Chapter 13

After Hilda falls onto the ground, I was surprised to find the Champion Alder and the Elite Four member Marshal here and save the girl. I can just challenge Alder to a battle now, but it's not the time yet.

After Hilda's recovery, I notice that she is going to try the Battle Subway while leaving Hilbert alone on the journey, and before doing that, she captures herself a Deerling while commanding Servine well.

Near the Driftveil Bridge, Zorua decides to play with the bridge controls to make it lift, and he is also trying to taunt Hilbert for getting across the bridge. Hilbert really falls into the trap and swings his way through the bridge. Zorua decides to play another game by using illusion to make himself Clay, the Gym Leader.

Hilbert starts to get suspicious after Zorua swiftly defeats his Pokemon, and he has Munna to find out the true identity of my Zorua.

"Why you?" This time Zorua uses Illusion to become Landorus, and Hilbert yells, "Don't be afraid! it's an Illusion!"

He has Galvantula attack Zorua, but Zorua turns into a Cobalion this time and Galvantula backs away with fear. "To face up a formidable opponent nails them to the spot. Damn it! Even if they know it's an illusion..."

And this time Zorua decides to transform into Hilbert. "And now it turns into me!" They have a fistfight, and the Pokemon is confused as to who is the real Hilbert and who is Zorua. But there is Munna who is able to detect who's the real one and attacks Zorua.

"You think you copied me perfectly, Zorua? But Musha reacts to my dreams. And even if you look perfectly like me, he was able to tell the difference thanks to the dreams my head is full of."

Zorua decides to retreat back to my side, and Hilbert yells, "Hey! Come back here!"

"Don't you tire yourself out calling him back. Ya should even be happy to have been able to scare him." The real Clay appears and Hilbert asks, "You're the real deal, aren't you?"

"Have you ever heard a Zorua talking? Usually the bridge's movements are scheduled with the passage of the ships, but I heard that some clowns called Team Plasma were plotting something suspicious. That's why I left the bridge raised to prevent them from messing with us at Driftveil City. But that rascal Zorua, nosed around the control panel and screw it up. I had to repair it. And by the way, it seems to me that while I had a hard time fixing all that mess, there's been some brat I heard, he shouted something not that nice, something like 'you dirty trickster'."

Zorua and I decide to ignore them and head to the Cold Storage, I don't want to know what happened to Hilbert after being chased by Clay. Once we get there, we find Zinzolin, I say, "Zinzolin, we need to talk."

Zinzolin turns to me with a stoic expression, "N, what brings you here?"

I say, "I've been thinking about our mission and Ghetsis's goals. Do you ever question the path we're on?"

Zinzolin narrows his eyes and says, "N, our mission is clear. Ghetsis leads us with a vision—to free Pokémon from trainers who exploit them."

I frown, "I understand that, but forcing trainers to release their Pokémon causes so much pain and anger. Is this really the only way?"

Zinzolin cross his arms, "Sometimes, N, radical action is needed to bring about change. We must sacrifice for the greater good."

I say with determination, "I don't dispute the need for change, but I believe there must be a way to help trainers and Pokémon understand our cause willingly, without causing suffering."

Zinzolin sighs, "N, your empathy for Pokémon is one of your greatest strengths, but it can be a hindrance. Our mission is too important to be swayed by sentiment."

"Zinzolin, I want to find another way, a way that doesn't involve causing so much pain. I can't continue to support a mission that hurts both trainers and Pokémon." I try to test him.

Zinzolin pauses before changing his expression, "N, be careful what you wish for. Change is not always easy, and not everyone will understand."

"I know it won't be easy, but I have to try. I hope you'll at least consider my perspective, Zinzolin." I nod.

"Very well, I hope you find the answers that you seek." Zinzolin says.

Just then, we hear a commotion outside, and I say, "It's Hilbert and Cheren. So they have come to this place as well..."

"So they are the nuisances that I've been hearing about?" Zinzolin says.

"If you may, you'll have to deal with them." I say.

"Of course, Lord N." Zinzolin nods as I leave the place and watch from afar. Team Plasma grunts have the floor frozen so that Cheren has slipped into our hands. While they're fighting him, Hilbert also tries to melt the ice mirrors set up by Zinzolin by using the berries.

"Release Cheren now!" Hilbert yells.

"We came here to release Pokemon, we don't care about this boy!" Then the grunt throws Cheren back to Hilbert. Hilbert says, "They took my Snivy and Tranquill. We have to get it back."

Then they have a battle, but most of the grunts here use Ice Pokemon, and they use Frost Breath and Icicle Crash to give those two some trouble. But after they find a way to free their Pokemon, they also use a combo move with Grass and Fire Pledge to create a massive sea of fire.

"Enough All the Pokemon here are our king's friends..." Zinzolin says. "It is out of the question to hurt them."

Hilbert asks, "Are you one of the Seven Sages?"

"My name is Zinzolin. Your combined attack was wonderful. We are absolutely no match for you. Thus we are going to leave. Until next time, goodbye."

