* MISLED / SOUGHT

Father. The term made him grit his teeth, but he wasn’t facing N enough for the movement to be noticed. Why had he used that word? Surely if he hated Ghetsis he wouldn’t think of him as his father anymore. N couldn’t know that it would bother him, could he? No, that was absurd. It didn’t bother him.

It was strange, though, watching N’s pleasant attitude vanish. Moros had seen him make impassioned speeches before; this was like that, in a way, but now all that intensity was turned on him. As if he’d traded one ideal for another. He spoke of lies, but in his words Moros only heard the accusations of the trainers that had ruined everything. 

Had Ghetsis been selective about the truths he revealed to the young king? Yes—but they had been truths nonetheless. Did really N believe it had all been a lie now? Had those damn trainers really confused him so badly? Humans abused Pokémon, took advantage of them, forced them to work at their side—that was still true. Moros knew because he was guilty of it himself. 

Liepard had hated him for years and years, but eventually she hadn’t been able to keep it up any longer. She came to see him as her trainer and enjoy his presence. And Moros had been glad. He’d broken her, and he was pleased about it. That was the nature of the relationship between every Pokémon and their trainer: nothing more than animals being fooled into thinking what they felt was love.

Even if Ghetsis was using N to achieve his own goals, N could have done what he liked as King. Instead he turned his back on all of it. And now he wanted to know why Moros hadn’t left as well. What he was striving for.

As if he had any right to such concepts. But of course someone like N would think that way; Moros didn’t know why he expected anything different. Some people didn’t get what a debt meant. Some people were too selfish to be thankful for the things they’d been given. Why bother explaining something they should already understand? N said he wanted to ask him ‘one’ thing, and he had. The rest of his questions weren’t getting an answer. There was no point when he already knew N would never get it.

“They weren’t lies,” he said instead. “Ghetsis may have had his own motives in doing so, but he spoke the truth. Humans cannot exist alongside Pokémon without exploiting them. His rule—and yours—would have benefited them.” Instead N had become just another trainer. What change could be bring now? What was he striving for?

“Are you really saying you no longer believe that?”

     ─ the tension between them raises and n finds himself more and more grateful that he decided to wait before calling out to the shadow ─ the presence of onlooking eyes would have no benefit and only hurt the situation they currently find themselves in. even when silence befalls, n remains in his space, not moving to track moros with his eyes. even the pokémon seem to feel the tension and read the mood, remaining silent as the two ex - allies ( if that’s even the appropriate word, n thinks ) face it off.

   it isn’t until he’s talking again that n finally turns and gazes ‘pon the other. the intensity n felt moments ago has since vanished, his expression remaining calm ─ neutral, if anything. there’s no good in getting too worked up, lest this turn into a match of unkempt emotions that had been long bottled up, simmering, waiting to the day things came crashing down. he’s still, taking small breaths as he listens to moros speak. 

   it’s then that his expression shifts once more. n’s brows pull together slightly, his eyes narrowing. a slight frown tugs downwards at this lips. he makes no attempt to hide his disappointed expression as his shoulders slump and he settles for crossing his arms across his chest. perhaps this conversation would end up nowhere. perhaps it would leave them with more negativity than before ─ at the moment, it’s clear they hold very different ideals. maybe they really hadn’t ever seen eye-to-eye, after all. another one of ghetsis’s tricks. perhaps so ─ but it’s still worth the effort to try.

   ❝ ... do you feel the same about him, then? ❞ he suddenly asks, making sure to gaze directly into moros’ eyes as he does so, ❝ if you truly believe in such exploitation, do the feelings you harbor towards ghetsis mean nothing? ❞ he takes a small step forward, ❝ a bond between trainer and pokémon, is it really so different than a bond between a leader and a follower? ❞ as he speaks, it’s not nearly with as much confidence as usual. it’s almost as if n is still unsure himself ─ comparing people to pokémon is still a relatively new idea. but if someone like n can have a change of heart, perhaps...

   ❝ ideas and feelings are not concrete. the ideals we carry with us... they can change, and grow, much like personalities. ❞ his eye shift downwards, a hand moving to rest on his chin. ❝ i believe there are some who will exploit their pokémon and other people, so i guess not all was false. but does that not mean the opposite is true? ❞ n challenges, ❝ it’s an idea that took myself a long time to understand, as well. people and pokémon can work together as one, and that is what we should have striven for. and besides... ❞ his body relaxes and his arms shift outwards now. n’s eyes fixate to meet the shadow’s once more.

