happily sat and ate berries, her Ferrothorn as its metal shell was being clean, her Seismitoad as it splashed it's arms in its small bath, her Reuniclus as it was playing with a spoon, and her Cofagrigus as it was chewing on a gold nugget. "Traitors, all of you." She hissed out through clenched teeth as she felt her hair being pulled again.

"Stop moving, the more you do, the longer this shall take." Anthea was washing Hilda's Ferrothron, paying attention to each inch of its body during a deep cleaning. Concordia was on the trainer's hair, holding her to a chair with surprisingly high strength with one hand on the shoulder.

"I wanna leave, please!" Hilda begged as much as she could. Despising just how much they had molested her body. Her nails had been filed, her clothing had been taken off and put in the wash, and she had gone through a full cleanse and measurement so that she could fit within a beautiful white dress that was left on the table.

Her outfit for meeting with the king. Her wedding dress.

Concordia gave a huff, as she pulled the brush down on Hilda's hair again, making the trainer whimper. "Stop being a child and relax." The sisters' unison talk did not help her relax in the slightest. "You make it sound as if you do not wish to marry Lord N." Hilda could feel her face turn warm at the mention of such a thing again.

She rarely thought of the idea of marriage, let alone with the idea of having N as a husband. It did make her wonder if she would be considered a queen for a moment but only because the two women currently holding her hostage had suggested it. "Stop saying that-ow!" She felt the sharp pain of her hair being pulled again.

"You must take better care of your hair. Do you not know what conditioner is?"

"I know what it is-ow! You try keeping hair neat when you spend most days sleeping outside! Ow! Helix-damn it!"

Hilda tried to stand up from the chair and make another escape attempt but was easily forced to sit back down as the grip Concordia had on her shoulder was too much to pull from. "Ah, what are you, a Fighting Type?!"

She saw Anthea roll her eyes. "As stubborn as Lord N said you would be." Hilda paused her next escape attempt. Before she could ask the obvious question, they answered for her. "He speaks of you a lot. About your skill, your courage, your beauty, and your love for your Pokémon. As well as your stubbornness, your foul tongue, your tendency to not think before you speak, your-" They are stopped as Hilda threw her head back and gave out a loud groan that was fueled by annoyance.

"Alright, I get it." She mumbled her speech as she trained her eyes down at her own feet. Trying not to show the mess of emotions that were running through her head. It made her feel things she did not know how to feel, with N talking about her in such a way. It made her think back on their brief conversation in the Pokémon League. The feeling that bubbled in her chest.

She battled him four times. Beaten him those four times. Argued with him. Made him angry. Even vomited on his lap. Yet he never had anything bad to say about her. A little too honest with some things, yes. But he never was hostile to her. Even called her beautiful to her face.

"I honestly thought for a while that he hated me, you know because I am a Trainer and he is...well, himself. But then we managed to talk. Just actually talk to each other. He helped me out when he didn't need to. Then all this stuff with dragons happened, and we needed to duel for the fate of the region and-" She stopped herself as she noticed she was starting to ramble.

Holding her hands to her face, another loud groan passed her lips. "I don't want to fight him. I just want to talk to him. He is just so dead set on one kind of thinking, that he just won't see anything else. I don't want to force him to change his mind, I…" When she lowered her hands, she saw Anthea was patiently waiting for her to finish. There wasn't any look of disapproval, no look of shock. She was just listening.

It helped Hilda gather her thoughts for what she was going to say next. "I just want to be his friend. Why can't he see that?" She didn't mean for that to sound as sad as it did. But that is how it came out.

"You are his friend. Possibly, his only human friend." Anthea's voice is the only one Hilda's heard that time. It was sobered, and eerily quiet in tone. "You are not giving him enough credit though. Because he does know this. He knows everything you're saying, and even may agree with it." The woman runs her hands on the Ferrthron's shell. The Grass Steel Type looked up to her with a curious expression, before it hummed as she continued to pet it.

"Most Trainers battle to practice their skills and to grow in experience, but never to hurt their Pokémon. Our lord N has realized this already, deep in his heart...but he has spent too much painful time here in this castle to admit it…"

Hilda feels Concordia's touch on her hair but doesn't feel the sting with it being pulled. Instead, it was a gentle caressing. A loosening of the hair strands. "We are to give peace and comfort to N." Her voice was as soft as her touch, but as eerily quiet as her sister's. "N has been separated from people since he was young. He was brought up with Pokémon…" Hilda tried to turn her head towards her, but she was pushed back to face forward. Making her look at all her Pokémon team as they were all relaxing together.

"The Pokémon that surrounded N were betrayed, mistreated and hurt by bad people...N was touched by their plight, and started pursuing the truth, thinking only of Pokémon. His heart is pure and innocent." The thought of such a thing, of mistreated and hurt Pokémon. Hilda found she couldn't take her eyes off of her own Team.

The question leaves her lips in a whisper. "What happened to the Pokémon?"

