I glanced at the box on the bed. Alex and I had returned to our room in the Pokemon Center so we could change into formal attire, but Alex had stopped me before I could find any appropriate clothes and handed me this box. She'd said that it was for me to wear before she hurried into the bathroom to get ready.

Almost afraid as to what might be inside, I opened the flaps to reveal...

"That's... not what I was expecting." I lifted the clothing, rubbing a hand across the soft fabric. I glanced towards the bathroom door. Smiling, I hurriedly got dressed. Figuring out how to wear the dang thing was something else, but in the end I believe I got it. Just in time to because Alex knocked on the other side of the door.

"You decent?" She called.

"Yeah," I said, looking at myself in the mirror. "I just hope this is how you wear a hakama proper-" I turned as I spoke, but my voice faltered. Alex had stepped out of the bathroom, her flame-designed kimono swishing around her. The entire thing was mostly white with the flames surging upwards from the bottom and up her sleeves. She had even put her hair up, a red flower hair clip clipped to the side of her head.

"You're..." I breathed. "Beautiful."

Alex blushed crimson and averted her gaze. "Thank you," she said in a small voice. She cleared her throat, nodding in appreciation at me. "It fits. I didn't know your exact size, so I had to guess."

I glanced down at the traditional formal wear. The kimono part of the outfit was black, as well as the haori I wore over it, while the hakama was striped black and white. "I definitely appreciate you went for black instead of, you know..."

Alex smirked. "Just because it would be fun to embarrass you, doesn't mean it would be fun to get embarrassed alongside you. Now are we going or what?" She asked, holding out her hand.

Smiling, I walked over and grasped her hand within mine. "And I thought you didn't want to go?"

Alex shrugged, a tiny bit of color rising again to her cheeks. "While I definitely still want to kill Robert for doing this doesn't mean I don't intend to enjoy what's been given."

I smiled and decided against teasing her further. While it was fun, I knew she would get back at me for it later. So for now, I was content with enjoying the upcoming ball together.

"Wait," Alex stopped me before I could move for the door. She reached for my head and ran a hand along my hair. It had grown longer again, the back having reached my shoulders. While it certainly wasn't messy, it wasn't entirely straight either. Aside from quick combings, I tended to just let it be what it is.

"Couldn't you do something with your hair?" Alex asked, pursing her lip.

I frowned. "If you want me to I can gel it back, but..."

"We need to be leaving," Alex sighed. "Sorry, I took too long getting ready in the bathroom."

"It's alright," I said, clasping both her hands together. "Next time I'll do something about my hair. I know I need to cut it anyway."

"No, it's not that..." Alex trailed off. She shook her head. "You look fine, Zeno. Your hair is perfect. I'm just overthinking the formality of the event, that's all."

"You don't think it's getting a bit long?"

"It suits you," Alex said warmly. Then a smirk. "Just don't let it grow long enough to be put in a ponytail. Then we'll be having a talk."

"And there you go crushing my dreams."


"Too bad I won't be able to see them have fun," Robert sighed as he lowered his hand as he watched his friends disappear through the crowd, heading back to the Pokemon Center to change. Most people were beginning to leave the amusement park, but plenty were staying behind for some night fun.

"Maybe I'll go on a couple while I'm here," he muttered to himself. He took a step towards a roller coaster before he felt a hand on his shoulder. Spinning around, he saw the last person he expected to run into at a place like this.

"N?"

The green haired teen smiled as he withdrew his hand. "It's been a while."

"I'll say," Robert grinned before seeing the figure standing beside N. He whistled. "Zorua evolved!?"

Zoroark growled and allowed Robert to rub his head. Robert glanced at N. "What brings you here?"

N hesitated. "I... I've actually come to speak with you."

Robert paused, lowering his hand away from Zoroark. N seemed to have something on his mind. "About what?"

"Could we perhaps talk somewhere more private?" N asked. He glanced around before catching sight of the Ferris Wheel. "We can go there."

Robert followed close behind. Miraculously there wasn't a line and he and N were able to get onto the next available car. They stepped inside, with N and Zoroark seated opposite of the blonde. As the gears started up, N smiled sadly. "These Ferris Wheels, with their circular motion and mechanics, they're almost like elegant formulas..."