❄ Red takes out a Sitrus Berry from their bag of trail mix, carefully handing it to the Zorua and meeting the little Pokémon’s gaze. There’s a subtle smile on their face as they get used to the other trainer’s presence, one that is pleasant rather than demanding as most people are. They listen to N speak and wonder what his childhood experiences must have been like, to be born with such a rare ability. Did the adults praise him, constantly ask him to translate? Or was it a different experience altogether?

❄ “Name’s Red,” they reply when asked, with a name just as simple as N’s own. They hear a request to join them at their campsite. Venusaur, lying beside the tent, lets out a curious cry, echoing Red’s sentiment. No one’s ever offered to join Red before. Everyone always gives them weird looks. It’s weird for a young adult trainer to be out camping with their Pokémon, with all of them outside of their Poké Balls; it’s weird to insist on sleeping surrounded by the beauty of nature rather than the cramped, overly-exquisite space of a hotel room; it’s weird to have Sitrus Berries mixed in with a bag of trail mix…

❄ “Um… sure,” they answer quietly to N’s request, as Pikachu lets out a little cheer himself- finally, some company! “You’re… the only one who’s ever asked.” It’s very rare that they’re this open with a stranger, but they welcome the feeling. The cheery, exuberant attitude of N’s Zorua is enough to set them at ease. “Everyone else thinks I… I’m weird,” Red admits, analyzing the irony in it all. They’re a Champion, meant to be put on a pedestal as someone to look up to- but they’re also a ‘weirdo’, a hermit, a social outcast. The puzzle pieces never fit the way they should, except when Red is with their Pokémon. It’s an experience Red can tell they share with this stranger, a person they wonder if they will soon come to call a ‘friend’.

   ─ his smile remains and his gaze softens as he watches the trainer share their berries with his expectant zorua ─ the pokémon happily accepting the gift and barking a ‘ thank you! ’ before chowing down ─ and makes a mental note to repay the favor. he casts his gaze ‘round to the various pokémon lazing about. he’s warmed with a feeling of happiness and is, once again, grateful that he’s finally opened himself up to other people. if he hadn’t, he’d be missing out on experiences like this ; the tranquility of the scene and the happiness he detects has him questioning how he had ever been so blind to the world.

   ( ah, that’s right ─ because of the ‘family’ that plagued him with misguidance and lies. )

   ❝ red? it’s an honor to meet you. ❞ he pulls himself from his thoughts, ❝ and all of you, as well. ❞ he adds on, directed towards their pokémon. zorua barks his own greeting, though muffled by the sitrus berry in his mouth. it’s rare n sees other travelers so out in the open ─ he’s used to seeing people at least within the comfort of a tent and sleeping bag, far from enough space to let multiple pokémon out to stretch their legs. the sight before him brings a warmth, one that further blossoms as his request is approved. so far, red seems much different than many other people he’s met. he also gives pikachu a smile, hearing the exclamation of excitement. zorua trots over, tail wagging, excited to make more friends and spend time with the electric mouse. in the distance, but close enough to hear it’s trainer call if summoned, reshiram hovers.

   ❝ it appears we have that in common, then. ❞ n muses sympathetically, moving to join red by their campfire, ❝ i’ve never found it too bothersome, though finally having some company is a nice change. ❞ it’s strange, he thinks, to actually mean those words. before, he wouldn’t have fathomed sharing a casual exchange with another trainer like this. oh, how things have changed. 

   ❝ i find people to be much more of a challenge to understand than pokémon, even as i grew used to being around them. especially with our gift, opposed to many others. ❞ he hums, leaning back to focus his attention on the night sky, smiling once more, ❝ your pokémon and their voices... they’re wondrous, so unlike any i’ve met thus far. you must be an extraordinaire trainer with many stories. ❞ n returns his gaze to red, silence befalling him before he retraces back on the conversation, realizing he’s taken up most of it. 

♥ this post if you’d like a starter for n && i’ll get something whipped up! i may message you for plotting if i need though! i’ll be giving it a soft cap of three ( 3 ) so i’m not overwhelmed. as always, my discord is avail if you want to plot! i’ll be getting to these throughout the week!

As soon as N started to talk, Moros remembered something he’d tried to forget. When N said he meant nothing by his phrasing, it was impossible not to believe him. He spoke honestly—innocently. It still astonished Moros that someone like Ghetsis played any role in raising someone as genuine as N. All of Moros’s bitterness rolled off him like it was nothing.

But still, despite knowing that N held no ill-intent toward him, it was hard not to take offense at his words. He wasn’t wrong—they had never had anything but Team Plasma connecting them together, it was true. But Team Plasma was… everything. His mission, his ideals, his allies, the institution run by his mentors and caretakers since his earliest memories, the culmination of his master’s ambition and his one singular purpose. To hear it dismissed so casually was, was… Moros didn’t have words for it.

