An important note: this chapter is radically different from what it used to be. I originally had a fight break out between Rosa and Hilda over N. But I was never very happy with how the scene felt: it appeared artificial, choppy, and very out of character for everyone involved. So, with the advice of a good friend, (kudos to you, CrimsonLavender!) I did a major edit of this section. This significantly improved its style, while still achieving the dramatic, emotional climax I was originally aiming for. (At least, I hope so!)

...Even though I cut out the fight entirely, I still left in the image above, simply because it is so freaking adorable! It displays the conflict between the popular FerrisWheelShipping and the not so popular VoidCubeShipping very nicely. (I also just love how Hilbert and Nate are kinda just in the corner like "GUYS!! 😅")

Speaking of which, I guess now would be a good time to show you this video, and elaborate on my support for VoidCubeShipping (which was honestly a huge part of why I wrote this story in the first place):

1. I honestly believe Hilda and N as a pair is waaaay too mainstream/over-rated/over-hyped. I understand that there's been the actual time and interactions for these two to possibly develop a relationship. But at the same time, it's like...c'mon. I can't count the number of FerrisWheelShipping pictures and fan fictions out there, there's so many. And with Rosa being my favorite Pokémon female protagonist of all time, I want her to receive some more love, you know? It saddens me how much she has to live in Hilda's shadow.

2. I have some personal reasons (and connections) for adoring this ship. I associate more with Rosa because I used to have an account on a chat site with that persona. And as time went on, I felt I became more and more relatable to Rosa (or, at the very least, I associated myself with her). Since I was a pretty big fangirl of N, I saw Rosa and N being together as himself and I being together, with Hilda being a potential adversary. (I know, I know, that's kind of silly, but what can I say? I was a young teenager with crazy hormones xD)

Have my feelings changed? Well... I'm not as big as a fangirl as I was then (aka I'm essentially not crazy anymore), but I will defend VoidCubeShipping to the death, even if it isn't canon nor concrete. I mean, pshh. Who needs justification for their favorite ships anyways? (See jewel from Tumblr down below)

Anyways, I feel this video portrays the battle between the two shippings very well. Feel free to watch it if you want (though it's certainly not necessary for the purpose of the story: if anything, it's just a supplement). I own nothing in the video, pictures, audio, or otherwise! However, Whispers in the Dark is probably my favorite song of all time-- I love the music a lot, and for no specific reason I think it complements VoidCubeShipping very well. Unfortunately, the video also highlights how under-rated and unknown VoidCubeShipping is: the account actually had to copy and paste Rosa and N together because there is so little fan art of this couple (0:37-0:40). And as you will notice, a lot more art of Hilda and N together vs. Rosa and N. C'mon, let's help spread the love a little, people!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Anyways, I just wanted to contribute my own two cents regarding those topics. And I just made a relatively long chapter even longer... sorry! Without further ado, here is what I consider the secondary climax of the story!

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Hilda tried to be there for her. She really had. She admired Rosa for her strength and determination, and for the iron will that reminded her of herself. She wanted to stand with Rosa as an equal— no, as a friend— as they brought Ghetsis to justice.

But now that that was over, she's been harboring a quiet cloud of resentment within. Not that she particularly wanted to. Instead, it slowly built up inside of her without her permission, billowing with every sight of affection between Rosa and the green hair boy she admired so.

Why couldn't he just speak up already and tell her it was over? It's so damn obvious that it is. He loves Rosa too much now. And why is she still bothering to hope if it is truly over? Hilda wants to shake her heart and tell it to get a grip, to just accept the loss already.

Part of her didn't want to feel this hate towards Rosa. If anything, Hilda desperately wishes the conditions between them were amiable. But the rest of her couldn't help it; it feels automatic. After all she had done for N— no, with N— she had felt a special sort of kinship with him. If only she hadn't been such a fool, and had spoken up at the castle two years ago, before he left! But no: like it or not, she had missed her opportunity, and she could never take it back. Her hope for a relationship with him died along with her failure to find him.

