Pokegirl Origins - Unova

by SocomSeal

Pokegirls. Humanoid monstergirls who live to battle and need human contact to stay sane. In this world some use pokegirls as tools, but many form close bonds with their partners. This is the story of one tamer and his journey. Inspired by the Moemon Project. Generation 5 - In which the old faces off against the new.

15. Chapter 15 - Heroes of Truth and Ideals

Nicholas held his smile as the three ninja shepherded him and Reshiram deeper into the castle. Until now, everything had been a cautious hope. He'd hoped that he might be able to convince N. Hoped that there might be something good at the core of Plasma's actions. Hoped that there were those resisting, who were fighting to make it right. Now, it was not just a hope. It was truth. And he… well, he had come today as the hero of truth.

He was completely unsurprised when the halls opened into a grand approach and a man was revealed standing to block the massive doors at the other end. This was a king's approach to his throne room. And here was Ghetsis, right where Nicholas had expected to find him.

"Ha-ha-ha!" Ghetsis threw his arms wide as Nicholas got closer. "Here he is. Champion Nicholas – the self-proclaimed hero of truth!" He smirked. "And a little more intelligent than I had expected. It is lucky for you that I am fond of intelligent people."

Nicholas shook his head slightly. "Luck has nothing to do with it, Ghetsis. You've played a good game, but today is when it ends."

"And confident, too!" Ghetsis exclaimed. "Brimming with hope that you will succeed. Oh, I really do love witnessing the moments when someone loses all hope."

"Was this the entire reason your 'friends' escorted me here?" Nicholas growled. The ninja had melted into the shadows but he knew they were still here. Watching. Prepared to intervene if he or Reshiram attempted to attack their master. "To insult me?"

"To congratulate you," Ghetsis replied, "on a job well done. Without you, my lord N would not have been so eager to join with the legendary dragon Zekrom. Without you, my perfect plan would have taken many more years to complete. Thanks to you, this is the end – the end of the world you know, and the beginning of a new one."

Nicholas just shook his head. "I feel like I've heard this speech before," he said. "I believe… The last man who gave it to me soon found himself with a hole in his head, shot by an International Police agent while his grand design crumbled around him."

"I'm well aware what has become of Sinnoh's Galactic," Ghetsis replied. "Cyrus was a fool. He had all the power he could have hoped for, a nation's people turning to his side, and what did he do? He threw it away for the hope of more. With my plan set in motion, soon even interacting with a pokegirl will be seen as a bad thing! Not even the Gym Leaders or the people's Champion will be able to stand up to public opinion! They will become unable to fight us. That is the kind of world we will make." He laughed. "This castle has risen as the first symbol of that new world. Enveloping the old Pokegirl League to show that Unova will change."

"N had it right," Nicholas said. "You will never win the people over with force. They will resist you."

"Let them try," Ghetsis gloated. "We and only we will have pokegirls beside us, and we will rule the powerless populace!" He laughed again, his voice rising giddily. "It is my lord N's thought that the two heroes should put their beliefs on the line and strive to find which is the true hero, but such a thing is unnecessary! There's no chance whatsoever that you can overcome his purity of purpose! The purpose I molded him to fulfill from his very infancy! So, 'hero of truth'," Ghetsis laughed, "I suggest you search for some courage – because you're going to need it!" Nicholas scowled as Ghetsis continued to laugh. "Oh, I've been waiting so long for this! Kept my silence so no one could piece together what I had planned. Now, those painful days are at an end!" He leapt aside, his arm sweeping forwards to gesture Nicholas towards the doors. "Go! Onwards! N has already defeated Champion Alder – now it is your turn to be shown that you do not have what it takes to be a hero!"

Nicholas was preparing to push past when the doors flew open. Two men in the robe uniform were walking out, carrying between them…

"ALDER!" Nicholas lunged forwards to knock the Plasma members aside and caught Alder as he fell. The two were turning with angry muttering when Ghetsis raised a hand; at his signal the Plasma members settled back and waited. "Alder, are you alright?"

Alder's face twitched and his eyes cracked open. "Champion… Topolski?" he croaked. "I… lost. I should have been able to demonstrate the bond between me and my pokegirls, but instead… instead I fell to his conviction." Alder's eyes flickered back shut. "It's the real thing. I can feel it."

"I know it is," Nicholas said quietly. "That's why I'm here."

Alder chuckled weakly. "The ones who change the world… are always the ones who pursue their dreams. I gave up on mine many years ago." His body relaxed and his final words slipped out as a sigh. "Please, Champion. Finish what I could not."

"Alder? ALDER!" Nicholas quickly moved to check the other man's pulse and was relieved when he felt it pumping strong. Alder was just exhausted. "I will," he whispered to the unconscious man. "I'll end this."

Ghetsis had replaced his regal veneer by now and he inclined his head while indicating the two Plasma members. "May we see the Champion to where he may recover?"

Nicholas gritted his teeth. "And where would that be. A cell?"

"My lord N invited Champion Alder as his treasured guest," Ghetsis replied smoothly. "It would certainly not do to treat him poorly. His safety will be valuable to sway Unova to our cause."

Nicholas glanced at the two Plasma members. "Where were you taking him."

One of the men shrugged. "The lord N gave orders to go to his sisters," he said in an odd accent. "The room is nearby, yes?"

Nicholas stared. The Plasma member stared back. "It… is," he said after a few moments. "Fine. If that's where you're taking him I'll let you be."

"An excellent choice," Ghetsis crowed. Nicholas let the two men lift Alder between them and turned to the now open doorway. "It's your turn now, hero."

"I picked up pokedexes on those two Plasma members," Kalmiya whispered urgently in Nicholas' ear as he moved forwards. "I can go with them, Master – make sure Champion Alder is safe."

"There's no need," Nicholas murmured back, his eyes fixed straight ahead. "Alder is in good hands."

As he stepped into the throne room his eyes rose to the raised dais at the far end. Where a throne could be seen, and a man atop it. Wrapped in a clean white robe. A wide crown atop his head. N. And laying beside him, Zekrom.

"It's over," N called, gazing down at Nicholas. "You are too late. I have defeated the Champion – proven that my ideals are right. Never again will pokegirls be made to suffer or be held captive by humans. Soon, I shall issue an order across Unova: 'Tamers of the world, release your pokegirls!'"

"I'm never too late," Nicholas replied. "All you have proven is that you can overpower an old man. What did you do to Alder? He was barely conscious."

"I did what had to be done," N replied. "I do what I must to make the ideal world a reality. The world I desire, where pokegirls are free! Free of humanity! Free to regain their original power! In this, my determination is absolute. The world refused to listen to my beliefs, so now they must be proven at any cost!" He suddenly rose, Zekrom perking up as electricity began sparking across her scales. "I commend you, Nicholas Topolski. I had hoped you would come. For you to stand before me now… then you must be as equally determined as I. If that's so, then prove it to me!" He spread his arms and Zekrom lurched to her feet. "If… you can."

Nicholas snorted. "I certainly can."

