Chapter 264: N's Good Person Card

He claimed he wanted to liberate Pokémon, yet ended up fighting in the Battle Subway; though his original intention was simply to hear more sounds of Pokémon battles, he hadn’t realized he’d gone too far—now he was nearly face-to-face with the train conductor.

Moreover, these past days, his little partner had proven remarkably strong, and she and her Pokémon genuinely cared for each other; N greatly admired this bond between trainer and Pokémon, and unconsciously extended his stay by two more days.

And now, he faced an awkward situation.

He never imagined Guang Tai would appear here—and worse, he’d been caught in the act of willingly entering battle.

“Ah! This is the Pokémon egg! Thank you, Guang Tai brother!”

Zi Yu happily hugged the portable incubator; she had long awaited this Pokémon, and when her father returned from a business trip abroad, he told her he’d been entrusted with this egg—Zi Yu was overjoyed!

“That egg,” N’s gaze shifted slightly; he heard what sounded like a faint sound from within, but since the Pokémon hadn’t hatched yet, even N could barely make it out.

“Ah! Let me introduce you—this is my Subway partner, Mr. N. He has incredible powers and is extremely strong in battle!”

Zi Yu introduced him willingly, yet sharply sensed some strange atmosphere between the two young men.

“Huh? Do you two know each other?”

Guang Tai smiled and nodded: “Yes, we do. Battle Subway? What are you doing here?”

N remained silent; after weighing his words, he met Zi Yu’s curious gaze and Guang Tai’s probing look, then spoke slowly:

“I believe, given my position, I must listen to more Pokémon voices.”

“I saw the work you left behind in Fuyun City,” N said, then suddenly froze.

He heard the Pokémon voices carried by Guang Tai—and this time, there were new ones added since their first meeting.

Meanwhile, those Pokémon were observing him.

Leafeon sensed N’s unusual nature; his green hair stirred unpleasant memories.

Deoxys regarded him with a scrutinizing gaze; though it could communicate mentally with N, it chose not to.

Budew and Feraligatr reacted most intensely.

They knew who N was, and were stunned to see him appear in this battle arena—their shock was unmasked, even bordering on bitter resentment.

“Sorry…”

N could only offer this reply, then steered the conversation back on track.

“Your work reminded me of my childhood long ago. Those creations were truly excellent—the Scroll of the First Flame, The Hero and the Penitent, the interpretations of Pokémon script, even that unique outfit—I was moved by them, and that’s why I came here.”

“From my standpoint, I thought this might be something I could do. I expected to hear nothing but cries of suffering here, but reality differs from my expectations.”

“Let’s try again. This time, we’ll win.”

“I didn’t perform well. I held back my Trainer. I betrayed his effort and care.”

“I want to keep fighting. Keep challenging.”

“It’s all the Trainer’s fault—but he only just caught me, so forgive his clumsy commands.”

“It hurts, but it’s fine!”

“Most of what I hear here are voices like these. It makes me even more confused—these are unsolvable equations. If battle is supposedly about mutual understanding, yet causes pain among Pokémon, why do I hear these words?”

N fully expressed his purpose and thoughts here; he believed Guang Tai might understand this situation.

He’d originally come out of deep emotion, just to observe—but after a few battles, he found the atmosphere everywhere was mutual support between trainer and Pokémon, with not a trace of mutual harm. They were fighting, yet why were all trainers and Pokémon so energized?

Of course, not everyone stayed.

“I’ve also heard voices of those planning to quit, but the Pokémon never blamed their Trainers.”

“I’ve seen Trainers forcing Pokémon to keep fighting, but such cases are rare among the voices I’ve heard—yet they cannot be ignored.”

“Precisely because I grew more confused, I kept challenging—and Miss Zi Yu has been my partner these past days. She shares an intimate bond with her Pokémon and is remarkably skilled.”

N was reluctant to judge battle prowess.

“The stronger a Trainer, the more suffering and hardship their Pokémon must have endured to reach this point—perhaps even harming many other Pokémon.”

