"It is well known, or at least widely suspected, that out our universe is artificial.

Don't be so surprised- it's actually quite a reasonable assumption. The more we explore and advance, the less it seems to fit together. How does a pokéball store all of the information inherent in a Pokémon? Many theorize that it doesn't, and that they are merely stored in a pocket dimension, but this is obviously untrue when examined. The Pokémon are turned incorporeal and experience no time passing. While this is a possible result, it has to be made that way on purpose, and still fails to explain how a sphere made of plastic causes spacetime to curve.

Similar problems exist with the idea that they are turned into energy and stored. Simply put, such a device would take information technology hundreds of years more advanced than our own- and we have been able to create them by carving the fruit of a tree.

Of course, the implausibility does not simply end there. Pokemon themselves are the only known things with the ability to violate the conservation of energy, even taking into account the possibility of fusion or other ways of direct conversion. To the best of our measurements, the imputs of Pokemon match their outputs- with the exception of their attacks. Furthermore, while exhausted Pokemon have difficulties launching attacks, using these "moves" does not seem to appreciably tire the Pokemon in a way that is separate from the simple motions involved. Things in nature are only complex for two reasons- to make more of themselves, which many of these changes do not- and intelligent design."

- Excerpt from the lectures of Jamie Murphy, PHD

"Philosophers say a great deal about what is absolutely neccesary for science, and it is always, as far as one can see, rather naive, and probably wrong. The only rule of science is that ideas are supported by observations."

-Richard Feynman

If N had to have a third pokemon, this is definitely the best one I could ask for. It's weak to grass, it's mediocre overall, a basic evolution, and lacks a way to really harm grass types. Of course, all that goes out the window right now. Kusanagi is on its last legs, and can barely manage an attack.

Well, nothing for it. We are going to have to pull something.

"Kusanagi, begin a synthesis. Start to recover health."

"Tympole, close in a bit, and then use water gun."

The urgency has gone from our tones. At this point, it doesn't really matter, although of course he'll try and interrupt what I'm planning. Still, we aren't out yet, and at the rate we are going... I have about 30 seconds to find a solution. Ok, I can work with that.

Ok, so what I want is for Tympole to get knocked out. Ordinarily I might be able to make it just look like it would be, but N can understand Pokemon, so that bluff would come apart. In order to hit it hard enough, we are going to have to close with them. N also clearly seems to know this, seeing as Tympole is attacking from a range with water moves rather than up close. Now, how do I change that?

Well, I do have that closing move from before- pursuit. It's really my only way to speed up Kusanagi. It only works on fleeing foes, however, so that still begs the question- how do I get them to retreat? Well, he wants to stay at range, so that means...

"Kusanagi, go up and get him."

"Stand your ground. They won't be able to reach you before you knock them out."

Ok, then. How do I increase the threat…

"Begin charging a razor leaf!"

This is going to be costly, but hopefully we can reuse it…

"Step back, Tympole. It doesn't have a lot of range."

"Pursuit, now! Get in close and swing a leaf blade!"

As I watch, hoping beyond hope, I see the dark energy briefly form over the Servine before Kusanagi disappears in a flicker, appearing next to Tympole. The leaves only form for a moment, but it's more than enough. Tympole is clearly less experienced than his other mons, and it's weak to grass as well. Kusanagi also keels over from the effort, but self KO's have been an accepting part of victory for centuries. Did- did we do it? Or or does he have another friend, squirrelled away somewhere?

"I cannot see the future yet... the world is still to be determined..."

"It always is, N. When we deal with the future, all we have is probabilities. If it isn't specifically prohibited, we cannot exclude it from possibility. If you want to know what will happen, change it so you know it in advance."

"Yes, I know that- in order to get the future I want, I need to take control of it, but right now, my friends and I aren't strong enough to save all Pokémon. Maybe I can't solve the equation that will change the world. So, I need power... power enough to make anyone agree with me, power enough to tip the scale."

To save all Pokémon, huh. He certainly doesn't aim small. It's rare to see something like this- all to often, people are ambitious instead of having an ambition, and so nothing changes. Drive or no. However, he won't get anywhere without a plan, or a clear idea of what he has to fix. As I open my mouth to tell him this, however, he continues speaking.

"After battling you, I know what power I need. Zekrom! The legendary pokemon that, along with the hero, created the Unova region. I will find it, and make its power my own.

