"Krokorok, use Stone Edge!" Robert commanded as he threw his arm out. Krokorok roared as he shot dozens of sharp stones towards my Pokemon.

"Mimi, dodge and counter with Dazzling Gleam!" I ordered and Mimi ducked and slid beneath the incoming projectiles, her body glowing with a beautiful and painful light. Krokorok stepped back, shielding his eyes in pain as Mimi darted into the shadows.

"Shadow Claw!" I shouted. Mimi leaped from the shadows, wielding giant shadowy claws that she raked down the Ground type's back. "Now Play Rough!" Mimi slammed into Krokorok and they tumbled over the dirt battlefield, Mimi tossing Krokorok up and slamming him down to earth.

"We have him on the ropes," I pumped my fist as I grinned.

"Don't count your Torchics before they hatch!" Robert advised as Krokorok got back to his feet, his eyes narrowing intensely as a red aura blasted around him as he roared, nearly knocking Mimi off her feet. "Use that anger to your advantage! Earthquake!"

Having arrived in Accumula and taking some time to have Kukui send over a couple of my 'mons from his place so Robert and I could have our battle. N was staying behind at the Pokemon Center in order to have the egg get a checkup while Alex followed Robert and I to watch our bout. We were battling in one of the town's parks where we seemed to have gathered an audience of passerbys, which only served to heat up our already intense match.

A loud crash sent Mimi tumbling behind me, Krokorok panting heavily where he stood, his red aura flickering.

"Good job, Mimi," I said, picking her up. "I'll be sure to give you a little extra food later." One of my pokeballs opened up on their own, Mawile coming out with a pout on her face as she glared at me. I returned Mimi, chuckling as I rubbed Mawile's head. "You want to avenge Mimi don't you? You two will be such good friends." Mawile stared at me for a couple seconds before rolling her eyes and turning to her opponent.

"Alright then!" I brought up my fist. "Run at him while using Fairy Wind!" Mawile took off, a pink wind blasting against Krokorok.

"Earthquake again!" Robert roared and Krokorok slammed a fist into the ground. The earth shattered towards Mawile, but she leaped into the air, twirling her body to slam her metallic glowing back jaw into the pieces, smashing right through them. She skidded along the ground upon landing and shot forwards, sucker punching the Dark type in the chin before twirling her body again, this time generating more pink wind, blasting Krokorok along the ground. He teetered before falling onto his back fainted.

"Augh!" Robert yelled, then began laughing. "We're tied again!"

"What is it now? 4 to 4?" I held up my fist. "C'mon Rob, you still haven't shown me everything you have to offer!

"You want more?" Robert raised an eyebrow as a smirk formed. "Then I'll give you what you need!" He hurled a pokeball into the air. "Come on out, Carracosta!" The giant Water/Rock type crashed onto the battlefield, glancing first at Robert, then Mawile. "Let's go with Aqua Jet!"

"Sucker Punch!" I yelled.

Both Pokemon shot towards one another, Carracosta's body enveloped in a layer of water while Mawile's fist glowed. Seconds before they made contact, a voice cried out, "STOP!" and a glowing barrier erected between both Pokemon. Carracosta slid backwards while Mawile flipped and landed on her feet, shaking her fist in anger as the Liepard who had used Protect stood, the barrier dissolving. A woman in white and gray robes over black clothes hurried over to stand next to the Liepard, a familiar "P" zigzag symbol emblazoned on her chest. Her orange hair poked out of her gray hood as she looked at both me and Robert with a rather firm look whilst she placed her hands on her hips.

"In the name of Team Plasma and our ideals, I'll insist that you both halt this Pokemon battle immediately!" She ordered as more men and women wearing a similar uniform marched into the park, two of them carrying banners bearing their insignia. Each person had a Pokemon walking by their side, from Purloins, Scraggys, Sandiles, and even their evolutions. "Our representative, a Sage of Team Plasma, Ghetsis will be holding a speech about the liberation of Pokemon in this park! I must insist again that you both cease this battle immediately!"

"They should know to not interrupt a Pokemon battle," Robert grumbled as he joined me and Alex as we moved out of Team Plasma's way. Mawile leaped atop my shoulder, glaring daggers at them while Robert returned Carracosta.

"When you mentioned they weren't a big organization, you never mentioned they were rocking the medieval look," Alex told Robert.

"They might've grown over the year," Robert muttered, rubbing his chin. "Ah, who's that?"

The members of Team Plasma, those who I assumed were the grunts, lined up in a straight line facing us. One of them stepped out of his position to allow a new person step forward, then quickly retook his spot. This new guy wore a big blue and beige cloak with two huge eye patterns fastened to a large brown collar bearing the Team Plasma symbol. Although he looked regal, he almost appeared to walk with a certain grace, humble even. Only one of his red eyes were visible, the other hidden behind a red eyepiece of sorts.

By now everyone in the park had gathered, curious as to what all the commotion was about. I saw more people entering the park to gather around in front of Team Plasma. A few looked angry while the majority simply appeared curious. Some of the younger people who came I thought looked to be trainers and some of them were definitely on edge, whispering to those who simply looked confused.

