Overheat from Chandelure, Dragon Tail from Haxorus; Crunch from Krookodile, Tailwind from Whimsicott.

Excadrill versus Excadrill – double Earthquake shook the entire train car violently.

Eelektross unleashed Thunderbolt, while Darmanitan’s Weakness Policy was activated, massively boosting its Attack and Special Attack!

Intense battles unfolded within the indestructible train car, and even the Trainers were nearly swept up in the chaos!

Yet, N and Shion still held the upper hand. Although Shion’s Excadrill was far less polished than the Subway Bosses’ Pokémon, with N’s assistance capturing the perfect moments to counterattack, her Excadrill shone with impressive tactical execution!

Finally, as Haxorus and Chandelure both fell, and Krookodile and Whimsicott withdrew, the final decisive two-on-two began. Eelektross was swiftly knocked out – Excadrill’s Mold Breaker ignored its Levitate!

“Ha! Truly formidable opponents!” Emmet exclaimed as his last Pokémon fell. Adjusting his cap, his eyes sparkled with excitement:

“This time, I, Emmet, lost, but it feels great because this was so much fun! Your desire to win and my unwillingness to lose were both real. That’s why their clash was so thrilling!”

N listened to the Subway Bosses’ Pokémon. They voiced the same sentiments. Though they had lost and were exhausted from battle, they were exhilarated and happy!

So that’s how it is… their feelings – because it was a clash of truths, this was “battling.”

While N was dazed by realization, Shion delivered a perfect command, directing her Excadrill to defeat Ingo’s Excadrill!

“Haa… haa…”

“Yay! Yay! We won! We beat the Subway Bosses!”

Shion jumped in place with rare childlike excitement. Her Excadrill also raised its jaw slightly in a grin, glancing back at its little Trainer as if to say, You did well with that last command.

“Amazing! That’s praise from the bottom of my heart!” Ingo began clapping. “Your synergy with your Pokémon was outstanding!”

“Indeed! When people combine their strengths, it produces an energy greater and stronger than either alone! That’s the best kind of engine! If possible, form new combinations and challenge us again next time!”

The Subway Bosses stepped aside, informing them to wait at the next station where someone would award them their trophies.

“We’ve arrived… is this the end of the line…?” N mumbled, dazed. He had heard so many Pokémon voices – joyful, impassioned, roaring with all their might, their desire to battle overwhelming him with introspection.

The more he battled, the less he understood. Battles… strength… Trainers…

The lines between black and white blurred. The relationship between humans and Pokémon changed depending on circumstances…?

Or perhaps Pokémon grew stronger with human help, while humans confirmed their bonds with Pokémon through the truth of battling each other…?

A grander stage… an even brighter stage…

The terminal doors opened. N walked out in a daze, Shion following.

Soon, Hikaru and the Subway Bosses also stepped off the train.

“Thank you.”

N emerged from his introspection and, unusually, thanked the Subway Bosses before joining Shion and Hikaru to receive their trophy of victory.

Previously, N would have despised such trophies, seeing them as honors gained by harming Pokémon – something he scorned.

But now, he could feel it. Whether it was Krookodile, who had only recently joined him, or his longtime partner Darmanitan, both were overjoyed to see him hold the trophy!

This was their honor too… and his. That’s what his Pokémon believed!

“How strange… my heart is filled with a feeling I can’t describe… is this… being moved?”

“My heart pounds fiercely, as if telling me… I am truly alive in this world!”

Endless thoughts swirled through N’s mind. Hikaru congratulated him, while Shion raised her fingers in a victory V-sign. N fell silent in contemplation, but at least one thing was clear:

This trophy was something his Pokémon loved.

In that case, it was worth keeping – a “real thing” he gained by conquering the Battle Subway!

Perhaps he had obtained a piece of “truth” here with the Subway Bosses. And if truth guided Trainers onto the path of battle, then the ideal that drew Pokémon here to fight… must also be real.

At that moment, Ingo suddenly eyed Hikaru curiously.

They had arrived at the terminal together, yet this spectator who hadn’t battled gave Ingo a mysterious sense of familiarity and power, as if their spirits were resonating.

“Excuse me… have we met somewhere before?”

Ingo approached Hikaru, who paused before understanding.

After his spiritual enhancement, could he still draw reactions from the Children of Godslayers even outside the Ancient Castle…?

