Polaris–Ponyta, Tsuki–Serperior, Mamoru–Samurott, Tlaloc-Braviary, Lanfan-Mienfoo, Croatan – Scolipede

The Pawn and the King

My heart pounded, the pulse throbbing through my head as I leapt onto Tlaloc's back and took to the air. N had found Zekrom. And of N had Zekrom, then the people of Unova would think he was the new hero, from their legends. They'd do what N said, and release of their Pokémon.

As we flew, I dragged my notebook out of my bag and scribbled a very untidy note for Ben. I opened Lanfan's Pokéball and had her perch in front of me on Tlaloc's back. I handed her the note, and Tlaloc swooped low in front of the doctor's office where Hari and Ben were. Lanfan leapt to the ground and ran inside. Tlaloc sped off toward Dragonspiral Tower.

Tlaloc touched down on the bridge in front of the tower. I slid to the ground and glanced up at the looming building before me. N was somewhere in there, and I had to find him. There must be something I could do to stop him, or make him see reason. I started towards the building entrance and Tlaloc hopped a couple steps forward before taking off and circling above me.

Then as we got closer, I spotted a flash of green hair through the entrance.

I clenched my fists and took off at a sprint through the front door. I had to skid to a halt the moment I was inside, because the lower level was filled with massive stone pillars. N must have gone behind one of them. Then I saw a shadow, and I bolted after it, winding through the pillars of the ruin.

When I came to the stairs, I skidded to a halt. I wasn't fcing N. It was the other man – Ghetsis. He was accompanied by the three men from the Shadow Triad. I had no idea how those three arrived before me, but none of them looked surprised to see me.

Ghetsis smirked. "Ah, you must be Cara."

I stood there, chest heaving as I panted for breath. I stared between the four figures in front of me, trying to make sense of it. I knew almost nothing about any of them. But that expression on Ghetsis's face made me want to throw something at him.

"What do you care about me?" I demanded.

"I don't particularly," Ghetsis replied carelessly. "However, our king has rather taken an interest in you, so I thought it might be worth it to see you for myself." He made a show of looking me up and down, and smirked again. "I have to say, I'm not overly impressed." He waved his hand, and without a sound or motion, the Shadow Triad vanished.

A shiver ran up my spine. I was slightly reassured when Tlaloc landed beside me. He must have made it through the door and flown around the pillars to reach me.

"Likewise. Then I'll just say that I don't like you either."

"Heh. How bold. Not that I care about your opinion. I have doubts that you could even find Reshiram, let alone win its allegiance. Zekrom has accepted N already. Although N seems rather intrigued of the idea of Truth and Ideals battling for victory. Maybe he thought you'd be his opponent."

"Is that what you think? I've got my own ideals. And truth doesn't seem to affect any of you people." I reached for Polaris's Pokéball, but Ghetsis only laughed.

"You're quick to want to fight. I don't need to play with you though. You'll have plenty of time for that once N becomes the champion. If you hope to challenge him, that's when you'll need all your strength."

"Why would I want to wait when I can challenge him now?"

"I don't think Zekrom is quite awake yet." Ghetsis glanced up at the ceiling. "I think we still have a few more minutes, actually. Not quite enough time for me to battle you, anyway. I have other ways of keeping you from interfering."

I glanced around, wary of the Shadow Triad appearing again.

"Do you want to known why N's ideals won't lose?" Ghetsis taunted.

"Against my ideals?" I muttered.

Ghetsis gave a thoughtful nod. "Interesting. Are you sure you should be fighting against N then? Anyway, I doubt yours could be stronger. All of Ns life, I have educated him on how to become the new hero, a new legend like the one that built Unova. Once he becomes the new champion and hero, many people won't be able to resist his call to release Pokémon. Few will become many. Public opinion will sway all those who resist strongest. Then even the gym leaders won't be able to resist any longer, because having Pokémon will be considered a bad thing. This is the world we will build. A world where only we have Pokémon, and where we have all the power!"