The answer was not easy to hear. It was far too descriptive. They told her of the number of injuries that all sorts of Pokémon would have. Of all the different types and breeds. Even those not native to Unova.

Those with their wings plucked. Those with limbs broken. Those with dented shells. Burned so badly no center could heal. Poison to a level that will never be cured. Missing eyes. Bones bruised. Used and abused in ways she didn't even think possible. Not with Pokémon.

They told her how much N would try to help them. How it became less of him saving them, more of him just making them comfortable in their last moments. Many of his friends died in his arms.

The thought of having to go through a thing was impossible for Hilda to think of. The entire time as Anthea and Concordia explained, she couldn't tear her eyes from her team. To imagine any of them hurt in such a way. To imagine having to hold any of them as they gave their last breath. She has caught many Pokémon in her travels, but the five before her were her Team. Were her Pokémon.

To make someone go through the pain of losing anything like that…

"Ghetsis deliberately brought only those poor Pokémon closer to N." Hearing that familiar name, Hilda stands up from her chair, and violently turns her head to face Concordia on what she had just said.

The same man that had intimidated her, threatened her friends, and insulted N. The one sage that she got the pleasure of hitting in the face. "What right did he have to do such a thing!? That's just...just...fucking evil!" Concordia didn't flinch when Hilda shouted at her. Didn't even blink at the girl's violent outburst. "He said it was done to raise N. To encourage him to know what it was Trainer's did. It was how he raised us to believe." The answer to Hilda's question comes flatly, with no suspense at all added to it.

"Raised?" Hilda turned to Anthea to confirm it. "You were raised by that bastard?" A slow nod is given. And suddenly so much of the puzzle piece that made up N, clicked into place. Forming a picture for Hilda to see clearly. Raised by such a madman, it could only be a miracle that N came as innocent as he was. She was no stranger to bad fathers, but this…

Her gaze shifted between Anthea and Concordia. "That makes you his sisters then?" Both lower their gaze to the floor, at the same time in perfect sync with each other's movement. Their speech soon followed. "We are. At one point, we were to be his wives." Hilda's experience as a Trainer taught her how to read little signs on a person. Let her see the quaking of Anthea's shoulders. Hear the lower shudder in Concordia's breathing. "We didn't want it and Ghetsis was not pleased. He was...not pleased with us."

Hilda tried to talk to them, but they were quick to separate from her and her Pokémon. The time for rest was over. "We thank you, Hilda Touko White for coming this far. For being there for our brother as his friend." They bowed their heads together at her, and slowly Hilda did the same. Though her hands were clutched at her side with a rage she had never felt before in her life, she knew when someone hurt needed their space.

One by one, she called back her team in their pokéball. They were now rested and fed; ready for whatever was going to come next. Her Emboar is the first one to return to its ball. Followed by her Seismitoad and Ferrothron. However, it was as she was going to recall her Reuniclus and Cofagrigus that she was stopped by the sisters.

"It's curious that you came here with a ghost type and psychic type." Hilda turned to look at them, seeing their emotionless expressions. "There are many spirits in this castle. Many that met grievous ends. They say that Ghost Pokémon are able to let one feel those types of spirits. They say that Psychic Pokémon are able to let one experience the exact feeling."

"Isn't feeling something and experiencing the feeling the same thing?"

Her question hanged in the air, as the two women just give another bow to her. Another signal for her to leave. Returning her last two Pokémon, Hilda gives one last look to the table and sees the perfect white dress that was still laid out on it. The one that was meant for her. She shuddered to think such a thing used to be one of theirs at some point. "You know, a sad part of me admits if N did ask...I'd probably say yes without thinking about it. To be his wife I mean." She steps towards the door and opens it. "I mean, your creepy double-talk aside and the fact one of you can't brush hair to save her life-" She glanced behind her shoulder.

Seeing Anthea holding a snicker as Concordia puffed her cheeks in embarrassment, warmed the Trainer's heart. "I think you both would make some really good sisters-in-law. Would be fun to see you two freak my mom out." She laughed and they laughed as well.


Moving through the hall, Hilda felt invigorated. She ran down the rest of the way of the hallway and rushed up the stairs. A glance is not even spared as she found herself in a very familiar hallway as before. "Of course, there's multiple floors." She spoke with a small hint of a smile on her face, before she continued to race forward. Several Archways lay in the new hall, but Hilda didn't even give a peak. All it would be at this point is wasted time.

She continued to the end of the hall as her eyes catch the waterfall near the stairs. When she reached the turn, she stomped and pivoted her feet. Launching herself in for the turn, as she goes fist forward in a haymaker punch.

The Shadow Triad appeared right in the path of it. Her fist collided with his jaw, sending him falling onto marble flooring face first. "Oh, I have been wanting to do that for a while!" Hilda shouted in full confidence with the widest grin on her face. "That'll teach you about ninja-appearing in front of others randomly, you white haired Absol wannabe looking, bitch!"