Children of Godslayers attracting each other… that setting felt oddly familiar.

“Perhaps we met long ago,” Hikaru smiled, understanding a glimpse of his own future.

Maybe, as Yulin and Volkner said, he would indeed travel to the Hisui era someday. After all… the Miracle Diamond was already in his possession, and once he acquired the Wave of Time and the other two talismans, time travel would become possible.

“Long ago… then it must be very long ago indeed. I can’t quite remember, but seeing you feels nostalgic and warm… how mysterious.”

Ingo’s peculiar face softened into a smile. “If you were a woman, I’d think I was hitting on you! Haha. Anyway, since we might have met before, why not challenge the Battle Subway next time?”

Hikaru: “Of course, if I get the chance! But I’m quite busy right now.”

Ingo laughed. “No worries, the Battle Subway is always open! Please be careful on your way back – the return train will arrive soon. We’ll be off for now!”

Emmet looked at Hikaru. “If Ingo finds you familiar, I can’t help but feel the same. Strange indeed!”

“Congratulations to your friends for clearing the Battle Subway. I think they can achieve even greater heights next time! Keep climbing higher!”

The Subway Bosses boarded their train again. Though this was the terminal for challengers, for them it was just another transfer point.

Hikaru waved them goodbye.

Meanwhile, N had reached many realizations.

“Thank you, Shion. Our cooperation taught me much.”

“And thank you, Hikaru-dono.”

N bowed to both of them, then turned to Hikaru with sudden determination:

“I want to battle you.”

Hikaru: “?”

N: “Yes, it’s a sudden feeling. Perhaps battling is the collision of each other’s truths and ideals. If I am to become… anyway, I wish to battle you at an important place.”

“I’m very happy right now, without any pain. But there are still so many things I don’t understand.”

“So, I’ve decided to go to Celestial Tower.”

“That tower is where many Pokémon have passed away. Righteous souls slumber there. I’ve heard its bell reflects the hearts of those who ring it. I think… I should ring it with my current feelings.”

“Though I still believe our team’s goals are correct… perhaps… not everything must be so… anyway, if I become stronger than the Champion… everything will change and be set right!”

Hikaru massaged his forehead.

In the original story, N also aimed to surpass the Champion, but his mindset then was completely different from now!

What personality is this…?

Defeating the Battle Subway and immediately becoming Battle Maniac N? So you had this side to you all along!

“No problem. I’m heading to Mistralton City too.” Hikaru patted a Poké Ball. “There’s a Pokémon returning home, and I need to investigate something there.”

“Perhaps we’ll meet again in Mistralton.”

“That would be wonderful!” N’s eyes lit up, filled with purpose for the first time in ages, even if only temporary.

He clenched his trophy tightly.

This feeling… he would never forget it for the rest of his life!

“In that case, shall we go somewhere fun? We’ve won – let’s ride the Ferris wheel! I really love that ride. Its circular motion… the mechanics are like a collection of beautiful formulas!”

Meanwhile, Shion didn’t quite understand their cryptic conversation, but seeing N smiling from his heart again was enough. She nodded eagerly:

“I think that sounds great!”

“Then let’s go ride the Ferris wheel! This afternoon is Elesa-sama’s fashion show too!”

“That outfit…” N suddenly said, “You made it, didn’t you? I heard the dress displayed today was your work.”

“Eh?!” Shion stared at Hikaru in shock, then blinked and tilted her head, dimples appearing as she thought. “Hikaru… Hikaru…”

Finally, realization dawned!

“Ah! Hikaru-nii, you’re the person from the Castelia City news! And you’re that mysterious genius artist!”

Hikaru smiled. “Genius is too generous. Burgh just praised me too highly. I only showcased my work there because I had to. I’m just someone who acts with purpose, doing what I must to help a friend.”

N: “I can understand that feeling. Acting for a friend… though, I think you actually enjoyed it.”

Hikaru laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Anyway, today’s expenses are on me. Someone gave me a Nimbasa Amusement Card. Unlimited free use of all facilities for ten years, no matter how many guests I bring!”

The three of them exited the Battle Subway. It was still early. Led by Shion, they quickly reached the Ferris wheel. Unlike the game’s two-person cabins, reality had four-person cabins, though such groups were rare.

Most riders were couples. Families came too, but were fewer. Their unusual trio attracted some attention.

