Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. That right belongs to Toei and Bandai. I also do not own the lyrics to these songs nor the songs played.
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N's PoV.
I felt my face contort with unnecessary spite as I said to Black, "You barely know me yet you address me with a lot of informality!" In my peripheral vision, I saw White appear confused, Platina amused, Red frustrated, Bianca cheerful and Cheren wearing an all-knowing expression.
Black, on the other hand, held his palms upward, unfazed by my episodes of fury. "I do address you with formality." He sounded half-sarcastic, half-offended. "It's not my fault you don't understand what Reshiram means by the Ancient Laws and the Path of Truth." He seemed to be gloating at my puzzled countenance.
Oh, and you do? I longed to shout back at that haughty, self-satisfied brunette. Even though he got on my last nerves, I felt as if I'd heard his voice before. No, it wasn't déjà vu. It was as if the ironic, cultured, compelling voice talked to me many times before, but I couldn't remember who owned that voice.
A lump developed in my throat. Whatever words I wanted to throw at Black became nonexistent. He brought his hands down, looking as if he knew a secret no one else knew, one he wanted to divulge to the whole world.
He'd brought up a valid point, though. I still remained woefully ignorant of what Reshiram was talking about. I could ask Drayden, Iris or Red, I found a part of me thinking hopefully. The other part of me shouted that I must find things out on my own, as I always have.
Once I realized that, the flaming walls of anger I had unknowingly built came crashing down, reduced to rubble, leaving me in a maelstrom of confusion. "H-How do you know about that?" I asked Black in what was hopefully an aloof tone to him whereas it sounded feeble to my ears.
Black glanced at White, flipping his eyebrows at her, though she was too focused on Red, Cheren, Platina and Bianca to consider him. He craned his neck to look at me instead, holding my stare.
"Because -" he paused for dramatic effect, "I'm the same as you, Natural Harmonia Gropius."
In unison, everyone wheeled around to survey a confident Black and I.
The silence became stagnant, everyone but Black arrested by puzzlement.
White was the first to recover. Clumsily, she made her way to where we stood. Immediately, she went to my side. I couldn't help but drown myself in those oceanic blue spheres. A spark of disbelief was alight in them.
She opened her mouth. Then she closed it. I was under the impression that she was at a loss for words.
Finally she said disbelievingly, "What?"
Chapter 23: The Midnight Pianos
White's PoV.
When I heard Black refer to N as "Natural Harmonia Gropius", I was stunned. Once I managed to register the information in my mind, I ended up asking N why did Black call him that. N explained to me that that was his birth name while absently playing with his necklace. When his anecdote was finished, all I could express was shock.
I'd believed this whole time N's real name was N Harmonia. When he first introduced himself to me, I was wondering whether if I was delirious or not. What parent in their right mind would name their child after a letter in the alphabet? After a while, I'd grown used to that. In a way, it made N somewhat enigmatic, out of the ordinary.
Well, that was before Ghetsis implied N's surname to be Harmonia. The dense mystery shrouding N dissolved a little, simply because hearing his last name made me see him as . . . somewhat normal.
As we all headed back to Opelucid, I mulled over all of this. Natural Harmonia Gropius, I repeated to myself mentally. Why do you call yourself N Harmonia? Is it because you want to be regarded as unusual? I think now that I know your full name; your aura of enigma has vanished almost entirely. I smiled at that.
I looked up at the tenebrous sky, the moon imprinted against the drape of blackness. Flanking the bright summer moon were thousands of stars, some brighter than others. "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
I started. Bianca was beside me, her crystal blue eyes reflecting the moon. "I used to hate looking at the stars, the sky and the trees until my best friend taught me to appreciate the small things in life." She grabbed hold of my hand, steering me towards the sidewalk where the others were, Black and N bickering with each other.
I laughed nervously. Bianca joined in, her laughter more genuine than mine. Both of us peeled our eyes off the night sky and glanced at each other. "I think I've learned to appreciate life even more, White," she said seriously. "I remember taking it so lightly! Compared to now, I think I was a total idiot!" She cracked a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
I rolled my eyes. We tore our eyes off one another and directed them towards the towering buildings of Opelucid, a ribbon of blue tracing the furthest building away from us, flanked by a cobbled road leading to the Pokémon League. "You're not an idiot." I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I always thought you were a little . . ." My brows knitted into one as I searched for a word to describe Bianca without offending her.
"I hate it when you do that," said an offended Bianca. "White, you're naturally blunt. I know when you sugar-coat things." She unlaced her fingers from mine, and fingered her purse. For the first time, I noticed it was attached to her waist.