Did all of those confessions in the cavern really mean anything? Does N no longer feel for her? It certainly feels like it. And why? Because Rosa is just like her? Because they never did find each other? Why should that mean anything?

But it does, and there is nothing Hilda can do about it. She couldn't force N to love her again, not when he has truly moved on... That would be selfish and vain beyond words. Hilda could never forgive herself if she did that to him.

And besides... She may have found someone, too. As much as seeing N together with Rosa hurts, she could find comfort and friendship in the arms of another...

Yes. So maybe that is her sign: that she needs to move on, too, once she can get past the pain.

Right then and there, she solemnly vows that, no matter what N is planning in the castle, she would settle things once and for all.

Because otherwise, I don't ever see myself starting the healing process, she thought with a sigh, staring at the clouds that race alongside her magnificent bird.

*                      *                    *

Soon enough, we arrive at Victory Road. We are standing on the only cliff face that holds two marble pillars, the left one in crumbles. A staircase behind us leads towards the top of the Pokémon League. Hilda returns Braviary to his Poké Ball upon landing.

"So, what are we looking for, exactly?" I ask, shielding my eyes against the sun as I peer down the nauseating drop of the cliff. There are multiple stone plateaus with their respective staircases. It could take forever to search them all one by one. And if the castle is buried, as N said, it might not even be accessible— not easily, anyways. This would probably take us all day.

"I can take you there," N assures us. Hilda's eyebrow immediately arches upwards in question. "I have been there a few times, even after they buried it," he explains somberly. "The local Pokémon were even willing to dig out an access tunnel for me. They knew how much I value that place."

We start down the set of stairs before us. There are another two set of stairs branching off towards different cliff faces. Before we can even pick one to descend, I see something that accelerates my heart rate.

"Look!" I exclaim, pointing to the staircase on our left. At the bottom, there is some tall grass, but more importantly, I spot... none other than a Zoroark. The fox lifts its head up and nods once, almost as if beckoning us.

"Like the dream? No freaking way!" Hilda exclaims awestruck, while N just shrugs, seemingly surprised. We hurry down the steps to approach it.

"Kwaaaan!" the Zoroark hisses, and it scrambles through an opening within the cliff face itself. Feeling an unexpected rush of determination, I whip out my Flareon's Poké Ball and mutter for her to use Flash. We follow the Zoroark into the cave, descending several sets of staircases. They create a sort of u-turn before leading us outside again.

"Is this the right way?" Hilda asks N behind her back. We are basically running at this point, a sudden surge of energy flowing through us.

"Yep!" he confirms as we burst back outside. It's yet another cliff face, this one littered with rocks of varying size. The only direction is to our left and into another cave. The Zoroark, which is standing just outside this entrance, hisses at us again.

"Kwaaaan!" It then disappears into the darkness, and we follow.

Inside is a carved passageway. It extends before us about fifty yards or so, before turning right towards a long, black staircase. Faint sunlight is filtering through the crevices in the ceiling.

"Kwaaaan!" As fast as lightning, the Zoroark starts to run towards the stairs... only to disappear. I release a small gasp of surprise at the sight.

"That is probably an illusion," Hilda reminds me. "Zoroark is known as the Illusion Fox Pokémon for a reason. It wants us to find this castle. Almost as if it knows..." Hilda breaks off, seemingly at a loss for words.

Side by side amidst an eerie silence, we make our way towards the stairs and slowly climb down. The stairs are cracked in some places, but otherwise relatively stable. It brings us towards a huge, tan stoneface, its walls broken and crumbling. This must be it: N's castle. I can't see its foundation, nor the ground it stands on. It gives the appearance that one could fall into the gaping, bottomless pit below if they were too rash on the steps. I nearly shudder at the thought as we enter the doorway.

