Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Nintendo does.

A/N: The prologue wasn't much of a chapter, but it served as a cliffhanger. As, I promised, the real fun begins this chapter. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

A/N: I suck at battles, but I'm going to try my best. However, the primary focuses in the story is more than just Ferriswheelshipping!

A/N: I kind of changed the background of White defeating all of the Seven Sages and having them arrested.

Chapter 1: Surprises

White's PoV.

Cheren, Bianca and I had reached the first floor of my home, determined to find out what was going on. What we didn't expect was a blast from the past: Team Plasma. I thought they'd disbanded after I had humiliated N and Ghetsis, I thought. As much as I wanted to shout out to my mother, I knew Cheren would be against the idea. He would want to plan out something.

Bianca, on the other hand, could always be counted upon: Our friend had barged into what was possibly a trap without thinking. To be honest, I couldn't understand if her actions were brave, stupid or both.

"Stop her!" Cheren hissed, but it was too late: Bianca sprinted towards the threesome, who were tying our parents up with a length of rope. "Why doesn't she listen to my ideas? Now our cover's blown!" Cheren shook his head, evidently disappointed and frustrated with Bianca's impulsiveness.

"Do you have a plan?" I wondered because I sure as hell didn't have any.

Cheren shook his head, seemingly crestfallen. "I had one, although it wasn't Bianca's idea," he confessed, tapping the lens of his glasses. "Now that I think about it, maybe a Pokemon Battle would make these morons leave your house, and better yet, Nuvema Town."

I nodded. "None of them were born here, so what business do they have here if they're evil?" Hatred swelled up inside me, clouding my thoughts. As foolish as Bianca's plan was, sometimes doing the right thing isn't doing the right thing. But Bianca's thoughtless scheme was better than some Cheren-esque plan guaranteed to cause me a headache.

Cheren sighed. "I'm not going to stand by and endure my parents being tormented and tied up by members of a dormant organization." He beckoned towards me, looking behind him in order to analyze the situation. "Bianca's stirring up trouble as usual," he commented. "I'm going to see what they want -"

Bianca's voice drowned out the rest of Cheren's sentence. "THIS IS A HOUSEHOLD, NOT PROFESSOR JUNIPER'S LAB!" she boomed. "Leave now or I'll call the authorities," she warned, "but if I had a choice, I'd ruin your lives for stealing my poor Munna!"

In my mind's eye, I envisioned Bianca and a Team Plasma member reaching for their Poke Balls. "We have no business with you, child!" Judging from the voice, I deduced it was male. What other gender could it be? "As much as we still desire to liberate Pokemon from Trainers such as yourself, that's not our goal right now. So step aside, little girl, and I will spare your Pokemon!"

No, I thought, attempting to stand up, intent on saving Bianca. Unfortunately, a hand pulled me down.

I wheeled around to survey Cheren, who had a thoughtful expression on his face. "How come our parents aren't saying anything?" I said shrilly, terrified for my beloved mother. If she only had a Pokemon, then she could fend for herself.

"Duct tape," Cheren told me. "Why our parents? What goal are they trying to accomplish here?"

I was wondering the same thing.

But I couldn't handle the angst anymore. Without waiting to hear Cheren's idea, I barged into the living room, where I saw my mother, Cheren's and Bianca's parents all tied up, their mouths sealed with duct tape, tucked into a corner. A Team Plasma member loomed over them, laughing maniacally. "So, where is this 'Jewel of Unova?'" I dove on to the carpet, inching my way over to the table, intending to use it as a shield. Jewel of Unova? Now I was utterly perplexed.

Bianca gave a derisive snort. "Wasn't that the Light Stone?" she said, twirling Poke Ball in her hand. "Whatever jewel your master wants from Nuvema Town . . . it doesn't exist!" The way my friend spoke was with such confidence, but I heard her voice quaver slightly. "Mom and Dad, don't worry! I'll set you free!"

A Team Plasma member walked into the dining room, munching on a muffin. "Instead of liberating Pokemon, maybe we should liberate food from these fools." One of his teammates came over and slapped him round the head, causing the man to drop his muffin. "Look, I have Pokemon with me, so either eat and hatch an evil plan or liberate the Pokemon from these fools, therefore disobeying our Lord's orders!"

