"How about you follow me from now on?" Lucas looked at N and spoke slowly, his tone calm yet carrying an irresistible weight.
The moment these words fell, N froze in place, his body stiff as if struck. Beside him, Cynthia's brows immediately knitted together, her eyes narrowing in displeasure. What an appetite this Lucas has…
No wonder he had shown no interest in her prized Gible—so that was it, his real target was N himself.
From everything they had seen so far, N was indeed someone truly kind-hearted, sincere, and burdened with a strong sense of responsibility.
Such a person, once he gave his word, would never take it lightly. He was not the sort to make empty promises and then shamelessly go back on them.
Yes, there were plenty of people in this world, selfish and vile, who treated their words as nothing but air. What they swore in one breath would be forgotten in the next. To them, promises were as meaningless as passing wind.
But for others, a promise was something sacred—something they would exhaust every last ounce of their strength to uphold.
And N, at least from what everyone could see now, was clearly the latter sort of person.
In truth, Cynthia herself, as well as champions like Steven and Wallace, were the same kind of people. Their hearts were filled with righteousness, goodwill, and an unwavering moral compass.
They were the type who either made no promises at all, or if they did, they would keep them no matter the cost.
Perhaps in the eyes of some, this kind of persistence looked stubborn, even foolish. But that was the essence of human will and conviction—every person's spirit was different.
What made this moment even more dangerous was Lucas's timing. It was perfectly precise—too precise, in fact, almost sinisterly so. At this very moment, Groudon and Kyogre were rampaging unchecked across the land and sea. And among everyone present, who else had the power to stop them?
Only Lucas.
If N were to agree to his demand, Lucas would gain a mid-level Champion-ranked subordinate for free—and not just any subordinate, but a legendary trainer chosen by Zekrom, wielder of the Black Dragon itself.
Green's eyelids twitched uncontrollably. She understood everything in an instant, and her eyes widened as she looked at Lucas in shock.
Good heavens… he actually set his sights on the Black Dragon's trainer?!
N finally snapped out of his daze. His handsome features twisted into a frown. This was no laughing matter.
"I don't want to follow you. Our goals are completely different."
After a long silence, N shook his head, his voice firm with rejection.
He and Lucas's principles were utterly opposed. Since awakening to the truth, N had resolved to dedicate his life to contributing positively to the world, not to plunging it further into chaos.
But could Lucas truly be called a good person?
N had his own definition of good and evil. And whatever that definition was, he was certain Lucas did not fit the mold of a virtuous man.
Their values clashed on every level. If he were to truly follow Lucas, N had no doubt his life would become nothing but a tangled mess.
"People's ideals are never set in stone. You, of all people, should know that best, N."
Lucas, unsurprised, simply shrugged and smiled faintly.
Yes, wasn't N himself the best example of that?
The N of today and the N of before were like two completely different people.
Back then, he had been lifeless, devoid of vitality, his eyes perpetually dull and hollow. Except when interacting with Pokémon, or in fleeting moments of emotion, he had been like a machine.
But now, N radiated a calm, gentle aura. His eyes gleamed with light once again.
That was the mark of a fundamental transformation in his ideals and spirit.
"That's not the same," N replied softly, pressing his lips together. "Lucas, your truth and my ideal are not aligned. You will always place your own interests above everything else. I don't want to become like you."
Lucas was the one chosen by "Truth." His philosophy was reality itself.
But N—even after seeing the world clearly—still clung to his "Ideal."
That was the divide between them. Just like the original split of the twin dragon gods of Unova, caused by a clash of ideals.
"…Very well. I won't force you." Lucas's eyes flickered with thought, and after a brief pause he continued, "But within the scope of not violating your ideals, for the next three years you will listen to my commands."
Yes, he understood that pushing too hard would only make N refuse outright. So, he stepped back. After all, reshaping a man's thoughts—brainwashing him, so to speak was always a matter of patience.
N's potential was far too valuable to discard. His natural talent was exceptional, though it had been shackled by his years of living like a caged bird under Team Plasma.
Now, with his freedom regained, and with Zekrom at his side, N was no longer someone ordinary trainers could hope to oppose. Aside from a tiny handful of elites in the world, he had nothing to fear.
Well… except for his recent streak of bad luck, where he and Zekrom seemed to do nothing but lose battles. But that was just misfortune.
"…One year."
N hesitated. If the condition truly did not violate his ideals, he wasn't completely unwilling. But three years was too long.
"Two years," Lucas countered immediately, his eyes sharp. "Not a day less. Otherwise, go find someone else to help you."
…Was he seriously bargaining with him now?
Lucas gave N a rare, surprised glance. But then, without hesitation, he said, "…Fine. Two years it is."
N opened his mouth to protest further, but seeing the unyielding determination in Lucas's eyes, he could only sigh helplessly and nod.
Being a good person is really too difficult…
If not for the urgent need to stop Groudon and Kyogre, he never would have agreed to something like this. Who would have thought that after barely escaping the clutches of Team Plasma, he would immediately stumble into Lucas's den instead?
Good people… really had it rough.
Lucas's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Staying behind instead of going directly to Sky Pillar had proven to be the right decision after all. He had just recruited another powerful ally.
