I've been really looking forward to writing this~

Polaris–Ponyta, Tsuki–Serperior, Mamoru–Samurott, Tlaloc-Braviary, Lanfan-Mienshao, Croatan – Scolipede, Shira - Reshiram

Truth Versus Ideals

Reshiram and Zekrom clashed, sending flames and electricity rippling across the stadium. Zekrom snapped at Shira's throat, but she leapt upward and drove her leg into his chin. Zekrom's head snapped backwards and he staggered. Shira soared above him and began pelting fireballs down from above.

Zekrom regained his balance and launched skyward after Shira. He rocketed at her and drove his shoulder into her middle. But Shira turned at the last moment, tilting in a way that deflected most of the blow's force. She reached forward and grabbed Zekrom's wings. She yanked. Zekrom started to tumble out of the air, screeching in alarm. Shira pulled herself out of his grasp, using his wings as leverage, and when Zekrom crashed to the ground, she threw her weight down on top of him.

Zekrom heaved himself upwards and lightning flickered from his body, shooting outward and enveloping Shira. Shira keened and retreated. Zekrom quickly regained his feet and sent out another electric attack. Shira threw her wing in front of her and deflected most of it. Then she opened her mouth and sent a stream of fire at her opponent.

I noticed that Alder had appeared behind me, with the rest of my Pokémon. He probably wanted to get out of the way of the battling dragons. I didn't blame him. I wouldn't want to get between them. I glanced over at N, who was watching the battle with focused intensity and awe. He knew Zekrom was behind, but the power of the battle had him spell-bound.

A corner of my mouth pulled back, half smiling, half baring my teeth. N didn't know battles or strategy – not like I did. We were going to win this.

You're doing great, Shira! Bide your time until you can get up close. Until then, hit him with distance attacks every chance you get.

Shira nodded and backed away from a grapple with Zekrom. Zekrom launched at her, but Shira sprang away. Zekrom shot out lightning, but she ducked underneath it. She began a sort of graceful dance around the stadium, slipping around Zekrom's attacks, spinning and ducking. By the way she moved, I could tell how happy she was to be free of the confines of the stone.

She sent bursts of flame at Zekrom each time she avoided an attack. They were small enough that Zekrom dodged several, but the ones that hit were taking their toll. Zekrom's skin was getting scorched, and he panted, baring his teeth as his energy waned.

Shira, hover above the ground. Just in front of that pillar.

Shira lifted off of the stadium floor and drifted a couple yards above the earth.

Zekrom glared at her, wondering what she was up to. He grumbled and shuffled back and forth, waiting for her to move first. But she didn't. So, finally, he leapt into the air and bolted at her.

As he approached, Shira dropped out of the sky and landed on the ground, crouching and spinning to face him. Zekrom skidded to a halt just in time to avoid colliding with the pillar, and when he turned, he found himself pinned between the pillar and Shira.

Shira threw back her head, keening out her cry as flame encircled her. The fire launched forth and struck Zekrom point-blank. The black dragon was slammed against the pillar, engulfed in the inferno of Fusion Flare.

When the flames dissipated, Zekrom slumped to the ground in a crumpled heap.

Shira backed away. I approached her, my heart pounding with exhilaration. Zekrom was down. I placed a hand against Shira's leg. She lowered her head and nuzzled me. But movement made both of us look up.

Zekrom was stirring.

I clenched a fist as Zekrom pulled his feet beneath him and slowly stood. He pressed a clawed hand against the pillar to support himself, and glared at us, growling in defiance.

Shira took a step towards him, flames flickering from her mouth.

"Wait."

All of us looked up to see N. He had stepped up beside Zekrom, and was looking away.

"Please, wait," he repeated.

Shira let her flames die away. Zekrom looked down at N, the growl on his face subsiding.

"That's enough," N said. He placed a hand against Zekrom's side. "I don't want you hurt anymore, my friend." He glanced between the two dragons – the scorched and exhausted Zekrom, and the sleek, white Reshiram who was out of breath, but very much able to continue fighting.

"This is a battle we cannot win, and I don't want any more Pokémon to get hurt." N let his head drop again. "We forfeit."

Zekrom sighed and dropped down to the ground, to rest. He bared his teeth, in shame of defeat.

There was silence for several second, then N continued. "I suppose I was too thorough in choosing a rival. Cara was too strong for me. Your truth was stronger than my ideals."

"You gave up the battle," a harsh voice snapped. Everyone looked around, and my eyes settled on a figure that was standing in the audience. Ghetsis.

