nharmonium:
   N was breathing heavily, his hands shaking. What was he to do? He knew that Team Plasma was not where he belonged, but what other option did he have? Zekrom was simply playing on his uncertainty, and N knew it. But it was so convincing. He belonged with Team Plasma. He was nothing more than a pawn, and destined to be so.
   As Reshiramâs shadow was cast over him, N tilted his head up, just enough to meet its eyes. ââŠHilbert?â he barely whispered, the word echoing in his head. The words that Reshiram spoke simply whizzed right past him; he did not hear them.
   Suddenly, a hiss of anger sounded in the back of Nâs head. âThatâs not your Hero, imbecile!â Sharp pain shot down Nâs spine like lightning. He hunched over, whimpering, and then his body began to shake. His eyes glazed over, and slowly changed into a blood red color. Nâs body stood, and met Reshiramâs gaze with its own.
   âI see what youâre trying to do here,â Zekrom growled. âI do not have time for your meddling with my Hero. Heâs enough work as it is.
   âI think maybe it would be best for the both of us if you just stopped what youâre doing right now, so that nobody gets hurt, hm? This fight is between you and me. Not these two humans.â
   Reshiram rolled their eyes and scoffed. âFeh. You still deny the truth, even now?â The dragon stalked forward a step, its upper lip curling back in a sneer. âYouâve always been our weaker half, but not even I dared to think you would lie.â
   There was silence for a moment. Not even the Venipede, which had sensed the presence of the two gods, dared make a sound. They sat cowering in the bushes, watching the dragonsâ exchange in breathless terror. Then, the momentary quiet was broken by Reshiram shooting forward. Faster than a bullet and more precise than a skilled marksman, they curled their hand around Zekromâs throat, shoved it back against a tree, and said in a chilling whisper:
   âWe both know you donât care about who gets hurt, so long as you leave victorious.â Reshiram crept close to their enemyâs ear. âSo donât lie, sibling. Not again.â Their grip tightened slowly like a turning vice, only to suddenly freeze. With a gasp, Reshiram dropped their hand from Zekromâs throat.
   âNo,â they hissed, a thin stream of smoke rising from their mouth. âGo back to sleep, Hero. Let me deal with this--â Reshiram stopped, choking, and dropped to their knees. They clutched their head in their hands so tightly it almost burst. How can this be? they thought wildly. No mortal should be able to out-will me!
   Squeezing their eyes shut, they threw back their head and let a burst of fire fly from their lips. When their eyes next opened, they were no longer blue, but brown. Hilbert coughed, grabbing his chest in pain. There was ash in his lungs and his lips were scorched.
   And yet, he still managed to look up at Zekrom. He said nothing, but he didnât need to, because his grievous expression said it all.










