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Losing Zekrom was undoubtedly a severe blow to N.
Especially since Zekrom was forcibly 'devoured' by Kyurem right in front of him.
Right before his eyes!
And he could do nothing but watch helplessly.
This feeling of despair, like drowning, plunged N into pain and self-reproach.
"N, get up, we need to go."
Ghetsis had already recovered and urged N.
Their current location wasn't too far from Higaki City; after all, Zekrom hadn't run long before Dark Kyurem caught up.
But N's eyes were still vacant, his pupils unfocused, clearly still lost in his inner world.
"Snap out of it, N, are you just going to give up? Let's leave here first, and then we can figure out a way to rescue Zekrom."
Ghetsis cursed N as useless in his heart, but he had to rely on N now, so he could only comfort him this way.
Because he was arrested by the Pokemon League, all his Poké Balls were confiscated by General Alder, and he didn't have any main Pokémon with him.
In other words, Ghetsis was now utterly powerless.
Without N's protection, he wasn't sure he could safely return to the castle.
"..."
Upon hearing this, N finally regained some consciousness.
"Rescue Zekrom..." N murmured, and then his eyes slowly regained their light.
Yes, he had to rescue Zekrom! He must get Zekrom back!
"That's right, we..." Seeing this, Ghetsis finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But just then.
A series of footsteps quickly entered their ears. Ghetsis was startled and turned to look.
"N! Ghetsis!"
Alder and Leon quickly arrived with a team of Officer Jenny.
Ghetsis's heart instantly sank by half. Damn it! How could the Pokemon League act so fast!
It was all this good-for-nothing's fault. If he had left with him from the start, they wouldn't have been caught by Alder and his team.
And now that Zekrom was gone, even though N was a Champion, how could he deal with two Champions like Alder and Leon?
"Surrender, N, you won't escape today!" Alder said in a deep voice, looking at N and the other person.
He received news that Ghetsis had been rescued and immediately rushed over with Leon. On the way, he also saw Dark Kyurem and Zekrom.
Ghetsis: "..."
Ghetsis's face was grim, but N seemed not to notice what Alder was saying at all.
Now his mind was full of Zekrom, only thinking about how to rescue Zekrom from Kyurem.
The outcome was self-evident: Ghetsis once again received silver handcuffs, and N was also taken back to Higaki City by Alder.
It's worth mentioning that N didn't resist, which almost made Ghetsis lose his composure.
This useless good-for-nothing, wasn't it just that Zekrom was 'eaten' by Kyurem? Is he just going to be so dejected?
But N was actually very clear-headed. Resist? What's the use?
Leon's strength could even directly contend with Zekrom. Without Zekrom, N knew he was no match for Leon.
Not to mention the other party also had Alder, a Champion, and a team of Officer Jenny. Resistance was simply meaningless.
And precisely because N surrendered, Alder didn't handcuff N; in fact, his attitude could be said to be very good.
In the Pokemon League building in Higaki City, inside Alder's office.
"Ghetsis isn't a good person. Why did you have to risk rescuing him?" Alder asked N.
"He raised me." N was silent, then replied after a moment of quiet.
Hearing this, Alder and Leon exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
N wasn't evil. After the last incident, they all understood this; he was just misled by Ghetsis's ideology.
But now it seems...
"Was what Mammon said last time true?" Leon asked N.
"Yes." N's eyes dimmed.
"Then N, what is your ideal now?"
"For both Pokemon and humans to have a better future."
N pursed his lips. Yes, this was his current thought.
Separating humans and Pokemon was not a perfect world. Ever since he understood Ghetsis's true colors, N had been contemplating his ideal.
But what was certain was that he hoped Pokemon would find happiness and that both Pokemon and people could live with smiles on their faces.
But now...
"That's our ideal too." Alder showed a genuine smile and sighed with emotion.
This is great! N's ability to change like this made Alder and Leon genuinely happy.
After all, N's strength was not to be underestimated, and he was also the Hero of Ideals. If he were an extreme idealist, it would not be a good thing for everyone in this world.
"If possible, I sincerely hope you can join us, N, and work with us towards this goal." Alder invited N earnestly.
If N could become their partner, it would be the best outcome.
"We share a common beautiful vision, don't we?"
"I..."
If it were before, N would have been willing to accept Alder's kindness, and he indeed needed like-minded companions.
Not just Zekrom, having other companions would also be a good thing.
But now, N's mind was actually very chaotic.
"I'd be happy to, but General Alder, I need to calm down right now." N's expression was very sad and lost, his tone full of weariness.
"My Zekrom was taken by Kyurem. I'm... very confused right now."
As soon as he thought of Zekrom, N's voice dropped, and his eyes reddened slightly.
He had always been a relatively emotional person, and the matter with Zekrom was simply too devastating for him.
"Alright, I've prepared a room for you. Please get some good rest first." Seeing N's sorrowful appearance, Alder also felt very uneasy and spoke to him gently.
