Sweat burns on my forehead. Our normally green surroundings are engulfed by night, by eternally looming shadows from which there is no escape. The old stone bridge taking us to the crumbling entrance of the Dragonspiral Tower is adorned with ancient pillars on either side – one collapsed long ago and swallowed up by the lake in which this tower lies.

  The inside is in just as bad a condition as it looks from the outside. Holes and cracks mark the floor. The levels above us are half crumpled and the staircase winding its way up to the top at the side can almost be followed to the top with the eyes from below.

  N’s hand firmly anchored in mine, I squeeze his fingers to calm the racing heart in my chest. While his skin appears damp with excitement, mine is coated in fear. Everywhere I look, there’s a member of Plasma. They have settled on rocks, on broken pillars, and the ground. Each of them looks at N and me as if we’re doing something big here and now, and I can’t help but wonder if they know about Ghetsis’ actual ideals. Has he told them how little he cares about N? That he’ll kill him when he’s useless?

  I swallow. The next moment, N pulls me forward, towards the steps, taking us up a few metres. Close to the wall, I listen to every stone crumbling and falling into the depths. One wrong step, a single vibration, could send us down and end all this.

  “The way is safe,” N assures me somewhere in between. “Father said they walked up and down these stairs several times and nothing happened. What collapsed has given way over the centuries. But what’s still standing will last for many more years to come.”

  He is almost too chirpy in his narrative – as if he can hardly wait to see which path he has to take. As if it would be easiest to pass on all responsibility, because what he has been taught and what he sees are terribly different. Everything in him eagerly awaits this outcome and the decision that awaits him. He does exactly what Ghetsis must have put in his head and believes it is his free will.

  Maybe I’m wrong and N really has decided to do this, despite all his father’s teachings. In the end, I know far too little about him or Ghetsis to judge this relationship. It’s strange, but despite our conversations and the feeling that I need to help him, he’s a perfect stranger to me.

  The top floor greets us minutes later with a half-collapsed floor and wide pilasters from long-forgotten days. Only half of the ceiling is still in place, letting in the faint moonlight. But not enough to see where we shouldn’t step. That’s why Team Plasma has set up countless candles. Hundreds of tiny lights dot the floor, creating a pathway for us to walk straight to a platform where Ghetsis is waiting for us with a friendly smile.

  “Don’t you think this mysterious and glorious atmosphere is very fitting for our noble beginning of an everlasting change?” Placing a hand on his chest, Ghetsis bows his head. Then he holds it out to N. “Come here, my son.”

  I can do nothing, can’t say anything, as N lets go of my hand and strides towards Ghetsis – his back arched and his shoulders straight, as if he’s facing his greatest challenge. Perhaps it is, even if it seems insignificant as he is handed a black stone. His fingers wrap tightly around the fist-sized piece, which he presses carefully against his chest.

  What follows is silence. For a few breaths, nothing happens. There is only N, holding the stone. His lips are moving, but I can’t hear any of his words. He talks to himself, putting all his wishes into words and relying on someone out there to hear them.

  Until I hear the deep rumble of a female voice, one that sounds completely alien to me.

  It takes a few blinks before the rumble turns into words no one else hears, apart from me and probably N too.

  “You’ve come to change the world?” As deep as the sea and yet as gentle as the silence after a storm, the sounds of the unknown being nestle against our ears. “You’re ready to chase your dreams, boy?”

  N’s answer is merely an approving mutter that even reaches me. A sound that combines with a relieved sigh in my head. My gaze immediately flits to Ghetsis – who is still standing there, an eager smile on his lips. Does he have my Pokémon with him? Can I do something here and now before the situation turns into a catastrophe?

  My fingers twitch, my whole body feels tense, but I don’t know what to do before N lets out a soft cry of pain. The black stone slips from his hands but doesn’t hit his feet. Instead, it pauses just above the ground, surrounded by blue, twitching electric waves like the ones I’ve seen before in the Chargestone Cave. Then the stone lifts into the air, floats towards the darkness of the sky and remains visible only through the small pulses of electricity. A glow that gets brighter with every second until little flashes of lightning erupt.

