M-a-r-i-o-n-e-t-t-e

Summary: The battle ended in a tie. N told her to become his princess. She gave him the finger and told him to get lost. After going home, she came to a realization: Her every move was being controlled by N. She was his puppet, and he was her master. Who will win? N's desire? Or her heart?

A/N: Whaaaa...almost 100 reviews, 30 favs, and 45 follows? D'aww, thanks guys. :3

~String 10~

I've decided I'm gonna follow Ghetsis around. No...I'm not a creep...I'm just curious to what happened to him. If the meeting yesterday was a coincidence with how he was acting, I'll ignore him. But...if he's not the way he used to be...then..I don't know what to think.

I peek out of my room. I wonder when N is going to come back….? ...NO! Shut up mind! I slap myself across the cheek as punishment, and stalk out of my room towards the stairs. I go downstairs, and completely ignore the ones pointing up.

Besides the cafeteria, the Pokeball room, and the piano room...I'm not sure if I've explored the entire place, in fact, I'm positive I haven't.

Stopping a grunt passing by, I step in front of them. "I've been wondering...is this N's Castle?" I ask with raised eyebrows.

"No…." the grunt says after a moment, whilst fidgeting. "This is the Team Plasma Compound...where grunts are trained and prisoners are kept under lock and key."

My eyes widen, and the grunt holds up her hands as if to calm me. "B-but you're not a prisoner, dear," she assures me hurriedly. "The two highest floors have been renovated as luxurious as possible. For you, Princess."

"Then why can't I leave if I'm not a prisoner?" I demand, crossing my arms over my chest, and cocking an eyebrow.

The grunts sighs, glancing away from me, "His Majesty thinks that you will leave and never come back to him if he allows you the freedom of leaving the compound...but he wants you to be as comfortable as possible..so that's why he lets you go anywhere you want within its walls."

I let my shoulders slump a bit. "Okay…" I allow the grunt to leave, and they bow before rushing away to attend to whatever duties they have; I put a hand to my chin. So prisoners are here...does that mean…?

Looking up, I dash towards the stairs that lead to the lower levels. That must mean that Mom, Cheren, and Bianca are here! I know that they're the closest ones to me...and if they were in their right minds...they would do everything they could to get me back! My mom kicks ass with her powerful Pokemon!

But then again..they weren't in their right minds when I left...so they might not be.

I skid to a halt on the steps, my body leaning forward in an abrupt halt of velocity. My heart seems to fall at that thought. If they're still as mindless as they'd been before..then I doubt they'd come look for me.

Hang on...why did they go all wacko anyway? It doesn't make sense...how could they suddenly change from being the sweetest, most obnoxious people I know, to avid supporters, keen on making me N's princess? And come to think of it...everything's been happening so fast that I haven't even thought about my Mom and friends at all. Oh….and Alder.

My stomach churns in guilt, and I slowly bend over to sit down on the steps.

Yeah...I'm an asshole. I rest my chin on my knees and close my eyes for a moment. What was I going to do when I left my room just a while ago…? Oh yeah..I've gotta find Ghetsis. I might sneak around to find the cells later...even if the chance of my friends being in them is slim. I can still check, can't I?

Pushing myself up in one swift movement, I jog back up the stairs, my bare feet slapping against the smooth flooring that feels like a combination of plastic and marble...I can't tell which it is though.

I'm about to turn and walk down the hallway past the Pokeball room when I hear loud voices. Stopping in mid-step, I backtrack before pausing, and peeking around the corner to see...N and Ghetsis. They're in an argument, and I flinch at their tones.

"You're useless!"

There's a sickening smack, and one of them falls to the floor.

What's surprising, is that it is Ghetsis who is being knocked to the ground, not N. I put a hand to my mouth in complete shock...as well as to keep myself from gasping. N's face...is blank; devoid of emotion.

"Yes, your Highness," the older man says humbly, his voice drawn and there is no hint of superiority lurking in his tone.

What's wrong with Ghetsis? Is he sick? Drunk again? What's going on!?

N stands over his 'father' and stares down icily. "Do not fail again," he tells him quietly. "Or you will suffer the consequences."

With that, N sweeps past Ghetsis and heads towards the other set of stairs on the opposite end of the hall near my room. I wait for a bit before coming out of hiding...but not because I want too.

"I know you're there," Ghetsis' voice states, and I jump before creeping around the corner, an awkward smile on my face from being caught eavesdropping.

"H-hi…" I say, giving him a tiny wave before crossing my arms behind my back. "What's wrong?" My eyebrows knit together as he speaks.

"Nothing, Princess," Ghetsis says, and begins to stand. Automatically, I rush over to help him to his feet. Wait...why am I helping him? He's always been a jerk to me! Is it because he's acting weird…? The older man doesn't try to push me away or make a snide comment. He just accepts my help and stands before me, his body stooped and haggered.

I blink, my hands on his shoulders as I search his face for a moment, wanting answers.

"You should go to your room now," he finally tells me. "N prefers you staying where he can watch you."

"Watch me?" I frown. "But...there are no cameras…" Ghetsis blinks, and turns to leave abruptly. "Wait!" I yelp, grabbing his robe. "Answer my question! Please!"

"I've said too much," Ghetsis says, closing his eyes, and letting out a tired sigh. "Please excuse me." With that, he hobbles away, and leaves me standing alone in the hallway, my hands still up, as if I could still grab his robe and demand answers.

But he won't give them to me….I know that.

~Misty/Ms. Ketchum