"Can you?" N asked softly. "You came all this way, awakened Reshiram, yet is this truly her beside you? She is… depleted. Barely more than the shade within that tower. You aren't enough for her, are you? Not enough to be a hero? How disappointing. I actually kind of liked you a little. Through our conversations, I got the feeling you might have been a tamer who truly cares for pokegirls!" He shook his head. "But I was kidding myself. You now have two options. Challenge me to a fight you can't win, or leave this place and watch the birth of a new world where pokegirls are free of people! ZEKROM! To me!"

Nicholas' face smoothed. "You believe Reshiram depleted?" he said quietly. "You see her as weak?" He glanced over at the legendary in question. "They are mocking your truth, Reshiram." He smiled when he saw the flames beginning to crackle all around her, every muscle in her body straining. "What say you?"

"Just this once," Reshiram's voice hissed in his mind, her mouth consumed in blue flame. "Free me from your restraint. Let me answer just this once."

"Show them."

N staggered when Reshiram screamed. Flame consumed her as she blitzed forwards to where Zekrom stood and as she slammed into her opposite Reshiram's body had changed. Not to match Zekrom in her beast form, but rather transcending the simple pokegirl one Nicholas had granted her. Her true form – the form of the dragon of truth.

There was no time for Nicholas to see what the roiling power bursting from Reshiram had transformed her into. Her momentum didn't slow one bit as she carried a roaring Zekrom through the air to shatter the castle walls and tumble into the sky.

"W-What?" N stammered, stumbling towards the gaping hole and staring out into the dark. Zekrom had recovered from the unexpected attack and now fired back, turning night into day as her lightning and Reshiram's flames lit the skies. "What just…?"

"She is not lesser," Nicholas said, walking up as N turned back to stare at him. "She is greater than what she was before."

"Before…" N murmured. "In ages past, Zekrom, and Reshiram, they were once one life. One pokegirl. Complete opposites yet the same. Equal." His eyes turned back to the raging battle outside. "It is their heroes, that decide their strength." He watched as Reshiram's glowing form sent Zekrom spiraling away with a maelstrom of flame. "You really are a hero, too." He glanced back. "You have made me curious, Nicholas Topolski. How powerful is your determination?"

"It is greater than absolute," Nicholas replied. "Because it understands you, N. It understands balance."

N gazed at him for what felt like an eternity. "I had hoped… I believe I had hoped that you would fail," N eventually said quietly. "Reshiram, and Zekrom… Each of them choosing a different hero, as it was so long ago… Would that even be possible? Two heroes living at the same time – one that pursues truth, and one that pursues ideals. Could it be, then, that neither are right?"

"Neither, or both?" Nicholas asked. "What do you wish, N?"

"Wish?" N whispered. "I desire a world where pokegirls are free."

"I desire a world where pokegirls and humans are free," Nicholas replied just as quietly. "Free of the flaws placed on us by our creator. Free to regain their original power. Free, to live as they please, and no longer be bound together against their will." His eyes pleaded with the wavering man. "We fight for the same cause, N! Truth, and ideals, can be made as one!"

"MY WAY IS WHAT MUST BE!" N cried, staggering for his throne and clutching the arm to stay standing. "Humanity brings pokegirls nothing but pain! Nothing! NOTHING!"

"That may have been what you were led to believe but you know now that isn't true!" Nicholas cried back. "YOU'VE SEEN ME! You've seen others, you must have! There is GOOD to be found when a human and a pokegirl form a true bond! Together, they are more than their sum! They… They multiply!" he cried desperately, remembering N's ramblings on the Ferris wheel. "Look around you, N! You have been lied to!"

"No, no!"

"Look around," Nicholas said firmly, moving up the dais and reaching for the shaking man. "Think! The Plasma members in their uniform – what comes when they put one on? What comes? What comes, N! PAIN! Anger, hatred, pain. Exactly what you believe is all that can be between a human and a pokegirl. Yet from who around you does that come. From who, have those who spread anger, and hatred, and pain, come."

N ripped himself away. "DO NOT TARNISH THE NAME OF THE KING'S KNIGHTS!" N cried, though it came out as more of a choking sob. "THEY- THEY ARE- They are… My father sends them, to… to serve, their king!"

"Listen to me, N," Nicholas said as gently as he could while still pushing the words firmly past N's catching breaths. "Or better yet, listen to yourself. You don't need to hear me speak any longer. I've been told you've already realized the truth on your own."

N stared at him with wild eyes. Slowly, his shaking arms firmed. "Two heroes…" he murmured. "Could… Could they both… be right?" His eyes squeezed shut. "I don't know. I don't know! Could it be that it's not by rejecting different beliefs, but by accepting them that the world creates a chemical reaction? Could that be the true formula for changing the world?"

Nicholas felt a wave of relief wash over him and he glanced out the hole as he felt Reshiram's simultaneous triumph. "It is," he said softly. "You finally understand."

N's eyes snapped open when he heard Reshiram roar. Suddenly she was back, flying through the hole in the wall to send Zekrom's feebly stirring body smashing to the floor at N's feet. As she landed and stretched her limbs, her head tilting back as she roared her victory, N's eyes were lost in her form.

"Everything's ruined," N barely whispered. "The ideals I held… The dreams pokegirls shared… Was it all…?" He bowed his head. "Zekrom and I have been beaten. Your truth… Your determination, it would seem, was stronger than mine." A tear glinted at the corner of his eye. "It's over."

N flinched when Nicholas reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's not over," he said quietly. "Today can be when it begins. Together, we-"

Both whirled at a frustrated roar. Ghetsis was storming in, coming straight for where the two stood. "YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING BOY!" he roared. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"

"F-Father…?" N stammered.

"DO YOU THINK YOU'RE STILL WORTHY OF SHARING THE NAME HARMONIA WITH ME?!" Ghetsis screamed. "RAISE HER! RAISE THE LEGENDARY DRAGON AND DEAL WITH THIS FALSE HERO!"

"Your manipulations are over," Nicholas retorted, stepping in front of N and staring down at where Ghetsis stood. "N is no longer yours to control."

"You think you know anything?" Ghetsis snarled. "I am everything he knows! It is because of ME that N ever pursued his ideals. The reason we awakened the legendary dragon was to give MY Plasma more power! Power to control the fearful masses! THAT, at least, was well done."

"N-Nicholas?" N stammered.

"SILENCE!" Ghetsis roared. "After saying you had to put your beliefs on the line and face this man to see which one chosen by the legendary dragons was the true hero… You lost to an ORDINARY TAMER! YOU! Who I have carefully grown into the king of Plasma! There is such a thing as being too stupid, boy! Add it up, and you are nothing more than a warped, defective boy who knows nothing but the ramblings of pokegirls…!"

Nicholas felt his anger rising. N was completely shellshocked, and he didn't blame the young man whatsoever. This was the man N had believed to be his loving father. "That's quite enough from you," Nicholas snapped. "You LOSE, Ghetsis!"

"LOSE! I do not lose," Ghetsis spat. "This doesn't change my goal. My plans have not been disturbed! I couldn't become the hero, so I created him! A freak without a human heart! You will never get through to a warped person like that, someone molded to be my puppet. N still stands beside Zekrom – in order to rule this world utterly, in order to manipulate the hearts of people who know nothing, I WILL have N be the king! But, for that to work, you… you must be removed."

"FATHER!" N sobbed. "WHY ARE YOU SAYING THESE THINGS? YOU AGREED WITH ME! POKEGIRLS MUST BE FREE!"

