Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Sadly, Nintendo does. At least I own "For the Love of a King: History".

A/N: I was going to write this and update this on the 13th, but the configuration of Microsoft Word took forever.

A/N: Anyway, thank you for those who reviewed, gave some feedback and constructive criticism. It kind of made my week, you know? I hate flaming. R&R when you're finished with this chapter.

A/N: Aaargh, I hate research so much! However, if the characters are going to celebrate the founding of a city that's been around for a bicentennial, then of course I have to research. The storyline does come from my imagination.

A/N: There's a poll up on my profile. I see at least one of you has voted. For those of you who haven't voted, check it out pronto!

A/N: I must remind you that references will be made about Generation I/Generation III, Generation II and Generation IV, plus Pokemon Black. I still need to play Pokemon White, though.

A/N: All of you are keeping this story going, believe it or not.

A/N: It was so funny when all of you reviewed the chapter "Red". I fell asleep, and when I woke up, there were already three reviews. I'm happy all of you were anticipating that chapter, just as I was when I wrote it.

A/N: Let me have my moment of fun, okay?

ExaltedLight (holds a microphone): So, tell me, Mr. Harmonia –

N (glows red): I hate being called Harmonia. ExaltedLight, I'd already got used to White calling me Your Majesty and His Majesty. You put her up to it, am I right?

ExaltedLight (smiles slyly): Do you know Cheren called you "His Majesty the Moron"?

N (rolls his eyes): Since you've mentioned Cheren calling me that, maybe he should say it to my face. After all, you have both of us at each other's throats. I wonder when White's prediction of Cheren warming up to me will come true.

ExaltedLight (pokerfaced): Only time will tell. I do know several things.

N (attempts to give a White-esque death glare, although he fails miserably): Such as what?

ExaltedLight: Uhhh . . . I know how you feel about White. My audience does. Most of all, I do know when you'll confess to White you like her.

N (folds his arms): Do you and your audience have any evidence I love her? I told White I liked her back in my castle almost a month ago.

ExaltedLight (grins from ear-to-ear): Love has many different definitions, but so does the word like. However, like and love is used interchangeably by teenagers, such as yourself.

N: Get to the point, will ya?

ExaltedLight (scowls): I had a deleted scene with you and White, although it wasn't romantic and therefore pointless.

N: . . .

ExaltedLight (glares at N White-style): Okay, okay! I just wanted to say your characterization's pretty hard for me to pull off, because you can act like your original self one moment but then you have the brooding disposition the next.

N (pushes the microphone away): You had your fun. Now just finish the story, all right?

ExaltedLight (nods): Okay, thank you for your time.

N (walks away)

A/N: I couldn't resist that, although I won't do one of those skits for a while, so you needn't worry.

A/N: Another Ferriswheelshipping moment is in this chapter. I think you already know what it is, so why bother explaining? XD

A/N: Let's move into chapter 18, "A Night to Remember Part II"

White's PoV.

Drilling my eyes into Aidan's, I bristled. "Aidan, I want info, as usual."

I might as well get straight to the point, right?

As I took off my backpack, I slid my gloved hand into the side pocket. "Remember, you owe me! I owe you!" I continued.

Aidan paled. "I owe you for saving me from falling off the cliff, and you still owe me for saving you from your mortal enemy, which is a force of a nature. As a matter of fact, I still wonder why you haven't turned me in."

I frowned. "You know a lot, meaning you see a lot," I pointed out. "Besides being a friend of mine, you sell information. That info's pretty damn useful, so that's why I haven't turned you in. How am I gonna collect if I turn you in?"

N leaned over my folded hands, causing my heart to beat erratically due to his proximity. "So, that's your relationship with White?" he pressed Aidan, the tone of his voice venomous.

Aidan surveyed N, seeming mildly irritated. "I sell information as a secondary job, N," said Aidan, smiling deviously. "In case you didn't know, I'd actually questioned the liberation nonsense everyone was spouting towards the end of your short-lived reign, N, so that's why I'm no longer a Team Plasma member." Gazing at my friend with newfound interest, he went on, "Are you jealous of the working relationship I have with White or what?"

N tilted his chin up slightly, wearing a sneer. "Oh, I'm far from jealous," he promised. "Aidan, you're looking at the new and improved N. I don't feel emotion anymore, thanks to Ghetsis."

I wanted to bark with laughter at the ludicrous words N was saying. After all, he was behaving exactly as the N I'd grown accustomed to while I'd traveled throughout Unova, even though this N was only resurfacing for a couple of hours. It's so devastating he won't be this person ever again. Unfortunately, this is a night to remember, not a night to forget, I mused, eyeing N gloomily.

Sighing heavily, I said, "Do you know anything about your old employer's (my mouth twisted around, employer's) recent activities in the past few hours?" The counter's color shifted from neon yellow to neon purple. "I know you always have new info, so . . ."

The man furrowed his brows. "I really don't know that much," he confessed, taking his elbows off the counter.

I felt disappointed, although I wasn't going to let that faze me one bit. "Not even for 300 grand?" I asked, keeping my voice composed.

Aidan shrugged his shoulders. "The information I'm withholding from you costs much more than that amount."

Skeptical, I rolled my eyes. "Dude, I'm the one who got you this job back in Castelia City!" I narrowed my eyes, Aidan flinching. "For 300 grand, you better tell me something."

Aidan frowned. "I know," he said guiltily, "but I don't do discounts, White. I'm sorry."

