Chapter 667: Ideals
~N H. POV~
[Unova Region, Later, Nimbasa City – Amusement Park]
The neon glow of Nimbasa City painted the night sky in brilliant shades of violet, gold, and electric blue, casting long, shifting shadows across the sprawling grounds of the amusement park.
Laughter drifted on the cool evening breeze, mingling with the tinny, cheerful melodies of the merry-go-round and the deep, rumbling mechanical breath of the giant Ferris wheel rising high above the crowds.
Yet, in the quiet alcove near the edge of the park, the noise felt miles away.
My heart hammered against my ribs, a foreign, erratic rhythm. Ghetsis's voice echoed in the dark chambers of my mind, a stern, unyielding directive: 'You must never reveal your gift, N. Humans are deceitful. They trap, they use, and they lie. You must only listen to the cries of the imprisoned, the voices seeking liberation.'
I shouldn't have been here. I was supposed to be resting in the secluded room Ghetsis provided, safe from the corruption of the outside world. But my curiosity—a burning, insatiable ache—had dragged me out into the flashing lights of Nimbasa.
I had to see him. I had to look into the eyes of the trainer they called the 'Uncrowned Champion', this boy named Azure who walked among Pokémon not as a conqueror, but as something else entirely.
And now, standing just feet away from him, with Snivy resting quietly at my side, I felt the terrifying weight of his conviction. Azure radiated a certainty so absolute, so blindingly bright, it made my head spin.
He truly believed every word he spoke. He believed his Pokémon were happy. He believed their bonds were forged in mutual love.
I must know the truth, I told myself, my fingers curling tightly into the fabric of my cap. My ears do not lie. The Pokémon will tell me if he is a monster wearing a mask.
Azure remarked, his voice smooth, carrying an easy, unbothered warmth that instantly set my nerves on edge. "...Fascinating."
He crossed his arms, leaning casually against the railing. He said honestly, "That's a remarkable ability. I would have loved to have that for myself, in all honesty, at the beginning. But, uh, sure. You can speak with my Pokémon. I'm actually curious to hear what they have to say about me too."
I blinked, momentarily stunned by how readily he accepted it. No fear. No suspicion. Just a raw, open curiosity that matched my own.
I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, "Thank you…?"
Then, catching myself, I added quickly, "Oh, but could you send them out one at a time? It'll be easier that way."
Azure nodded, a small, accommodating smile touching his lips. He reached to his belt, his fingers finding a heavy, metallic sphere. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he tossed it forward.
*Clack-hiss*
A flash of white light erupted, the air pressure dropping sharply as a massive, bipedal beast materialized on the pavement. A Kleavor. Its great, stone-axe forelegs gleamed under the park lights, and it let out a deep, territorial growl that vibrated straight through the soles of my shoes.
I kept my ground, forcing my breathing to steady, and offered a polite, cautious smile. I politely said, "...Hello. Can you understand me?"
Kleavor visibly flinched at my words, its eyes widening in stark shock. It backpedaled a step, its stone claws scraping harshly against the concrete—screeech—before it caught itself and let out a low, hostile snarl asked, "Why can you speak to us?"
I explained, keeping my tone soft and non-threatening, "It's my talent. I can speak to Pokémon. I asked your trainer to meet you."
Kleavor growled out, having swiftly overcome its surprise, "Then ask your question, strange human…"
The beast tilted its heavy head, the stone blades shifting with a heavy, grinding weight, adding, "Do not waste my time."
I swallowed hard, pushing past the intimidation. I then asked my question, "Why do you follow him? Why allow yourself to be confined in Poké Balls like that when you could have roamed free?"
Kleavor let out a sharp, mocking scoff and replied, "Hmph! Dumb question, human. If I had wanted to run free, I would have demanded my freedom the day I was caught. If he had been unworthy, I would have smashed my Pokéball before he could stop me. But I didn't, because he showed me what I could become, and he has helped me to reach it. I have grown strong. Very strong."
I pushed, desperate for a crack in its armor, a sign of hidden resentment, "But if you and him share a bond like that, then why don't you ask him to release you from the Pokéball since it's become unnecessary?"
