Ghetsis abruptly stopped laughing. He stared at the girl, whose gaze was still directed toward N. "What did you say" he growled. Everyone from Grunt to Gym Leader to pokémon was staring at Touko. N was frozen, this was an obvious bluff, but somehow…she seemed so serious, was it possible…? This girl he considered to be his greatest rival still seemed to have great strength in her, even in defeat. Her spirit would not be broken. Touko finally tore her eyes away from his turned to face Ghetsis. "I said," she said, her voice steady and calm, "the hero has come to make her last stand"

Ghetsis was furious, "You have been defeated you little brat, you have lost. Don't you dare pretend otherwise."

She could resist the slight smile that played on her lips, effectively aggravating the green haired menace more. "I'm not." She replied coolly, "I just have another plan up my sleeve. For the sake of trainers and pokemon everywhere, Team Plasma cannot and will not be allowed to rule."

"Oh really? Pray tell then, how are you going to stop us?" Ghetsis sneered, "Your pokemon can't fight anymore, and your so called allies," He maliciously glanced at the exhausted Gym Leaders and their weary pokemon, "are at their breaking point as well"

Touko looked around the room. Ghetsis was right. Everyone was exhausted, and even Alder's pokemon were barley standing. N finally stepped forward and said in voice full of… what was it? Pity? Longing? "Touko you have to stop. This is the reality, you have lost. Pokemon and humans are obviously not to be together, and forcing these poor creatures to fight in their condition is wrong." Touko bit the inside of her lip, but she couldn't dispute what he said. She never may have agreed with what Team Plasma stood for, but she understood N's desire to end cruelty towards pokemon. Damn it! Why couldn't he see that is what she was trying to do! But this time he was right. Pushing these pokemon to fight any further could be suicide. And with that look on his face, he looked like a child trying to stop his parents from fighting. She had to force herself not to look away. How can one person so wrong make me feel so bad? Snap out of Touko!

Cheren placed a hand a Touko's shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. N's face hardened. He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, "Touko, we came to stop these bastards. We and our Pokemon will stand by you and fight to the end." The gym leaders and their pokemon roared in agreement. They would all fight in order to stay together with their friends and partners.

"That's enough of this," Ghetsis growled. He turned to the grunts, "Attack!" the grunts threw out their pokemon and surrounded the trainers. Touko realized that none of her friends had enough strength to conquer the enemy. What was important now was living to fight another day. They would be no use to anyone if they were dead or captured. "Everyone, we have to go," They looked at her incredulously. "We have no choice," she said, "none of our pokemon are able to fight in this condition. Retreat and regroup!"

"As much as I loathe admitting it," Alder gruffly sighed, placing a large hand across his face in frustration, "the girl's right. We have to leave. My Volcarona can't take much more than this." Touko was glad that Alder was still on her side after her failure. The former champion was very helpful in these situations, having lead the gym leaders and the Elite four as champion.

"And how will you be able to escape?" Ghetsis sneered, "You're surrounded"

Touko quickly glanced at her friends. They nodded towards her, ready to do anything she might have planned. They still had enough strength for what she needed them to do. "Everyone!" she shouted, "Use your pokemon to blast the wall open!" No one questioned the young trainer. In unison, all the trainers ordered their pokemon to blast the wall aside. The grunts and their pokemon jumped out of the way of the huge attack.

The wall was blasted apart, leaving behind a gaping hole in the wall. "Everyone through the wall!" Alder shouted. As everyone was running to the wall, N was staring at Touko's fleeing back. Was this the same girl that he had ridden the Ferris wheel with? The same girl that he actually saw as rival? The girl who despite finding out that he was the King of Team Plasma, still had seemed to trust him back a Charge Cave? The only person in the world he thought might even have a small chance of defeating him? She was obviously a hero, one of the chosen; Reshiram's acceptance of her was proof enough of that, but… Suddenly without warning N ran out and grabbed Touko's arm as the others jumped through the wall. Touko looked at him with a face of surprise quickly shifting into a cold anger. N stepped back but didn't let go, he couldn't explain why, but he wouldn't…couldn't let her go.

