Chapter 0664: Ferris Wheel Ride with N

"One ticket for the Ferris wheel, please."

The ticket booth attendant, who had been dozing off (since few chose manual ticketing), straightened up at the gentle voice.

"One ticket? Here you go."

The fingers accepting the ticket were slender and well-defined. When the attendant looked up, she smiled sincerely.

"It's you again... Enjoy your ride."

The green-haired young man wore a white shirt with a pendant at the collar and a cap. He pocketed the ticket in his gray pants and smiled back.

"Thank you. Your Foongus said the same thing today—that it's very happy."

The attendant glanced at the potted plant on her desk, where a tiny Foongus slept soundly, rooted in the soil.

"Comes to ride the Ferris wheel every day... What a weirdo. Though a handsome one," she mused, propping her cheek on her hand.

When a companion called out to him, she noticed another striking figure—a black-haired young man waving in greeting.

Dressed in a light jacket with hands in his pockets, he had a Gengar floating beside him and an unfamiliar Pokémon with a V-shaped mark happily holding a balloon.

The attendant found him oddly familiar, like someone who'd flood Trainer forums daily, but at first glance, all she registered was "devastatingly attractive."

Not the green-haired one's gentle, reserved charm—

More like a rugged captain who'd sailed through storms and sea monsters, surviving with a crew of bright-eyed deckhands.

As the two exchanged greetings and sat on a park bench to chat, the attendant sighed internally:

"Ah... my daily dose of serotonin!"

……

"Weren't you traveling with Zekrom? What brings you to Nimbasa City?" Natsume asked.

"Because Nimbasa's Ferris wheel is the most beautiful and geometrically perfect in all of Unova," N replied, adjusting his cap, hands resting on his knees.

Natsume absentmindedly accepted an iced mineral water from Gengar and nodded thoughtfully.

Right... that tracks. N's whole thing is Ferris wheels.

"Wait... where'd this water come from?" He eyed Gengar.

Gengar "pshhh"-ed open a cola can, floating smugly by a vending machine. "Gengar~"

Natsume: "..."

Whatever. It's not like vending machines ever give me what I pay for anyway.

When Gengar offered N a water bottle (politely declined), it protectively clutched its cola:

"Gengar~" (Mine!)

N stood and walked to the machine. "Let me treat you to another."

"Gengar~(ノ￣▽￣)" Gengar slapped N's shoulder approvingly.

This kid gets it!

Clunk—

N bought a juice milk and held it up. A glossy-furred Zorua materialized on his shoulder, fiery red bangs swaying as it eyed Natsume warily.

"He's shy around strangers," N explained, stroking the now-cuddling Zorua. "Humans hurt him before."

Natsume recalled how juice milk restored more HP than Potions—back when he'd stockpiled them as budget healing items.

This Zorua, N's partner, resembled a black-and-red fox. As N's large hands petted it, the Pokémon gradually relaxed, ears twitching before lazily popping open the can.

"Meeting you was Zorua's luck," Natsume said, ruffling its velvety fur. "But there are still Pokémon yearning for human bonds... and others who'll always hate us."

"Yes." N's fingers stilled on Zorua. "I grew up with the latter—their only friend. That's why I doubted Poké Balls... wanted to free all Pokémon from human control, create an ideal world just for them."

Summer heat buzzed with cicada cries. Natsume beckoned Gengar closer, enjoying its chill aura. "And then?"

"Then..."

Zorua, seeking cooler air, snuggled deeper into N's hold.

N's lips curved. "I heard new voices. Pokémon with humans could be happy too. That 'Bond'... was something I'd never seen before."

"Humans and Pokémon meet... and Bonds form," Natsume said.

"Exactly." N lifted his gaze, gray eyes meeting Natsume's. "This world isn't as perfect as I imagined... but it's one where we can live together."

His words sped up, eyes alight.

"I know there are humans who don't deserve trust, Pokémon who loathe us... but I'll fight until that ideal world becomes real."

Natsume exhaled, tilting his head back. "That's a hard road, N."

"Maybe that's why Zekrom chose me," N chuckled. "Only a dreamer would chase such fantasies."

Leaning against the bench, Natsume gazed skyward.

"Controlling Pokémon with Poké Balls, catching them without Bonds... yeah, I get who you hate."

"This world's not perfect. Might get worse—some might even lose their passion. But as long as ideals exist... they can become reality."

"I'll wait for that day, N."

Standing, he offered a hand.

"Come on. My treat for the Ferris wheel."

N looked up at the backlit figure, something fragile flashing in his eyes—

Like spotting daylight through brambles after years in the dark.

His smile returned as he took Natsume's hand.

"When we meet those humans... can I have Zekrom teach them manners, Natsume-sensei?"

"Obviously."

As they walked toward the ticket booth:

"Call me when you do. I'll bring Reshiram—double damage on Fusion Bolt."

"...I don't follow, Natsume-sensei."

"Good. Having Zekrom doesn't make you 'Team Plasma's King' yet—you've got lots to learn!"

The attendant happily handed over tickets.

Riding together... Ah, my heart!