"That was just a convenient lie that I needed to create Plasma!" Ghetsis replied. "Use your HEAD, fool! What's to be gained from letting go of useful things like pokegirls? No, manipulating pokegirls helps people expand their possibilities. So it naturally follows that only I should be able to control pokegirls!"

Nicholas snorted as Reshiram moved to step in front of him and growl at Ghetsis. "You have nothing left but lying words, Ghetsis," he said. "And lies are not nearly enough to stand against the dragon of truth."

"You can say whatever you want," Ghetsis snarled. Still, he began backpedaling away. "A pokegirl, even if it's revered as a deity, is still just a pokegirl. So what if it chose you! That doesn't mean you or it are a threat. COME!" Ghetsis threw his arms out and dozens of uniformed Plasma members streamed in. "FALL, AS YOU WERE MEANT TO!" Ghetsis began to laugh as the crowd pressed in to completely surround him. "I won't allow anyone to stop me! No matter who does what!"

Nicholas was glancing at Reshiram, weighing their options, when he noticed who was leading the crowd of Plasma tamers. When the man saw Nicholas recognize him he winked.

"HAHAHA!" Ghetsis crowed as the crowd pressed harder around him. "I can't wait to see the look on your face when you've lost your infuriating hope!"

"It is instead YOU who is without hope!"

Ghetsis blinked as the crowd suddenly all turned on him. "What? What is going on here?"

The man who had winked at Nicholas reached up to pull his hood down, revealing a head of messy dark hair. "Ghetsis Gropius!" he cried. "By the International Police's authority, you are under arrest!"

"W-What? WHAT!" Ghetsis roared as the man raised a badge into view and hands were suddenly grabbing at his arms. "NO! I CREATED PLASMA! I'M ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! I AM PERFECTION! THE PERFECT RULER OF A PERFECT NEW WORLD – YOU CANNOT DO THIS TO ME!"

Nicholas breathed a sigh of relief when the rest of the crowd began yanking their disguises off and Ghetsis was buried under a mass of police officers. "Not bad, Looker," he called with a slight laugh. "Not bad at all."

Looker turned to give him a sideways grin. "Not bad to you as well, Champion Topolski."

"Alder's safe, I take it?"

"Ask of him yourself," Looker replied, gesturing to the door before moving to begin barking orders at the crowd restraining Ghetsis.

Nicholas blinked when he saw Alder slipping into the room. "Alder!" His confusion vanished when he saw the figures supporting the unsteady man. "Anthea. Concordia."

"…Champion," Alder said back, wincing as he made his way over to the dais. "I have a terrible headache."

"I'm just glad to see you moving," Nicholas replied. "What happened?"

"What happened is in the past," Alder replied firmly as N's face flushed with shame. "What matters is the present, and the future." He clutched Concordia and focused on where N stood. "N Harmonia. Natural, your sisters say you are named?"

"N Harmonia Gropius," N whispered.

"No," Alder replied gently. "You are N Harmonia. Your name is your own. It is not for Ghetsis to take from you." He sighed when N flinched. "N… Do you still think pokegirls and people should be separated?" N wasn't responding so Alder continued after a few moments. "I'm sure you have much to think about. I know you were not pursuing your ideals because of Ghetsis' manipulation, but because your heart was truly inspired. That is why you were able to awaken the legendary dragon."

"But…" N stammered, "I, I have no right to be the hero!"

"Is that so?" Alder asked. "What you and Zekrom are going to do from now on… That's important, wouldn't you say?"

"Why?" N whispered. "Acting like you understand… Up until now, we've been fighting each other over our beliefs! Yet, despite that… Why?!"

Alder smiled. "N, even if we don't understand each other, that's not a reason to reject each other. There are two sides to any argument. Is there one point of view that has all the answers?" He waited, but N had gone silent again. "Give it some thought." With a pained grunt Alder stumbled, Anthea quickly moving back in to help Concordia keep the man upright. "I… I need to sit back down."

"We have you, Champion," Concordia soothed. "Eve!"

Nicholas turned when he felt a calming presence wash over the room to see a Gardevoir drifting in, another very similar pokegirl in a differently styled black full body dress following after. "You have pokegirls," he said softly.

"We have friends," Anthea replied with a smile. "Just as my lord N does."

Nicholas smiled as well. "I see he was always in good hands."

"…Nicholas?" Nicholas turned to see N staring at him. Zekrom was stirring and N's eyes flicked to her before returning back to him. "Would you… follow me, for a moment? I want to talk to you about something."

Nicholas inclined his head slightly and followed N towards the hole in the castle wall. N stopped near the edge, his eyes gazing out into the night. "I'm here," Nicholas said.

"Mm." N didn't turn. "It's about when I first met you. In the tunnels beneath that stadium, in Driftveil City." N shook his head. "I was shocked. Shocked when I heard what your Miltank's soul was saying. I was shocked, because her soul said it liked you. It said… It said that it wanted to be with you." He gave the night a wry smile. "I couldn't understand it. I couldn't believe there were pokegirls that liked people. Because, up until that moment, I'd never known a pokegirl like that. Or… I thought that I hadn't." His smile faded a bit. "The more I journeyed, prepared for what would come, the more unsure I became. All I kept meeting were pokegirls and people who communicated with each other and helped one another." He finally turned. "That was why I had to confirm my beliefs. That is why I waited for you. I wanted to confront you hero-to-hero. I needed that more than anything."

"But you understand now, right?" Nicholas asked.

N snorted. "There's no way a person like me, someone who understands only pokegirls… No. I can't even claim I understood them, either. There is no way I could measure up to you, who have met so many pokegirls and now are surrounded by friends…" He glanced away. "The Champion… has forgiven me, and… What I should do now is something I'll have to decide for myself." His eyes had moved to stare at Reshiram as she turned to see Zekrom limping towards where N stood. "I was wrong. About so, so many things." His eyes slid shut and Nicholas barely heard his next words. "I'm so sorry, Eris."

"You're leaving, then?" Nicholas called when N reached up to caress Zekrom's head. "What about Plasma? Your sisters?"

N let out a long sigh. "I don't deserve them," he said quietly. "Not as I am now. Not as… we are now." He turned back to look at Nicholas. "Nicholas! May I… May I just, call you that?"

Nicholas smiled back. "If I may call you just N."

N finally cracked a smile. "Nicholas. You said… that we share a dream. That dream… make it come true. Make our wonderful dream a reality. Make it become this world's truth." His fingers wrapped around Zekrom's shoulder and he leapt onto her back as he cried out. "If anyone can, it is you! Well, then… Farewell!"

Nicholas didn't bother covering his face as Zekrom reared, spreading her wings with a guttural roar and shooting through the hole in the castle wall. "Farewell, N," he murmured, keeping his eyes on the dwindling black form until it was completely swallowed by the darkness of the night. "We will meet again. In the world of our dream."

"He is gone?" Nicholas turned to see Looker approaching him. "Is it wise to have let him go?"

"N was just another one of Ghetsis' victims," Nicholas replied quietly. "I hope the International Police can agree with me on that."

Looker inclined his head slightly. "Yes. It is true."

Reshiram was staring at Nicholas. "My champion."

Nicholas blinked and turned to her. "Hm?"