This was unacceptable to N, yet Zi Yu seemed a natural talent—she achieved strong results without long, grueling training.

“That’s wrong! I think it’s terrible!”

Zi Yu struck her classic pose, crossing her arms in an X; before Guang Tai could speak, she preemptively advised N:

“Training doesn’t just harden Pokémon—it hardens the Trainer too. Both sides support each other in battle; without either, it’s incomplete!”

“That’s how I see it! The Battle Subway is a test of synergy and cultivation—like an exam!”

“Mr. N has so many strange ideas! So different from ordinary people! But overall, you’re a good person.”

N: “...”

He never expected a primary school girl to hand him a “Good Person Card”—and at that moment, the Battle Subway train seemed ready to depart.

Zi Yu: “Ah! Rest and preparation time is over! Three more battles and we’ll reach the Subway Controller!”

N: “Yes… The Subway Controller’s Pokémon—what will they say?”

Guang Tai: “It seems your beliefs have changed.”

N: “...Not changed. Witnessed. I believe this is what my position demands.”

“Even now, my doubts haven’t lessened—they’ve grown. So even if I defeat the Subway Controller, will that be liberation? Will it be the end of victory?”

“The more I fight, the more confused I become. Some Pokémon would rather die than retreat, even if their Trainers are weak. Could it be I’ve simply seen too few examples?”

Tragic. The cries Pokémon utter after battle—what do those horrific scenes truly mean? Perhaps Pokémon who love battle aren’t wrong. Their pursuit of victory is also an ideal.

“And the victory they gain is truth.”

“Now, I will claim this truth on their behalf. A summary of myself?”

In the original story, N never visited the Battle Subway, so he’d never heard its voices; though he often rode the Ferris wheel in Lei Wen City, he’d never once entered the Battle Subway—perhaps he’d subconsciously rejected such battle facilities.

But now, N actively joined this level of battle—and with his command skill, he easily reached the Subway Controller’s door. It seems Zi Yu might be the one being carried along!

Guang Tai: “That’s good. Life needs a stage.”

N: “Stage?”

Guang Tai: “Yes. To shine on one’s own stage, to find meaning in existence. Isn’t that true for you too?”

“Anyway, keep fighting. I’ll handle the recovery—I guarantee every Pokémon will enter battle in perfect health!”

N said nothing, savoring those words. Guang Tai, as an audience member, naturally entered the Battle Subway as well.

And received a special item! Even non-contestants received this item upon entering the Battle Subway!

【Item: Battle Recorder!】

【Description: A cool device. Records battle sequences with friends or at special facilities.】

【Effect: Records battles at challenge facilities across regions. Download, upload, or delete battle videos here. Uploaded videos will be viewed by many on the global terminal.】

The spectator seats were a bit dangerous—still, this carriage’s quality was incredible. How could it withstand so many Pokémon moves? What material was this?

In the Pokémon world, the most advanced science isn’t human physical prowess—it’s materials science, isn’t it?

Even Arceus knew materials science was the future of the world!

Three battles were effortless for N; even Zi Yu admitted N’s battle talent was monstrous—he could hear Pokémon thoughts and time their moves perfectly, an ability like cheating. The first challenge ended quickly.

Yet N paid special attention to the defeated Pokémon.

Their frustration and regret reached N’s heart clearly—and those Pokémon still burned with unextinguished battle will. Their Trainers didn’t regret the loss; instead, they reached out, praised N’s strength, and ignited their own Pokémon’s fighting spirit.

“Strange. This is harming friends. I can’t understand.”

“Yet even within me, a strange force surges, urging me…”

“Mr. N, next battle!” Zi Yu’s voice pulled N back to reality. The girl told Guang Tai that during their days together, N often fell into deep thought—when that happened, a loud, energetic shout was all it took!

When battle began, N’s state improved dramatically.

“Awakened fighting spirit?” Guang Tai noticed N’s energy was unusually strong; when in sync with Pokémon, this power manifested—like the bond energy ordinary Trainers and Pokémon share.