"Aidan, was she always like this?" N asked. "How can you handle a working relationship with her? How do I know White and I can trust you?"

I threw a dirty look at N, offended he would dare question my sense of judgment.

Grasping tufts of his windswept hair, Aidan answered, "Trust is earned, not given." Looking at both of us with concern, the man plowed on, "Anyway, Ghetsis's looking for you, White and Platina."

What about Bianca and Cheren? I found myself wondering.

Aidan must've noticed the dumbstruck countenance I had on my face, because he said, "He could care less about the Bianca girl and the Cheren boy. He just wants you three."

N stiffened. "You've just volunteered info. We didn't even have to press you for it."

Aidan smiled. "It's common sense, not information." Putting his elbows on the counter again, he said seriously, "I think you already know the answer to handling a working relationship with White, seeing as you're obviously working with her. As for White trusting me, that's not really any of your concern, only hers." Eyes twinkling, he admitted, "I always pay my debts, whether they're good or bad."

I grinned when my hand scooped a handful of coins. As I extracted them from their hiding place, they jingled within my hand. There were enough of them to create a fistful. "Aidan, my friend, didn't I turn my back when you stole that bag of Lava Cookies while you were telling me all about Alder's Pokemon back in Driftveil City a week ago?"

Positioning my hand in front of the man, I loosened it, the coins raining down from my palm. Some of them even fell through my fingers.

Aidan was mortified. "What does that have to do with anything?" Aidan said, on edge. "We both like Lava Cookies!"

I rolled my eyes. "You swear that on 300 grand?" I said.

Aidan looked puzzled. "I'd split the Lava Cookies with you!" he cried. "Will you really turn me in for shoplifting?"

Glancing at the assorted coins, I'd noticed I was 200 grand short.

"And yeah, I swear that on 300 grand," Aidan added hastily.

As fast as thought, I delved my hand into the side pocket again. This time my hand was overflowing with the remaining 200 grand. "That's not the point." With each word issuing from my mouth, I took a coin from my palm, stacking them atop the counter, now glowing neon green. "Aidan, I have love and respect for you. I appreciate your advice, no matter how much I have to pay for it." I turned around slightly, closing the side pocket. "Angelic Breeze should give you better pay, you know?" I looked at Aidan once more for emphasis.

Aidan looked down, murmuring, "I get discounts on Casteliacones."

"How much do you want from her?" N asked Aidan.

The man snapped his head back up. "500 grand."

N whistled. "That must be pretty important info, then."

I nodded with agreement.

Glaring at Aidan, I said coolly, "I know you'd split half of those Lava Cookies with me but – but who got the bigger half? Was it me or you?"

Aidan said nothing.

I pulled a face. "I think I gave you the bigger half, Aidan."

For a while, there was silence between the three of us.

Aidan broke it with a feral growl of defeat.

"Fine," he conceded. "I'll give you a discount this time and this time only."

I was so happy I felt as if I could leap with joy.

I distinctly heard N mutter, "White wins again."

I pretended as if I didn't hear him.

Aidan looked at the coins, glowing as brightly as the winter moon. He picked one up, twirling it around with the tips of his fingers, as if determining whether I had handed him funny money or not.

"Okay, so why shouldn't N and I be here?" I asked swiftly. "Does it have anything to do with Ghetsis or not?"

He scooped up the rest of my money, stuffing them into his vest pocket. "My informant's a vigilante determined to bring the Seven Sages to justice," he began in his usual businesslike tone. "In fact, he is kind of shady." Aidan raised one of his fingers upright. "I also heard a rumor that he is connected to Ghetsis."

Out of all the information Aidan could've disclosed to me, an informant tipping him off was definitely not on my top-ten list.

N, out of vain curiosity, leaned even further towards Aidan, clutching on to the counter's edges for support. "Do you know his name?" he said breathlessly.

I hope you enjoy disappointment, I thought, smirking.

Aidan paled, even gritting his teeth. "I do. In a way, I'm like a counselor. Whatever happens between you and I remains confidential. That goes for your name as well. Unless," he paused, bending over the counter, "you want me to deliver a message."

As I'd expected, N was half-disbelieving, half-disappointed. "Bribe him," N said without looking at me.

Inadvertently, I let loose a roar of laughter. "I did try that one time," I admitted. "Aidan refused, even though I had 50 large in hand."

"I almost gave in," said Aidan ruefully, smirking. "White and N, my informant told me Team Plasma was coming to the Temporal Festival."

Well, that was refreshing.

That news was going to ruin my night with N.

I began to sling my backpack on to my shoulders, wincing all the while.

N balled his hands into fists. "Will this informant be here? I'd really like to meet him." His hands loosened up.

That made two of us, except the Seven Sages were all portly to me. Seriously, I could never tell them apart. Every time I'd run into one of them, I would wonder if they were the same one from before. The only way I was able to tell them apart were their robes.

". . . Anyway, he won't be present at the Temporal Festival. Only two of the Sages will be."

"W-Who are they?" I pressed Aidan.

Both N and I gazed at each other, truly frightened.

"Gorm's one," Aidan told us.

Immediately, I took shaky breaths.

I knew who the other Sage was.

Before I knew it, I fell off the counter, N promptly catching me. "Are you okay?" he asked me.

"Yeah," I answered.

"You already know the second one," Aidan guessed.

I nodded with agreement.