"Did we… succeed?"

Nicholas chuckled. "Succeed. That is an excellent word for what we did. Yes. We succeeded."

Reshiram breathed out, lifting her hands to stare at them before moving her eyes down the rest of her body. She hadn't faded from her true form since taking it and now her eyes moved back to him. "But my sister is not yet like me."

Nicholas' smile widened. "You wish her to be?"

"I, too, understand now," Reshiram replied. "I understand what you and the other human dream. It is what the old king once dreamt. What his sons… what I, and my sister, tore from him." Her fingers closed into fists. "Our lady is dead. It is up to us to come together once again, and to grant her world its dream."

Looker chuckled and took a step back while hooking his hands in his pockets. "You have graduated from resource. Now you are of interest, Nicholas Topolski." His grin crinkled his cheeks. "This you may have heard before, but- Someone will be in touch."

Nicholas chuckled back. "This Lopunny's told me she's my handler. You'll probably have to deal with her first."

Looker's smile faded a bit. "Then, you are not interested?"

"Not in any sort of open agreement, no," Nicholas replied. "Get back to me when the International Police have a defined goal that I can help you work towards."

Looker inclined his head. "Very fair enough. Until then, Champion Nicholas."

Nicholas nodded as Looker turned to return to the crowd of police. "I think we're done here," he said, glancing to Reshiram. "Would you be willing to carry Alder? I'm not sure if he's able to walk very well."

Reshiram smiled. "With pleasure, my champion."

"Maybe those two, as well?" Nicholas asked quietly, nodding slightly in Anthea and Concordia's direction. "It's just a feeling, but… I think they might be special, too. Just as N is."

Reshiram's smile grew into a grin. "With pleasure, my champion. I am also unsure exactly why, but I feel quite fond of the blonde one."

"Makes sense," Nicholas replied softly. "I don't think it's much of a coincidence that Ghetsis picked those two women to be N's caretakers." He smiled. "With Plasma now dissolving, they won't have anywhere to go."

"Won't they, my champion?" Reshiram asked amusedly.

"Oh, that's not for me to decide!" Nicholas laughed back and gave her a friendly buck on the shoulder. "But whatever happens, it should be up to them."

The police were preparing to move out themselves as Nicholas and Reshiram moved to meet with the others. "Transport waiting," Looker barked as he directed the group of officers to surround a restrained Ghetsis. "Move out."

The crowd of police made their way down the floors of the castle with Ghetsis remaining completely silent the entire time. In fact he seemed completely withdrawn until Looker pulled up, the procession coming to a halt as another officer ran up.

"Sir!" the arrival gasped out, snapping a quick salute to Looker before bending over to catch his breath. "Sir, we've got trouble."

"Report."

"We're getting word- two of the detained sages have gone missing," the officer said. "Also, we've lost contact with multiple sweeper teams in the castle."

Looker scowled as, behind him, Ghetsis stirred slightly. "Plasma forces?"

"There shouldn't have been anything left inside," the officer said. "We were still working through the lower floors and freeing the pokegirls that had been enslaved in the castle depths, but they were unguarded."

"BE ALERT!" Looker roared, turning back to address his group of officers. "WE ARE TO MOVE, QUICKLY!"

"They'll come for me," Ghetsis sneered just loud enough for Looker to hear. "No… They already have."

His words hung on the air. Then explosions scattered the officers as choking smog filled the halls. "HAHAHAHAHA!" Ghetsis' laughter rang out while screams echoed from within the smoke. "YOU CANNOT BEST ME! FOOLS!"

"A-AFTER HIM!" Looker cried, collapsing as he fought the smoke filling his lungs. "STOP!"

Ghetsis' laughter was fading as Looker realized someone was standing in front of him. Before he could lift his head a hand had grabbed his collar and he was dragged, still choking, upright to see a masked figure standing within the smoke. A blade glinting in the figure's hand.

Before the ninja could strike his eyes snapped to a point behind Looker and then he was gone, dropping his target as a barrage of multicolored light sheared through the space between where the two had been. Looker fell hard, still struggling to breathe until he felt new hands grabbing him and dragging him from the cloud into open air. "You do not have permission to die today, eight three six! On your feet! NOW!"

A series of heavy strikes compressed Looker's chest, forcing the smoke from his lungs until the man was coughing again on his own. He finally half-rolled to his feet and looked up at the three figures surrounding him. "Ma'am. I-"

"No excuses!" a lilac-haired woman in a perfectly tailored suit and vest barked at him. "ON YOUR FEET, I said!"

"Mistress," one of the other figures growled, a Snorlax, her vast bulk identifying her as the likely source of the rescue compressions. "Another of the sages has just vanished."

"They're making a damn FOOL out of us!" the woman roared. "EIGHT THREE SIX! LOOKER!" Looker felt himself yanked fully upright and he was treated to the woman's scowling face inches from his own. "CLEAN UP THIS MESS!" She let go of him. "You are cleared for full operations. Recapture Plasma's sages."

Looker turned his head as he coughed out the last of the smoke. "What is this against us?"

"You read the file. There's all sorts of talk about Ghetsis' pet shadows," the woman spat. "Need I remind you that it was YOUR idea to commence this infiltration with only disguise specialists? See how that's turned out for you!"

"…I thank you for this assist, Ma'am," Looker replied sheepishly. "We will not let them escape!"

"Too late for that, knucklehead," the woman muttered in a sudden and surprising tonal change. "God, Looker! How can I push you for a promotion if this is the SNAFU you make, huh? Geez." She turned to the other figure. "Jules, I need your brain. What resources can we deploy right now before Ghetsis gets too far?"

The figure straightened and a pair of furry ears sprang to life just behind the twitching antennae on her head, combining with her bright yellow skin and massive chest to identify her as an Alakazam. "We are highly limited on our own available resources, Mistress. Full QRF can be on site within days only."

"In other words, they're gone," the woman sniped. "Shit. Alright, tracking. I want everything we have and everything we don't mobilized to keep these men getting away. I want them HUNTED! Unable to so much as PISS without constantly looking over their shoulders!"

The Alakazam blinked. "Understood, Mistress. Activating Catherine and granting live data stream." She cocked her head. "Catherine has a suggestion."

"Let me hear it."

"She is asking for the rogue."

The woman frowned. "The rogue? She means… that other one?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"Command will never allow it," the woman muttered. "What if Catherine gets infected by the rogue's broken programming?"

"She, of course, said that would be your response," the Alakazam replied immediately. "She says that the rogue's disregard for logic will be invaluable in accelerating tracking efforts. It is Catherine's hypothesis that the rogue will search first wherever she would search last, effectively cutting time to identify targets in half."

The woman grunted. "Screw it. Oi, Looker!" She shoved the man again. "You're still on good terms with Topolski, right?"

"I… yes," Looker stammered. "But I have just asked him to work with us, he was not interested."

"Then figure it out," the woman retorted. "Catherine wants his Porygon-Z. You know, the one who keeps snooping around our files and thus gets put INTO EVERY GOD DAMN WEEKLY ALERT MEETING! GAH!"

"Perhaps it would be best for Catherine to approach the rogue directly," the Alakazam offered. "It is most likely she understands the best way to interest the rogue, who will then know best how to convince her tamer to let her assist. Or perhaps assist without even involving Champion Nicholas."

