Training was essential, especially with a new addition to the team, but there was only so much me and my pokemon could take. We had trained for a few days, nearly constantly, and it was all becoming monotonous now. It seemed like there wasn't much more we could gain by battling wild pokemon and practicing moves without a target was doomed to failure.

So, it was with this thought in mind that I entered the pokemon gym, ready to take on Burgh. I paused for a moment upon entering the building, taking in the sight. The whole building seemed to be separated into different rooms, a layer of… honey? Blocking my entrance into each room.

"What the…?" I muttered, walking up to the first wall of and placing my hand against it.

I put a small amount of pressure on it and watched as it bent underneath my hand. After a moment I pulled my hand away and examined it. Nothing sticky. It was some sort of fake honey, but it didn't get me dirty which I was perfectly fine with. The problem was figuring out how to get through it.

I pushed on it again, a little bit harder. All of a sudden I felt the wall snap and my hand was on the other side.

"I have to push myself through it?" I whispered, pushing my other hand against it.

Sure enough, my other hand pushed through the material and was free on the other side. I stared at it blankly for a few moments before taking a deep breath and pressing the rest of my body against it and closing my eyes.

Suddenly I felt myself stumbling forwards and I realized that I had made it through the wall. My arms swiveled in circles on either side of me as I fought to regain my balance. After a moment I was able to stop falling and stand up straight again. I turned to look at the wall I had just entered through to see that you couldn't tell that I had touched it at all.

"Amazing," I breathed, turning my head away from it.

The room in front of me was all solid walls and entirely empty except for one glowing square on the floor. Feeling like I had nothing to lose, I walked across the room and stepped on top of that square. A sudden shaking took over the whole building as one of the walls to my right rose into the ceiling. Behind it was the same fake honey.

I stepped off the square and paused for good measure, making sure the wall wouldn't come back down. When I was certain that it would stay up, I took a running stare and charged straight through the wall. On the other side was a man, arms crossed and smiling at me.

"I see you've figured out the trick to the walls," He laughed a little, "Usually it takes people ages to figure out you can walk through them."

I smiled a little approaching him, "Well, it's certainly not anything I've ever seen before."

"And you won't see it again," He pushed off the wall he was standing on and advanced towards me, "Unless you beat me."

I crossed my arms over my chest, a smile taking over my lips, "Sounds like a deal."

The rest of the gym was impossible to get through unless I defeated the rest of the trainers that resided inside. Of course, I had no problem taking them down and the extra training it provided me was very beneficial.

"Ah, White! I've been awaiting your arrival!" Burgh cried once I reached him, extending his arms to the side in a warm welcome.

I smiled as I stood opposite him, "I'm sorry I left you waiting for so long."

He laughed openly, "You have arrived much quicker than I expected. This battle will surely be a good one! Are you prepared?"

"Bring it on." I challenged, backing away to the other side of the battle field.

Burgh sent out his pokemon at the same time I sent out mine. Immediately I saw what a close battle this would be. Neither of us had the type advantage against the other and we would be locked into a battle of sheer will power.

Unfortunately for Burgh, defeat was not something I would not tolerate. The battle came down to us both battling with our last pokemon and no potions.

"This is the most exciting battle I've had in years!" Burgh exclaimed across the field, "You have such determination and skill!"

The battle continued for a few more minutes before my Zorua managed to land the final hit.

"Zorua! Amazing job!" I cried, running into the field and scooping my small, dog-like pokemon up into my arms, "You did it!"

Burgh returned his pokemon to its ball and walked to meet me in the middle of the gym, "You are amazing, White. You deserve this more than any trainer I have ever given it to. "

With that, he extended his hand forward, a badge placed neatly in his palm. I lifted it carefully from his hand and examined it before placing it safely inside my badge case.

"Thank you, Burgh." I smiled.

He placed a hand firmly on my shoulder, "White, I've never seen someone as talented and determined as you. Please, never give up. You'll change this world."

He then turned and exited the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. His words had sucked all f the excitement straight out of me. Why was everyone telling me that I was something so great? Surely they can't all think I'm the savior of the world or something.

I sighed and shook my head, placing Zorua pack in his ball and turning to face the way I came. I took a deep breath before charging through the wall again. I didn't stop running until I was safely out of the gym and on the streets of Castelia again.

I paused for a moment and doubled over to catch my breath. Clouds hung over the city in a threatening manner. I knew a storm was brewing by the way the cold air nipped at my exposed flesh. After a second, I took off at a full sprint again towards the pokemon center.

The cold air blew tears into my eyes as I tried to run off the thoughts that I was something special and that I would be forced into a role that I wasn't ready for. There was no changing what would come, so there was no point dwelling on my thoughts.

I rushed into the pokemon center and handed my pokemon over to the nurse, catching my breath while she healed them. Finally, she handed them back to me and I thanked her before exiting. As soon as I reached the streets again, rain came pouring down from the sky. I barely had a chance to cover my head when a hand grasped my arm and pulled me away.

I stumbled and tripped as I followed behind whoever was pulling me away. After a few moments of walking, I was pushed inside one of the buildings along the outskirts of the town. As I took a moment to look around, I felt something drape over my shoulders.

"Huh?" I asked, pulling the fabric closer so I could look at it. "A sweatshirt?"