"Do you want me to say the truth, Bianca?" I asked, hoping against hope she wouldn't say yes. "I just don't like seeing you hurt when I speak my mind." I focused on the sidewalk, the bottom of my dress ringed with a thin layer of dust. "Mother will blow a gasket if she sees -"
Bianca cut across me, saying honestly, "I'd rather be told the truth by you than you feeding me a beautiful lie."
In spite of myself, I grinned, thinking about what N's thoughts would be on the matter. Knowing him, he'd probably say, "'I disagree about life being man's and Pokémon's greatest gift. It's true you must cherish it, but maybe everyone appreciates it because it's a beautiful lie. Death is different. Many Pokémon fear the unknown, namely Death. Humans probably hate it because it's the sad truth. I know Pokémon do.'"
"White, tell me," Bianca persisted, "was I really an idiot?" Her eyes were pleading like a Lillipup's, her mouth quivering. How could I resist a look like that?
I was silent for a moment, carefully choosing my words. As I thought, we entered the tunnel, greeting the lady behind the counter cordially before we ambled away. I paused for a moment to scrutinize the advertisement board, boldfaced orange letters scrolling across it horizontally.
"I always thought you were easygoing," I admitted. "You always knew how to have fun, and be optimistic at the most opportune of moments. In other words, you're full of life, though you were kind of ditzy and flighty." I laughed without humor at that.
I swerved around, meeting Bianca's soulful eyes. "No sugar-coating?" she asked.
I smiled, shaking my head. "No sugar-coating," I agreed. "We should start heading for the house, don't you think?" Bianca seemed to perk up at my words.
"Yeah!" she exclaimed.
As we went through the revolving doors, I said thoughtlessly, "Why did you ask me that?"
Bianca instantly shrugged at my question. "I dunno."
I raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Uh-huh, and I'm Professor Juniper." I flicked my hair back before tossing it around in a circular motion. "Bianca Grace, tell me this isn't about Cheren." I stuck my tongue out at her, causing her to blush.
She put her hands on her waist, pensive. Her pale face was scarlet. "Yes," she said meekly. "I remember you used to have a crush on him because – because he was just as smart as you were."
I winced as I put my arms behind my head, tilting my head up high to gaze at the stars once more. Unfortunately, the skyscrapers obscured most of them, although as I ventured through the outskirts of Opelucid, I was lucky enough to catch slivers of blue embedded with sparkling dots. As I squinted at them, they twinkled.
"I never acted on those feelings," I reminded her. "Those feelings were similar to that of a family member. I'm pretty sure Cheren feels the same way about me." Bianca nodded her head slightly at that. "That's not the kind of love I want," I went on. "You and I always developed crushes on different guys in our town. . . I don't know why I was so popular among them."
Bianca chuckled. "So was I," she said, "but White, look at you! You resemble a princess - no - a goddess! How can I possibly compete with that?" There was a faintly discernible bitter edge to her voice. She started to undo her hair style, making a face. "You have natural beauty, and I . . ."
We rounded the last corner, where the Pokémon Center stood. Bright light was streaming out of the windows. "You have natural beauty, too," I said flatly. "I want to go to the Pokémon Center right away."
Bianca was flummoxed. "What for?" she asked me. "I can heal your Pokémon right here, right now!" She reached behind her back for her drawstring backpack and opened her mouth. "I FORGOT THAT I LEFT EVERYTHING AT THE HOUSE!" She jerked up, frustrated at herself.
Behind her, people turned around to look in our direction, shaking their heads. Afraid that they might think Bianca was crazy, I brought my arms down, took her wrist with my unbroken hand, and steered her into the Pokémon Center.
N's PoV.
We somehow made it back to Drayden's and Iris's house. They greeted us warmly, Iris wearing a toothy grin before her face fell. Right away, she asked where Bianca and White were. Platina, Red, Black, Cheren and I all flinched, feeling awkward.
Cheren sighed, looking at all of us. "They probably got lost in the crowd," he suggested. He glanced down at his tuxedo, gave a derisive snort and traipsed up the stairs. I was beginning to wonder if he really cared about their fates when he turned around, worry etched on his face. "If they don't show up by the time I'm dressed in modern day clothes, I'll go look for them." He pirouetted and slipped out of sight.
Red started to pace back and forth, worried. "We should organize a search party for White and Bianca."
Out of all of us, he was the most vocal about telling Drayden what had happened with Reshiram, hoping he would provide them with answers. He'd changed his mind when Iris noted that White and Bianca weren't with them. But will he really know? What is the Path of Truth and the Ancient Laws?