……

Inside the Ferris Wheel Cabin

Natsume recalled that the original storyline had a scene where the protagonist rode the Ferris wheel with N.

But... why did I come to Nimbasa City again?

Gazing out the window at the shrinking landscape below, his expression gradually twisted—

Oh no.

I was supposed to ride this with Moe-Moe!

The person sharing this Ferris wheel cabin with me isn’t Cynthia—it’s N!

N, meanwhile, looked out the window, stroking Zorua in his lap.

"The view from above... never gets old. It surprises me anew every time."

Natsume, still brainstorming excuses for Cynthia, absently asked:

"Why do you like Ferris wheels?"

"Why? Their beauty lies in their circular motion... the mechanics... the physical embodiment of a perfect formula..."

N continued, "Up here, I can briefly set aside my Ideals and simply admire the precision of its structure... That’s why I love it."

"We’re different, then," Natsume sighed. "When pushed to the brink, people can do anything—

Except solve advanced calculus. That’s actually impossible!"

......

After one full rotation, N stepped out of the cabin, Zorua still cradled in his arms.

Natsume pried Gengar off the window (where it had been plastered, reluctant to leave) while Victini continued examining its balloon.

"Victini?"

"That balloon makes you immune to Ground-type moves," Natsume said. "Though it’s one-time use."

In the games, the "Balloon" item granted Levitate until the holder was hit.

"Goodbye, Natsume-sensei."

N adjusted his cap, smiling softly. "Though brief, meeting you has taught me so much..."

"Of all my students, you’re the one I have the highest hopes for."

Natsume met his gaze squarely. "Keep moving forward. Don’t stop, N."

N’s eyes flickered. "What you said about the café..."

Natsume blinked, then grinned. "Of course, you’re always welcome in Lumiose City. But only the first coffee’s free—"

"This is for you, Natsume-sensei."

N removed his cap and held it out. "It’s worthless... but I’d like you to have it."

Natsume studied the offering.

Caps were iconic among Pokémon protagonists—only a handful wore them: Red, Leon, Ash, N.

If I accidentally become Champion someday... I’ll need to design a proper outfit.

"I’ll take it." He flicked the cap’s brim. "Consider it a down payment on future coffee!"

"Then... this is truly goodbye, Natsume-sensei."

With a final nod, N turned and walked toward the park’s exit.

Watching the green-haired young man’s retreating figure, Natsume felt an odd premonition—unlike their last parting.

Next time we meet... it might be years from now.

Even Pokémon’s own creators seemed to have forgotten N’s Ideals of Liberation.

How could N possibly hold onto them alone?

Shaking his head, Natsume mused that perhaps because reality was cruel, N’s conviction shone all the brighter.

Then he looked down at the cap in his hand—and his face stiffened.

Wait.

How am I supposed to explain this to Moe-Moe!?

……

Half an hour later.

Natsume sat on a park bench, enjoying ice cream side by side with Cynthia.

Cynthia licked her ice cream with a playful smile, glancing at Natsume.

"You seem nervous?"

"Me? Nah, must be your imagination." Natsume had already discreetly stashed his cap-wearing companion in the Reverse World.

Cynthia narrowed her eyes. "Then why are you sweating?"

"Uh, it's just hot out... Ahem! Actually, there is something I should tell you!"

Natsume looked seriously at Meloetta, perched on Cynthia’s shoulder and nibbling its ice cream.

"Alright, Victini, come on out. Time to meet everyone."

Victini shimmered into visibility from its "invisibility," shyly scratching its head as it peeked at Cynthia.

"Victini~"

Cynthia's eyes sparkled in surprise. "The Victory Pokémon... Victini?"

"Yeah. Met it in Eindoak Town, and, well... long story short, it ended up coming back with me," Natsume explained.

"And by 'long story short,' you mean...?" Cynthia sighed.

"'Long story short' means I brought Victini and Meloetta back to Lumiose City together!" Natsume smacked his knee emphatically. "That’s what 'long story short' means!"

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, dragging out her reply. "Ooooh—"

This was Victini’s first meeting with Cynthia. It hesitantly offered her a balloon. "Nee-mee!"

Cynthia blinked, then smiled softly.

"Victini"

Victini grinned, its little fangs showing as it nodded excitedly.

"Thank you." Cynthia chuckled, then glanced at Meloetta on her shoulder.

"Meloetta~"

Meloetta pouted, licking its ice cream with an air of jealousy.

"Here~"

Cynthia looped the balloon’s string around Meloetta’s wrist, her eyes curving into crescents. "Now it won’t float away."

"Victini,?"

Victini, who had been clutching the balloon tightly this whole time, stared in awe at this revolutionary solution.

Natsume laughed. "Alright, I’ll go buy more balloons. Everyone who wants one, raise your hand!"

For a moment, the park echoed with the cheerful laughter of Pokémon.

Natsume hesitated. "Uh... Pupitar doesn’t exactly have hands. Guess I’ll owe you one next time!"

"Pupitar!!! ╥﹏╥..."

Nearby, the ticket-seller girl watched the scene—two trainers and a whole crowd of little ones—and rested her chin in her hands.

So sweet... My heart can’t take this!!