N seem to change dramatically throughout all of the official storylines. The games are where most of us first saw him, as the king of Plasma, pawn of Ghetsis. Someone who doesn't really understand humans.

Then in the manga… well, he freaked me out. And his arguments changed totally. Like "Pokémon can only be happy if they're battling." Where'd they get that from?

In the anime, he was the most normal. He was closer to the game, but was better at getting along with people. I'll bet they attracted a lot of fangirls by adding him to the anime. Admittedly, I did go and watch it, after having not seen any of the newer anime since I don't remember when. Though that was mainly because I wanted to see if it would help with my fanfic.

In the meantime, Cara starts to lose confidence in her arguments against N. :3

Polaris–Ponyta, Tsuki–Servine, Mamoru–Dewott, Tlaloc-Braviary, Ané – Blitzle, Carrara - Purrloin

Lost to Waves

Herdier charged and collided with Tsuki. She gasped as the breath was knocked out of her, but managed to grab onto Herdier's fur. Herdier tried to shake her off, but she clung on with her stubby little hands (made even stubbier since she evolved into a Servine).

She planted a leech seed against his neck, and dragged herself up his side so she was draped over Herdier's back. Herdier spun around, trying to bite at her, but she hung on long enough to wrap her vines around his middle.

"Herdier, knock Servine against the wall!" Lenora called. Carrara had lost against her first Pokémon – Watchog. Tsuki had defeated Watchog, but if she lost here, we'd lose the two-on-two battle.

Herdier rammed up against the wall of the gym, but Leech Seed was bringing back some of Tsuki's strength and Herdier was weakening. Tsuki braced her feet against the wall. With the momentum, she used her vines to flip Herdier onto his side. Leaf Tornado knocked Herdier out.

Lenora returned Herdier and came up to congratulate me.

"Very nice. You timed Leech Seed well. If you waited any longer, your Servine wouldn't have been able to continue."

"Yeah, we almost didn't get the opportunity to use it. Your Herdier was expecting it."

"Yes, we were. I guess that's why you had Servine hold still as Herdier used Tackle?"

I nodded and accepted the Basic Badge that she handed me. My second Unova badge. I grinned. "Thanks."

"No problem. It's always fun seeing how trainers figure out strategy during a challenging battle."

"And it's always interesting trying to figure that strategy out."

After a brief pause at the Pokémon Center, Ben, Hari and I continued on towards Pinwheel Forest.

As usual, I let all of my Pokémon out once we were out of the city. Ané trotted alongside Polaris, now quite confident as long as her "big sis" was with her. She was improved enough that I had Polaris do a few brief spars with her.

But by the time we reached the outskirts of the forest, night was coming and we had to set up camp.

After dinner, my phone rang. The name said "Avalon."

"One of the Pokémon must be calling," I suggested. "Since there aren't any humans on Avalon right now. At least, not that I know of."

I pushed the button and held the little screen up. A Raichu looked back at me.

"Link!" I exclaimed, grinning. "You learned how to do a screen call?"

Link grinned back, nodding. Yep. Twilight and Lily taught me. They say hi, by the way.

"Tell them we say hi back. And everyone else too. How are things on Avalon?"

Good. I'm still getting used to some things. It's a really different place from Naratay.

I laughed. "I'll bet. I hope you don't regret coming."

Link shook his head vigorously. Not at all. There's lots of cool Pokémon here. And I get to stay in the house. There's plenty to do. I still miss home sometimes though.

Hari sighed. "I really wish I could have seen Naratay."

"I'd love to go back too," I agreed. "I don't think that's possible though."

Ben gave a crooked smile. "Yeah, it seems to have been a rather dangerous journey."

We talked to Link for a while. I was glad to see that he was doing so well. He'd only come to Avalon about a month before.

A few of my other Pokémon popped in to say hi as well. I always feel bad that I have to leave so many of them behind when I go on a new journey.

Speaking of which, I hoped to catch a Venipede once we got to the forest. But if I wanted to have it on my team, I'd need to send someone else back. I was sort of leaning towards sending Ané back. She had recovered enough that I was comfortable sending her to Avalon. I could ask Link and the other Pokémon to take care of her. Though I'd have to see how Ané felt about that.