*Thud*
Kleavor snarled, stepping forward, the sheer force of its voice causing the air to ripple, "NO! That would be no different than asking me to destroy a home! We are a pack. And a pack does not abandon their own."
The sheer, unshakeable conviction in the Pokémon's voice hit me like a physical blow. I flinched backward, my boots skidding slightly on the pavement.
Was that really the case?
Did Pokémon think of their Pokéballs not with despair and hatred, but with pride and fondness?
Was everything Ghetsis had shown me—every tearful plea for freedom from captive Pokémon—only part of a curated narrative?
I darted a glance toward Azure. He wasn't sneering, nor was he watching us with cold calculation. He was smiling softly, a look of profound, mutual respect in his eyes as he gazed up at his towering partner.
A mechanical, chirping voice suddenly chimed from the air, "My turn!"
*Bzzzt*
I jumped, my head whipping around. Floating near Azure's shoulder, a small, buzzing, television-headed creature spun in a tight circle. Rotom's blue digital eyes flashed playfully said, "Ooh! Ooh! Ask him about me next, boss! Tell the green-haired kid how much I love the Phone! It's got games!"
*Whirrr-click*
Azure chuckled, recalling Kleavor in a gentle flash of red light, "Quiet, Rotom. You'll get your chance."
*Pop*
Before I could recover from the sudden appearance of the ghost-electric spirit, Azure sent out the next. From the Sinnoh region, a magnificent, cream-colored bird materialized with a soft chime. Togekiss glided gracefully through the air, her wings catching the neon glow. She immediately fluttered down, nuzzling her soft cheek affectionately against Azure's chin.
*Chime-ling*
A cool, synthesized voice echoed directly into my mind: 'She loves her daddy.'
I gasped, clutching my head. A shadowy, pitch-black Pokémon with long, sweeping ears—a Zoroark—stepped out from the shadows of a nearby arcade machine, its crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. Telepathy, I realized…
It's talking to me.
Zoroark's voice continued smoothly in my head, carrying a dry, dramatic flair: 'From what I heard… She hatched from her egg. She's entirely willing to make him happy. Though, as the human constantly has to remind her, she doesn't need to try and tackle him off cliffs to prove it.'
Azure laughed, gently scratching Togekiss behind her crest, "Hey! I told you that in confidence!"
*Thrum*
Then came a sleek, jackal-like warrior. Lucario stood tall, its black-and-blue fur bristling slightly as it appraised me with sharp, intelligent eyes. I could feel the invisible wave of Aura pulsing from it, steady and warm like a hearth fire.
Lucario's voice resonated deep within my chest, solemn and deeply respectful: "He saved me. A human hunter—Hunter J—tried to capture me. Azure pulled me from the fire. I followed him across regions, seeking the true path of an Aura Guardian. My master is honorable."
*Bzzzt-click*
A sudden flash of blue light and a burst of giggling interrupted. Rotom zipped out of the Phone again. Rotom said excitedly, moving around, "And me! Don't forget me! I chose to stay because the adventures are wild and I'd go nuts stuck in a dead-end appliance! Tell him, boss!"
Azure sighed, though his eyes were fond, "You just like stealing my Wi-Fi, Rotom."
*Shhhk*
Next was a Gallade, its blade-arms folded neatly across its chest, striking a pose of stoic elegance. Gallade's voice echoed, sharp and clear, "I was hatched by Azure after my parents—trusted partners to Sapphire's master—entrusted me to him. I have learned the way of the blade. It is my absolute honor to stand as his shield."
*Fwoosh*
And then, a burst of intense heat swept across the alleyway. Infernape landed with a heavy thump, its tail flame roaring brightly, casting orange flickers across the brick walls. Infernape barked out loud, baring its fangs in a wide, wild grin, "He gave me a home! Good food! Tough fights in the wild! He let me push past every limit I ever had! No regrets, green-hair!"
My mind was spinning. Sinnoh, a land far across the sea, and yet every single one of them spoke not of chains, but of liberation through strength. They weren't broken. They were empowered.
Azure didn't pause.
With an easy flick of his wrist, he began pulling from his Hoenn roster…
*POP*
A shadow fell over the alley. A massive dragon with sky-blue scales and razor-sharp wings materialized, a Salamence letting out a majestic roar that shook the glass in the nearby windows: "Roooar!"
