Ash's Story (Part 4: Kanto and Unova)

Chapter 13

After Hilda falls onto the ground, I was surprised to find the Champion Alder and the Elite Four member Marshal here and save the girl. I can just challenge Alder to a battle now, but it's not the time yet.

After Hilda's recovery, I notice that she is going to try the Battle Subway while leaving Hilbert alone on the journey, and before doing that, she captures herself a Deerling while commanding Servine well.

Near the Driftveil Bridge, Zorua decides to play with the bridge controls to make it lift, and he is also trying to taunt Hilbert for getting across the bridge. Hilbert really falls into the trap and swings his way through the bridge. Zorua decides to play another game by using illusion to make himself Clay, the Gym Leader.

Hilbert starts to get suspicious after Zorua swiftly defeats his Pokemon, and he has Munna to find out the true identity of my Zorua.

"Why you?" This time Zorua uses Illusion to become Landorus, and Hilbert yells, "Don't be afraid! it's an Illusion!"

He has Galvantula attack Zorua, but Zorua turns into a Cobalion this time and Galvantula backs away with fear. "To face up a formidable opponent nails them to the spot. Damn it! Even if they know it's an illusion..."

And this time Zorua decides to transform into Hilbert. "And now it turns into me!" They have a fistfight, and the Pokemon is confused as to who is the real Hilbert and who is Zorua. But there is Munna who is able to detect who's the real one and attacks Zorua.

"You think you copied me perfectly, Zorua? But Musha reacts to my dreams. And even if you look perfectly like me, he was able to tell the difference thanks to the dreams my head is full of."

Zorua decides to retreat back to my side, and Hilbert yells, "Hey! Come back here!"

"Don't you tire yourself out calling him back. Ya should even be happy to have been able to scare him." The real Clay appears and Hilbert asks, "You're the real deal, aren't you?"

"Have you ever heard a Zorua talking? Usually the bridge's movements are scheduled with the passage of the ships, but I heard that some clowns called Team Plasma were plotting something suspicious. That's why I left the bridge raised to prevent them from messing with us at Driftveil City. But that rascal Zorua, nosed around the control panel and screw it up. I had to repair it. And by the way, it seems to me that while I had a hard time fixing all that mess, there's been some brat I heard, he shouted something not that nice, something like 'you dirty trickster'."

Zorua and I decide to ignore them and head to the Cold Storage, I don't want to know what happened to Hilbert after being chased by Clay. Once we get there, we find Zinzolin, I say, "Zinzolin, we need to talk."

Zinzolin turns to me with a stoic expression, "N, what brings you here?"

I say, "I've been thinking about our mission and Ghetsis's goals. Do you ever question the path we're on?"

Zinzolin narrows his eyes and says, "N, our mission is clear. Ghetsis leads us with a vision—to free Pokémon from trainers who exploit them."

I frown, "I understand that, but forcing trainers to release their Pokémon causes so much pain and anger. Is this really the only way?"

Zinzolin cross his arms, "Sometimes, N, radical action is needed to bring about change. We must sacrifice for the greater good."

I say with determination, "I don't dispute the need for change, but I believe there must be a way to help trainers and Pokémon understand our cause willingly, without causing suffering."

Zinzolin sighs, "N, your empathy for Pokémon is one of your greatest strengths, but it can be a hindrance. Our mission is too important to be swayed by sentiment."