N’s explanation of his actions was perfectly logical, but for all his thoughtful analysis it seemed not to have occurred to him that Moros might pose a threat. He’d willingly walked himself away from the crowds and to a place where they would be secluded enough to talk freely. Did he think there would be no resentment between them? N had upended his whole life. Moros still hadn’t forgiven that.

“I wasn’t looking for you,” he said. Neither was Ghetsis; he was in no position to care about such things. Did N even know what kind of state he’d left the man in? Did he even care? Asking about his brothers only compounded Moros’s pent up frustration.

He didn’t know where they were. He’d thought their loyalty to Ghetsis would stay strong—and it had, for a while. But eventually the day came when they decided to leave, confirming what Moros had always known. They were weak. Selfish. They’d run off just like the rest of Team Plasma. And Moros was the only one left.

“Our crossing paths was nothing more than coincidence, however unlikely. But if you think for a second I’d let you walk away without—” He stopped, biting back the rush of emotion. Moros was silent in most situations, remaining deliberately detached from the world around him. But here he found words coming to him unbidden, unraveling his best efforts at control. Try again. Keep it together.

“I don’t know where the others are,” he said, turning away and changing the subject to answer N’s question. “Following in your footsteps, most likely. It’s too bad you didn’t encounter one of them. I’m sure that would be a much more enjoyable conversation.” He began to move in a circle around N, not wanting to get too close but unable to contain his pacing. “Unlucky. You stumbled across the last person in all of Team Plasma who isn’t a traitor.”

          IT’S  HARD  TO  GAUGE  MOROS’S  reaction properly.  n’s ability to read people is a candlelight to his wildfire in understanding pokémon.  he’s grown accustom to tapping in on the basics and it’s  definitely  much easier than it was before,  especially with people he knows well.  but someone like this?  a member of the shadow triad?  n has no senses on him whatsoever.  it’s a feeling of blindness ;  more so than he’s used to.  before,  it may not bother him at all.  when people were nothing more than a thing to liberate pokémon from,  n wouldn’t have bothered.  but after everything that’s happened,  he feels almost obligated to TRY to understand. 

his eyes watch the shadow carefully.  his best guess ─  no more than an assumption based on what he knows of basic emotion ─  is growing agitation.  n can feel concern radiating from his reshiram in the skies above,  yet n feels no reason to worry.  surely the other can’t harbor  THAT  much negativity that he would possibly act out...  right?  n shifts his weight in the slightest.  this is all completely new to him.

he hums.  he tips his head,  gazing thoughtfully and nodding as he comprehends what’s being said.  from what he knows of human emotion,  it makes sense that one of the shadows ─  or any of them,  for that matter ─  would seek him out.  after all,  it hadn’t ever crossed n’s mind to look for any of them either.  

the sudden outburst draws out some surprise.  the shadow’s emotions are slowly but surely becoming more clear,  and they are far from pleasant.  n’s quite sure this is the most he’s ever heard from him outside of being ghetsis’s lackey.  n’s eyes narrow as he slowly begins placing pieces together.  spite.  hate.  resentment towards n for having a part in team plasma’s failure.  of course someone so close to ghetsis would feel this way. 

he feels a new wave of uncertainty wash over,  among other things.  as the shadow continues to speak of his brothers and team plasma,  uncomfort blossoms.  n watches with his eyes as the shadow moves.  eventually,  n has to pivot on his feet just to face the man.  instinct tells n to keep his eyes trained on the other.  he’s suddenly aware that the person before him could very well vanish,  should he chose to. 

but he doesn’t.

❝ i see.  you still follow father. ❞  n begins.  the tension in the air is near palpable ;  he can feel it through the pokémon.  even zorua,  the more carefree of his duo,  is wary.  ❝ you’re angry,  of course... ❞  n adds,  but it is more so a thought spoken out loud,  rather than words dictated for the other.  ❝ i guess i can understand.  i felt the same way when i learned of father’s true nature.  i am not dense. ❞  n’s words become a bit more passionate now ─  similar to when he used to speak of granting pokémon their freedom.  he almost can’t believe he couldn’t detect the venom in his words before. 

❝ might i ask you one thing?  you’ve chosen to pin me as a traitor,  and yet... ❞  n’s gaze hardens.  for once,  he speaks carefully.  slowly.  ❝ the ideals i had been fighting for were nothing but a lie.  how can i be a traitor for something i was never fighting for?  they made me realize that. ❞  ‘ they ’  being the two that helped n realize the truth.  he draws in a breath.  maybe he doesn’t understand the shadow after all. 