Suddenly, several people donning uniforms just like Aidan's appeared into the midst, carrying boxes filled with Casteliacones. "Well, it looks as if my break is over," Aidan announced. "You two be careful, and -" Aidan was brandishing two jagged yellow tickets, which N snatched from him. "Just be careful, okay?"

As I extricated myself from N's embrace, I said cheerily, "Thanks, Aidan. The next time we meet, I'm gonna bring you some Lava Cookies and MooMoo Milk!" I waved at him before lacing my arm through N's.

"Who is it?" N questioned me, his malachite jewels aglow with apprehension.

I bore my eyes into N's, horrified. "Ghetsis," I moaned.

N paled.

We were in trouble.

Chapter 17: A Night to Remember Part II

White's PoV.

As N and I reached the end of the aisle, I gathered up the courage to stare at his face.

There was denial written all over it. Horror. Rage. Shock. Nostalgia.

I could name more emotions that were negative yet I saw some unnerving ones, such as hope and happiness. Ghetsis's pure evil, I thought angrily. N would be an idiot if he forgives Ghetsis, and let him back into his life! Ghetsis wants to drain him of Idealism, according to the book Mother authored, the one I'd read.

Great, now I was thinking about that dark passage. Everything I once thought I'd known about the world had changed drastically when I read that tome. Now, I was armed with the knowledge of being a descendant of White, my namesake, the original Hero of Truth. Although that was exciting news, I also had to face the fact I might be drained of Truth, with Reshiram – my guardian angel in a way - being forced to watch. In spite of myself, I couldn't help thinking that the only reason Reshiram chose me as the new Hero of Truth was because I was White's direct-line descendant.

On the other hand, no one knew the whereabouts of the Houses of Levesque and Parthenos or the Void and God Stones they had once fiercely protected. Was it possible Zekrom had selected the wrong person as the Hero of Idealism? Or did either the House of Levesque or House of Parthenos go by the surname Harmonia these days? It just didn't make sense. When the night's over, you can think about this, I reminded myself.

"Ghetsis will be here," N mused. "I wonder what we should do."

Not wanting to discuss the topic of Ghetsis with N, I said, "N, what did Aidan give you?"

N flinched. "Ummm . . ." He gazed at the tickets, rolling his eyes. "They're free admission passes to the Masquerade Dance," he said. "Well, according to this . . . They're also raffle tickets to win that necklace Iris was blabbing about back at the residence."

"Should we head there?" I said hesitantly. "If Aidan gave us those, then the Masquerade Dance's probably our best chance to blend in. Maybe he's trying to protect us or -"

N shook his head. "I don't want to go," he told me. "We should head back to the -"

I raised my eyebrows. "You said you would escort me," I reminded him. "That means whatever I say, you will do."

I kind of wanted to dance. Seriously, I looked as if I'd stepped out of the pages of a storybook. Plus, didn't rich people dance at a masquerade? I mean, N came from a wealthy family, and so did my mother. Unlike N, my mother's fortune vanished into thin air. Never once did she complain about it, but then again, she never told me about her childhood. I wondered if she'd ever danced with Red or somebody else for that matter, I found myself thinking, envious of the life my mother once had.

N sighed. "I don't trust Aidan," he said solemnly. "I mean, he could be trying to set us up so we could be captured, White. For once, think outside the box."

I tore my eyes off N, frowning. "Aidan wouldn't betray me," I said loyally. "I don't care if you don't trust him, N. He owes me and I owe him." I felt my anger clawing its way to the surface. "Don't you remember your promise to me?" I said, batting my eyelashes.

When we paused between a green marquee and a sapphire blue one, N swerved around. "The one where we'll forget about tonight?" he said innocently. "White, I don't want to forget about tonight, but I also want to at the same time."

"So that means you'd won this hat for nothing?" I pointed at the hat, trying not to dwell upon my sadness at his thoughtless yet undeniably true words.

N shook his head. "It's not like that at all," he said defensively. "I won that hat for you because you're my only human friend. I treasure our friendship, perhaps more than you do. You mean a lot to me."

I ignored his comment. "Do you know what I see?" I said.

"What?" N asked curiously.

"THERE YOU ARE!" Bianca's voice interrupted my response, making me hiss.

Bianca, Cheren, Drayden and Iris appeared into our midst. "We've been looking everywhere for you two!" said Iris. "I hope you two weren't kissing -"

Bianca's eyes swam with tears. "That would be so-sooooooooooo unfair if they were sharing their first . . . Oh my God!" She blinked away the tears, beaming at me. "We were looking everywhere for you two, 'cause we – I mean, Iris and I really wanted to take -"

N stiffened. "Absolutely not," he protested. "For the last time, a no's a no, Bianca!" He stared at Bianca, whose cheery disposition developed into one of uneasiness.

Drayden stroked his beard. "Where are Platina and Red?" he asked both of us.

When Drayden said Red's name, I felt enraged. "I think R-Red mentioned them going to the Tunnel of Love ride," I answered. "I heard Bianca and Cheren took a ride -"

"You heard wrong," Cheren remarked coldly. "Are you having a good time with M?"

"N," N hissed.

Cheren flicked his hand, but Bianca punched him in the arm, making Cheren cringe. "Bianca, have you forgotten what he's capable of?" he voiced. "I think you do, but it looks as if White forgave him already."

"You know I can hear you," N snapped. "I mean, I dislike you because you're kind of rude toward me . . . However, can't we drop the animosity for one night?"