Robert raised an eyebrow at the odd sentence. N almost seemed like he wasn't going to speak again as the car was lifted higher into the air. Then he spoke.

"First, I must tell you..." N looked Robert straight in the eyes. "I am the King of Team Plasma."


"Thank you all for joining me here today to celebrate the recent success of my clothing line!" Elesa announced from the middle of the catwalk, turning to stare at everyone who had attended. Her yellow dress shimmered as she moved, sparkling like electric current. The gym had been lit up entirely, which made it look much more spacious. Where groups of people weren't hanging around tables with wine and food samples, there were racks of various styles of clothing, ranging all the way from tropical suits to the most gorgeous wedding gown.

"I'll give her this," I whispered to Alex. "She sure has an interesting taste in style."

"And to mark this momentous occasion," Elesa went on. "I had these uniquely designed outfits prepared for today. They're one of a kind, so first come first serve!" She winked at the crowd as they began murmuring excitedly. "We'll be holding an auction later for several prized designed clothing items that I made myself. But let's not forget what we'll do in-between now and then!" She leaned to one side, hand on hip. "All you adorable couples will have the chance at proving yourselves to be the best dancers in all of Unova! The one deemed the Alcremie of the crop will be the lucky couple to adorn the cover of the 5th anniversary edition of my fashion magazine!"

A round of applause broke out and echoed across the large room. Elesa smiled and spread out her arms once more. "Now mingle and see what suits your Chansey!"

A ball to celebrate the success of her clothing lines? I thought as I examined the tropical suit up close. A ball is an odd thing to do. Or maybe she just likes bringing together the cutest couples, as she said... I'll never understand women.

"We should buy it," Alex said, examining the suit.

Bewildered, I asked, "Please do not tell me you want me to wear that."

Alex rolled her eyes. "No, silly. I want Hau to wear it. I'm sure he'd be ecstatic about that."

"Oh, good point," I nodded. "I'll still never understand women."

"Why look at you two!" Elesa chirped, strolling over. "Aren't you two just the cutest!? What fashionable Kantonian clothing to boot!"

"Don't go picking favorites now," I warned light heartedly.

"I think I can be excused for giving our youngest couple here a little special attention," Elesa said with a smirk before strolling away to talk to a group of couples.

Another glance around the room brought to light what she'd just said. "Alex, we are the youngest couple here. Everyone else seems to be in their late twenties to sixties."

"I know," Alex said neutrally, but I could tell she looked as nervous as I felt. It was a strange feeling. I'd been an assassin. I battled in large arenas with hundreds if not thousands watching. I was no stranger to being observed and judged. But this felt different. I felt more vulnerable in a way I couldn't describe.


Robert rested his back against his seat, staring at N, dumbfounded. "You're... the king of Team Plasma?"

N nodded, folding his hands in front of him. "Ghetsis asked me to work with him to save the Pokemon. Knowing my ability to communicate with Pokemon directly and knowing their troubles firsthand, I now lead the cause to free Pokemon from enslavement."

"Is that all you can see then?" Robert asked with a sinking feeling.

N glanced out the window at the amusement park and forest below growing smaller as they travelled upwards. "I wonder how many Pokemon exist in this world... Robert, after I went my own way from you and your friends, I... I tried to see the good in people. And yes, there are those who seem to treat their Pokemon well. But there are too many, far too many who only see their "partners" as tools or abuse them. I cannot condone their actions. For everyone's sake, people and Pokemon, they must be freed and allowed to live alongside us as equals and not bound by pokeballs."

By now they had reached the peak of the Ferris Wheel and the car stopped. Robert didn't pay it much attention. People were likely just getting off and letting more on below.

"N," Robert started, but the green haired man held up a hand.

"I already know what you want to say," N said softly. "You and your friends have already expressed your idealistic views. You want to believe the good in people and that everything will be alright in the end. But it is foolishness. Pure foolishness." N's expression grew contorted. "I can see the truth of this world, so I must spread that truth far and wide. I will show the world that it must accept this truth and free their Pokemon."

"What are you planning?" Robert swallowed, unable to fully comprehend the expression N had.

