When they first met, Hilda thought N was just a handsome guy that was a little rough around the edges. Yes, he said some weird things in a fast-paced tone, but her mother did warn her that she was going to be meeting some strange people on her journey. At the time, Hilda did not think much of it. That he would be one of her first battles and that be it.
She was surprised to see him again in Nacrene City. Again, talking about weird stuff, again challenging her to a battle. That was the second time she beat him, with her Pokémon overwhelming his own in an intense battle.
Hilda is willing to admit she is competitive. Too much for her own good at times. Her friends and even her own mother have all been victims of it in the past. Whatever it was, she just loved to win it. Stuff like video games or just random challenges, was one thing. But it really showed when she was taking her classes. The straight A's in all subjects weren't because she wanted to get into an honor-roll position, or because she was looking to get into a university in the future. She only did it to rub it in her friend's face, when he scored higher than her in a test once.
When she was given her starter Pokémon, the want for winning grew even further. She trained her Pokémon relentlessly. Pushing them to be stronger, pushing them to be better. Each battle would give her a brand-new feeling of conquest, of sheer might. As if she were already the champion of the entire region.
Not with N though.
With other people, Hilda reveled in the looks of shock, horror, shame, and hate that they gave when lost to her. Didn't even matter who the opponent was. If they were a Trainer, a Plasma Grunt, or a Gym Leader, who cares. To Hilda there was a clear distinction. They were the losers; she was the winner. Did it get out of hand sometimes? Yes. She is more than willing to admit that.
When a four-year-old is crying because they just saw their Pokémon get beaten in less than a minute, the last thing they need is her throwing insults at them.
"Yeah! You are the ass-kickie, I am the ass-kicker!"
"Aw, gonna cry little baby!"
"Get dunked on, bitch!"
Hindsight of course told her how cruel she was after the moment had passed and she had completely offended whoever she had battled. But still she always did such things, even to her own friends.
"So much for getting stronger, right Cheren?"
"Bianca, are you even trying?"
"Hey, Cheren, next time you waste my time, at least make it fun."
"Bianca, come on, I was holding my hat over my eyes for most of that one."
There was such a rush for her when it came to winning. 'To be the best, like no one ever was' was the popular slogan for Trainers. While most would just see it plastered on posters, or memes online, Hilda believed that she lived that very saying each day of her life. Least that is what she thought, before her encounter with N.
Whenever they battled, it was always intense. A race to see who can command their Pokémon and outsmart each other first. He was like water to her fire, as he would always be calm and quick to change plans in a moment's notice while she would always power through with sheer determination and fast thinking.
It was the best kind of battle a Trainer could ask for. A matching of skill and wits, that leaves one always walking away with nothing but satisfaction. A true rival battle. Hilda expected to feel the awe and the excitement rush in when N's last Pokémon was beaten.
There was none though.
There was no satisfaction, no relief, not even a cheer at her own accomplishments or harsh insults she could throw out. Because when his Pokémon would be called back and she was declared the winner, she didn't see any of the same looks she got from her other opponents. N never looked shocked, or horrified, or shameful, or angry when he would lose. Just sad. Not even for himself, but for the Pokémon that had gotten hurt in the battle.
It somehow made Hilda feel like a loser despite winning. Which is still a ridiculous thing for her to think of. But it was the truth. Before she would offer to walk him to a center, N had said more weird things to her and walked off. She used to believe it was because he just did not take losing well.
Then there was Nimbasa City, and the ride on the Ferris Wheel. N told her it was him helping her to look for Team Plasma, as they could spot them from a higher spot.
"I love Ferris wheels. The circular motion...The mechanics...They're like collections of elegant formulas."
Hilda still wondered why she giggled when he said that. It was such a weird thing to just bring up randomly, but it just seemed to fit him.
She can still remember it like it was yesterday and not months ago. With them alone and sitting in that cart together, looking out to a great view of the city. Part of Hilda wondered if it counted as her first date. Alone with a handsome guy on a romantic ride seemed exactly the norm for a lot of people at first. Yeah, he was as weird as he was good-looking, but no one is perfect.
Then he had to go dropping an egg bomb on her lap.
"First, I must tell you...I am the king of Team Plasma."
Hilda didn't want to believe him. With how sudden or casual he was about it, why would she believe such a claim? Then they got off the ride, and two Plasma Grunts came to confirm it. Calling N their Lord and sire.
Another battle was had between them. Hilda noticed how N's Pokémon would change. Even asked him about it mid-battle. N told her he released his previous team back out to the wild after they were healed. The ones he had at that moment were ones he recently caught around the area.
He told her he only has Pokémon for battles that were completely necessary, his goal was never to keep them enslaved. In full honesty, Hilda didn't know what to make of that, so she just focused on the battle instead. Winning still did not feel like winning for her when she saw the look on his face as his last Pokémon fell to the ground.
With the Grunts running off during the battle, Hilda saw it as a chance to try talking to N and try to get through to him about what he just said. The man was too busy acting like some character from a theatrical play to pay much attention to her. She wanted to yell at him and tell him off for being a leader of a group of thugs. Then he stood up to her face and said...
"I'll defeat the Champion and become unbeatable, unlike any other! I'll make all Trainers free their Pokémon! Just try and stop me! If you want to be together with Pokémon, your only hope is to collect the Badges from each area and head for the Pokémon League! Try and stop me there, if you dare! But just know if your conviction is not strong enough, you will never be able to defeat me."
The words were a slap to the face. A call to an adventure, a challenge. The gauntlet was thrown, and Hilda felt her adrenaline pumping, her mind working on exactly what her goal would be from that moment forward.
Being the best didn't matter anymore. Beating N was all that did matter now.