Then Hilbert tries to chase after them, but he bumps into an ice mirror. But it is then that Clay and the others arrive, and they manage to catch up to them and arrest them.

"Well, I'll be! Hidin' in a chilly old place like this... You guys take these Pokémon robbers!" I was surprised that even Zinzolin got himself captured. It is then I decide to call Ghetsis, since he's still my Dad.

"You guys ain't so bad! Yup, a promise is a promise. Come on an' challenge my Gym!" After he leaves, Cheren sighs, "Whatever… Team Plasma's ideal… Separating people and Pokémon… It's exactly the same as not having Pokémon in this world at all. That bunch is a waste of oxygen. Hilbert… It's cold, so I'm getting out of here."

"Yeah, let's go." After they leave, Ghetsis finally answers my call.

"You say that Zinzolin was captured by the Gym Leader of Driftveil?" Ghetsis says. "Fine, I'll do my best to get him back."

I nod as I decide to wait for Ghetsis, and then he shows up in front of the Driftveil Gym with the other Plasma grunts. Ghetsis says, "Clay. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Ghetsis, of Team Plasma. I've come to pick up my associates who are in your care."

"I don't need no thanks, now. Yer buddies were tryin' to steal some folks' Pokémon." Clay replies.

"What's this? It seems as if there has been some misunderstanding. We only free Pokémon from wicked people." Ghetsis says.

"Well, that sounds real nice, if it's true. I may not talk purty, but at least I'm an honest man. You talk real nice, but what yer sayin' kinda sounds like lyin'. So tell me plain, what are ya tryin' to say?" Clay demands.

"Team Plasma also has an interest in Driftveil City. And we have many, many more members besides those who are here..." Ghetsis says, seemly threatening him.

"...Well, I can't tell if yer lyin' or not, but I reckon you've won this without a fight. Hrrmph. Fine. Take 'em and git!" Then Clay releases the Plasma grunts and Zinzolin.

"A decision worthy of a businessman called the Miner King. Your grasp of the situation is outstanding. Well then, we will be taking our colleagues off your hands..." Ghetsis says.

"Ghetsis… Thank you very much..." Zinzolin says to Ghetsis, who replies, "Don't worry, my fellow servant of the king... We are two of the Seven Sages, are we not? Well then, everyone, I expect that we will meet again somewhere."

After that, they leave and it is also when Hilbert and Cheren arrive. "What are you thinking? You just let them go like that?" Hilbert asks.

"Sorry to let Team Plasma go after you tracked 'em down, fellas. Say, why don't we cheer ourselves up with a Pokémon battle? Don't keep me waitin'!" Clay walks into the gym and Cheren frowns, "Well, at least we avoided a fight in the middle of the city, anyway. Still, I can't help but think Ghetsis isn't just an ordinary person. I'm off to go make my Pokémon stronger. I really don't want to lose to that Clay guy. Actually, I'm going to win my Gym Badge in a flawless victory!"

"You're right about that." Hilbert sighs.

After I meet up with Anthea and Concordia at Route 6, I decide to tell them everything. Anthea says, "So you called Father to save Zinzolin? And he actually does it for you? That's nice."

"I think even those it is his Dark Phase, there is still some good in him. As for Zinzolin, I think I know who he is." I say.

"Who is it?" Concordia asks.

"He uses Ice Pokemon and has the aura that I know well of. I think he's Wulfric." I say, much to the two's surprise.

"You're kidding! Wulfric? Alice's father?" Concordia asks.

"I have to assume that like our Dad, Zinzolin is Wulfric's Dark Phase that he wasn't able to destroy." I say. "The proof is that right now my other self is traveling with Alice in Hoenn, and she is able to call Wulfric in Snowbelle City."

"I see..." Anthea says. "So we have another one to save..."

Just then, three shadowy ninjas arrive and I ask, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"We are the Shadow Triad, the unseen shadows serving Lord Ghetsis." The first one says, and all of us can recognize the voice as Dia's voice.

"Ghetsis sent you?" Concordia asks.

"Indeed. Our purpose is to assist you, N." The voice this time is from Palmer...

"Assist me? Why?" I decide to continue asking.

"Lord Ghetsis believes in your cause, N. He wishes for you to succeed." And the voice is obviously Gina. What is going on here? My elderly siblings are also in Team Plasma?

"So if you have anything you want us to do, we'll help you." The first shadow says.

"If that's the case, I want you to bring Hilbert to me once he enters Chargstone Cave." I say, and the three of them bow before leaving. Anthea says, "Are those Dia, Palmer, and Gina?"

"Yeah, somehow they're also here as well. I wonder if they're assisting us. Or they're also in the Dark Phase like my Dad or Wulfric?" I frown.

"I don't know. But I can't believe the familiarity..." Concordia says. "We have been spending a lot of years not knowing about the whole truth..."

"Because our evil father locks up in our room with the abused Pokemon, that's why." Anthea sighs.

Here is a new chapter. And you can see that more revelations are revealed. I hope you like it and we're going back to Ash again in the next chapter.