We continued on the next morning, heading into Pinwheel Forest. The cool shade was welcome as the sun climbed overhead, beating down on us. We continued on, with my Braviary flying overhead to check for any Pokémon I'd want to catch.

"There it is!" I exclaimed, pointing to the bank of a nearby stream. A Venipede was there, snoozing in a patch of sunlight. I vaulted off of Polaris's back and sprinted towards it. Tlaloc swooped overhead through the gap over the creek.

Venipede opened his eyes and stared at us, but didn't budge.

Tlaloc used Aerial Ace, sending Venipede tumbling into the shallow creek. Wing Attack followed a moment later, knocking Venipede back towards me. I threw the Pokéball and Venipede vanished inside. The Pokéball dropped into the river and started drifting downstream. Tlaloc grabbed it in his talon and dropped it into my hands.

I grinned. "Nice job, Tlaloc. I finally got a Venipede."

No sooner had I said it than the Pokéball vanished. I'd have to reorganize my team once we reached Castelia City. I returned to the path where everyone else was waiting for me.

Is that how you usually catch Pokémon? Carrara asked. She sounded disapproving.

"Not usually. But sometimes it's more exciting to catch Pokémon the traditional way."

I wonder if the Pokémon thinks that.

It sounded like something N would say. Maybe it rubbed off on her.

"Well, I'll apologize when I bring him onto my team. But I think he would have said something if he really didn't want to be captured."

Really? Or do you only talk to Pokémon when it's convenient for you?

…

It took a couple days to get through the forest. I kept thinking about what Carrara had said. That I only listen to Pokémon when it was convenient for me. Did I? I used my telepathy all the time. But did I actually ignore it if I didn't want to hear what a Pokémon said? I didn't think so, but maybe it was a subconscious thing.

Since I could speak to Pokémon, did that give me an obligation to check with them every time I wanted to interact with or catch one? But trainers caught Pokémon the traditional way all the time. It often lead to strong bonds between them, but not always. And they couldn't speak to Pokémon. They had an excuse that I did not.

And so I started thinking again about what N had said to me. I still didn't think that people and Pokémon should be separated. But what if wild Pokémon were given a choice about being captured? How would things be different then? Could things be done to improve the way people and Pokémon lived?

We finally arrived at the Skyarrow Bridge, which lead to Castelia City.

My Pokémon trotted around, taking in the view of the bay and watching the Swanna and Ducklett fly overhead. They stared through the grating beneath us to watch the cars roar past underneath. When Ané first saw this, she leapt backwards in alarm and Polaris had to calm her down

A flock of Ducklett flapped low overhead. I looked up to watch and saw a Swanna swoop down through them. For a moment I watched as the light glowed through Swanna's wings. But then my admiration turned to horror as Swanna extended her claws and closed them around Tsuki. Before anyone could react, Swanna took to the air, dragging my flailing Servine along with her.

"Tsuki!" I shouted, sprinting after Swanna until the railing of the bridge stopped me.

Tlaloc dove down and I sprang onto his back. Mamoru, now a Dewott, jumped up next to me and the three of us took off after Swanna.

Tsuki struggled, but her vines were pinned to her sides by Swanna's claws. Swanna glanced back and saw us following. She sped up. So did Tlaloc.

As we gained, Mamoru shot out Water Gun. It hit Swanna, but didn't slow her. Tlaloc put on another burst of speed, but Swanna arced around and Tlaloc had to turn sharply to stay on her tail.

Momoru used Razor Shell, striking Swanna's wing. Swanna jolted in the air, giving Tlaloc time to catch up and use Aerial Ace.

Swanna squawked and Tsuki slipped from her grasp.

Tlaloc tucked and dove, arcing up in time for me to catch Tsuki.

A blade of wind struck Tlalco in the side as Swanna used Aerial ace. Tlaloc lurched to the side and I threw an arm around his neck, holding Tsuki with my other arm. She wrapped her vines around Tlaloc and I, holding me in place. But as Tlaloc righted himself, I heard a terrified cry from below. I looked over Tlaloc's shoulder, already knowing what I'd find.

