Last chapter. :C

Shades of Gray: Nice to see you over here, too! Ruby's my favourite. And I'm glad you love this story, cos I do too!

Ellyion: That's just, way too flattering;; Thanks! A good blush-fest is healthy now and then. Lmao yeah no kidding, but let's let N believe.

Potions: Legendaries are wonderful.

HERE WE GO.

N had already left the tent when Black woke up. For a moment, Black panicked. Then he remembered that he was an asshole. Black sighed heavily, climbed out of his sleeping bag, got changed and left the tent. Reshiram immediately landed beside him.

"Were you flying all night?" Black asked.

Reshiram purred.

Black scratched her neck, careful not to disturb any feathers. Reshiram gently nuzzled her head against Black's chest, before returning to her Ball. It was strange; Black hadn't even had to get it out.

It was even more strange to have N pointedly ignoring him. N had been agree at him before; the so-called Ferris wheel date had to be a disaster due to N's sudden shouting at Black for not thinking Team Plasma had the best ideas of all time. N often used to shout about that. No, N being angry wasn't new, but N not vying for Black's attention definitely was.

Black honestly hated it. Not that he'd admit that to anyone. Though, maybe he ought to…

"It's even cloudier today than yesterday," Ruby said, examining the sky.

"You're not telling me there's gonna be more of that rain?" Green demanded, hand flying protectively to his hair.

Ruby shook his head. "No, it's just ash clouds. It won't rain today." He clapped his hands together and smiled. "So, who's up for some surfing?"

At this point, Black was so used to reaching for Reshiram's PokéBall that it took him a minute to find Samurott's. As he struggled, White came over and muttered, "So, how're you gonna make it up to N?"

"I just want to get this over with before I even think about that," Black whispered. No matter what he said, he always ended up thinking about how messed up it was to have come this far for N and end up losing him.

Yeah, Black really needed to learn to shut his mouth.

Meteor Falls wasn't nearly as dramatic as it sounded. It was a pretty fascinating cave, but it wasn't anywhere near as cool as Chargestone. Black wasn't entirely sure why he was thinking that instead of marvelling at the columns of stone perfectly smoothed and formed by thousands of years of water dripping, which was very different from one bursting with electricity because shut up science, but maybe it had to do with N walking nowhere near him. Maybe it had to do with how badly Black wanted to go home and just never leave his house again.

They made it halfway up a sloping rise before meeting a surprisingly small woman (she was definitely a woman, from the size of her chest, which Black was trying not to look at but it was so blatantly there) with brown hair, vibrantly blue eyes and, when she opened her mouth to say, "Hi, sissy girlfriend!" Black noticed her canines were large and pointed.

"Hi brutal boyfriend," Ruby said, eyes twitching as he stared at her shorts. "Sapph. You ripped your clothes again."

Sapphire shrugged and kissed him deeply. Everybody looked awkwardly away, and that was when Black noticed the guy in his thirties with grey hair. Steel grey. There had to be dye involved with that, surely.

"I'm Steven Stone," he said, shaking Black's hand. "You must be the boy from Unova investigating strange happenings."

"Yes," Black replied. He had a strange urge to start calling this man, who he now realised was the heir to a multi-billion pyen company, Steven Stoned. "So… got any to report?"

"I don't," Steven replied. "I spend a lot of my time in these caves."

"Fair enough?"

Sapphire finally broke the kiss. The introductions were brief and awkward, especially when N wouldn't look at Black. Not at all.

"So have you noticed anything strange happening?" White asked. Black was glad to have her on his side again.

Sapphire replied, "Mt Chimney's been actin' up a lot lately. Lot more than usual, I mean."

"I thought it was cloudier than usual," Ruby said vaguely. He shook his head slightly and said with more conviction, "That's a sign that Groudon is moving. Oh, she does like to make things erupt, that sassy girl."

Black stared. He wasn't sure if Ruby was talking about Groudon or himself.

"So we should go check on the orbs," Sapphire said. "I swear they were still there last time I checked."