"What is it that you're really planning…"
Cynthia had been silently watching the entire exchange, her heart full of suspicion as she observed Lucas.
Logically, she wanted to intervene, to stop this from happening.
After all, someone like N—so upright, so selfless—was exactly the kind of trainer the Pokémon League should be seeking to recruit.
But on what grounds could she stop this?
Ultimately, it was N's choice. And though she respected that, she could not suppress the unease in her chest. Lucas was simply too dangerous a man.
The most frustrating part was, even though they all knew he was dangerous, even though they knew his intentions were never kind—they could do nothing about it.
Even as he stood openly in front of them, they were powerless.
It was, in a way, bitterly ironic.
"Since you agreed, then I'll move now."
Lucas's lips curled as he raised his arm high and hurled a Poké Ball into the storm.
"Reshiram!"
A clear, melodious dragon's cry rang through the heavens. The majestic White Dragon spread its wings wide as it emerged, its gleaming form descending to the earth below.
Reshiram lifted its head slightly, squinting in discomfort.
As a Dragon attuned to fire, it hated the rain—especially torrential rain like this.
"So this is the White Dragon of Truth, Reshiram…"
Cynthia's beautiful eyes flickered with wonder. She was not a trainer who cared much about appearance—after all, her mainstays included the bulky Garchamp and the eerie Spiritomb, neither of which were conventionally "pretty."
But even she had to admit, Reshiram was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Let's go, Reshiram."
Climbing onto the dragon's back, Lucas gazed into the distance, where the titanic forms of Groudon and Kyogre raged. His eyes shone with excitement.
Two ancient beings of primal power… now those were worthy opponents.
Until Rayquaza arrived, he could enjoy a little fun with them first.
Reshiram's wings beat the air, lifting them skyward as they flew straight toward the battlefield of Groudon and Kyogre.
After Lucas's departure, the four who remained behind were left in a heavy, uneasy silence.
"…You shouldn't have agreed to him."
At last, Cynthia broke the silence, her flawless face shadowed by a helpless sigh.
Watching N board Lucas's "pirate ship" left her deeply unsettled.
This responsibility—to protect Hoenn—was supposed to be theirs, the Champions and the Elite Four. Yet now it fell on the shoulders of an "ordinary person," forcing him to make sacrifices that should never have been his burden.
N, however, only shook his head. "Perhaps this is fate. Besides… this way, I can learn more about him up close."
Since he had made his decision, he would not regret it.
And truthfully, he was curious. Lucas was shrouded in mystery, and this might be the only chance to truly understand him.
"Are you two really having this conversation in front of us?"
Green rolled her eyes dramatically, exasperated that Cynthia and N were openly discussing such things in front of her and Marnie—the two who technically belonged to Lucas's camp.
Seriously, have they forgotten we're standing right here?!
Cynthia: "…"
-----------------
Meanwhile, at Sky Pillar, located on an isolated island off Hoenn's coast
To call it an "island" was misleading. The land was small, and nearly all of it was consumed by a single towering structure: Sky Pillar itself, its massive form occupying almost two-thirds of the island's surface.
After a thousand years, Sky Pillar had once again welcomed a new guest.
A Salamence descended from the heavens, its great wings beating as it landed heavily at the entrance of the Pillar. From its back leapt Zinnia, her face alight with anticipation.
"Rayquaza! I've come!"
She looked up at the towering structure, her delicate face unable to hide the joy welling in her chest.
Guided by her grandmother's teachings, she had unlocked the ancient seals of Sky Pillar. Now, she stepped forward, through its gates, her every movement brimming with reverence.
She could hardly wait.
Floor after floor, she ascended, until at last she reached the summit.
There was no roof here, only an open-air altar. Sky Pillar was never built as a fortress but as a shrine, a sacred resting place for the dragon revered by the Draconid people.
Step by step, Zinnia climbed the altar's stairs, stopping at its heart.
"Oh great Rayquaza, please heed the prayer of the Draconid people…"
She clasped her hands tightly before her chest, lowered her head, and closed her eyes. Her voice carried devotion as she prayed.
Two thousand years ago, it was through this same ritual that the Draconid people had summoned Rayquaza to quell the war of Groudon and Kyogre.
And now, once more, the prayers of the Draconid had begun.
The ceremony was not complex, but it demanded the utmost sincerity of faith. And Zinnia, as the chosen successor of this generation after her sister, carried a devotion toward Rayquaza that was unmatched.
Her words continued, her prayer flowing, while invisible waves of mysterious power rippled outward from her body.
Just as the Kimono Sisters of Ecruteak could summon Ho-Oh and Lugia with their sacred dance, this ancient rite was imbued with unfathomable mystical force.
Whether it was a moment or an eternity, no one could say—but at last, as her prayer ended…
"ROOOOAAARRR!"
A mighty, domineering dragon's roar shook the skies.
Zinnia's eyes snapped open in delight, her heart soaring.
From the horizon, a colossal silhouette was approaching, its body swaying through the clouds with awe-inspiring majesty.
"Rayquaza!" she cried out, her voice trembling with joy.
(End of Chapter)