Unova Region, N's Castle.
N listened quietly as Zoroark regretfully recounted its failure in the Dream World. He smiled faintly, not particularly shaken, and gently consoled the downcast Zoroark, instead expressing his awe at what it had witnessed in the dream.
"So many Pokémon gathered on that floating island? And the legendary Swords of Justice were there too? Along with unknown powerful Pokémon? That sounds… wonderful. Like a Pokémon utopia. I'd love to see it with my own eyes."
Zoroark nodded.
"Zoro. (If Lord N could enter that place, I'm sure you'd become friends with everyone there.)"
N sighed. For a human to enter the dreams of Pokémon was extremely difficult—but perhaps not impossible.
Long ago, on the outskirts of Striaton City, there had been a massive experimental facility. It was destroyed in an unexpected explosion, leaving behind only broken ruins. Nowadays, children and Pokémon played in that place.
It came to be known as the Dreamyard.
Rumor had it that the facility used the Dream Smoke released by the Pokémon Munna to conduct research. The scientists had hoped to study the dreams of Pokémon to complete a special device—and the full research report now rested in the archives of Team Plasma.
N's foster father, Ghetsis—or rather, the wise men under his command—once had a plan: to capture Munna and use its Dream Smoke to influence people's hearts through dreams, making them feel compelled to release their Pokémon willingly. That way, they could be liberated without any physical resistance.
Moreover, within Team Plasma, there existed a philosophy: liberation shouldn't be limited to education and propaganda. If necessary, they would take Pokémon by force, and then free them. In a sense, this was another path to the same goal.
But N… N thought that was no different than what that distant criminal organization Team Rocket was doing. Wouldn't such methods contradict the ideals he cherished? They felt fundamentally wrong.
Still… many within Team Plasma supported this approach. Even N himself, slowly and subtly, began to feel that perhaps it was an option.
But if he had to battle, he believed the reasons should be clearly explained first—to make the Pokémon realize that they were being enslaved.
"Striaton City… the Dreamyard… should I go?"
N murmured to himself, while Zoroark rambled on about the "other hero" it had heard of in the dream.
Although Zoroark hadn't seen that human, the fact that they could gather Legendary Pokémon and allow them to live in peace spoke volumes.
Besides, being mysterious and never seen—wasn't that the mark of a true Hero?
"If the Legendary Dragon wants my treasures… then my treasures are all of you. My friends. Nothing matters more than that. If it really wants jewels or clothes, it can have as many as it likes."
N had no attachment to such material things. But Ghetsis adored collecting them. He believed a king must possess dignity, and his castle should be majestic—thus, opulent decorations had their purpose.
"The warning of that unknown Pokémon… no, I don't accept it."
"It's precisely because I've found a principle worth acting upon that I seek to realize it. Because we are all living beings, humans have no right to strip Pokémon of their freedom. If that Pokémon truly suffered under bondage before, it should know just how precious freedom is."
N was unmoved by Mewtwo's warning. In fact, he picked up on something between the lines—Mewtwo, powerful as it was, also had a "master." If a Pokémon that was once bound speaks of freedom, can it really represent those who genuinely yearn for it?
This only strengthened N's resolve to enter the Dream World—and liberate Pokémon!
"If he's a Hero recognized by the dragons… then I must meet him. But… where is he?"
N resolved to have the Team Plasma sages investigate the mysterious Hero's existence. Clues were scarce, but there was one distinct detail—the workshop!
Though it was a dream workshop, perhaps it had a counterpart in reality? Wait… suddenly N remembered that Ghetsis had once acquired a special item from a workshop.
N reached into his pocket and took out a uniquely shaped King's Rock.
A coronation item for royalty, capable of evolving specific Pokémon. But unlike naturally occurring stones, this one was man-made—and carried a special property: it helped Pokémon recognize their own worth.
Could this unusual King's Rock have come from that mysterious workshop?
When N approached Ghetsis to inquire about the workshop and the origin of the King's Rock, the man's eyes narrowed slightly. Leaning over his lavish long table, he exuded a commanding, almost regal aura.
"N, why are you asking about this?"
"Hm… the attempt to recruit the dragon in the Dream World failed, didn't it?"
Ghetsis had long known about the Dream World through Team Plasma's research. Though most in Unova dismissed it as a fairy tale, N's unique ability to communicate with Pokémon had confirmed its reality.
Ghetsis had gone to great lengths to mold N into what he was—a figurehead of unwavering ideology. He didn't want foreign beliefs contaminating that.
But… the workshop was a potential ally. If they could win over its craftsman, perhaps he could become the Eighth Sage.
"I once tried to recruit that craftsman, hoping he'd join our cause," Ghetsis admitted.
"Unfortunately, he's not in Unova right now, and he didn't seem particularly interested. Still, many of the other sages rejected me at first, and look where they are now. If he comes to understand the greatness of our mission, he'll join us eventually."
"You want to talk with him? Hmph… well, he's apparently very busy, but I suppose I won't stop you."
"However, what's more important right now is gaining the Legendary Dragon's approval. Since the dream recruitment failed, we must act quickly in the real world."
Ghetsis shot a glance at Zoroark—filled with disappointment—but quickly masked it.
"I've obtained secret intelligence: Unova's Champion, Alder, is also searching for the Legendary Dragon. The image he described matches exactly what you saw in the Dream World. That confirms one thing—this dragon is crucial. Even if it doesn't align with known legends, it must be the hidden third dragon."
"Alder is also seeking a place called 'Entralink Forest.' Even I, who have read countless books, found no records of it. That must be where the dragon hides!"
"Meanwhile, Nacrene City's fossil research team uncovered a ruin while excavating in the Wild Area. They found giant dragon bones. We need to give them time to study it—those remains may be linked to the Legendary Dragon we seek."
N considered this and nodded.
"You're right… finding the Legendary Dragon comes first. I need to accelerate my path to becoming the true Hero."
———
Elsewhere, in a grand and ancient mansion…
Unown-E groggily opened its eye.
The moment it woke, it heard voices calling its name—startled, it fully woke up only to find itself in a completely unfamiliar place!
Wait, what? I was just napping in the pendulum! What the heck, guys?! Where the hell did you take me?! Is this even Johto anymore?!
Why is everything made of crystal?! And… is that a little girl on the ground? Wait, what's floating in her hands?
Aren't those "Symbolic Slabs"?!
"You want to play with me?" the little girl smiled sweetly, and the surrounding Unown chirped happily.
Except Unown-E, who was utterly confused.
Hey, hey! Don't just say that like we all agreed! Who said we're playing?!
Wait… why is that girl suddenly crying while holding a sketchbook? What do you mean "Papa"? Did your dad turn into a 2D character or something?!
"Unown~"
The Unown next to E nudged it.
Hey E, quit spacing out! The girl wants us to help fulfill her wish!
Did you see what she drew in her notebook?
Let's make a Pokémon based on that drawing.
Looks like… Entei, right?
(End of Chapter)
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