While Touya did have a light panic attack before takeoff, he quickly eased his mind when they elevated in the air. His ears unclogged and his head stopped pounding, allowing him to think properly and search for a location. Sure, he was used to flying on his own pokemon, but he’d let them take their time. N was just going a little over the top, though Touya didn’t mind at all. It was Reshiram, after all. That pokemon was meant to glide through the sky so freely. He was glad they were both enjoying themselves, even if they haven’t reached a destination quite yet.

                  The two of them adventured together on their own. Even though Touya thought about inviting his dearest sister along, he wanted the chance to catch up with N alone. He had so much to tell him, and he knew that if someone else was here, Touya would be too nice and let them take over the talking instead. Maybe later he’ll tell his sister their little camping adventure, and perhaps next time she’ll be invited. He didn’t enjoy leaving her out, but this was his chance to have a stronger friendship with N.

Keep reading

          A  SMILE  DAWNS  HIS  EXPRESSION  as touya muses of the lake’s ─  and, by extension, sinnoh’s ─  legends and myths.  of COURSE someone like touya would have knowledge of such!  n had debated whether he should choose another location but ultimately,  sinnoh’s lakes were among his favorite due to their rich history.  it filled him with joy that touya seemed to be interested,  as well.  or,  at least,  he knew  SOME  of the lake’s history.  n had hoped this wouldn’t be too boring for the other trainer because part of him ─  possibly a stronger part than n even realizes ─  desired to impress touya and interest him.  it seems to be working..?

❝ you are correct,  my friend! ❞  n exclaims,  ❝ you see,  sinnoh is home to many myths and legends that are absolutely fascinating.  they surround the very creation of pokémon.  the lake guardians are a mere fraction of sinnoh’s tale,  but they are all amazing in their own ways.  lake verity here is home to mesprit:  bringer of emotion.  it’s one of my personal favorites. ❞  he’s eager to expand on the information and nearly continues on before he tunes in to touya’s...  frazzled state.  ah ─  how could he be so foolish?  it’s been a while since the two talked,  and perhaps touya wasn’t as adjusted to flying far distances in such a short time...  and he’d completely forgotten about setting up camp,  too! 

n stops himself from babbling on,  for once,  knowing he should be putting touya’s well - being before anything else.  he takes a step towards his companion and offers a hand with concern blossoming over his features. 

❝ touya,  are you alright? ❞  he asks,  ❝ i apologize.  i forget a flight like that can be taxing on those who aren’t used to it.  i should have asked you first,  or taken things slower. ❞  he acknowledges,  shoulders slouching in the slightest.  he silently condemns himself for being so careless,  when he only wanted to treat his dear friend to a simple camping trip to catch up...

ah,  right.  camp.

          THE  WALLS  OF  THE  CASTLE  remain relatively the same ─  tainted only by the test of time.  despite this,  as n treks down familiar hallways,  the place feels almost foreign.  the only evidence of people residing within its walls are the various beds,  sofas,  desks,  and other utensils utilized by the team during their stay.  extended digits trail the cracks and creases that reflect the castle’s aging.  the boy sighs as he makes his way deeper into the castle.  it's been but a few years since the fall of team plasma ─  the second one,  specifically ─  and even though n has spent more of his life confined here than anywhere else,  it feels like it’s been a lifetime since he’s traversed it. 

he's unsure of his emotions.  the memories he recalls are not what he would describe as... good.  of course,  he can't say with certainty that it was ALL bad ─  there are  SOME  things he's grateful for.  but n has quickly caught on to the faults of his childhood and where he was led astray.  he can't help but wonder how different things would have been had he never been found on that fateful day ;  if he'd never come to know the walls of the castle…

he stops. //  perhaps happening on a purely subconscious level,  n stops in front of the door that will lead into his own room.  it's not like he's never visited before ─  no, numerous times n has found himself in this very spot.  be it to reflect or simply disconnect from the rest of the world, n has made trips back to his old room.  he extends a hand to the doorknob for just one look…  but freezes midway.  the castle feels… different.  too caught up in his own emotions,  n didn’t realize the new voices and thoughts in the castle that he's never felt before.  at least, never since it was vacated…

his attention turns to a few doors down :  HIS room.  he's not sure why but his feet are moving even though he knows he won't find anything out of the ordinary…  or,  so he thought.  he sees the door has been left cracked open ─  whereas it’s always been sealed shut before.  n feels an unfamiliar twist in his gut.  anxiety?  he hesitates. n tells himself that the odds are far too slim ;  he has no reason to come back here.  right?  a breath is drawn inwards as n toes the door open.  he freezes in his place.

well,  he's never been good at guessing in regards to people before.  he's hit with an uncomfortable wave of emotions.  fear?  frustration?  sadness?  nostalgia?  resentment?  n is suddenly wishing he had a better understanding of human emotions.  how does one properly react to something like this?  standing opposite him is the man who COMPLETELY turned his life over.  the man who misled him his entire life to groom him into plasma’s next king ─  only for n to realize the truth.  the man that he,  since they’d met,  considered his father.

ghetsis.