She was going to beat him, and she was going to win in the grandest way possible. With the title of championship of the whole region on the line; she was finally going to feel like a winner when she defeated N.
Months passed after that, and Hilda spent that time training her Pokémon and winning against more opponents. There was an air of glee for her with beating Team Plasma members especially as she had N's challenge in the back of her mind at an almost obsessive level.
Chargestone Cave is where they met again.
Admittedly one of the things Hilda was not expecting when she entered an electric cave was Ninjas. Though to be fair, wasn't that the point of ninjas, to be unexpected? They are called The Shadow Triad, apparently another part of Team Plasma.
She was taken aback by how very unlike the usual grunts they were. Their speech was cryptic and the way they can move faster than most Pokémon really unsettled Hilda as she would blink her eyes and they would be gone from sight in an instant.
But even they were more comprehensible than N is when he is talking.
"Chargestone Cave...I like this place. Formulas express electricity and its connection to Pokémon …If people did not exist, this would be an ideal place. You have been chosen, you know. Does it surprise you that I said that?"
"N, there are a lot of things you say that surprise me."
Hilda was not able to hide the venom in her voice at the time. For her, she didn't see N for months, didn't have a way to call him or make any kind of contact with him. Then she just stepped into a random cave one moment only to be dragged around by ninjas the next, and he did not even have the nerve to talk like a normal person after all that. She was rather upset at that moment.
For a while there was back and forth between them, him trying to stir their conversation, her trying to insult him. Then he started to talk about her and her friends. N told her Ghetsis had sent The Shadow Triad to spy on them. She did not take that news well.
"What!? For how long?"
"By now should be a couple of weeks-"
"Weeks?! Bird-fucking-Jesus, N! When were you gonna tell me this!? Oh my Helix, please don't tell me they've been taking pictures!"
"I'm not sure, but Team Plasma will be waiting for you ahead. Ghetsis wants to see what kind of Pokémon Trainer you really are."
"Wait, N, get back here! I'm serious! Get the fuck back here!"
Nevertheless, she went through the cave, and defeated every Trainer, Plasma Grunt, or random scientist she locked eyes with there. It did thankfully calm her down enough that when she found N by the exit of the cave he asked if she had a dream, and she was able to answer him without immediately punching his face.
"Hilda, do you have a dream of your own?"
"Yeah, I do."
"You have a dream… That's wonderful. I'll learn just what kind of dream you have-in battle!"
"You know, it is easier to just ask."
Another battle between the two was made. It was the fourth time in a row that Hilda had beaten N. It was the fourth time, and she did not feel any better, didn't get the least amount of enjoyment from it when she should have. As she watched him return the Klink back to its ball, she saw the sad look he had on his face again.
Her dream was for him to finally stop having that look, was for them to battle and for him to do something else so that she could finally feel like a winner when she beat him. After that, she may have a decent conversation with him about things. Like him being the King of Team Plasma or just why he is so interested in her.
For a moment it almost seemed she was finally gonna have the dream come true as after that battle she saw N getting frustrated. She hoped that he would say something to show he is a sore loser. To call her a Cheater or that she was unfair so that she could just throw an insult at him and not feel bad at all.
But he wasn't angry with her, he was angry at himself. Not for losing, but for seemingly not being able to understand why he lost.
"My friends getting hurt...That's what a Pokémon battle is. Why? Is it impossible for me to win while feeling bad about being a Trainer? As if I could pursue the truth with something as meaningless as a battle! As if that could make me worthy to become friends with the legendary Pokémon!"
She wasn't prepared for the sudden mood swing, as in the battle he was fully calm and in control, now he was just flat out angry. She wanted to call him out on it. Tell N that it was his own fault for challenging her and losing in the first place. But…
He scared her.
The sudden change, and how he was shouting just spooked her in a way she wasn't expecting. Hilda froze on the spot, doing nothing as N continued to question and berate himself for acting like a Trainer. She actually had forgotten she encountered Professor Juniper and Bianca in the cave after meeting with N the first time. Due to N's yelling, they came running and it only seemed to further escalate the situation when N saw the Professor.
He started to just lash out to Juniper about her pokédex. When Juniper tried to defuse the situation, he stomped off.
"You're saying I should just allow people to think whatever they want and treat Pokémon however they want, no matter whether the Pokémon suffer? I refuse to tolerate the existence of a world like that!"
While Professor Juniper and Bianca both brushed off N's parting words, they lingered with Hilda. She had to sit through a lot of Team Plasma members' talking throughout her adventure. They were always consistent on what they had to say about trainers and how owning Pokémon is bad. That was what set them so apart, like each of them read from a script and was just ordered to say those words as an excuse to do whatever they wanted. Not to mention there was a total difference in what they would say and how they act. Where they steal and hurt Pokémon that they wanted to protect.
N was the only one to really be more than all talk. He did seem to honestly care about what he was saying. Neither the Plasma Grunts nor the Sages ever had the level of anger in their voice that N had when he yelled at himself, let alone at Professor Juniper. Not to mention no one else in Team Plasma had the same kind of reaction to their Pokémon getting hurt that N held.
None of them had ever hesitated when reaching for their Pokémon. None of them had ever petted their fainted Pokémon before recalling them to their balls. None had ever told their Pokémon to stop fighting when they saw it had a major injury.
N had done all those kinds of things. Which only made her more confused. If he is supposed to be Team Plasma's leader, then how could he allow them to be so crude. He despised battling; the very idea of Pokémon getting hurt. There is some logic to it, at least that Hilda can see why he would want to take Pokémon away from Trainers. Not every Trainer deserved Pokémon.
