Hey, it's two updates in two days. How about that? And maybe if you ask really nicely, I can have the next chapter up tomorrow. Homework permitting, of course. Either way, this story's on a roll. I've figured everything out about the plot and the next chapter's almost done.
Well, anyway... Hope you enjoy it. If you have any feedback, please let me know.
Leaf progressed rapidly through the Gym's, receiving the all of the region's badges in quick succession. The exertion on Espeon was hardly worth it. She, as well as the other Pokémon in Leaf's party, was too high a level. Any experience she got did nothing to level her up or increase her stats. The money that was received as reward was a mere pittance compared to what Leaf already owned. This was neither a challenge nor a joy. It was hardly an activity. It was merely something which had happened to her as she journeyed across Unova.
The only thing which interested her was watching the progress of Team Plasma, as well as that silent trainer Hilbert. He had talent, she could see that. He was able to train his Pokémon and defeat each Gym Leader with skill. Almost as much skill as she had shown when she had first started out. Almost.
And N, who fascinated her. His genuine belief that the bond between Pokémon and trainers was detrimental to the Pokémon, along with his conviction that he could make a difference. This, coupled with his remarkable ability to speak to Pokémon he had just met, made him unlike anyone she had ever encountered in her life. He intrigued her, captivated her in a strange way. She found herself following him more and more.
He was the King of this Team Plasma, although obviously was subservient to Ghetsis. He even had those three servants, the ninjas. Leaf saw them following after him, blending into the shadows so that a lesser trained eye would be unable to notice them. Indeed, without Espeon she would have been unable to see them too. As it was, Leaf was both able to see N's trio of bodyguards as well as pass by them undetected, shrouded in Psychic energy that rendered her invisible. She simply sat and watched the events unfurl before her.
N telling Hilbert that he had been chosen, but for what remaining unexplained. N yelling at Professor Juniper. Hilbert gaining gym badge after gym badge, and defeating Pokémon trainer after Pokémon trainer. Getting to that point where everything would change. That one night, high up in the air, when dreams began to be set in motion.
That evening was cold and still, but the winds whipped at Leaf at the top of that tower. She stood with her back to the stairs, gazing out over the surrounding landscape. Unova stretched away beneath her. In the distance, the sea was shimmering under the light of the setting sun. Unova was on its own island, cut off from the rest of the world. Somewhere on that horizon, Leaf knew Kanto was still there. Mt Silver was still towering upwards, no doubt Red was still housed inside with his own Pokémon. All across the world, the various Elite Fours were preparing for new challenges. Possibly some of them were facing a strong Pokémon trainer at that very moment. Perhaps some new faces were being added to the Halls of Fame. People were buying Poké Balls, catching new creatures to add to their collections. Battling, training, competing in Pokémon Contests, in Pokéathlons. People were going about their lives, completely unaware that a lone trainer was standing atop a tower in the middle of nowhere, waiting for two others to join her.
She knew they would come. N had talked about reviving Reshiram, and he would do that here, on the ancient tower of legend. No doubt he saw it as fitting. And Hilbert would tag along, as he always did. They were so predictable. Leaf could have followed with her eyes closed. Team Plasma had broken into the base of the tower some time ago. It was only a matter of time before N reached her.
Ah.
Without turning her head, Leaf said, "Good evening, N."
The boy paused at the edge of the stairs. In his hand he clutched a round white orb. It seemed to pulsate slightly in the cool air. He recovered after a moment and gave a small smile.
"You are here to witness Reshiram coming to me?" he said, moving to the centre of that plateau on the tower's roof. Espeon watched him, her head turning to track his progress across the stone. Leaf kept looking out into the air. Below, she thought she could see Hilbert entering the tower. He would take longer to progress upwards. Team Plasma were waiting for him and would battle in an attempt to delay him.
"I am finally worthy," N was saying as he set the orb out on a pedestal. "And I am ready to summon Reshiram. The great dragon Pokémon of legend will come to me and we will change Unova and then the world."
"Mmm..."
Leaf glanced at her watch. She wished he would hurry up. She wanted to get to the Elite Four soon.
There was the sound of battle echoing from downstairs. Hilbert was making his way up to them. There was a strange sensation as if the air around her was quivering, making Leaf turn her head. The Light Stone was glowing brighter and brighter from its position on the pedestal. The air rippled outwards from it, adding to the wind that already billowed around them. Dust was swept up from the ground to whirl through the air. N was standing in the thick of it all, his face an expression of pure joy. This was finally happening.
Behind him, Leaf sat down on a broken column to take in the proceedings. She didn't find the summonings of legendary Pokémon interesting, but watching would take up some time. Somewhere down below, Hilbert was battling more Team Plasma grunts.
The light began to flash brighter and brighter, illuminating N, silhouetting his form. It seemed to take on a life of its own, becoming almost corporeal and seeming to flow from the orb itself. As Leaf watched, it began to take on the shape of a large winged creature. A gigantic, white dragon.
Espeon sat up straight, watching Reshiram materialise. Her fur bristled at the sensation. The formation of a legendary disturbed her Psychic abilities slightly, putting her on edge. She turned and leapt into her owner's lap, where she curled up into a ball and quickly fell asleep. Instinctively, Leaf wrapped her arms around the soft pink ball but kept her eyes on the sight in front of her. The dragon began to flicker into being.
Reshiram opened his mouth. Leaf could see that the back of its throat wasn't yet fully there and the stars were glinting through its ethereal flesh. Still, when it let out the large, trundling roar, it felt real enough. The entire building seemed to shake beneath it as it began to rise. Its wings flapped, thrusting air downwards against the two humans. Another bone-crunching roar caused the hairs on the back of N's neck to stand on end.
