Losing Zekrom was a severe impact for N.
Kyurem consumed Zekrom right in front of him. This was a very serious blow.
It happened before his eyes.
He could do nothing. He could only watch helplessly.
This feeling of despair was like drowning. N was completely trapped in pain and remorse.
"N, stand up. We must move," Ghetsis said.
Ghetsis regained his composure. He urged N to act.
Their location was not far from Vertress City. Zekrom had not escaped for long before Black Kyurem caught them.
However, N's eyes were vacant. His pupils lacked focus. He was clearly lost in his inner thoughts.
"Pull yourself together, N. Will you quit like this? We should depart now. Then we can find a way to rescue Zekrom," Ghetsis said.
Ghetsis criticized N in his mind for being incompetent. However, he depended on N now. He could only console him.
All his Poké Balls had been confiscated by Alder because he was arrested by the League. He did not have a single main Pokémon with him now.
In other words, Ghetsis was currently vulnerable.
Without N's protection, he might not reach the castle safely.
"..."
Hearing this, N finally regained some consciousness.
"Rescue Zekrom..." N whispered. Then, the light slowly returned to his eyes.
Yes, he had to rescue Zekrom! He must get Zekrom back!
"That's right, we..." Seeing this, Ghetsis finally felt relieved.
But just then, footsteps arrived.
A series of footsteps rapidly reached their ears. Ghetsis was startled. He turned to look.
"N! Ghetsis!" Alder said.
Alder and Leon arrived rapidly with a team of Officer Jennys.
Ghetsis's heart plummeted. He was very frustrated. Why did the League people move so fast?
It was the fault of this incompetent boy. If N had departed with him at the beginning, they would not be captured.
Now Zekrom was gone. N was still Champion-level, but he could not defeat two Champions like Alder and Leon.
"Submit, N. You two cannot escape today!" Alder said in a deep voice.
He looked at the two of them. He received news that Ghetsis was rescued. He hurried over with Leon. On the way, he had seen Black Kyurem and Zekrom.
Ghetsis: "..."
Ghetsis had a dark expression. However, N did not even notice what Alder was saying.
Now his mind was full of Zekrom. He only thought about how to rescue Zekrom from Kyurem.
The result was clear. Ghetsis was back in handcuffs. N was also taken back to Vertress City by Alder.
N did not resist. This almost made Ghetsis's mental state collapse.
This incompetent person! Was he really this depressed just because Zekrom was consumed by Kyurem?
But N was actually very realistic. He did not resist because he knew it was futile.
Leon's strength was sufficient to fight Zekrom. Without Zekrom, N knew he was not Leon's equal.
The opponent also had Alder, another Champion-level trainer, and many Officer Jennys. Resisting had no meaning.
Because N submitted peacefully, Alder did not put handcuffs on N. He even had a very good attitude.
Inside Alder's office at the League building in Vertress City.
"Ghetsis is not a good person. Why did you risk everything to rescue him?" Alder asked N.
"He nurtured me," N was silent for a while before he replied.
Hearing this, Alder and Leon looked at each other. They both saw the astonishment in each other's eyes.
N was not a malignant person. After the last incident, they both understood this. He was just misguided by Ghetsis's thoughts.
But looking at it now...
"Was what Damian said last time accurate?" Leon asked N.
"Yes," N's eyes were dim.
"Then N, what is your aspiration now?" Leon asked.
"To let Pokémon and humans have a superior future together," N said.
N pursed his lips. This was his current thought.
Separating humans and Pokémon did not create a perfect world. Ever since he understood Ghetsis's true face, N had been pondering his aspiration.
He wanted Pokémon to be joyful. He wanted Pokémon and people to live with smiles on their faces.
But now, things were difficult.
"That is our objective too," Alder said with a sincere smile and a sigh.
This was excellent. N changed like this, and it made both Alder and Leon truly happy.
After all, N was very strong. He was also the Hero of Ideals. If he were an extreme person, it would be bad for the world.
"If possible, I really hope you can join us, N. We can work hard for this together," Alder sincerely invited N.
If N became their partner, that would be beneficial.
"We have the same beautiful vision, right?" Alder asked.
"I..." N started to speak.
If it were before, N would accept Alder's kindness. He needed like-minded partners.
Not just Zekrom—having other partners was a good thing.
But right now, N's mind was very disorganized.
"I would like to. But Champion Alder, I need to remain calm now," N's face was very gloomy and lost. His voice was full of exhaustion.
"My Zekrom was seized by Kyurem. Right now... my heart is in a state of disorder."
N's voice became low when he thought of Zekrom. His eyes also turned slightly red.
He was an emotional person. What happened to Zekrom was a massive blow to him.