Drayden stroked his beard. "You seem to be focused on something, Red," he said, "other than your only child, that is." He swept his gaze over to Black, who was hunkered against a pillar attached to the staircase. "Why, this boy looks just like you. However, that may be a coincidence."
Black shrugged his shoulders. "I never believed in coincidences," he said calmly. Taking his body off the pillar, he scrutinized Drayden. "I don't even look like Red, in my opinion. If he turned out to be my father, then . . ." His face was twisted with loathing, his eyes ablaze with hatred.
"Red may be many things, but he's stoically loyal to the ones he loves," said Platina confidently. "Never once in a million years did he demonstrate any signs of infidelity to me." She gazed at her hand, a silvery-white band topped with a heart-shaped diamond on her ring finger.
"How do you know?" squeaked Iris. "That could easily be his child, Platina." She looked at Drayden for assurance.
Drayden frowned. "Iris, didn't I tell you not to assume things? Black is not Red's biological son. All of these years, he mentioned his daughter and beloved wife countless times. He was highly faithful to Platina. In fact, he'd never betray or hurt those dear to him intentionally."
Iris bowed her head. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "It's just they look a lot alike. It's eerie!" In my mind's eye, I saw Black sneer at the comparison. "I think I'm going to go change as well." She gave an apologetic look to Red and Black before climbing up the stairs, the train of her dress slithering behind her. She broke into a run, almost tripping before regaining her balance. As with Cheren, she entered the corridor, eventually going completely out of sight.
"I think I'll go look for White," I said earnestly.
Red snapped his head up at this. "Are you looking for only White or both White and Bianca? I can easily send Pikachu to go search for them, if he wasn't chowing down on his meal." Platina flashed him a glare, clearly flabbergasted at how Red was addressing me.
I didn't care if Red approved of me associating with his daughter or not. If White wanted to see me, she would. Nevertheless, Red's words to me from earlier crept into my mind, a chilling feeling attached to them. Don't let him intimidate you. That's probably what he wants.
"Umm . . . I think you – you know I'm looking for both of them," I lied. In the background, I heard Black snicker. "I fail to see what's so funny about that."
Black doubled over, clutching the stitch in his chest. After a series of whooping laughs, he returned to his original stance, shaking his head disbelievingly. "How dense can one be about their feelings?" He slyly shifted his gaze to Red, grinning mischievously. "Oh, wait! You can be right on about some things. Then again, that's rare. Most of - "
I folded my arms against my chest. "How do you even know my full name?" I questioned him. "Only my father and his closest associates -"
A horrible thought occurred to me. "Impossible," I spat. "You mean to tell me you're a Sage?" I involuntarily took a couple of steps back from him.
Black laughed at that. "No. Why in the world would I work for Team Plasma? They don't have the same goals I have in mind." He sauntered over to me. "Whatever you think of me, I'm on the right side."
Red, Drayden and Platina were awestruck that I was accusing Black of alleged wrongdoings. "Are you sure that's really it?" said Platina. "Black is on our side, N. He proved that tonight when he saved us from Gorm. He's unpredictable, but not in a bad way."
I glowered at her. "I thought your sense of judgment was better than that," I snapped. "I thought I could respect you. But now . . . I have a jaded opinion of you." I spun around and trudged away from the others, wondering why Black was having such a drastic effect on me.
Before I knew it, I stepped afoot in the living room. The walls were painted a pale gold, the carpeting a rich plum purple. The windows were ovular and double-paneled. There was a long mahogany table in the midst of the room, the couches, loveseats and sofas the same shade of gold as the walls. Lamps were positioned next to square tables littered throughout the room. Plastered on one of the walls – facing the loveseats, sofas and couches – was a flat-screen television. The room was so large that two grand pianos were in opposite corners, one made of ebony and one made of cherrywood.
I closed my eyes as my mind drifted to another place, another time. I remembered my pale hands lightly pressing the white keys, barely tapping the slender black keys, creating such wondrous music. I wasn't a composer, although I admired the works of past composers.
As if in a trance, I marched over to the cherrywood piano, seeing that the lid was in place. Sighing, I flipped it skyward, the hinges making a slight creaking noise whilst I did so. I noticed the bench was nestled underneath the piano, so I dragged it out. I straightened myself into the correct position as I gingerly lifted the fallboard upward, revealing the aged piano keys.
"I didn't know you were a pianist." I instantly felt anger claw up inside me, and I did my best to suppress it as I managed to make eye contact with Black, sprawled on the loveseat nearest me. "You know, playing an instrument is alluring to many girls, especially if they like love songs."
