The Tao Trio-Zekrom

"Just like Spear Pillar."

"They are somewhat similar. I wonder whether there's some connection between this place and the pillars in Sinnoh."

"Didn't you say there might not be?"

"I have no evidence of a connection, but I don't have any evidence that would let me say there definitely isn't one, either. There's nothing I can do about that. We know no more about Dragonspiral Tower than we do about Spear Pillar."

"Is there a place like this in your hometown?"

"The structure is a little similar. It looks as though these pillars were arranged in a row."

"Yes."

"...Who is it for?"

"For my friend."

N looked up at the sky.

A black shadow hung in the sky ahead of N. As he watched it, the shadow slowly descended toward them. It landed before them and slowly turned its gaze on the three of them.

"Hey, is that your friend?"

"Yes. He's my friend, Zekrom."

Cynthia and Kaim looked up at the imposing Zekrom before them with wry smiles.

To be honest, Kaim had suspected as much, too, but he hadn't thought it would really be Zekrom.

"Zekrom is the Pokémon that accompanies a hero who pursues ideals."

"That's what they say."

"Then that means you're a hero, N."

Kaim's words made N's expression darken a little.

"I'm not anyone that important. I'm still immature, and I don't know what the world is really like."

"But Zekrom is with you. Doesn't that mean Zekrom has acknowledged you?"

"...That's true."

Kaim said nothing more to N, who lowered his gaze.

"If you weren't worthy now, wouldn't Zekrom go somewhere else? It's true that you're still searching for yourself, but the fact that Zekrom is with you means he decided, 'I'll follow you,' doesn't it?"

N looked at Zekrom.

Zekrom had stayed with him ever since his confrontation with that boy. He had helped bring about the world N had once wanted to create.

In the end, N had lost to that boy, Hilbert, and realized that his own ideals were wrong as well. Yet Zekrom would not leave him. N had asked Zekrom about it many times, but Zekrom never answered, merely gazing at him. N didn't know what Zekrom wanted to tell him. Still, his days with Zekrom were pleasant, so he had stopped asking.

There was no telling whether Kaim's words had hit the mark. Still, he didn't think a Legendary Pokémon like Zekrom would accompany N for no reason.

"I see. I hope so."

"By the way, N."

"What is it, Kaim?"

"Um, can I touch Zekrom?"

N was startled by Kaim's restless excitement and bright eyes, but he immediately answered with a smile.

"I'll ask him."

"Please do."

"Zekrom, this is my friend Kaim. He says he'd like to interact with you. Would that be all right?"

Zekrom gave a quiet growl and nodded.

N understood what Zekrom had said. Kaim couldn't understand him, but he could tell from his nod.

"Zekrom says it's fine."

"Really? Then I won't hold back."

Kaim approached Zekrom and touched his outstretched hand. That touch alone was enough for him to feel what a special being Zekrom was.

"Amazing..."

"Aren't you scared?"

"Of Zekrom?"

"Yes."

Zekrom was said to be capable of burning the world to ashes with lightning. N didn't know whether Kaim knew that legend, but Zekrom's appearance was quite intimidating. Surely more than a few people would be afraid of him.

"I'm not scared. It would be different if he'd killed someone in front of me, but he hasn't. Besides, he's traveling with you, right? Then there's no reason to be afraid."

Still touching Zekrom, Kaim answered as though to ask, "Isn't that obvious?"

"Saiki really loves Pokémon, doesn't he?"

N spoke to Cynthia, who stood beside him.

Everyone who had met Zekrom so far had been afraid of him to some degree. His intimidating presence, his lethal power, and Zekrom's own somewhat indifferent attitude toward humans all contributed to that.

"Most people who've met Zekrom have been frightened, but Kaim doesn't seem to feel that way at all."

"Yes. Kaim loves Pokémon, so he rarely says he's afraid of them. Besides, it's always humans who make mistakes, not Pokémon. That's why Kaim isn't afraid of any Pokémon."

"I see. I still don't know Kaim very well, but that does seem like him. I think so, anyway. Zekrom is my friend, so I'm glad someone isn't afraid of him."

