>>36715551His infantile optimistic mind couldn't let go of the thought that they might still be his friends, but this time out of their own free will.
Due to his youthful mind, and partly due to N knowing this would be inevitable anyway, he decided to try this ultimate act of trust. He stretched out his arm, pressed the little button responsible for the process, and released his main and most powerful and trusted companion.
The little monsterat first was surprised and startled, he couldn't understand what was happening. For the first time, in a long time he wasn't compelled to obey and to trust. All devotion had left him. His free will had come back.
N looked at his friend with hopeful eyes. Outstretched his arms, and awaited a gesture of friendship and trust. The smaller being partially fulfilled N’s expectations. It jumped rightinto his arms,which created a bright smile on his face. He started to think maybe his ideals weren’t completely true after all and perhaps humans and Pokémon could coexist in harmony.
Yet such a happy ending wasn't meant to be. The first sign of trouble came in the form of a smile. It was a grimace that N had never seen before, neither in monster nor in man. To him it was a weird combination of anger and happiness, which he couldn't name. Something the common adult knows as a snickering grin.
For the first time inhis life, the traveler had experienced the power of his companion on his own skin. For the first time in his life he felt such intense pain, and suffering. "Is this what my friends felt while battling for me, while they put on a bloody show for Hilbert solely for my own belief and wishes?” This, rather noble thought was the last he had, beforehis mind became blank, and his consciousness slipped.