*Hummmm*
Beside it appeared a Metagross, its four metallic brains glowing with psychic light, hovering silently in the air with immense, unyielding gravity. Metagross's voice boomed telepathically, heavy and resonant like a church bell, "Steven Stone gifted us to him. He unlocked potentials our previous caretakers could not fathom."
Salamence added, its deep rumble vibrating through the pavement, "And he taught me how to truly fly. Not just glide. Fly."
A massive, heavy thud shook the ground next. An Alpha Slaking slumped lazily against a lamppost, scratching its belly with a slow, contented yawn.
*Yaaawn*
The giant beast grunted, its voice lazy and thick, "My old man—an Alpha Slaking in Petalburg Woods—told me to follow him. Plus, it was hilarious watching the boss let me smash a legendary's face in with a smug grin, totally bypassing my Truant ability just to flex. Good times."
Azure deadpanned, rubbing his temples, adding, "You only fought because I promised you a mountain of Oran berries afterward."
Slaking grunted, closing its eyes, "Worthy trade."
*Splash-shimmer*
Before I could even process a giant sloth treating a legendary battle like a casual afternoon chore, the air shimmered with a delicate, pink-and-white glow. A Milotic materialized, her breathtaking, iridescent tail undulating gracefully in the night air.
The moment she saw Azure, a soft, trilling sound escaped her lips. She coiled gently around his shoulders, resting her elegant head against his neck.
Milotic's voice whispered in my mind, delicate, fragile, yet laced with a fierce, burning loyalty: "They hurt me. Team Aqua... they captured me, abused me, ruined my scales. I thought I was going to die in their dark, damp base."
My breath caught. Yes. That.
That is what Ghetsis showed me.
That is the cruelty of humanity—
Milotic continued, her voice swelling with a sudden, overwhelming warmth, "And then he came. He used a power like pure sunlight—Viridian Force—and healed every broken scale. He promised me vengeance against those who dared lay a hand on me, and he kept that promise. I stay by his side because there is nowhere else in this world safe enough, or bright enough, than here."
I stepped back, my boots hitting the wall behind me. Viridian Force?
A power of nature itself, used not to exploit, but to heal?
Another flash of light revealed a Gardevoir, her white dress flowing like silk. She stepped forward, placing a glowing hand gently over her heart. She explained in a thankful tone with a respectful voice, "I was just a frightened Ralts, hunted by wild predators in the woods. He saved me. He didn't just shelter me; he gave me confidence. He taught me that I didn't need to fear the world."
*Rustle*
And then, a sharp rustle of grass and leaves. A Sceptile stepped into the light, chewing lazily on a twig, its emerald eyes sharp and assessing. Sceptile muttered, using the harsh slang wild Pokémon used for starter Pokémon given away by careless professors, "A Labbie. That's what they called me. A tool for a rookie. My original Dex Holder didn't even want me. Tossed me aside like trash."
Sceptile paused, glancing sideways at Azure with a crooked, approving smirk as he continued, "But he wanted me. He took me, trained me, and marched us straight into the belly of Team Magma and Team Aqua. We fought the villains, we fought the elements, and in the end... we stood on top of the world as Champions. Side by side."
I was left stunned by this revelation. But I didn't get much of a chance to adjust to their mindsets as Azure released his next companion.
*THOOM*
The next to emerge was a colossus of rock and green armor. Tyranitar hit the pavement with a bone-shaking THOOM, the ground beneath the amusement park tiles cracking under his sheer weight. I braced myself for a roar of territorial rage, but instead, I heard a deep, resonant hum that vibrated in my chest.
The Tyranitar's voice said firmly, weathered like the cliffs of Mt. Silver, "Little King. You see a monster? I see the man who found me when I was but a Larvitar, shivering in the shadows of the highest peak. He didn't capture me; he climbed to the top of the world just to show me the horizon. He is the father of my spirit. His heart is my mountain."