N smiled as he watched Kaim lean against Zekrom's shoulder. Kaim's expression wasn't much different from usual, but his eyes were unmistakably sparkling.

"Hehe. He's playing like a child."

"Zekrom seems to like Kaim, too. He rarely lets a human climb onto him."

"Pokémon tend to like Kaim. It's not surprising."

Cynthia approached Kaim, who was still enjoying his contact with Zekrom.

"You look like you're having fun, Kaim."

"Cynthia. He's a Legendary Pokémon, after all. Oh, right, I hadn't noticed you."

"Come to think of it, you seemed to have fun with Latios, too."

Cynthia recalled how unusually excited he had been when they rode on Latios's back in Alto Mare.

"You really do love Pokémon, don't you?"

"...Oh, let me introduce you, Zekrom. This is Cynthia, my partner."

At Kaim's words, Zekrom stared at Cynthia.

She was startled to find those sharp red eyes fixed on her, but the light within them was gentle.

"I'm Cynthia. Kaim and N's friend. It's nice to meet you."

Cynthia held out her hand to Zekrom.

Zekrom stared at her hand for a while, then slowly took it and shook it.

"Wow, what a big hand."

"Incredible. Just the aura coming from Zekrom tells you how powerful he is."

"That's right. And Zekrom is holding that aura back out of consideration for us."

The aura emanating from him was certainly frightening, but a Legendary Pokémon's aura could never be limited to this level. The two humans might be overwhelmed by Zekrom's presence, so although he couldn't erase it completely, he was at least suppressing it to keep it from affecting them.

"My friends are kind, aren't they?"

"Yes, they're good people."

"That's right. Zekrom, could you put Cynthia on your shoulder, too?"

"Huh? Me, too?"

"Yes. Would that be all right?"

At N's request, Zekrom gave a quiet rumble, caught Cynthia in his large hand, and placed her beside Kaim.

"Wait!"

"Are you all right?"

Caught unprepared when she was set down, Cynthia nearly fell, but Kaim caught her and kept her steady.

"Thank you."

"Be careful."

Cynthia nodded and held on to Kaim's arm, making it easier to keep her balance.

Seeing that, N nimbly jumped onto Zekrom's other shoulder and spoke to him.

"Come on, Zekrom. Let's show them the Isshu Region!"

At N's call, Zekrom took flight.

"Whoa!"

"Wow!"

They were startled by Zekrom's sudden takeoff, but they didn't lose their balance, since he wasn't ascending very fast.

The sunlight briefly blinded them, but once their eyes adjusted and they opened them, the vast Isshu Region stretched out below.

"Wow."

"So this is the Isshu Region."

"Yes."

The two had no words for the vast world of land and sea. It was a world different from the Sinnoh Region where Shirona had been born, different from the Hoenn Region where Kaim had been born. The Pokémon living there and the words people used were different. Even so, that didn't change the fact that they all lived in the same era.

A world where the same time passed across different lands.

Seeing it, the two realized once again just how vast the world was.

"This is the world where you and Zekrom have lived, N."

"Yes. I was born here, and someday I'll die here, too. I may visit other regions, but I've decided that the Isshu Region will be both my beginning and my end."

"I think I understand loving the place where you were born. I love the Sinnoh Region where I was born, too."

Cynthia took Kaim's hand beside her. Kaim noticed and turned his gaze toward her, but said nothing as he held her hand.

"I wanted to show you this world where I was born."

"Yeah. I'm glad I got to see it."

"N, Zekrom. Thank you for showing us."

The vast world was etched into their hearts, and the sight of their friend's birthplace was imprinted in their eyes.

"Want something to eat?"

Kaim suddenly said this after they climbed down from Zekrom.

A glance at the clock showed that it was already noon. A great deal of time had passed since they began climbing Dragonspiral Tower. More importantly, unlike Kaim, who trained regularly, and N, who had built up his stamina through traveling, Shirona was a little tired from climbing the tall tower.

"Yes. I'm a little tired."

"Dragonspiral Tower is pretty tall, after all."