  Within seconds, they twitch through our surroundings, lick along the floor, and nestle against the pillars. Some candles are extinguished by the unnatural gust of wind. Members of Plasma throw themselves to the ground. Others remain trapped in their stances.

  Even Ghetsis flinches for a moment before his eyes widen and the former smile turns into a wide grin of fulfilled imagination. He absorbs the sight deeply, unable to hide the shaking of his shoulders. N’s eyes, however, are glued to the stone. I can’t move a muscle.

  A restless murmur spreads through the air, merging with the whirring of electricity until a dazzlingly bright light engulfs the stone and spreads out. It gains mass and threatens to take over the room, blinding us all to the point we shield our eyes, and when the bright energy glow dissipates with a blast, the mighty form of a Pokémon is left behind. With its remarkably short wings, it rises through the brittle ceiling into the night sky – blending into its surroundings and attracting further attention with a roar. It sounds like the rumbling after a flash of lightning, similar to the storm that raged earlier.

  Slowly, as if in slow motion, it settles on the platform. The following tremor makes my heart sink, hoping the Dragonspiral Tower won’t collapse. But nothing moves. Only this being in front of us, surrounded by calm tension, exists in the depths of my worries.

  “I am willing to begin a new journey with a new hero.” It slowly lowers its head so that its bright red eyes, with their piercing yellow irises, shift into focus. The light blue shimmer of its armoured body stands in stark contrast. “Tell me your destination and I will accompany you on your journey. But remember, should you prove yourself unworthy of me for even a single breath, I will erase you from the face of this world. I am not interested in reliving another drama between two people who don’t know which path is right for them.” A snort escapes it. “Do you know which path is right for you?”

  N hesitates. He doesn’t know, has probably imagined something else. But he has a legend in front of him and his father has expectations of him. So he finally affirms. In those seconds, he leaps into the arms of Ghetsis’ will. He sets off on a path he didn’t choose himself, and if the Pokémon finds out about it, I don’t want to know what it will do to him.

  As soon as N has climbed onto his new partner’s back, he reaches out to me. “Are you coming, Domino? To make a change, I will first defeat all the champs present in this region and prove to everyone that my way is the right one. In the meantime, father will surely do everything he can to find the other dragon so that you can summon it.”

  I barely listen. Is it really your path? A simple question I’d like to ask him after we’ve been so open with each other. He’s confessed to me his insecurities, his wavering resolve, his fear of being caught between two sides because it’s easier to think in black and white instead of dealing with the shades of grey. It’s laughable and I can’t help but gasp silently. The thought has caught up with me before and it seems to become more present with every passing second.

  “Domino?” N tilts his head uncertainly as I glance at Ghetsis.

  The floor behind the candles has collapsed. The fall downwards is likely deadly. But he’s standing in the perfect spot so he can’t run away. If he has my Pokémon, I might find the opportunity to corner him.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Then again, I wonder if it’s worth it. My decision could put N in danger, and even though I’ve previously made a big deal about wanting to be by his side – primarily to keep him safe – this moment feels like I’m betraying him. If I don’t take his hand now, he will make his way to the top all by himself. He will try to live a wish that isn’t his. But even if I go with him, what can I do? What am I capable of? My team is in someone else’s hands. There’s nothing I can do to defend myself. And now that this Pokémon has appeared, N will be convinced that his father’s teachings were correct.

  “You’re indecisive, girl...” Even the Pokémon notices my wavering, so I give it a quick sideways glance

  “Domino, we have to go. Zekrom is ready! The faster-”

  I interrupt N as I raise my hand and turn back to Ghetsis, who lifts his brows. Then he nods at me as if he’ll allow me to leave – without friends and aid. He won’t give me back anyone from my team. He probably never will until he passes them on to someone else and I miss my chance. I can always sort things out with N later. So I look back at the Pokémon before taking a deep breath, clasping my hands in the fabric of my long jumper and raising my voice.