"Leave the food alone," demanded Cheren, who had appeared into the midst, holding a Poke Ball in his hand. "Is there a third Pokemon yet to be discovered, locked away in a mere stone? If so, we Pokemon Trainers can't let you leave the house with this 'Jewel of Unova.'" Promptly, he threw the Poke Ball from his hand as if he were throwing a wicked curve ball. "GO, SIMIPOUR!"

Bianca gave a firm nod. "You've made an excellent choice as usual," she told Cheren. I witnessed Bianca aiming the Poke Ball towards the floor, shouting, "GO, SIMISAGE!"

I considered whether to battle with Simisear or not, because we needed all the Pokemon we could get. Digging into my backpack, I fished out Simisear's Poke Ball, grinning. I kissed the ball before tapping the button, enlarging the capsule. As I inclined my head, I noticed the only Team Plasma member without an opponent was the one guarding our parents. "Join the battle!" I threw Simisear's Poke Ball at the criminal's head, watching it descend to the ground. There was a blinding flash of light as Simisear appeared.

"I might as well liberate this Pokemon -" he began to say, scowling.

I bravely advanced towards the criminal, walking with my back arched, my head high in the air. "If you wanna liberate Pokemon still, then I guess my duty now is to forever fight against Team Plasma with Bianca and Cheren at my side," I vowed, narrowing my eyes. I stood in front of the criminal, whose face turned redder than lava. "Game on, idiot," I invited, cocking my head. "GO, SIMISEAR!" I yelled, noticing Simisear positioning himself in front of me protectively, more than ready to fight against this villain.

"I've never seen Pokemon like these," I heard Cheren say.

"Me too," Bianca chimed in, "but we're here to protect the unknown 'Jewel of Unova', 'cause we'd had enough of Team Plasma! Right, Cheren?" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bianca and Cheren exchanging smiles, Bianca winking while giving the thumbs-up. "What about you, White?"

I raised my eyebrows. "I thought I was your best friend," I said, mock hurt in my voice. I tore my eyes off her to gaze into the eyes of my opponent. "Whatever Pokemon you've liberated -" I caught myself mid-sentence, wondering why I'd used the word I had come to associate with the epitome of villainy, "Whatever Pokemon you've stolen from others . . . give them back! Because there's nothing I hate more than thieves using Pokemon they don't own as tools!" I raised my hand in the air, pointing at the Team Plasma member. "If I win, then you let our parents go and tell us what you're after."

"What if we win?" said the criminal battling Simipour with a Pokemon my Pokedex identified as Gulpin.

Cheren's eyes flashed behind his glasses. "That won't happen," he said heatedly, clenching his fists so tightly they looked as if they would stay that way forever. "If you can liberate Pokemon, then surely you can liberate our parents! Simipour, attack with BRINE!" Cheren pointed towards the new Pokemon positioned in front of the Team Plasma member.

I stared at Cheren as if he were insane. First, Bianca destroyed my bedroom, and now Cheren was flooding my kitchen and living room. "Are you insane?" I voiced, waiting for my opponent to choose his Pokemon.

"I'll help you and your mother later," Cheren shot back, "because this sort of battle's going to leave a mess behind." He wheeled around, giving a pointed glare at the Team Plasma member. "Make your move if you may," he told them.

"GO, SANDSLASH!" the Team Plasma member I was facing screamed, letting the Poke Ball fly straight and true onto our kitchen floor. A Pokemon – definitely a Sandslash – appeared. "In case you jump to the wrong conclusion, I didn't liberate this Pokemon."

I gave a shout of laughter. "Am I supposed to believe an idiotic criminal? I don't have time to battle you," I said coldly, "'because I want a vacation, not to deal with you morons!" The Team Plasma member glowed an even brighter red in the face at my snide comment. "Let our parents go," I ordered, "or I'll definitely fight you for reals, and defeat you just as I did with Alder!"