Drayden sighed. "N and Cheren," he chided. "The last thing we need is for chaos to break loose tonight. Remember that a house divided against itself cannot stand."

I nodded. "Exactly," I agreed. "We can't fight with each other, because we need to stand together, especially tonight. N and I have some very bad news."

The atmosphere darkened tenfold. Everything either seemed to slow down to a halt, or was happening in very, very slow motion.

"You seem troubled," Drayden observed. "Whatever it is, you have the might of the Opelucid Gym Leaders behind you, White. Also, remember you are the most powerful Trainer in all of Unova. Red himself is the most powerful Trainer in all of Kanto, and Platina's the most powerful Trainer in all of Sinnoh. Bianca, Cheren and N – powerful Pokemon Trainers, I'm sure – are behind you as well."

I smiled. "I guess I was worried for nothing."

N sighed. "Team Plasma, along with Ghetsis and Gorm, are here at the Temporal Festival."

Cheren gave a derisive snort. "Nice," he said sarcastically. "What's the bad news, White?"

I glanced at my childhood friend. "N just said it," I said impatiently. "A friend of mine tipped me off, saying what N had just relayed to you all."

Bianca bit her lip. "How come they couldn't wait until tomorrow?" she whined. "They'll find us! I know it!"

"Calm down, Bianca!" Iris ordered. "Grandpa said we're powerful, so White and N are safe. Anyways, they won't find any of us! Bianca, you're a powerful, powerful Pokemon Trainer! I bet White's glad you're here with her tonight, right?" She glanced at me for reassurance.

I gave Iris the thumbs-up. "Yeah," I confirmed. "I feel safer with you, N and Cheren at my side, Bianca. No matter what happens, I'll do anything in my power to save all of us, including Drayden, Iris, my mother and Red."

"Don't be acting heroic, White," said N underneath his breath. "None of us will let you be around Ghetsis, especially me. If he wants to hurt you, then he'll have no choice but to battle me."

"Platina and Red expected for Ghetsis to show up," Drayden told us. "If Team Plasma is running the stands, then it's not safe for you or N to wander about, even if Iris, Cheren and Bianca are with you, White. All of you being together would be too risky. Your best bet . . ." Drayden wheeled around, searching for something. "Iris, take N, Cheren, Bianca and White with you to Origin Hall, where they're hosting the Masquerade Dance."

N flushed. "I'm not dancing," he said adamantly.

Though I wanted to laugh and say N was being humble, I stared into Drayden's deep brown eyes, as sharp as an arrow. "You're not coming with us," I surmised.

Drayden nodded. "I must find the Pokemon Champions of Sinnoh and Kanto, but first . . ." The Gym Leader extracted his Xtransceiver from his tuxedo's pocket, flipping it open.

As I began to steer N towards the Origin Hall, I heard Iris say, "White, wait!"

Heaving a sigh, I glued my eyes onto Drayden, who was casually leaning against the marquee colored green, emotionless. "Hello? Red, is that you?"

"Of all people, he had to contact Red," N growled.

N seemed pensive, oblivious to the people laughing, eating, talking and screaming around us. The only way I knew he wasn't completely wrapped up in his thoughts was him looking at me every now and then.

"You shouldn't worry, Red," Drayden was saying. "My granddaughter's a very capable Trainer, and White does have her friends and Pokemon. You say Platina knows Ghetsis better than most people. So, she believes he would try some other tactic rather than simply abducting them?"

I heard Red babbling away on the Xtransceiver.

"I've seen Ghetsis twice," said Drayden darkly. "I could certainly tell he's a man who always has a Plan B. But I hope Platina's right about Ghetsis only abducting White and N just to lure you and her out of hiding. Whatever the case may be, I would do my best to help all of you before you leave in the morning, but I have this feeling your departure would be much earlier than that. Where are you, in fact?"

Drayden nodded. "I'll meet you and Platina there." He hung up the Xtransceiver, gazing at Iris. "Red and Platina are waiting for me," he informed her. "Cheren and Bianca, you're VIPs because of Iris."

Bianca jumped up and down, Cheren sighing. "Sweet! That means I don't have to pay money in order to dance."

N flashed the tickets at Drayden. "Free admission here," he said proudly. "White's friend gave us these."

Drayden pried them free from N. "'Isabelle Rose and Joseph Deveraux,'" Drayden read. "These false tickets look identical to the real ones." He forked them back over to N, who put them into his pocket.

"Your tip-off obviously wants to protect you," said Cheren.

Once more, I owed Aidan.

Drayden said farewell to Iris, N, Cheren, Bianca and I before he turned around, disappearing into the ocean of humans.

Once Drayden was out of earshot, Bianca and Iris laughed.

"LET'S DANCE!" both girls shrieked.

Eagerly, Bianca pulled Cheren by the hand, taking off at breakneck speed, Iris following the pair.

"You're going too fast!" Cheren said to Bianca.

Iris flanked my best friends, giggling.

I gazed at N, who had broken out of his reverie. "Okay, now you have a surname," I said brightly. "Mr. Deveraux, care to escort me to the Masquerade Dance?" I smiled in spite of myself.

N sighed. "With pleasure," he accepted. "No matter what happens, stay by me."

"I wasn't going to leave your side, anyway," I stated seriously.

Together, we followed the threesome, eyeing a magnificent olden domed building, luminous in the moonlight.

I couldn't wait.

N's PoV.

