"What do you mean?"
Alder, hearing this, freezes, then frowns and asks Ghetsis.
"You're worried about Team Rocket, aren't you? Isn't it because you fear Damian's power?"
Ghetsis's cold, dark gaze fixes on the creepy figure ahead, as if he's glimpsing the black-clad boy again.
He's determined to make that person pay a price.
He failed, utterly; now he can only wait to see whether N will come to rescue him again.
But Ghetsis isn't willing to give up; even in defeat, he'll drag Damian into this fiasco!
"Legends say that when the Dragon split into Reshiram and Zekrom, its remaining body became the third Legendary Dragon Pokémon."
"That would be the strongest Legendary Dragon Pokémon."
Ghetsis's calm line stirs a murmur among the group.
"strongest— Legendary Dragon Pokémon?"
Alder's brow furrows deeply. He's skeptical about Ghetsis's claim; he's never heard of a third Legendary Dragon.
He glances at Leon and the others, who are equally puzzled and thoughtful.
If even Alder doesn't know, how could they?
Legendary Dragon Pokémon is an umbrella term for Zekrom and Reshiram; together they're called the Legendary Dragon Pokémon.
But Alder hadn't realized there was a third one.
"Are you talking about Kyurem?"
At that moment, a white‑bearded elder speaks in a deep voice.
"Heh heh heh — as expected, Drayden, you know too."
Ghetsis shoots a glance at the elder; it's Drayden from Opelucid City, the former mayor who handed Opelucid Gym to Iris.
However, because the Unova League is short one Elite Four, Drayden has been stepping in temporarily.
Worth noting: Drayden is the grandfather of Drayton; yes, Drayton is Drayden's grandson.
"Kyurem—"
Alder repeats the name.
Kyurem indeed has an impression; he's traveled across Unova in recent years.
He once heard a legend in Lacunosa Town: long ago, a Dragon Stone fell from the sky into Giant's Cap, turning into Kyurem; it appeared in the town at night with cold wind, capturing people and Pokémon as food.
Hence, the Lacunosa Town residents built high walls around the town and imposed a curfew to defend themselves.
But that's not what Ghetsis is saying.
"That's right—the strongest Legendary Dragon Kyurem. Alder, if you can find Kyurem and obtain Kyurem's power, you have nothing to fear from Damian!"
Ghetsis shows a sly, sinister smile.
"Even Kyogre wouldn't be Kyurem's opponent!"
"Take him away."
Alder doesn't answer. He turns to Officer Jenny who is nearby; Jenny approaches and drags Ghetsis away. Alder rubs his temple, feeling a touch of exhaustion.
"Drayden, is what Ghetsis says true?"
"Mm. Kyurem is indeed the Dragon that the ancient Unova Dragon left behind as a shell for a third dragon, and its power can surpass Reshiram and Zekrom."
Drayden nods, then hesitates.
"And it seems Kyurem may have the ability to merge with Reshiram and Zekrom, provided it has this item."
Drayden pulls from his bag a pair of Splicers.
Splicers—gray, black, and white, with gold on top.
"What are these?"
"DNA Splicers." Drayden speaks in a low tone. "My family's legacy. They have a deep connection with Kyurem."
"This, I'll hand to Champion Alder." Drayden hands the DNA Splicers to Alder: "Ghetsis's Nasty Plot is multi‑faceted — he's clearly trying to push you toward Kyurem and Team Rocket into a battle."
Still, Drayden understands that if Alder truly intends to battle Team Rocket, Kyurem's power would be invaluable.
But the key question remains: will Kyurem actually help Alder?
"I understand."
Alder takes the DNA Splicers, staring at the pair in his hand—the strongest Legendary Dragon Pokémon Kyurem.
"Let's head back to Vertress City first, discuss this further."
Alder looks to Steven and the others, wondering whether they want to search for Kyurem; he thinks they should discuss it first.
Elsewhere.
N returned to his Castle, and headed straight for a room.
"N."
"N, you're back."
In the room, two girls turn to face N as he enters, their expressions puzzled.
They are Anthea and Concordia, also Ghetsis's adopted children, N's sisters.
"Anthea, Concordia, I have something I want to ask you."
N looks at his sisters and asks softly.
Anthea and Concordia exchange a brief look; it's clear N's mood is off.
"What happened, N?"
Anthea asks cautiously; in their entire lives, they rarely see N so weighed down.
Only when facing injured Pokémon does N show a truly empathetic sadness.
"Someone told me that my Ideals were deliberately guided by Father." N says in a whisper.
"He said those poor Pokémon were placed beside me on purpose by Father—is that true?"
