Losing Zekrom, without question, dealt a heavy blow to N.
Especially since Zekrom was right in front of him, being forcibly "swallowed" by Kyurem.
Right before his eyes!
And yet, he could do nothing, only watch helplessly.
This drowning-like despair has plunged N into pain and self-reproach.
"N, stand up, we've got to go."
Ghetsis, coming back to herself, urges N.
Their location isn't far from Vertress City; after all, Zekrom didn't fly far before Black Kyurem caught up.
But N's eyes are vacant, pupils unfocused, clearly still lost inside his inner world.
"Cheer up, N, aren't you going to crumble like this? Let's leave here first, and we'll figure out how to rescue Zekrom."
Ghetsis mutters a curse at N, this "trash," but right now he has to rely on N and comfort him.
Because N is the only one who can help right now; Ghetsis's Poké Balls have all been confiscated by Alder once captured, and he has no main roster with him.
In other words, Ghetsis is utterly defenseless.
Without N's protection, he may not safely return to the Castle.
"…"
Hearing this, N finally regains a bit of consciousness.
"Rescue Zekrom…" N mutters, and his eyes slowly come back to a bright gleam.
Yes, rescuing Zekrom is the goal—we must recover Zekrom!
"Exactly, we…" With this, Ghetsis lets out a relieved sigh.
But then.
A flurry of footsteps rapidly approach; Ghetsis gasps, turning.
"N! Ghetsis!"
Alder and Leon bring a squad of Officer Jennys rushing in.
Ghetsis's heart sinks; damn! The League's people move so fast!
If he had left with N at the start, perhaps Alder and them wouldn't have caught up.
Now, with Zekrom lost, though N is Champion-tier, how can they deal with Alder and Leon, two Champions?
"Hand yourselves over, N, you won't run today!" Alder says sternly.
He has just received news that Ghetsis was rescued, and he and Leon rushed here; on the way, he also saw Black Kyurem and Zekrom.
Ghetsis: "…"
Ghetsis's expression darkens further, while N seems to pay no heed to Alder's words.
Right now all his thoughts are on Zekrom and how to rescue it from Kyurem.
And as expected, Ghetsis again wins silver bracelets; N is brought back to Vertress City with Alder.
Worth noting: N doesn't resist; this unsettles Ghetsis.
This useless trash, wasn't it Zekrom that Kyurem "swallowed"? And now he's so defeated?
But N is actually quite lucid, resisting would be useless.
Leon's strength could fight Zekrom head-on; without Zekrom, N knows he isn't Leon's opponent.
Let alone there's Alder, a Champion-tier, plus a squad of Officer Jennys—resisting would be pointless.
And precisely because N capitulated, Alder didn't handcuff N; in fact, his attitude was surprisingly humane.
Inside Vertress City's League building, inside Alder's office.
"Ghetsis isn't a good person; why risk saving him?" Alder asks N.
"He raised me," N remains silent for a moment before replying.
Hearing this, Alder and Leon exchange a surprised look; they know N isn't a villain; after the previous events, they understand this, only that Ghetsis guided his thoughts.
But now…
"Was what Damian said true?" Leon asks N.
"Yes." N's gaze dims.
"So, N, what are your current Ideals?"
"To let Pokémon and humans have a better future."
N tightens his lips; yes, that is his current ideology.
Separating humans and Pokémon isn't a perfect world; since realizing Ghetsis's true nature, N has been thinking about his Ideals.
But one thing is clear: he wants Pokémon to be happy, for both Pokémon and humans to live with smiles.
And now…
"These are also our Ideals." Alder wears a sincere, warm smile, moved.
Wonderful—N has changed like this, which makes Alder and Leon genuinely happy.
After all, N's strength is formidable, and as the Hero of Ideals, if he leans toward an extreme Ideals, it would be bad for the world.
"If possible, I'd love for you to join us, work toward this together." Alder sincerely invites N.
If N could become their partner, that would be ideal.
"We share a beautiful vision, right?"
"I…"
If it had been before, N would have accepted Alder's goodwill; he did need like-minded teammates.
Not only Zekrom, but other teammates would be good too.
But right now, N's mind is a mess.
"I'd be happy to, but Champion Alder, I need to calm down first." N's expression is dim and exhausted.
"My Zekrom was taken by Kyurem, I'm unsettled."
Thinking of Zekrom, his voice lowers, eyes reddening slightly.