She watched The Shadow Triad push his way back to his feet and saw him resisting the urge to hold his sore jaw. "...A battle between you and our lord N will reveal whether our lord N is a true hero. It will also reveal how you feel about protecting the current world, where people live with Pokémon." With the message given, The Shadow Triad stands still as if waiting. Hilda continued to stare at him. Her eyes were not moving or blinking as she watched him.

The Shadow Triad continues to not move, to just remain still as a statue under Hilda's gaze. The Trainer did the exact same; the only movement she made was when she crossed her arms over her chest. After two full minutes of neither party moving, a smug smile showed on girl's face. "I once beat a Watchdog in a staring contest. You're gonna be here for a while."

The pride in her chest swelled as the Shadow Triad lowered his head in defeat and began to walk up the stairs to the next floor was only rivaled by the pride Hilda felt in knocking out Ghetsis's front teeth. "Yeah, that's what I fucking thought…"

Following The Shadow Triad up the stairs, they come to a hallway that looked exactly like the last two before. "Seriously, where did you guys get the money for all this? I mean you people have a giant castle erupting from the floor, with golden hallways and rivers inside. Couldn't be cheap." Her question hung in the air as The Shadow Triad didn't answer her.

He only gestured to the nearby archway that led to a room. "That room was the world that was provided to our lord N…" That got Hilda's attention. Knowing now what she did of N's past, and how he was raised by Ghetsis in such a way. She looked away from the Shadow Triad towards the Archway. "I don't feel anything, even when I go into the room...But you may feel something." She didn't bother to look back at The Shadow Triad as he ran off. She was already walking towards the room.

It was unsettling. The room wasn't exactly small, it was big and colorful. The floor was painted to have a blue sky and clouds. The walls had a tile pattern of purple and white. The Ceiling was the same bright gold as the hallways outside the room. It was packed with things as well. Hilda took in every detail of it she could, as she silently walked through it.

She crouched before a playset of train tracks. On it was a model train that automatically ran back and forth between a blocked path and a broken one. Turning her head, she can see a basketball hoop, with its own half court just on the other side of the room. One of the trains caught in the basket-hoop.

Noticing the basketball on the floor, Hilda stood up from the playset and walked towards it. Taking it in hand, she dribbles it a few times. She noticed how it was low on air and looked like it was used a lot.

"Harmonia." She read the name written on it out loud before placing back to the floor. When she turned her head to the far side of the room, she saw the large halfpipe that took up most of the space within it. A skateboard was left on a pile of colorful tires at it's side.

As she walked towards the halfpipe, Hilda made note of the small claw mark and scratches that covered it, made up from multiple kinds of different Pokémon. Running her hand along them, she could imagine them chasing a green hair little boy, as he was skating back and forth on the ramp. "Would have been fun to play with you here…" With no one in the room to hear her, the words just lingered with no reply.

She raised a hand to her hat, pressing the front down on her head as she tried to push her feelings back. What Anthea and Concordia said to her about N's past made her wonder just how often this playroom was a nightmare. How often N was here, trying to nurse his friends as they were dying in his arms.

In the middle of the halfpipe was a box. It was small and had ornate carvings on it. Years of use seem to have stripped some of the color from its wooden surface. When she picked it up, it creaked open with its metal parts whining as they grind against each other. She saw a picture inside that showed a boy, his sisters, and a father.

She recognized the father. Ghetsis's face was twisted to a smile, one that is supposed to mimic real parents. Meant to hide the monster underneath it.

The sisters both had emotionless expressions on their faces, the same they had as adults. Showing just how long ago it was that they were hurt by the man that raised them. That tried to turn them into dolls to be dressed up and married off without their say so.

And yet, the most heartbreaking part of it for Hilda was seeing the boy. She recognized the long green hair pulled in a ponytail. She even recognized the small cube puzzle box he always carried. What she couldn't recognize was his smile, his eyes, his happiness.

In the boy's arms was a Zorua. The poor thing was skinny and bandaged, yet it seemed well and grateful. Enough to be playfully licking the boy's face in the image as he was smiling. His eyes are full of life, of joy, and love. It made Hilda remember the look he would give when she would beat him in a battle. How dull his eyes would look; how sad they were.

The entire time the box was open, metal parts began to click and move within it, showing it was meant to be a music box. Years of use, and abuse ruined whatever cheerful melody played within it though. The song that played was hauntingly offkey, more fitting to be heard within a cemetery than within a child's room.

Hilda soon realized it did fit. The song showed how a single man hurt three poor children in ways no one ever should. Turned a boy who was so happy, and carefree to a sad king that didn't wish to fight. That broke two sisters into dolls that are to be used for comfort.

Tears fell from her cheeks as Hilda threw the box on the floor. Even as the wooden box hits the floor and broke apart, she could hear the sorrowful melody still playing in her ears. Still making her think of N's childhood in this room. Everything about him made so much sense to her. Why he is the man he is. Why is he so motivated to help Pokémon that he thought were in endanger. No wonder he was blind to the corruption of Team Plasma, his father was lying behind his back about it. Making N into a puppet to just be dangled and controlled so he could rule in the background.

