Whispers in the Shadows

Chapter 1:

A/N: This is a sequel to my first story, Pokemon Whisperer. This story will make a lot of sense of you read the story, but if you don't want to, here's some important things you need to know. This is an AU based on the Pokemon Black/White games. In this world there are people with power over Pokemon called Pokemon Whisperers who have a bonded partner Pokemon.

Last story: Ivory (White/Hilda in the games) convinces N to stop Team Plasma's take over of Unova. Afterwards, N runs away and gets a new identity while Ghetsis was arrested, and Unova was returned to normal. Ivory, Bianca, Black, and Cheren go home or back on their journeys.

I hope you enjoy the story, but if not, at least I enjoyed writing it! As always, please R/R!

Black and Cheren walked up through the pearly halls of the Pokemon League towards the Hall of Fame where the Champion and the Elite Four waited for them. Black stared in awe around him as he admired the lovely pictures depicting Pokemon and the ancient stories of Legendaries and people speaking to them. 'This has taken a whole new meaning now that I know people like that actually exist,' Black thought to himself as he stared at a beautiful painting of a man speaking to Arceus.

"They've really done a great job restoring this place," Cheren commented as he looked at all beautiful images and sculptures. "It's hard to believe that almost a year ago half this building was destroyed by Team Plasma."

Black couldn't agree more. Everything looked perfect and timeless. Black looked up at the last image depicting the old Unovan legend of the two kings and Zekrom and Reshiram beautifully remastered. "You know, they missed out on a great opportunity."

Cheren glanced over at Black and asked, "How so?"

"I mean last year we literally had Zekrom and Reshiram both summoned after being stones for like over a thousand years and a bunch of guys running around the streets dressed like medieval knights that followed orders from a couple of Sages and a king. They should totally have created a picture of the battle at Plasma mansion. I can see it now: Iris running at the head of a bunch of cool looking trainers with her Druddigon attacking some Plasma Pokemon. Anthea and Concordia riding around on Reshiram who's beating up Zekrom. You, me, and Bianca beating the snot out of Ghetsis while N and Ivory are making out. I think the artist that makes it should take the artistic liberty of making Ivory a trainer so that it's more dramatic. You know, the Whisperer King of the "'Pokemon in pokeballs are slaves' group falls for a trainer and decides to stop the fighting. It sounds way cooler than him falling for another Whisperer."

Cheren rolled his eyes, "The only reason you want a picture like that to be made is because you want your face drawn on the wall of the Pokemon League. May I remind you that we were the ones beaten by Ghetsis until Iris, Concordia, and Anthea came. Besides, the League has kept our information out of the public and no one knows about what really happened. Even your parents don't know that Ivory was in love with the king of Team Plasma."

"Okay… so maybe in about fifty years after the neo Team Plasma group has been dissolved for several years and all the Sages are dead. Who knows, you might even have managed to become Champion by then."

Cheren punched Black in the shoulder and looked peeved. 'He's just annoyed because I beat half the Elite Four while he couldn't beat one of them.' For the past year, Cheren and Black had constantly been training their Pokemon so that they could take on the Pokemon League. When the League had finally opened up to new challengers, both Black and Cheren had immediately gone to take them on.

They walked through the last pair of doors as a pair of League guards nodded at them respectfully. When they walked in, they saw a beautiful golden statue with staircases leading up to the respective Elite Four members. Cheren and Black walked to the statue where they pressed their pokedexes against it to identify themselves. The platform around the statue rose like an elevator until they came to the top and were presented with two paths. One towards the white marble colosseum where battles against the Champion take place and another towards the inner rooms of the Pokemon League where Alder's office is and where all the official meetings and paperwork took place. Cheren and Black made their way towards this building.

As they walked in, they saw the Elite Four, Alder, Whisperer Zachery and Iris sitting around a table waiting for them. Alder looked up and smiled, "Black and Cheren. Glad you two could make it. Please be seated." Cheren and Black immediately sat down by the other trainers.

Black looked around the gorgeous room when he noticed the door they had come through and saw ugly black marks that looked like cracks and splinters on the wall. "Hey," Black said unthinkingly, "During your whole Pokemon League restoration thing you kind of missed a spot." Cheren immediately elbowed Black and glared at him.