But just because she believed that N was making some good points, didn't mean she was blind to how narrow minded he was, that he must have tunnel vision. How else could he possibly not see that Team Plasma wasn't any better than the average Trainer. That, in fact, Team Plasma was worse. That it was made up of people who actively seek out to do battles, made up of people that steal from children, made up of people who abuse helpless Pokémon.
Days would go by, and still the thought of it all would mess with Hilda's mind nearly every time she thought about Team Plasma. There was many times she wanted to just find N, grab him by his hair, and hit him till he stopped being stupid. There were just as many times she wanted to force him to sit down with her so that they could talk like normal people to each other. Just so she could make sense of it all.
It was less than two weeks after the meeting in the cave before they met again in Mistralton City, right after she had defeated the Gym leader. She wasn't in the best state of mind to ask him the questions she wanted to ask.
Getting shot through a cannon and smacked against a wall like a circus performer, doesn't leave you in the right state of mind to be doing much of anything. At first, she honestly thought the whole encounter was a dream, as they did not even battle. He assured her that she was awake. Even pinched her.
He was not gentle.
"Why would you do it to my ear?!"
"You asked me to."
"Not on my earlobe, you Chikorita-haired jerk!"
"I think calling my hair like a Bayleef would fit fit better."
"Oh shut up, my head hurts."
In a way she almost got what she wanted. A chance to just talk to him. That didn't mean it felt natural to do so. Even without a battle between them, the conversation was far from normal. N told her that he is able to talk to Pokémon, and he wanted to ask one of hers a question. After she let him do so, he made the usual point about how battling only really ends in Pokémon getting hurt. She was going to tell him off for repeating himself, but she also heard him complimenting her on how she treated her team.
While he may have seemed genuine, Hilda knew it was just the head injury talking at that point. She was almost sure he hated her for all the trouble she caused him and Team Plasma at that time. It was when N started to talk about special stones that would magically bring forth a Legendary Dragon-type Pokémon, when the dizziness got too much for Hilda. She fell onto his chest and would have fallen to the floor if he hadn't caught her.
"Are you okay?"
"I hit my head pretty hard when I was blasted out of the cannon in the gym."
"Cannon? Like the ones in the gym? Those were decorative. You didn't actually shoot yourself out from those, did you? There were ladders, you coul-...oh."
"I'm so sorry."
Hilda still wasn't sure what was more embarrassing at the time. Getting a concussion in the gym because she fired herself out a cannon and hit face first into a wall or vomiting on N's lap as he was talking to her. She would guess the latter, as he also helped walk her to the nearest Human-Center for her to get a checkup at. It was almost enough to make her start crying, as he led her inside and had done the paperwork for her to sign in. He even had the nerve to put himself down as one of her emergency contacts in case of anything.
She tried to challenge him to a battle, but he said that it wouldn't be fair towards either of them if she was sick. N made her promise that she would see the nurse and be treated with proper rest. Hilda had only agreed to do so when he allowed her to give him money for the dry cleaning of his pants.
Months passed after that meeting. Hilda had recovered from her concussion and had set out for the next gym battle in only a few days, spending many nights wondering about N and many more nights complaining about the cold.
She had defeated Brycen and had gotten her second to last badge. She was starting to see the end of her journey in sight as she was finally gonna have all the badges to fight in the Pokémon League. Things were looking up for her.
Only fitting that it all suddenly crashed down.
Her friends were outside the gym to greet her after the victory. Cheren talked about his strength, and Bianca spoke about what she wanted to do with her life. Hilda had wanted to laugh at them, because of how silly they were acting. Especially towards each other. It was nice to know that her friends were always nearby even with how far from home they all were.
She was going to make a joke about it. That such a thing made her feel warm, despite it being negative five degrees and she was in short shorts. She didn't even get a chance to say a word though. Brycen came out of the gym and started to shout out in the air. Yelling for those hidden to show themselves. It was The Shadow Triad.
In a blink of an eye, three of them had surrounded Hilda, her friends, and the Gym leader. It was one of the few moments Hilda was willing to admit she was worried. That it was gonna be another battle when she never got a chance for her Pokémon to rest. The Shadow Triad didn't make any challenge though. They were sent to give a message to her.
"Come to Dragonspiral Tower. It is there our Lord N waits for you."
She had heard stories of the two dragons at many points in her life. Be it from school, her friends, people she talked to, or even from N. She didn't really believe such stories of so-called Legendary Pokémon. She knew them as just stories to tell to little kids or people that were in need of faith. There was no possible way for such powerful Pokémon to actually exist. Being raised to worship a fossil kills any kind of mystique one can have for such things.
She was proven hysterically wrong at Dragonspiral Tower.
Despite how much she didn't want to believe it, a lot of proof was brought to her at once. How the tower would shake due to simple stomps, how a single roar echoed louder than any speaker can, how she was in an old tower with no air condition and sweating despite that literal freezing temperature outside.
She tried to just push her thoughts away by battling, wading through a gauntlet of Plasma Grunt after Plasma Grunt in the ultimate test of her patience. She rushed onward so she can really let N have it for filling her head with nearly a year long headache at that point.
Who seemed to be having the time of his life?
"Would you idiots, just stop getting in my way-"
"Burn, baby, burn!"
"...what the actual fuck?"
When Hilda had finally reached the top floor, she was locked in place by what she saw. No sly comment to be made or expletive could capture the honest moment of awe she was in as she witnessed a Legendary Pokémon right before her eyes.
The piercing blue eyes, the white color, the sheer heat radiating off the dragon was nothing like any of the Pokémon Hilda had seen before. She forgot that N was in the same room, that he was even standing in front of the Legendary Pokémon at that moment. He smiled at her and gave a look of understanding.
