N relished in being able to see the world. Ghetsis agreed that the tournament was an excellent place to spread their ideas, and so together, they began their journey to Vertress City, starting at Striaton City, miles and miles away. N learned the Vertress Tournament was not for another thirty days, and so there was no hurry in arriving on time, not that they would be participants, of course.

On the way, he saw sprawling grasslands and marvelous mountains stretching upward, the knuckles of the earth whose tops melted into the sky. Everywhere were vibrant green trees flourishing in Unova's summer heat, as were the flowers, and all plant-life, including some Pokemon. He witnessed metal cities bustling with people and quaint towns of warehouses and museums. His father kept him close, for fear of his well-being, but N loved the travels nonetheless.

Once, however, in a place of neon-lights and Ferris wheels called Nimbasa City, that they had come to after passing the deserts outside Castelia City, N lost his father in a surging crowd of people. He had immediately scorned himself for acting like a child, as he had been practically mesmerized by the creation of a pink, foam-like food named cotton candy, spun and crafted by an artisan with the aid of his Pokemon. N had tuned his ears and found himself taken aback when he discovered that the Pokemon loved and cherished the one who owned her and the time they spent together. N had stared at them even longer afterward, wondering how that could be.

It, eventually, however, clicked. The Pokemon didn't know any other life, but one of subservience, and so had nothing else for comparison. She did not realize that there was an opportunity away from humans, where she could live life to the utmost and the fullest. She may have been treated decently by her owner, but that was one case, and N could not forgive or forget what he had seen as a child: Pokemon beaten and abused until their life abandoned them. Eventually, Ghetsis had returned and led him away. N had begged his father's forgiveness, and when Ghetsis, being the kind man that he was, did forgive him, they fled the crowds and departed from Nimbasa City.

From there, they crossed together over gleaming waters via the Driftveil Drawbridge, and into Driftveil City, then through the cold mountain passes to Mistveil City, where snow coated the land like a white blanket, and later on to Icirrus City and lastly to Opelucid City. Each place they went, Ghetsis outlined a speech for N to proclaim, and he did so very willingly. In some cities, they gathered more of a crowd than in others, and the reactions they received varied from place to place. Even once, the Unova government attempted to stop them, but Ghetsis' words were that none of it mattered, that they only needed the people to begin thinking, and so N listened. Finally, when they arrived at Vertress City, they performed one last speech before going on their way to the Vertress Arena.

N stared upward in fascination, shielding his eyes from the glaring midday sun. There were five magnificently big arenas in total, each colored differently and arrayed together with one in the center and the four others at diagonal points around it, like a four-limbed star. The city erupted with the sound of tourists everywhere; all come to entertain themselves with Pokemon battles. Tourists, of course, attracted vendors, and so stalls numbering in the hundreds set themselves outside the center arena's entrance, even ten days before the start of the event. The smells of their food intertwined together with the crowds, enticing would-be buyers to purchase their wares.

Ghetsis placed a hand on N's shoulder, pulling his attention away. "Come, my son. I wish to rest after the long journey."

N nodded, beginning to follow his father to one of the many hotels nearby when someone from amid all the people called out his name.

"Hey, N!"

N only turned, blinking, but his father spun toward the noise like a startled Pokemon.

It was Luna that ran toward them, waving her arm in the air, blond hair streaming out behind her like a river of gold. She wore a vibrant yellow dress that matched the sun.

N found himself smiling. He waved as she approached.

"Hi, N!" She greeted, stopping in front of him and Ghetsis.

"Hello, Luna!"

She smiled, then turned toward Ghetsis. "Who's this?"

"Ah, this is my…" He trailed off upon looking at his father. A deep frown had creased into Ghetsis' face, and to N, it was as though the glower invited shadows into his expression that hid between his furrowed eyebrows and down-turned lips. N huddled into himself, glancing away. He did not mean to upset him. "My father."

Luna's smile, however, never faltered as she held out a hand for Ghetsis to shake. He frowned at it.

"Hello," she said. "I'm Luna. It's nice to meet you! I like your robe."

He shook her hand reluctantly as if dirt and grime covered it. "And what is your relationship with my son?"

"Oh!" She said, looking back at N. Ghetsis pulled his hand away and tucked it into the elongated sleeves of his robe. "We're friends. Speaking of, would you like to explore the city with me, N? Not now, I mean, sometime soon, though."

"I would-" N cut himself off, meeting her gaze. He tried to explain without saying any words; he did not want to be mean to Luna, but Ghetsis didn't like her. His father came first. "I-I will be busy, Luna. I'm sorry."

She shook her head, and yet again, her smile didn't fade. How could she continue to do that, when N had been so rude? "That's okay. Maybe I'll see you around!" She turned, waving goodbye to them as she melded back into the crowd. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you, N's dad!"

N looked at his father, face flushed.

"Where did you meet that girl, N?"

"In Accumula Town, father," N rushed to explain. "We only spoke for a moment then, before I learned of the tournament and came to you."

Ghetsis nodded. "I do not want you speaking with this Luna any longer, my son. Am I understood?"

"Yes, of course, father."

"Good. Now, come."

Ghetsis turned his back on N, seeking one of the many hotels. N took one last glance at the crowd before he followed behind his father, rushing to keep up.

Ghetsis was right, of course. N wouldn't speak to Luna, even if he found his thoughts lingering on her and her enticing smile. Even if he wanted badly to have another conversation with her.

But that didn't matter. N had one goal in mind - Ghetsis knew that and was ridding N of any distractions - and his stay at Vertress City wasn't for pleasure, but accomplishing that goal.