From the edge of the discordant crowd, White crept and approached the line-up of gleaming knights. Taking advantage of the chaos, she stuck her fingers in mouth and whistled loudly, signaling one of the young men. Startled, he gazed back at her, frowning and clanking his armor confusedly.

"Nice skirt," White blurted at him, giving two thumbs up. "Shall ye barter Friend Codes?"

"Et-it's a TUNIC," he stammered, unable to tell if she was insulting his garb or actually trying a pick-up line.

"Skirt, tunic, dress, whatever," White proclaimed, waiving her arms around. "I put on my robe and wizard hat–"

Before any more nonsense could occur, Cheren emerged from the crowd and seized her by the ear.

"WHITE, STOP SEXUALLY HARASSING THE DEMONSTRATORS," he blasted, his face darkening as he dragged her backwards.

"Ow, ow. NO– There's more to be said–"

"Idiot! Since when did you get so boy crazy?"

"Since now!" White bellowed, pulling away. There was an endless amount of joke material to be utilized.

"Come BACK HERE." Cheren fought the crowd and chased after her. "These people... aren't who you think they are!"

"What? What'you mean?" Sensing the urgency in Cheren's voice, she fell back, coming shoulder to shoulder with him once again.

"Look. You see this?" Forming a triangle with his fingers, he held them up, motioning for her to look through them. Leaning in, she stared, noticing that they framed the main speaker, Ghetsis, or more specifically– the eye on his cape.

"A favorite symbol of their evil organization," Cheren explained heatedly.

"Evil organization? ... Is it a cult?"

"No. Something far worse."

As they gaped up at Ghetsis, the man noticed their shenanigans and stared right back at them, intensely– piercing them with his single, uncovered eye.

"Now," he boomed, seemingly speaking right at them; "Ladies and gentlemen–"

"To the back," Cheren hissed in White's ear; "I'll explain more once we're out of range." As soon as he spoke, he turned and squeezed through the crowd– an easy feat for a skinny boy like him.

White, however– stunned by Ghetsis's commanding voice and stare– found it hard to turn away. Walking backwards, she nearly tripped as she lumbered off.

What's Cheren talking about? she pondered, watching the people around her quiet down to hear the rest of the speech. Well, this all does seem suspicious. That guy up there is a powerful public speaker.

The way he's looking at me, how he's staring right through me... She couldn't look away.

It's like he knows who I am.

Finally drifting back through the crowd, White ended up in the rear with Cheren. Unaware that they were still being watched, they spoke freely and more loudly than before.

"Bro. What is this? What's going on?" White questioned, excited about the oncoming answer.

"The Pokelluminati," he answered nervously, pushing up his glasses. "A secret, elitist organization bent on enslaving mankind and creating a New World Order."

"...Wha huh?"

"How could you have not heard of them?" Cheren snapped harshly, folding his arms and rattling off his knowledge. "They implant symbols and subliminal messages into all forms of media: books, television, movies, national events, and even pop music videos. They're... They're in our government, they're poisoning our tap water, and they're constantly spreading brain-numbing gas clouds in the sky by jet... called chemtrails." He clenched his fists and raised them, incensed by all this injustice.

"They're watching us ALL THE TIME," he declared; "and no one is safe."

"..." Nodding her head, White frowned, forcing her twitching mouth the remain still. "Hmm," she managed to grunt out.

Since it was too painful to hold back any longer, she closed her eyes and gagged, trilling as if she were about to barf out sheer laughter. Throwing back her head, she finally caved and let go, blasting at the sky:

"Uwa...

HAHAHA–"

Cheren stood, silenced and deeply insulted by White's sheer mirth. So frenzied was her guffawing, that it carried over the crowd, distracting a few onlookers and even causing Ghetsis to pause his speech mid-sentence.

"White," Cheren spat through clenched teeth. "You're not helping."

Silencing herself, White collapsed to her knees, holding her stomach and heaving, gasping for breath. It wasn't until she stopped chuckling that Cheren realized that she had agitated her bruised ribs.

"Sorry... I didn't know," White managed out; "that you had such a killer sense of humor."

"I WASN'T JOKING." Stomping on the cement, he flailed his arms wildly. If he had a book, he would've surely thrown it at her.

"We sincerely," Ghetsis declared, swishing his mantle has he turned; "appreciate your attention."

Systematically grabbing their banners up, the knights formed two lines and waited for Ghetsis, surrounding him. One last time, the man glared at White, leaning to whisper something to one of the knights.

White stared back, straining to listen, but hearing nothing. At last, the man left in tow with his entourage, marching on and out of town.

The crowd murmured amongst itself in the following moments afterward. Half-convinced, they wondered what to do and what to believe.

