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

Chapter 12: A Chance Meeting

Robert stretched his arms wide, pausing as he came up the stairs from below deck with N next to him. Zeno turned away, but Robert could have sworn he saw a suspicious look on his face. Shrugging, Robert turned to face the sea. The ship just departed from Liberty Garden and they were now on their way to Route 18.

Robert smiled wistfully. Pokemon he hadn't seen for quite a while were waiting for him back in Nuvema Town. 

"Hey!" Alex popped up behind them on the stairwell, holding up some sort of flyer. "Look what I found posted on the wall board next to the food schedule." Zeno walked over, Greninja beside him with Joltik cupped in his webbed hands. Despite Zeno's best efforts, Joltik still wasn't entirely comfortable with him. In fact, Joltik seemed to be more at ease with Greninja, N, and N's Zorua. 

Speaking of, Zorua yipped up at Greninja before jumping and transforming into a Joltik. He climbed up onto Greninja's palms and raised a foreleg in greeting to Joltik. Joltik, hesitant, touched it with his own leg.

Alex spread the flyer on the railing, the wind pulling at the corners ever so slightly. On it was a logo consisting of a black and white shield with a blue P emblazoned on it with a zigzag blue pattern behind it. At the bottom of the flyer were the words, Pokemon have become slaves, their freedom more at risk than ever. We, Team Plasma, are calling for their freedom. Join us to ensure their future."

"Team Plasma?" Zeno frowned. "Team?"

"Ah," Robert shook his head. "It's not what you're thinking." He patted Zeno's shoulder when he gave him a doubting look. "I know we've had trouble with groups calling themselves Team whatever in the past, but these guys, they're just activists. They believe that Pokemon under the use of trainers is a form of slavery and denies them freedom. They especially don't like pokeballs."

"But that's..." Alex frowned. "I mean, Pokemon aren't our slaves. They're practically family."

Robert shrugged. "Many are. But can you deny that there are those who purely see Pokemon as tools? As something lesser? Things to be abused for fun?"

N's expression darkened and Zeno nodded, casting a quick glance at N. "I see your point. So they do what to solve this issue?"

Robert frowned. "I think they've mostly done marches and protests and maybe a live interview once or twice? I dunno, they aren't that big of an organization."

"How long has it been since you've been in Unova?" N asked.

"For the last several months we were in Kalos, then sailed here," Robert answered. "Why?"

N leaned on the railing, staring across the sea. "Team Plasma isn't as small anymore. They've been on some huge headlines lately. I think people are even beginning to listen." He glanced over to where Zorua had transformed back into himself, running around Greninja. "It's why I choose to keep Zorua out of his pokeball. I've seen too many Pokemon hurt because of humans. Why should we capture them in round shaped devices, making them battle for just the pleasure of battling?" 

"Not everyone is like that," Zeno said as he patted Greninja's back. "Plus, some Pokemon like battling. None of us here would make them do something against their will." Alex and Robert both nodded in agreement.

"I guess," N sighed. "But that's just you three. I guess..." He hesitated. "I guess I just sympathize with what Team Plasma says. There is truth in what they say."

"Yeah," Zeno turned away. "There is..."

Robert was once again reminded of Zeno's history. Born and raised within the ranks of Team Rocket, a group of criminals dedicated to the exploitation of Pokemon primarily. While Zeno may have been an assassin, he was sure to have seen Pokemon mistreated and sold. Or perhaps, even helped...