❝ truthfully,  i never expected to see you here,  of all places. ❞  he finally says,  half to himself,  and takes a cautious step into the room.  he cannot yet meet the eyes of the man before him.

@crowncut

Accumula Town….. felt so distant from anywhere else. It was the first town you’d meet by stepping off of Route 1, a tiny little town, with a cosy Pokemon Centre and wonderful folk, and it was where Touko’s life changed drastically.

Back then, she didn’t even know it. She had no idea of the outcome that would come from meeting that green haired trainer.

N.

She wasn’t here to think about him, or to reflect on his disappearance, but she couldn’t help but wonder where he was, or what he was doing. It was here she’d met the Purrloin wielding trainer. It was a nice memory, amongst the mess that was the last seven years.

Touko was actually here to pass through and go back to Nuvema Town. She’d taken to the scenic route, rather than having Braviary fly her over… and it was nice. To be able to see the kids playing with Pokemon. The deliveryman to the Pokemon centre, the snug, home like atmosphere that radiated from the small town.

Honestly, the arrival of the yipping and excitable Pokemon by her feet honestly hadn’t even been noticed at first, it took her a second to realise the Pokemon was by HER feet, and then, once she looked down at the Zorua, she blinked.

It went right over her head that this Zorua could possibly belong to him. But nevertheless she looked around confused. 

“….a Zorua…?”

She crouched down, and extended a hand to the fur, brushing through it calmly for a moment, before her hand rested on his back. She seemed to be pondering something for a moment, and then…. she looked up, as if…. having slowly realised at last, who Zorua could belong to.

          THE  BARKING  CONTINUES,  TAIL  WAGGING  even more as the girl acknowledges his presence.  his paws shuffle delightfully ─  he’s both pleased with the attention and happy to see her once more.  but the petting comes to a halt,  much to zorua’s dismay,  as her attention moves elsewhere.  zorua is still,  too,  turning to follow touko’s gaze down the block.

not far now.  despite the distance,  n can still easily sense his pokémon and the feelings radiating off of him cause confusion.  what exactly has got him so excited?  n continues to jog.  one block,  two...  finally,  his pace slows as he rounds the final corner separating him and his companion.  his eyes naturally fall upon his zorua first ─  he’d been concerned for his safety ─  and then he discovered the reason his pokémon had run off in the first place. 

the world seems to come to a halt as green hues meet brown.  n’s views on fate and destiny have since been skewed ─  but SOMETHING otherworldly has  to be at work here.  what are the odds that he’d happen upon HER by COINCIDENCE?  and HERE,  of all places?  he steps forward but then stops himself,  unsure of what to do next.  to find her had been his goal for a long time running and now that he’s finally done it,  by chance,  n has absolutely  no  idea what to do. 

and he’s got absolutely no experience with these kind of situations to go off of,  either.  how did people handle reunions?  surely this isn’t a stereotypical reunion,  either,  only adding to the complexity of things.  lips purse into a tense line as his emotions run rampant.  before him stands one of the two trainers that changed his life,  and he finds himself at a loss for words,  for once.

❝ ...  touko,  hello. ❞  he finally manages.  n adjusts his hat and straightens himself out.  zorua snorts impatiently,  wondering why the air is so awkward.  they’re friends,  why aren’t they jumping with joy?  sensing his pokémon’s emotions,  n laughs a bit sheepishly and rubs the back of his neck.

❝ it’s been a while,  hasn’t it? ❞  he continues,  ❝ i’ve been searching for you and your brother for quite some time now ─  it appears we were all consumed with our own travels. ❞  what a poor excuse.  zorua’s tail slows and eventually droops.  boring!  n spares his vixen a glance before sighing,  his attention moving back to touko.  human interaction has never been his forte,  but since when has it been  THIS  difficult? 

❄ Red turns curiously to find a fellow traveler standing there. They simply nod their head as a greeting- it’s what they’re used to doing, after all. But for someone to travel this far off the beaten path must mean that this trainer is inquisitive, dedicated… powerful? These are the words that circle through Red’s mind. They’re focusing much more on the Zorua than his trainer, sensing a powerful bond like the one they have with Pikachu. And of course- the electric mouse doesn’t hesitate to return the greeting with a cheerful “Pika-pika!”, giving the warmth that Red’s gaze usually doesn’t.