Looking around sneakily, and older man petitioned the crowd for their responses.

"About that speech..." he called everyone's attention. "What do you think we should do?"

"Liberate pokemon?" a young man pondered aloud; "That's not even possible!"

Mumbling, the crowd slowly dispersed, taking their comments and opinions with them. A small group, however, split off and rushed to the nearby pokecenter to release their pokemon.

"Team Plasma, is it?" Cheren muttered. "Is that what they call themselves?"

"What were they thinking?" White asked, standing up off her knees. "Delivering such a radical speech on April Fools Day... Less people are gonna take them seriously now."

"I think you're completely missing the point."

"I think I made a new and more relevant point."

"I think you don't even know the meaning of relevant!"

"I think you think too much," White spat, brushing up her sleeve as if she were about ready to punch him out.

"Is this what you always resort to?" Cheren antagonized, holding his chin and sniffing condescendingly. "Physical threats, once your reasoning dulls down?"

White dropped her fists, growling, unsure of how to respond. Frowning, she finally slapped on a forced, sharp-toothed smile.

"Ooh, they're watching us." She wriggled her fingers at him. "Even in the bathroom! Better look out, Cheren."

"So childish." Dismissing her foolish behavior, he turned his back, ready to walk off and leave her.

"Especially since you're absolutely scrawny," White egged on. "Too bad for you, there's nothing physical for you to 'resort to' once your brain power fails."

Cheren scoffed and stopped, quickly losing his cool composure. More than anything, he hated to be taunted over his lack of muscle or physical strength. Especially by White.

"Zero muscles," she exclaimed gleefully.

"That's it–" Flustered, he dropped his bag to the ground and whipped around– latching onto her wrists and pulling her with all his might. She easily twisted them away, laughing wholeheartedly at him.

"Pfft. Let me toughen you up–" Football tackling him from behind, she crushed him in her arms, hissing as she bared the pain that it caused to her own ribs.

"Ugh-uga–" gasping, Cheren heard his back pop and saw his hands turning red. Wriggling and desperate to escape honorably, he swatted at a pokeball on her hip, smacking off another in the process.

"PSHH–"Snapping oddly, Alphonse's pokeball burst open, releasing the giant stone robot out into the town square.

"Uwa?" White gasped, feeling her feet being lifted off the ground. "Eyaaaah–" With a hefty throw, Alphonse smacked her onto his broad shoulder, holding her legs in his hands and squeezing them.

"No way. I DUCT TAPED your pokeball," White wailed, whimpering and struggling. "PUT ME DOWN, RIGHT NOW. GRR."

Snorting with laughter, Cheren looked away, holding his mouth.

"You find this funny, DON'T YOU?" White accused. "Come on... Mercy–"

Though the crowd had dissipated, one single bystander was left– a young man with scruffy green hair, the mysterious person known as N. Hiding behind the brim of his trucker hat, he pulled it down further.

These two, he thought, looking at Cheren and White closely. I've been watching them this whole time, and not once were they like the other commoners. Especially that girl. They questioned nothing and they were influenced by nothing. A neutral force.

It's like they're... in their own little world together. Where no one and nothing can reach them. With a cringing pain in his chest, he realized that it looked like fun. To be playing together so carefree– so unconcerned and unaware– to be that involved with another human–

No, it was impossible.

Hmhmhm, hehehehe– small voices giggled and echoed in his mind. The laughter of pokemon.

What's this? Gasping, he clutched his head, confused by their joyous ringing. Why are they laughing so happily? Where are they coming from?

He saw Cheren's bag and Snivy's pokeball– cast aside on the ground. Giggles were coming from each.

Those? But they're trapped inside and enslaved... Drawn to them, N approached the objects and crouched down low, digging through Cheren's bag and pulling out a pokeball. He released Tepig and then Snivy, out onto the ground before him.

Tell me... Why are you laughing? N communicated with them. Why are you so happy?

What's this? An interview? Snivy crossed his arms. Well if you must know, I find my human to be hilarious. You have a problem with that?

Tepig snorted in agreement, twitching his springy tail and nodding.

Your human? N frowned. It's not them who are yours, but are you who are theirs.

Nonsense! Tepig protested. The professor assigned us to protect them... She believes we can show them their futures. Cheren relies on me. He didn't reject me... He wants to be with me forever.

"Juniper," N muttered, correctly guessing who this 'professor' was. "You've been tricked– lied to. You're now enslaved– to be tossed into storage when you're no longer needed. Either that, or you'll have to fight endlessly for the rest of your lives. Don't you understand? Humans are not your friends."

Kid, please. Snivy stuck his snout in the air. I already know about you humans. I already know you're all liars.