"Okay. I have prepared a room for you. You should rest first," Alder said gently.
He felt bad seeing N's sad appearance.
"Thank you," N said.
N stood up and gave them a slight bow. Then he followed the staff with slow steps and departed.
"Sigh..." Alder rubbed his messy hair. He was frustrated.
He really could not bring himself to say it. Kyurem was actually something they had caused.
"Do not blame yourself too much. Kyurem's actions are not something we could anticipate," Leon consoled him.
N's appearance really made them feel sympathy for him.
But if Kyurem had not stopped N and Zekrom, Ghetsis would be free. That would be a real problem.
Most importantly, they did not know N changed his mind.
They looked for Kyurem to oppose Damian. But Kyurem was not something they could control. They did not know if Kyurem would go for the white dragon or the black dragon first.
"I understand. I have sent people to observe Kyurem's movements. I also told them to look for Damian's location. Now that it has Zekrom, its next target must be Reshiram," Alder said.
Alder nodded. Kyurem's next target was Reshiram. They also needed to be ready.
Inside his room, N stood in front of the window. He looked at Vertress City in the night. His expression kept changing.
Zekrom... Zekrom is my most vital partner.
No matter what, Zekrom, I will definitely rescue you! No matter the cost!
The next day arrived at Damian's castle.
"N, you are back," Anthea and Concordia greeted N.
N had returned here. This was because he learned from his former subordinates that Team Rocket had taken over this castle.
Originally, N planned to rescue Ghetsis and then reclaim the castle. But he did not expect things to change so fast.
"Are you two okay? Did Damian mistreat you?" N asked.
N pursed his lips. He looked at these two women who had grown up with him since childhood. He considered them his sisters.
"We are fine. Mr. Damian is very attentive toward us. However, we have already joined Team Rocket," Anthea said.
Anthea shook her head with a smile.
N was silent. Indeed, he could observe it. Both Anthea and Concordia looked healthier and more vibrant than before.
N did not know why. But as long as the two were safe and doing well, that was enough.
"Mr. Damian knew you were coming today. He is very happy. He is already waiting for you inside," Concordia smiled at N.
N nodded. He followed the two into the castle.
The inside of the castle was almost the same. It was decorated opulently. There were also more household appliances.
Originally, this castle was Team Plasma's base. But Damian used it as his own home. There were some differences.
Coming to the hall, N saw Damian sitting on the sofa. He was reading a book.
Tapu Fini and Jirachi were sitting beside him. They were both happily eating small cakes.
Caitlin sat on the sofa nearby. Elesa stood behind Damian and massaged his shoulders.
Without a doubt, Damian was currently a triumphant person.
"Yo, N. You are here," Damian said.
Damian heard the footsteps. He waved at N. He acted like they were close friends.
"Come and sit. I really did not expect you to visit me on your own," Damian said.
Damian gestured for N to sit opposite him. He spoke with a smile.
Late last night, N sent a message to Concordia. He said he wanted to meet Damian today.
Damian agreed. Also, he probably knew what N wanted to talk about.
"Damian," N did not sit down. "I want to ask you for an assistance."
"Ask me for an assistance?" Damian asked.
Damian crossed his legs and observed N. He had a faint smile.
"N, my fee is very expensive."
"No matter what you want, as long as I can do it, I can give it to you," N said in a low voice.
"Tsk, what deep resolve. You cannot say those words casually, N," Damian said.
"I am resolute," N's eyes were very firm.
He could not sleep all night. The image of Zekrom being consumed by Black Kyurem kept playing in his mind.
No matter what, he had to rescue Zekrom!
To rescue Zekrom, he had to defeat Kyurem. But Kyurem's power was so terrifying.
Even Zekrom was not Black Kyurem's match. It was consumed easily.
N thought about asking the Pokémon League for help. But could Alder and the others defeat Kyurem?
N felt that was not realistic. Then he thought of Damian.
He knew Damian was not a good person. But he could not accept Zekrom's current fate.
"I see. Then tell me first. What do you want me to assist you with?" Damian asked.
"Kyurem. Kyurem attacked Zekrom. It also incorporated Zekrom into its body," N said after taking a deep breath.
Hearing this, Anthea and Concordia were stunned. Caitlin and Elesa were also astonished.
"I want to ask you to assist me in rescuing Zekrom," N said.
"The Ice Dragon Kyurem, huh?" Damian raised an eyebrow. He pretended to ponder.
"This will not be easy to manage."
"Can you not do it either?" N pursed his lips tightly. The strongest trainer he knew was Damian.
If even Damian could not do it, he was in trouble.
"No, no, no. What I mean is," Damian grinned.
"It can be done. But do you know the price you must pay?"
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