"Wow," Touko said, eyes wide with awe as she looked out at the sea, "This place is absolutely gorgeous!"

It was early morning when Touko had walked into the quaint seaside town. The sun was slowly rising above the water, causing the sea to glimmer with a thousand refractory diamonds. Wingull were lazily drifting over the ocean, calling to each other as they spotted food for their breakfast. The sky was casting off the purple haze of the night; the clear cerulean of the day was signaling the rest of the world to wake up.

Touko looked around, her feet shuffling through the sand. "I guess I should find out more about this place," She thought aloud, arms crossing behind her head, "Find out if there's any great adventures to be had or totally crazy Pokemon to catch."

She spotted a small cottage on the rocks, the door facing out against the sea. "Perfect," She shouted, running towards the house. Once she reached the front door she knocked, trying to get the attention of any occupants inside. The door remained closed; the house silent. Touko frowned, knocking again.

"Hello," She called out, knocking louder. There was still no answer to her inquiries.

"Well that's strange," She thought, giving the door a puzzled look, "This early in the morning you'd think at least someone would be in bed still."

She walked over to the window, glancing inside. The inside of the house was just like any other; a television set occupied one corner of the room while a kitchen area occupied another. Yet from what Touko could see, no one was in there; in fact, it looked like hardly anyone had lived there for a while.

"Huh," She said, placing her hands on her hips, "Guess this is a vacant house or something…" She muttered, looking around the area again. She saw there were two more houses, each one conveniently next door to the other. She walked towards the next house, ready to greet the inhabitant warmly. She gave a polite knock on the door and waited for an answer. When no one answered, her smile immediately changed back into a frown.

"Hello, anybody home," She called out, knocking louder. Again, no one gave an answer. Touko stood back, scratching her head in wonder as she stared at yet another vacant home.

"Alright, this is just getting creepy," She thought, jogging to the next house. She stared at the house, trying to decide whether to politely knock or barge in. She shrugged, walking a few steps backwards to allow her to get a running start.

"After all, at this rate it's probably empty just like the others," She thought, running full speed at the door. She jumped into the air, her leg extending itself so that her foot slammed into the door with an extreme amount of force. The door swung open, allowing Touko to fly through it and land gracefully on the floor. She straightened herself up, dusting herself off as she gave herself a mental pat on the back.

"Oh…" Came a voice from within, causing Touko to snap her head towards the voice. A young woman sat at the table, a hot cup of tea in her hands; it looked like Touko had caught her in mid sip. Touko's eyes widened in shock as she instantly recognized the woman; blonde hair, black barrettes complimenting a completely black outfit.

"Dear Arceus, why have you forsaken me," Touko gulped as the one and only Cynthia of Sinnoh stared directly back at her; her eyes seemingly boring straight into her soul.

"How…familiar…" Cynthia began, standing up and walking towards Touko, "I never expected to meet a trainer with the same eyes as that one, especially in a place like this…"

"I-Is that s-so," Touko stammered, backing up slightly as she continued to advance on her. "Please let that be a compliment, dear Arceus and any other god-like Pokemon please let that be a compliment!"

Cynthia continued to stare at her, seemingly ignoring her question. "What's your name?"

"T-Touko."

"Touko then," She muttered; a thoughtful expression seemed to fall upon her face, "I'll be sure to remember it! I am Cynthia."

"How could I not know your name," Touko screamed in her mind, inwardly freaking out, "You're the Sinnoh champion; famous worldwide along with the other champions!"

"I'm just a curious Pokemon trainer investigating the myths of Pokemon." Cynthia continued, seeing as how Touko hadn't said a word. Touko blinked; she did remember hearing rumors of Cynthia being a bit of a legend lover, and boy was Unova full of them.

Cynthia cast her gaze towards the side window, her arms crossed over her chest. "There are underwater ruins here in Undella Town, you know. As such, I borrowed a villa from an acquaintance of mine."