"What do you think, Hilda? How do you like the beautiful form of the Pokémon who appears before and fights beside the hero that will lead the way to a new world?"
"Can...Can I pet it?"
N laughed. It was a full belly laugh, like that of a child being told the funniest joke they ever heard. Hilda wasn't trying to make a joke though; she did want to pet the Legendary Pokémon. She thought it look soft.
"Now Reshiram and I will head to the Pokémon League and defeat the Champion! This will be the last of the Pokémon battles that hurt Pokémon so. A world for Pokémon alone...It's finally going to be a reality. If you want to stop me, you must become a hero as well!"
"wat?"
"That's right! When Reshiram's counterpart, Zekrom, recognizes you, we will finally be even, and then you can try to stop us."
"I'm going to have...one too?"
"Well, what will you do? My prediction...If the future that I see is true, you will meet Zekrom. The Pokémon with you believe in you so strongly… Will you be the one who interferes with my formula for changing the world? If you want to protect the bonds between Pokémon and people, you must search for Zekrom! I'm sure it is waiting for you in the form of the Dark stone."
"Wait, where do I find that?! Do I just go to poke-mart and ask around!?"
Without any answers, N was swept up in the air by the Legendary Pokémon. Leaving her confused and even a bit jealous after the whole ordeal. She went looking for what N called the Dark stone immediately after. More than willing for her to even the odds with her own Legendary Pokémon.
The weight of it all dawned on Hilda as she was trying to sleep that night.
When the excitement started to fade out, she began to realize what really was gonna happen. She was going to fight N with them both armed with Legendary Dragons, at the Pokémon League. Not just to show strength or for a competition of who was the best, but in a battle for the fate of Trainers and their Pokémon.
N was many things to her.
The King of Team Plasma. The man that wanted to free all Pokémon. The hero that rode a white dragon capable of destroying the whole region. The boy that had invited her on a Ferris Wheel ride. The friend that took her to the center when she was hurt. The dream that motivated her.
Getting the Dark Stone was not easy. Wandering through an underground cave, with quicksand-pits to deeper floors was not fun. It became even less fun as she encountered Team Plasma. The grunts were no longer an issue. The most they could do was slow her down just a bit. Each battle fought was just free battle experience for her and her team at that point. But then there was Ghetsis, one of the sages of Team Plasma.
"It looks like everyone is here. It seems you are working hard to resurrect Zekrom, the other Dragon-type Pokémon, aren't you? But it appears the Dark Stone you seek is not here. Well then, congratulations are in order! Hilda, you were chosen by our king. If you truly desire to keep the world as it is, where Pokémon live alongside people, you must bring the other Dragon-type Pokémon spoken of in legend and battle with our king. Otherwise, Team Plasma will steal every Pokémon from every person in the world and release them all!"
He was nothing like the other sagas. The others just seem just a step above the usual grunts. Sprouting the same kind of talk, and always being so one note as they wanted to serve their King. Ghetsis was different, but not just in how he looked different from all of them, but in just how he spoke. Like there was always something under his words. A second meaning or threat.
She was thankful to not be left alone with the man. She had her friend, Cheren, with her. And in turn they had the Champion of the region itself, Alder.
Even then, Hilda did not feel safe.
Ghetsis was outnumbered and stood against some of the best Trainers in all of Unova. All of his grunts were beaten, and there was little to no escape for him if they wanted to fight. Yet the man just smiled at them; at her.
Alder tried to keep the attention on himself by arguing with Ghetsis. The Champion tried to make himself sound proud, to imitate the sage. Almost every word thrown by him was thrown back at greater force.
"I won't lose! I'll fight for all Trainers who love their Pokémon, and for all Pokémon who believe in their Trainers!"
"Our king has no interest in you. He has already determined that victory against you is assured."
"So you stayed behind to just tell me that? Just to make a fool of me?"
"Of course not. I'm doing this out of kindness. Yes, kindness. I'm making sure the Champion doesn't get hurt for no reason. Granted, the moment when someone loses all hope... I really do love to watch that moment. Well then, farewell."
The air felt heavy, even as Ghetsis walked away from them. Alder tried to comfort her and Cheren about it. That it was okay for them to not worry, because he would be there to face N at the Pokémon league. Hilda called him stupid for thinking that.
Cheren tried to shush her for saying such a thing, but Alder agreed. They needed insurance. Making their way out the ruins, they tried to talk more about what happened; what will happen, then she got a call from Professor Juniper. A short flight on a Druddigon was all that was needed after that.
The Dark Stone was in Nacrene City, and it was given to Hilda there. She was gonna be the insurance against N. Just as he said, two heroes wielding legendary dragons against each other for the fate of the whole region. Only, she didn't know how to wake the ancient Pokémon from its slumber.
She was told to go to Opelucid City. There she might find the answers she needed, and be able to get the final Gym badge, so that she could enter the League. The journey was really hard for her, and Hilda didn't know what to think now that an actual end to everything was finally in sight.
At that point battling wasn't even on her mind anymore. The weight of facing Team Plasma, fighting N, and of people counting on her was growing with passing day. Region destroying dragons and talk of being the last chance for everyone. It was too much. Yet the Champion of the region, a Gym Leader, the Professor, and one of her best friends were all looking at her as it was being said. So, she had to hold her hat over her eyes so they couldn't see her holding back her tears.
"I'm only 14 years old for fuck sakes."
"What was that Hilda?"
"...I said you can count on me."
The trip back to Icirrus City to continue her journey was mind numbing. Try as she might to gain some control of her emotions, the intensity of the situation just seemed to keep growing for her. She began to feel trapped, stuck in a rut she couldn't escape from. So much so that she just stopped thinking all together, almost acting like an automaton.