After all, N was likely descended from the ancient royal line of Unova, and with his unique origins, enhancing his Pokémon’s power was natural. But N rarely fought in the past, so he’d never understood how this power worked.

The more the power surged, the more fear and confusion he felt—but once battle began, these negative emotions vanished instantly.

N remained silent, kept fighting. Perhaps fully immersed in command, he didn’t even need to communicate—his Pokémon executed moves naturally. He defeated three more opponents in succession, finally reaching Round 49 of the Battle Subway’s Super Double Battle Train!

Guang Tai: “The Subway Controller’s Pokémon all carry items. Don’t underestimate them.”

N: “Items…”

Guang Tai: “I mean, using items wisely makes victory easier. Neglect them, and you might lose.”

“Here, take this.”

Guang Tai handed his vest to N’s Pokémon.

“Assault Vest. Boosts Special Defense but prevents using status moves. But for Croagunk, status moves aren’t important.”

“And this—Hold this one, Zi Yu, for your Pokémon.”

N and Zi Yu’s lead Pokémon were “Croagunk” and “Sylveon”!

This Croagunk clearly came from N’s “friend” network—perhaps picked up casually on Route 4 or the Wild Area. Its aura suggested it might even be a wild pack leader; back in Black and White, Croagunk was ranked #1 among the best “Desert Four.”

Zi Yu’s Sylveon, nicknamed “Black Cotton,” had an elite moveset: Tailwind + Light Screen.

N’s second Pokémon wasn’t Sableye, but Darmanitan. This Darmanitan had been with N since childhood—a veteran far superior to Douzi’s.

“Here, take this.”

Guang Tai used Mental Link on the Darmanitan. The Pokémon was stunned, glancing between N and Guang Tai. Seeing no reaction from N, it accepted the Weakness Policy.

Yet the Darmanitan still stared at Guang Tai, as if trying to see flowers bloom on his face.

Actually, this was normal!

One person who understands Pokémon thoughts was already astonishing—how could another appear?!

Hmm, on the bright side, N—you’re not alone anymore. Someone like you has appeared!

N felt deeply conflicted, finally offering a wry smile.

Yet after stepping into battle, he’d seen all kinds of people.

He’d met a few psychics with special abilities.

“The Daruma Baboon seemed to say something interesting,” Guang Tai smiled. “Understand yourself, understand the other, and finally understand the world.”

N pondered silently but said nothing.

Zi Yu’s second Pokémon was a Dracozolt, just like her father Ju Lao Da, and this one carried a held item—Zi Yu claimed her Dracozolt was holding the Pearl of Life!

Clearly, Ju Lao Da had taught Zi Yu how to use held items in battle!

But Zi Yu was still astonished by the held items Guang Tai had produced!

“I’ve never heard of these items before.”

Guang Tai raised a finger. “Of course not—these are special items only my secret workshop can make!”

Hmm, now that she thought about it, how had her role become just like Wang Luo’s? A mysterious traveling merchant?

When all was ready, after a brief rest, the subway resumed its journey. They re-entered the final carriage, where the door opened, revealing two brothers dressed in bizarre subway attendant uniforms before N and Zi Yu!

The twin brothers had arrived as promised!

The Subway Chief Controllers: Beishanghenan and Laixi!

“You’ve reached here in just three days! What an astonishing team!”

“Normally, a regular Trainer would need a month—or even three—to get this far.”

Seeing the two brothers still at their peak, Guang Tai couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia—sometime in the future, Beishanghenan would be forcibly pulled back through time by Arceus, perhaps merely to promote Pokémon battles in the Hisui region.

It was never clarified whether Beishanghenan was ever returned to his original timeline.

“Battle, begin!”

“Let’s move forward!”

Nan Xia and Bei Shanghenan first sent out their Pokémon: Axew and Crystabelly. Such a violent lineup made Guang Tai continue pondering the materials used to build this train.

And so, the battle began abruptly!

Crystabelly held the White Herb, and Axew held the Pomegranate Fruit!

(End of Chapter)