I groaned, doubling over in pain. My neck was killing me. It felt like I had went to bed with my head parallel with my shoulder. I grit my teeth as I slowly straightened my neck. My lips parted as a sigh of relief escaped. I opened my eyes hesitantly, afraid of what I might see.

All I saw was black. I, beginning to freak out, waved my hands in front of my face. I could feel the wind from the motions, but black filled my vision. Oh no. This is not good. Not good. Not good! Panic struck me like a thunderbolt. I floundered around in hopes of sitting up. Maybe my eyes would work then.

I ended up on the ground in a tangled heap.

Yeah, this just is not my day.

I was seriously disoriented. I hadn't even known that I was on an elevated surface. I blinked... or at least I think I did. Who even knew anymore? The darkness greeted me every time. Shapes began to swirl into existence before me. Horrible pictures played like a silent movie. I squeezed my eyes shut, pulling the mass of fabric over me, but the images were already imprinted in my mind.

My hand instinctively shot to my side, grasping for something only to remain empty. My bag wasn't there. That meant I didn't have any of my Pokemon. Dread spread throughout my body like a wild fire. I felt so helpless. These images, they wouldn't stop. Tears spilled from my eyes like a tipped over glass.

Make it stop. Please, make it stop. I'll do anything.

I tried to think happy thoughts, but that backfired. My happy memories instantly turned into a horror film. My biggest fears came to life inside my head. The feeling I perceived was the absolute worst. As I lay gasping in emotional pain, a light appeared. I sobbed as my mind continued to trick me with what I wanted most.

My vision went white as footsteps approached. I blinked rapidly, floaters were still apparent in my sight, to adjust my eyes to the light. The blankets were lifted and I stared at the younger green-haired man. His eyes widened as he took note of my teary eyes. An indifferent mask quickly replaced his concern as he addressed me in an emotionless voice.

"I see you're finally awake. Now, we need to discuss something," He sat next to where I was, now sitting up rather than laying down. "It would be in your best... ah, what's the word, interest to release your Pokemon."

He held up two Pokeballs, a Premier Ball, a Nest Ball, a Dusk Ball, and an Ultra Ball before placing the balls aside.

"It will set a good precedent for others who have Pokemon to see a capable trainer abide by the rules. I will address the public today about releasing their Pokemon. Once that is done, Team Plasma will go out to every city and town to ensure that no Pokemon is still held captive."

We sat on the ground quietly. If he was expecting me to say something, he'd better not hold his breath because he'd die before I did. I could tell he was getting frustrated by the way his hands clenched every now and then. I took notice of his attire. It wasn't his traveling clothes, but it wasn't really anything regal-looking either. An untucked, white button-up covered by a black tuxedo jacket, a pair of dark-wash jeans, and black sneakers. In place of his hat was a crown.

I numbly looked at the balls as he placed them in my lap.

"We can go out to the castle's gardens. You can release them there... Why do you look so sad? They'll be free. They won't have to fight anymore. They can live as they please."

His voice was so earnest, but did he know that what he thought was good and what others thought was good were on two completely different levels? He bent over to peer at my face and a frown slowly took hold of his lips as he stared at me. As if some wonderful news had struck him, he sat up straight with a wonderful smile.

"Oh, I see now." My heart fluttered with hope. Please say it. Please say you know that what you're doing is wrong. "You don't know your way around the castle yet!"

I closed my eyes, letting out a shaky breath, as my heart was shot down. I shouldn't have even thought that he would... I opened my eyes and bit back a sob. N gave a gentle, reassuring smile, mistaking my emotional state for embarrassment, and pulled me off of the ground. "It's okay. I'll show you the way to the gardens and then I'll give you the full tour so you'll never get lost. You'll be so happy here, I know it."

I kept my Pokeballs clutched to my chest in a secure grip, staring down any and every Grunt that gave me a dumbfounded look. I knew that I looked like a mad woman and I'm sure that I felt worse than I looked. N, who was seemingly oblivious to all things except Pokemon, held my hand, swinging the interlocked extremities and hummed.

He opened a door and looked at me. The sun's setting rays illuminated N magnificently while, at the same time, casting shadows in all the right places. The golden scarlet rays reflected in his somber eyes burned with such intensity that it took my breath away. He had never looked so devilish, so appealing. "Ladies first."

I thanked him and walked out, the crisp air clearing my muddled mind.

"This way," N murmured, not looking at me, softly. He took a path that led to a tiny forest. Once we reached what I assumed to be the heart of the woods, he stopped. "I've been... thinking. I suppose that it wouldn't be entirely bad for you to keep one of your Pokemon. Reshiram did not acknowledge you for no reason. You have something special about you. The way your Pokemon speak about you, it's unlike anything I've ever witnessed."

He turned, his verdant gaze locking onto my own stormy orbs. His eyes were burning again, but this time on their own, with their own passion. My body rooted itself as his long strides brought him a foot away from me. He searched my face with a slight frown before hesitantly bringing a hand to my face, timidly stroking my cheek.

"You're the only person who deserves to be my friend. You're special and I want you all to myself. I'll do whatever it takes for you to accept me. ... That is why I am allowing you to keep a Pokemon."

My mouth was dry. I couldn't breath. His eyes were suffocating. They made me feel as though I would never live again. He's the enemy. What are you thinking?

"Which Pokemon will you be keeping?"

He was asking me to choose. To pick only one of my companions to keep with me. I was fully aware of the tears welling up, but I pushed through that to glare at him. He was so cruel and acted as though he wasn't aware of it. Did he understand the bond that a trainer and their Pokemon forged when on their journey? Of course not. He released his Pokemon after every battle. He wouldn't know. He didn't understand that this could break me.

The tears began to fall and N's frown grew more pronounced.

"What's wrong? I thought you'd be happy. I did this so that you'd be happy."

My stomach churned at how honest his words were. It was like a little boy ripping up his mothers freshly planted garden and presenting her with the plants in hopes of a kiss. He doesn't know any better. He doesn't know that he's rubbing salt into the wound.

"I can't," I swiped the back of my hand across my face. "I can't just pick one Pokemon I want to keep; I want to keep them all. I've had special moments with every single one of my Pokemon. They all mean so much to me. If I can't keep them all, then I don't want to keep any of them."

I looked up to N with my blotchy, but determined face.

"You can take away my Pokemon, but you can't take away the memories we've made."

The green-haired boy looked on solemnly as I called forth my Pokemon and explained to them what was happening. My Samurott was the most reluctant to leave. He kept coming back, nudging at my palms and legs. I bit my lip, my body now shaking with swallowed sobs. Samurott had been there since the beginning. It surprised me how badly it hurt to know that I'd never see him, or any of my Pokemon, again.

Samurott followed us back to the castle's side door. I knew that N had let him follow for my sake, but now I had to send him off permanently. I crouched down, still shaking, and took hold of his furry face.

"Hey buddy, I know you're kind of confused about all of this. Apparently it's for the best..." I inhaled deeply to steady my voice. "But I'm not too convinced on that. I want you to do me a favor, okay? I want you to take care of all your buddies, especially the small ones. Sound good?"

I offered him my clenched fist. I let out a watery laugh as he accepted, bumping my hand with his nose. I watched him turn and head back to the woods. A feeling of emptiness began to fill me. I managed to get one sentence out before breaking down completely, my body now a tangled heap on the ground.

"Take care, big guy."

A/N:

Sorry it took so long to get an update. This was actually the first chapter I had written for this story. It's somewhat confusing, but you'll understand it later on. I wrote this in my Biology notebook during school, but never got around to typing it up on the computer. Oh well, as long as it's updated there's really no harm, eh?

Happy reading!