N lifted his head as the car stopped at the peak. "I... I will do what I must."


The lights began to dim and soft music began to play. Couples around the room began to grow closer and start doing slow dancing movements. Psyching myself up quickly, I held out my hand to Alex. "Would you have this dance with me?"

Alex just stared at me. "Cliché much?"

I frowned. "What else am I supposed to say?"

Alex grabbed my hand and pulled me roughly towards her. "Just dance with me, idiot."

She led for the first couple of seconds before I managed to get my bearings and take control. She let me do so willingly, raising an eyebrow. "Remember, don't step on my feet."

I smirked, focusing on the movements. "Whatever you say, princess."

That shut her up and had her looking a little surprised, but not unpleasantly by the smile that replaced her open mouth. With one hand on her hip and the other clasping her hand, we twirled around. Soon I forgot about the music and the other couples and solely focused on the beautiful girl in front of me. What I said wasn't a lie. She did look like a princess. Her elegant features and her dazzling emerald eyes were all I wanted to stare at. But the way her kimono swirled about around her also caught my eye. When she twisted and turned, so did the flame patterns, making them look real and as if they were flickering upwards.

Distracted for those few seconds nearly made me stumble, but Alex had forced me to stay upright. She smiled and took control for a couple seconds. I went along and the two of us seemed to glide across the room. We alternated leading, me spinning her around slowly, watching her kimono flutter about, and her forcing me to match her stride for stride.

Neither of us were aware of it at the time, but the other couples, while they still danced, all had their eyes on us. Even if we had noticed at the time, neither of us would care. Because the only thing we cared about right then was each other.


"Do what you must?" Robert repeated. "What does that even mean?"

N fiddled with the brim of his hat. "Some of the Sages believe that the speeches Team Plasma gives may not be enough. They want to turn to more... drastic measures." He stared out the window. "I... I don't want it to come to that. What you and your friends have shown me, your bond with your Pokemon, it's truly amazing. But not everyone is like that. And if people refuse to give up their Pokemon..."

"You can't force people to do something like that, N," Robert insisted, sitting forwards. "It's wrong. Many people love their Pokemon. They treat them fairly."

"Yet many don't," N turned his head back to face him. "You and I both know that to be true. Many see them just as tools. As weapons. Or worthless altogether. And I cannot accept the harsh treatment so many are put through at the whims of humans."

"You say that like you aren't," Robert pointed out.

N laughed softly, stroking Zoroark's head as the car began to move again, starting its descent back to the bottom. "Some days I don't. I've always been able to speak with Pokemon. They were my friends and took care of me ever since..." His expression softened before he seemed to force himself to regain his composure. "But then I was taken in by Ghetsis, one of the Seven Sages. He showed me that things didn't have to remain just as they were."

"Then-?"

"Why was I out looking for answers when I met you and your friends?" N asked, guessing what Robert was about to ask. "I wanted to see how people acted with Pokemon first hand. I wanted to hear their voices. And many of them... too many voices desire freedom. Robert, I want your help."

N smiled, holding out his hand. "I'm sure you've seen what people put Pokemon through. And you question me, which is good. One can never just accept another's truth without first putting some thought into it. But I assure you, this is the truth. It's a truth Unova has been living in for far too long. And so has the rest of the world. And people need to see it. So please," he stretched out his fingers, expression hopeful. "Join my cause to free Pokemon. Join Team Plasma."


A new song, slower than all the rest this time. Now the couples around the giant room were moving in slow circles, partners close to each other. Alex had her hands around my neck while my hands remained on her hips, and we slowly turned to the sound of the music.

Alex leaned her head forwards, resting it against my shoulder. "Hm, maybe I should thank Robert later. This has been more enjoyable than I thought it would be."

"I agree," I murmured. "Dancing with you is... soothing."

"You charmer you," Alex chuckled softly. She quieted before asking, "Where did you learn to dance?"

Unbidden memories flashed before my eyes. That log cabin on the outskirts of Saffron. A night with nothing else to do and having admitted to never having danced before. An amused Willow had moved around the furniture in the living room to make a big space for dancing. And we did just that. She'd laugh every time I accidently stepped on her or nearly made her fall. Eventually I was leading and we danced long into the night until our legs couldn't keep us up anymore.

