Usually, we are the ones who try to stop Team Rocket from stealing other people's Pokemon, but now we have become the ones who steal the Pokemon instead. And the girl who has her Pokemon stolen runs into Hilbert, Hilda, and Cheren. And the grunts are all heading to Wellspring Cave.

In the Wellspring Cave, Hilbert and Cheren are fighting Team Plasma grunts. "Hilbert! This bothersome bunch doesn't really listen to reason."

"That child cannot use a Pokemon to its full potential. Doesn't that make the Pokemon sad?" One grunt says.

"It's the same thing for all your Pokemon, so hand them over to us now!" Another grunt says. "Better yet... We'll just take them!"

The two grunts think they can pull out a win by using Patrat on Hilbert's Oshawott, but they are wrong about this.

"Whoa, whoa, come on now! I'm shocked to lose against a little kid!" The grunt is surprised to lose the battle.

"Wha...? How could we lose when we have right on our side?!" The other grunt mutters after Cheren defeats his Pokemon with Snivy.

"Not bad, Hilbert. OK, go return the Pokemon to that girl." Cheren says.

Two grunts arrive and one says, "You don't need to return it. How troublesome. Not only do you fail to understand, but you actually got in our way, to boot."

"There's two of you and two of us. We'll show you our combined power and teach you that we are right!"

"So, there were more of them... Still, why are Pokémon robbers acting so self-righteous? Hilbert! We've been friends our whole lives. We've got each other's back when it counts. Let's show them how it's done!"

I have to agree with Cheren about that point though, but sometimes there has to be a reason to have a set goal in mind. And the two of them defeat the grunts with ease.

"What? Did we lose?" "I can't believe that Team Plasma lost to such kids!"

"In order to liberate Pokemon from foolish people, we will take the Pokemon."

"Whatever... What a waste of time. Come on, what reason could possibly justify stealing Pokémon from people?" Hilbert says.

"Pokemon Trainers like you are making Pokemon suffer." Another grunt says.

"What do you mean, Trainers are making Pokémon suffer? I don't get that at all!"

A grunt then says, "We'll give you back the Pokemon. But be aware of how this Pokemon suffers from being used by people."

"Someday, open your eyes to your own complicity."

They then leave the Pokeball on the ground while retreating, Cheren says, "Trainers bring out their Pokémon's strength. Pokémon believe in their Trainer and respond to that. I don't understand what about that makes Pokémon suffer! OK, Hilbert. I'll return the Pokémon."

After they leave, we head to Route 3 and see how Hilbert and Cheren return the Pokemon to the little girl. I turn to Anthea and Concordia. "I am going to battle Hilbert again at the Nacrene City Gym."

"Are you sure? Won't you be afraid that he'll beat you?" Anthea asks.

"I have to do this." I say.

When Hilbert and Hilda arrive at the Nacrene City Gym, I was already inside reading some books because the Nacrene Gym also functions as a library and a museum. After I walk outside, Hilbert and Hilda are shocked to see my appearance.

"N?" The two of them are surprised to see me. Hilbert asks, "What are you doing here?"

"I... want to see things no one can see. The truths of Pokémon inside Poké Balls. The ideals of how Trainers should be. And a future where Pokémon have become perfect... Do you feel the same?"

"Well, I don't know about that... but I guess I feel the same as well..." Hilbert says.

"That so? I think my friends and I should test you to see if you can see this future, too." Then I have Purrloin, Timburr, and Tympole out.

"If you want a battle just say so, I'll show you that I've become stronger since last time!" Hilbert says.

"Is that so, then prove it to me." I say as I have my three Pokemon attacks. Hilbert's Braviary, Oshawott, and Munna. But this time I am not going to command my Pokemon because liberation is what they want and they already suffer from bad trainers. In the end, Hilbert is just stronger and my Pokemon are defeated.

"I cannot see the future yet... The world is still to be determined..." I say while looking at the sky.

"What about it?" Hilbert asks.

"Right now, my friends aren't strong enough to save all Pokémon. Maybe I can't solve the equation that will change the world. So, I need power... Power enough to make anyone agree with me." I say.

Before I leave, I decide to give them a hint of what Team Plasma is aiming for. "Now I know what power I need. Reshiram! The legendary Pokémon that, along with the hero, created the Unova region. It's my turn to become that hero-and you and I will be friends!"

After I leave, Hilda and Hilbert are in a conversation about what Reshiram or Zekrom is. When I returned to Anthea and Concordia in Pinwheel Forest, I was also surprised to see one of the Seven Sages, Gorm, in front of me.

"Gorm. What did Father ask you to do?" I ask.

"Lord N, we were tasked to search the information of Reshiram and Zekrom. And my search has led to the Dragon Fossil in the museum here." Gorm says.

"I see." I nod. Gorm is one of the Seven Sages who is more laid-back and jovial compared to the others. He often displays a carefree attitude and enjoys battling and adventuring.

Gorm says, "You know, what a beautiful day in the Pinwheel Forest! The Pokémon here are simply fascinating, wouldn't you agree, N?"

I nod, "Yes, Gorm, they are. Each Pokémon has its own unique place in the world, just like every human and every Sage."

Gorm already notices my somber expression and he asks, "Something on your mind, N?"