"I really hate letting her do that but if I'm already going to have to justify bringing that virus back into our systems proper, I guess justifying to command why Catherine's approaching her first isn't that much more of a step," the woman grumbled. "Fine, fine. I'll handle it, Looker." She gave him another, much gentler tap. "You focus on building a proper strike team. Yeah?"

Looker snapped to attention and threw a salute. "Yes Chief!"

"It's ANABEL!" the woman roared. "Chief Anabel at the least, I feel old when you do that."

"YES CHIEF ANABEL!"

"You're such a pain in my ass," Anabel muttered, but she was grinning as she did it. "Right. Let's get medical up here for the injured. We've got fugitives to catch, people!" Anabel yelled, clapping her hands to catch the attention of the officers who were recovering around them. "I didn't leave my cushy post in Hoenn to babysit so pick yourselves up and let's get moving!"

.

.

Some days later, a small crowd of humans and pokegirls stood in front of the Pokestar hotel. Clouds covered the sky but for now there was a break in the rain and Nicholas gave the small group standing across from him a nod. "It's all decided, then."

Reshiram inclined her head. "Yes, my champion."

"We are forever grateful for what you have done. For us, for our lord N," Anthea said, her pokegirl nodding beside her. A Gothitelle, Nicholas had learned. Unova's flavor of the powerful near-human Psychic-types that existed all across the world. "But now we must do what we can in return."

"One day, we know N will return from his travels with Zekrom," Concordia said. "When he does, then we will gladly reconsider your offer, Reshiram."

"What do you plan to do instead, then?" Nicholas asked the two women. "If you won't return with Reshiram to Dragonspiral Tower? Do you have anywhere to go?"

"We have nowhere. And that is as it should be," Anthea replied firmly. "The ideals my lord N held were not false. So many who called themselves Plasma believed in them sincerely. But thanks to Ghetsis' manipulations, Unova, nay, the world now believe them all to be a lie." She bowed her head and beside her Concordia did the same. "The name Plasma should die. But the ideals of our king should never be forgotten. They should be honored. They should be what we live by, as we now go to undo the damage Ghetsis has caused."

"I am not sure exactly how it will be done," Concordia explained, "but the time is now to act. So many are doubtful. So many are hurt. Pokegirls, ripped from their loving tamers. Humans, unable to understand." The two raised their heads. "The time is ripe to gather the fractured believers together into something pure. A new Plasma, though what we will identify it as, we also do not know. But a force for good. A force to care for the ones Ghetsis' Plasma hurt. A force, to create the world the heroes dream of."

Nicholas nodded slightly. "You will not be the first to salvage goodness from a misguided evil," he said softly. "In fact, if you would let me, I will see if I can send word to two guardians you may be very interested in meeting." He paused. "From what I have been told, they have had great success reshaping the cults of Groudon and Kyogre into true paladins of earth and sea."

Anthea smiled. "I think we would be honored, hero of truth."

"Enough with the titles, please," Nicholas groaned. "I understand that you have your lord N, your king Harmonia, but I have no desire to stand above anyone. I desire to stand beside them. All of us, humans and pokegirls alike, as equals."

"As did he," Reshiram remarked quietly.

Nicholas rolled his eyes.

"And you?" Concordia asked. "What will you do, hero- Champion Nicholas?"

"Just Nicholas is fine, really," Nicholas sighed. "Well… Figure things out myself, I think. I hadn't intended to reveal any of this to the world yet. My will, my power, my allies." He gazed at where Reshiram stood. "Victini's appearance had already shaken things horribly in the slow plans I'd made. Now… Well, the events of the past week are hardly private. The world knows I stand among the legendary pokegirls, and know rumors of N. How we stand like no human has in millennia. I will need to do something, soon, before speculation runs too far."

"A new age," Anthea murmured. "It is what he wanted. But this is not one under Ghetsis' control."

"The new age has certainly begun," Nicholas agreed. "And I will usher it into being. So, I suppose that is what I will do, to answer your question. The events of the PWT – the events of Ghetsis' attack on Unova. What the world knows is changing. I will be there to show it the way to the future. The future that N and I both dream of."

"I am almost disappointed that I will not be there beside you to witness it," Reshiram said as she bowed her own head. "But I must remain here."

"To wait for your sister, I fully understand," Nicholas replied. "The day she returns, the day the two of you reconcile, will be a truly glorious day. Tirakan's existence was an age of prosperity for the ancient Unova. When the two of you stand as one once more it will be the dawn of an age of prosperity for this entire world."

Reshiram nodded.

"I believe there is not much more to say," Anthea said softly and glanced at Reshiram. "We are ready to leave."

"Is there somewhere you would like to go?" Reshiram asked.

"I…" Anthea trailed off. "There is… someone I wish we could find, but it will be impossible."

Nicholas frowned. "Who?"

Anthea lowered her eyes and behind her Concordia sighed. "Eris," she said quietly. "N's true sister, as true as could be."

A frown tugged at Nicholas' lips. "Eris. I think I heard N whisper her name, just before he flew off on Zekrom."

"She will be searching for him. Heartbroken," Concordia whispered. "Perhaps the greatest example of the pain Ghetsis created, and what we now wish to heal. She loved him, as more than just a pokegirl loves a human."

"A pokegirl?" Nicholas asked. "I guess that makes sense why N would be apologizing to her. What kind of pokegirl is she?"

"A Zorua," Concordia explained. "You have likely met her, though you would not have known. She was always beside N despite his protests. Hiding among the crowds beneath her shadowy illusions."

Nicholas blinked. "You're right," he said. "I have met her. At least once, in Eindoak. The night N awakened Zekrom."

"I wish we had somewhere to begin to search for her," Anthea murmured. "But now that N's castle has crumbled, there are no places left where she might be waiting for him."

Nicholas nodded. A few days after the castle had appeared around the Unovan Pokegirl League massive tremors had shaken the area. By then the structure had been completely abandoned, including the pokegirls that Ghetsis' forces had enslaved deep within the foundations. The ones that had been responsible no doubt for the castle's construction, and its rise. With them gone there hadn't been much to stop the stone from returning where it came. Crumbling back into the caverns that made up Unova's Victory Road and causing massive cave-ins that would have shut down the entire area, if it had been open after the attack in the first place. Now official word was that the Elite Four wouldn't be accepting challenges until the damage could be surveyed and repaired. However long that would take.

"Then all I can say is I wish you the best of luck in your goal," he said as Anthea shook herself and turned to Concordia. "If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to reach out."

"We will," Concordia replied. "Anthea, perhaps we should begin by following the police? Searching the safehouses Ghetsis created."

"As good an idea as any," Anthea agreed. "Reshiram. Would you take us to… Driftveil, I believe is the nearest one?"

"With pleasure. It is on my way, after all," Reshiram replied and bent low to grant the two women access to her back. "My champion," she said, turning to Nicholas and the pokegirls around him as Anthea and Concordia helped each other and their pokegirls onto her, "though you are mine, you are not mine alone. You go to champion the world, and great ones walk beside you." Her eyes turned to focus on where Zinnia half-stood, half-hovered. "Zinnia, was it not?" she asked quietly. "I have not forgotten our words. I will visit my champion and my friends, just as Tirakan visited king Harmonia. Perhaps precisely as she did, for great lengths at a time. But my place must remain here."

