Pokemon Black and White Chapter 5

"That guy… is crazy…" Kitsune said as the crowd dispersed.

"Well… You have to admit, he did have a point." Cheren said.

"True, true." Kitsune said. "But I don't think it's possible for them to accomplish their goal. There are people out there who couldn't care less if they are hurting their Pokémon. Besides…" Kitsune paused for a moment. "There's something about him… I just don't like…"

"Your Pokemon…" someone nearby said. "Just now, they were saying…"

Kitsune and Cheren turned to see a boy clad in white, with tea-green hair and a red hat. "Slow down." Cheren said. "You talk too fast."

"Who are you?" Kitsune asked. "And what are you talking about? Pokémon? Talking?"

"Yes, they're talking." the mysterious boy said. "Oh. Then, you two can't hear it, either… How sad. My name is N."

"My name is Cheren. My less-than-polite friend here is Kik- er… Kitsune." Cheren said.

"What was that, Cher?" Kitsune growled. Cheren ignored him.

"We were asked to complete the Pokédex, and we just left on our journey." Cheren said. "My main goal is to become Champion, though." he added.

"The Pokédex, eh?" N asked. "So… You're going to confine many, many Pokémon in Poké Balls for that, then. I'm a Trainer, too. Still, I can't help wondering… Are Pokémon really happy that way?"

"Not me." Kitsune said. "I don't like Poké Balls. I only use them for the capture. Just look at Snivy." He pointed to the Pokémon in his hood. "There's only one Pokémon that I want, anyway."

"Oh? That's good." N said.

"I thought you said you only wanted to let her 'stretch her legs'." Cheren said.

"Shut up, Cher." Kitsune said.

"Well, Kitsune, is it?" N asked. "Let me hear your Pokémon's voice again! Purrloin!" he called, and a Purrloin came running.

"I like you, dude." Kitsune said. "Let's make this interesting, shall we? You're going to battle Snivy with your Purrloin? Let's not issue commands to our Pokémon. Snivy?" His Pokémon leapt out of his hood and stood in front of him, ready for battle.

"That sounds like fun." N said. "You know what to do, right Purrloin?" The cat-like Pokémon nodded in agreement. It ran at Snivy, it's claws extended. "Your Snivy… She's cute, but can she fight?"

Snivy Tackled the Purrloin to the ground before he could finish his move. "'Can she fight?'" Kitsune said. "Can Pidove fly? It comes naturally."

"Ah, I see…" N said. Purrloin Scratched Snivy, who, in turn, Wrapped herself around him. He continued to Scratch Snivy, trying to get free, but to no avail.

"It ends." Kitsune said, and Snivy, releasing Purrloin from Wrap and using Vine Whip to send him flying. He crashed into the Pokémon Center just as Bianca was leaving it, her hands full of stuff. The sound of the Purrloin crashing into the Pokémon Center startled Bianca, and she dropped some of the stuff she'd bought. "Oops. Sorry, Bi." Kitsune chuckled. He turned to look at N. "You should probably get some medical attention for your Purrloin. He took quite a beating."

"How did you do that?" Cheren asked. "Your Snivy looks like it was barely injured."

"You spent your time on Route 1 catching Pokémon." Kitsune said. "I spent mine training the one I had."

"He's not my Pokémon." N said.

"Huh?" Kitsune said.

"Purrloin." N said. "He doesn't belong to me."

"Then why did you use him in a battle?" Cheren asked.

"Now that I think of it…" Kitsune said. "Purrloin came from somewhere else, not a Poké Ball. Why?"

"He's my friend." N replied. "Pokémon are my friends. That's why… I have to change the world for them. As long as they are confined in Poké Balls… Pokémon will never be perfect beings…"

"I see…" Kitsune said. N turned and began to walk away. "Hey, good luck, dude." Kitsune said to him. "You're going to need it." N acknowledged Kitsune, smiling back at him, before walking away.

"Huh… Strange guy." Cheren said. "A lot like that Ghetsis guy."

"I dunno, Cher." Kitsune said. "I kinda like that guy."

"Kiki." Cheren said. "Think about it. They have the same goal. A goal which you said was impossible to accomplish."

"That's why I wished him luck, duh." Kitsune said. "Besides, Ghetsis… He's ugly."

"Wha-?" Cheren said. "…I'm not going to worry about it. I'm going to go on ahead. I want to go to Striaton City, and challenge the Gym Leader there. After all, the best way to become stronger is to challenge Gym Leaders."

"I don't need to become stronger." Kitsune said. "Pure willpower is all I need to achieve my goal."

"But…" Cheren said. He sighed, knowing that arguing would be futile. "…Alright. Think of it this way. Use the Gym Leaders as a test, to see if you are good enough to achieve your goal. If you beat them, you may be able to do it. If not, you will need to get stronger. And the best way to get stronger is to-"

"Is to challenge Gym Leaders. I get it." Kitsune sighed. " Alright, I'll play with those pathetic Gym Leaders for a while. But… I will not lose sight of my goal. My dream. My one desire. I will make it truth." Cheren left for Striaton City, leaving Kitsune behind. He turned his head to look at Snivy, who was now resting in his hood. "And you'll help me… Won't you, Snivy?" She nodded, and Kitsune began to walk to the next city, satisfied with Snivy's answer.