White and I owed Aidan, as much as I hated to admit it. Even though I was happy to be with White tonight, the mere notion of seeing Ghetsis again made me anything but uneasy. To be frank, half of me did wish to see him but the other half warned me to be cautious, like Platina was being cautious.

I think White saw my reaction to Ghetsis's return, and knowing how much she detested Ghetsis, she would do anything in her power to impede me from seeing the man who had left me traumatized. So, Ghetsis abducted White and I in order to lure Red and Platina out of hiding, I mused, hardly noticing the multicolored marquees whizzing by us. Both White and Platina resemble each other, thus making it easy for Ghetsis to find Platina. He used White for leverage yet he could've drained Truth from her easily! He needs Platina because she has Mesprit and Dialga, and now the Nameless Stone. However, Red must have something Ghetsis covets. Maybe it's in that Heal Ball.

I remembered Red and I having that conversation about the Menger Sponge I wore around my neck. Did it have anything to do with Ghetsis's diabolical scheme, hidden under layers of other plans? The only person who would have the slightest idea about this would be Platina or Red, or both. I had the distinct impression they were withholding information that would affect not only us but the whole world.

I didn't know what to believe anymore.

"N!" White whispered in my ear.

I snapped back to reality. Looking around, I noticed we were walking down a cobbled street, moving up and down erratically like hills. "I did it again, didn't I?" I said.

White nodded. "Well, while you were in Dreamland, Bianca, Cheren and Iris sprinted off, leaving us behind." She seemed upset at that, albeit pleased at the same time. "I thought you and Cheren were gonna fight back there," she admitted.

"I thought so as well," I confessed. "Thing is, I don't know how to fight."

White held up her hand, wincing. "Neither can I. I know how to slap others, though," she added grimly, lowering her hand down. "I think you may be right about Cheren being jealous of you."

I smirked. "I wasn't being serious about that," I said, unable to believe how easily White fell for my words. "Okay, I think he actually might like you. Please tell me you don't like him, White," I tacked on, feeling envious at the mere thought of White crushing on Cheren.

"Didn't I tell you I didn't like Cheren?" White said, exasperated.

She gasped when we went down another bump. Unthinkingly, I latched onto her arm tighter. "You're going to be fine," I promised. "I already feel bad about breaking your hand." I glanced at her broken hand, guilt swelling up inside me.

"Stop blaming yourself for a choice I made," White fumed. "I just gotta live with the damn consequences, okay?"

I smirked. "What happened with the retro act?" We maneuvered down another bump, which wasn't as bad as I'd anticipated. "For a moment, I thought you were royalty or something."

White laughed heartily. "I wanna be myself," she told me. "It was hard work pretending to be a socialite. Seriously, I don't eat like a girl. I lack manners, and I'm really tomboyish. I can see why people like Bianca, the perfect lady." White fixated her gaze toward the Origin Hall, inching closer and closer to us with every hill we descended and ascended from. "She has the most beautiful blue eyes that sparkle like aquamarines. Her skin's the shade of alabaster, and her hair's a perfect shade of gold. I wish I had hair like hers."

"She's okay-looking," I admitted, "but blondes aren't my type at all, White."

White smiled. "Of course you wouldn't like Bianca," she said, content with my answer. "I mean, who do you like, anyways?"

I sighed. "White, do you really want to dance with me?"

I was secretly looking forward to this.

"We're partners, so why not?"

We climbed up the second-to-last cobbled hill, surveying the rust-colored domed building in its entire splendor. The moon, high up in the dark sky, glimmered, shafts of moonlight illuminating the paned windows, no doubt streaming through them. Around us was grass, darker at this time of night, looking well-watered. As a matter of fact, I could smell wafts of food issuing from the open doors, gilded with silver.

My stomach rumbled. "Do you want to dance inside?" I said softly, hearing music playing, with mindless chattering and laughter rippling from the Origin Hall. Every person, single or accompanied by a date, was halted by the tuxedoed men flanking the doors. They either flashed tickets or forked over wads of money to the men, who nodded curtly. Afterward, the people bent over draped tables, using writing utensils to sign their name on a registry. When they were done, the men eyed them one more time before allowing them to enter the Origin Hall.

"It doesn't matter," she responded swiftly. "Why do you ask?"

Cautiously, I dragged White off the cobbled sidewalk, the brunette almost stepping on the hem of her dress. "How come you don't wanna dance inside?" she asked, suspicious. "Drayden said we should stay with Bianca, Iris and Cheren."

I wheeled around, pointing toward the men. "Is their behavior normal or not?" I said, seeing them examining a lone brunette before granting her access. Both men looked at each other, shrugging their shoulders. "They're looking for us. My eyes and hair are distinguishable, so if you're seen with me . . . we're goners."

White nodded.

"We're better off not dancing inside," she agreed, albeit White seemed crestfallen at the very idea.

Swiftly but silently, White and I ventured through the grass, free of suspicious-looking men or women. Shockingly enough, there were no side entrances, which was a good thing. That would've been bad, because Team Plasma would be guarding the doors, examining every man or woman passing through in order to find us.

"I know we're trying to stay out of sight," White said carefully once we slipped past garden statues resembling Reshiram, Zekrom or a dragon I'd never seen before, "but are you trying to find another entrance into the hall?"

I frowned. "I wonder why Gorm or Ghetsis doesn't have Team Plasma grunts patrolling the sides of the Origin Hall. If I were still King, I wouldn't take any chances." As we slowed down, panting, I continued, "Side entrances or not, someone could slip by in order to evade detection. In order for that not to happen, I would station grunts here, having them battle anyone who got in my way."