"There is a place for you...right with the Dome, and the False prophet! Locked away in the deepest part of the Keeper's cage!" She shouted as she stared down at the picture, right towards the image of the smiling Ghetsis. There was so much she knew of him, of N, now. Learning all that she did, it was almost like she was exper-

No. She knew there was still more for her to learn. A certain feeling that lingered in the room. A feeling she needed to experience if she really wanted to be able to get N to listen to her. To really know him.

"Cellie! Coffin face!" She called out their nicknames as she throws the two pokéball up in the air, releasing her Reuniclus and Cofagrigus respectively. The two Pokémon looked around, confused as they saw they were not out for a battle. Becoming more confused as they saw the tears rolling down their Trainer's face. "I need you two to help me. To tell me exactly what happened in this room. Please." She spoke, her voice quivering as she said the words.

She wanted this. She needed this. So, she can finally understand N, and finally be the friend he needs.


Sitting upon his throne waiting for his Rival, gave N time to think. Of his plans of the future, of his strategy for the final battle, but most of all of her. Hilda Touko White was her name. A girl he had met a bit of a year ago, was now his one final test to overcome. He had beaten every Gym Leader, every other trainer that crossed his path, The Elite Four, and the Champion without ever suffering a loss from any of them. And yet he always lost against her.

His friends followed his command flawlessly and ensured victory so often. But that was the thing. N can only say he would ensure victory often, as he can never do so when he is against Hilda, as no matter what he told his friends or what plans he made, she would counter him. Either by outthinking him or by sheer brute force. Every Battle, she won. Plain and simple.

Hilda Touko White.

He remembered the day they met. Right after a speech from his father. He saw her as the crowd had parted. The first thing he noticed was her bouncy chocolate colored hair, pulled in a ponytail with a bright pink and white hat topping it.

Next was, admittedly, her figure. She was developed for a young trainer. Much more than others. Obviously, puberty played its role there, but the short shorts were nothing if not complimentary. He couldn't help but stare at her upon first glance. Roll his eyes over her body. That was when he noticed the Tepig by her feet.

Yes, her Pokémon was the third thing he noticed about her. The Tepig was telling its trainer how it didn't want to leave her side. It was such words he didn't hear a Pokémon say before that day. When he approached to listen more, her human friend did most of the talking. Told him that they were to complete the Pokédex.

N knew what such a thing would mean. The capture of so many Pokémon. So many friends. He challenged her to their first battle. The Purrloin he caught went against the Tepig that wished to stay with its Trainer.

She had beaten him. At the time that is all he thought she was, just some Trainer with an odd Pokémon. Then he came across her again. Learned how she was going against Team Plasma and something…

He couldn't even begin to explain why but something fascinated him about her. The invitation on the Ferris Wheel ride was a spontaneous idea he had at the moment. A quick lie that it was to look for other Plasma members and she was quick to follow.

There wasn't a need for such a thing, but he wanted her alone with himself. He needed a chance to speak to her. So, he brought her to his favorite part of the amusement park. He was nervous at the time. Actually nervous.

Enough that he felt his own heart beating in his chest. Had even caught himself rambling about the functionality of the Ferris Wheel. How he wanted to scold himself for allowing such a show of weakness.

But that giggle. How she giggled as he rambled on about how he thought of mathematics of the Ferris Wheel. It helped ease him, as they got on their ride. Gave him the confidence he needed to tell her the truth of who he was.

They battled again and she won again. Making that her third victory over him in a row. Which honestly baffled him. To lose at all, was something he thought very possible, but to lose so many times to the same person, back-to-back?

Her Pokémon looked happy as well while doing it. It was unbelievable and yet he felt that this girl was something more. Something that he didn't know he needed till at that moment.

Hilda was his muse. His Motivation. An ultimate challenge that he needed to overcome. It was what heroes did after all. Facing all of the region, what would be the point if there wasn't anyone pushing him for it. Where would be the fire at his heel, the thought in the back of his head that kept him up at night.

He issued a challenge. Antagonized her to just try and stop him. He needed her so that he could be a hero. He needed her to push him. He needed her…

He needed her.

"I need you."

He closes his eyes in dread as those words left his lips. Pressing his index and thumb on the bridge of his nose, he attempted to recompose himself after admitting such a thing out loud. He was to be a king, and yet he was muttering to himself about such things.

The rock snot pressed against his hand pulled his attention, forced him to open his eyes to see the Archeops that looked at him in worry. It asked if he was feeling okay. "I'm fine. I am just thinking of a lot of things." It asked if he was thinking about her again. How N hated to be predictable. "Please stop-"

How the Archeops laughed, joined by its fellow fossil brethren, the Carracosta. The two aged Pokémon found his fascination with the girl amusing. Always pointing fun at his feelings towards her. They didn't understand. Not like he expected them too.

Feeling the chilling breath at his side, he looked to the Vanilluxe as it asked him when they would meet her. Its excited voice betrayed the eagerness to meet the girl he told them about. "I'm not sure. Today, of course, but…" He leaned back against his throne, letting his head hit the top cushion as his eyes turned to stare up at the ceiling. "She should be here by now. I made sure the path she would follow would lead her directly towards me. What could possibly be taking her so long?"

N's nerves were getting the best of him. Making him assume that something had gone wrong in some way. That she was running late because something or someone was keeping her from reaching him. He was not as naïve as some would call him behind his back. He knew of the Sage's hatred towards the girl. Knew of the trouble she had caused many of the Grunts that worked under him.

He even knew she was the reason his father needed dental implants for his two front teeth.

This was why he had sent his most trusted friend to look for her. To keep itself hidden, watch over her if she was to be attacked by any threat. His Zoroark was loyal only towards him. Much more than could be said for The Shadow Triad. How often he caught them trying to spy on him.

Say what you would of his mischievous friend, with its love of pulling pranks, at least the Pokémon knew how to stay hidden. Still, that just seemed to add all the more reason why she shouldn't be taking this long to reach him. He began to wonder if he should go out and look for her.

He was about to stand up from his throne, when the Archeops had joked that maybe the girl was too scared to face him. That she would have fled while she had the chance. "You will not insult her again." It is rare of him to ever raise his voice at one of his friends, but she is a special case.

"Tell me, did she seem the type to flee from a battle?" He turned towards the Klinklang that levitated near them. One of the few Pokémon he had kept at his side during his journey. The one that he used in the Battle with Hilda in Chargestone Cave.

The Gear Pokémon's metallic voice told them that Hilda was nothing of the sort. That she was courageous and headstrong. That there was no way she ever chose to run from a fight. "Would you look at that, see what happens when you ask others around and not make ignorant guesses?" The Archeops lowered itself to the floor, and meekly looked down in shame.

A loud, proud voice spoke from behind him. That of the legendary Pokémon, Reshiram. It called down to him, requesting for him to calm himself. "I am calm. I am just-" He stopped himself and lowered his voice. Taking a few moments to collect himself as he knew the Pokémon was right. He was acting unbecoming of himself.

Reshiram spoke again. Told that he needed to be patient, that she will come. The girl was strong. The girl was courageous. She needed to be so that Zekrom would form.

"She is strong. She is brave." N looked up at the legendary Pokémon from his throne. "Seen it myself time and again. Not only in battles, but in just how she is." He remembered back to their fifth meeting. After her battle with the Gym Leader of Mistralton City. He confronted her. The girl was sick, woozy and most of her words were coming out slurs.

He intended to challenge her once more for another battle, but she was clearly in no condition for such a thing. Having suffered a concussion within the Gym after firing herself from a cannon. Something he still didn't believe she would do so recklessly. She thought he was part of a dream. He tried to assure her he was real and even pinched her earlobe to assure her.

She insulted his hair for doing so.

With Hilda in no position to battle, N decided to talk to one of her Pokémon. The Tepig, he first saw around her ankle when they met, had been fully evolved to an Emboar by that point. And he still remembered how it said it wanted to stay by its Trainer's side way back then. Hilda allowed the two to talk, and they did.

The Emboar was proud. Strong. Healthy. Loyal. She raised him well, as any decent Trainer should. But that wasn't enough. Didn't satisfy N's curiosity. He asked why it was so loyal to her, since the beginning. Why would a Pokémon choose to have a trainer own it when it could be free.

The Emboar told him of their first route adventure. A small contest between friends that nearly led to Pokémon losing its life. It was Hilda and her friends trying to catch the most Pokémon in the field. Patrats and Lillipups. What no one expected was a Braviary to dive out of the air and snatched the Tepig from right next to its Trainer. Taking the Fire Type for a new meal.

Most Trainers would have given up, would have just stood there, and cried as they lost their Pokémon. Hilda wasn't any of those Trainers.

N stood silently as the Emboar explained how the girl chased after the Braviary, screamed at it, threw rocks at it. Braviaries are strong Pokémon, known to be brave soldiers of the sky that will not stop battling, even if they become injured. They catch their prey and take them up to their nest to feast on them.

No sane Trainer would be brave enough to climb up their tree and tackle such a Pokémon as it was about to enjoy its new meal. To wrestle it all the way to the ground, and engage in a brawl of wings, fists, and claws against a Pokémon strong enough to lift cars.

It felt so surreal hearing such a tale and watching the girl as the Emboar spoke it. Much as he tried to dismiss it as some kind of lie, he couldn't. N could imagine it, almost as if he witnessed it himself. Hilda racing after a Braviary that stole her Pokémon, tackling it from its nest, falling from a tree to the dirt while punching it in the face. Making a Pokémon known for its stubbornness and bravery run from a battle…

Was the same girl that would moments later collapse into his arms, and confess she shot herself out a cannon, hitting a wall face first, before vomiting on his lap. It amused him. It amazed him. It brought him complete awe. He got his answer to the question he asked. The Emboar wished to stay by its Trainer's side always, to fight for her, because she fought for it.