The few battles she had, barely made her put in any effort. Hilda couldn't even take Bicana seriously, when she challenged her to a battle. There was no longer a challenge or rush to it. Just another battle for her to win at that point, another step closer to the final battle between her and N.
She had taken a break on Tubeline Bridge to collect her thoughts for a few minutes. Had leaned on the railing and watched the trains underneath the floor grate pass by as she tried to come up with a plan. She was always the type of person to run towards a problem and face it as soon as possible.
But at that time, she felt there was just too much at stake for her to do such a thing. For Hilda, it was easy when it was just herself she needed to worry about. Worrying about the whole region as well was...
The fire that she had for battling, for winning, just seemed to burn itself out.
She didn't know what to do anymore as thoughts ran back and forth through her mind like trains in a station. If she needed to change how she trained her Pokémon. If she could actually face N one more time in the Pokémon league. If she could gain her own Legendary Pokémon. If she could even waste time thinking when she should be acting.
There was only one thing she could do at the time.
"Hello sweetie! I'm shocked you are calling me so soon. Usually, I need to call you. Nothing is wrong right? Hello...Hilda?"
"Mom, I need help. I am in a bad situation and things are so fucked up. I need to talk to someone, anyone. I don't know who else to talk to, but I-..."
It was one of her lowest points. Sitting on a bridge, calling her mother with tears and snot running down her face like a little kid. Hilda tried to explain as much as she could all at once, going into full detail with everything that had happened with Team Plasma, the Dragons, and N. Her words turned to mere babble as she wailed on the spot. Hilda's mother tried to calm her, tried to listen between the sobs as best she could, to sooth her daughter and understand what she was trying to say.
"Sweetie, stop and breathe for a moment. You're making it sound like the end of the world."
"It might as well be for every Trainer there is! Bird Jesus, Mom it is so much shit happening. And I don't know what to do, what I can do!"
"Hilda, please listen to me. Whatever it is, you can talk to me about it. I promise, I will listen. If you're in trouble, I'll come to you if you need me to. I don't care how far it is. Just tell me, and I-"
"Mom, I-...I...I am not alone."
A sense of something overcame Hilda right then, and as fast as she could, she hung up the call with her mother and turned the Xtransceiver off so that no one else could call her.
They kept themselves out of sight and moved around without making a sound, yet they left a presence. Like that of an omen.
As she picked herself off the floor, rubbed at her face to get rid of the tears and snot from her crying. That was when The Shadow Triad had come out of hiding. They had surrounded her at all sides, making it impossible for her to run. They commanded her to come with them just like back in the cave.
She was dragged further along the bridge, right up to outside the gate to Route-9. There Ghetsis was waiting for her.
She didn't have Alder or Cheren with her now. Meaning she was now fully alone with this man, on a bridge at night. His voice oozed with pure confidence, the same as it was in the ruins. His words made her feel like joltiks were climbing over her skin. Even when The Shadow Triad left her side to join his, Hilda still felt surrounded. Still felt that she needed to be on guard for anything sudden.
"Excellent. It seems that you have obtained the Dark Stone. I congratulate you on a job well done."
"Get to the point, Dusclops."
"Heh, how quaint. It is my lord N's thought that the two holders of the legendary Pokémon should put their beliefs on the line and strive to find which is the true hero. This is not necessary, however."
"I thought all you sage people cared about was following the king's orders. N has done nothing but talk about the two of us fighting."
"That goes to show how little you truly understand things. From his infancy, I provided him with the education required to become the hero of legend. Indeed, he has been so acknowledged by the legendary Pokémon. Such purity of purpose is his."
"Last I checked, isn't it a joint purpose?"
It was just a small question, and it caused Hilda to see the creaks for the kind of man Ghetsis really was. His tone changed like the flipping of a coin, and the smile he held turned smug. She had flinched when he stepped towards her, froze up even as he began to pace around her. She felt like an Emolga under the gaze of an Arbok. A speck of cinders in a blizzard.
"Oh, so it seems that there is more to you than just battles. And with such a mouth on you, I can see why Lord N would fancy you such. You casted quite a spell on him. I actually thought he was incapable of being interested in girls. Human ones at least."
"I didn't cast any spell on him-"
"Dressing like a whore helps as well, I suppose."
"What..."
There was a twisted look of glee in his eye as he raised his hand from his cloak and began to gesture with it like he would in his public speeches. Adding flair to each of his words like he was conducting a silent symphony only he could hear. She backed away when he almost touched her face with that hand. Something that made him seem to smile even more.
The passion that she held in her, that wanted to grow and achieve more was dying. Like a flame in a blizzard, each move this man made just smother her more and more.
"The liberation of Pokémon of which I...of which Team Plasma speaks is the separation of Pokémon from foolish people! That's the truth! All Trainers will become helpless to resist us! We alone will be able to use Pokémon!"
"That...That isn't what N wanted. He wanted all Pokémon to be free, not just to be used for Team Plasma."
Her words were a small spark in that blizzard. It was weak, and barely noticeable as Ghetsis's voice just seemed to grow louder. He even laughed at her claim as he took another step towards her, leaning his face to her level.
"Oh, still so naïve. The preparations are complete! When my perfect plan is set in motion, first a few gullible Pokémon Trainers who are unable to resist Team Plasma will release their Pokémon. Then that number will become a hundred, then a thousand... In no time, even the Gym Leaders and the Champion will become unable to fight us. Having a Pokémon will be considered a bad thing! Even people like the sad little Bianca, whose Pokémon was stolen in Castelia, will be unable to face public opinion and will release their Pokémon! That's the kind of world we'll make!"
"No. You don't get to say her name. Not while sprouting that...that...Tauroshit."