"Defeat us first," the Team Plasma member who invaded the kitchen snarled. He was infuriated at the mere fact of Bianca's Simisage overpowering a Pokemon the Pokedex identified as a Weezing. "Our might is unrivaled, even by the Jewel of Unova! Weezing, defeat Simisage with your SLUDGE attack!" He laughed, seeing Simisage fly across the room, eventually colliding into the bookshelf where dozens of books fell atop the Pokemon. "One Pokemon down, five more to go!" he gloated.

I examined my opponent, who was impatiently waiting for Simisear to make his first move. "So, you're the Pokemon Champion?" he asked, curiosity radiating through his voice, "because I don't want to lose when I have a mission to accomplish with Pokemon by my side."

"Maybe," I admitted. "Yeah, I am! Do you want an autograph?" For once, a Team Plasma member looked as if he didn't want to face me after all. "How on earth did you know this?" His other teammates seemed fidgety, calling their Pokemon back into their Poke Balls.

"SANDSLASH, RETURN!" the Team Plasma member commanded. When Sandslash returned to its mechanical prison, the criminal surveyed me with mild interest and grudging admiration. "I've found the Jewel of Unova," he breathed. "Our Lord – reagent of King N – said the Jewel of Unova is extremely valuable and would be a great asset to Team Plasma."

"We don't have the Jewel of Unova," Cheren said at the same time Bianca yelled, "You're a coward for forfeiting! Anyways, don't you ever steal my Pokemon or food from White's house ever again!" Both of my friends eyed me apprehensively, Cheren's facial expression pokerfaced.

All three of us recalled our Pokemon back to their Poke Balls. "Look at the mess I've caused!" Bianca cried, cringing. "White, your mother's going to kill me!" She jumped around, hysteria in her crystal blue eyes. "What am I going to do?"

Cheren shoved the Team Plasma criminal out of the way. "Just because White is Pokemon Champion, you have no right to forfeit the match. I have a feeling you three are powerful, although what about the Seven Sages? Where are they?" All three of the Team Plasma members laughed harshly in unison at Cheren's demanding tone.

The leader of the bunch – the one guarding our parents – stepped forward. "Believe it or not, you have the Jewel of Unova beside you," he said, apparently amused. "Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll release your parents, meddlesome child." He whirled around to glance at one of his comrades. "Release them, because they're unrelated to the Seven Sages' ultimate plan."

Cheren stared at him coldly. "Answer the question, you idiot," he snapped. "Where are they? The last time I heard of them was that they were arrested! So why is Team Plasma still together?"

Cheren, Bianca and I stared at each other, fearful for Unova's safety, endangered by Team Plasma. Who was leading them and why would they want a non-existent Jewel of Unova from Nuvema Town?

The criminal who had raided the refrigerator smirked. "That's for us to know and for you not to know." He directed his gaze at his commander whilst wiping the remnants of the delicious muffins from his face. "By the way, this muffin was quite scrumptious."

"DON'T TOUCH OUR FOOD AND RELEASE OUR PARENTS!" I bellowed, wanting nothing more than to punch each and every Team Plasma member square in the face for their uncouthness and lack of manners.

Suddenly the door made a creaking noise, flinging itself open. That meant either more Team Plasma members were invading the home or perhaps Professor Juniper was about to march in. What I did not expect was the figure of a man cloaked in shadow, standing immobile in the doorway.

"Release their parents," said the shadowy frame with amazing authority.

The Team Plasma members must've known who it was, for their expressions became pious and reverent. All three of them huddled around our parents, one of them carelessly ripping off the duct tape from each adult's mouth whilst the other two untied the length of rope entrapping our parents.

I felt a pang of pain when I heard all five of them saying, "OWWW!" I knew they must've been through great ordeal, both physically and emotionally.

Cheren's mother traced her mouth, wincing. Cheren's father flexed what little muscle he had left in his arms, perplexed and pained. Bianca's father looked at his daughter adoringly and gratefully, matching Bianca's mother's expression while my mother cupped her wrists, which were bright red. Just seeing my mother like that made me furious.

"Hello, White," said that voice from behind me, clearer than before.

I thought I was free of that voice. Now, I know I'll possibly never be.

N's PoV.