He's always been a sensitive person; the blow of losing Zekrom is too great.
"Very well, I'll set up a room for you to rest."
Alder sees N's sadness and speaks softly.
"Thank you."
N rises, gives a small bow to the two, then follows the staffers out.
"Sigh…" Alder scratches his messy hair; what a thing this is?
He can't bring himself to say it aloud—Kyurem's actions were not something they could have anticipated.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Senior—Kyurem's actions aren't something you could predict." Leon offers comfort.
If it weren't for Kyurem intercepting N and Zekrom, Ghetsis would have been rescued by N, and it would have been a different story.
Most importantly, they don't even know that N has changed already.
Locating Kyurem remains their main goal to deal with Damian, but Kyurem isn't something they can control; who will Kyurem target first—Zekrom or Reshiram?
"I understand. I've sent people to monitor Kyurem and search for Damian's location; now that it has Zekrom, its next objective will surely be Reshiram."
Alder nods; Kyurem's next target is Reshiram, and they must prepare.
Back in the room, N stands before a floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the night over Vertress City; his expression shifts continually.
Zekrom… Zekrom is my most important partner.
No matter what, I must save him! No matter what it costs!!
...
Time came to the second day, Damian's Castle.
"N, you're back."
Anthea and Concordia meet N at the castle gate.
That's right, N has returned here because he learned from his former subordinates that Team Rocket has already seized this castle.
Originally N planned to rescue Ghetsis first, then reclaim the castle, but things changed too quickly.
"Are you all right? Has Damian done anything difficult for you?"
N purses his lips, looking at these two sisters who grew up with him.
"All good, Mr. Damian still takes care of us, but we've joined Team Rocket now."
Anthea nods with a smile.
N falls silent; indeed he can tell that both Anthea and Concordia are looking better than before in both complexion and spirit.
N doesn't understand why, but as long as they're safe and doing well, that's enough.
"Mr. Damian knows you're coming today; he's very happy and waiting inside." Concordia smiles at N.
N nods and follows Anthea and Concordia into the Castle.
The Castle's interior bears little difference, just more luxurious and with more home appliances.
Originally this Castle was used as a Team Plasma base, but Damian treats it as his own home, though it's still somewhat different.
In the lobby, N sees Damian sitting on the sofa, reading a book.
Tapu Fini and Jirachi sit beside him, enjoying little cakes.
Caitlin sits on a single sofa nearby, Elesa behind Damian giving his a shoulder massage.
Without question, Damian is a life winner right now.
"Yo~ N, you're here."
Damian hears footsteps and waves at N, as if they're close friends.
"Take a seat, I didn't expect you'd come to meet me in person."
Damian gestures for N to sit opposite him, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
That's right, last night, N messaged Concordia saying he wanted to see Damian today.
Damian agreed, and he probably knows what N wants to talk about.
"Damian." N doesn't sit: "I need to ask you for a favor."
"Ask me for a favor?"
Damian crosses one leg over the other, looking at N with a half-smile.
"N, my appearance fee is very expensive."
"Whatever you want, as long as I can do it, I'll pay you," N whispers.
"Tsk~ such a deep resolve; that sort of talk isn't something you say lightly, N."
"I have resolve." N's eyes are firm.
Last night he couldn't sleep; the image of Zekrom being eaten by Black Kyurem plays over and over in his mind.
No matter what, he must rescue Zekrom!
And to rescue Zekrom, he must beat Kyurem; but Kyurem's power is terrifying.
Even Zekrom isn't a match for Black Kyurem, easily swallowed.
N considered asking the Pokémon League for help, but with Alder and them, could they beat Kyurem?
N thinks that's unrealistic, so he thought of Damian.
He knows Damian isn't exactly a good person, but he can't accept what happened to Zekrom.
"I see. Then tell me what you want me to do?" Damian cannot help but smile.
"Kyurem, Kyurem attacked Zekrom, and absorbed Zekrom into its body." N takes a deep breath and explains.
Hearing this, Anthea and Concordia are startled, and Caitlin and Elesa, sitting on Elsewhere's sofa, freeze.
"I want you to help me rescue Zekrom."
"Kyurem, huh?" Damian raises a brow, pretending to ponder.
"This won't be easy."
"Can you not do it either?" N bites his lips; he knows the strongest trainer is Damian.
If even Damian can't do it…
"No, no, no, I mean—" Damian grins.
"I can do it, but do you know what you'll have to pay?"
~~~
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