But seeing them holding two trophies, people quickly understood: they were “double battle partners!”

Nothing strange about that.

The Battle Subway saw all kinds of odd teams.

When the Ferris wheel reached its peak, they could see all of Nimbasa spread out below.

“It’s so beautiful…” Shion murmured, feeling today was truly a wonderful day.

N gazed into the distance, then looked at the Pokémon Egg Shion carried on her back.

“This Pokémon feels like it’s about to hatch.”

“Probably because I held it,” Hikaru admitted. Thanks to the knowledge of a certain hatcher he’d acquired, any Egg he touched hatched quickly.

Truly, Gold’s ability was a blessing for breeders. In the manga, he even hatched an illegal Pichu just by rolling the Egg twice.

“You have hatching abilities too? Incredible…”

N lowered his head with a smile. “I’ve met many with special powers. I heard there are many more in the world… I guess I’m not a monster after all. Special powers aren’t that rare.”

Hikaru: “No, most people are ordinary. Ability users are rare. You just keep wandering into secluded places, which gather the world’s spiritual energy and attract such people.”

“But you’re right about one thing. Having special powers isn’t bad. Many normal people even desire them. Wouldn’t it be great to talk to Pokémon? In faraway Kanto, there’s even a Professor who developed a machine to turn himself into a Pokémon – Professor Westwood.”

“He developed the Pokémon storage system, and once turned into a Pokémon himself.”

“Eh?” N blinked, clearly shocked by such a bizarre story.

“That’s not all. In Kalos, a famous designer from Johto, known as the Dream Girl, designed many Pokémon-themed outfits because she wanted to become a Pokémon herself. She could also communicate with her own Pokémon.”

“And in the Battle Frontier, there’s a Frontier Brain who can understand Pokémon’s hearts. Haven’t you heard of Pokémon Rangers?”

“I don’t mean the local Unova ones, but those in Almia. They use Capture Stylers to connect with wild Pokémon, letting them help temporarily.”

Hikaru’s descriptions sent N into deep thought.

Know yourself, know others, and you will know the world.

He finally understood Hikaru’s words from before.

The world… was so vast.

And travel… was a wonderful thing.

“Ah, right. My friend wants to talk to you. It’s a Pokémon from beyond the stars.”

Hikaru handed Deoxys to N. This was Deoxys’s idea – it had sensed something special about this green-haired youth. Talking to new life forms was its favorite thing now.

Meeting diverse beings, learning of mysterious wonders, gaining new emotions and precious memories – that was the meaning of life and travel.

Of course, like everyone else, N was shocked upon learning Deoxys’s origin, followed by endless curiosity.

After getting off the Ferris wheel, the trio headed to Elesa’s fashion show stage beside Nimbasa Gym. In Black 2 & White 2, it became a Gym, renovated with underground amusement parks.

Elesa’s show was about to begin. Shion squeezed forward with her small frame to grab a good spot, leaving Hikaru and N to exchange helpless smiles.

Shion was still lively and cute at this stage, not yet the strict class representative she would become.

Soon, Unova’s dazzling beauty appeared on stage, her dragon-themed outfit sending the crowd into thunderous cheers. Hikaru received floods of “recognition” and “feedback.”

Most people weren’t recognizing the outfit itself, just Elesa wearing it – but regardless, the end result was a success!

“Looks like it worked well,” Hikaru commented, receiving a message from the Tree of Connection:

[The Tree senses a surge of will. Though approval is low, it’s still effective. Its decayed branches are slowly regrowing, with many leaves beginning to sprout.]

“Sometimes, there are battle shows here. If you win, it counts as a Gym Challenge and you get the Nimbasa Badge.”

Shion eagerly explained to Hikaru and N, while N quickly lowered his hat.

He clearly didn’t want to be recognized.

He was only here to see the dragon outfit. Elesa herself didn’t interest him.

But as Elesa walked the runway, she noticed Hikaru in the crowd.

Without doubt, it was exactly the face from the news broadcast back then.

After Burgh mentioned it, she had watched the news replay herself.

How interesting.

The Nimbasa Beauty who loved puns curved her lips into a smirk.

Let’s heat up this show to its climax!

“I’ll choose one audience member as my battle opponent right here during the show… So!”

“That audience member – come battle me!”

Elesa pointed directly at Hikaru with her invitation!

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep