Chapter 9: Training

In a little less than a week the wheels were set in motion. A map was taking form from what N and Burgh were able to accomplish. Iris got back to Bianca and explained that the other members of Elite four were trying to get in contact with other regions for support but it was hard so the Gym leaders had relative free range in trying to get whatever they could get done now. But there was the stipulation that until Team Plasma did something that would cause the region real danger than the gym leaders needed to have an air of "business as usual." So Iris soon joined Bianca, Touko and N in Nuvema Town as a way to help them train.

"Well I am the strongest gym leader." Iris had explained, "I would be the best person to help train you. My grandpa taught me everything I know so I will use that to teach you."

Touko and Bianca could not help but think how great that idea was, and leaving Drayden in Opelucid City to deal with trainers made it so Team Plasma would think they were not doing anything.

Or at least that was everyone hopes.

N was on edge from pretty much the time all the gym leaders had left that night when the planning started.

One morning a week after the planning and training had started N had a break down at in the kitchen. Touko was woken to the sound of breaking China. "N!" She cried, jumping out of bed. She was sure her mother was home, it was only seven in the morning when she looked at the clock. As she raced downstairs she saw her mother and N in the Kitchen. N was apologizing for dropping the mug that he had been using while Touko's mother was trying to explain it was all right.

"…But Mrs. Warren I really should clean this up I…"

"Nonscense N. It was no one's fault your hand slipped that's all. And look your hand has been cut." Touko's mother looked up and saw her daughter standing there, looking quite disheveled. "Sweetie get me bandages and some antibiotic cream."

"You got it mom." Touko ran into the bathroom and pulled out the first aid kit. It had been getting quite a bit of use since Iris had started training everyone. Touko then ran back into the Kitchen and handed her mother the two things she had asked for.

Touko's mother quickly wrapped N's hand up. "Now just sit here and it will be fine."

"Yes ma'am." N replied.

Touko moved to sit next to N, "What happened?"

N looked over at Touko, he looked a little lost "I don't really know. Well I do know but I don't. It's just… I have a feeling that we are in a ton of danger. I know my father has not sent any grunts to this part of Unova yet but I just know he is planning something awful for us. There is no way he does not know that we are here. I am just so scared that he is planning something really terrible for us and this town. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me. Touko… I'm scared."

Touko stroked N's head, "We all are N. But this is why we are training. We need to fight him so that we can overcome those fears and get our region back." Touko lifted N's head so that he was looking right at her "And the first step in saving Unova is getting Alder and Cheren back."

N nodded, "Right, we need to save them. They are counting on us."

After a few minutes in which N was able to compose himself Bianca and Iris stepped into the house. Iris, unlike every other gym leader, had taken pity on N. She practically treated him like a pet. Though to be fair to Iris, the dragon type gym leader saw many people and pokemon as pets. And when she had found out that N could talk to pokemon and had liked such a terrible life she had turned him into her personal teddy bear.

So when she came skipping into the house, with Bianca behind her, and saw N's hand bandaged up she stopped. "Oh my gosh, what happened to you?" She then ran over to N's side, knocking into Touko, and picked up N's hand to examine it.

N turned scarlet and looked over at Touko, "well um... we had a small in the kitchen this morning. Nothing you need to worry about. I'm fine."

Iris raised an eyebrow "That couldn't have been a little accesident. Your hand is wrapped up. You must have cut it good. Oh you poor dear."

Touko stepped forward after regaining some composure. "We already took care of it Iris. You don't need to worry it."

Iris turned to Touko and smiled brightly. "Touko, well, if you say you took care of it… but make sure it does not get infected."

Touko nodded and sulkily returned to drinking her cup of coffee.

Bianca wasted no time in getting things back in order, which ended up being a good thing. "So Iris what is the plan today?"

