♔ Eyes brimming with dark flame...

[singularjustice]

Characters: N and Minato
Status: Closed.


It had been two days since N had been home, and no one seemed quite sure where he was. His name was still on the SFC, and he had been spotted once or twice, but he missed any appointments he had made and did not contact any of his friends or housemates.

If one paid close attention, however, in the early morning hours, they might catch sight of Purrloin darting down the street, a stolen bagel in her mouth. She heads out of the plaza and far beyond the city limits, slipping into the forest.

In one of the forest clearings, there sits the missing boy, surrounded by his team and seemingly content. He reaches out and takes the bagel from Purrloin's mouth, giving her a fond stroke before he takes a bite.

Comments

[messianic]

[It was strange, to Minato, that N suddenly disappeared. No contact. No calls. No responses. Strange for his friend to act in such a way--rather inconsiderate, but even more worrisome.

When Minato caught sight of Purrloin, it was no surprise that he followed.

And into the forest he went, following his own instincts now more than the Pokemon that he had lost sight of.

And there--a flash of green and a content boy--his friend. Minato opened his mouth to say something, stepping forward--

And stopped dead, closing his mouth.

Strange, that Susano-o shrank away from N instead of humming in his mind in response to the link. Strange that none of his Personas now reacted positively to N.

Minato shuffles through the ones in his mind quickly, considering, and--

...He doesn't have one of the Justice Arcana, does he? ....ah. Something is wrong.]

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

[ Archeops made a noise at the new arrival, causing N to look up. There was no recognition in his eyes as he spotted Minato. His chewing slowed for a moment as he cocked his head one way and then the other, studying the boy. Then he swallows, rolling to his feet. ]

They know you. Strange. You are no trainer.

[messianic]

[...ah. That one comment says more than enough. He's quiet. And he remains where he stands.]

That's because I'm your friend.

[Those mannerisms--]

...You don't remember?

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

My friend.

[ The way he says the word is careful and with the slightest hint of distaste, as if it he could touch it, he would only lift it with two fingers and keep it away from his body. His eyes narrow and then widen again, and he considers Zoroark. ]

No. It seems there is a lot I do not remember. It is very curious. Months and months have passed, and they tell me there is much I did...

[ Now he looks at Reshiram, reaching a hand out to her. She touches her muzzle to his palm. ]

And it is obvious. I awoke the one I sought. I am sure that was a beautiful moment.

[messianic]

...You awoke the one you sought?

[He stays, silent and watching and a little wary, much as he hates to admit it even to himself.

Why...would Vatheon do this? Why is all of their progress erased?]

Why are you out here in the forest?

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

Yes. Reshiram... we will change the world together.

[ The edges of his lips turn upwards slightly. It is as if when he smiles, he does not think about doing it; it is just a natural instinct he cannot control.

But then his attention returns to Minato, considering the question. ]

I do not want to be in that city... it is so dead there. This place may be short on Pokemon, but there are creatures here in the forest-- animals, they called them. This place is much more ideal.

[messianic]

[...]

Change the world? Why does the world need changing?

[It's simply a curious question for now. He has no reason to be accusing.]

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

Look around you. Even in this place with few Pokemon... humans deaden it. They put down their bricks and mortar, block the soil from the sun. They drive the animals out here, to the only place they allow them...and when the city can no longer support the number of humans there, they will steal this place as well.

[ He looks up towards the watery sky. ]

Funny how even in the deepest of oceans, the marks of humanity can be found. How far will they spread, how much will they destroy?

[messianic]

[Silence. He peers up at the sky (the sea?) framed by trees and ponders this, hands in his pockets.]

...I am curious about something, N-kun.

Why do you have the right to judge this?

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

I am the new hero of Unova. It has been proven.

[ There is a dangerous confidence in his voice, an absolute surety that N, the future N, N the Fool, never has. ]

By Reshiram. It awoke for me, after so many years in slumber, after so many others tried.

[messianic]

You didn't answer my question.

[...]

Being a hero does not give you the right to judge all others.

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

Does it not? Reshiram created Unova. It gave the land life, created all of its beauty...