❄ But there’s something that catches Red off guard, and it’s the trainer’s words to them. Your friends’ voices. Can this trainer hear them, too? Red, ever since they were a child, was treated as a prodigy for this ability. They can’t imagine themself without it, but the expectations the adults had for them set them up to disappoint. For the longest time, Red felt they were alone in the world, and only their Pokémon could understand them. They want to know more.

❄ “Y-you… can hear them too…?” The words leave Red’s lips quietly and nervously, as they struggle to make eye contact, their eyes widening and their gaze shifting.

         HE’S  FILLED  WITH  JOY  AS  zorua down from his shoulder and runs forward to greet red and their pokémon more closely,  sitting at red’s feet and looking up expectantly ;  a ‘ hello! ’  and ‘ let’s play! ’.  the little zorua being much more sociable than his trainer who’s still learning more about people every day.

the warm greeting from pikachu has n smiling ─  a friendly,  loving pokémon.  happy.  filled with love for his trainer.  

the human voice draws n’s attention back up ─  and what a curious thing they say.  n’s expression turns into one of surprise,  his own eyes widening and lips forming a deep and thoughtful line.

❝ ...since i was little. ❞  n confirms with a small nod.  he steps closer,  though takes care to make his approach slow.  he feels as if this trainer is alike him,  in the sense that they aren’t as used to people as most others are.  

          IT’S  ALMOST  FUNNY  THAT,  AFTER  everything that’s happened and ALL this time has passed,  they’d be on the back of reshiram to scout out a suitable location for CAMPING,  of all things.  words are no requirement between n and his dragon as they soar through the skies at an exhilarating speed;  something the trainer and pokémon duo are more than used to.  there’s one major difference this time,  though:  it’s no longer the two of them,  but the two of them PLUS a dear friend.  touya. 

     it hasn’t been long since their reunion atop his old castle.  after years had gone by since team plasma’s initial end and n’s departure,  the reunion went oddly...  well.  n wasn’t sure what to expect.  anger?  frustration?  sadness?  resentment?  he’s still unsure of human emotions,  but after some heartfelt words and a warm embrace  ( a gesture n is new to,  as well ),  plans had been set for the two to take some time together for some DESPERATELY needed catching - up.

     and that’s how they ended up here.  deciding reshiram would be the fasted method of travel AND with n’s choice of camping location.  yes ─  camping.  simple,  yet capable of fulfilling all they needed it to be.  there were many places they could go,  but n had decided upon something simple,  yet new...  a place with meaning.  a lake of feeling.  he hopes touya will like his choice.  he gestures for reshiram to land once they’re close enough and the dragon does just that,  choosing a relatively secluded area to descend.  n’s posture relaxes once they do,  and he begins to dismount his pokémon.  

     ❝ and here it is, ❞  he announces after stepping off reshiram,  gesturing towards the lake,  ❝ lake verity.  did you know?  the legendary pokémon,  mesprite,  resides here.  few have seen them,  though.  there are many myths and legends surrounding the region of sinnoh and it’s deity pokémon ;  it’s what i found most fascinating about this region. ❞  he’s reminiscing now ─  other than reshiram and zorua,  he hadn’t anyone to share his experiences with during his travels.  while it wasn’t without reason,  a part of n wishes he had someone to share it with. 

     but better late than never,  right?

           ACCUMULA  IS  HOME  TO  FEW  memories ─  if he’s correct,  he’s only visited one,  maybe two,  times ─  but it remains a very precious place to him.  it’s here where he met  THOSE TWO  for the first time ;  the two trainers that changed his perception for the better.  two people that probably have had more of a  POSITIVE  impact on n than anyone else he can recall.  the people from team plasma hardly raise a candle to those two special trainers in his heart. 

     and as such,  visiting the town after so long is...  mesmerizing,  in it’s own way.  he almost feels as if he’s been taken back to the start,  reliving the very emotions he discovered on that fateful day,  standing on the very same street he met them.  he feels temporarily cut - off from the world around him,  unphased by the people that circulate around him while he reminisces over the past.  he wonders if his choices were the correct ones ─  leaving his friends behind to reconcile.  he feels a pang of sadness ;  it’s a relatively new feeling to long for certain people like this. 