"I'm different," N gasped, taken aback by this pokemon's back talk. "You can trust me, unlike others–"

–I'd rather trust MY liar. Snivy tapped his foot impatiently. She's always full of it and she exaggerates everything... but only I know how pathetic and needy she truly is. She belongs to me, and I like it like that.

"You'll never reach perfection in this state," N muttered.

Kid! Look at me. Snivy held his leafy arms out. I AM perfection. I would tell you more, but I'm too important to waste my time... You mad?

"Saying such strange things– I see that human has already corrupted you," N rushed, gritting his teeth. "You just don't know any better, but I'll make you understand, by showing you freedom–"

Oh no you didn't!

Taking Snivy's pokeball, N flinched when Tepig swatted it out of his hand with a tail whip.

Kid! That's enough B.S. for one day. Snivy hissed, guarding his pokeball. I like White, so I've allowed her to be with me. That is my will. Obey, peasant, or I'll unleash my wrath upon you.

"Peasant?" N spat, deeply insulted by Snivy's presumptousness. "But I'm the Lord and Hero of–"

"–And all, 'waah, rip out my arms and use them, Golurk, anything– just don't die," Cheren abruptly cried in falsetto, interrupting N's thoughts; "just don't die– be my robotic, knightly, absolute boyfriend!"

"GET BENT, SUPER NERD–" White blasted, finally wriggling free from Alphonse and tackling Cheren.

The two yelled, kicking up dust and fighting. All this time, they had been arguing pointlessly about something or another.

"Get off of me, you Infernape–" Cheren blasted. "Huh?" He turned his head and noticed his bag, and N, seemingly digging through it. Tepig and Snivy were out of the pokeballs as well.

"What the...?" Cheren alerted; "White, what is that guy doing?"

Too unsettled by Cheren's tone, White turned her head and looked, gasping when she saw N messing with their pokemon.

"Hey, what are you–" she stood up, stomping on over.

"–Your pokemon..." N said, standing up, gazing at the ground with trembling eyes. "Just now, it was saying..." The expression on his face told of complete dejection, and he spoke as if he had to force out his thoughts before they escaped forever.

"Slow down. You talk too fast," Cheren breathed, standing up off the ground and joining White's side. "And what's this about pokemon... talking? That's an odd thing to say."

"Yes, they're talking." N avoided eye contact, seemingly lost in thought. "Oh. Then, you two can't hear it, either– their voices– speaking inside–"

"Huh?" White mumbled, unable to understand his words, as they ran together with strong emphasis on every syllable.

"–How sad." He gazed beyond them, still not looking at them directly. "My name is N."

"That's a short name," White said. Cheren bumped her shoulder.

"This guy, treat him... delicately," he warned her.

"What?"

"Listen to the way he's speaking... His pressured speech. He's a bit off. Don't agitate him."

"I... see." White looked back at N, noting that he still wasn't giving them eye contact.

"My name is Cheren, and this is White." Cheren pointed accordingly, treating N with generous hospitality. "We were asked to complete the pokedex, and we just left on our journey."

Taking advantage of N's state of distraction, he quickly lifted Tepig and his bag off the ground, grunting as he spoke, "My main goal is to become the Champion, though." He shooed Snivy away, wordlessly directing him to take Alphonse's side.

White stared at Cheren, who was holding Tepig protectively in his arms while acting completely casual.

He always acts so smooth and cold in front of others. She shook her head at the thought. But he's always looking out for us. He always knows what's up, and he's the most in tune with people and emotions...

"The pokedex, eh?" N said. "So... You're going to confine many, many pokemon in pokeballs for that, then. I'm a trainer, too, but I can't help wondering... "

He finally looked up, glaring at them intensely when he spoke, "Are pokemon really happy that way?"

Without warning, he bounded over to White, towering over her and for a moment, intimidating her.

"Well, White, is it?" he rushed; "Let me hear your pokemon's voice again!"

At that, Alphonse went crazy–

Screeching like a siren, the Golurk's wastebasket-sized head spun around on his shoulders, and his legs clanked and pounded as he dashed for N. Deep inside his body, a metallic voice screamed out, warbling like a radio in-between stations.

"Alphonse!" White gasped, flinching as the robot picked her up and threw her over his shoulders once again.

"What is this? Are you–" N stepped back fearfully, reaching for his only pokeball.

Don't touch White! Alphonse threatened. N, is it? It's your people who tried to kill me... YOUR PEOPLE–

"What? ...I don't understand," N answered, slamming his pokeball on the cement. Puffing out in a cloud, a purple feline emerged. "Purrloin... Scratch!" N pointed ahead.

Leaping up and swiping Alphonse, the cat's claws barely did much damage at all. Mewling, he retreated when the robot stomped past and reached his gigantic stone hand towards N.