  “I know I shouldn’t ask you for anything, but get N to safety! Take him away from here! Don’t let anyone defeat him unless there’s a good reason to.” Immediately Zekrom threatens to disappear and I grab the last seconds before N won’t be here anymore. “Take care of yourself! I’ll catch up with you as soon as I get my path straightened out!”

  N’s look is full of questions. He’d probably like to discuss all this with me, but we don’t have time. Zekrom disappears into the night in the very next breath, melting into its surroundings and not allowing anyone to follow in time. Even Ghetsis is so irritated for a second by what’s happening that he just stares after N – unable to act.

  The other members of Plasma are different. A few of them have already taken out their Poké Balls and summoned their partners. They’re sure I’ve done something wrong, even though I was a part of it all until two breaths ago. However, I can’t expect my enemies to believe we’re friends when we haven’t spent time together.

  Either I act, or my journey is done.

  With a snorting smile, I move. My legs quicken with each stride. I wanted to be better, I really did. No more irresponsible decisions, no more rash actions. Think first, then act. No more making trouble for Amethio. No more having to be the girl whose ass you have to save all the time because she rides herself into stupid situations.

  I’ve learnt that. I really have.

  But I can’t leave things like this and I don’t have any fucking time to wait for an opportunity to come my way. I need to open N’s eyes and I need my team to do it. Besides, maybe I should pass on some information to the Explorers.

  So when I throw myself full force against Ghetsis, it’s not because I’m being rash. It’s purely down to a lack of good options and it’s not the first time I’ve fallen down somewhere and got away.

  The stifled sound of surprise escaping Ghetsis is enough for me to slide my fingers quickly into his robes. Simultaneously, he topples backwards, stumbling over his own feet – and suddenly there is no floor. The moment he realises we’re going to fall is the same one in which I feel the balls. Lots of them. In both pockets. There are enough that I can’t fit them all in my hands, but I clutch at least three of them with each hand and as the abyss reaches for us, I pull them out.

  In a blink, the world rushes past us both. Ghetsis looks at me, shouts a thousand words, which I block out while he tries to grab me. But I push him off me with my fists and he seems to fall a little faster than I do.

  Immediately, he digs through his pockets as well and grabs the remaining balls. We both look at our inventory and when I catch sight of Coro’s Poké Ball, a strangled sound of joy escapes me. My heart is beating up to my neck, the wind tugs at my hair and my surroundings are just a blurred mess, but as I let Trumbeak out of his ball, I know I’m winning this fight. Ghetsis can’t seem to find any Pokémon of use. Instead, he puts the balls back, talks at me again and the ground becomes frighteningly close.

  Bending down, I try to get closer to him, Coro beside me in a panicked dive. Only when Ghetsis is within my grasp and he is actually clinging to me do I shout against the roaring in my ears. “Coro, give me your best tackle!”

  Two more blinks and we hit the ground. One more breath and my plan fails.

  But Coro gathers momentum. He flaps his wings so fast that his body suddenly appears terribly bright in this cursed darkness. Then he darts in our direction like a white arrow, ramming into us with a force and weight more powerful than I could ever have imagined, hurling us aside.

  The speed and power throw us straight into the wall above the stairs. Ghetsis cushions my impact with his body, letting out a gasp as I hear it crack, and as we hit the steps, I can already feel the bruises forming. Together, we roll sideways down some of the stone steps. For a moment, I want to believe we won’t stop until we reach the bottom, but when something grabs me by the collar, my downfall ends as quickly as it began.

  I want to look over my shoulder, to say thank you, but I can’t take my eyes off Ghetsis. He has raised his arms to protect his head. But I can’t let him get the upper hand.

  The stolen Poké Balls are still in my hands. Five of them, only two of which are mine. If he hasn’t summoned his Hydreigon, it must be in my possession. More circumstances to take advantage of. So I tear myself away from Trumbeak and run down the steps after Ghetsis. However, I don’t reach him before we both arrive at the bottom and he remains motionless on the floor. A heavy gasp escapes his lips and for a moment, I almost feel sorry for him. But his words and his actions don’t deserve pity. He brought everything that happened on himself.