"N you fool!" Ghetsis screamed, "What are you doing!"

"Touko!" Cheren yelled running back toward her "Let her go bastard!"

The castle suddenly started to shake and rocks started to fall once again. Touko had to think fast or they'd all be crushed. "Alder!" She screamed, "Take Cheren and get out of here! I'll be right behind I promise!" Alder didn't hesitate and neither did Touko. As Alder grabbed a screaming and struggling Cheren and pulling him away "I hope you know what you're doing!" was all he shouted as he dragged Cheren away. I hope so to, she thought smugly to herself. Flipping back towards N, Touko punched N in the face as hard as she could with her free hand. The punch wasn't too hard, but she caught N unprepared and knocked him to the floor causing him to release her. As she made a mad dash for the wall, Cheren calmed down and was able to be released by Alder. As the three ran to the exit, Ghetsis called out, "Is this your new plan girlie? Running way? Face the reality, you failed and running away won't change anything. Let the people know that their hero was nothing more than a scared little girl. Even your Pokemon will soon realize that their trainer is a weakling. You said you had a plan to stop us, well where is it now hero?"

His cruel words struck home. Touko was right in front of the exit, but she stopped. "What are you doing Touko? Hurry up!" Cheren cried. Touko ignored Cheren's pleas and turned to face the blood-eyed sage. "My plan? If my plan works Team Plasma will be stopped before your evil plans can begin. There are two heroes Ghetsis, not one and I'm still right here. Even if N beat me, I know trainers and pokemon alike will fight with me to protect the friendships that they have worked so hard to create. So while Team Plasma's hero is the hero for the division of man and pokemon, I will be the hero for their union!" Touko turned toward N, who was picking himself up. "N…" She didn't know what to say. She hadn't meant to be so angry with him, but…she just couldn't be alright with what he and Team Plasma stood for. And his father…for a moment when he grabbed her, all she saw was red eyes, not green, staring back at her. She had reacted without thinking and struck. As he looked at her she just smiled, a sad smile full of regret. He didn't understand, she was the one who had lost, so why did those cerulean eyes seem to pity him?

As she turned back to the wall to escape, the castle started to shake even harder, and the rocks were falling fast. N shouted in panic, and Touko whipped back around. A huge pile of rocks from the tower were falling, and were going to land on N! Without thinking Touko rushed over and shoved N out of the way of the falling debris. "NO!" N and Cheren both screamed. The first rock was large and hit Touko on the back of the head, forcing her to she crumple to the floor. The rest of the rocks fell on top of her, effectively trapping her under the rubble. Cheren tried to jump back through the wall, but Alder grabbed him from behind and pulled him back just as more rocks fell and blocked the exit.

OoOoOoOoO

Touko lifted her head. It was throbbing, and it was musty and dark. She couldn't move and she was trapped. Is this how she was going to die? No she would not accept it. She would survive. Touko gingerly lifted her arm and ignoring the screams of protests by her aching muscles, she grabbed one of her poke balls. "Come on out Oshawott," she whispered. Oshawott burst out of its poke ball in a small burst of light. It saw her lying there and began to panic. "Osha? Osha!" it cried. She had to get the little blue otter to calm down. "Oshawott." it immediately quieted and faced her. Her breathing was slow and labored, each breath seemed to sap more of what little strength left from her body. They had to hurry or she might not make it. "I need your help to get out of here. You think you can do that little buddy?"

"Osha!" it replied with a confident look on its face. She smiled weakly and rubbed its furry little head.

"Alright then Oshawott" she weakly whispered, "use Razor Shell." The otter removed the shell from the front of its pouch and began to cut through the rocks. "Good job Oshawott." Touko encouraged.