"Yeah, it's mine." A voice replied. I spun around quickly to come face-to-face with green eyes.

"N!" I cried, stepping back, "What are you doing here?"

He strode passed me and took a seat on one of the chairs that occupied the room, "Escaping the rain."

"N," I sighed, shaking my head, "You're impossible,"

"What do you mean?" He asked, slight amusement glinting in his eyes.

With another sigh, I plopped down in the chair next to him, pulling his sweatshirt a little tighter over me, "You don't answer any of my questions directly."

"You see, White. That's why I've brought you here."

"That's not creepy at all," I muttered under my breath.

N laughed at me and slouched a little lower into his chair. He looked comfortable and casual as he sat across from me. Somehow I got the idea that this side of him was rare to see. Not that I'd know, I'd only met him a few times. But there was just a feel about him.

"I'm going to tell you a little about myself, White. But in return, you must tell me about yourself." He replied after a few moments.

"Seems fair enough."

He ran a hand across the back of his neck, as he appeared to be thinking. Whether he was thinking about how to say something or what he should be saying at all, I didn't know. I wasn't really sure I wanted to know, either.

"You see, I have this goal. I've been raised to believe that I can achieve my goal, too. So I'm out on this adventure trying to find a way to make my dream a reality." He spoke finally, eyes averted to the ground.

After he was silent for a moment and I was sure that he wouldn't begin to speak again, I spoke up, "What is your dream, N?"

He hesitated for a moment. And, in that moment, I knew he wouldn't answer me. He couldn't. I didn't know why, and I wasn't sure that I would ever find out why, but I wouldn't push him into talking. If there was one thing I hated the most it was when people made me answer questions that I was clearly not okay with answering.

"Nevermind, It's okay. You don't need to tell me. Just know that I hope you achieve your dream." I replied before he had a chance to speak.

"No, White," He spoke up, his voice just barely a whisper, "I really don't think you do."

"What?" I cried, "Are you absurd? Why wouldn't I want you to achieve your goal?"

N looked up at me, a small smile on his lips, "Just trust me on this one." He replied. I began to protest but he cut me off swiftly, "Anyways. Tell me about yourself."

We stared at each other for a few moments. His green eyes were locked with mine and I couldn't help but notice (yet again) how beautiful they are. I'd seen many people by now and still nobody had ever had eyes as captivating as his. In fact, I was nearly positive that I would never run into someone with eyes such as this.

He smiled at me before letting out a breath and averting his gaze. I felt myself becoming a little light headed as I continued to stare at his smile. It seemed like everything about him was attractive and stunning.

"Uhm… I… yeah…" I stumbled over my words trying to find the right thing to say. He laughed and the smooth sound soothed my nerves enough for me to be able to talk. I gulped down a big breath and began to speak again, "I'm out on an adventure, I guess you could say. I've always wanted to travel the world and make new friends. And I love pokemon. They're the best companions anyone could ever have."

N studied me while I talked but never interrupted me. I continued to babble for a few more minutes about where I was from and where I was going. He listened intently the whole time, nodding his head at the appropriate moments and laughing when I cracked a joke.

Finally, I shut up and he spoke up, "Well then. It's very nice to meet you, White."

He extended a hand in front of him. I stared at it for a moment before reaching mine out to shake it. Although it wasn't the first time we'd met, it was the first time we actually got to know each other, so I didn't question it.

"Still think I'm annoying?" He asked, drawing his hand back to his side.

I smiled, "You? No. The mystery that surrounds you and how you never seem to answer questions? Yes. I'll probably always find that annoying. Still dislike me?"

"You? No." He laughed, mocking me, "The fact that you're going to end up hating me? Yes. And the fact that you're everything I want? Even more so."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

His smile slipped from his face, "You'll find out in time, White. In time."

"Why is it always 'in time'? Why can't you tell me now?" I questioned, exasperated and sick of constantly hearing ilater/i.

"I'll tell you everything you need to know when the time is right. I promise." He muttered.

I sighed and slumped back in my chair. The fabric of his sweatshirt rubbed against my shoulders, reminding me that it was still there. I pulled it tighter around me, laying my cheek against the soft fabric.

As I inhaled, I noticed it smelled like apples; crisp and clean. It was the kind of scent that reminded me of innocence. I shut my eyes for a moment. The scent and feeling of the sweatshirt made me nostalgic. It reminded me of my childhood. I smiled a little as I opened my eyes, hoping to somehow find out that the innocence I got from this sweatshirt was deep within N still.

N was watching me with an interested expression on his face. It was like he wasn't sure what to think of what I was doing.

"N?"

"White?" He replied, sitting forward and resting his arms on his knees.

I looked at him for a moment, "Where will you go from here?"

"Around." He replied, "But I'll never be far, White."

We sat in silence for a moment as I let his words sink in. He had told me so much and I wasn't sure if all this information comforted or worried me. Now feeling like I knew him better made me feel more comfortable around him. He seemed like a really sweet guy with a pure heart. I almost felt silly for thinking he had anything to do with team plasma, even though he still was a mild mystery to me.

"Hey," He reached a hand out to lightly touch mine that was hanging off the side of the chair, "Cheer up. The storm won't be over for a while and I'm not going anywhere till it ends. I don't think you should, either."

And just like that, I was given the prospect of spending more time with him. Whether it was a good or a bad idea… well, I would soon find out.