"She means to tell me that she doesn't have millions already from beating poor unsuspecting trainers like myself," Touko thought, staring at Cynthia quizzically. Cynthia immediately turned her attention back to Touko, causing her to immediately straighten herself up out of pure surprise.

"Now, in order to make a deeper acquaintance with a fellow trainer…" Cynthia said, reaching for a Pokeball, "I would like us to have a battle with our Pokemon…"

Touko's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as Cynthia's ball grew. "I'm dead I'm dead I'm dead I died I'm dead."

"Would you be my opponent," Cynthia asked, tossing the ball easily in the air. Touko blinked, surprised at the fact that she was given a choice in the matter.

"Um….N-no," She cautiously said, her arms immediately coming up to defend herself from Cynthia's rage. Cynthia blinked, a giggle escaping her mouth as she shrunk her ball back to its original size.

"I see, you're one who likes to take things slowly and rationally," Cynthia said, placing the ball back on her belt. Touko blinked, the realization that she didn't have to battle her slowly dawning on her.

"U-Uh y-yeah…" Touko said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly, "I just really came here to get information about this town; lucky I ran into you! Didn't know there were underwater ruins here."

Cynthia smiled, walking back over to her tea. "Well, whenever you are ready, just come and talk to me. I'll be happy to battle you."

Touko nodded, already heading out the door. "Will do Cynthia! I will totally be back here before ya know!"


"Oh dear God thank you," Touko sighed, saving her game immediately after dodging a bullet. She flopped back onto her bed, the DS already shut down and lying beside her. She stared at the game; her heart still pounding at the prospect of having battled Cynthia totally unprepared.

"I would've gotten creamed," She thought, placing the game on her dresser. She stood up, reaching towards the ceiling as she stretched. She bent and twisted around; a sigh of relief escaping her lips as her back gave a satisfactory pop. She glanced towards the door, noticing that as of today Touya had yet to come in and bother her.

"Strange; he's usually always finding an excuse to bug me," Touko thought, walking out of her room. She walked quietly down the hall to Touya's room, stopping right outside his room. She opened the door, the sight of atomic bomb-like chaos meeting her eyes.

"Geez, clean your room once in a while will ya," Touko said, cautiously stepping over heaps of clothes and trash scattered around the room. Touya rolled his eyes as he continued to stare at the framed poster of the Elite Four, now officially autographed with each of their names.

"I'll clean it when I feel like," He countered, eyes never leaving the poster. Touko hopped on the bed, having finally reached a safe haven in the sea of discord.

"Geez Touya, why don't you marry the stupid thing and make it official," Touko said, a smirk on her face, "Then it wouldn't be so creepy when you stare at it."

Touya tore his gaze away from the poster to glare at her. "Three reasons why that cannot be done: One, it is an inanimate object which cannot be married; two, it has two men on it and gay marriage has yet to be legalized in our area; and three it has multiple people on it which would be considered polygamy, which is frowned upon in our society."

"…And oddly enough, that whole entire argument made sense," Touko muttered. Touya smirked as he dug through his pockets.

"Here," He said, handing her a plain CD case, "I made the show into a DVD for you. Ya know, so you could give it to N next time he comes around?"

Touko took the case, sighing. "Thanks, but it might be ages until he gets to come around."

"Ah…Making sure Ghetsis doesn't get suspicious," Touya asked, turning back to the poster. Touko nodded, running her thumb along the case.

"After a certain number of outings or hours or who knows how she calculates it," Touko began, "Concordia makes sure N doesn't sneak out for a while to make sure that Ghetsis doesn't get suspicious and start following them around."

"So you just going to hold onto it, or do you want me to?"

Touko shook her head, pocketing the case. "Nay, I'll give it to him tonight."

Touya blinked, staring at her quizzically. "But you just said…"

"I said N can't come to me," Touko said, smirking deviously, "I never said I can't come to N."


Touko quietly crawled through the bushes, brushing herself off as she stood up. "Alright, now if I remember correctly, the crawlspace should be under the back steps."