She knew she could trust he partner pokemon with her anything and everything. This was her first pokemon, her partner, and one of her closest friends. She could always count on it to be at her side. But Touko was feeling so tired. A yawn escaped her mouth. Oshawott stopped its slicing for moment to rub itself against its trainers head. It felt something warm and sticky drip onto its fur. When it pulled away, it saw that it was covered by blood! The dust from the rubble blocked the scent earlier. Touko needed to get help and soon, or else it would be too late. Oshawott desperately used its shell to cut through the rocks faster and faster, but they weren't breaking fast enough! "OSHA!" it cried "OSHA! OSHA!" Touko was struggling to stay awake this point and she knew time was running out fast. She once again reached out and rubbed the little otter's head, turning it towards her. "Calm down" Touko whispered. Her panicking pokemon didn't seem to hear her; it just turned right back to the while and began slicing with abandon. Someone, help me. She thought to herself. N… "N…" she whispered. She could hear rocks moving and being shoved aside. As light came streaming in, she squinted and a familiar pair of emerald green eyes looked through the hole. A pair of gentle hands lifted her out from under the rubble and into a strong pair of arms. "N…,"

"Shhh" he whispered, "you are going to be fine. Rest."

She just stared at him, tired, but extremely relieved. "N…I'm glad you came…thank…you" Smiling, Touko finally gave in to the darkness.

OoOoOoOoOo

After the rubble fell on Touko, N went into shock. He was on the floor, trying to understand what had happened. A second later and he would have been the one buried under the stone. Why did Touko do that? She could have easily escaped through the wall and left him to his fate. So why did she push him out of the way? Now she was buried under… dear Arceus! He slapped his forehead, and started to panic. Touko was still buried. He quickly stood up and approached the rubble. Listening hard, he could make out faint cry from underneath. But, it wasn't human, it was a Pokemon! He could hear the creature, "Osha!" -Help! Help! My trainer can't move. We're stuck under the rocks and I think she hit her head. She's BLEEDING! HELP! (A/N: N speak poke-nese) N's blood ran cold. Touko was injured he had to save her! N quickly turned to face the grunts. "Everyone!" He commanded, snapping everyone to attention, "Help me dig up these rocks. We have to save the girl buried underneath it."

One of the grunts cautiously approached N and asked, "Your Majesty, why? This girl stands against everything you stand for my king. Shouldn't we just leave her? She even told you she would try to set the people against you. This bitch deserves what's coming to her." The grunts and sages mumbled in agreement. Ghetsis however was standing back, watching how all this would play out. Personally he had hoped that the girl was dead.

N stepped toward the affronting grunt, and the room went silent. The grunt took a step back, N was emitting a huge intimidating aura in the room. His face was cold and expressionless, his voice authoritative, with a hint of anger. "This bitch as you called her," he began, pointing at the pile of rubble, "saved the life of your king. Do not speak out of your place grunt." N's voice was quiet, dangerously so, "If you dare suggest that I leave this debt unpaid, I am as cruel as any ruthless trainer who abandon's their injured pokemon. Do not question my orders and DIG!" N was in full king mode. His authority was absolute, and not even the sages could dispute the fact that Touko had indeed saved N's life. So with the aid of the grunts and his zoroark, N was able to clear the rubble enough to free Touko. As he looked in the crevice they made, the Oshawott he recognized as her partner jumped out "Osha!" HELP!

N gingerly lifted Touko out from under the stones. She had hit her head, and was bleeding. She needed medical attention and soon. "Call Anthea and Concordiaand fetch a helicopter, we all have to get out of here before the whole tower collapses," he ordered without once taking his eyes off the weak charge in his arms. "And hurry!"

"N…," Touko whispered. N involuntarily sighed in relief, she was still conscious.

"Shhh" he silenced her, "you are going to be fine. Rest." Dammit where was that helicopter! He looked back down at Touko, who was staring at him with…was that relief in her eyes? It wasn't even an hour ago when she socked him in the face. "N…, I'm glad you came…you're not too late…" her voice was weak and raspy but it sounded so…happy? Relieved? N was so confused. She was glad that he had come? Well there was no time to ponder that now, the helicopter was here. But after she said that, she flashed him a weak but beautiful smile that made his heart skip a beat and passed out.