"I'm guessing Team Plasma isn't all that popular," I folded my arms as the one who looked to be in charge raised his head.

"Citizens of Accumula Town," he didn't yell, but his voice carried over the park. "I, Ghetsis, one of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma, have come here today in order to open your eyes to the truth that has plagued our world for far too long. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk about Pokemon liberation."

Mutters spread through the crowd. Those already mad scoffed while others began to look more confused than before.

"I am sure many of you have believed your whole lives that humans and Pokemon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other," Ghetsis went on. He surveyed the crowd evenly, ensuring he had their full attention. "However, is that really the truth? Have you ever considered, that we as humans... only assume that this is the truth?" He began pacing down the line of grunts. "Pokemon are subject to the selfish commands of trainers. They get pushed around when they are our "partners" at work. Can anyone, any of you, say with confidence that there is no truth in what I am saying?"

The crowd began muttering again, exchanging worried and wary glances. I glanced at Robert, who had cupped his chin with his hand, not showing any emotion as he watched Ghetsis begin again.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen," He said. "Pokemon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokemon?"

Muttering again. Some were beginning to hang on to every word he was saying while others glanced down at Pokeballs at their waists, as if unsure about them. Even the trainers who had looked angry at the start looked more confused. I definitely heard the word "liberation?" more than once.

Ghetsis returned to the center of his grunts, raising his right hand from his cloak. "That is right! We must liberate Pokemon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokemon truly be equals. Everyone, I end my words to you here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokemon... and the correct way to proceed. I hope those of you who come to see the truth will join Team Plasma in its campaign to liberate Pokemon so that an ideal world can be achieved." He lowered his hand, bowing his head. "We sincerely appreciate your attention." He turned as two of his grunts lifted the banners and formed around Ghetsis, marching out of the park.

The crowd muttered uneasily before eventually dispersing. N, with the egg in his arms, made his way towards us with Zorua padding alongside him.

"Did you see?" Alex nodded to where Team Plasma were leaving.

"Yes," N said, looking as they left. "What he spoke about, Ghetsis, I could feel the truth in his words. I think... people should rethink the relationship they have with their Pokemon."

"I think you should give more credit to humans," I said, tickling Mawile's chin, the Fairy type looking quite content at the action. "While I will admit there are those out there who abuse Pokemon or treat them unfairly, there are many more who care for them."

N gave me a side glance. "I wonder... can they truly be happy being confined within Pokeballs, being at their trainer's every whim and command?"

Mawile lifted her head away from my hand and looked straight at the green haired teen. N blinked, his eyes widening slightly. He closed them, chuckling. "It seems Mawile still thinks very highly of you, Zeno. But," he turned away, lifting his hat slightly to get a better look at the park's exit, where Team Plasma had completely disappeared by now. "I've seen the cruelty humans inflict on Pokemon firsthand. There's no way I can just accept your cases to be the same for everyone else..."

"Then why not go see for yourself?" Robert suggested. We all looked at him and he shrugged. "I know I asked you to come with us because we'd show you what trainers are really about. While I think we accomplished having you see us as good trainers, you still don't see that for other people. What I'm trying to say," Robert took a breath. "Perhaps we should part ways. I think some things you can only discover for yourself. In your case, it'll be a good opportunity to view trainers with us in mind, but without our influence, if that makes any sense to you."

"And hey," Robert gripped N's shoulder. "If you want, maybe try and be a trainer for a little bit. It might enlighten you to why trainers and Pokemon do what they do. Sometimes actually doing something reveals more than just watching someone else do it."

N smiled sadly. "Perhaps I might. Thank you, Robert. Before I was kidnapped by those thugs, I didn't have anyone but Pokemon that I could call a "friend"."

"I'm glad," Robert grinned widely. "Just remember, don't look at the world as black and white all the time and you might learn things you never would have before."

"And if we meet again," Alex thumped N on the arm lightly. "We'd love to hear what you've learned."

"Because we are friends," I nodded as I smiled. "We may see things differently, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends. In fact, it's a difference in opinions that I think can help us all grow as people."

"You three are certainly interesting people," N laughed. "You can see an ideal world that remains hidden to me. I wonder if I can meet more people like you."

"I'm sure you will," Robert gave a thumbs-up. "You have a Robert guaranteed on that!"


"It's nice, you know," Alex said as we walked back through Accumula Town. "That no matter where we go, we always end up meeting new people we can call friends. Life on the road has endless possibilities."

"And new Pokemon to befriend," I added as I ran a finger down Joltik's tiny body. I had him cusped in my hands as we passed by people and Pokemon on the streets. He looked fearfully at everyone we walked by, but I tried distracting him with my finger. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, some of what that Ghetsis fellow had said got to me. I had once rejected the feelings of my Pokemon and it had nearly cost me my relationship with them.

I rubbed Joltik affectionately and he seemed to calm down a little. I had taken him in because he was abused by people and I wanted to show him only could he not fear them, but that he could become stronger by doing so.

I wonder, I thought. Is the best place for Joltik really with me?