Instructor Ai is Not a Riddler
"Jie!"
On top of the dining table, Haunter waved its ghostly hands and gorged on its favorite food.
This guy was the king of eating when it still was a Gastly, and it could show off a whole lot of things in one meal.
Now, after completing its evolution, Haunter's appetite had not only increased along with its expanding size, but its speed of eating had also soared along with the appearance of a pair of ghost hands.
"Jie~"
This fellow grabbed a large chicken leg with one hand and tearfully stuffed it inside its mouth.
Finally, finally, there was no need to eat like a puppy with its face buried inside the rice bowl.
This ghost is now a Pokémon with hands.
I don't need to envy those who are able-bodied.
"Jie!"
Haunter, who was also moved to the point of crying out in pain because it had grown hands that facilitated its movements a lot.
Then, the speed of eating became faster.
"..."
Next to it, Marill gave it a disgusted look and moved to the side holding its pudding.
Eevee, on the other hand, had ignored Haunter's comical appearance.
It had sort of figured out that Ghost type Pokémon were either gloomy in nature or had a bit of clownish theater on them.
Haunter was clearly the latter.
This guy had a bit of a flair for the quirky, harmonic flavor in him.
"Boo~"
Eevee shook its head and savored a bite of the dessert.
It wasn't afraid of gaining weight.
Anyway, as a Pokémon of Instructor Ai, Eevee's workouts never fell short.
Not only did its figure not go out of shape due to its love of sweets, but on the contrary, it gradually moved in the direction of bodybuilding along with healthy and scientific exercise.
Well, with Moon Eevee's bottom.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, the elegantly eating Eevee heard a discordant low roar.
"Boo?"
It raised its head and saw Charmeleon sitting on the opposite side of the dining table.
Bad.
Eevee let out a dark cry.
"Lu..."
Marill was also realizing something was wrong.
It knew Charmeleon too well.
This guy was not a graceful Pokémon... especially when it came to eating.
"Jie?"
"Roar!"
As expected, Haunter raised his head at Charmeleon's call.
The two "unconventional" Pokémon locked eyes at this moment.
Eevee and Marill even saw sparks of electricity between them.
"Jie!"
"Roar!"
In the next moment, Haunter and Charmeleon lowered their heads in tacit understanding and plunged into the sport of gobbling, plundering their favorite foods on the dining table.
"Boo..."
"Lu..."
Eevee and Marill glanced at each other, both seeing a helplessness hidden in each other's eyes.
Eating King Competition...
How childish.
Haunter aside, this guy is childish and a troublemaker.
As for Charmeleon... usually a reliable fighting force within the team, it seemed to be very mature and stable, but in reality, its level of childishness was no less than that of Haunter.
"Lu~"
Marill spread its hands with a helpless face.
Charmeleon and it were considered to be Pokémon that joined the team at the same time, so naturally, it had seen the latter's well-behaved appearance when it was still Charmander
Now it might have been liberated by nature.
After all, the former Charmeleon probably couldn't be lively under Blue's hand.
It was still thanks to Instructor Ai that it had grown into this character nowadays.
However, when it came to maturity and stability, the only two Pokémon within the team that fit this description were Chansey and shiny Metang.
"Chansey?"
Chansey was eating quietly at one side of the table.
Next to it was Larvitar, who was eating with the same small movements - although the little guy could normally eat Pokémon food and human food, because of its attributes, this juvenile monster continued to ingest some special soil and cherished fossils.
Compared to that, Larvitar had little interest in human food that was simply meant to satisfy some cravings.
"Lar~"
Larvitar took a sip of juice.
It preferred sweet drinks.
"..."
Shiny Metang, on the other hand, floated on Larvitar's back with a closed-eye look.
It was a steel lifeform, so it was pointless to say that eating was pointless.
Until Instructor ai managed to develop food that even steel lifeforms could feel the flavor of, there was no need for the shiny Metang to eat either.
It was also good.
This gave shiny Metang time to pay attention to N.
That guy... Inexplicably seeking out Aisha, and now sitting there without a word, like a pervert, it was impossible to care.
"..."
Of course, it wasn't just shiny Metang who was paying attention to N. Rotom phone was just as much in the background.
Shiny Metang and Rotom phone had come to an understanding.
Once N did something detrimental to Instructor Ai, then, they would also make a brazen move to suppress that strange guy without mercy.
This was the confidence of shiny Beldum and Rotom Phone as Pokémon!
Definitely able to protect their trainers...
"Hah."
At the end of the small table next to him, N sighed with a helpless face.
Possessing the innate ability to sense the inner voice of Pokémon, he naturally heard the inner voice of the shiny Metang and Rotom Phone.
Likewise, he also realized the two Pokémon's respect and love for Aisha, as well as their hostility towards himself, an uninvited guest.
"Sorry."