Alder just laughed and said, "Oh, they didn't miss anything. If you notice the cracks are black. That's because they've been filled with black granite to keep the structure stable. When restoring this place, I chose to keep the office where the League has its official meetings to have at least one reminder of what happened last year. I hope it'll serve as a reminder that there are enemies powerful enough to take down the League and that we must always be on our guard."

Black said, "Oh. Well, that's a pretty cool reminder then." 'I still think an epic painting would be way cooler though' he added silently to himself.

"I'm sure you're both wondering why we invited you here," Iris said authoritatively.

Black and Cheren glanced at each other. They both wanted to become official members of the League and not by default because they were trainers. Both were secretly hoping that the League would recognize them and officially instate them in whatever office they needed them in.

"You two are excellent trainers and you show a lot of talent. Black your goal is to be a Pokemon Master and Cheren's goal is to eventually become the Champion. We've been watching your progress and we were considering extending a proposition to you two."

Cheren looks like he's ready to bounce out of his seat while Black tries to contain his excitement before asking, "What's the proposition?"

"You're both really young, but you both have been exposed to more of Team Plasma than a lot of our top operatives. Also, the League's resources and members have already been stretched thin in our attempt to stop the attacks. We wanted to recruit you to investigate neo Team Plasma. I'm sure you're aware of all the acts of terror they do."

"You mean like blowing up League monuments, stealing people's Pokemon, and making empty threats to the League?" Cheren asked darkly, "Yeah. I think we all know about them."

"Fortunately, not all of the former members of Team Plasma are like that. There were members who knew nothing about Team Plasma's goals for the take over of Unova and they obviously weren't punished, but more importantly, there's a group of former Plasma members who adored their king N. When he left, many of them decided to leave Team Plasma as well. Some of them were pretty high up in the ranks. We've even heard rumors that a Sage is a sympathizer with the former Team Plasma members."

"There's a large branch of them that live down in Driftveil and they've been working with us to try and figure out what neo Team Plasma may be up to. From them, we've gathered that Team Plasma's way bigger than we ever expected. They apparently have another secret lab where some brilliant scientists work. Most of them say that N was meant to eventually control more than one legendary to use as a defense if the United Regions ever decided to attack. Unfortunately, Ghetsis was even more selective about who he chose to let in the loop about his other secret operations. A few of the higher up former members claim that there were several admins that never even joined Team Plasma as a political party."

"Does anyone know more about Team Plasma's secret operations?"

Iris sadly shook her head, "No. We think some of them may know more than they're letting on, but most are terrified of neo Team Plasma. Even though Ghetsis is in jail right now, they're all frightened that he might escape."

Black let out an exasperated sigh, "I know Ghetsis is evil and all that, but these guys are seriously letting him get away with his evil schemes by not telling us everything they know. If they really want to ensure neo Team Plasma goes down, they should all join the League and try to take them down with us."

"Don't underestimate Ghetsis or neo Team Plasma," Caitlin said quietly, "the other six Sages are still at large, and they still have a lot of power. Most of the members of Team Plasma seem almost brainwashed into thinking of them as all-knowing and all powerful. Ghetsis is especially dangerous. You've never seen him in his prison, but he basically owns the place. The other prisoners are terrified of him and several serve him, and the guards also have too much respect for him. Whenever the police try to interview him, he manipulates it so that the interviewer tells him more about themselves than Ghetsis does about himself."

"I don't like how he can get people to do what he wants," Alder says angrily, "But I can see how he was able to convince so many people it would be a good idea to try and overthrow the government."

"Anyway, back to your mission we want to give you. We have an operative working in neo Team Plasma now and she's been sending out locations and info on what they've been up to. We want you to coordinate with her as well as another member of the League, Hugh Huntington of Aspertia City."

"Cool!" Black said excitedly, "I feel like now we'll actually be in on the action instead of just having things happen to us that we don't understand like last time."

"We've already debriefed Hugh on his task and he's contacted the ex-team Plasma member already. He wants you two to meet him in Virbank City where he thinks he might have a lead into Team Plasma."

"Awesome," Black says as he jumps up from his chair. "Those Plasma terrorists won't be able to hide what they're doing for long."