It told him another answer, to a question he didn't even know he had.

"She is something more. More than a Trainer, more than another human." N turned his head away from Reshiram and glanced at the rest of his team. Seeing as they all looked at him with their own curious looks. "Hilda will come, with Zekrom, and we will have our final battle. There will be no more room to debate. Our truth vs her ideals. If she wins, then that will be it. She will be right and I'll be wrong. The world will stay as it is. But if I win, no...when I win. Every Pokémon will be free. We'll all be equal to one another. No Trainers, no Battles. Man and Mon living side by side."

None of them spoke, just continued to look at him. As if not daring to speak against his ideal. It sickened him that none of them spoke up against him because he could see it in their eyes. None of them wanted to leave him. None of them wanted to lose him as a friend. They didn't understand the freedom he was offering them, and it pained him deep in his soul.

The only voice that was heard was from The Legendary Dragon. It didn't do so to challenge his claim. Just to ask a question. It knew that they were to have a final battle to truly decide which of their ideals were better. But it asked what would become of Hilda if he won. If he no longer needed the push for his goal, the motivation that would keep him going, then what good would it be to have her?

"You're insinuating that I should get rid of her after our battle. That she would be nothing but a symbol for those to use against me." He ran his hand over his face, as he took in a long breath. He's had this kind of conversation multiple times by now. Ghetsis and the other sages enjoy pestering him about it. How it agitated him with their whining.

Thinking of her as just a threat that would undermine everything they build up. A stampeding Tauros coming for their house of cards. They didn't see that she helped build the house, that she inspired him to push on from disgusting battle after disgusting battle. That if it were not for her, he would burn down this entire castle just so he would never have to touch another horrid Pokéball ever again.

Reshiram lowered its head to his level, leaned around his throne so it may look at him directly as it spoke. It told N it was thinking practically, what was to stop the girl from still fighting him. From finding others like her and revealing against his cause. "Please stop." N could tell that it wasn't being malicious, but still didn't enjoy it saying such things. "I promise it will not come to that. I've realized I cannot do this alone. This rule. People will fight against it, but not her. She will understand why we are doing this. I can't let her just be someone that I defeat. She deserves more than that." The thought of her just being pushed to the side and forgotten disgusted him. He refused such a thing. Not to her. "She'll stay right here, by my side. Together we can do this."

N stood up from his throne and turned towards Reshiram as it raised its head back towards its own height. "When I defeat her, I will take her hand in marriage. That way, she will always be at my side. That way we can help each other and not have to fight anymore. No one can tell me, she will not matter. No one will tell me to get rid of her, because I need her-" He heard his own voice creak, and he moves to look towards the floor. He breathes in through his nose, and exhales from his mouth to properly calm himself again. "When there is a King, there is a Queen. When there is Black, there is White. Having her by my side is like having Zekrom by yours. I am willing to make compromises for it. Just so that it could be us together, helping others." The legendary Pokémon's eyes looked down at him, with no judgement to be had. Just simple understanding.

He heard his name being called, and he turned around to see his trusted companion drop to the floor from the ceiling. Though the look in the Zoroark's eyes told that it did not come bearing good news. It told him of The Sages' attempt to dispose of Hilda, and her meeting his sisters. N silently listened as the Zoroark was quick to give detail after detail, telling of the Gym Leaders arrival, and Hilda's fitting for her wedding dress. The betrayal of the Sage's made his hands tighten to fists, made him think back on Ghetsis's suggestion for his ruling as King. Perhaps he should have executions for those that defy his rule. Hearing of Hilda's escape from the battle, and the preparation of the dress eased him. Though made him regret telling the two of his plans to ask for Hilda's hand in marriage.

"But then, what is wrong? You said that she was leaving the room in a rush, correct?" The nervous look on the Zoroark's face grew more apparent. It began to tell him of Hilda entering his childhood room, and that she had taken out her Pokémon after investigating it. A Reuniclus and Cofagrigus. "And then what?" The Pokémon attempted to explain as best it could of what happened, but there was only so much it could explain that happened. Asking a Dark Type to explain about Psychic and Ghost Type abilities, would be like asking a Ground Type to explain Flying Type ability to fly.

It is out of their nature and understanding.

"What could she possibly be doing with them? Especially in that room…" N tried to ponder on it but stopped as Zoroark explained to N what happened next. That Hilda fell upon her knees and seemed sickened by what the two Pokémon did. That she was vomiting and crying as if she was in terrible pain. "And you didn't think to tell me this sooner?" N didn't mean for his words to sound as harsh as they did, but he was not in the right mind to control himself. If Hilda was harmed for some reason, he needed to find her. End of discussion.