He descended into the field and approached N. "How can you claim that you weren't strong enough if you gave up before the end! You'll never be the strongest unless you see things through!"

N sadly shook his head. "No. I can see the outcome too well. I wish for the pain to end."

"You fool," Ghetsis snapped. "I knew I should have separated you from that girl sooner. You let her weaken your convictions. If you hadn't spent so much time with her, your bond to Zekrom and your ideals would have been strong enough to win!"

I opened my mouth as realization hit me. That was why Reshiram hadn't awoken for me when I first found the white stone. Spending time with N had weakened my own convictions. I had started doubting how much good people brought to Pokémon. It was only when I was ready to throw everything into my truth that Shira woke for me. But for N, his convictions were weakened, and never recovered. His time with me and my friends had done that.

Ghetsis was still shouting at N. I started moving towards them, intending to put a stop to it. N was my friend, after all.

"How do you expect to be the hero if you're afraid of pain?" Ghetsis flung his arms in the air for emphasis.

N cocked his head. "I accepted the role as Plasma's king so I could bring an end to Pokémon suffering. How can I do that if I allow the Pokémon in front of me to suffer?"

Ghetsis sneered. "Fool! What a useless boy I chose! Who cares about Pokémon suffering? You reawakened Zekrom in order to give MY Team Plasma power! Power to control the fearful masses!"

N's eyes widened and he took a step back even as Ghetsis continued to advance on him. "But liberating Pokémon…"

Ghetsis snorted. "That was a lie I used to create Team Plasma. Why should we release Pokémon when they're so useful? That's why only Team Plasma should have Pokémon."

"That's ridiculous," Alder shouted.

But Ghetsis ignored him and continued his tirade against N. "You lost to an ordinary trainer. Not only lost, but gave up! You're nothing more than a warped, defective boy who knows nothing."

He was bearing down on N, who looked too shocked to respond, or retreat. I clenched a fist and closed the distance between us. And as I did so, I saw Ghetsis raise his arm, to strike. N made no move to dodge as Ghetsis's hand flew.

I dashed forward and slipped between N and Ghetsis. As Ghetsis's hand fell towards N's face, I swung my arm. I knocked Ghetsis's fist inward, across hid body, startling him off-balance. In one smooth motion, I brought my elbow up and let it collide with the side of Ghetsis's skull,

Ghetsis reeled backwards from the blow and I stood in front of N, shielding him.

"Defective?" I shouted. "Warped? How dare you! You do your best to turn N into a monster, and then call him defective when you fail? The only warped, defective one around here is you! N is strong and compassionate. If he had trouble connecting with people, it's because YOU forced that on him! Fortunately he's been able to grow since he's been away from you."

I took a quick glance back at N, who still looked stunned, but he was looking up slightly, watching Ghetsis and I.

Ghetsis smirked. "So, the other legendary dragon chose you. Who would have thought? I suppose that's why N was so interested in you. But you haven't disturbed my plans. Just because Reshiram sided with you doesn't make you a threat. I will still have N be the King of Plasma. And since you know the truth, you will be destroyed."

"Why?"

I looked back at N, who had straightened up some.

Ghetsis narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Why should I help you?" N asked. "Everything you've taught me is a lie. Only Pokémon have given me truth. Just because I have my ideals doesn't mean that I do not also value truth. You will never use me again."

A sneer contorted Ghetsis's face. "Oh, is that what you think? And what makes you think you can escape that easily?"

"And what makes you think that N is alone," I spat. "He's got friends!"

"Yeah!" shouted a familiar voice. Hari. He and Ben had arrived – I don't know when. Maybe they'd been there for a while, standing in the bleachers behind us.

"Friends look out for each other," Hari announced.

"You may think you can manipulate one person," Ben said as he and Hari took a place on either side of me, "but it becomes a whole lot harder when that person isn't alone."

"And you think you can stop me?" Ghetsis growled.

"I know I can," I said.

"We'll see if you still have that determined look when I've crushed you! I can't wait to see the look on your face when you've lost all hope!"

He reached into his robe and pulled out a Pokéball. "I won't allow anyone to stop me!"

Polaris cantered up to my side, followed by the rest of my team.

"Ben, take Hari and N out of the way. Shira, watch over them and Zekrom. The rest of my team has been training for this moment. We're ready to go. And we'll be more than happy to crush scum like you!"

I wheeled to face Ghetsis. And as he threw out his Pokéball, Tlaloc launched forward to face the new foe.