"Isn't it? Considering we still have to climb all the way down, let's rest here for a while."

Kaim took the bag off his back and pulled out a box.

"What's that?"

"A lunch box."

"Did you make it yourself, Kaim?"

"Yes. If you don't mind, would you and Zekrom like some, N?"

Kaim sat down on the stairs, spread out a small sheet, and placed the lunch box on it.

N exchanged a glance with Zekrom, then immediately turned back to Kaim.

"If you don't mind."

"I don't mind. There's nothing strange about friends eating together. You can join us, too, Cynthia."

"Yes, of course."

"All right, it's time for you to eat, too."

Kaim threw his Poké Balls and let out his Pokémon. Cynthia followed his example and released hers.

"Are these your Pokémon?"

"Yes. Please be nice to them."

"Yes, of course."

"Cynthia, please hand out the Poffins to the Pokémon. Could you give them a box?"

"Got it."

"Zekrom."

Kaim approached Zekrom with one of the Poffins.

"Would you like some, if you don't mind?"

Kaim offered Zekrom a Poffin.

Zekrom stared at his hand, then took the Poffin from Kaim with his large hand and tossed it into his mouth. The sight of a Legendary Pokémon eating with a low rumble was quite unusual.

Zekrom didn't seem to react much, but Kaim could tell from his demeanor that he at least didn't dislike it, so he gave him another small Poffin. Watching Zekrom carefully eat them one at a time, Kaim smiled faintly and returned to N.

"You're interesting, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

As soon as he returned, Kaim frowned at the remark he didn't quite understand.

"No matter what kind of person someone is, their expression always changes at least a little. Pokémon are the same. But your expression hasn't changed once since you got here. Not even when you rode on Zekrom's shoulder."

"My facial muscles have always been weak."

"But just now, when you gave Zekrom a Poffin, you smiled a little. So you can smile, too."

"Give me a break."

Frowning, Kaim handed N an alcohol wipe.

After N finished wiping his hands, Cynthia returned.

"I've handed them out to everyone."

"Yeah, thanks. Let's eat, too."

"Yes."

"Thank you for the food."

They took sandwiches and rice balls out of the lunch box and began to eat.

When he took a bite of the sandwich, his eyes widened in surprise.

"...Delicious."

"Glad to hear it."

Kaim, who had made it, continued eating his rice ball as though nothing had happened.

"Did you make this, Kaim?"

"Yeah."

"It's wonderful. You're a great cook, Kaim."

"Do it every day, and you'll get there."

"Kaim's cooking is amazing. He can make almost anything."

"Why are you so proud, Cynthia?"

For some reason, although Kaim was the one being praised, Cynthia looked the proudest of all, making him smile wryly.

"Cynthia, do you often eat Kaim's cooking?"

"Yes. Almost every day."

"I see. I'm jealous that you get to eat something this good every day."

"What do you usually eat, N?"

"A lot of mushrooms that I buy or receive from Pokémon. I don't cook much myself, since I'm traveling."

"It's hard to avoid an unbalanced diet when you're traveling. Some things can't be helped, but you should consider your nutritional balance when you eat."

"Nutritional balance?"

"If you only eat nuts, you can get various vitamins, but you're likely to be short on protein. Eggs and meat are both fine, but it's best to get protein regularly."

"There he goes, caring Kaim."

"Don't give me strange nicknames."

"Hehe, Kaim's a caretaker, isn't he? I thought he was kind, but I didn't realize he went this far."

"Hey, come on."

Zekrom watched the three of them as they continued chatting like good friends, then put the Parrot Kaim had handed over into his mouth and swallowed.

Then he noticed Kaim's Umbreon and Cynthia's Glaceon at his feet. Kuroki and Glacia gazed up at Zekrom with pleading eyes.

Zekrom seemed to understand how the two felt and held out his hand to them. Kuroki's and Glacia's faces lit up as they clambered onto his arm and settled on his shoulders. Neither seemed afraid of Zekrom; in fact, they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Zekrom did not look particularly happy, but he did not look displeased either.

Watching the Pokémon, N smiled faintly and continued eating.

"Thank you. That was delicious."