     while n reflects,  there’s someone else completely unaffected by the memories the town harbors.  zorua,  perched on his trainer’s shoulders,  has become restless.  he wants to PLAY but understands his trainer is..  occupied by thoughts at the moment.  still,  that doesn’t prevent him from taking in all the surroundings.  but all of the sudden,  the breeze carries an all too familiar scent towards the little fox.  a scent that’s warm and exciting ;  one he hasn’t caught in a while. 

     that’s all it takes for him to hop of n’s shoulder and  BOLT  towards the source.  n immediately snaps out of his thoughts,  disturbed by his pokémon’s sudden change in demeanor.  he barely utter’s out the pokémon’s name before he disappears around a corner.  n takes off after,  but he’s quite a bit slower than a pokémon running at FULL SPEED.

     zorua reaches his target not long after.  he’s THRILLED when he spots her.  touko,  one of n’s companions.  a nice girl that he can usually get treats from by looking cute,  and one he hasn’t seen in a while! 

         IT  ISN’T  OFTEN  THAT  N  discovers other trainers this far out into the wilderness.  when he does ─  it’s usually someone taking advantage of the powerful wild pokémon to power up their own.  but the person he spots from the skies isn’t like the others ;  this person sits around the campfire with their pokémon in a relaxed setting.  camping,  perhaps?  n’s considers his curiosity piqued.  he didn’t think anyone else besides him would dare camp so far out into nature,  so far away from the luxuries the towns provided. 

     and that isn’t the  ONLY  thing n finds peculiar about the individual. 

     their pokémon’s thoughts ─  their memories and feelings ─  are on a much different level than most he’s met.  they remind him of the companions he discovered on his own journey,  in a way.  it’s compelling and n feels naturally drawn in ;  he wants to know more about this person and their companions.  with reshiram hidden in the skies above and zorua on his shoulder,  n makes his way through the brush and approaches the clearing,  guided by the light of the campfire.  he stops at the edge,  not wanting to intrude if he isn’t welcome. 

In a hundred years, Moros would never forget the long green hair or the familiar, loping gait of Team Plasma’s King. He couldn’t help the way his entire body tensed at the sight, suddenly feeling caught-out, like he’d done something very wrong. He recognized the feeling for the paranoia it was, but that knowledge did nothing to lessen the sudden lump in his throat

He’d just been passing through town, picking up supplies for himself and his Pokémon. He hadn’t resorted to stealing, not lately, but he’d been in the area for long enough that people might take notice, might start to talk. Was it possible that N was…

No. N wasn’t looking for him. He had no reason to seek out the Shadow Triad, not when they’d all made their loyalties abundantly clear the last time they’d interacted.

Without thinking, Moros began to follow N. Channeling his powers was always more difficult without his brothers present to help, but after a moment of focusing his energy Moros was able to fade into the shadows. He trailed behind N, clinging to the shade of buildings. The act was second nature to him, and Moros felt a wave of déjà vu at the combination of circumstances. He’d spent so much time following N around Unova at Ghetsis’s orders, it was almost like no time at all had passed between then and now.

But of course, everything was different now. That was the problem here. It was exactly why Moros couldn’t just leave well enough alone. N wasn’t the only one to blame for the fall of Team Plasma, but he certainly wasn’t innocent. He’d disrupted their plans not once but twice, and Moros was still dealing with the fallout from those events.

It wasn’t long before N headed to a less-busy part of the town. This was more like the N that Moros was familiar with. He hadn’t known the other to be overly comfortable within populated areas. If Moros was going to confront him, now would be the time. He hesitated, trying to come up with the right thing to say. After years of quiet anger, it should’ve been easy. Weak. Pathetic. Traitor. 

But as Moros mulled over the possibilities, he heard N speak up despite being completely alone in the secluded area.

“You know. I believe it is common practice for old companions to greet each other.”

N… knew he was there. He’d just assumed he hadn’t been detected. Most people saw only what they expected to see in the world around them. It made it easy to go undetected in the shadows cloaked in an aura of darkness. But now he could see his mistake. It only made sense that N would recognize his aura. It was a rare occasion when someone had a natural ability to read auras, but anyone could learn to sense such things if they had sufficient practice. With the amount of time the Shadow Triad had spent watching over N throughout his life, of course he could recognize the feeling.

“You have nothing to hide from anymore.”

Moros grit his teeth. Watching and waiting were not the same as hiding from something. He wasn’t frightened, or concerned with what others thought. He was being cautious—planning his movements and waiting for the right moment to act. But it would do no good to remain concealed now that it was clear N was aware of his presence. 