He walked from his throne and passed his Zoroark as it continued to try and speak with him. "Save it. We need to find her before someone else decides to go against my wishes. If the Sags are openly rebelling, others will attempt it." He tried to race down the steps from his throne, but the Zoroark moved to stand before him, even holding him by his arms. It tried to warn him of Ghetsis being outside, that the man will do something when he finds Hilda in such a state. The other members of the Team began to speak up, all having different opinions on what was happening. The fossils didn't understand what the deal was. The Klinklang saw it as an easy victory for him. The Vanilluxe was expressing its disappointment at not meeting her.

For once in his life, N wished he didn't hear the voice of Pokémon. He could make do with less of the noise, less of them questioning him. "I do not care what Ghetsis tries to say or do. Hilda is alone, and we don't know if she is well or not. I will not ask a second time. Move." His tone was enough to tell each Pokémon in the room that his choice was made. Stepping around the Dark Type, he continued to walk.

He was barely a few steps from his throne though before another voice was heard. Not from any Pokémon though. It was the voice of the girl that he saw as his equal, and as one of the only humans he could connect to. What shook him though was that it was her, saying his full forename.

"Natural..."

As she stepped into the room, he saw that she did look better than when she was at the League. Her clothes were straighter and looked freshly washed. The small bits of dirt that were tangled within her hair seemed brushed off. His sister's hands at work he surmised. He was just thankful that they didn't force her to change into wearing that dress. "Hello, Hilda." Even though it is the second time he saw her in one day, it felt like a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders. Zoroark's news had worried him, made him dreadful of the state he would find her in, yet she was well. She was standing from him, just a few meters away in his throne room.

Slowly his team moved to stand at his side, all looking towards the girl. He could hear them mumble against themselves. Sizing themselves for the type of battle that they were going to be in for against the girl. Reshiarm didn't move though. It kept itself sited where it was behind his throne. N could see why. Even from several meters away, on the other side of the room, he could see the number of Pokéballs on Hilda's hip haven't changed since he last saw her in the League. Still only five. With none of them being of the other Legendary Pokémon.

He can feel Reshiarm's judgmental staring at the girl, and honestly couldn't express his own disappointment enough. He knew it was unlikely but surely by now the other legendary Dragon would have arrived. They were on the stage for their final battle, the ending of their journey and she was ill-equipped. He tried not to let his emotions show as he spoke.

"What I desire is a world for Pokémon, and Pokémon alone. I will separate Pokémon from people, so Pokémon can regain their original power. It's time to settle this once and for all!" He began to walk forward, with each of his Pokémon at his side as they followed him towards the approaching girl.

N could feel his heart beating in his chest as he saw the look in Hilda's eyes. "My determination is absolute! I will prove the value of my beliefs even if it means my Pokémon friends get hurt?" His sentence ended as a question as he saw Hilda reach for her Pokémon belt, and unfasten it. Letting them all drop to the floor, as she continued towards him.

Was this her trying to psych him out? To intimidate him? N didn't know but could see Hilda wasn't slowing her approach at all. He tried to remember the rest of his practiced speech. "Since you've come this far, I believe you are equally determined. If that is so, prove it to-" Her bag containing her supplies hits the floor next. Still, she continued to walk towards him without even slowing down. "What are you doing?" He tried to ask as she arrived at the middle platform where their battle is to begin.

No answer is given before N could feel the room's temperature increase. He threw his head around toward Reshiram, seeing the Legendary Pokémon baring its teeth as its tail flares up with flames. Before an attempt of a command could be given, the white dragon spread its wings and charged forward. Passing overhead of the King and his five other Pokémon, the dragon landed before them and gave out a powerful roar towards the one it saw as a threat. Its piercing blue eyes glared right down at Hilda, who continued to walk forward still towards the Pokémon. Towards N.

Not a hint of fear showed in her eyes, even as flames danced around the white body of Reshiram in a display of its raw power. The temperature in the room further increased within as it summoned a cyclone of fire around itself. The pools of water that sat around the throne room, and were connected throughout the castle, began to boil and evaporated within seconds. The very room shook as pieces of the stone ceiling melted away and collapsed in on itself. It was the power of a living legend. The power of a being that could wipe out the entire region.

The sheer weight was enough that N was barely able to hold his own ground. Such heat, such flames. His mind went into autopilot as he looked to his team. The King acted without a thought as he threw himself over the Vanilluxe and Klinklang of his team, shielding the most valuable members of the heat with his own body as he grabbed hold of them, and turned his back to face the attack. He could hear their fright cry from the flames. Could hear the panic of his team as they rush into action. Carracosta used Protect, creating a barrier for them that shielded them as the flames and heat that melts through solid stone assaulted them. Zoroark was at its side, and used Copycat, to mimic Carracosta's protection. The Archeops focused on offensive, pushing back at the radiate power with its own. Its Hyper Beam shoots out and meets the cyclone of flames with a direct strike.