She looked to her left and right; seeing that the coast was clear, she immediately sprinted off towards the steps of the back porch. She dove through the air, landing on the ground roughly as she slid under the steps. She shook her head, adjusting her cap before continuing on her journey.

"Come on…" Touko thought, groping blindly through the dark underneath of the steps. Her hand finally brushed against a small door, signaling that she had finally found it. She pulled it open, crawling through the door quickly before pulling it shut behind her. She blinked; her eyes adjusting to the total darkness of the crawlspace.

"Was this always so tight," She thought, wriggling through the space carefully. The musty smell provided no sensory relief for the cramped quarters either; it was a path only used on emergency occasions, and as such was not kept in the best of shape.

"Five bucks that this entire thing could collapse at any time," Touko thought, moving forward without any sense of direction. Under normal circumstances she would have brought a flashlight to help her on her way; however, since the risk of being caught was already high without the aid of a source of light, she decided to forgo it and hope for the best. Besides, Touko knew that it wouldn't be dark forever; the small stream of light filtering through the crack of a trapdoor proved this to be true.

She pushed the trapdoor opening, gasping for fresh air as her head popped up out of the floor. She looked around, noticing that she was in a large light yellow colored room with a white carpet.

"Touko," Came a voice from the side. She turned her head, eyes meeting those of a very surprised Anthea. "What're you doing here?"

Touko stood up in the crawlspace, hand rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh, just wanted to deliver something to N and I kinda needed some fresh air."

Anthea smiled at her from her seat besides the large window. "Well I'm so very glad that you've decided to come and visit us on your journey! It must be so very cramped in there for you."

Touko waved her hand dismissively. "Oh no, it's really not that bad! At least, nothing I can't handle."

"You better not get dirt on the floor," Concordia stated, closing the book she was reading so that she could glare at her.

"I won't, promise," Touko said, beginning to crawl back into the space, "I might stop back when I leave!"

"Okay then," Anthea said, waving to her, "I'll make sure to have a little something for you to refresh yourself with when you stop by!"

"Oh no need to trouble yourself Anthea!"

"It's no trouble at all," Anthea said, waving her hand dismissively, "Now run along!"

Touko nodded, closing the door and making sure it clicked shut. Concordia sighed once it had, opening her book and returning to her story.

"You all will be the death of me, I swear," She muttered. Anthea only giggled as she returned to her painting of the scenery outside the window.

"From what I remember, N's room is right next to theirs," Touko thought as she crawled on, "So this next trapdoor must be his!"

She pushed the door open, popping her head through the floor once again. She looked around the large room, trying to spot N.

"Where is he," She thought, pulling herself out of the hole and into the room. She dusted herself off, her eyes glancing down at the sky blue carpet decorated with clouds. She walked around carefully; eyes darting around the purple and blue patterned walls. She shivered slightly as her eyes caught sight of the half pipe; memories of the day when she finally saw what kind of man Ghetsis truly was resurfacing.


The young eleven year old's head swung back and forth, mesmerized by how easily the N seemed to ride the skateboard, performing tricks that seemed almost impossible to someone like her. He hopped off the board when he reached the platform nearest to the stack of tires. N brushed loose hairs from his eyes; Touko burst into applause once their eyes met.

"That was amazing N," She said, watching as he climbed down the stack of tires. He landed lightly on the floor, smiling at her with the skateboard in hand.

"Would you like to learn how," He asked, gesturing towards her with the board. She shook her head, hands held in front of her.

"Oh no no no," She said, "I'm not coordinated enough to do what you can do!"

N chuckled, grasping her hand. "I'm not going to teach you those; that takes a lot more practice than what we can get accomplished. I just want to teach you the basics."

Touko blushed lightly, gazing down at the floor as her foot kicked at the carpet slightly. "W-Well, I guess so…"

"Great," He exclaimed, placing the board on the floor, "Now, place your foot you want in front right here," He said, pointing at a spot behind the two front wheels. She nodded, placing her right foot where he indicated.