“That’s one word for it,” he said. “I’d say spying is more accurate.” Moros dropped the illusion, the strain of it vanishing immediately as he appeared behind his former king. “If you knew I was there, though, you certainly took your time doing anything about it. Feeling sentimental?” he asked, bitingly. It wasn’t at all what he’d wanted to say, but he was still feeling thrown without the advantage of surprise. 

          ONLY WHEN THE SHADOW STEPS into the light does n’s attention turn away from the distant horizon.  he turns,  expression derived of emotion.  for once,  n himself is conflicted with how he feels.  should he be happy to see an old ally?  angry to see someone who aided ghetsis with his plans?  indifferent,  since they had no real relation in the first place?  his own uncertainty is unnerving and still NEW.  he wonders if it’s always supposed to feel like this or if the situation surrounding the emotion makes it feel that way.

     while n can’t claim to be any good at detecting human emotion,  he can see that moros isn’t reacting to ...  positively  to being called out.  he wonders how far he’d be followed if he simply moved on ─  or if moros might have initiated eventually.  but there’s no sense in dwelling on the different possibility.  n wants to face what’s directly in front of him.  he doesn’t flinch,  his demeanor remaining calm.  open. 

     ❝ ah ─  did i strike a nerve?  my apologies ;  i meant no negative connotation with my word choice. ❞  he wonders if it’s the right thing to say.  he’s still learning to understand people emotions,  after all.  as it stands,  he’s mostly going off of intuition and assumptions and,  as he’s come to learn,  the chances of a misunderstanding are far greater when dealing with another person. 

     this is especially true when the said person is shrouded in mystery.

     it’s weird,  n reflects,  that he’s known the shadow triad just as long as he’s known the other people he grew up around ─  and yet??  he knows relatively  nothing  of them.  perhaps it’s because they had never TRULY wanted to serve him in the first place.  that was ghetsis.  the shadow triad remains to be another remnant of his own manipulation.  he doesn’t RESENT or BLAME them,  of course,  rather he can’t help wonder about their motivations in continuing to follow him after his true nature was revealed. 

     there’s still lots he has to figure out about humans,  apparently. 

     ❝ i’m not quite sure ‘sentimental’ is the right word.  maybe:  nostalgia?  perhaps it is because our relationship was never more than our association with team plasma? ❞  a casual hum follows the statement,  oblivious to the shock that’s captivated moros.  he’s still near blissfully unaware of the effect his presence has on some people ─  especially those who closely followed ghetsis.  he could probably be a bit more careful with his carefree and straightforward word choice too but,  hey!  he’s learning!  ... trying to,  at least.  he’s trying.

     ❝ regardless,  the answer is simple :  neither of us could hold a proper conversation among a crowd,  so i decided to wait.  i did not venture here sooner because i wanted to be sure i was more confident in my suspicion that you were really there,  and it looks like i was correct.  you do still marvel me,  i must admit.  you and your brothers possess abilities i could never imagine. ❞  such a bird - walk of an explanation probably wasn’t necessary.  hopefully it won’t make things stranger than they are.

          THE PRESENCE IS ALL TOO familiar.  that feeling ─  that he’s being followed and observed ─  is much too reminiscent of the past to be a coincidence.  it’s been a while since n ventured into town so he brushed off the feeling as re-adjusting to being among people,  but after failing to rid of the suspicion,  n concluded that his assumption  HAD  to be correct.  it’s been looming over him not long after his arrival.

a shadow.

ah ─  when was the last time he noticed one of them?  surely not since the final incident with team plasma.  but one thing’s for certain :  he’d never forget,  no matter how much time passed,  what it was like being followed by one of them.  how could he?  the SHADOW TRIAD was much too memorable for that.  a plethora of questions trickle through his thoughts.   for once,  n is unsure of how he feels about the situation.  it never occurred to him to reconcile with any of the triad.  and now he’s ─  coincidentally ─  happened upon one of them.  n decides that he cannot ignore this.  but he’s not about to deal with this confrontation in the eyes of others.  he’s quite sure the shadow will feel the same.

he wanders casually,  hoping to not draw attention to the fact that he’s aware he’s being watched.  maybe the member can tell ─  he isn’t sure.  the triad’s abilities are shrouded in a mystery n doesn’t fully understand himself.  he’s not even sure which member lurks in his shadow.  it’s not long before he finds a clearing,  free from the sights of others.  n hums,  his pace slowing,  until he feels content with his choice. 

❝ you know, ❞  his gaze remains fixated on the distance,  almost as if he’s speaking to nobody in particular,  but he’s sure his voice will reach the other,  ❝ i believe it is common practice for old companions to greet each other. ❞  perhaps ‘ companions ’ isn’t quite the right word.  allies?  what relation remained once n made his break with team plasma? regardless.