Steven looked across the table as he could see Saki's head perched up on her arm as she forced her sideways gaze towards the dull white paved walkway. She barely touched the fruity drink she ordered as he knew that her mind was reflecting back on what happened. He knew that she was still deeply upset about the incident between her and her cousin almost a week ago as she would zone out for either short or long periods of time.

Looking down at Cranidos as it didn't touch its food for a while. He then looked over at both her Eevee and Zoroark, who was leaning against the shaded wall, didn't seem to be in a rather pleasant mood. He too felt that her unchanged mood was causing a dark cloud to form over them. It pained Steven to see Saki this way, she would usually have that beautiful smile on her face and glimmer in her big violet eyes; she was happy, and her positive energy radiated between her and her Pokemon.

As they were heading towards Striaton City earlier in the week, Saki made the painful decision not to visit her father's parents who ran a small daycare center outside the city. He knew that she didn't want them to see her in her current mood; Steven knew the last thing Saki would ever want to do is have her grandparents worry about the situation.

"Saki?" Steven gently grasped her other hand as Saki snapped out of her trance like state sand looked over at him.

She sighed, "I'm sorry Steven… did I zone out again?"

He nodded his head, "yes. Saki you really shouldn't get upset about what happened." He told her as her eyes widened slightly.

"I know love; it's just that I haven't seen her in so long. To be honest, I really wanted to kind of make things better between us." Saki spoke as he could hear her choke up a bit at the end. "Maybe I'm just wishing for something that'll never come true though."

Steven shook his head. "I don't think so. I know that you had good intentions honey, but maybe she never considered letting go of the past. Eventually she has to let go, and then you two can make things right." He explained.

"You really think so?" Their Pokemon seemed to perk up as a little smile came across her face.

He nodded his head. "I do." He intertwined their fingers together as the smile on her face became bigger, "now there's the smile I love to see."

"Steven's right… I just need to wait until Lillian let's go of the past, but until then… I won't let this get to me. We didn't come all the way here just so I could be upset about one little thing." Saki thought to herself as Cranidos jumped up, flailing its arms about as it began to devour its entire bowl of food. "Thank you for cheering me up."

"No need to thank me, it's just my job." They both laughed as the dark cloud that hung above them faded away. With her cheerful attitude returned he couldn't help but feel exhilarated, "you know, Nuvema Town is just down the road from here. Have you thought about your next starter?" he asked her.

Both Zoroark and Eevee turned their gazes towards Saki as she shrugged her shoulders, "not really… I mean last time I picked a starter I didn't even pick it," she pointed towards Zoroark, "she's the one who picked Mudkip." Steven placed the knuckle of his forefinger against his chin as he leaned back in his seat, "looks like you're thinking again." She joked as he closed his eyes.

"I'm simply just trying to think of what kind of Pokemon will hatch from the egg." He said as they both looked down at the incubator that contained the egg that was hidden in Steven's backpack. Hearing the young woman across the table giggling, he crossed his arms "what's so funny?"

"It's just funny that you're usually more curious about rocks than Pokemon eggs," Saki giggled.

Steven chuckled. Sometimes he forgot that Saki knew him so well, they had been together for almost two years. By now they knew almost every little detail about each other, while still learning new ones each day. Pulling out his Pokeball, Steven returned his Cranidos as Saki.

"Arrrkk.." Zoroark yawned as she shook her head.

"Why don't you rest up for a bit?" Saki offered as Zoroark nodded her head, pulling out the white Premier Ball Saki called back Zoroark as she scooped up Eevee in her arms. "Shall we get going to Nuvema Town?"

Steven nodded his head as they both were starting to walk along the sidewalk, as they started to make their way towards Route 1 he abruptly stopped. Noticing that he wasn't close to her, Saki turned and made her way back towards him. Her eyes followed the direction of his gaze as she saw what caught his attention.

A small group of residents were starting to gather upon the raised platform across the street. A band of people who wore almost identical grey uniforms that covered their most of their heads along with slivers down the sides that showed the black body suits underneath. Some of them were setting up large banners and flags split in half; the left side was silver and the right side was black. Each of was inscribed with a neon blue 'z' with a 'P' covering over it.

"Looks like some kind of rally," Saki whispered.

"Yea…" Steven whispered as he looked around, a few of the other citizens turned their gazes away and walked into the closet shops or cafes nearby. Each of them looked terrified by this strange group's presence. "Something doesn't seem right about this." He told her.

Nodding her head, "no kidding… I've got an idea."

"What is it?"

Placing Eevee on her shoulder, she pointed her finger towards the group. "You see that guy over there," she said.