What. Isn't Zekrom a myth? Why does he think that he's better than everyone else, to the point that he can find what eluded every other searcher? No, that's a stupid thought- people don't think creatively, too much just stops them from properly attempting a problem like that, especially taking into account that only those commonly considered crazy try. Of course, he's a human just like the rest of us, so there isn't any reason to expect him to do differently.

"What's your plan, N? Surely you aren't just hoping that you will do differently than everyone else- if Zekrom exists, it isn't hiding in the places people look for it. If you look without a plan, you are just asking to get dissapointed. Besides, aren't there supposedly requirements, in order for Zekrom to obey you?"

To my surprise, he repeats something eerily similar in tone to my earlier thoughts.

"If the obvious places have been picked bare, then you look in the less obvious places. Most people think I'm almost the exact same way, so very little ground was actually covered. Besides which, I have a lead, from an actually reputable source. Despite how I sounded earlier, I'm not going off half cocked. Zekrom will only respond to the true hero? Fine, it's my turn to become that hero-and you and I will be friends!"

Heh. Every time I think I understand, he turns it around. First his views on Pokemon, then his freinds, and now this? I've always had difficulty making freinds- I didn't have anything beyond acquaintances and role models until I met Cheren and Bianca, but this… I barely met him, but it feels like I've known him for years. We really are too similar.

"I'll look forward to it, N, but don't expect me to slack off either. Maybes hen your dream comes true, why, you'll find me already there!"

"And I'll look forward to that, too. Well, until then- We will definitely meet again."

With that, he leaves, with all his fervor and determination going with him. I don't need it, though- he may be the genuine article, a real idealist, but I'm me, and I have confidence in myself. Maybe he has something that I don't, but that doesn't mean he's going to win this race of ours. Humanity isn't the strongest race on the planet because of its charisma or power- we certainly can't compete with Pokemon for the latter. No, our advantage is our ingenuity and tenacity.

"Come on, Kusanagi, we have some training to do. Reshiram isn't going to catch itself."

Maybe he does have advantages, maybe he has more Pokemon, maybe he knows where Zekrom is. If that's the case… Well, that just means I have to work harder.

Battling the wild Pokemon in Pinwheel forest isn't a relief, exactly, but it's definitely a nice breather. The trainer battles have required me to think up new strategies, to make mistakes, and to court loss at every step. Wild Pokemon, as intelligent as they are, just don't present the same challenge- the more effort they spend thinking, the less attention they are paying to the fight. Furthermore, they are by and large much less powerful than my Pokemon are, going down in just a few hits. It's just as well I'm training Mizaru, though- unlike Kusanagi, the bugs that swarm around here don't resist his attacks.

That doesn't mean it's easy, though, by any means. If there ever was a challenge designed to frustrate trainers, it's grinding. If anything, the simplistic nature of the battle makes it that much harder to pay attention, and I can feel that it's affecting my pokemon as well. The battle with N showed a lack of endurance, and I'm nowhere near ready to take on a gym if that's the most effort I can put out. I could catch more Pokemon, but that's just treating the symptoms, not dealing with the problem. There's only one solution: to step up my game, and help my Pokemon become stronger.

"Come on, Mizaru, take a break. Kusanagi, you're up!"

Of course, I can't risk Kusanagi being too injured. If he gets knocked out, well, Mizaru is one tough battle from fainting. That doesn't mean I can't train him, of course, but it means I need to be clever about it. Well, that and avoid getting into fights with Venipede.

"Kusanagi, here's what we'll do. When you see a Sewaddle, don't bother with subtlety…"

Here, training with my Pokemon in the forest, and now with an ambition to chase? This isn't how I imagined my morning going, but it's not unwelcome. I needed the wake up call- in retrospect my first badge had been nothing short of luck. If they had all been as perceptive as Chile, if they hadn't made mistake after mistake… Well, let it suffice to say that it won't happen again. And who knows? If this all goes well, I might even end up taking over the world.

A/N: This chapter has been a longtime coming, for a variety of reasons. First of all, I've been ignoring it from a lack of interest. My first draft was terrible, and for a while it sapped all my enthusiasm to continue. Furthermore, my time online had been limited, and when I've had access to the internet this was not the top priority. Nevertheless, here it is, and I hope you enjoy.

As always, all reviews and comments are appreciated.