I looked at the sight before us, my mouth dropping open inadvertently. "It's . . . a . . ."

Stretching out before us was a calm and serene bowl-shaped lake, bluer than the one we had crossed whilst riding Reshiram. I thought it was bluer than usual due to it being nighttime. Looking up, I noticed the stars were twinkling, woven into the amorphous veil of darkness. High up in the sky, a silvery-white jewel was gleaming, shafts of moonlight dancing across the water, glistening as well. The grass White and I were treading upon melted into a concrete sidewalk, edged by a fancy-looking rail.

White held her breath.

Knowing she wanted to come closer, I dramatically sauntered over to the sidewalk, seeing one of White's Running Shoes reveal itself from the bottom of her dress before being devoured by the cloth. "I can't believe you've decided to head out tonight with your Running Shoes." I rolled my eyes with mock disapproval.

As we climbed onto the sidewalk, she said sharply, "First Bianca and now you? I wanted to remind myself that -"

I smirked. "I like you just the way you are, White," I admitted. "I don't care if you wear those Running Shoes. You're still you, even though you look beyond description."

White frowned. "I thought you said I'd looked like a princess."

I steered us over to the rail, seeing a field abloom with crimson roses. I felt woozy from the stench, although when I caught a whiff of lavender, I snapped back to my senses instantly. "Do you like roses, White?" I asked her conversationally.

"Do you?" Her eyes were sparkling like the lake.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't mind them," I answered. "Flowers are beautiful, yet there's so many of them." Closing my eyes, I continued, "They're fragile, like we humans are physically. But I've noticed that when male Pokemon or men find their true love, she will be the most beautiful flower of them all, hence the rose.

"Roses have an ethereal beauty to them." I used my other hand to clutch on to the iron rail, opening my eyes whilst I did so. "I find it heartbreaking that their beauty could only last as long as their lives, just as with yours. But whenever I see a rose - black, dry and withered - I believe their demise was sad, dark and cold in a way." Taking my hand off the rail, I finished, "It's what I imagine human death to be like."

White blinked. "You're comparing roses to love, beauty, humans and death?" she said disbelievingly. "Come up with something romantic instead."

Though I was miserable about White missing the point, I couldn't help but feel simultaneously joyous about this metaphorical speech of mine. "Romance isn't really my forte," I said miserably, "'cause I'd never had a girlfriend before in my life."

I'd noticed a small flight of stairs collapsing into a concrete river that slithered across the grass, eventually merging into a little concrete circle, holding up a wooden waterproof dais. Atop the dais was a gazebo, alit with clear light, serpentine vines flowing through the crevices, white roses scattered about inside along with some red ones.

"It's the perfect place to dance," I breathed, believing it too good to be true.

"What is?" White pressed me.

I pointed my finger straight at the gazebo.

She gasped, fidgeting. "Bianca always dreamt of dancing in a gazebo," she reminded me. "She seriously thinks it's just as romantic as a kiss in the rain. Oh, she's gonna be so jealous."

As I led White over to the small flight of stairs, I said to her, "I don't like dancing, 'cause it isn't pretty when I dance." Carefully, I traipsed down the stairs, tilting my chin up like a gentleman.

White gave a shout of laughter. "I like you just the way you are," she told me.

I raised my eyebrows. "I thought you'd preferred the N I am tonight," I said, perplexed. "So, which one is it?" Our feet touched the sidewalk, the scent of roses entering my nostrils, stronger than ever.

While we were walking down the serpentine-esque sidewalk, White's forehead was creased, as if she was deep in thought. When we were halfway there, she decided, "I like the one tonight. Hopefully, you would compare romance to something. I love your metaphors."

My mouth formed a thin line.

How did I know she was going to choose the old me over the new and improved me? I wondered.

"Well, I'm not saying for you to remember tonight," I amended. "I'm not sure if I want to, 'cause it's a masquerade. Remember that," I added darkly.

I didn't notice until now it was a windless night, void of any noise save White's dress dragging across the sea of concrete, and our echoing footsteps. Unconsciously, I examined White's face for the umpteenth time, my breath taken away as usual. "I wish there was music, though," I said sadly.

"It's okay," White said in a small voice. "I don't like slow music that much, to be honest."

Nodding, I unlocked my arm from White's, exploring her arm in order to lace my fingers through hers. "I got to help you up," I said quickly, aware of my excessive blushing.

As fast as thought, I did a pirouette, aligning myself in front of her. Just seeing the expression upon her face wanted to make me laugh, but I merely smiled.

White locked her eyes onto mine, sighing. "Pull me up," she said swiftly. "Please don't leave me hanging all day."

Speedily, I helped her up, thus causing her to yelp with surprise. "I wasn't ready yet," she said.

She almost lost her balance, albeit I steadied her with one hand. "You're a klutz," I said simply, earning another death glare from my former nemesis. "I honestly wonder if you can dance or not."

White grinned. "You can if I'm leading," she informed me confidently. "I can be clumsy, but I know I'll do okay with dancing."

I led the way to the gazebo, the aroma of roses overpowering and overwhelming. As White accompanied me into the enclosed area, I could've sworn I heard soft, slow music resonating throughout the gazebo, fitting for a night such as this. In fact, it eerily reminded me of violins.

My heart pounding, I released White's hand, staring deep into her soulful eyes. "I trust you." I snaked both my arms around her waist whilst she wrapped her arms around my shoulders, smirking. "Are you ready?"