"No, put me down," White demanded, try to squirm free. "What are you doing? Purrloin's back down there!"

Disobeying her, Golurk wound back his fist– ready to strike N.

"NO," White raged. "You can't just attack people–"

N. Lord N of Team Plasma. I won't let you hurt White, too. Alphonse declared;

I'll... kill you before you do!

Running across the battlefield, Snivy stepped between the two, hissing and stomping to stop the golem mid-charge.

Alphonse, I want to protect her, too– Snivy interrupted; –But this will only cause her problems! Do you know what happens to a trainer... when their pokemon murders another human?

Do you?

They're imprisoned for their pokemon's crimes. For life.

Do you want White to get locked up like a criminal?

Alphonse stopped, groaning painfully at the thought of what he had almost done. He lowered his fist.

No... He groaned and whirred pensively. I don't want to do that to White...

I thought so. I'd never forgive you if you did. Snivy huffed and folded his arms, turning his back on Alphonse and staring Purrloin and N down. I don't get what you're so pissed about, but if it's about your NDE the other night– allow me to dish out the justice.

You can go lay down now, 'kay?

I'll entrust White to you, then, Alphonse responded, carefully placing the confused girl back on the ground.

Good choice. Snivy nodded, glaring at Purrloin. Get ready to have your ass handed to you, catbutt.

"More!" N laughed in disbelief, unable to believe what he was hearing; "This... Let me hear the voice of your pokemon!"

Who belongs to who... Pokemon to human, or human to pokemon? At this point, N was no longer certain; he was learning so many things from this first battle.

Just who is this girl?

"I don't get what you told him, but you calmed Alphonse down," White said, kneeling beside Snivy so she could see him better. "For that, you have my thanks... Now let's do this. A full spread of Vine Whip, coming up now–"

Standing up, she snapped her fingers and pointed, watching as Snivy overtook the battlefield with his lashing green tendrils. Unsuccessfully dodging, Purrloin flailed left and right, crying as Snivy's vines whipped him relentlessly.

Watching Purrloin growling and falling, N glared down at the ground, wincing. These pokemon, they're full of strong, determined emotions... Is it because it's her? But that boy's pokemon feels the same as well...

"I never expected to hear pokemon say such things..." N admitted.

Purrloin's fainted body laid still on the ground, and his fur was scuffed and mused in several spots. N cringed when he looked at him, remembering from his childhood, a pokemon he had cared for.

Zoazoa.

His father had brought him a tiny creature with swollen pink eyes, torn ears, and half its black fur missing. The rotten stench from it smelled like death– but it was still alive.

'A human did this to him,' his father had told him, filling him with further horror.

N quickly recalled Purrloin, holding his pokeball close– protectively.

"I'm so... sorry," he whispered to it. "I won't do this to you again. I promise..."

Staring at N cautiously, White stepped in front Snivy, trying to hear what was going on.

Sensing her prying eyes, N glared back at her, trying to figure out what she was thinking. Unlike with pokemon, he couldn't read humans too well– and this girl? Even less. The unforgiving, wild look in her eyes deeply frightened him; yet at the same time, intrigued him.

"Earlier... You asked about pokeballs," White said, pulling an armload from her bag. "You asked if... pokemon are happy being confined inside of them. Correct?

So why don't you find out?"

Before he could answer, she took one in hand and wound back, lifting her leg– pitching one after another– right at his head.

"Damage by pokeball," she began counting in monotone: "3 normal, 3 normal, 3 normal–"

N stood, paralyzed in fear and pain, covering his face and almost crying as she continued chucking them at him– pelting his skin, like piercing bullet seeds.

Damage counting? Cheren watched; his mouth gaped open, as he was in total disbelief about what he was seeing. Despite his stupefied silence, he moved to stop the girl.

"WHITE, I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU," he blasted, grabbing her arms; "This ISN'T LARP."

"And I thought I told you to GET BENT," she yelled back, trying to kick him off with her knee.

They collapsed into a giant dust ball of violence.

How could that peasant attack me like this? N finally pulled his hands away from his face, watching the two friends fight. Was she truly trying to stick me inside a pokeball?

How could anyone treat me like this?

"As long as pokemon are confined in pokeballs..." he gasped, stepping back. "Pokemon will never become perfect beings."

"What?" The two friends stopped fighting to inquire, despite the chunk of hair that Cheren was grabbing, or the shoulders that White was pinning; currently, the girl was on top.

"I have to change the world for pokemon," N yelled childishly, dropping his arms at his side; "because they're my friends."

Turning away, he stormed off, crying, leaving the two to argue and fight on the ground.

"Huh... Strange guy," Cheren muttered, entirely forgetting that White was straddling his chest.

~To be continued...~

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