"Now, place your other foot right there," He indicated a spot parallel to where her right foot was placed. Touko obeyed, placing her left foot there. He stood up, standing a few feet away from where she was placed on the skateboard.

"Now keep your balance and your knees bent, and just give yourself a little push," He said an encouraging smile on his face. She looked down at the floor, giving the board a small push forward; it rolled a few inches forward without her falling off, causing a huge smile to break out on her face.

"I-I did it," She whispered, giving herself slightly larger push forward. The board went forward farther causing her to giggle in delight. N chuckled as he watched her, arms crossed over his chest.

"Looks like you basically got the hang of it," He said, watching as she kept pushing herself forward. She looked over at him, a large grin set between two cheeks red from excitement.

"Look at me N; I'm doing it," She cheered, waving excitedly at him. Her expression suddenly changed from one of excitement to surprise as she suddenly began to rock back and forth. N's eyes widened as he immediately ran towards her; her arms waved wildly around as the skateboard slipped out from under her. She squealed as she fell backwards, eyes shut tightly as she braced herself for impact. After a few moments of no pain, she cautiously opened her eyes.

"Are you alright," N asked as he stared down at her. Touko nodded a bright blush on her face as she realized that the reason why she never hit the ground was because N had caught her.

"I-I'm fine," She stuttered, her gaze unable to break away from his. He smiled, causing her blush to increase tenfold.

"That's good to hear," He said; his hand went to her forehead as he studied her expression, "Yet, your face is so red; is it flushed from shock?"

She bit her lip; unsure as to if she should reveal the real reason. She took a deep breath to calm herself, opening her mouth to reply when all of a sudden a harsh knocking was heard on the door. N's eyes widened, pulling Touko with him as he stood up straight.

"Go," He whispered, pushing her towards the half pipe, "Hide behind there."

Touko nodded dumbly, sprinting to the half pipe and dove behind it; she peeked out from behind it, making sure to keep herself hidden. The door to the room burst open as an older man stormed into the room; N tightened his hands into fists as Ghetsis approached him.

"My son," He began; a smirk plastered on his face, "Your tutors say you aren't putting forth your best effort."

"Are they now," N asked, his eyes meeting Ghetsis's.

"Yes; they say you seem…distracted," He continued, circling around N, "Should you be?"

He shrugged. "Sometimes the lessons become repetitive and dull; I can only pay attention to something that does not hold my interest for so long."

"That is no excuse," Ghetsis shouted, grabbing N by the collar of his shirt, "You are to perform at your best, always! No excuses; no exceptions! Do I make myself clear?"

"…Why?"

Ghetsis's grip tightened on his shirt. "What did you just say?"

"I said, why," N repeated, a rebellious fire burning in his eyes, "Why must I be confined to this house; this room? Why can't I go out and make friends; have a life? Why-"

"Enough," Ghetsis roared, throwing N as hard as he could. N landed against the floor, a hiss of pain being heard as he skidded along the carpet. Touko watched in horror as Ghetsis advanced on him, his hand raised as he grabbed him by the collar again.

"You are never to question my motives," Ghetsis shouted as he slapped N across the face, "You are to follow my orders like the obedient son I have supposedly raised you to be! Everything I do is in your best interest; everything is to make sure that you are the greatest creature alive on this earth! Everything is to protect you from petty human error! Do I make myself clear?" He shrieked ending with a final hard slap against N's battered cheeks. N bit his lip, nodding silently to indicate he understood. Ghetsis threw him to the ground; the silent answer not appeasing him.

"Answer me boy!"

"Yes…father…" N said through gritted teeth, his hand clutching his side. Ghetsis walked towards the door finally pleased with his answer.

"Your studies will be increased tomorrow by cutting your break times," He said, reaching the doorway. He turned around, glaring harshly at N on the floor, "Failure is not an option." He ended, slamming the door behind him.

After what seemed an eternity, Touko cautiously walked out from her hiding spot, making her way towards N. "Are you…"

"Go."

She blinked. "H-Huh?"

N looked at her; eyes a cold harsh green. "Leave me."

