Pokémon BW: Rise of Clarity (book 3 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 10: A Poisonous Challenge

"Your Pokemon," N had said. "I wish to speak to them."

It had been a strange request, but the three of us had obliged. Now, some time after having given all the information we could to Officer Jenny, we were now sitting in a small dumpy looking park that seemed to be one of the only places somewhat free of the air pollution the city created.

N was now bent on one knee, all of our Pokemon in front of him. N seemed to nod in understanding after a few moments, then stood. "This is... different. Your Pokemon seem to think highly of all of you, even the ones not your own."

"How can you tell?" Alex asked, bemused.

N smiled. "I can hear them talk and they can understand me clearly." He blinked, seeing our expressions. "So you three cannot either?" He said this in a tone of surprise, which surprised me in turn.

Robert shook his head. "We can talk to one another and we may be able to understand them on some level and us them, but to actually hold lengthy conversations, that's a whole different story."

N frowned. "To be honest," he looked back at my Pokemon. "I never expected them to say such things, especially since they're confined to pokeballs." His tone seemed to carry resentment now. "As long as they're confined to pokeballs, Pokemon will never become perfect beings. Trainers are nothing more than the kidnappers of Pokemon."

I exchanged looks with my friends. There didn't seem to be a good response to what he just said.

"Hey," Robert said finally. "N. How about after we check on Zorua from the Pokemon Center, you join us to watch Zeno and Alex's Pokemon battles? Get an idea of what a trainer is. Or at least, what it means to us."

"If you really can," I motioned towards our Pokemon. "Then you should know we're nothing like those people from before. I agree with Robert," I placed my hand on Arcaneis' snout and he closed his eyes contently. "If you want to know the feelings between a trainer and Pokemon, watch them battle."

N hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. However," he knelt down next to where Joltik and Cubchoo were side-by-side. He smiled gently at them and for once, Cubchoo didn't go on the defensive for Joltik's sake. Even the tiny Electric type didn't quiver much. "These two. They're not speaking ill of you, but they're not quite sure what to make of you all yet."

"That's because we only recently took them in," Alex explained, bending next to Cubchoo. "Some of the people from the Port had beaten them, Joltik nearly dying. We managed to take them to the Pokemon Center in time, but..."

N placed both of his hands on the Pokemon, neither shying away. N was frowning now, as if disturbed by what he claimed he could hear. Finally, he turned to Alex. "Cubchoo values his strength to protect the weak. He wants to know if you can provide that for him."

"Of course," Alex said with no hesitation. She reached out and held Cubchoo's hand with her thumb and forefinger. "I promise, we'll be fighting to protect those who need us."

"And you," N turned to me. "Joltik... I'm not sure you should let him battle at all yet. He's too timid and doesn't hold much confidence in himself."

I nodded, then knelt. "How about this, Joltik. You don't need to battle yet and I will only begin training you when you want to, but how about watching this battle I'll be doing soon? See for yourself what kind of trainer I am?"

Joltik quivered slightly and N said, "He agrees, but he doesn't want to fight."

"I know," I extended one finger and began rubbing it along his back, feeling bits of electricity shoot through the appendage. "You won't need to battle yet, only watch. I promise."