N saw it all as he peeked over his own shoulder towards the display, and he could see it was not enough. Could feel the sleeves on his arms burn, his skin sweat, the creaks in the barriers form, and the Hyper Beam was being pushed back. His Pokémon, his friends were screaming. They were scared for their lives. Nothing could survive this, no Human or Pokémon. And to N's horror that would mean…

"Hilda!" He shouted her name and released the hold on friends as he turned to face the Legendary. "That's enough! Reshiram!" He roared the order as his mind turned to fury at what the beast had done. He tried to see past the flames, tried to look for any scene of her that he could. The Pokémon in his way, the display of power. He couldn't see her. He couldn't hear her. He screamed her name, tried to push through. The Vanilluxe and Klinklang held him back. Told him it's suicide! "Let me go! Get off me!" He shoved and pulled. He made it far enough that the Archeops was thrown aside, that his Zoroark had to stop its Barrier to grab him and hold him back. N used Bite; it was not very effective as his teeth latched onto the Zoroark's arm that it braced to block him attacking its face. It tried to speak, to tell him to stop. N used Dynamic Punch, hitting the underside of the Zoroark's jaw, and sending the Dark Type on its back. He lurched forward and grabbed the back of the Carracosta's shell, right as its sole barrier began to break apart.

Just then, the flames had stop.

The heat of the room dropped back down almost to normal temperature. Steam simmered off the white Legendary Dragon's body as it stood with its head pulled back. Its bright blue pupils had become dilated, and it took a step back in shock as a large black shape was before it. N knew what it was when he saw the electricity spark from its body, as he saw it slowly raise its head up. With bright red eyes and a body in midnight clad, it straightened to full height and roared. Bringing with it the might of a living storm as lighting arcs throughout the room, the bolts tearing what little structure that the throne room had in a display of power that could light up an entire city. It was the Zekrom. The other Legendary Dragon of Unova. The black to Reshiarm's white.

No one spoke a word as there was nothing that could be said. The encounter of such Legendary Pokémon is unheard of, as two of them were standing in location now. The five Pokémon at N's side were in disbelief, while he was just trying to make sense of it all. Reshiarm and Zekrom were once one life. One Pokémon. Complete opposites, yet the same. Only appearing before the hero they recognized. For Zekrom to be here than that would mean…

So lost in his thoughts, N didn't even notice the Black Legendary Dragon step forward towards Reshiram. Looking its opposite in the eye, before it moved an arm forward and shoved it aside. Its voice held static in its tone. Telling its other half to make way for her.

That is when he saw Hilda walking forward. Looking without even a cinder on her body, as she walked past the white Legendary Dragon like it was only a minor inconvenience. Determination still on her eyes, as if her fire burned brighter than any other. N caught himself whispering her name as he stepped forward toward her. A gambit of emotions ran through him, as he found that for the first time in his life, he was speechless.

The words he practiced for this day, the speech he would give to motivate her for their final battle fell apart in his mind. Because she was here, before his eyes. She was walking towards him, fully alive and unharmed. He wanted to say so much but couldn't. Confess to her right than how much he needed her. That he wanted her to stay by his side forever, and that he was willing to do anything to make that a reality. Actions always speak louder than words. He would get down on his knees if he had to. Compromise on his goals. He needed her as his Queen.

He wasn't able to do anything though. Because as Hilda came close, she acted faster than he could as she flung her body towards him. Doing it so fast, her hat flew off her head when she collided against him. It was so quick that N had almost lost his footing. Nearly caused his own hat to tumble from his head and fall near hers. Part of him wanted to wax poetically about it but couldn't bring himself to even utter a syllable.

Hilda's head was firmly pressed against her chest. Her arms came around his torso, and her fingers clawed at his shirt in a death grip. Holding him with all the care she could ever do so. As if afraid to let him go. "Natural…" Hearing his full forename again felt so odd. As no one called him that, believing it to be an unnatural name. And yet she spoke it, even through a broken voice. Even as she began to quiver in her hold. Even as she began to break down crying.

N did not know what to do. Did not know how to react at first. Hilda was crying on his chest from horrid emotional pain, and he couldn't understand why. His eyes wandered around, towards his team, towards the Two Legendary Pokémon. Reshairm couldn't even meet his gaze. How he wanted to scream at it for what it attempted to do. But he puts those emotions aside.

All he does is bring his arms up around Hilda's back, and gently holds the girl. Allowing her to cry for as much as she needed to. He soon realized that he was joining her, as a single tear ran down his own face.


[Thank you again for reading this. This marks part two of the beginning arc, as we reach the End of White and Black. I'm extending it another chapter because there is just so much to talk about, and the last of the beginning arc will show off a critical battle for the story. Again, I really hope you leave a review on what you think of how I did things, so that I may improve in the future with the characterization of the characters, how I am portraying Pokémon actions, and in general writing skill. As well as the important moment of reaching N's room, where I tried really hard to keep it as a unsettling tone within it. Thank you again for reading this, and please again. Do not be afraid to be harsh.]