White's PoV.

The sound of violins playing was incredible. The noise was very hard to describe but I can tell you it was rich, soothing, and soft and slow, a perfect tune to dance to all night, even though I was not a fan of slow music.

"Are you ready?" I asked N, who nodded.

For a split second, I wondered if his shoes would tread upon the hem of my dress. N pried one of his hands away from my waist, clasping my unbroken hand gingerly with his. His eyes, usually cold as ice, were warm tonight, exuding affection and delight.

"Ummm . . ." N looked rather nervous.

His right hand was shaking along with his arm. Tentatively, N wrapped his arm around the upper part of my left arm. His eyes closing, he promptly took hold of my broken hand, being as gentle as he could possibly be.

"Owww," I moaned.

"I didn't mean to do that," N apologized, opening his eyelids to reveal his startlingly emerald-colored chips. "Do you know how to -?"

I shut him up effectively by placing my hand (the one that was broken) on his left arm. "I've seen this done in movies," I admitted, flushing. "I thought it was supposed to be hard or something." I'm gonna be both follower and leader, I decided, not wanting N to bask in glory.

N pulled me closer to him effortlessly, smirking. "It isn't," he promised. "Well, maybe for you."

"Seriously, are you making fun of my lack of coordination?" I said, raising an eyebrow. It was in danger of disappearing into my hairline. "I thought you couldn't dance, liar."

Skillfully, N placed his left foot to the right. "I don't think I said I couldn't dance," he said, wearing his signature smirk. "I was saying it wasn't pretty, so I could find an excuse not to dance, you know."

I smiled. As carefully as I could, I put my right foot to N's left side, looking down to ensure I'd mimicked N's move flawlessly. "I have many questions for you," I admitted, the intoxicating aroma of roses flying into my nostrils.

I also noticed the lighting was somewhat dim, giving the feel of a romantic setting along with the roses. I consider myself lucky that we weren't under a mistletoe, because we definitely would've kissed.

N brought his foot backward rather quickly, making me gasp. Luckily, he only performed a baby step before returning to his original stance. In spite of myself, I tore my eyes off my foot, which I had moved forward with a little more confidence, before focusing my eyes upon N's visage.

"As I said, I've got answers," he responded, bringing his foot forward.

"Well, why did you ride the Ferris wheel with me back in Nimbasa City?" I placed my foot back, hoping to God I wouldn't mess the bolero up.

Slowly, N brought his foot back, turning around while he did so. "Have you forgotten I'd wanted to know you better?" he said in a resigned tone. "Well, I wanted to have fun with you as well. You really loved riding the Ferris wheel with me, huh?"

I nodded.

I was shocked when N gripped my broken hand, pulling me towards him while spinning me around, the bottom of my dress floating a couple of inches from the ground. When I was close to him, I said breathlessly, "Of course I did. After all, I did ride it with other people because it was so much fun." I looked up at him, beaming.

N seemed unhappy at me admitting I'd ridden the Ferris wheel with other people, although he immediately instructed for me to put my other foot to the side before I could ask why he was unhappy. Unwillingly, I stepped away from him, doing what he'd instructed me to, although I could've sworn he bowed his head down. When I blinked, his head was level, his eyes probing my face.

We resumed the bolero, N moving his left foot forward agilely and slightly. "I had lots of fun as well," he said sincerely, "but I had to tell you I was King of Team Plasma. As I said, I had to know you despite the risks."

The way we were moving now was almost flawless and graceful. For the first time, I wondered if N was good at everything, but was too humble to admit that. Seriously, he had game. He'd shot that three-pointer fade-away as if he did that on a consistent basis.

I put my right foot backward, furrowing my brows. "I don't think that move you'd made were shown in the movies," I said, wondering if N had his own style of dancing when it came to the bolero. "By the way, you didn't answer my question back at Iris's and Drayden's house."

N smirked. "I just wanted to spin you around, okay? And what question was that again?" The atmosphere surrounding him became enigmatic in a way, as if he were plotting something. That plot turned out to be N swerving to the left, bringing my arm around his head before tightening his grip, causing me to hiss. "I kind of . . . never mind."

He swung me towards him, my body colliding into his. As my ear pressed against his torso, I heard his heart beating like crazy. Funnily enough, I found the noise to be rather soothing, more so than the music rippling through the gazebo. I took a couple of steps back, moving to the left slightly, positioning my foot forward. I glanced at N, cracking a smile.

"What?" he said, bemused.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I dunno," I admitted. "I wanna know who you will choose between Bianca, Iris and I."

N brought me closer to him for the third time, looking at me with disbelief. "You already know the answer to that question," he told me.

He unlaced his arm from mine, his hand travelling down my side, eventually resting upon my waist. He gently but firmly snaked his arm around the waistline.

Of course I knew the answer. What was wrong with hearing it from him?

To my relief, N and I started to slow dance, both of us glancing at one another. With each turn we made, I was afraid I would trip on the hem of my dress, causing both of us to tumble down the slope and into the lake, which must be freezing.

When I gazed into N's eyes, I felt as if I was staring into the windows of his soul. Also, a chord within my heart was struck several times, sending me into a trance.

I hardly noticed the aroma of roses filling up the gazebo, the lights twinkling around us and the music replaying once more. Seriously, I felt as if time and space had unraveled themselves from each other, leaving only N and me behind. To be less dramatic, I think everything – even time – became stagnant.