Each word he spoke made me bristle more. "You unbelievable jerk!" I snarled. "N is nothing more than a tool to you. He doesn't even know that you want to control people by being the only person to possess Pokémon. At least now I know what to say to change his mind."

Ghetsis held up his hands in mock surrender. "Well, do what you will. But I think it's too late for you now." He glanced up at the ceiling again. A distant roar made the tower tremble, and something thundered high above us.

Ghetsis had been stalling for time. That whole speech was just to keep me to getting to N before it was too late.

"I'll take you on, don't you forget!" I shouted, taking off at a sprint, shoving Ghetsis out of the way and charging up the stairs. Tlaloc followed, tucking his wings to enter the opening to the next floor

I nearly collided with someone, skidding to a halt barely in time. The startled person was blocking my path and seemed to have no intention of moving. This was clear because he wore the Team Plasma uniform and was holding a Pokéball, prepared for battle.

Tlaloc darted forward to fight, and I heft him to handle this floor.

My lungs burned as I half-staggered up the next flight of stairs. I faced another foe from Team Plasma, and I released Mamoru, trusting him to take care of this battle.

And now half of my Pokémon team was gone. But even so, I had to leave Croatan behind on the next floor. I prayed that I wouldn't have to leave anyone else behind, though I was sure that they'd be able to handle the Plama grunts. The roars and thrashing sounds were getting louder, and I didn't want to be helpless against whatever was up there.

And finally I saw daylight. But not from the rooftop. Instead a large part of the wall had been smashed, and rubble was scattered around the floor. Two forms were silhouetted against the gaping hole in the tower. The massive hulk of Zekrom, with his head bowed to the silhouette of N.

I squinted, stepping forwards and trying to see better against the backlight.

N turned to me. "Ah, you made it. What do you think?"

"N," I gasped, my throat dry and by breath shallow from the many stairs. "Ghetsis! He-"

"If you want to challenge me, then find the light stone," N said. "See if Reshiram recognizes you as an opponent to my ideals."

Zekrom bent over and N climbed onto his shoulders.

"Wait!" I shouted, staggering forward. "N, stop!"

"Find me at the Pokémon League if you dare." And without another word, Zekrom launched out of the broken tower and was gone in a spray of static."

I stood there alone, facing the empty chamber, trying to grasp the situation.

The unjustice and pure bad luck of it all exploded inside me all at once. I started shouting at the empty room, cursing and swearing. "You stupid jerk! I'll find you and kick your butt! Learn how to act like a human! I'll drag your sorry hide down from that dragon's back and tie you down and make you listen, so you can't run away anymore! You stupid moron!"

"Would you really do that?"

I turned to see Hari and Ben. I blinked at them, not really understanding the fact that they were here. The rest of my Pokémon team was with them.

"Uh, well, no I wouldn't," I replied stupidly. "But it makes me feel better to say it."

Hari continued to stare at me, wide-eyed.

"Stop looking at me like that," I groaned. I could feel myself wilting. N had gotten away. Now I had to find some way to fight him and Zekrom. And it looked like Reshiram would be the only way to get N to battle me again. I had no idea where to start looking. Especially since Reshiram was theoretically sealed in some little rock somewhere.

I made my way back towards Ben and Hari and heaved a deep sigh.

"Are you okay, Hari? I didn't think you'd be up so soon."

Ben rolled his eyes. "The moment I read your note to him, he jumped out of bed and started running towards here. I had to catch up to him on Tauros."

"Heh." I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Hari was amazingly sturdy for the scrawny kid that he was. "Okay. Just let us know if you need to take it easy, okay?"

Hari cocked his head, then nodded. "So, what happened? We found Tlaloc, Mamoru, and Croatan in the tower, so Ben helped them finish up the last of the battles."

I explained what had happened, all of my adrenaline slowly leaking away as I spoke. The hopelessness of the task ahead was sinking in. "So, now if we want to get N's attention anymore, we need to find Reshiram."

Ben nodded, looking much more determined than I was. "Well, we're going to need some help then."