"Glad to hear it."

N spoke to Kaim after they had finished eating and tidied up. Kaim showed no particular emotion at hearing that. He answered while gathering the trash into a bag, finishing the cleanup neatly and efficiently.

N sat down beside Kaim, who had already packed his things.

"What's wrong?"

Kaim had thought they would leave the tower now that they had finished eating, so N sitting down puzzled him.

Meanwhile, Cynthia was interacting with Zekrom and the other Pokémon.

"Nothing. I wanted to hear your story."

Kaim tilted his head.

"Last time, in Shallow Wave Town, I talked about myself, but I didn't get to hear much about you. Now that we're friends, I'd like to hear what you have to say."

"Even if you ask about me, I don't have any interesting stories to tell."

"It doesn't have to be an interesting story."

Kaim looked at N's face.

N was looking back at him with a serious expression.

"Compared to the last time we met, there's more hesitation in your eyes now. I don't know what happened over the past few days, but perhaps I can help. I want to help my friend."

Compared to when they had met a few days earlier, Kaim's expression held a hint of sadness. While looking around the tower and arguing with Cynthia, he had not really felt that sadness, but N had not missed the moment when worry suddenly surfaced.

"I haven't known you long, so there may be nothing I can do, but if you don't mind, I'd like you to tell me."

Seeing N's serious expression, Kaim sighed helplessly and sat down beside him.

"Am I that easy to read?"

"I don't know. If I hadn't met you that day, I might not have noticed."

"Is that so?"

"So, what happened?"

"You beat the Champion, N."

With such a powerful Trainer here, perhaps Kaim could find a way to break his bad habit.

"Perhaps."

"N, when you're battling, do you ever worry that you've made the wrong choice?"

"Hm?"

"I'm always wondering whether I've made the wrong choice. In a battle where things change in an instant and a decision can be fatal, that's a fatal flaw."

He had taken it lightly, but it was a fairly serious problem in itself. It was a habit rooted in Kaim's past, so breaking it would not be easy. At the very least, it was certainly not something he could fix overnight.

But Kaim himself thought it was wrong. He felt that remaining trapped in the past forever was no good, and that he could not stand beside Cynthia in this state.

Cynthia did not see it that way, but she did not like seeing Kaim so weakened. More importantly, he did not want to remain unable to overcome this wall when everyone around him was saying, "If it's Kaim, he can do it."

"Why do you worry so much when you're battling?"

"In short, I don't have confidence."

"Why?"

"After all the times I've lost up until now, I can't believe in myself. That's all."

Some words remained deeply etched in his mind even now.

"If you don't have talent, then no matter how hard you work, you won't know what you're doing, right? Don't you want to try something else?"

Those words had been said to him when he was a child.

The person who said them probably had not meant anything bad. Judging by his attitude afterward, Kaim could infer that the words had come purely from an inability to understand how people who could not do something felt, rather than from malice.

But the statement was correct. Without talent, there was a limit to how much one could grow. There was nothing wrong with saying he understood that, either.

And so Kaim, a bitter loser, had continued silently resisting those words. As a result, Kaim, who was mediocre in every respect, had piled up countless failures and stopped believing in himself.

"I see. So that's how it is."

"Then what do you think about when you battle, N?"

"Honestly, I don't think my approach would be very appealing."

"After all, you can talk to Pokémon."

"Yes. Do you believe me?"

"Yeah."

N looked a little surprised as Kaim nodded without hesitation.

"I'm surprised. You believed me so easily."

"I'd already gotten that impression from our conversations, so this is different."

"People who know I can talk to Pokémon call me a monster."

"There are all kinds of people in the world, just as there are all kinds of Pokémon. So if someone could talk to them, I'd be surprised, but I wouldn't doubt it. I wouldn't think it was strange that someone could talk to them. That's just how people are, isn't it? Some can do things you can't."

Judging by what he had just said, N certainly had confidence, and he was probably the sort of person who never thought about such things during battle. And since he could communicate with Pokémon, he would probably fall into the category of a so-called genius who had never hit a wall because of a lack of confidence.