Mamoru had fallen. He was shrinking rapidly as he spun towards the bay far below us.

"Mo!" I shouted, reaching out uselessly. "Mooooe!"

Tlaloc started to dive, but Swanna used Bubblebeam and Tlaloc had to dodge to the side. Before I could stop him, he rocketed up at Swanna and grabbed her with his claws. He yanked her around and threw her as far as he could. The battered Swanna finally flew away.

But I had lost all sight of Mamoru.

Tlaloc dropped into a dive again. My eyes watered from the speed, and I couldn't see anything. I'd gotten completely turned around during the battle. Where had he fallen?

Braviary pulled up as we reached the water. He glided low over the bay, gliding back and forth as Tsuki and I called out to him.

After fifteen minutes of no success, I realized that I had to check in with Ben and Hari and everyone. They had no idea where I was. I telepathically told Polaris what had happened, and asked her to pass it on to Hari.

For twenty more minutes, Tlaloc flew back and forth, but no luck. And I couldn't reach him telepathically either. He was probably unconscious.

Finally we had to fly back to meet up with the others.

They were waiting at the shore of the bay, with Castelia City just a short walk away.

I slid off of Tlaloc's back, a hollow feeling in my stomach. Tsuki jumped down beside me.

"You didn't find him?" Hari asked.

I shook my head.

"Maybe he climbed out onto shore," Ben suggested. "We can walk along the coast here and see if we find him. And Your Braviary and my Pigeot can fly around looking. I'll send Blastoise out to swim around."

I nodded, but their offers of help didn't do anything to improve my mood.

The sun was starting to sink. We spent the next hour searching, until it was too dark to see anything.

"Cara, I know you're worried," Ben said. "But searching right now is pointless. We need to get to the Pokémon Center and rest. In the morning, we can search again, and we'll all have more energy."

I didn't like that idea, so I didn't say anything.

"Come on," Hari urged. "Mo will understand."

"You guys go on ahead."

"Cara, we don't want to leave you out here alone all night!" Ben said, exasperated.

"I won't be alone. I'm sure Polaris will stay out with me."

"We'll wait with you," Hari offered.

I shook my head. "No, you guys should go on."

Ben sighed. "Seriously? Why do you expect us to treat you like that? I know you've gone off and done a bunch of stuff on your own, but we're your friends! Can't you rely on us some?"

"I just don't want to keep you out all night. It's getting cold."

"So, by the same thought process, why would we want you out here all night?"

I turned on Ben, frustrated. "I just can't leave him out here, okay? I know he can take care of himself… but…"

"We get it," Hari assured me. "We don't want to leave him out here either."

"Look," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "I'll do one more search and then follow you. Okay?"

Ben sighed. "Fine. If you're not back soon though, I'm going to come looking for you."

I nodded. The two of them headed off and I returned all of my Pokémon except Polaris. I jumped on her back and we went down the coast once more. Still nothing. What if currents got ahold of him and swept him out to sea?

Then I realized that I had just done what Carrara accused me of. I hadn't tried to talk to Swanna, to ask her to stop. We'd just attacked her. What if she might have needed help with something?

But I had panicked. Of course I would. My Pokémon friend had just been kidnapped. But was that really an excuse?

"Let's check across the bridge once more," I said. It was hard to sit up straight anymore. I felt so sleepy. Polaris nodded and moved towards the bridge. We started across once more, the bridge rumbling with an occasional night-going car. When we were about half way across, something caught my eye. Something small shuffling across the bridge towards us.

"Mo!" I shouted, jumping off of Polaris's back and staggering as I landed poorly.

I stumbled forward and caught him up in a hug. He was cold and wet, but seemed to be in one piece.

"Are you okay?" I asked, carrying him onto Polaris's back.

Mamoru nodded. Moslty. Just really tired. That guy swam out and brought me to shore. He waited until I woke up, and said I could go wherever I wanted. He helped me to the bridge.

"Guy?" I repeated. "What guy?"

You know. That guy that we battle. The one who trained Carrara. The green-haired guy.