"Don't get cocky kid," Marshal grumbled, "these guys know what they're doing, and they won't hesitate to kill you if they get in their way. They're extremely dangerous."

"We know sir," Cheren said respectfully, "We won't let you down."

"This summer is going to be great!" Bianca exclaimed, "I'm so glad we're going to travel around again like we did last year!"

I smiled as I walked with her down the streets of Asperita City. This summer, Bianca had told me that she was planning on working as Professor Juniper's lab assistant and helping her conduct research. When Professor Juniper had hinted that Bianca should travel with either a Whisperer or a very strong trainer to help in her travels, I immediately asked to sign up as an intern with Unova lab so that I could travel with Bianca. I had barely even seen Bianca at all this last year because she was now studying at Castelia University to become a Pokemon Professor. We still facetimed and texted, but it wasn't the same as when I could just come over to her house at any time. High School had also become boring without Bianca, Cheren, or Black and I was eager to reconnect with Bianca over the short summer holidays.

I looked up and I saw a small group of teenagers all huddled around the Aspertia Gym all eagerly talking to each other. "Isn't it weird to think that last year that was you, Black, and Cheren?" I ask Bianca.

"I know right! I feel like I was so young and naïve when we left," Bianca said as she pulled out her camera, "okay now it's time that we take a selfie in front of the Gym."

"What happened to all that 'I've grown up' stuff?"

"Ivory, taking pictures is not childish. It's recording our lives through images which is how our posterity will remember us when we were their ages. Some of the most profound moments in history have been shown in picture."

"Yeah… but do you really want your kids seeing you make a bunch of Ducklett faces and making peace signs with your hands? Also, I don't know how many great photographers make their pictures selfies."

"You're sounding just like Cheren, Ivory! Come on! It'll be fun!"

I rolled my eyes, but I let her take the picture of us. Afterwards, Bianca squealed excitedly as she rushed toward the small crowd of new trainers while toting her suitcase that held all the Pokemon the trainers had requested. Bianca gave the normal speech about Pokemon and training. She gave a brief warning about the dangers of Pokemon and how journeys can help you better understand yourself and know what you want to do in life. She then called out names as she handed each new trainer their Pokemon.

Most of the trainers then ran out to the battlefield where they immediately started challenging their friends and other new trainers to battle. I slipped my glasses on as I walked over to where Bianca was standing watching the battles. She turned to me and grinned, "I love watching new trainers fight. They have no idea what they're doing, but they're so passionate! Oh, a Tepig! Get that nasty Snivy!" I smiled sadly, Bianca never did get her starter Pokemon, Smokey the Tepig, back, but she still had managed to become a relatively strong trainer with her Musharna, Moon and her Meinfoo, Nellie.

Suddenly a happy looking girl with her Brunette hair tied up in pigtails came up to me and says, "Oh my Arceus is that a Shinx?" She was pointing at Nightstar, who was on top of my head and looking at all the battles.

I smiled and said, "Yeah. His name is Nightstar."

The girl politely turned to me and said, "He's so cute! Can I hold him?"

I laughed and said, "What do you think Nightstar? Do you want her to hold you?"

Nightstar said something that I think is along the lines of 'sure why not' and he jumped off my head and into the girl's arms. "It must be incredible having a Pokemon that you're so close to. I hope to one day be almost as close to my Pokemon as a Whisperer is to her bonded Pokemon."

"That's quite a goal," Bianca said sounding impressed, "what kind of journey are you on? Exploratory?"

The girl shook her head, "I'm on a research journey. I'm a huge fan of Professor Oak from Kanto who studies the relationship between Pokemon and humans. I want to study the emotions and intelligence of wild Pokemon and compare it to captured Pokemon with humans.

Research shows that most captured Pokemon are less intelligent and powerful than wild ones, but why is that and is there a way to counter it? That's what I hope to find out on my journey!"

"That sounds like a lot of fun," Bianca says, "What's your name by the way?"

"My name's Rosa. What are your names?"

"I'm Bianca and this is Ivory," she said gesturing towards me while I smiled at Rosa, "and you've already met Nightstar."

Nightstar then leapt from Rosa's arms and into my own. I looked up and said to Rosa, "I hope you really enjoy your journey! It really does change you for the better!"

She grinned and ran off to battle with her new Pokemon while Bianca turned to me and said, "it's way cool that she's on a research journey. I feel like that's kind of what we're on this summer, but it's more official and we have more recording devices than just a pokedex. I can't wait to find hidden grottos and cool exotic Pokemon! Come on, Ivory, let's go. Adventure awaits!"

She pulled my arm as she starts to run out of the Gym, leaving behind the young trainers, and out into the fading light of the day. "Where do we start?" I asked when we finally slowed down.

"I kind of wanted to first observe how wild Pokemon speak to each other and then move on to how wild and captured Pokemon interact. I wast thinking we should head to Floccesy Town since there are a lot of captured Pokemon on farms around there. They probably interact with wild Pokemon more than Pokemon that are always with their trainers."

"Do you think it will help humans and Pokemon communicate with each other?"

Bianca shrugged, "I'm not sure. That's what research and experiments are for."

With that, we walked together through Aspertia City's gate and down route 22 to begin our new adventure.

Long after Bianca's gone to bed, I found myself sitting by the dying embers of our campfire staring silently into the glow. We've been out traveling for several days and we've already passed Floccesy Town on our way to the local ranch. We've been studying wild Pokemon behavior and how they interact with each other. I was reminded of what N had told me long ago when he said that Pokemon didn't use words to speak to each other. After watching them, it was clear that they would sometimes use body language and chatter at each other for a bit, but for the most part there seemed to be more of an understanding between each other. As if they already knew what the other wanted before even interacting.

Studying the way Pokemon communicate and just being on this research assignment made me think of N. I found myself glancing around to see where N was and imagining conversations we would have if he was here. I still had dreams that he would come to me with the same wild green hair fanned out behind him like a mane, the same soft, gentle eyes, and the same melodic voice. I missed him so much that it almost hurt to think about him.

When he had first left, I felt as if my heart had been crushed and I wouldn't talk to anyone besides Bianca for a while. It was even painful to talk to Black about it. It only made matters worse that the League had demanded that I tell them everything about him. Detective Looker used to always come by and ask me questions, sometimes extremely personal questions, about N and our relationship. He told me that I needed to inform the League the minute I heard anything about his whereabouts or if he ever tried to contact me. They didn't need to bother; he hadn't tried to contact me once.

As time had passed, I was able to get over my sadness that N was gone into a miserable acceptance. I would do anything to see him again, but I don't know if that will ever happen. I'd also probably end up punching him if he showed up again. With all the horrible things happening with neo Team Plasma, I was kind of irritated N hadn't stayed around to take responsibility for his actions and help peacefully stop fighting between the League and Team Plasma. If N had sworn his loyalty to the League, we might have been spared a lot of pain from all the terrorist attacks.

I'm still conflicted on this though. A part of me wants the League to find him and drag him back to Unova. I want him to help stop neo Team Plasma, but it's also selfish because I want him to come back to me. Another part of me wants N to be truly free for the first time. Even when he was living in Discordian Wood, he was forced to stay in the forest away from others and to keep hidden. For the first time, N could go wherever he wanted. I mean he was in danger of getting caught, but at least he could choose what he did. I was happy for him, angry with him, and sad over him all at once. And I still loved him. Even after almost a year, I was still as much in love with him as I had been when he left.

I haven't told anyone that I'm in love with N. Well, the League knows because they had to hear literally everything about him before they let me leave. I'm still embarrassed when I remember telling Alder, who seriously hates N's guts for what he did to the League, that I had kissed N on several occasions and that I had been kissing him before Ghetsis walked in on us. My parents still don't know how I felt, and I'd been trying to act like I was over N around Cheren, Black, and Bianca. Bianca knows that I still love him, but she's stopped asking me about it because she knows how painful it is for me.

I pulled out the pokejournal and stare at the pictures of me and N together. My vision blurred and I realized I'm starting to cry again. "I miss you N," I whispered out loud, "please come back to me," but this wish will probably go unanswered just like all the other times. I sighed and put the journal back into my bag. I'll need to put on a brave face again tomorrow. To act happily even though I still feel empty on the inside.