Entering the castle itself... I'm rather amazed. I can't help but gawk at the scenery. Though in ruins, the castle is still beautiful. There are crumbling piles of white marble scattered in a regular pattern. I can only assume they must have been columns, once. My suspicion is confirmed when I notice that one of the said columns has collapsed, blocking our way forward about twenty yards ahead. The walls are a dusty, dirty white, gilded by gold that is already starting to lose some of its luster. There's even a low, golden crenelation to my right, shattered in its very center. The carpet is a royal, luxurious blue, patterned into squares— still in pretty good condition, considering. Finally, there lays an opening to my left, suggesting the existence of a separate room.

So this is the historic Plasma castle where Hilda and N fought with the legendary dragons.

I take a minute to gaze around in wonder, despite myself. Very few souls have had the chance to step inside these doors, and when would I ever be given this opportunity again? I want to take in as much as humanly possible, and forever imprint it onto my memories. When I finally face Hilda, she's releasing a sigh, a somewhat sad look on her face. Perhaps this place brings back too many painful memories for her.

N turns around to face us, his arms sweeping out dramatically. "This... is Team Plasma's castle. The ruins of Ghetsis's dreams... And perhaps my own as well, back then." I can see the sea of emotions that flood him, but he continues on nonetheless.

"The deepest chamber of this castle holds special meaning to me. To both Hilda and I. I'm hoping to discuss some matters with you ladies... But Rosa, please feel free to explore a little, if you wish. I want to see what catches your eyes, and what sparks your interest."

I feel appreciative that he would let me explore such a mystique site at my own leisure. Again, who knows if, or when, I may ever come back to such a place of lore? And at this point... I'm willing to do anything to delay the inevitable.

"If you say so. I won't get lost right? Well, actually, I take that back. You know the way, and this place has too much deterioration to get lost anyhow," I realize with a small laugh. He returns the smile I have come to love so.

I soon find that the only place I'm curious to see— and the only place I can really explore, due to the castle's deteriorating condition— is the enticing entrance to my left. My footsteps are slow as I continue to drink in the sights, only looking back once to see what their reactions would be.

That ends up being a mistake. I swear I'm seeing a look of pain on N's face, while Hilda takes in a sharp intake of breath. It's as though she's bracing herself for something.

Great. Maybe aimlessly wandering around here like this isn't a good idea.

Yet I still couldn't stop myself, my curiosity inevitably spurring me onward through the darkened awning.

The room I'm seeing before me both astounds and shocks me, enough so that I freeze in my tracks. Why would this kind of a place... be in a castle like this?

It looks like... like... Well, like a wrecked toy room. There are countless trinkets that are strewn all over the place. The wall is covered with pink candy gingham wallpaper, while the floor displays a cloud covered carpet. To my right, a broken train set. The locomotive is lying on the floor next to the tracks, as though the latter had betrayed it and left it to die. It's a sad thought, especially with a tipped over toy bin serving as its backdrop. To my right, what looks like it used to be a mini basketball court. But the hoop, also, is lying on its side, the plastic stand riddled with cracks. The basketball lays isolated and abandoned, the sole spectator of this sad spectacle.

And in the very center stands a giant blue skateboard ramp. It looks like the only thing still standing, unravaged by the passage of time. It serves as a stark contrast, being surrounded by a sea of knocked over and dented playthings. Along the walls, there are paintings that may have once held bright colors of various assortments, now hanging barren and lifeless on the walls. This includes an actual dart board, with its precarious pins poised to fall at the slightest breath.

"What is this?" I ask quietly in bewilderment, gazing around at my surroundings in disbelief. I don't know what I'd been expecting, but it certainly wasn't this. Hilda looks like she's holding her breath, unable to face what she's seeing. Has she been in here before? N, meanwhile, slowly makes his way in front of me to explain. The sadness on his face is so deep and palpable that I immediately regret walking into this room.

I should have taken their facial expressions earlier as my warning.

"This place... had been my entire world," N starts mournfully, going over to the basketball. He picks it up and blows off the thick coat of dust that surrounds it. I can't help but notice that the name "Harmonia" has been written on it with permanent marker. The name itself is barely legible, worn away by grime and dirt.