"Thank you."
N stood up, bowed slightly to the two, and then slowly followed the staff out.
"Sigh..." Alder rubbed his messy hair. What kind of situation was this?
He really couldn't bring himself to say that Kyurem was actually their doing...
"Don't blame yourself too much, senior. Kyurem's actions were not something we could have predicted." Leon saw Alder's thoughts and comforted him.
N's appearance just now was indeed relatable.
But thinking about it, if Kyurem hadn't intercepted N and Zekrom, then Ghetsis would have been rescued by N, which would have been a complete future problem.
Most importantly, they didn't know that N had already turned over a new leaf.
Finding Kyurem was mainly to deal with Mammon, but Kyurem was not something they could control. Who could guess whether Kyurem would seek the White Dragon or the Black Dragon first?
"I understand. I've already sent people to monitor Kyurem's movements as much as possible and to find Mammon's location. Now that it has Zekrom, its next target must be Reshiram."
Alder nodded. Kyurem's next target was Reshiram, and they also had to prepare.
Upon arriving in his room, N stood by the French window, looking at Higaki City in the night, his expression constantly changing.
Zekrom... Zekrom was his most important partner.
No matter what, Zekrom, I will definitely rescue you! No matter the cost!
... ...
Time came to the next day, at Mammon's castle.
"N, you're back."
Anthea and Concordia greeted N at the castle gate.
That's right, N returned here, because he learned from his former subordinates that Team Rockets had already taken over this castle.
Originally, N was planning to rescue Ghetsis and then return to reclaim the castle, but he didn't expect things to change so quickly.
"Are you two okay? Did Mammon make things difficult for you?"
N pursed his lips, looking at the two who had grown up with him and whom he could call his older sisters.
"We're fine, Mammon has been very good to us, but we've joined Team Rockets now."
Anthea smiled and shook her head.
N remained silent. Indeed, he could actually tell that both Anthea and Concordia looked much better and more energetic compared to before.
N didn't understand why, but as long as the two were safe and well, that was already good enough.
"Mammon knew you were coming today. He's very happy and is already waiting for you inside." Concordia smiled at N.
N nodded and followed Anthea and the other into the castle.
The interior of the castle was almost unchanged, just decorated more luxuriously, with more household equipment.
Originally, N's castle was used as a Team Plasma base, but Mammon used it as his own home, though there were still some slight differences.
Upon entering the hall, N saw Mammon sitting on the sofa, reading a book.
Tapu Fini and Jirachi were sitting beside him, happily eating small cakes.
Caitlin sat on a single sofa nearby, and Elesa stood behind Mammon, kneading his shoulders.
Undoubtedly, Mammon was a winner in life at this moment.
"Yo~ N, you're here."
Mammon heard the footsteps and waved at N. One might think he had a very good relationship with N.
"Come, sit. I really didn't expect you to come see me voluntarily."
Mammon gestured for N to sit opposite him, smiling.
That's right, late last night, N sent a message to Concordia, saying he wanted to meet Mammon today.
Mammon naturally agreed, and he probably knew what N wanted to discuss with him.
"Mammon." N didn't sit down. "I want to ask you for a favor."
"Ask me for a favor?"
Mammon leisurely crossed his legs and scrutinized N, a half-smile on his face.
"N, my appearance fee is very expensive."
"Whatever you want, as long as I can do it, I can give it to you." N said in a low voice.
"Tsk~ Such profound resolve, N. Those aren't words to be said lightly."
"I have resolve." N's eyes were very firm.
He had been sleepless all night. The scene of Zekrom being 'eaten' by Dark Kyurem right before his eyes kept replaying in his mind.
No matter what, he had to rescue Zekrom!
And to rescue Zekrom, he had to defeat Kyurem, but Kyurem's power was so terrifying.
Even Zekrom was no match for Dark Kyurem and was easily devoured by it.
N thought about asking the Pokemon League for assistance, but could Alder and his team defeat Kyurem?
N felt that this was unrealistic, and then he thought of Mammon.
He knew Mammon wasn't a good person, but he couldn't accept Zekrom's current fate even more.
"I see. Well, first tell me, what do you want me to help you with?" Mammon couldn't help but smile.
"Kyurem, Kyurem attacked Zekrom and absorbed Zekrom into its body." N took a deep breath and said.
Hearing this, Anthea and Concordia were startled, and Caitlin and Elesa, sitting on the other sofa, were also surprised.
"I want to ask you to help me rescue Zekrom."
"The Ice Dragon Kyurem, huh?" Mammon raised an eyebrow, feigning contemplation.
"That's not easy."
"Can't even you do it?" N pursed his lips tightly. The strongest Trainer he knew was Mammon.
If even Mammon couldn't do it...
"No, no, no, what I mean is..." Mammon grinned.
"I can do it, but do you know what you'll have to pay?"