*Splat*
Before I could process the sheer scale of the Tyranitar's affection, a wet splat sounded. A Quagsire sat there, looking remarkably unimpressed by the bright lights. He gave a lazy, smug grin. The Quagsire's voice was bubbly and slow as he said casually, "Caught me in the middle of a scam, he did. I was working with a con artist, tricking folks for treats. Azure didn't yell. He just beat us at our own game and told me I was too smart to be a petty thief. He keeps me in check, and in return, I keep his feet on the ground. It's a good life, kid. Best one I've had."
*Flash*
A flash of brilliant light erupted as Ampharos stepped forward. She sang, her voice a clarion call of pride, "They called my kind weak. They said we were just living lighthouses. Azure saw the Dragon in my blood. Through him, I touched the stars. We've fought Legends, little boy. We've kicked the 'gods' of the world off their pedestals to prove that even a sheep can roar."
*Clink-clink*
The metallic shriek of a Skarmory followed. She landed with a sharp clink-clink of steel feathers, her eyes sharp. She nudged Azure's shoulder with a beak that could rend iron, but her touch was as light as a feather.
She whispered, a sharp, metallic wind in my ears, "I was grounded. A broken wing in a world that eats the fallen. Everyone else saw a wild bird to be ignored. He saw the pain. He healed the steel. I owe him the sky. Every time I fly, I fly for him."
Then, a cackle echoed—a haunting, melodic sound. Mismagius drifted through the air, her purple robes swirling. She teased, drifting around my head, "Oh, you poor, silly thing. You only hear the ghosts of the abused. Do you know what Azure did for me? He played his Poké Flute in the Hau'oli Cemetery. He didn't want to fight; he wanted to bring peace to the restless. He gave my former Trainer the melody she needed to finally cross over. He gave me a home when I had nothing but a tombstone to guard. He is my music, N. Can you not hear the rhythm?"
Finally, a low, guttural growl came from a Houndoom. She stood tall, her horns gleaming under the neon. She looked at Azure with a fierce, burning loyalty, but then her gaze drifted toward a massive Arcanine nearby, and I felt a flicker of a very human emotion—a light blush of warmth through our mental link.
She stated firmly in a commanding tone, "I led the pack near Pallet Town. I was merely a scavenger before I met him. He challenged me, not with cruelty, but with command. He earned the right to lead. Now, I protect his back, and he protects my heart. And... he provided a pack worth staying for."
I was already reeling. My knees felt weak. The Johto team surrounded us like a living wall of history, but Azure wasn't finished.
"Heh, looks like the green-haired kid is having a meltdown, KEK!"
I jumped. The voice didn't come from my mind—it came from the air. A Shiny Gengar materialized from Azure's shadow, her form shimmering. She spoke, her vocal cords shaped by some strange mastery of ghostly energy, "Stop being so gloomy, N! Azure is the best! He's my first friend, my only family. You try to take him, and I'll drag you into the shadow realm myself! Tee-hee!"
*Clank-Clank*
A Scizor snapped his claws; the sound was like a guillotine. The Scizor said coolly, "I wanted his head when we first met. I was a seeker of strength, obsessed with the kill. He showed me that true strength isn't just about the edge of a blade, but the hand that wields it. He helped me evolve, not just in form, but in spirit. I live for the heat of the battle we share. I'm his first warrior."
Then, the air pressure changed. A Dragonite landed, her massive wings creating a localized gale. I looked into her eyes and saw a dark past—the forest of Viridian, the cold needles of scientists.
She said firmly, the name tasting like ash, "Team Rocket. They bio-engineered me and others to be a machine. A weapon. I was a Dratini who knew only hate. Azure came with nothing but a Pikachu and a promise. He told me I would be the strongest Dragonite the world had ever seen. He didn't use me; he fulfilled me. I would have been a nobody in that forest. Instead, I am a Champion. The Strongest Dragonite Ever."
A massive Arcanine stepped forward, his fur smelling of woodsmoke and fire. He bared his fangs in a terrifying, yet somehow friendly, grin. The Arcanine rumbled, "He freed us. I was a pup in a cage, destined for the black market. He fought to bring the walls down. He had nothing then—just that Dratini and the yellow one. He smelled of courage. I followed that, and I'd follow it into the heart of a volcano."
Next came an Eevee. She was small compared to the giants, but her presence was overwhelming. She glowed with a strange, shifting light.
