"Yes, of course," Colress muttered under his breath. "In this world…"

"What was that?" N asked. A Pidove fluttered over to him and he stretched out his arm so it could perch there. "My Pokemon friends are restless… they say there's trouble in my palace. My father's Pokemon are saying things about intruders." His eyes narrowed. "That wouldn't be why you're hiding, would it? What's going on, Colress?"

Dulse and Zossie looked at each other as though unsure how to respond. Even Magnolia didn't know what to say. She knew about the N from her world, but she had never met him, and she didn't know how continuing to live under Ghetsis's deception could have affected this N.

Colress took a step toward the king. "This may seem difficult to believe," the researcher said, "but I'm not the Colress you know. I'm a Colress from another world. My companions are also from that world."

"Oh, Dulse and I aren't," Zossie said. "I mean—we're also from another world, but not the same one as Colress and the professor! You get what I'm saying?"

N nodded. "That would explain why you look so different…" he said. "Why are you here? How did you get here?"

"The Colress from your world pulled us in," Magnolia said. "He's been experimenting with taking people from other dimensions."

"And he took our Pokemon from us!" Zossie said. "He was going to try to make our Colress help with his research, because Ghetsis wants to take over all the other dimensions, too!"

"Take over?" N asked. "My father doesn't take anything over. He only liberates Pokemon from humans so that both can live in peace."

Colress adjusted his glasses. "N, this will be hard for you to hear," he said, "but Ghetsis is lying to you. About everything."

N's eyes widened and he stepped back, leaning on the Darmanitan for support. "Wh-what?" he asked. "That can't be! My father is a kind and just man!"

"Separating people and Pokemon won't help anybody," Magnolia said. "We're supposed to share this world with each other. Yes, we're different, but it's those differences that make us such a great team." She looked around at the Pokemon who crowded around the young king like doting friends. "And it's true that some people misuse that connection with Pokemon, but we shouldn't punish everyone for the poor behavior of a few individuals."

"But no one uses that connection correctly," N said with a frown. He reached out to put a hand on the stony side of a Gigalith. "All of these Pokemon have been hurt by humans. They're living proof that the relationship between humans and Pokemon is a bad one."

"I thought you might say that," Colress said. "Because that's exactly what the N from my world thought. Because Ghetsis only let him come in contact with Pokemon who had been hurt by humans. If all you know is the negative side of the story, how can you ever believe in a positive side?"

N's fingers curled against the Gigalith's smooth facets. "I… how do I know I can believe you?" he asked.

"I don't think you'll ever take our word for it," Magnolia said. "I know you trust Ghetsis far more than some random strangers who showed up in your garden." She smiled and reached into her bag. "But I know you also trust Pokemon. So why don't you ask this one?" She pulled out Adrammalech's Poke Ball and clicked the button, and several Pokemon moved aside to make space for the gargantuan serpent-fish.

"Gya," Adrammalech said as he lowered his head to N. "Gyararaaaah."

N tilted his head, cradling his chin in his fingers. "Really?" he asked Adrammalech. "Is that so?"

"Rados," Adrammalech said.

"Is he… actually speaking with Adrammalech?" Dulse asked.

Colress nodded. "It's the boy's unique gift," he said. "He was raised by Pokemon, you know."

"Gosh, that's amazing!" Zossie said. "I wish we could understand what Pokemon are saying!"

"Right?" Magnolia said with a grin. "Although… even though we may not be able to understand their noises, I think we can still understand them with our hearts."

N let out a long sigh and turned to the other humans, seeming utterly shaken. "Dos," Adrammalech said, giving the man an encouraging nudge with his nose.

The king nodded to the Gyarados. "Thank you… my friend," N said before looking to Magnolia. "Your Gyarados tells me that there are many people in your world who treat Pokemon kindly, far more than the number of people who harm them. He says it should be no different in this world. And he says he remembers that the Ghetsis in your world wanted to separate people and Pokemon so that they would be powerless to stop him in his takeover."

"That would be correct," Colress said.

N swallowed hard. "Pokemon never lie to me," he said quietly. "But… what if the Ghetsis in my world is different?"

"Does he ever let you see what's going on outside this castle?" Dulse asked. "He tells you things are better when Pokemon and people are separated, but have you ever actually seen for yourself?"

"He says I shouldn't trouble myself with the outside world," N said, rubbing his arm. "He—he says a king should not expose himself to the corruption of those who do not understand our glorious philosophies."

"If you ask me," Magnolia said, "a true king should know the truth about his kingdom so he can help his subjects achieve their ideals."

N put a hand to his mouth. "Truth and ideals…" he murmured. "I was told the two were irreconcilable."

"They're two complementary parts of a greater whole," Magnolia said. "Just like people and Pokemon."

The young man thought for a moment, and then his gray eyes lit up. "Yes… yes, of course!" he said. "The two don't have to be separate! It—it makes more sense to have them working together!"

"That's right!" Zossie said. "Dulse and I have gotten so much stronger by going on adventures with our Pokemon, and I know our Pokemon feel the same way!"

"I've traveled all over my world," Magnolia said, "which isn't much different from yours, and I can tell you that everywhere I go, I see people and Pokemon working together for the benefit of everyone."

"Gyara!" Adrammalech said.

N looked up at the enormous Pokemon and smiled. "Your Gyarados says that he would never want to be separated from you," he said. "He and all of your other Pokemon regard you as their best friend. He says most of them asked to join you in your journeys, and because of you they've achieved more than they ever thought possible."

Magnolia grinned. "That's right," she said. "My Pokemon are my treasured companions—"

"There they are!" someone shouted from the door. Several Plasma Grunts stood there with Electric-types. "Get them!"