"I just play an instrument for fun," I said coolly. "Why would I try to impress a woman with my talents?" Black had a disbelieving expression on his face, his brows raised rather high. "I'd rather not let you hear me play. So get out."
"You know what? I don't think so." Black straightened up, snaking one of his arms over the top of the loveseat. "I'm pretty comfortable here, thank you very much." His voice was getting underneath my skin, and I hated that.
"Are you playing games here?" I demanded.
"Am I playing games?" Black returned. "If I play games, it's usually by my own rules. Anyway, everyone plays games every now and then." His eyes became sharp as an arrow. "I know a game we can play, though." His confidence was sickening to me.
I glared at Black. He was wearing a confident smile, showing his bone-white teeth. "I don't want to play," I snarled. "I'd rather jump off a bridge with Cheren than have fun with you." I wheeled around, flapping my hands back and forth, glancing at the keyboard longingly.
Moonlight Sonata, I thought instantly. I was barely on the first note when Black said, "So you do want to jump off a bridge with Cheren? That's funny. Somehow, I was under the impression you would only jump off a bridge to save White."
I ignored him, although he had scored another point there. "If I were you, I would do the same," Black continued. "However, I think it's time you stop with the tricks, N."
Just then, my brain jammed. I forgot what the next note was. "I'm not playing any tricks or games," I said angrily. "What exactly are you planning here, Black?"
Black regarded me with amusement. "What are you planning to do with White?" He stood up in one fluid motion and walked over to me, leaning in so close I could feel his breath tickling my skin. As surreptitiously as I could, I inched away from him.
"B-Be her friend," I mumbled. "After all, friends are protective of each other, right?"
Black sighed. "You're missing the point," he said, pulling away from his stance. "I know what I want. I also know you want the same thing. But honestly, how can one be so dense about what they want?"
I gritted my teeth. "Get out of my face."
Black smirked before making his way to the other piano. With a flourish, he removed the lid with one hand while flinging up the fallboard with his other hand. "I take that as an invitation," he purred.
"Take what as an invitation?" said a silvery voice, thus making both of us jump. I hit the keyboard with my elbow, feeling a pang of pain.
White and Bianca stood side by side, both out of their dresses. Bianca was clad in canary yellow pajamas whereas White sported a plain white t-shirt and gray sweatpants. Both of their eyes were alight with fascination.
Bianca and White squealed with pure joy. Together, they ran over to both Black and I. "How come you never mentioned you can play the piano?" White said breathlessly.
"Which one of us are you talking to?" I asked, throwing a dirty look at a gloating Black.
Bianca was affronted. "She was talking to both of you! Seriously, N, if you know how to play the piano, then can we sing?"
"I'd be more than happy to hear you ladies sing," said Black silkily, "for there is no greater joy than seeing a woman express herself through the arts. What shall we play?"
"I," I corrected hastily, rolling my eyes.
Bianca smiled knowingly, but White was clueless. "What's so amusing about this?" she asked her.
"Nothing, nothing!" said Bianca cheerily. "Do we have microphones?" Recklessly, she did a pirouette, looking for any signs of a pair of microphones.
White nudged her, grinning. "I think we should invite Iris over to hear us sing."
Bianca shook her head. "I feel more comfortable with you," she responded. "After all, we always did do everything together along with Cheren. Oh, and forget about the microphones, N and Black," she added quickly. "I think we'll use our voices instead."
Black gave an eye-creasing grin to both White and Bianca, making me seethe. I wanted nothing more than to rearrange his face. I wanted to kick or slug him. But I didn't do any of those things. All I glimpsed was White's sunny smile. That smile should be toward me! a voice shouted inside the bowels of my mind. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Black's face, alight with cruel triumph.
"I was about to suggest that, but I'm glad you did." Black turned to face the keyboard, fingering each key, albeit not pressing them. "Maybe you two should do a duet for me."
White jumped up and down. "I want to sing one of my favorites." She was smiling so brightly, laughing so gaily, I couldn't help but smile too. "Bianca, maybe we should do -?"
Bianca winked. "Yume no Tsubasa," she finished. "Now, Black's waiting for us!" Without waiting for a response from White, Bianca dragged her over to where Black was. Black was whispering to them before scooting over for White to sit down.
Bianca gave me a sympathetic look before Black started to play the tune, his hands moving so gracefully and adroitly, the mere sight made me want to outshine him.
We came together from so far away.
You can never return to the days,
Of your childhood laughter.
I love the world of your smiles.