She stood there, shaking her head in protest. "No N, I-"

"Just go already," He shouted, causing her to flinch, "You're scarred enough; just leave me alone so that I can deal with this myself!"

Her hands balled into fists; eyes becoming two blue stones of determination. "No," She shouted, stamping her foot, "I will not leave you alone! You need me here and you know it!"

"I've dealt with it for all my life," He muttered, looking away from her, "What's one more day going to matter?"

Her gaze softened as she walked towards him, kneeling as soon as she was close enough. N watched her curiously as she took his hand in hers; her small thumb running circles over the back of his hand.

"One more day," She began, looking down at the floor, "Is one more day that you feel alone. And friends don't let their friends feel alone during times like these!"

He bit his lip, turning his head away from her. She huffed, taking initiative and pulling him into a gentle hug. His eyes widened at the contact; his body stiffened as her tiny arms wrapped around his shoulders. He slowly relaxed as her hands ran soothingly through his hair, his head resting against her shoulder.

"So soft…Such a wonderful feeling…" He thought, eyes closing as he sighed gently. Touko smiled; glad to see him relaxing after such a taxing ordeal. She rested her head gently against his, her smile growing as she saw N's innocent face.

"There's no doubt about it," She thought, closing her own eyes, "I am absolutely in love with this boy."


Touko sighed, shaking her head to clear her thoughts and bring her back to the present. She turned away from the half pipe, immediately running into the chest of the boy she was just thinking about. She looked upwards, surprise etched on both their faces.

"Touko," He asked, "What're you doing here?"

She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "Ah, you know; j-just thought I'd drop by and give you this." She said, handing him the CD case. He took it from her, examining it carefully.

"What is it?"

"It's a recording of the Elite Four's show," Touko explained, "I didn't know when you'd be coming around again, so…"

"So you broke into my house to deliver it," N finished. She blushed slightly, her feet kicking at the carpet aimlessly.

"Well when you put it like that…" She trailed off. N chuckled, picking her chin up so that she was caught in his gaze.

"You are probably the strangest girl I know," He muttered, forehead resting against hers. She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"That's okay," She said, lightly brushing her nose against his, "You're the strangest boy I know."

"Ah, touché," He said, pulling her to him so that her head rested against his chest. She closed her eyes; the sound of his heartbeat lulling her into a sense of security.

"I wish everyday could be like this…" She mumbled. He looked down at her, a slight confused look on his face.

"You wish you could crawl through a tight, musty hole in order to see me; only to have a sense of fear that Ghetsis could come in at any moment," He asked in an incredulous voice. She lightly slapped his shoulder, rolling her eyes.

"No silly," She giggled, "I meant that I wish everyday could be just us; you, me, and whatever adventures life decides to bring to us."

"Ah, that makes much more sense," He said, nuzzling into the top of her head.

"Of course it does."

He smiled; if she could have seen it, she would have described it as almost wistful. "Maybe someday we will."

She nodded; her grip on his jacket growing tighter. "It will definitely happen," She said, pulling away enough to be able to look into his eyes, "I promise you this much N; one day, we will be happy. One day, you will be free."

He smiled, pulling her to him again. "And when that day comes, you'll be right beside me, won't you?"

She smiled, running her hand through his hair. "Of course I will. The heroine always has to stand victorious with her friends at the end of the story, right?"

He smiled at her determination and views on happy endings; it was almost enough to give him hope about being free from this cage.

"Right."


A/N: Yaaaaaay, I finished! I liked this chapter; I liked it a lot. And yes, if you're wondering, that whole scene with Cynthia actually happened to me. I literally almost crapped myself when I saw her in that building. I thought to myself 'Every other house on this stupid block was empty! Empty! Why does this one have to have her in it?' Needless to say, I almost cried with relief when I saw the 'No' option. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed! Leave a review and you'll receive a skateboard with N's face on it! Until next time, JAA MATA!

Disclaimer: [insert snazzy/quirky/snarky/funny remark about not owning Pokemon here]