"You three are supposed to be searching for my father," I told the Shadow Triad, whose faces were veiled as usual. "Anyway, if you came here to seek my assistance, then I order for you to leave!" I gestured behind me, hoping they would get the message that they were unwelcome here.

One of them chuckled. "Your Majesty, you really don't have a choice in the matter. You either come with us or -"

I flicked my bangs before bursting into laughter. "You're wasting your time, Shadow Triad." I noticed a rock embedded in the damp beach sand, which would always be damp because of the calm ocean waves. This was a place far from Unova, a landmark radiating serenity and peace, with a hint of ancient power flowing from the caves.

I bent down, Poke Ball still clenched tightly in my hand. As I felt the smooth surface of the rock, I dug my fingers beneath the stone, knowing full well mud would stick to my fingers. As I pried it away from its resting place, a rain of sand flowed from the unearthed object. "I want some peace and quiet, far from Unova!" In frustration, I hurled the rock at the ocean, seeing it skip a couple of times across the surface before inevitably sinking into the sea.

"And so you chose Johto," another Shadow Triad member spoke up, "but you're the King, and as the King, maybe you should head back to Unova. Your father's sincerely sorry he manipulated you into -"

At the mention of my father, I gritted my teeth. Wheeling around, I glared at the Shadow Triad member who had just spoken. "Do you expect for me to believe that?" I growled. "My father was a selfish man, unworthy of love and forgiveness. What could he possibly want me for?"

The third member pointed at the crown. "You dropped it," he said stupidly.

Angrily, I scooped it up, tightening my grip on the grooved edges. I had a love-hate relationship with this crown, which irked me. If I threw it into the ocean, then the predicament I was in would always be suspended over my head, threatening for me to succumb to the darkness buried deep within my heart. I would always be portrayed as the villain – later antihero – in White's tale.

"I may be King in a way," I began, "but not you three's King! If you're here on behalf of my father, then begone! My father's all but dead to me. I want nothing to do with Unova or its population." I clenched my Poke Ball, ready to battle the Shadow Triad if it came down to them going away.

"For heaven's sake, put the Poke Ball away," the first Shadow Triad member who spoke to me sighed. "We of the Shadow Triad have no desire to engage in an unnecessary battle with His Majesty." The other two nodded in unison.

I didn't put the Poke Ball away because I feared the consequences. They were devious and deceitful; since they worked for Ghetsis (I forced myself to call my father by his given name). For all I knew, they were planning something huge. "I won't," I responded stubbornly. "Kidnap me if you must, but I can always break out of my prison."

"Should we tell him?" one of the Shadow Triad asked his comrade, lowering his voice to a whisper.

Unfortunately I heard him.

"Tell me what?" I glared at the Shadow Triad, standing in a single file line.

"The girl who you're smitten with – the Jewel of Unova – is in danger," one of them spoke.

I was taken aback. How can the Pokemon Champion be in danger? I wondered, confounded. She has super-powerful Pokemon, meaning she can take care of herself with no problem. Still, they have to be lying!

The Shadow Triad leader sauntered over to me, closing the distance between us. He looked at his comrades. "Relieve him of his Poke Balls so he won't escape."

"Your wish is our command," the one who had whispered to his comrade told his leader.

Weakly, I reached a hand out toward my Poke Balls, truly frightened for my friends. "LEAVE THEM BE!" I roared, on the verge of tears. "THEY DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO YOU, SHADOW TRIAD BASTARDS! I'M THE ONE YOU WANT!" I made to stand up, but the Shadow Triad leader loomed over me. Just then, I felt a sense of dread.

"This could've gone in a completely different direction," said the Shadow Triad leader regretfully, "but you leave me no other choice." He grabbed me by the collar before hurling me against the cold outcropping, where I hit my head.

All I saw was darkness after impact.

A/N: "Surprises" is finished. So Read and Review. I'd love more feedback, you know. I realize N's PoV is much shorter than White's, but I promise it'll grow longer as the story continues.

This chapter has been edited without any drastic changes that would affect the flow of the plot. It has been changed because of the sequel Eventide being released soon.

Edited on: 11/01/15