I decide to trust him on this one and say, "Gorm, do you ever wonder if Ghetsis's goals are truly noble? He speaks of liberating Pokémon, but the more I think about it, the less I understand his methods."

Gorm pauses a little before looking at me with concern, "Well, N, it's natural to have doubts. Ghetsis is a charismatic leader, and his vision can be convincing. But remember, it's important to question and reflect upon our actions."

I nod and say, "I've always felt a deep connection with Pokémon. They're not just tools for battles, but living beings with their own thoughts and feelings. I want to understand them better, to help them."

"That's admirable, N. Your bond with Pokémon is special. But remember, our journey has a purpose. We're here to assist Ghetsis and Team Plasma. If you ever feel conflicted, talk to the other Sages. We're a team, and we'll support you."

"Thank you, Gorm. Your words mean a lot to me. I will continue to learn and grow on this journey, and hopefully, we can make the world a better place for Pokémon together." I nod.

"That's the spirit, N! We may not have all the answers now, but we'll find our way. And I think we should try to get some by researching the Dragon Fossil in the museum."

Just then, we notice the grunts taking the Dragon Fossils and running inside the Pinwheel Forest. I ask, "They stole the fossil?"

"You stubborn brats! When I'm through with you, you won't be able to chase us anymore!" And we also notice Hilbert and another person are trying to chase after the grunts. When I notice the Skull of the Dragon Fossil, I say, "Gorm, I think the grunts have made a mistake. I don't think that skull is related to Reshiram or Zekrom."

"Is that so?" Gorm asks. "And that boy over there, looks like you know about him?"

"Yes, I battled him twice during my adventures of hearing the Pokemon's voices. As for the other one, if my memory serves me correctly, he is the Castelia City Gym Leader Burgh."

"Then how about we make things interesting?" Gorm asks as the moving Dragon Fossil turns around and attacks both Burgh and Hilbert. Then Gorm decides to ask me to hide while he figures out the rest, and once we leave him, we hide on top of the tree to watch the battle going on.

"As I suspected all along... no skeleton could move like this all on its own! Whatever's making this skeleton walk must be somewhere nearby. Hey! Whoever's behind this, show yourselves now!"

Gorm decides to show himself and he asks, "So you suspected we were controlling it? And you knew we were heading west as well. But how?"

"The footprints at the museum! At first, I thought they were the footprints of the Pokemon who carried off the fossil skeleton. They headed straight from the skeleton's pedestal to the outside. So I deduced that somehow you made the skeleton move on its own... using the power of the Pokemon... like a Psychic or a Ghost Type!"

Gorm flinches with surprise, and Hilbert continues, "And if the skeleton was moving under its own power, it couldn't have been heading east. It's too big to get through the city's eastern gate. So it had to go west - where there is no gate!"

"Quite astute." Gorm claps. "This boy is everything you reported from me. It would be better if he did not exist."

Now Hilbert has to find the Pokemon that is controlling the fossil, and this time Burgh is also helping him out using Whirlipede. It is actually easy to find the culprit, and I think Hilbert already notices it and attacks the coffin beside the fossil, which is revealed to be a Cofagrigus.

"What the... I thought that was just an old artifact, but... it's actually a Ghost Type Pokemon!" Burgh exclaims.

"There weren't any ancient coffins on the list of stolen items." Hilbert says. Gorm tries to recall Cofagrigus, but Burgh has Whirlipede use Pursuit, defeating it.

The grunts are panicking as one says, "After all our hard work stealing that fossil..." "How will we achieve our dream... our king's dream now?!"

"We can afford to abandon the Dragon Skull. According to the results of our research, this is not the legendary Pokémon for which Team Plasma is looking. It is completely unrelated. But we will not allow anyone to disrupt our plans and get away with it. We will fix it so you never interfere with us again."

Lenora also arrives with Hilda and she asks, "Hilbert! Burgh! The others didn't have anything... And who are you supposed to be? Is this guy the big boss?"

Gorm says, "I am one of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma. Ghetsis, another of the Seven Sages, will liberate Pokémon with words alone! The remainder of the Seven Sages have ordered their compatriots to take Pokémon with full force! But the odds are a little against us now. To you, the Bug Pokémon user Burgh, and the Normal Pokémon user Lenora, I say... Know your enemies, know yourself and know you need not fear the result of a hundred battles... This time, we shall retreat quietly. To secure the liberation of Pokémon we will steal from Trainers! Even though you are Gym Leaders, we will not tolerate any further obstruction from you. In any case, we will settle this someday. I hope you are looking forward to that time as much as I..."

Then with a Flash, Gorm has disappeared. Lenora mutters, "They're a speedy bunch. What are you planning to do, Burgh? Are you going to chase them?"

"Hmmm... We got back the stolen skull and if we corner them, there's no telling what they might do. I think I'll be heading back Lenora... Well now. Well... I'll be waiting for your challenge at Castelia City's Pokémon Gym. Yes indeed. I'm certainly looking forward to it!"

Then we see them trying to get the artifacts out of there, and Gorm comes to me and says, "The fossil and the artifacts are returned. I'm sorry, Lord N."

"Don't worry. We already know that this is not the research related to Zekrom or Reshiram. So let's just continue to search it elsewhere." I say as Gorm nods.

And that's it for the N's part in this chapter. I hope you like it and we'll be back to Ash in the next chapter.