She remembered back to Castelia City where she saw Bianca crying as Team Plasma had stolen her Munna from her. How she had bruises on her face and arms as they had beaten her for trying to resist...
The spark in the blizzard began to make embers. Began to form a fire that stood against the howling wind of the cold. Hilda had glared at Ghetsis, had tightened her hands to fists as he dared to even make fun of her friends. Dared to remind her of what they did to Bianca.
"Is it now?"
"People are going to fight against you. Against this stupid decree. You are talking about oppressing people just because they don't have Pokémon! You think just because some think it's bad, everyone will agree! That's stupid!"
"Exactly! You are correct, it goes to show you are vastly different from that foolish boy."
"N?"
"Our so-called king actually believes that it is as simple as that. That after becoming champion, there will no longer be anymore battling for Pokémon under Human control. Those that try to stand against us, like Cheren, will simply be put down. Will be broken under the power of Reshiram. Perhaps even made an example of. What better way to implement a rule than with a few executions?"
"Don't you talk about my friends like that. N would never EVER allow such a thing!"
The fire continued to burn, growing hotter and larger with each passing word. Growing further as Ghetsis continued to openly laugh at her. Hilda's fists began to shake with rage, as she began to actively hold herself back. The fire was growing, roaring in defiance. Turning to an inferno.
"That he would, unless simply put, he sees no other option. After all, he is not like you and me. N is a freak. A heartless disgusting creature that belongs more sitting on a tree stump than a throne. Oh, and wh-"
She still heard Ghetsis speaking. Would've felt him leaning towards her as his voice became more tyrannical.
None of the words bothered to register in her mind though, as all sense of control suddenly just slipped at that moment. Hilda brought her hands together and interlocked her fingers into that of an axe-handle.
She thought of N. Thought of the sad look he always gave after their battles. Thought about the passion and hope in his voice as he spoke about a world where Pokémon are free. Thought about the smile he gave her when he issued her that challenge.
There was no longer a blizzard. The inferno had turned itself into a sun.
"Nothing matters little girl! You may have the Stone, but there's no chance whatsoever that the legendary Pokémon will accept you as the hero. So, if you're not willing to hand over your precious Pokémon, I suggest you search for some courage- because you're going to need i-"
A creaking of bone, and a loud grunt of exacerbated pain was heard throughout the bridge as Ghetsis fell backwards, right into the arms of his Shadow Triad. His hands draped onto his mouth and chin as he gave muffled spats and curses. Two teeth fell, slipping right through the floor grate right onto the train tracks under the bridge.
Hilda had reeled her cupped hands back and slammed her fists into the bottom of Ghetsis' chin. Breaking off several of his front teeth with the sudden attack.
Ghetsis didn't take it well as he spat out blood. He shoved his Shadow Triad from him and began shouting with a lisp as he pulled himself to his feet. He reached his hands within his cloak and retrieved a pokéball, with The Shadow Triad doing the same. Hilda didn't even flinch, she didn't move. She glared down at each of them, waiting to put each and every one of them down. She didn't want to battle. She wanted to fight.
She didn't care how dark the sky suddenly began. She didn't care about how her bag was trembling. She didn't care that a bolt of lightning came down, just inches from her own face.
Her attention was only on Ghetsis. Only on how she felt insulted that neither him nor any of his pets weren't immediately attacking her at that moment. She threw her head forward, and something primal in her made her scream. Made her roar like a wild beast. Hilda saw Ghetsis one eye widen, saw his shoulders quake. He spoke a sentence in a low whisper, yet she was able to hear him perfectly.
"You're just as much of a freak as he is."
There wasn't any fighting to be had. The Shadow Triad had taken their master and vanished from sight before Hilda could make any move. She didn't cheer for victory; she didn't even call out to them for being cowards.
She just continued to the next city.
After that day, it was soon discovered for the whole region that Tubeline Bridge was wrecked beyond any kind of repair. Parts of it were melted, with large dents that covered the entire metal bridge. The cause was from a sudden electrical storm that was said to be never seen before.
Hilda found out about it as she was getting her hand treated in the human center outside of Opelucid City, having not noticed the damage on the bridge as she was walking away from it. It didn't really interest her though.
She had broken the back of her right hand on Ghetsis's chin while delivering that double axe-handle. She swung as hard as she could and despite the pain, was rewarded for it. Not just in seeing the man in pain for all the horrid things he said, but in what he said after, as he was looking at her with fear.
That she was just like N.
The amount of stratification such a thing brought her was otherworldly. Very much worth the stitching in the back of her palm, and the dominant hand in a cast. Her excitement had returned, and she felt just as alive as she did at the start of her journey.
When Hilda arrived in Opelucid City, she was quick to meet up with Alder with the two seeing Team Plasma having another public showing. It didn't last as she began to heckle the Saga as he was in mid-speech, and the old man recognized exactly who she was. Alder questioned her what she had done to cause them to run. The look on the Champion's face was priceless.
When they met with Iris and Drayden, Alder was the one to inform them of everything that had happened with Team Plasma and N. Once doing so, proclaimed that he'll defeat N. That he will be the one to teach him a listen of the world with Pokémon and Trainers.
"You're wrong."
It took two words for one of the strongest Trainers in the region to flinch away from her. To not even form a proper response, as he said his goodbye to them and left to return to the Pokémon League.
Iris and Drayden explained what they could about the two Legendary Dragons. The one that was currently with N, was Reshiram. The dragon of truth that sought to usher in a new and better world. The dragon that was meant for her, Zekrom, was the dragon of ideals that sought to usher a world of hope.
The two told her a story about the Pokémon's history, involving twin heroes that were in a heated argument that caused a battle that raged endlessly. Only stopping when the twin heroes proclaimed that neither side was right.