Will she be ok? The worried little Oshawott asked, climbing onto his shoulder for a better look at its trainer. "She'll be fine, I promise" N replied as he handed Touko off to Anthea to load on the helicopter. The small pokemon hopped on the trainer's chest and curled up over her heart, growling at anyone tried to remove it. That girl, N thought to himself, is truly loved by her pokemon. A most unusual trainer. As she was lowered onto the bed in the 'copter, N climbed in and took one of Touko's hands into his own. They were so small against his. Curious. The helicopter took off and headed to the new base of Team Plasma, Dragon's Peak.

While N was worrying about Touko, Ghetsis was closely observing his son. The girl somehow inspired the idiotic boy to take up the helm of a king. Ghetsis had never, not in the boy's entire lifetime, seen N speak and act with such authority. This girl…what to do with her. She was obviously a threat, especially if she still claimed herself to be a hero. She was persistent, and was able to get the Gym leaders and even the former Champion of Unova to follow her lead. She was a dangerous obstacle indeed. If this girl could influence, the people, and with that Reshiram by her side, the pokemon as well, to follow her lead then she could very well stop Team Plasma's plans before they could go into full affect, defeated or not. If only they had both the heroes' support and not just N's… Ghetsis' eyes suddenly lit up, staring at his son and the girl that had been such a pain in his side. He had an idea. Well my dear, you've just given us just what we need, right on a silver platter. You're going to aid us my dear and by no means will a brat like you like it. You are not only the key for unlocking N's potential, but also for permanently locking the fate of Unova as well. As if sensing the evil sage's thoughts, the Oshawott curled up on Touko's chest turned its head toward Ghetsis and hissed. Ghetsis frowned at the creature…Well, well you little rat. Let's see if we can start the liberation of pokemon with you. Now, won't that be fun?

The castle came into sight, and they landed on the castle's tower. "Take the girl to the hospital and grab her poke balls." Ghetsis commanded. As the grunts approached Touko, Oshawott hissed and scratched at them, actually getting the chance to bite one unfortunate grunt. Ghetsis snuck from behind and grabbed the poor little pokemon from the scruff of its neck. "Father!" N said surprised.

"N, go with Anthea and Concordia, to the castle's infirmary," Ghetsis said with fake concern. "The girl needs medical attention doesn't she? This poor creature won't let us get to her. I'll take very good of it, you needn't worry," A relieved smile appeared on N's face, "Alright then." As they left, Anthea and Concordia exchanged a look of worry, well aware of how 'very well' Ghetsis treated pokemon like Oshawott.

Ghetsis turned back to Oshawott, who was currently struggling and baring its teeth at him. "If you know what's good for your trainer, you little rodent," he harshly whispered to the struggling pokemon, "You won't be giving my men hard time, right?" He gave Oshawott a harsh shake. The little pokemon immediately became still. When N left, Ghetsis roughly tossed Touko's partner pokemon to a grunt, ordering him to put the little water pest back into its poke ball, and to leave the rest of her poke balls in his quarters under lock and key. As the grunt was leaving Ghetsis suddenly called back, "Wait"

"Yes sir?"

"Hand me the little rat's pokeball and take the one with Reshiram to the dungeons."

"Sir?"

"Do NOT question my orders grunt. And if that pokeball isn't there when I arrive, you know what the consequences will be"

The grunt gulped. "Yes sir," he stammered

OK little Dragon, He thought walking toward the entrance, Oshawott's pokeball being tossed up and down in his hand, So you won't ever be able to fly away, let's see how long it takes to rip of your wings.

Ok, sorry for taking a while to update no good excuse. I know that this chapter is crappy, but please bear with me the next chapter will be much better. *Bows repeatedly*

Ok Touko's plan wasn't exactly well thought out was it? And Cheren obviously has a thing for Touko. What's Ghetsis planning? And if you're wondering why Touko's partner pokémon is still just an Oshawott and not a Samurott that will be explained later. Thank yawl, bye!

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