I blinked, forcing the memories away as Alex lifted her head back up, questioning me with an emerald gaze. Taking another couple of seconds to choose my next words wisely, I answered, "Willow... taught me. Back when we, you know..." I trailed off, unable to meet my girlfriend's gaze.

"That makes sense," Alex said, surprising me. I met her eyes and she must've seen the surprise in mine. A small smile formed on her lips. "Don't worry, Zeno. I'm not jealous nor angry that you had a first love before me. What if I told you that there was someone back in Hoenn that I had been in a relationship before you?"

The question caught me off guard and for a moment I didn't know how to answer. While a part of me roared at the idea of another man catching Alex's eye and affection, another part, a bigger part of me, knew that it didn't matter.

"You and me are together right now," I said finally after a slow, full revolution. "It doesn't matter who you were with before, because right now you're with me and that's all I could ever ask for. It's more than I deserve." I paused. "Were you and another guy actually-"

"Oh Arceus no," Alex chuckled. "I used that as an example to show you that your feelings match mine. I don't care who you loved before. I intend to keep you all to myself from now on."

"What about Robert?"

Alex snorted. "He's Robert, he doesn't count."

"You're cruel, you know that?" I pointed out, but I wore a grin.

"You know you like that about me," Alex smirked before leaning in and kissing me just as the song neared its end, the music fading away into the background. I hugged her tighter as we embraced, ignoring any potential onlookers.

I used to question loving someone again after Willow. But Alex... She was tough. She was sarcastic. She was kind. Sweet, loving, compassionate, and caring. But most importantly, she showed me that I could love again. That even living a dangerous life, she didn't care about anything that might happen to her. Not that I would let anything happen to her. I would die before letting any harm come to her. So as we parted, I made a new promise to myself.

No matter what dangers we may face, no matter what we go through, I promise I will protect you. And I promise that we'll always be together, no matter where our paths may lead us.


"I can't."

Robert hated the look of betrayal that crossed N's face as he sat back, lowering his hat to block his expression.

"It's not that I don't agree with you," Robert said hesitantly. "At least, not fully. I see the truth you speak of, but I also know that the situation isn't as black and white as you make it out to be. And besides," he narrowed his eyes. "I've seen Team Plasma do some questionable things. Stealing Pokemon. Nearly badly hurting a child. N, my best friend's little sister's Purrloin was stolen by you and your so called Pokemon Liberators!"

N blinked. "I didn't realize."

"Aren't you their King!?" Robert gripped his fists, then slowly unclenched them as his frusteration ebbed away as quickly as it had come. "Look, I'm sorry, but I can't agree with everything Team Plasma is doing."

N stayed silent as the car came to a stop at the bottom. Then-

"It's alright," N said, smiling softly. "You weren't exactly idealistic, so I had thought... No," he shook his head. "Even if you won't join my cause, I won't stop. I can't. I must free all the Pokemon."

"You need to return the Pokemon that have been stolen," Robert told him as he stood.

N stood as well. "I will find the Pokemon that have been taken. If they wish to return to their trainer's then I will grant them their request."

"You have to return them either way," Robert argued. "Some bonds take time to form-"

"No," N said firmly. "That is all I can do for Pokemon. They have as much free will as humans do." He stepped out of the car onto the empty platform, Zoroark close behind. It seemed no one else wished to ride the Ferris Wheel tonight.

"Our Lord N!" Two voices shouted, rushing from the shadows. Two Team Plasma grunts knelt before him. "We're glad you're safe, our Lord N."

"N," Robert said as N made to leave. "Just promise me one thing."

N looked back.

"Don't force people to give up their Pokemon," Robert pleaded. "It'll never work. Forcing people to accept your truth and abide by it never works."

N turned away. "I can't promise that. You know I can't. If it comes down to it, I will do what must be done to free Pokemon." And with that he walked off side-by-side with Zoroark. The two grunts stood quickly, following their king without so much as a glance to Robert.

And as Robert watched his friend leave, he couldn't help but fear for the future. Because as much as N wanted to make the world a better place, his way of going about it would only lead to more evil than good. And Robert knew that he might one day face N not as friends, but as enemies.