Zinnia looked to Nicholas hesitantly before closing her eyes with a great sigh. "I suppose some part of me knew this would happen," she said. "I… won't leave Nicholas' side. Not permanently. But would I be welcome in my mother's home if I ever came to visit?" Her eyes opened again as she glanced back towards Reshiram. "In your home, Reshiram?"

Reshiram smiled. "Of course."

"Then I think that's enough for me," Zinnia whispered.

"Be well!" Reshiram cried, rising as her wings flung out to prepare for takeoff. "My champion, my friends! We will see each other again, and together we will celebrate the world of our dreams!"

Nicholas kept his eyes on Reshiram as she took off. The backdraft from her flight whipping the air around him into a blinding maelstrom. Until the wind settled, and his eyes remained on a rapidly dwindling speck high in the sky.

"…Master," a voice behind him said gently. Nicholas only turned when he felt Nikki's arms wrap around his waist. "I'm sorry that Victini was such a conceited bitch to you before."

Nicholas blinked in surprise before bursting out laughing and grabbing Nikki back to begin vigorously rubbing her ears. "Oh, come off it! I said that for Concordia's benefit, you know I'm not still annoyed with you, Nikki." He grinned as the legendary squealed in pleasure from the sudden attack and the moment he felt her hug loosen he bent down, scooping her off her feet and planting a full kiss on her lips. "WE WON! Enough of this mopey shit. Unfortunately for you pokegirls, my mate's absence has been extended due to the events of the past week. And I'm feeling quite a bit of thrumming energy that's going to need to go somewhere." The assembled pokegirls began grinning when they heard that, Zinnia and Nikki of course but also the four Alphas and a few curious onlookers who had snuck out of the hotel to watch Reshiram's departure. His harem had returned the day he had as the filming crew cancelled all shots until further notice, but chose to remain on site to avoid extra travel costs. Which meant Sabrina was stuck. He'd considered visiting her anyways, but Sabrina herself had pleaded for him not to. She wanted to take no chances with the uncertainty of things and he'd technically already made a massive stir with production by sending his harem to secure her during Plasma's attack.

"I know this is a bad time, Master, but it's looking like it may be the only chance I get for some time," Kalmiya's voice said in his ear and interrupted his thoughts. "I am just notifying you of an interesting development."

"Eh?" Nicholas' momentary lapse meant that suddenly he was fighting a thrashing body in his hands as Nikki excitedly grabbed at him. "Kah-me-uh, whu?"

"I believe it to be rather worth reporting," Kalmiya said as Nicholas fell to the dirt in his struggles with Nikki. "I have received a message. Not through regular mailing channels, but deposited directly into your pokedex's internal memory. Behind most of my firewalls."

"Uh-huh?"

"I noticed nothing," Kalmiya said with undisguised interest in her voice. "It is a message from another Porygon. She has introduced herself as being a part of the International Police, and is inviting me to lend my skills to their efforts in tracking Ghetsis, his Shadow Triad, and the other sages of Plasma. It would appear that all seven have vanished from custody since N's departure."

"Uh couse dey hav," Nicholas muttered, Nikki's hands slapping at his face. "ENOUGH!" With a squeak Nikki was spinning away across the slick ground and Nicholas quickly got back to his feet before she could scramble to her own. "Well, if you've been invited, I have no reason to stop you. Have fun."

"Oh, I will!" Kalmiya exclaimed happily. "I'm very intrigued how this 'Catherine' managed to get past my defenses." A slightly musing tone. "I wonder if she snuck a backdoor down one of my probes into the International Police's databases."

"Your wha-?" Nicholas began, sighing when Kalmiya's voice vanished into a burst of static to indicate her departure. "I feel like I've wondered about how Porygon reproduce before," he muttered to himself as he turned his attention to his harem. Nikki was excitedly bouncing between each pokegirl there and he could sense a bit of her energy infusing each one she touched, their excitement bubbling over as many sets of hungry eyes found his. "I wonder if I'm about to find out."

"Topolski!"

Nicholas blinked at the new call. He couldn't turn around, though. He knew if he did he would be set upon from behind. "Yeah?" he called back. "Whoever you are, I don't have time for autographs or interviews. I want to celebrate with my harem."

"Autographs and interviews are all you'll know if you don't listen to what I have to say."

Nicholas blinked again. Now the voice seemed familiar. "Karen."

The Houndoom came to a halt a good distance away from where he stood. "I believe you owe me lunch."

Nicholas scowled. "You've chosen a really shitty time," he growled. "I'll let you know when I'm free, how about that?"

"Unfortunately, I can't let you delay," Karen replied, ignoring the growls and glares from the pokegirls of Nicholas' harem. "And to be blunt, you can't afford to."

Nicholas eventually turned his eyes towards her. "You are a real bitch, you know that?" he snarled. "Always seeming to insert yourself where you don't belong."

"That's what I do best," Karen replied, completely unphased by his insult. "I don't make friends, Mister Topolski, I make business."

"You're getting in the way of nearly a dozen of some of the strongest combat pokegirls in the World League," Nicholas spat back. "What business is there in getting knocked out cold?"

Karen reached up to remove her sunglasses and locked eyes with him, revealing two orbs of blazing flame. "Let's be reasonable, Mister Topolski. I don't believe any of those pokegirls wish to have their asses handed to them by some random talent scout. Let alone see their names pop up in a rag talking about it."

Nicholas stared back. Karen remained where she was. "You really think you could drop even one of them?" he asked.

Karen reached out her foot and drew a semicircle in the road in front of her before snapping her fingers. Heat blasted from where she stood, instantly drying a massive circle around her, as a wall of flame sprang to life in the crease and just as quickly faded to reveal that Karen had changed. Gone was her full suit outfit, all of it burned away. Even the modest and fashionable long-tailed rain jacket she'd been sporting had become something else. Suddenly, Nicholas was staring at what was unmistakably a combat pokegirl. From the way Karen's meticulously styled white hair had broken free to stream behind her, revealing a pair of jagged, long pointed ears on either side of her head and splitting around horns that were no longer simple ornaments, to the heavily spiked jacket hanging over her shoulders and providing her modesty while still sitting open to display her bare chest and stomach, each now revealed to be the same warm orange as her face, to her legs, bare now as well with only a too-small pair of leather hotpants wrapped around her groin and waist with the button on the front popped open. As he stared Karen opened her mouth, a long pointed tongue snaking past razor-sharp teeth before she began to laugh softly and the inside of her mouth started to glow, first red, then orange, then white-hot until liquid flame dripped free to flash against the ground. "Yes," she laughed, more a hiss than anything, her voice having changed as well to overflow with a smug pride. "I'd be heavily outnumbered, but I guarantee one of you would join me in the mud."

"…So," Nicholas said after a few moments of everyone staring at the laughing Houndoom, "you… wanted to call in that lunch debt."

When Karen closed her mouth again to be able to speak properly jets of fire spurted from her nostrils and between her teeth. "I did," she said, just as unphased by the flames she was breathing. "I have some advice for you."

Nicholas cleared his throat and attempted to rally. "You make business, not friends, you said?" he asked. "Advice is never free. I don't think I'm interested in paying whatever you're asking."