He raised his arms to either side, watching the magnificent sight in front of him. This legendary creature which would change everything. He raised his voice to be heard over the noise.
"Reshiram!" he shouted, giddy with excitement. The Pokémon answered with a roar directed full force at the minuscule humanoid. Below, the sounds of battle had ceased. Hilbert had passed all of them. Espeon peeked out from the crook of Leaf's arm, warily surveying the scene in front of her.
Boy and dragon stared at each other. The dragon's eyes were hard, speaking of a consciousness far older than anything that had gone before it. N's spoke of a young life, full of hope and plans and dreams. They fought each other. They both won.
Reshiram dipped lower in the air. N stepped closer. Leaf tilted her head to one side. Hilbert came to a stop at the top of the stairs.
The scene seemed to be going in slow motion. The boy and the dragon acknowledging each other, and coming to terms with each other. The girl surveying them cooly, stroking the cat in her arms. Hilbert stepped forward. His foot kicked a stone which skittered across the ground. At the sound, N turned round. His smile tugged up at the corner of his lips.
"What do you think, Hilbert?" he asked, waving a hand at Reshiram. "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?" Leaf sighed at this and felt her mind begin to drift off. It was always the same. A legendary Pokémon, a hero who had to save the world. Everyone was a hero for the Pokémon and every world needed to begin anew. After a while, they all began to drift into one another. She listened to the rest of N's speech, feeling that she should give him that much at least.
"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." He paused, his eyes glazing over. It was finally happening for him.
Then he straightened to his full height, glancing round at Leaf. "If you want to stop me, if either of you want to stop me, you must become a hero as well! When Reshiram's counterpart, Zekrom, recognises you, then you can try to stop us." He looked from Hilbert to Leaf, then back again. "I was once so sure that you would be the one to come against me Hilbert, I still am very certain. Nevertheless..." N's grey eyes drifted back to Leaf. "You have something about you, Leaf. A strange aura of power, determination, compassion. I do not doubt that you are more than worthy of Zekrom's acknowledgement. You may be worthy too."
He smiled and stepped backwards, towards Reshiram.
"Well, what will you do? My prediction... If the future that I see is true, one of you will meet Zekrom. The Pokémon with both of you believe in you so strongly... Will you be the ones who interfere 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."
His speech ended with another far off look. Then, N turned and climbed onto Reshiram's back. He looked down at the two trainers standing there. No words passed between them. Instead, N simply whispered to the dragon and he lifted up into the air. They watched him as he vanished into the night sky.
The silence was broken by two more people climbing the stairs.
"Hilbert! Did you see that thing that just flew off?"
Cheren, just as skinny and odd as before ran up to stand beside Hilbert. Just behind him followed Brycen the leader of the ice Gym in the city just below them. He glanced at Leaf and nodded. She had obtained his badge the day before. Cheren noticed her just then.
"Hey, it's you! What're you doing here?"
Leaf didn't answer him. Instead, she looked at Hilbert. Neither of them spoke, but it seemed like an entire saga passed between them in that look. Finally, Leaf said, "I shall see you in the future, Hilbert." She stepped towards him, tilting her head to whisper softly into his ear. "I shall wait at the Elite Four."
So saying, she turned and drew a Poké Ball. The large Pokémon which she released spread its wings in readiness and allowed her to mount. Behind her, Cheren let out a gasp. In her arms, Espeon snored.
"Fly," she murmured.
And so, the second dragon that night took off from the top of Dragonspiral tower. It had the same path as the first: straight to the Elite Four.
Victory road passed in a blur. She didn't pay attention to anything. The Elite Four of Unova was situated on the top of a harsh mountain. It's setup seemed similar to a temple, very different to the usual linear progression. Here, trainers were able to choose which Elite Four member they would go against first. Then, when all were defeated, the way to the champion would reveal itself. Of course, trainers were still not allowed out to the Pokémon Centre.
Leaf offered her Pokémon for healing, the last stop before the trial. More a formality than anything, as she not only had six superior Pokémon but an assortment of revives and potions so that she would never need another Pokémon Centre. As she was waiting, her phone began to rang. The beeping echoed through the small, silent room.
"Aren't you gonna answer that?"
Leaf glanced over her shoulder at the man who had spoken. Short, with red hair and bony elbows. He was carrying a toolbox and had the Pokémon Centre logo on his shirt. A maintenance man. Not uncommon. It must be time for this centre's yearly check.
"Hello, Tom," said the cheery nurse behind the counter. "How're things?"
"Good, Joy. Very good. You?"
The two started conversing. Leaf's Pokémon were resting in the machine, their HP filling up. The beeping from her pocket seemed to get louder and louder. It echoed round the room. It filled it.
Her breath came in ragged gasps from her chest. The metal bands cut into her flesh, tight enough to leave deep welts. The remains of tears were on her cheeks, just beginning to evaporate. She had stopped crying. She knew it was useless to cry.
Leaf shook her head, trying to stop her mind. She needed Espeon. She needed the psychic energy to calm her down. To distract her.
The man was laughing. His laughter hurt her ears. She needed to escape. She had to get out.
No! No, fight it! Not now, she couldn't lose now! The plan was so nearly complete!
Blue was coming to save her. Blue was coming to rescue her. He was her only hope. She needed him. She needed him.
Blue.
Her hand seemed to move of its own accord. It reached into a pocket and pulled out the phone. The caller ID blinked, but she didn't even look at it. She merely held it up to one ear.
There was a long silence on the phone. In the background, the nurse was gossiping about some Elite Four member. Leaf didn't register it. She just focussed on the phone pressed up against the side of her head.
After a few heart-stopping seconds, words crackled over the phone. "...Leaf?"
His voice was deep, deeper than she remembered. Leaf wondered what else had changed.
"Hello, Blue."