Following the direction she pointed in, Steven saw him. Surrounded by a group of the grey suited members, a man wearing a blue and gold colored robe that had a large dark gold collar around his neck. Long light lime green hair cascaded from his head and down his neck with three spiked pieces scatter around the top and sides of his head, as he was making his way towards the little stage they set up for him. "What about him?"

"Something tells me he's the one in charge. I'm gonna go see what he's going to say, why don't you try and ask some of the residents about these guys." She suggested.

"You think that's a good idea?"

"We saw how most of them retreated away, let's just try and see what's up with these guys. Ok?" she asked him as Steven crossed his arms.

"Alright, just don't go too far… please?" he asked her. Saki stood up on her toes and pressed a kiss against his cheek.

"I won't," she smiled. He watched her run across the street as he hesitantly turned his back, stealing one more glance over his shoulder Steven walked towards a nearby shop.

Making her way to the front of the crowd, Saki could see that the odd man's right eye was covered in red and white colored eye patch as his robe, like the flag was split into two colors. One side was gold and the other was blue, each of them had the outline of an eye in opposite colors. Just looking at the man gave her chills as she felt someone was standing close behind her.

Eevee let out a low growl as she grabbed the small Pokemon off her shoulders and held it in her arms, "My name is Ghetsis. I am here representing Team Plasma. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk to you about Pokémon liberation." The man started as his voice boomed over the small chatter of everyone else around

"Liberation?" Saki questioned. As far as she knew, Pokemon were free, aren't they?

"I'm sure most of you believe that we humans and Pokémon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other." He moved his hands as he continued to go on with his speech, "however... Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans... only assume that this is the truth?"

A few of the people around Saki were starting to talk among themselves as they were beginning to question their relationships with their Pokemon.

"Pokémon are subject to the selfish commands of Trainers... They get pushed around when they are our "partners" at work... Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?"

Saki wanted to speak up, but seeing how many of these guys were around she didn't stand a chance if she had to fight. To her it sounded like this guy, Ghetsis was making people sound like they were an enemy to Pokemon.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, Pokémon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?" he asked the crowd as he pointed his hand towards Saki and Eevee.

Holding Eevee closer to her, Saki looked down as she could see how uneasy Eevee was getting. Her fur was starting to stick up like needles as she hid her face in the small opening of Saki's coat. She could feel Eevee shivering as if it could feel something was very off about Ghetsis, looking up at his cold icy stare, Saki felt goosebumps travel down her arms.

Ghetsis smiled. "That's right! We must liberate the Pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon truly be equals. Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon... and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention."

With his speech over the man dismounted his platform as his followers and a few of the residents followed him, taking the flags and banners with them. The horde of people that once surrounded her vanished as she gently petted Eevee.

"Hey, it's alright now… you can come out." She cooed as Eevee glanced around before letting out a sigh, "you gonna be ok?" she asked as Eevee hesitantly nodded her head. Saki saw Eevee's ears twitch as she jumped up onto her shoulder and began to growl; looking over her shoulder she saw why.

Standing behind her was a young man, looking at him Saki guessed he might be her age, wearing a black and grey hat over his long locks of green hair that looked awfully similar to Ghetsis, but was tied back and down to the middle of his back. A strange blue planet like pendant hanged around his neck and lay in the center of his white button up shirt; his hands were stuffed in the pockets of his grey slacks as a golden tiled three dimensional cube hung at his side. Three square bracelets were dangled around his left wrist as his green eyes just stared at Saki and Eevee.

Taking a small step back, "umm… can I help you?"

"Fear not little one, I don't mean to harm you or your trainer." The man said as he immediately focused his attention on Saki, "I'm sorry, but your Pokemon… just now, she's telling me to stay away. She believes that I'm going to hurt you." He told her as he smiled.

Looking down at Eevee, Saki could see how baffled she was. She couldn't help but think that something was definitely off about this guy. "Y-you can talk to Pokemon?"

He nodded, "in a sense. I can hear their thoughts and understand their feelings, for example your Eevee feels a strong need to protect you and even now is telling me not to harm you. While it seems that the other one you're keeping away in those blasted Pokeballs has a strong connection to you… both of them…" he stopped as a big grin came across his face. "You too… you can speak to Pokemon!" he cheered.

"Blasted Pokeballs?" She had never heard that before, in the back of her mind she started to wonder about this odd guy. It was true that she was able to understand Zoroark and was at a point that they could talk to each other along with her other Pokemon, but she wouldn't say she could speak with all Pokemon. "I can mainly talk to my own Pokemon, it's just the bond I share with them." She clarified as the man chuckled.

"Even so, you and I possess the same gift. Forgive me for not introducing myself, my name is N. And who might you be?" he held out his hand as she carefully took it.

"I'm Saki." She said as she pulled back. "What did you mean by blasted Pokeballs?"