Aisha pushed open the door of the compartment and walked straight to N, revealing an apologetic smile, saying, "I have a bit too many Pokémon, so if I arrange for them to eat, I must arrange for this type of compartment in order not to affect the store and other customers, so I've kept you waiting."
"No..."
Gazing at the polite black-haired teenager, N also smiled and shook his head.
"It's nothing."
He didn't care about that.
It might as well be said that it was precisely because of Aisha's behavior that N's favorability towards him increased.
"You and your Pokémon always eat like this?"
"Uh-huh."
Aisha sat down at the other end of the small table and said, "These children are my family, I treat them as family, so how can I not eat at a table?"
"..."
The simple words were the ones that broke through N's inner defenses.
He had initially questioned Aisha's attitude and feelings towards Pokémon.
Now he saw that he had been the petty one.
Aisha's feelings for Pokémon were sincere and unquestionable.
"So, what do you have to say?"
"No, now... nothing."
N shook his head again, looking ahead at Aisha.
The question he had been wondering about had been answered.
"Hmm?"
Hearing N's words, Instructor Ai gave a wry expression instead.
Riddlers are really annoying.
It was also N who came to the door and said he had something he wanted to share with him, and it was also N who suddenly looked like he had come to a great realization and wasn't going to keep talking.
What did he understand?
Why don't I get it?
What's the situation?
After all this time, he didn't say a single word, and he delayed his own time.
Why are all the people in the Unova region so strange?
Aisha was also filled with a headache, but with a polite smile on his face, he looked at N.
"Hah."
Instructor Ai secretly sighed.
This one was a key figure.
N wasn't a villain who was unforgiving in the traditional sense.
He had an unfortunate birth and tragic childhood, and then he was used by Ghetsis, so his life so far could be considered terrible.
Unlike the Giovanni boss in Kanto, who at least has a genuine love for his son, Ghetsis, as the leader of Team Plasma, has a very bad attitude towards N. He is a complete scumbag.
It was a complete and utter scum.
N was just his tool.
Ghetsis had instilled a very extreme and paranoid mindset in N. His goal was to utilize N's special origin and power to solidify the authenticity of the "Legend of the Two Dragons" and to recruit followers.
His goal is to completely unify the Unova region and become the true king.
N is the tool to harness the dragons...
"Hmm."
Thinking of Ghetsis, Instructor Ai's expression was also a bit strange.
On his side, he had the quest 'Hoopa and the Clash of Ages' waiting ahead ... At that time, within the Legendary Pokémon summoned by Hoopa Unbound, there was a Kyurem that was under the control of Ghetsis.
That Kyurem had the ability to switch forms freely.
White Kyurem and Black Kyurem were also undeniably powerful.
At that time, if that terrifying Kyurem really stood against him, it would undoubtedly be a problem.
Since that was the case, it would be better to solve the Kyurem's problem in advance.
And settle Ghetsis in the meantime.
"..."
With that in mind, Aisha looked towards N.
This guy's mind had a period of development.
Within Pokémon Black and White, N believed that people and Pokémon stood above opposites and were not acceptable to each other.
He's a bit extreme.
However, after two years of growing up, he gradually realized the feelings and bonds between people and Pokémon in the Unova region through his travels, and became less extreme.
Now, this N in front of himself was still very much like a normal person besides being a bit of a riddler.
He didn't spend all day on the street persuading new trainers to release their Pokémon...
Well, it should be out of the state of waiting for Team Plasma.
Since this is the current timeline, it also means that Ghetsis, who has been hiding in the shadows, may have already set his sights on Kyurem and the dragon that N is riding...
The plot, it has begun.
"Instructor Ai."
As Aisha pondered the timing, the silent N suddenly opened his mouth.
"Uh, what's up?"
"I've been trying to explore the true relationship between people and Pokémon within these two years of traveling." This melancholic green-haired young man raised his head, lowered his godless eyes, and said, "Once upon a time, I had the ideal of making everyone stop using Pokémon as well, freeing those Pokémon that were subjected to the Pokémon's subjugation, and creating a world where there is no war, and no dream of man's control over the Pokémon."
"But..."
He gave a bitter laugh and said, "I failed."
"Not only that, but today's truth is again telling me that my ideal may not be that good, and may not even be realized at all."
N's expression was a bit bitter.
If the person two years ago at least had a clear goal, then the person today had lost his goal.
N was in a daze.
"So... what exactly is the relationship between ideal and truth, I want to know."
N lowered his head towards Aisha, and his tone was almost pleading.
"Please tell me the answer to that question, please."
"..."
Aisha froze.
I'm not the truth hero, why are you looking for me?
However, the ideal hero is agonizing over the gap between ideal and truth... It's really an interesting thing.
Since that was the case, it wasn't impossible to slightly speak to him about what was in his heart.
"The world is not black and white, it's not as simple as you think."
"I can't say anything about the true meaning of truth and ideal." After phrasing it a bit, Instructor Ai shook his head and gave up on the idea of preaching.
He was no riddler.
"However, I can tell you about the relationship between Pokémon and people."