"I never said you'd be paying for my advice, Nicholas," Karen replied in an amused tone. "No, I am offering it, as… Let's say, an 'advance payment'."

Nicholas studied her. He couldn't deny that his interest was well and firmly piqued. All of them, considering what he felt in his pants. "Fine," he eventually replied. "I guess it's in my best interest to honor my debt. Girls!" He turned to address the staring harem. "I apologize. Would someone find Cathy-?"

"The Miltank?" Karen interrupted from behind him. Nicholas turned back to see her approaching with her hands hooked into some pockets on her jacket. "She won't be necessary. Truly." When she got within normal conversation range she stopped again. "No tricks here, Mister Topolski. No ulterior motives. I am here to meet with you. Representing nobody but myself. Seeking nobody but you. As you can see," she explained, removing one hand to gesture at her current state of dress, "I am not even doing so in my usual function."

"For some reason I feel like what I'm seeing right now is absolutely part of your full arsenal," Nicholas growled back. When Karen just shrugged he sighed. "Fine. Fine! Slammers again? Feeling like some thick juicy meat?"

Karen snorted. "Don't insult me. I'm trying to approach you one to one and all you can think about is my body? Pathetic. I'm glad I decided to approach you before you did something unsalvageable."

"Where, then," Nicholas sniped.

"Nothing is open right now. Plasma's attack made sure of that," Karen explained. "So. Either my place, or yours. Take your pick."

Nicholas glanced over his shoulder at the hotel. "Well. Mine's right here."

"Can you guarantee your pokegirls won't interrupt us?"

Nicholas turned back. "Not unless you make them."

Karen gave him a crooked grin. "Fair enough. Well?"

Nicholas shook his head and motioned for Karen to follow, walking through the middle of the crowd of pokegirls to get back inside. They fell back to make way for him but pressed back in a bit when Karen approached. The Houndoom just strode straight through, her shoulders locked in place as her tail whipped back and forth to discourage anyone from making trouble.

They settled in a small dining room off the main hall, Nicholas keeping the door open with the crowd outside slowly growing over the course of the conversation to include every single pokegirl in his harem. Karen never paid them any mind. "So," she began, both ignoring the token plates of food that they'd picked up on the way in, "Unova has watched you be quite busy, Mister Topolski."

"How about we cut the crap," Nicholas replied bluntly. "What are you here for."

Karen didn't rise to his words, choosing instead to slowly drum her fingers against the table as she gazed back at him. "Let's start with what I'm not here for, then," she said quietly. "I am not here for your fiancé. I am not here as a member of the USAG. I am not here representing any director or other entity within Pokestar Studios. I am not here to lie and wheedle my way into a position near you to gain a future advantage, which is why I am not interested in the 'thick juicy meat' sitting underneath this table." Her tapping ceased. "I am here, Mister Topolski, because I have been in this business for many years. I didn't get to where I am by not recognizing a change in the wind."

"And?"

"Let's begin with a grain of trust, shall we?" Karen asked. "What I am about to say is information that is highly confidential under a very binding NDA. If you were to reveal to certain individuals what I have told you today, you could make an incredible amount of trouble for me. You might even ruin everything I have ever worked for." Her eyebrow rose slightly. "That would certainly remove me as a threat to Miss Natsume, would it not?"

Nicholas growled. "Continue."

"No, I don't think you quite understand," Karen replied. "I am throwing myself on your sword, Mister Topolski. Because I am well aware that it is the only way my advice today might actually be taken."

Nicholas forced himself to settle back. "That's an interesting mix of idioms."

"One I believe is completely justified here," Karen replied seriously. "I was assigned to utterly remove Miss Natsume as a name." Nicholas blinked. "I'm sure you suspected. It was quite simple, really. Before you showed up, that was. I had easy access to her at any hour, and made sure to vary my schedule completely so she could never anticipate when I would appear. Fear, and paranoia. Usually, they cripple new talent. And you see, Miss Natsume was new talent that my superiors in the USAG desperately wanted nothing to do with."

"I'd given you the benefit of the doubt, actually," Nicholas growled, feeling a bit of anger beginning to flare up. "I'd chosen to believe you were just terrifyingly efficient at your job."

Karen smiled slightly. "Well I am certainly that. I will say, I truly hold no malice towards Miss Natsume. The offers I approached her with were real. It was just my… assignment, we'll say, to be the one who delivered them."

"And your 'assignment' to do so in the absolute worst way for her possible," Nicholas snarled. "This was your plan to make me listen? Piss me off?"

"As I mentioned before, I am taking a massive risk," Karen replied coolly. "There are many ways my revealing this to you can go wrong. You could allow your emotions to cloud your better judgement and ignore me outright. You could choose to publicize this information – even if I somehow managed to convince my superiors that you were just making a lucky guess, the news would roll with it for months. It's not as if there aren't already rumors. The reputation of the USAG would be destroyed. I would be crucified either way. I am completely at your mercy in this moment, Mister Topolski. So ask yourself this." Karen folded her hands together. "If you respected, once, my reputation to such an extent that you would seek a different reason than this for my actions, then why would I take such an incredibly disastrous chance?"

"FUCK!" Nicholas swore. "What the hell could be so important for you to risk your entire life? Some advice?"

"The advice is just the 'advance'," Karen replied. "Yes. I have granted you all the ammunition you could ever need to make my life a living hell. Just to also offer you payment – specifically an advance, offered freely, with no expectation of services in return. I am gambling with everything I have, Mister Topolski." She leaned forwards. "You're a smart boy. At least that is what I've been led to believe. If I am willing to risk my entire life and even more beyond that, just to get a fair audience from you, then what am I hoping to find?"

Nicholas took a few minutes to force his breathing to even. The entire time Karen remained in her position. Staring at him. "The only thing you could be hoping for, is a result that would outweigh the cost," he eventually said. "But what could be greater than everything you have?"

"And what do you believe I have, Mister Topolski?" Karen asked curiously.

"Power. Influence," Nicholas replied. "Money, I would assume, considering how widely known you are in Pokestar. I mean you're probably no millionaire but I'd be willing to bet you're one of the most well-off pokegirls here."

To his surprise Karen let out a tired sigh. "You make it sound like so much."

"Huh?"

Karen slowly shook her head. "Put a number on it. Put aside the power or influence you say I have. You are correct that I wield some within the USAG, and have many connections throughout the industry. It certainly adds to my value." A flicker in her burning eyes. "I am glad to hear that you already recognize it. But my monetary worth. I want to know what you believe it is."

"Er… I have no reference for the average salary of a talent scout."

"You consider me average?" Karen asked. "I'm hurt."

"No, I'm just mentioning how I have absolutely no frame of reference to estimate your own," Nicholas replied.

"I suppose not." Karen shrugged. "I believe the average salary sits around… maybe seventy thousand a year?"

"And you've been doing this for…?" Nicholas asked.

"Around twenty years."

"Twenty." Nicholas frowned. "You're self-employed, though. That means you probably don't have a steady salary. Still, I'm sure you have steady work due to your reputation."

Karen was chuckling. "So place a number on me, Mister Topolski."

"I'd definitely think you make six digits a year," Nicholas replied. "Twenty years, starting at let's say sixty k, working your way up… You're probably just as well off as I am, to be honest."