Ghetsis's surname. It must be N's as well, if he was adopted. Oh, N...

Seeing that name alone is enough to make my heart shatter before he even continues.

"You two know my history better than anyone else. Abandoned in the woods, raised by the Pokémon who lived there... Then, one day, the man who appeared claiming to be my father. Ghetsis."  He absently rolls the ball in his hands over and over, a distant look on his face.

"The things he gave me were... The name "Harmonia"... the knowledge a king would need... Pokémon with their hearts shut so very tightly that I couldn't even talk to them... and this room..." Toward the end his voice falters, tears forming in his eyes as he throws the basketball behind him in disgust.

"I-I'm sorry... I need to stay outside." He leaves suddenly, his face contorted with contempt and loss. Hilda's eyes widen as she calls after him.

"Oh N, wait! Please..."

The pain on her face is clearly visible as she rushes out to comfort him. As much as I desperately want to do the same, I feel guilty being the cause of his pain— and for having brought up this sensitive topic in the first place. Why did I have to walk in here?!

Ugh. Maybe I should just give him some space for now. And I have to admit that I still hold some kind of morbid curiosity for this mysterious place. I walk around and slowly examine each abandoned object, sometimes stooping down to cradle it within my hands.

So N probably treasured this stuffed bear as a child.

He must have loved this toy airplane.

I can see it now: a young little boy with vibrant green hair, running around with his little plane in his hands. But he does it as a distraction, to forget the confusion and turmoil regarding his true parents, and his purpose in life...

So very young and innocent.

A sudden flare of anger bursts within me as I violently throw the airplane to the ground— so hard that one of the wheels come flying loose. Once again, I'm feeling unbounded amounts of resentment towards the man who had destroyed his life. At least he's finally getting what he deserved.

But that could never replace what had been destroyed.

Kind of like... how he destroyed the proud and brave girl I used to be.

No! Don't you dare think that way, Rosa. N may no longer be naive, but he is still a beautiful being. And you can be, too.

Nevertheless, now it's I who cannot withstand the rush of emotions that threatens to overwhelm me. I give a silent apology to the abused airplane as I take my leave of the abandoned toy room, resisting the urge to look back. I try to take in a breath as I emerge back into the hallway, my hand running uneasily through my hair.

There stands N and Hilda, murmuring quietly to each other as they break apart their hug. I didn't want to ruin their moment, but I do want to move on, if just to avoid making him more upset. Unless this upcoming discussion is about what I think it is, in which case... that would only make things a thousand times worse.

My suspicions are only growing in regards to N's plans, only heightening my sense of unease. Hesitantly, I walk over to N, my face becoming the very image of apology. And yet my heart is a mess of confusing emotions.

"N, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have walked in there. I shouldn't have..." I break off softly, my hand trying to find his. He accepts the contact, surprisingly, and holds on with a firm grip. Then he lets out a shuddering sigh.

"Oh, Rosa, you had no way of knowing... And it's not your fault. I'll be fine. Do you wish to explore anymore? You can lead, and I'll follow." I shake my head, thankful he isn't mad at me at all. No way do I want to look around, not any longer. My initial interest has been quashed by my unfortunate discovery. I didn't want to bring him any more unnecessary pain.

"All right. Then please, let me show you the throne room."

I keep my hand in N's grip, and I squeeze it as a sign of support. Hilda puts an arm around his shoulder, cradling the back of his head as we walks. N leads us through the hall, using the gouge in the golden crenelation to bypass the fallen column. There are many cracks in the castle's foundation, and there's also heavy piles of debris blocking the entrances to the other rooms.

...Which is probably a good thing, considering how well that went.

"I remember... This is the place where Anthea and Concordia took care of me as a child," he says suddenly as we passed by another room, breaking the solemn silence.

"Anthea and Concordia? I think I met them in that house in Driftveil," I murmur in contemplation. "They talked very highly of you."

"Are they doing well?" Hilda asks, surprising me. Does she know the sisters?

"As far as I could tell. They were worried about you, N," I reply in concern, running my fingers through his hair. He merely gives a nod.