"That was like, two weeks ago, Brute."

"Whatever." She turned to Steven. "Wanna come?"

"No," Steven said, eyes fixed on a rock. "No, you kids handle that excitement."

The guy actually thought a rock was more interesting than Legendary Pokémon. Black felt that he had to hate him on principle.

Ruby, shielding his eyes, stared up at the sky once they emerged from the cave again so quickly it made Black wonder what the point of that road trip had been. "It's still very cloudy," he apprehensively said.

"We gotta risk it," Sapphire replied. She pulled out a PokéBall and sent out a huge green Pokémon with leaves for wings and bananas growing from its neck: a Tropius. "We've gotta try flying there, guys. Mind the volcanic ash."

In the time Black casually freaked out about the idea of flying through volcanic ash or even being near a volcano spewing volcanic ash, N had sent out a Pidgeot.

"Urgh, seriously?" Green asked bitterly. "Fine." He put away the PokéBall in his hand and pulled out another, sending out a Charizard. "Shut up," he muttered at Red.

Ignoring Green, N turned to Ruby and said, "This place where the red and blue orbs are is called Mt Pyre."

"Yeah," Ruby replied. He climbed up behind Sapphire on her Tropius. "Been reading the Hoenn guidebook, then?"

N shook his head and took to the sky.

"Your boyfriend's weird," Ruby informed Black.

"Yeah," Black replied as he sent out Reshiram. He didn't know if N was his boyfriend any more. He didn't want to think about it. Soon they'd either be tracking Ghetsis down, battling him, or Black would be proven horribly wrong. Maybe if Black was wrong, N would be so smug about it he'd forget about being angry with Black.

Maybe.

Even Reshiram was sombre. It took over an hour before they started to descend, but she didn't drop feather on any people they flew over or dive-bomb Trainers.

It just further convinced Black that some shit was indeed about to go down.

The ash cloud wasn't as disturbing as Black had expected. He kept his t-shirt pulled up over his face, his clothes were covered in ash within minutes, but it was hardly anything devastating unless you were Ruby.

They landed on the outskirts of a city Black quickly recognised as Lilycove due to Bianca's gasp of its name.

"No time for that," Ruby mournfully said. "You'll have to check out the contest hall later. I can tell you're a girl of refined tastes who'll appreciate it. It's a lot like the musicals you have in Unova, but not as lame."

"That sounds amazing," Bianca dreamily said.

"I know," Ruby replied. He examined the streaks of grey on his clothes and sighed. "We don't even have time to clean up properly, do we?"

"You'd take hours," Sapphire replied. "Just man up and deal with it."

"Hey, yeah, c'mon, sinister plot and all!" Gold loudly said. "I wanna beat this guy's ass. Where's that place? Wherever we're going?"

Sapphire pointed at a mountain out to sea. It was an island on its own, and it was massive. The peak was shrouded in fog. "Hope you're all prepared to surf," Sapphire cheerfully said.

The sea was rough. It seemed to have it in for Black, and it seemed to be determined to kill him. Naturally, Black didn't enjoy the surf across, but his Seismitoad loved it. So that was the first positive all day, really.

It didn't stay positive for long.

As they climbed the outer section of Mt Pyre, the winds were so strong that they had Black swaying. He felt like if he stood up straight, he'd be blown off the mountain. The sea did not look inviting; Black could see the white caps on the abundance of waves. He squinted ahead to find N walking far ahead of everybody, like there was no gale force trying to push him back. N was closely followed by Red, who had one hand on his shoulder to secure Pika and seemed very interested in the flowers they were passing.

Red really was weird.

A heavy fog settled over them, and a hand grabbed Black's, but it was too small and smooth, and matched Bianca's concerned noises.

"It's fine," Cheren assured her from nearby.

Black wasn't sure how he missed his friends being so close. It made him feel pretty bad, but then again, the fog.

"Hey!" Gold shouted. "How d'ya know you're going the right way?"