Only for the twin heroes' sons to start the battle again, except this time the two dragons destroyed Unova and disappeared. Hilda was up front in telling them that was the worst story she has ever heard.
Easily she felt that the two wasted her time. Especially as they told her that they didn't know how to awaken the Legendary Pokémon. She had gotten her revenge in the gym battle. They had dragons, one of the strongest types of Pokémon possible. And yet they lost like all the rest. There was such a rush as things returned to normal, as she fell back to old comfortable habits.
"I'm back! Yes! Hey, I just thought of a story, of a local hero that was on her way to save the region from having to surrender their Pokémon, only to have her time wasted by an old man that seemed to forget that when growing his beard to a muzzle, he needs to learn when to shut up!"
"Hey-"
"Hey yourself, tell you what, if you want me to actually listen to you, maybe last more than a few minutes in the match! By the helix, I can't believe they let little kids like you be a Gym Leader. What's next, the Champion? HA!"
When she left the Gym with her final badge in hand, Professor Juniper was there to greet her outside the entrance. She told Hilda that she came to report on how to resurrect Zekrom. Something that she thought would be better to say in person, that on the Xtransciever. Meaning she had to take time to travel across the region to Opelucid City. A thought Hilda made immediately when Juniper told her she hadn't figured it out yet.
She warned the professor to change the topic fast.
Juniper changed the conversation to what Hilda had done. That she had gotten all badges needed for her to enter the league. That she had grown strong as a trainer and as a person after all she had been through. Not only in the journey facing Trainers and gym battles, but also going against Team Plasma. Standing in front of the gate that would lead her to Victory Road, Juniper just had one last question for her.
"Hilda? Do you regret setting out on your Pokémon journey?"
The question felt a certain weight to it, and made Hilda think of it all. Team Plasma aside, her journey wasn't easy. She had spent many a night having to fix her own injuries, having to rush to centers to treat her Pokémon, having to go to sleep hungry, and do things she isn't exactly proud of to get by. Adding Team Plasma on top of it just seemed to worsen the experience, as she remembered the stress of it all getting to her.
But the journey taught her so much of the world. Taught her friends, just as much. Gave her a team of Pokémon that would have her back. Gave her a reason to always push forward in her battles. Gave her a chance to help others. Gave her a rival that she thinks about every passing day.
"I regret nothing."
On the one-year anniversary of her starting her journey, she had walked the victory road, and had emerged upon the Pokémon League. It was awe-aspiring to be there for her to step up those stairs. To be greeted with the aged building that showed hundreds of years' worth of history.
The Pokémon League is almost a mythic place for Trainers to come to. To just enter, one would need to face the journey. A hard task to travel across the whole region and face each gym in their respected city. If one succeeds there then they need to face The Victory Road, a place that breaks Trainers. With a labyrinth design, and strong wild Pokémon, few Trainers can ever make it through. Those that do, face the League. A place that pursues strength and expresses it through battle. The Elite Four the strongest Trainers in the region. Once facing them, there is no going back. No repeats, no do overs. You either are a winner or a loser.
And Hilda, was no loser. Something that each of the Elite Four learned, one by one.
Shauntal, the one who does not fear Ghost. Beaten.
"Looks like there was still plenty for you to be afraid of nerd! If you want some words, you're looking for I say disappointment, being a loser, failure, and looking like an idiot might suit you. Also, don't go fucking writing a fanfic of N! That's weird and creepy!"
Marshal, the one that channels the power of the fighting type. Beaten.
"Oh, you're channeling something; blueberry teeth! What happened, ate an Oren berry and forgot to brush? Or were you just that desperate to find a color to match the orange, you fucking tangerine!"
Caitlin, the one that knows the mind of the Psychic type. Beaten.
"Oh, did that wake you up buttercup? Honestly sleeping on the job, what is wrong with you? You're a damn Elite Four member, and I am here on literally one of the most important days of my life, and I gotta stand here while you're in your pajamas!"
Grimsley, the one who mastered the Dark type. Beaten.
"By the Helix, are you trying to say a haiku about battles? Also, what the hell is with your outfit, you look like a butler with a scarf. Then again your hair isn't better. Looks like it is gonna start flapping...please tell me you didn't style it after a Honchkrow."
Each one of them fell before her without any of her Pokémon fainting or needing much medical help. When she was the last one standing among them, they bitterly had to declare her as the strongest Trainer in the Pokémon League. And all that was left for her to do was go to the champions room.
She asked about N, but they each stayed silent. They told her that they are to remain neutral under the orders of the Champion and would not answer any of her questions. She retorted by insulting them again and thanking them for being helpful in a very sarcastic tone.
Standing in front of the steps that lead to her supposed final battle, Hilda stopped to take a moment. To breathe in the air, as she thought of all she had seen, all she had done. She had thought about N.
She had beaten every single person in her path. Every Plasma Grunt, even Trainer, every wild encounter was met without mercy or hesitation. Because of him. It wasn't that way at first. When she got her starter, she had the dream to be the best like no one ever was like most Trainers. To beat her friends and prove herself to be the best in the region.
Then N gave his challenge, and she wanted to beat him. Wanted to feel like a winner after a battle against him, in the best way possible. For months the thought carried her. Motivated her. Then she got to learn more about him. Had him help her. Had him believe her as an equal.
Then there was what happened on the bridge with Ghetsis. It changed her outlook on what was needed from her. What was needed for N. She didn't want to battle him. She wanted to talk to him. Even after everything, she just believed that he needed to just stop and listen to someone else for once. The dream was put on hold, the plan was just to talk. Then maybe they could really be friends.
When she readied herself mentally, she stepped into the final building. All that stood between Hilda and her plan was just a few steps of stairs at that time, but it seemed that she was far too late.