And now it stands with me, against what has happened to the land it birthed. I have heard the cries of the Pokemon, I have seen their scars and felt their fear. I know what humankind has done to them. Will continue doing to them if they are not stopped.

The Pokemon cannot defend themselves against humankind, so I will.

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

[ It is a week before the issue fades. N does not think he has ever apologized quite so often in his life. To everyone he knows, to everyone who had to deal with him.

N's already fragile self-esteem now has cracks in it.

He really should have come to Minato near the beginning, perhaps right after apologizing to Red, but instead he avoids him until he cannot any longer. He remembers the week in terrifying detail, the words Minato said to him and the cold tones he used. Going to him now frightens him. What will Minato think of him?

When he finally comes to Minato's door and knocks, he is all but slinking. His head is down, the brim of his hat hiding his expression. ]

[messianic]

[It is Minato who answers, as only Minato is there. He blinks at who it is, but when he responds, his tone is as carefully measured as can be. A perfectly flat, unreadable tone.]

Hello, N-kun. How are you?

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

I...

[ How does he say this? For a moment, he hesitates in silence. And then all of the sudden he is talking too fast. ]

I'm really sorry you had to deal with that and all the things I said and I don't think like that any more and I'm sorry I was a bad person then and I did bad things and I don't know if you still forgive me now that you know but I never meant to hurt people like that, that wasn't what I wanted, I was stupid and I didn't know, I didn't understand anything and I was all wrong --

[messianic]

[He blinks, trying to take all of that in, but he understands the gist of it, and well...]

N-kun, stop. It's okay.

I'm not sure who was trying to convince you to believe those things. But...what matters is that you don't believe them now.

Your choices are still open to you.

[His expression is quiet, but flat. He doesn't blame N, no. But the conversation...it still rubs him the wrong way when he thinks about it too hard. Spreading a "truth" like that that he fought so hard against...]

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

[ N does stop, and falls completely silent, staring at the floor. ]

[messianic]

[...]

I want to know what you believe now.

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

[ N tries not to shake. That question... it feels like a test.

If he answers wrong, what is Minato going to do? Is he going to shut him out?

However, N is no liar. Even if he thought he knew what answer Minato wanted, he could give him nothing but the truth. ]

...that I was wrong. Humans and Pokemon can live together peacefully, and be happy with each other. I saw it, heard it, when I first spoke to Hilda's Pokemon, and we battled. They trusted her so much, fought for her because they loved her.

I thought she was an anomaly. But she was not, at all. There are so many good trainers, who love their Pokemon and treat them well...

[ N crosses his arms over his chest, hugging himself. ]

Team Plasma were the bad ones. We were the ones hurting Pokemon, by taking them away from their trainers, the people they loved and wanted to fight for. It was all so very wrong.

[ Tears begin to fall, two quiet trails sliding down N's cheeks. ]

I was wrong. I was so, so stupid. I did not understand anyone, not humans, not Pokemon. I thought I was doing the right thing, but all Ghetsis wanted was power. Everything was a lie and I hurt so many people --

I still believe that hurting Pokemon is wrong. I want to stop the people that do. T-they're my friends, I can't let my friends get hurt, bu-but I c-can't just judge everyone without understanding t-them and I-I'm not a hero--

[1/2]

[messianic]

[...He listens patiently, allowing N his say, expression simply patient.]

[2/2]

[messianic]

[And then, expression still giving nothing away--]

You're wrong about one thing, N.

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

[ N's voice is quiet, without strength. ]

What is that?

[messianic]

[And he smiles at the other, expression gentle and encouraging.]

I don't recall anyone saying you couldn't be a hero.

[singularjustice.livejournal.com]

[ That makes N look up. He does not get it, does not understand whatever leap in logic Minato made. After a moment, he shakes his head. ]

I'm not one. I don't deserve to be one.

[ He swallowed thickly. ]

I don't even know why Reshiram woke up for me.

[messianic]

[His expression is just as quiet as before, tone solemn but unconcerned.]

...I wouldn't presume to say if someone is or is not a hero.

But you have the potential to be whatever you want to be.

And I wouldn't doubt Reshiram's decision. Do you?