"White?" N's velvety and serene voice broke me out of my trance.

I blinked. "What?"

N shook his head. "For a moment there, I thought you zoned out 'cause you were bored or something."

I grimaced. "I was just – I'm having a great time, N," I said soothingly. "You still haven't answered my question."

N raised my arm high into the air, worried. "I really hope you won't be hurting after this," he sighed. "Snow White -"

"Don't call me that," I said stiffly.

"White," N corrected himself, bringing me closer to him by spinning me around clockwise. "In case you haven't noticed, I'll choose you over Bianca and Iris. It will always be that way. Always." He seemed content with telling me this. "Whatever girl comes into my life, I still would choose you over her, 'cause you're my friend."

I smiled when N caught me deftly. Instinctively, I pressed my ear closer to the area where his heart was, enjoying the song his heart was playing in the form of thrumming. Somehow, it reminded me of a lullaby. "Good," I said, my words coming out muffled. I took my ear off his chest, retreating back a few steps in order to allow us to have some space. "That's really good."

Just as I was about to unlace my fingers from N's, he ripped his hand free from mine. "I had a really good time," I admitted. "Thank you." I slid my arm off his shoulder, breaking free of the hold he had on my waist.

To my horror, N turned around and walked away from me. I wanted to ask him to come back, but I didn't need to: He'd stationed himself under an array of pots, all filled to the brim with roses a paler shade of white. N hoisted one of his hands into the air, surveying one of the roses in the sea of flowerpots. That rose was perhaps one of the most beautiful ones I'd ever seen.

He fished out the rose, attached to the stem, minute thorns here and there. The leaves buried beneath the blossoming rose were the darkest and prettiest shade of green I'd ever seen in my life. "One's enough," I heard him say, bringing his hand down, absently twirling the stem around.

N turned around, staring at me. "I have to admit, you're a fast learner," he said, impressed.

I arched an eyebrow. "Are you saying I can't dance at all?" I said, slightly offended.

"I meant when it came to the bolero," he told me. "I honestly thought you were going to trip over your dress or something like that."

I picked up portions of my dress, ambling over to N, eyeing him with anticipation. In no time at all, I'd reached my friend. "Is that for me?" I winced while loosening the hold on my dress, eventually letting go. Instantly, I motioned for the rose, wondering why he'd selected a white one and not a red one.

N relinquished the rose to me, much to my surprise. Eyeing it with ecstasy, I breathed, "I thought you were gonna tease me. By the way, why did you select a white rose, N?"

N stared at me. "Do you know why I chose the bolero, White?"

I shook my head.

"In case you didn't notice, the gazebo's on a circular platform. We were dancing in a circular formation. The bolero's a form of ballroom dancing. I find ballroom dancing to be some sort of metaphor to the circle of life, Pokemon or human.

"The rose is white, just like your name is White. But it also symbolizes purity. White, you're one of the few people I know who has a pure heart. I think that's one of the reasons why Reshiram selected you to be the Hero of Truth if you ask me." He scanned the dark horizon behind the vine-esque veil, furrowing his brows.

"What's wrong?" I asked swiftly.

N tore his eyes off from whatever he was staring at to look at me again. "I thought I saw a shadow lurking behind there," he told me. "Okay, I'm officially paranoid." All of a sudden, his eyes glinted, as if he was scheming something.

I twirled the lone rose in my fingers absentmindedly, wishing somebody could've handed me a fistful of differently shaded roses, wrapped up carefully in plastic. One thing was for certain: I'd lived one of my best friend's most cherished dreams. For once, I didn't feel bad about doing something Bianca wanted to do. This was my day, according to her.

N pulled the rose out of my hand, much to my dismay. "GIVE THAT BACK, YOU INDIAN GIVER!" I bellowed.

N rolled his eyes. Brandishing the stem, he broke it cleanly in half without a sweat.

I gasped, unable to believe N had the nerve to destroy his generous gift to me. "That's mean," I growled. "I hate the fact you'd taken back my gift, but I'm pissed off you'd damaged it as well."

I wanted nothing more than to strike N across the face at this very moment.

N sighed. "Calm down, will ya?" He began to ruffle my hairdo, loosening it slightly. "I think fate brought us here, you know?"

I laughed. "You were probably hoping to find somewhere where we could dance in peace, right?"

"That too," he admitted. His hand shaking, N slid the stem holding the rose into my hair, making it appear as if it was woven into the mane. "It suits you rather well, White."

Grateful for his gesture of kindness tonight, I planted another kiss on N's cheek.

When I broke the kiss, I saw N patting his cheek dreamily.

N leaned over my shoulder, his breath tickling my skin.

Just as he was about to return the favor in full, I heard a cool, calculating voice shatter our heartwarming moment:

"Do you really want to associate yourself with her?"

A/N: "A Night to Remember Part II" is finally finished. R&R! I want to remind you all there's a little poll up on my profile, so cast your votes if you may, please! I hope you enjoyed the chapter (and now I'm wondering if I'd pulled off the bolero and slow dance bits correctly)!I know the word flawless was showing up a lot during the final PoV, but I couldn't think of any other words at the moment. Thanks for reading.

This chapter has been edited for grammatical and spelling mistakes. Content has been slightly changed and more has been added in. The plot remains largely the same, except with a slight change of characterization with White and changing of surnames. All of this was done in order to promote the upcoming sequel, For the Love of a King: Eventide.

Updated on: 11/04/15