I want to be by your side,
Only that . . .
I forgot how much love hurt.
Time goes by!
Even though the stream of time changes us,
I can even remember the things I lost.
And the dreams I had.
When I hold your hands,
I am always by your side.
Because I even want to remember the sad times.
Leave a page in your map,
For me to find my way.
That day you believed in . . .
The wind that blows from the future . . .
Tomorrow will dance even higher for us.
Time goes by!
Even though time passes,
There are things that never change.
Because I can't reach it.
Because I want to find it.
I go to search for the wings of dreams.
Stay by my side forever.
I will be by your side forever.
Bianca and White sometimes sang together, sometimes separately. During the whole song, White gazed at me, especially when Bianca and she sang: Stay by my side forever, I will be by your side forever.
Black carried the tune on for a couple of seconds more before returning to his original stance. "Perfect," was all he said. As White embraced him, thanking him, Black winked at me mockingly, as if challenging me to do better.
"White," I began carefully. "Can you sing?"
White let go of Black, fluffing her hair up. "Didn't you just hear me?" she said.
Blushing, I said shyly, "I did! I just want you to do a solo . . ." The temperature of my face increased. Bianca, for some unknown reason, chuckled.
"White, he wants you to sing for him," said Black reasonably. Grasping White's hand, he continued, "You can refuse, and sing for me instead. However, it's your choice." White's face grew hot at that.
White's PoV.
The way Black worded his words was so compelling, so mesmerizing. He was confident, a little on the cocky side. But he wanted me to sing for him, although I wanted to sing for N only this time around.
I shook my head. "I'm flattered, but I want to sing for N." My stomach sank when I saw Black frown, disappointed. "Maybe another time!" I clapped him on the back reassuringly before leaping off the bench and darting over to N.
N seemed to be walking on cloud nine. In the background, I heard Bianca say, "White singing a love song for her prince . . . so romantic!" Bianca sighed, her eyes adopting a dreamy look.
I slouched at that. However, I took my seat next to N, flicking his bangs out of his face. "Do you really want me to sing for you?" I smiled, winking at him. "You said tonight was a night to remember. Until . . ." I fished out my C-Gear and saw the time was 23:54. "I want to sing the Power of Love," I said with enormous confidence.
N smirked. "As you wish." N bowed his head down and started to maneuver his hands across the keyboard flawlessly.
With a deep breath, I sang:
There comes a time
When you face the toughest of fights!
Searching for a sign,
Lost in the darkest of nights!
The wind blows so cold.
You're standing alone.
Before the battle's begun!
But deep in your soul
The future unfolds,
As bright as the rays of the sun.
You've got to believe
In the Power of Love!
You've got to believe
In the Power of Love!
The Power of Love!
Blazing emotion,
There's a light that glows from your heart.
It's a chain reaction.
And nothing will keep us apart!
Stand by my side!
There's nothing to hide!
Together we'll fight till the end.
Take hold of my hand,
And you'll understand
What it truly means to be friends!
You've got to believe
(You've got to believe)
In the Power of Love!
You've got to believe
(You've got to believe)
In the Power of Love!
It gives meaning to each moment!
It's what our hearts are all made of!
You've got to believe
(You've got to believe)
In the Power of Love!
The Power of Love.
For a couple of seconds, N was playing the tune alone, his facial expression identical to that of a child's on Christmas. As if on cue, I started to sing the chorus again in a much livelier tone:
You've got to believe
(You've got to believe)
In the Power of Love!
You've got to believe
(You've got to believe)
In the Power of Love!
It gives meaning to each moment!
It's what our hearts are all made of!
(Just look inside)
You've got to believe
(You've got to believe)
In the Power of Love!
The Power of Love!
When I stopped singing, N stopped playing the piano.
We looked at each other.
I held N's gaze.
Then he lurched forward, swept aside my locks, and kissed my forehead just as the clock struck midnight.
When he pulled back, he looked shocked.
His emerald jewels seemed sad, downcast.
"I think . . . I'm going upstairs," I said in a strained voice.
Before Black, N or Bianca could say anything, I bolted out of the living room, feeling only one emotion.
Confusion.
A/N: "The Midnight Pianos" is finished. I hope you enjoyed it. As a reminder, please vote on the poll posted on my profile. Thanks!
This chapter has been reedited for spelling and grammatical mistakes. No major plot changes have been made to the plotline and characterizations remain largely the same in this chapter. Content has not been added nor removed, merely improved. The reason for this reediting is to promote both this story and its upcoming sequel, Eventide,
Edited On: 11/04/15