"That is understandable. Perhaps I should visit them soon." He points towards the next room we pass by. "You know what else? This is where the Seven Sages taught me different things."

Neither Hilda or I can find a suitable response to that.

Finally, we approach the end of the hall, with faded gold stairs on our left leading us upward. The hallway upstairs is very similar to the one below us, except now there's an unavoidable chasm blocking the rest of the path further ahead. But just before this chasm is a hallway on the right.

"This is it," Hilda and N say simultaneously. Continuing to walk as one unit, we enter the white arch into the throne room. I immediately feel bombarded by this strong aura of nobility and mystery from the moment we walk in. It's incredible.

The centerpiece of the room (hell, forget room; this is a wide open chamber) is basically a white tiled hallway gilded with faded gold, occasionally disturbed by widened platforms along the way. There are more white marble piles, one on each side of the platforms. The rest of the chamber itself consists of a cobblestone floor littered with more marble fragments, probably a good fifty feet below us. Thankfully, the pillars supporting the room itself are still in tact. The furthermost platform is inexplicably bathed in light, despite being shut off from the outside world.

Beyond the lit terrace is a small, white marble staircase, leading towards a long catwalk covered by a royal blue carpet. At its end stands what looks like it used to be a white throne. But the throne is in fragments as well. The wall behind this throne has a huge hole in it, about the size of a dragon, maybe (perhaps made Reshiram or Zekrom?). This exposes the rock face that is pressed against the wall of the castle.

Words cannot describe the silence that pervades this room: an ancient hush trying to  hide the not-so-ancient intensity of a fight from not too long ago. It's a pure heaviness that simply bares itself upon my shoulders.

Slowly, we all stroll hand in hand, until we reach the floor bathed in light. Once there, N beckons Hilda and I into a circle. He urges us to sit, saying this is to be a lengthy conversation.

Great. Here we go, then. Can't put it off any longer...

"Please, N... What is this all about? Why did you bring us here?" Hilda practically blurts out once we're settled. I can tell how nervous she's feeling. Truthfully, I am, too, my heart pounding fiercely. I think we both know what is coming.

"Well, what I am about to discuss with you two could have been done anywhere, but I feel like this atmosphere is more... fitting." He struggles finding the right adjective at the end. With a sigh and a look at both of us, N begins to speak.

"Rosa, as you can guess... and Hilda, as you very well know... this place holds a lot of meaning to us." N gestured to himself and Hilda.

"Picture, Rosa, if you can: this room, two years ago, Hilda and I glaring each other down as we engaged in the battle of the fates with our respective dragons..."

The image painted in my mind is very vivid, as I know both N and Hilda can be stubborn in what they believe in. It must have been very intense.

"For the sake of Pokémon, and for what I believed was best... for the sake of my ideal world... I put my beliefs on the line and battled her! And I lost... But at the same time, I learned something important. That the combination of personal truth and ideals is not only acceptable, but necessary to build a more beautiful world."

Hilda is biting her lips like crazy, looking as though there is something she's dying to say, but forcing herself to hold back. N isn't done yet, though.

"Hilda... I've learned so much from you. Meeting and interacting with you on your journey didn't just open my eyes— it changed my life! I can't even describe it. It was like... living in another world. I didn't know what being human meant until you took my hand and showed me how. And for that, I am eternally grateful..."

Hilda's face looks so fragile, like she is about to shatter into a million pieces. And through that anguish, she gives a fierce whisper.

"N. Just say it already, and get it over with."

Huh? What does she mean? I feel somewhat lost and confused as to what is going on exactly, but I can guess.

"Hilda, what—" I start to say before she stops me with a raised hand.

"Say you love her. Do it. Now."

Now N's face is the one that appears fragile. "How did you—"

"The signs of affection between you two were obvious enough," Hilda interrupts him bitterly. "Listen to me for a minute. okay? Just listen. Can you do that much for me?" Her voice is heavy and wavering, but she pushes on nonetheless.