"What?"
"You probably think that Pokémon live under the constraints of a Poké ball, with no freedom or happiness." Aisha took out a Pokémon ball and said, "However, even if it is true that there is a mistake, the mistake should not be blamed on the Poké ball as a tool."
"There are also Pokémon that don't want to stay inside the Poké ball anymore, such as a friend of mine's Pikachu."
"Some naughty Pokémon can even freely enter and exit the Poké ball." Aisha spread his hands and said, "For me, the Poké ball is not a cage that binds the Pokémon, on the contrary, I consider it to be a proof of the bond between the trainer and the Pokémon."
"Proof of the bond..."
N's expression was confused.
Without having become a trainer in the true sense of the word, he naturally did not understand Aisha's meaning.
If he had been replaced by Ah, he might have immediately understood.
"At least, I won't forcefully take in a Pokémon."
Aisha leaned on top of the back of the chair and looked at his nine Pokémon.
"Our bond is all based on the foundation of you and me."
Indeed.
Even for Marill, Aisha had asked for its consent before putting it into the Poké ball.
Even if it was Larvitar that was exchanged within the game room, if it was said that it was not interested in Instructor Ai and was not willing to become Instructor Ai's Pokémon, Instructor Ai would not have forced this child to become his combatant, but instead would have thought about it for a while before looking for a suitable place for it to live and releasing it in the wilderness.
Aisha took in Pokémon main fight a fellowship.
"..."
N followed his line of sight and looked towards Aisha's Pokémon.
At that exact moment, everyone met Aisha's gaze as well.
"Well..."
Sincere feelings reached N's heart.
Aisha's bond with his Pokémon brought N close to tears.
Even if he didn't trust Aisha, N should trust these children.
"As for the Pokémon battle."
Aisha smiled and said, "You probably think that's an activity that people force Pokémon to engage in."
"However, what I'm saying is that Pokémon themselves have the right to choose whether or not they want to fight against each other."
"I'm a trainer." Aisha spoke his thoughts, saying, "I don't think sparring is just a fight for fame and fortune, and the important thing isn't winning or losing."
"Even if we are doomed to be injured, facing terrifying enemies that we might not be able to win them no matter what, we still have reasons why we have to fight!"
The youngster's expression was very serious, and his tone was a bit agitated.
He remembered a time when he and the still-weak Caterpie had been tortured by the revived Groudon and Kyugre.
That time was a real mess.
However, even at that time, Aisha and Caterpie didn't chicken out...
Caterpie was working out tirelessly in overdrive for Aisha, developing the move 'Dragon Ascend'.
Aisha, on the other hand, is trying to find ways to add a tiny bit of hope for their victory...
Although, that was something that had to be worked on for self-preservation.
However, beyond self-preservation, there must be a more important reason.
"That is to respond to each other's heart!"
"The heart..."
Aisha threw his voice, while N froze in place as if struck by lightning.
"The heart..."
He repeated the teenager's words.
Aisha was the most special trainer he had ever seen.
N still remembered Aisha's sensible and ice-cold demeanor during cyber sparring matches, as if he could do whatever it took to win-meaning the tactics were surprisingly dirty.
Truth is, he is gentle when it comes to Pokémon, and he has clearly said that Pokémon battles are not about winning ...
Truly a person, with a weird charm.
"Heh~"
Letting out a laugh, N lowered the brim of his hat.
"I've found the answer, thanks a lot."
"Actually, it's just because you're a guy who doesn't want to talk to peopl..." Looking at N's unraveled look, Instructor Ai spat back.
"It wouldn't be my turn to provide you with this answer if you had sought out a trainer to talk to one day earlier."
"Uh..."
N choked on Aisha's words.
Then, when he thought about it carefully, that was really it.
"..."
N looked at the sky, speechless.
"So it's my problem ..."
"Yes, it is indeed your problem."
Aisha added from behind.
This bunch of riddlers in the Unova region... but if they were willing to have a proper conversation, things wouldn't have developed to such a complicated degree.
Now well, Instructor Ai is not a riddler.
Instructor Ai takes you see!
"Hey."
Hearing Aisha's complement, N wasn't annoyed.
"Instructor Ai, you're really interesting."
Aisha: "?"
Aisha took a step back without a trace.
He suddenly felt that N, this person, could not be trusted deeply.
It's a bit dangerous...
"Instructor Ai, I... thought about it."
N showed a grateful smile towards Aisha.
Although he said that he didn't fully understand, however, he believed that he could already awaken that giant dragon once again.
The power of the ideal dragon could assist N in accomplishing his goal.
"No, you don't."
Aisha, on the other hand, ruthlessly interrupted him, pointing to the chair next to him, saying, "Sit down, and I'll tell you about Ghetsis' plan."
"Ghetsis?"
N exclaimed.
"Well, that guy's no slouch."
Instructor Ai spread his hands and said, "However, I already know his exact plan."
He was no riddler.