She whispered, and I felt a pang of genuine sorrow: "They hurt me. They forced me to change. In and out of evolutions... the pain was a constant scream. Then I met him. He spoke to Mew—the progenitor of all. He helped me gain a blessing so that I could be whatever I wanted to be, whenever I wanted, without the pain. He loves me even when I am just 'normal.' He gave me back my choice."
Finally, the Pikachu hopped down from Azure's shoulder. He didn't look like a god. He looked like a small, yellow mouse. But as he stood before me, the electricity in the air became so dense my hair stood on end.
Pikachu asked, "You think you know us?"
His voice was different—clearer, sharper, vibrating with the authority of a thousand victories. He continued, "You think we are victims? I was the first. I led him on a chase through Oak's lab. I was a rebel without a cause. He didn't break me. He chased me until I realized he wasn't trying to catch a tool—he was trying to find a friend."
I looked at them all. Tyranitar, Dragonite, Metagross, Salamence, Sceptile... a literal army of some of the most powerful creatures in existence. Any one of them could have crushed Azure in a heartbeat. They stayed because they chose to.
I asked, my voice barely a whisper, a strange resignation settling in my marrow, "Then... are you about to tell me about Azure's virtues as well? It seems that all of you really trust in your trainer. As his starter, surely you must agree."
Pikachu stepped forward, his cheeks sparking, stating, "I do. But I think you've heard enough already."
The Pikachu's gaze turned towards the horizon of Nimbasa, then back to me. He shared his story in a confident tone and said, "Instead, I will tell you about my own experiences with other Pokémon and their trainers—seeing how I've met so many as I followed along with my partner on his journey. Amongst the many opponents that we have fought, not even one of the Pokémon that I fought against was unhappy with their trainer. Of them, I guarantee you that any of the Pokémon of an Elite Four or Gym Leader would express similar sentiments to ours. Because no one can become a strong trainer if they are not backed up by the love and care of their own Pokémon. Pokémon and humans are meant to fight side by side with each other. I know this to be the truth of our world."
The little mouse's eyes narrowed, glowing with a fierce, blue-white intensity as he added, "And that is why every bad guy was fated to lose. I pitied them, even as I crushed them under my electricity, for they did not deserve the fate that they were given. That was the only time when I saw Pokémon that were held against their will, and that was why all of us gave it our all to bring their abusers to justice."
*THWUMP*
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The warmth was gone. The "family" vibe turned into the cold, sharp edge of a blade. Every single one of Azure's Champion teams—the Johto legends, the Kanto titans, the Hoenn and Sinnoh powerhouses I had seen earlier—all of them turned their eyes on me.
The physical pressure was immense. It felt as if the gravity in Nimbasa City had tripled. I felt myself shrink away. I was a King, or so I was told, but standing before the collective gaze of these beings, I felt like a child caught in a lie.
Pikachu spoke one last time, his voice like thunder and harsh coldness, "So I warn you, N. If you are to try and forcefully tear me away from Azure—I will destroy you. I will fry you into nothing like I have done so many times in my life. If you become my enemy, then I will show you no mercy."
Then, as one, their voices merged into a singular, telepathic roar that shook my very soul: "SO ARE YOU OUR ENEMY, N?"
*Thud*
My legs gave out. I hit the pavement with a dull thud, my knees scraping against the hard ground. A cold sweat drenched my back, my breath coming in ragged, shallow gasps. This wasn't a threat of malice.
It was worse. It was the absolute, unwavering resolve of a pack protecting its heart. It was the ultimate proof of a bond so deep it transcended the need for Poké Balls or commands. I stammered, looking up at Azure, "I..."
He wasn't gloating. He looked down at me with a mixture of pity and hope.
Yet I knew it wasn't a threat born of hostility. Rather, it was just his Pokémon's wholehearted desire to protect their trainer – at any cost. It was undeniable proof of the care and affection that Azure had with his Pokémon.
And because of this, I began to recognize the uncomfortable truth slowly.
That perhaps, I… might truly have been mistaken after all.
/////
A/n: Hope you like the chapter! I had some inspiration writing this chapter after reading the Fanfic the New Normal liking how the MC talked to N.