The smile on N's face faded away as he seemed a bit saddened, "their nothing but prisons for Pokemon. Most trainers' lock them in there so they can use them for their own needs, there are confided away. I can see it… you're a trainer and you, like the others carry a Pokedex with you. Trainers use them so they can capture Pokemon and use them as research."

Saki didn't doubt that maybe N was a supporter with that strange group of people and Ghetsis, but she didn't want to jump the gun. There was still a chance that N had his own ideas, "N… most people aren't like that, they care about Pokemon. You're making it sound like all trainers are just bad people." She argued as N shook his head.

"I said 'most' trainers are bad. But you… you're different, I can see that you do care about your Pokemon… but let me ask you, do you think your Pokemon are happy?"

"I know their happy, I don't treat my friends like they're my slaves. I don't want them to feel like that, if I did… then I couldn't consider myself a trainer." She answered him. Knowing deep in her heart that she and her bonds with her friends were enough for her to ensure that she was right, regardless of what else he might say.

N chuckled, "if you believe so then prove it to me. Battle me." He told her as he pulled out a Pokeball, releasing a small purple furred cat Pokemon.

Saki was confused, "if you hate Pokeballs so much, why do you even have one? Let alone a Pokemon 'trapped' inside of it?" she asked him as Eevee jumped out of her arms and across from N's Pokemon.

"My companion is letting me borrow his strength. Now, battle me and prove to me that you and your friends bonds are true." He said as Saki took a few steps back.

"If it's a battle you want, then it's a battle you'll get." She thought to herself as Eevee looked back at her; they both nodded their heads as they waited for N to attack first.

"Purrloin, use scratch!" N said to his Pokemon as it dashed towards Eevee, its claws glowing bright white.

"Dodge it!" Saki commanded as Eevee jumped to the side, "Now tackle it!" Lowering her head, Eevee charged towards Purrloin and knocked it off its feet.

N's Purrloin rolled on the ground as it got up and shook the dirt off its body, "more! Let me hear more of your Pokemon's voice!" he almost shouted, as his plea almost creeped Saki out. "Purrloin growl!"

Letting out a low rumble, Purrloin tried to intimidate Eevee. "Eevee use sand attack," Saki said as Eevee turned its back towards her opponent and started to kick up a large cloud of dust between them. "Now use bite!"

Charging into the dust cloud, Eevee caught sight of Purrloin's tail and locked her jaws around it. Spinning herself around the dust was fanned away as Eevee used Purrloin like a fan and released it, launching it towards N. She jumped back towards Saki as they both watched N catch his Pokemon in his hands and pet it.

"It's alright, you don't have to battle anymore." He said to Purrloin as he pulled a small blue Oran berry from his pocket and fed it to his Pokemon, "you can go now, thank you my friend." He said as he gently set Purrloin down on the ground, it hesitantly walked towards the bushes behind him and slowly vanished.

"You just let your Pokemon go?" she asked him as Eevee jumped up into her arms.

"I was only borrowing his strength, he put up a good fight, but… you did prove to me that you're right. You do have a bond with your Pokemon," N said as he shook off his lose. "But still… as long as Pokemon are confined in those Pokeballs they'll never be free… Pokemon will never become perfect beings."

Saki could see the sadness on his face as she walked towards him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "N… They don't have to become perfect… Pokemon are perfect already, they're our friends and more. I understand that you have a strong dislike for Pokeballs and how some trainers aren't like you and me, but that shouldn't prevent you from seeing how beautiful they are." She told him, as she felt sympathetic towards him. She didn't know anything about him, but after understanding how much he was against Pokemon cruelty, she could only imagine that he might have seen some pretty bad stuff before.

N smiled, "thank you… Saki, is it?" she nodded her head, "it's nice to know I'm not alone. But… I have to change the world for Pokemon, because their my friends and because their your friends too." He said as he walked away from her, "I hope that you change your mind on keeping your friends contained in those Pokeballs, Saki." He said to her and walked away.

She watched him fade away, looking down at Eevee she felt an arm draped around her shoulder as Steven stood by her side. "Looks like those guys don't exactly have a good reputation around here." He whispered as they both walked towards the path leading to Route 1. "That guy though… the one you battled, I don't have a good feeling about him." He admitted.

"I know… I can't help but feel that he might be working with those people." She told him as Saki couldn't shake it since both N and Ghetsis's ideas were almost identical, but N seemed to have a much more personal reason. "What were you able to learn?"

"Well the group calls themselves 'Team Plasma'… I'll explain the rest to you later though," he said as there was a strange feeling that they were being watched.

Saki rolled her eyes, "first Team Magma and Team Aqua… and now there's a Team Plasma…" she sighed.

"Saki..." he spoke her name as she looked up at him, "these guys… they might prove to be a much bigger issue."