"As much as what happened at the Giant Chasm was horrible and frightening, it brought the two of us together again. Not only us, but Rosa, too. I can't help seeing that as both a blessing and a curse. Because over these past two years, I've never stopped loving you, N... And even now, to a certain extent. Why else would I hunt for you all over the world?"

His eyes widen. He looks ready to answer, but it must have been a rhetorical question because Hilda sweeps on.

"I won't lie; there's a huge part of me that still wants to be with you. But here's the thing. Trying to force my way back in isn't worth it. It's not. You clearly love her now, and I can't change that. To do so would risk our newfound friendship with Rosa— and our own relationship with each other. It's not worth it. And while letting go of you would be far from easy, it doesn't have to be quite so difficult. You know why?" Here, she jabs a thumb in my direction, towards my astonished and wonderstruck face.

"Arceus bless your stupid, lovable friend, Rosa. Hugh is like some kind of bizarre guardian angel. He can be prickly on the outside, but he is damned compassionate deep down. Without him, I'm not sure how I would have gotten through the past couple of weeks. He genuinely listens to me, and he always knows the right things to say."

I swear I'm feeling my jaw drop out of my face the more she talks. What is she trying to say? I know there has been some sort of connection between those two, but I never would have guessed how deep it ran...

"To tell the truth? I think I'm falling for him. Hugh has admitted as much to me, at least. This is our opportunity. This is my chance to move onto something new." Her voice seems to drop an octave with her next sentence. "But I can't do that until we've resolved things once and for all, N." Her hands are slowly curling up into a ball, before letting her fingers go: curling and releasing, curling and releasing, over and over again.

"Of course it's going to hurt to walk away, but I will feel even worse if we just leave this unsaid and unfinished. My personal feelings aside, this decision needs to happen, and it needs to be final. We can still be friends no matter what— I love you too much to severe what we have entirely. But, N... Just tell me goodbye. Please. I need to hear it. Say you love her so I can just move on with my life."

There is a single tear rolling down her face as she finishes. But that is all. No gasping sobs. No desperate pleads. Just that one simple, humble request.

My heart weighs heavy with emotion. Granted, there is no way I could feel as tormented as Hilda right now. But just hearing her confess all of this and asking for a resolution is both incredibly moving and saddening. Frankly, I'm awestruck by her demonstration of maturity and pose.

"Are you sure that's what you want, Hilda?" N finally says, his voice barely audible.

"I've never been more certain," comes her firm response. He simply nods, but he looks at a lost for words. I can't blame him for that. So I try to fill the gaps.

"Hilda... I'm honestly not sure what to say. But it's clear you've put a lot of thought into this," I begin softly. My eyes are fixed upon her form, slightly shaken and yet resolute, as N makes his way towards her.

"I'm sorry N and I hurt you. Believe me, we didn't mean to. I've been so naive towards your past relationship with N— or maybe I ignored it because I was afraid of what you had. But I'm really happy you came with us today... and that you made a decision, and plan to stick to it with complete conviction. That must have been really hard for you." She simply nods and closes her eyes, while N has her embraced in his arms.

"Thank you, Hilda. Seriously. For everything. For opening up and sharing your emotions in such a heartfelt way. I hope this doesn't stop us from becoming friends."

There's nothing else I could really add to that, so I simply stop and let that hang in the air. Watching and waiting for her response. After a brief moment of silence (ended by her stifled sniffle), she looks up at me again.

"Rosa, I'd be happy to be friends with you."

A huge wave of relief and fatigue washes over me as I let out a comforting sigh. "Good. I'm glad..."

"Hey, why don't you get your butt over here for a group hug?" Hilda adds with a lopsided grin. I laugh and scoot my way over, wrapping my arms around the most important people I could have ever met. And who would have thought I would be good friends with two of the most well-known people in Unova? It's something I certainly never saw coming. Regardless, I'm so thankful that things worked out peacefully.

"Love you guys," I whisper softly, enjoying the nature of our newly found companionship.