Anthea and Concordia have nothing to say.
The room falls silent.
N looks at his silent sisters; his face pales slightly—could it be true?
Concordia's eyes show a twinge of pity.
They have always known that N's heart is pure and untainted, but that purity makes the world both beautiful and terrifying.
Ghetsis deliberately let these injured Pokémon get close to N; N learned of their pain and suffering, and thus began to pursue Ideals, all for the Pokémon.
But is this Ideals right? Is this will for the sake of Pokémon truly his own?
No—that Ideals isn't something N arrived at by his own will; it isn't the true will or Ideals of the person N is.
"N, this is true."
Concordia places her hands in front of her and speaks to N in a gentle voice.
She knows her words will strike hard, but she must say them.
Finally, with the sisters' confirmation, N's expression becomes complex and sorrowful; he grips the doorframe with the left hand so hard the knuckles go white.
"I understand."
N's eyes grow dim again, emptiness in his gaze more pronounced than before.
N slowly turns and leaves; Anthea and Concordia watch him go, each sighing.
They know N is hurting deeply; he is a very emotional and sensitive person.
It's just that his childhood environment hardened him, sealing his inner heart so that there is no light in his eyes.
His gentleness and humanity shine only when he treats Pokémon.
And all of this is Ghetsis's doing.
Yet, despite that, N still respects his two sisters and his adoptive father Ghetsis.
Even toward others, he tries not to hurt them.
He wants to pursue Ideals by leveraging the Unova founding myth, aiming to avoid war.
And now, learning that Ghetsis has been manipulating him all along, how could N not feel hurt?
N leaves the Castle, turning to look back at the Castle that is his, and he presses his lips.
"Zekrom, are my Ideals———right?"
"That's for you to decide, with your heart."
Zekrom's deep Telepathy rings in N's mind.
"N, find your Ideals, affirm your Ideals, fulfill your Ideals, and I will always support you."
Zekrom awakened within him; as long as N does not lose his yearning for Ideals or give up, it will not abandon him.
It has always watched over N, knowing that N is a pure human and deserves its patience.
Even though N is currently confused about his Ideals, Zekrom believes N will find his own Ideals.
"Thank you, Zekrom."
N takes a deep breath and, after a long time, finally reveals a genuine smile, sincerely thanking his best partner.
Somehow, losing the strong hold on his Ideals leaves his heart emptier, yet lighter in a strange way; though he's lost Ideals, he still has Zekrom!
His best partner Zekrom has always been with him; they will surely find their true Ideals together.
"But there's one more thing I must do."
N gazes toward the distance; though Ghetsis lied and manipulated him, Ghetsis did raise him after all.
In any case, he must settle matters with Ghetsis.
N heads toward Vertress City.
"Pfft—though Ideals are shattered, Zekrom still hasn't left him."
And just after N leaves, Damian appears in front of the Castle, raising an eyebrow at the departing silhouette.
As expected, is it N?
By rights, the Hero of Ideals should have lost his Ideals and Zekrom should have left.
Yet N, by his charm with Pokémon, has made Zekrom stay.
In the game, the final clash between Truth and Ideals ends with N losing to Hilda, realizing his Ideals were wrong, and Zekrom doesn't abandon N but travels with him to seek new Ideals.
"It seems I'll have to think of something else."
Damian ponders briefly; the timing isn't right yet.
For now, there's no rush.
Damian glances toward N's castle, grins, and pulls out his phone to call Gladion.
This castle, so grand, is a terrible waste for Team Plasma's use.
A day later, Gladion arrives with people.
The castle, now under Team Rocket, is easy to conquer.
All Team Plasma members in the castle are captured; those who resist are taken to miners.
Damian has always been humane.
Colress defects to Team Rocket; Ghetsis is in League custody; N sinks into an Ideals void.
Team Plasma has collapsed, or at least on the verge.
Damian, loyal as ever, gives them a final push.
"Hey there, Beautiful ones."
Damian enters the rooms of the two "goddesses," who look flustered, and greets them with a warm smile.
"This castle is mine now, and everything in it belongs to me, including you two."
Anthea and Concordia press their lips, looking helpless and uncertain.
"I want you to listen to me obediently; you wouldn't want N to be surprised, would you?"
Damian's expression is as nasty as ever.
Anthea and Concordia's faces tighten.
To them, N is like a little brother.
Meanwhile, in Vertress City's League building, Alder and the others are in a meeting.
Alder plays with the DNA Splicers in his hands, hesitating.
"Gentlemen, should we go find Kyurem?"
~~~
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