Karen smiled. "I'm flattered." Her smile vanished. "No. I know your worth. You're approaching a million in raw capital. I have four thousand in my bank account and twenty in savings."

Nicholas stared at her. "How?"

"Because I'm a pokegirl," Karen replied bitterly. "Humans control this world, Mister Topolski. One of the most well-off pokegirls here at Pokestar Studios, and I live the same as the idiots who get run over in negotiations."

"I-" Nicholas stammered. "I can't believe that you wouldn't demand more."

Karen let out a massive sigh, a light puff of flame escaping from her mouth as she did. "The joys of being a self-employed pokegirl. I demand more – I get replaced."

Nicholas blinked. "Wait, then for you to be making sure I understand all this-"

"As I said. I can tell when the wind is shifting," Karen said. "May I return to how I was going to start this entire conversation?"

Nicholas slowly nodded.

"You have caused some extraordinary waves across Unova. Across the world," Karen repeated quietly. "Your influence is growing. As it does, eventually, things will change." She settled back and clenched her hands together. "But before they get better, they are going to get a lot, lot worse. There will be blowback. The ones in power will not give in so easily."

"That… is a reasonable assumption, I suppose," Nicholas replied.

"It's all humans in the USAG," Karen explained. "I am the only – ONLY – pokegirl steward. I am also the highest ranking pokegirl officer. Period."

"You're saying that it's an even more human… is there even a word for this?" Nicholas murmured. "Between humans we would say racist… Speciesist?"

Karen shook her head. "There is no word, because language is a human construct, and humanity has felt no need to create one. But yes. The USAG is dominated by humans. They hold every other position of power. There are pokegirl actresses and such, of course, who are members, but that is all."

Nicholas nodded. "I'm beginning to guess what you might be hoping from me."

Karen cracked a smile. "I would expect so. Then, if my position is going to become even more tenuous than it is, why would I not search for something stable?" She inclined her head. "Did you know that Pokestar held a private screening of multiple movies in active production yesterday? A film festival of sorts for the big shots within the studio. A way to say, 'Look, we're still going. Don't panic over Plasma – this is what is being produced, right now.'. Would you like to know what one of the samples was?"

Nicholas smiled back. "I'd guess, but I don't know the name."

"Wonder Fighters: Through the Mystical Door," Karen replied. "Specifically, there was a scene that seemed finished. It wasn't – none of the samples shown were – but it stood out, because what has forever been done through pokegirls or digital effects was pulled off seamlessly by a human actress. Unlike pokegirl effects, it was perfectly in time with the actress. Unlike digital effects, it was real, practical, and thus so much more believable." Karen's smile grew. "I'm told there was only one sample that generated anything more than polite praise. I'm sure you can guess which that was."

"I can."

"The wind is changing," Karen said again. "But I said I was here to give you advice. Truth be told, Sabrina Natsume's potential breakout performance means nothing." Her eyes drilled into his. "It will be completely overshadowed by the incompetence of her agent."

Nicholas blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You're good," Karen growled. "Too good. I suppose I'm to blame for some of that. You have successfully turned into a shield for your fiancé – and to do so, you have been too dismissive, too hard to approach. I would be willing to bet that you have seen a steady decline in communications regarding Miss Natsume since taking on the mantle of her agent."

Nicholas frowned. "I had, at least until the PWT, but… No, those were more for me than her. I'd just assumed things were slowing while all these productions started filming."

"Perhaps. But I have only seen a slight downtick in business," Karen replied. "Even today, with everything stalled, I received no fewer than seven communications for my services. At least two of them alone could have been parts for Miss Natsume. And yet, I did not reach out to you."

"My client is quite satisfied moving at her own pace," Nicholas replied. "She isn't interested in every offer under the sun."

"How can she know that without the offers even being made?" Karen countered. "If Miss Natsume wishes to become a name, as I understand her to, as my superiors understood she would, as I was sent to stop – then she must be approachable. She has not yet earned the fame to have things the other way around." She leaned back. "That is the advice I bring, Mister Topolski. The advice freely given. You are so rigid that you are losing your client opportunities."

Nicholas shrugged. "I'm sure that little detail will change very soon." He raised an eyebrow at the Houndoom. "You said so yourself."

Karen smiled. "Which is why I am here."

"You want in on the ground floor."

Karen's lips drew back in a wicked grin. "Perhaps. But once again, I did not come here for her, Mister Topolski. I came here for you. You, who are becoming a living legend." She glanced at the door but Nikki wasn't in front so she turned back again. "Tell me. Autographs and interviews – did you believe you could deal with them the same way you've dealt with Miss Natsume's communications? Did you truly believe that you could simply ignore the clamoring crowds unless it suited you? No," Karen chuckled, "how do you suppose the world would see that?"

"I'm more than able to interact with paparazzi," Nicholas countered. "I did so quite well in Sinnoh."

"Please. There were hardly any eyes on you then," Karen scoffed. "No, all eyes were on Champion Cynthia. You were just a distraction. Big, and loud, to draw attention. That isn't how you win hearts. Nor is it what will be needed in your future. Soon, you will be the one with all eyes on you." She leaned back in with a knowing smile. "What you will need is a publicist. A PR professional."

Nicholas chuckled. "I see. This is more of your advice, I take it?"

"The way I see it, you'll want the best in the business," Karen replied. "Someone with connections. Someone who is experienced in every aspect you could need. Someone… permanent." She leaned back again. "And perhaps, if a certain someone close to you successfully jumpstarts her career… She will need a proper agent of her own." Karen stood. "Give it some thought. That's all I wanted you to do."

Nicholas grunted. "I will. But unfortunately, there are things that cannot be overcome." He looked up at her. "Such as how Miss Natsume holds a deeply rooted psychological trauma which causes her to react poorly to the pokegirl breed known as Houndoom."

Karen gave him a terse smile. "I am, unfortunately, well aware of that fact. However… despite the odds, I would hope there is a chance, no matter how slim, that a workaround might be found for the proper candidate." She looked down, then back up to match Nicholas' eyes. "I would ask that what was said in this room remained in this room. At least until a point when you might decide to follow my advice." She winced. "Outside of this room… It will be business, Mister Topolski. I hope you can understand."

Nicholas didn't nod, or make any motion at all as he replied. "And you don't make friends. Only business."

"Only business," Karen replied quietly.

"I will consider your advice." Nicholas motioned towards the open door. "Thank you for lunch, Miss Karen. I'm afraid that if you have a proper surname I do not know it to address you by."

Karen gave him one last rueful grin. "I am just a pokegirl, Mister Topolski. The only surname I would ever have would be my Master's. And you see… I am self-employed."

Nicholas watched her go. He remembered some other, smaller mentions from Karen regarding her status as a pokegirl, and how resigned she had been about it then. When they had gone to meet the Plasma protest, for instance. He could certainly believe everything about that during their conversation had been true.

The rest of it? Her admission that she was specifically chosen to disrupt Sabrina because of her breed was easy to believe as well. No lies, Karen had claimed. She hadn't really made many questionable statements of fact. But she had certainly led him squarely to a certain conclusion.

She was asking for a job. Perhaps even to join his harem. How the hell was he going to explain this to Sabrina?

.

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