Iris turned to Bianca "I was thinking we could try some team battling. You know battling alongside your pokemon…"

Touko and Bianca listened while N let his mind wonder. The idea of training in battle was not something N particularly enjoyed. It ended up reminding him of the abused pokemon his father had brought to him as well the abuse he had received at his father's hands. Both thoughts caused N shiver.

Iris noticed N reaction "Are you alright N?"

Touko turned and looked at N, she studied his face as he spoke "I'm fine… just nervous I guess."

It was clear to N that Touko did not believe that he was fine but she said nothing. Now was not the time they could get distracted by those sorts of things. Though as they got ready to begin training Touko pulled N aside. The concern on her face was beyond clear, "N are you sure you can do this?"

N paused not sure how to answer that "Well, I won't know until I try, right?"

Touko shook her head, "That's not what I meant. If a bed could give you flash-backs than I only that actually getting hurt will." She didn't finish the thought.

N knew what she meant but didn't say anything. He continued walking toward Iris and Bianca who had already gotten quite a bit ahead of them. Touko took N's hand and walked with him. There was no way she would let him face this alone, never again.

The training itself went relatively smoothly after that. Soon the two girls and the ex-king seemed to find their stride. N's ability to talk more directly with Pokemon made his fighting that much more fluid to the point that no one, not even Iris who was teaching them, could lay a hit on N or the pokemon he used. Touko and Bianca always seemed to end up covered in bruises but they healed and continued fighting. Their teams were nearly as strong and impossible to hit as N's.

After one days of training Iris sat in a tree, talking on her Xtranscelver while N, Touko and Bianca sat at the roots of the tree sipping water with their pokemon.

"…Uh-huh, I understand. Thanks Grandpa." Iris closed up her call and swung down the tree so that she saw everyone upside down. "I just spoke with my Grandpa. It seems that the other Gym leaders, all of them are ready to start making a move against Team Plasma. Even Clay and Elesa are in. Everything seems ready to get started. He said we have two days before he wants us to group in Opelucid City."

Bianca nodded "Sounds good. I am glad your Grandfather is helping us so much."

Iris smiled brightly "He taught me everything he knows. He could have been the Champion but he has always said he is happy being a gym leader and seeing others shine."

Touko looked concerned. "Won't Team Plasma notice when all the gym leaders start leaving their gyms?"

Iris shook her head "Gramps explained that the gym leaders of Unova meet once a year with the Elite Four, this would have been my first year going but well… they spend a week there. But before then the gym leaders like to meet in Opelucid for a day or so and play catch up before getting down to business with the league."

Touko nodded, it made sense then that they get ready now and do this now.

N gripped Touko's arm. "And I guess if Team Plasma attacks then attacking all the gym leaders at once would be perfect. No wonder they have been ignoring us."

Iris nodded " Uh-huh. But here's the thing. I have some bad news. Grandpa wants me back at the gym tonight. I need to fly out now."

Touko shook her head. "Go then, don't worry about us."

"Yeah we'll be fine. You taught us so much." Bianca added.

Iris looked pleadingly at N. "Fine but stay safe and don't forget to practice. And N, be careful."

N nodded to Iris but said nothing. After a few short minutes Iris was on her Druddigon and was gone. Soon Bianca was heading home as well. Touko hugged her best friend and waved as she walked the girl walk away. So together N and Touko returned to Touko's house. It was dark out as the pair entered the house and since most of the lights were off, save for the kitchen, Touko assumed that her mother had gone to bed.

Touko led N upstairs. There was a pause. In the last few days N had asked if it was all right if he just sleep in the guest bed, alone. Touko, while surprised had told N it was fine. Now N was looking awkward again.

"N, what's up?" Touko asked.

N shuffled his feet and looked down at his shoes. "I want to tell you why I haven't been wanting to snuggle. You see…"

End of Chapter

And now, let the fluff begin. I have surprisingly enough, plenty of ideas on how I am going to do this. But I promise you, as long as it took this chapter to be put up, it will likely take longer to get the next one up because I will not post it until my beta has read it and fixed all the little 'bugs' about it.