  Hastily, I rummage through his robe. Once again, my hands slide into the pockets with the Poké Balls. This time, I consciously take what’s mine and leave his Pokémon behind. Meanwhile, finding Raya in her new home – an Ultra Ball – turns out to be easy. He has carefully stowed my team on one side, while his remains on the other.

  Then I check his clothes for more pockets, find some on his loose trousers and discover the Z-Crystals he must have taken with him to explore their use in more detail when the opportunity arises. After all, it’s a power that can’t be found anywhere else. On the other side, he has hidden my Rotom Phone.

  It’s all he has with him. My potion has disappeared, along with the other small remedies I had packed. Now it’s just my team, the crystals that I put in my bra, my Rotom and me. But that’s all I need, and as I get up to call Coro back into his ball the next moment, a Pokémon that looks like mine, but is completely different, looks at me.

  “Coro?” Raising my brows, I take a step closer. He has settled down on the penultimate step and the hurried footsteps of the other Plasma members from above can already be heard. The others must have fled outside as soon as Zekrom landed.

  The Pokémon’s following scream is reminiscent of the fury of a buzz saw and as I stumble back a step, he looks at me with narrowed eyes. The blue lower eyelid and the strangely bent, grey brows give him an angry expression I can’t soothe.

  Yet it also has this beautiful beak that turns from black to dark orange until it turns yellow. I want to compliment it, but I don’t get the chance before the first Plasma members appear a few steps above.

  “If you’re still Coro, follow me!”

  In the end, I turn around on the spot and run off – all my belongings quickly put into two small pockets of my jumper. The fluttering behind me assures Coro is following and as I stumble across the bridge outside, I’m sure no one is following us. Presumably, the puny figure of Ghetsis has caused them all to go into a state of paralysis.

  As quickly as they can, my legs carry me into the surrounding forest. With any luck, they won’t find me or even look for me in this darkness. Right now there is nothing Ghetsis can do and I have a small window of opportunity to act.

  I need to find something to stand up to N the next time I see him and convince him to make his own decision. He wanted to get to know Unova and gain authentic experience, not fall into someone else’s made-up spiral.

  Without further ado, I drop behind a tree trunk and try to calm my rushed breathing. I won’t be able to fight Zekrom with my team if it attacks me. I need to work my brain, but I can’t think of anything but Team Plasma, the turmoil inside, and my shaky hands.

  At least, until someone snorts in my face, and I blink a few times until I notice Coro.

  “I almost forgot about you...” As if in a trance, I pull the Rotom Phone out of my pocket and let it teach me. I know what’s sitting in front of me, but that’s all I’ve ever studied about Alola’s Pokémon.

  “Toucannon. Type: Normal/Flying. Cannon Pokémon. It can heat its beak to over a hundred degrees and explode gases inside it to shoot seeds capable of shattering a rock. They communicate with each other by clashing their beaks. Strength and number convey their feelings.”

  “So ... you’ve reached the end of your evolutionary line, huh?”

  Coro’s look is still kind of angry, but he puts his head lovingly in my hand when I try to stroke him. His expression is probably something that just comes with it, and I was worried for nothing about him changing.

  “You’ve become pretty,” I hold him closer. “From a small Pokémon barely noticeable next to Ying, to a graceful creature that now stands out with its magnificent beak.” A quiet laugh escapes me. “But somehow we’ve thrown stressful evolutions at you. Both times in a dive. Somebody, try to copy that...”

  Unfortunately, I hardly noticed the light of his evolution this time. The situation demanded too much of me at once. But I’m confident it looked exactly the same as the first time – full of beads of light and changes.

  My eyes widen. In the next moment, I push Coro far enough away from me to look into his face. “I know!”

  My Pokémon tilts his head in irritation. He has no clue what I’m talking about and I don’t have time to explain. Instead, I call Amethio’s number. We’ve been talking so much I’ve almost forgotten his explanations about the legendary dragons. N has used the so-called Dark Stone to summon Zekrom. So if I want something that can stand up to this creature, I should try to find its counterpart. And for that, I need something that I have no plan where it is.