"I can tell," N replied. "I can see the future."

Black's free hand met his face.

Near the peak, Black could spot two shining orbs side by side. One was sapphire blue, the other ruby red, and their light was so bright it pierced even the fog. With the orbs in sight, every step seemed easier. The wind was dying. The fog was clearing. And up ahead, Black could make out an unmistakable tall and broad shouldered figure.

It was Ghetsis, purple robes and all.

Black dropped Bianca's hand and sprinted forward, stopping at N's side. N was glaring directly at Ghetsis, who was smirking.

"I knew you would come," he said. His eye(s) flickers to Black. "Both of you."

"Let me guess, you were counting on it?" Black growled.

"No, but I will enjoy watching all hope fade from your eyes when I successfully resurrect Groudon and Kyogre specifically to destroy the world," Ghetsis grinned.

"…that's just stupid," N said.

Ghetsis' grin fell. "No it isn't."

"Yes it is."

"You're a stupid boy with no vision," Ghetsis hissed. "If I can't rule the world, then no one can."

"You're just sounding more and more stupid," N calmly said.

In that moment, Black decided he was madly in love with N and not remotely ashamed of it. He'd even introduce N to Mom.

"The Pokémon will do as I say," Ghetsis sneered. "That's what Pokémon are for. That's what they've always been for. You, you pathetic creature, have always been just like one of them."

Black had no idea what Ghetsis was on about, but he had a vague feeling that Ghetsis was calling N a tool.

"They won't do what you say," a clear voice from behind them said.

"That's right," a second agreed. "Because we're their chosen Trainers."

Ruby and Sapphire had the dramatic poses down perfectly. It was the perfect blend of elegance, what with the light stances back-to-back, and brutal, what with the menacing glares they sent Ghetsis' way.

"And your clothes must be destroyed," Ruby hissed, very far into 'psychotic'.

Gold dashed forward, PokéBall in hand. "So, we get to battle, right? Finally?"

Black nodded and reached for Reshiram's PokéBall, just to reminded Ghetsis of how damn much he sucked.

"No." Silver pulled Gold back slightly. He even looked at Black without glaring. "No, you don't get to battle." He cast N a significant look.

"…you're such a buzz kill, Princess! OW NO PUNCHING!"

"I'll do this," N said. His eyes hadn't budged from Ghetsis for even a second. "Alone. It's my responsibility."

Black's mind flashed back to his own battle with Ghetsis, on top of that stupid tacky castle, with all the Dragons and brutal, full-forced attacks aiming to kill. It had been unlike any other battle, because Ghetsis was seriously fucking crazy and he really would destroy the entire world in a sulky hissy fit.

And if anybody understood that, it was N.

"Beat the shit out of him," Black murmured to N as he stepped back.

"I will," N replied.

"Come then, boy," Ghetsis sneered. He pulled out a PokéBall. "I still have a lesson to teach you about messing with my plans."

N stepped forward and pulled out a PokéBall. Black held his breath, waiting for the Balls to be thrown.

N dashed forward and punched Ghetsis in the face. The Ball fell from Ghetsis' hand, but the Pokémon inside did not emerge.

"You," N hissed, "are never hurting another Pokémon again."

"Stupid child —"

N kicked Ghetsis between the legs. He shoved Ghetsis to the ground and, with a foot on Ghetsis' chest, held him there as he opened the PokéBall still clenched in his fist. A Venasaur appeared, shook out its flower and gazed up at N.

"Hold him in place, please, Vena," N said.

"Saur," she said (Black wasn't sure how he could tell, but he could). Vines stretched from her back and coiled around Ghetsis as N walked back over to the others.

"I love you," Black immediately said.

"I know," N replied. He turned to Cheren. "Hadn't you better call Looker?"

"Oh, yes," Cheren said. He almost dropped his Xtransceiver which, given the entire design of Xtransceivers, took some talent. He stepped off to the side to make the call.

Everybody was staring at N in wonder. Well, everybody except Venasaur, who seemed to be testing how tight she could wrap the vines around Ghetsis.

"That was cool," Red finally said.

"It was totally what he deserved," White said.

Black once again found himself saying, "I love you."

N looked at him in amusement before reaching for Black's hand. "It was very much what he deserved," N agreed, looking back at White. "Just as he will deserve prison."

This remark jolted Black's memory. "Erm, we should go," he said, hand tightening around N's.

"That's right," Ghetsis called. "You're just as guilty as I am, boy!"

Vena wrapped a vine around his mouth and chuckled.

"I am not," N said.

"…aren't you travelling without a passport or visa?"

N cast Green a weary look.

"Just saying," Green insisted. "The kid's probably on to something."

"I appreciate your concern —"

"No, no, Gramps gave you that Venasaur, he'd get in trouble for aiding a fugitive. Probably. Even if he's Professor Oak."

"— however, it will be fine." N met Black's eyes. "Trust me."

Black swallowed the lump forming in his throat and nodded. "Okay. I trust you."

"Trust is a beautiful object, no?" a voice boomed from a rock. Black jumped in alarm and stared. "Ah, of course! My disguise is too fantastical." The rock started to spin and suddenly became Looker. "Hello, Black!" he cheerfully said.

"Hi…" Black sceptically replied. His hand squeezed N's. "There's Ghetsis. Tied up by the Venasaur."

Vena was, in fact, holding Ghetsis up in the air and shaking him. Black stared at N.

"My Pokémon know my feelings just as well as I know theirs," N replied. "She's doing that of her own free will."

Looker was at Vena's side in a second. He stared up at Ghetsis. "So! You thought you could avoid the law, did you?"

Ghetsis gurgled.

"A fitting replies," Looker said. He pulled out his handcuffs. Vena dropped Ghetsis. Looker slapped the cuffs on Ghetsis' wrists and hauled him to his feet. "Is there remarks you want to make?"

"…if it weren't for those meddling kids…" Ghetsis muttered darkly.

"Aha!" Looker cried. "You never would have gotten away with it, not with Agent Looker on the case."

Black exchanged looks with the other Dex Holders, all clearly wondering where the hell Agent Looker had been during the crises they'd faced.

"And now, you go to prison," Looker said. He started to steer Ghetsis away. "Black and friends, I thank you for your co-operation."

"Uh, that's okay," Black said. He looked at N.

"We have concluded that N was very much a puppet in these case, especially now he has aid arrested Ghetsis, and can go free," Looker replied to the unasked question. "Thought it would be appreciated for you to keep eyes on him."

"I will," Black immediately said.

Looker nodded. "And now, farewell!"

N didn't stare after Looker. His eyes stayed locked on Black.

"Maaan, that wasn't as cool as I thought it'd be," Gold sighed.

"Makes you wonder why we all had to come," Crystal said, glaring at him.

"Adventure, Ly!" Gold cried. "Adventure! And battles!"

There was a moment of silence.

"Speaking of battles," White loudly said. "In Unova, we have these things called Triple Battles. Dunno if you've got them her—"

"Holy shit I want one," Gold breathed. "Right now!"

"Nuh-uh, not here," Sapphire sternly said. She pointed at a clear strip of land across from the mountain, away from Lilycove. "Down there."

They flew down from the mountain and to the route. N clung to Black the whole time on Reshiram's back, but didn't say anything.

"I want to battle that," Gold declared, pointing at Reshiram after they landed.

"Later," White said. "I wanna battle you, and so's Cheren and Bianca."

"…oh, yes," Bianca said. It was clearly the first she'd heard of the topic. "Yeah. I really do. I love Triple Battles."

"Holy shit this is gonna be awesome," Gold gasped. "Silv! Get over here!"

N tugged on Black's hand. Taking the hint, Black followed N until they were sitting side by side, feet dangling over the waves.

"So," Black said.

"So," N repeated, "you were right again. Ghetsis was up to something sinister."

Black shrugged. "You were too. Kind of. It's pretty hard to believe anybody'd think that was a genuinely good plan —"

"Ghetsis is a moron," N said. "I always have struggled to think on the common level, let alone the moronic."

Black smiled. "You're so cute when you're arrogant."

N glanced up at Black ready to retorted. "Oh. That was a joke, wasn't it?"

"Sure was." Black sat down beside him. "It's good that you know you're amazing. I'm not so good at, you know…"

"Talking," N said.

"Mm, that."

Black watched a flock of wingull soaring over toward Mt Pyre. Through the fog, he could see faint glistens of red and blue, side by side.

When he glanced back, Black found N watching him.

"Yeah?" Black asked.

"You love me," N said, quite matter-of-fact.

"Yup, and you know."

For a moment, N nodded. Then he sighed. "I don't understand this. I also strongly suspect what I do know is completely wrong." N hesitated for a half a second — quite a long time by N standards. "I never… you were never part of the plan so I never needed to understand how this is supposed to work but now I wish I did. But I'm quite sure that if I had learnt how to love it would have been from Plasma Grunts and they've already misled me in this matter. It does seem that they have special ideas of everything in the world."

Black couldn't help but say, "Ideal ideas."

N's eyes narrowed slightly but he nodded anyway.

"That's okay though," Black said. "I mean. Love isn't really a… constant. No, I don't mean — I mean, there's no one way of being in love or… I guess there's rules of um, what'd you call them?"

"Social constructions."

"Right. There's those, but who cares? We don't have to follow them."

N nodded slowly. Black found it extremely encouraging.

"So let's figure out our own way of being in love."

Bianca always said he'd thank her one day for making him watch chick flicks. Watching N light up like suddenly everything made enough sense to be not exactly perfect but more than good enough (or a satisfactory answer to a complicated theoretical equation), Black vowed to never doubt Bianca again.

"It's Natural Harmonia Gropius," N softly said.

"…what is?" Black asked, leaning closer.

N muttered very quickly but Black still managed to hear the words 'real name'.

"That's your real name?" Black checked. "Natural Harmonia Gropius?"

N nodded.

Black immediately snorted with laughter. He covered his mouth to try and suppress it, but the laughter just wouldn't stay inside. It burst out, and didn't stop until Black fell backwards in a pile of breathlessness and tears. Yet N kept holding Black's hand, and there was something really special about that.

"Okay," Black said, sitting up and wiping his eyes. "I'll never mention it again, N."

"Good."

They sat in silence for a moment, listening to Gold's far off shouts about the awesome that was triple battles.

"So, where to next?" Black asked. "Unless you want to explore Hoenn more. Or head back to Johto to finish getting those badges."

N shook his head. "No, I'm bored with badges. They're too easy to win. Hoenn is nice, but I'd rather see it after the monsoon as passed."

"Yeah," Black said. "Yeah, good point."

N glanced to the sky as he pondered. "Sinnoh. After which, I think it would be nice to see how Unova is doing."

There was a slight tremble to N's hand, so Black wrapped his own around it.

"Anywhere you want," Black said with a smile, "you know I'll follow."

-cue 'ENDING ~To Their Respective Futures~' theme-

Well, I tried to write Ghetsis but he turned out more of a strangely over-the-top caricature. This probably says a lot about how little I think of Gaycheese. His speeches are just weird, man.

Anyway. Hope you enjoyed this bizarre little fic. It's been a rougher ride than I anticipated, and taken much longer than expected, but it was fun. And I want to thank everybody who favourited, everybody who alerted, and most of all, everybody who reviewed. Your support meant so much more than I can say.

If you want more of my strange fic writings, I suggest you take yourself over to my odd Harry Potter/Pokémon crossover/parody/thing, Red Potter. That shit's about to get so Isshushipping. I've got a few other projects, but they won't be up for a while. Alas.

Most of all, I just want to say thank you! You folk have been wonderfully kind to me, and extremely patient.

I love you. (Now review. If you want to.)