N won.
She watched as he stood before the beaten champion of the Region, watched the smile on his face as he spoke about himself winning. She noted how relieved he looked, how his eyes sparkled with joy as he thought it would be one of his last battles that he would ever have to do. Alder tried to reason with him, but N...
"You and I both put our beliefs on the line and fought with all our strength. And I won. Do not say another word."
At one moment he was preaching, sounding relief and excited for the future. Then in an instant he was cold, and to the point. Staring down the strongest person in the region he just defeated, and making the older man just look to the floor in defeat. A reminder that one of them was a Champion and the other was a King.
"Whoa, that's kinda hot."
Her mouth reacted faster than her brain did. Saying such a thing caught the two men's attention. Hilda didn't know what Alder's reaction was on seeing her, she was too focused on N. He looked at her like a little kid seeing their ideal. With a smile and a glimmer in his eyes, he came up to her.
It must have been a sight for the Champion, Alder stood there as he saw herself and N. The region rivals, that would battle for the fate of Pokémon and their Trainers for the whole region with their ancient Legendary Dragons. A king, who speaks for the Pokémon, and a small town girl, who loves to win.
"...I've been waiting."
"Sorry for taking so long. I got a little lost on victory road. I...I am so sorry. I look like a mess. I have mud on my shoes, rocks in my hair, stains on my shirt and vest. Helix, what is wrong with me? I should have taken a shower at the center; I just look terrible."
"That's not true."
"It is, I mean look at me! I am so sweaty, and dirty! I'm pretty sure I stepped in Deino shit, because I've been putting up with the smell for like four hours, and I feel gross meanwhile you're spotless! I mean, I fought the Elite Four and called them out for looking like idiots, while I looked like I just wrestled my Emboar!"
"And yet, you're beautiful."
The moment he had turned and smiled, Hilda felt her body warm up, felt herself talking without thinking as she was suddenly self-conscious of how she looked. When N called her beautiful it was like a whiplash for her emotionally.
All of a sudden, she was back in front of that Ferris wheel with him, with no knowledge that he was the king of Team Plasma. That all he was, is just a weird good-looking man, that talked fast and loved his Pokémon. A man that talked about how interesting Ferris Wheel mathematics was.
She started to giggle. He began to laugh with her too. It was a good moment. A sincere moment between them.
He ruined it by summoning a castle from the ground.
Without warning he began to talk about how they both have stones in their possessions. That Reshiram was responding to the one she had. She wanted to challenge him then and there. But he stopped her. Said that the League wasn't good enough for their final battle.
With a raised arm and a shout, a literal castle erupted from the ground. With it large enough to surround the entire Pokémon League, even tower against it. It was a major feat of architecture.
There was barely even time to react to its sudden arrival before it shot out stairways to connect itself to the Pokémon League. Even as one crashed through the wall behind him and landed by his feet, N did not move a muscle. He started talking again, but Hilda couldn't pay much attention, as she was trying to make sense of how he managed to summon a castle from the ground.
Was not till he climbed up on the stairway, that she snapped out of her stupor.
Her friend Cheren was not far behind during the whole thing, but she didn't even notice him till he ran past her to check up on Alder. Both of them tried to talk to her. Tried to motivate her. To push her as she was going to battle N.
That was the dream. It was not the plan.
"I...I lost. I should have been able to demonstrate the bond between me and my Pokémon. That would have shown that brat the worthlessness of his outrageous drea-"
Hilda's fist meets the Champion's face right then and there. It caught the older man by surprise and knocked him right onto his backside. Cheren shouted at her for doing such a thing. She punched him as well.
"Shut the fuck up! Both of you! Battle-battle this, battle-battle that! Don't you two have anything else to freaking talk about!? I didn't come here to fight N! I came to talk to him."
"Hilda. People have tri-"
"You wanna get punched again, Cheren? Do any of you actually care about what N's saying? Do any of you actually listen, or do you just stop caring about that because he said something you didn't like and just want to discredit him entirely?"
"Are you symp-"
"There you go, not listening! He told you to not say another word, and here you are running that mouth off! Calling him a, what is it...oh right. A brat. One that you wanted to show the worthlessness of his outrageous dream...a dream that is keeping Pokémon safe from people that abuse them!"
It felt good to yell. It felt good to pay him back for the pressure he put on her. He was no champion. He was just another loser.
"All any of you do is lecture or brush him off! He's not a bad guy! What do you think it'll happen if he lost? He'll scamper into his super villain hideout!?"
"He does have a castl-"
She punched Alder again. It felt better than yelling. She was very tempted to keep doing it.
"He needs a friend! Not just someone that is gonna throw words at him without listening back! Not someone who all he does is talk about strength and battling! He needs a friend and Helix damn it, I am gonna be his friend!"
"...why?"
"Because he is a good person. Because he cares. Because his dreams mean something to him. Because even if I did beat him, if by some miracle I manage to really pull it off...no one wins."
With that, she stepped on the stairway and began to walk up. On the one-year anniversary of her journey, things were finally coming to an end. Her plan was set. And there was not a regret to be had.
[Wish to say, thank you for reading this. I hope you enjoyed what I wrote. Please, leave a review to tell me what you all think of it. I am really interested to see what people think of my version of Hilda. To add to the character, just imagine she is voiced by Jamie Marchi (i.e Junko from Danganronpa and Panty from Panty & Stocking.
I wish to be clear this is gonna be a few chapter story, with the first two chapters being step up that follows the end of Black/white. With this chapter acting as a reflection of the past, the next and everything else will be on that moment. Thank you again for reading, and please again, tell me what you think so I can improve in the future. Thanks.]