"Come on Bianca! We gotta meet Cheren!" Hilda called for her friend.

The gym leaders and the champion were getting together to talk about what to do about Ghetsis going missing, and Cheren didn't want to go alone, so he asked Bianca and Hilda to come with him. Iris said it would be fine since Hilda and Bianca had first hand experience with Team Plasma.

"In a minute!" Bianca screamed.

"Oh dear, what is she doing up there?" Bianca's mother wondered.

"It's better not to ask questions when it comes to Bianca" her father added.

"Well we're gonna be late if she doesn't hurry!" Hilda complained. It's not like it was fancy dress apparel or anything, they were just supposed to go in their normal clothes- it was a meeting.

Bianca finally came running down the stairs, looking exactly the same as she did every day.

"I'm sorry! Let's go!"

The eight gym leaders, champion, Hilda, and Bianca stood in the Nacrene city museum. Lenora and her husband were letting them use it after hours, as long as they were careful around the artifacts.

"So who's Ghetsis?" Roxie asked.

Burgh groaned, "Does it matter? I thought we were done with him!"

"If Ghetsis is still out there, there's still risk for him to rise up again" Elena said.

"Team Plasma was a lot more viscous this time around," Cheren said "we shouldn't be taking any chances"

"They didn't have N to hold them back," Bianca said, "without him, they were willing to use force to intimidate and conquer"

"N...he was the leader of Team Plasma two years ago?" Skyla asked. "Wouldn't he have more information on Ghetsis?"

"N is out looking for Ghetsis. He thinks he can convince him to be good, but there's no guarantees that he'll even be able to find Ghetsis, let alone reform him" Hilda added.

"There's no way anyone can reform a fella like that!" Clay exclaimed.

"Ghetsis raised N," Hilda explained, "he's N's father- it's understandable that N would want to at least try to help him"

"So we're just going to trust this "ex" member of Team Plasma to find the leader?" Marlon asked suspiciously.

"I don't know who you think you're talking about" Hilda hissed.

"Marlon, if Hilda says N isn't bad, then we're going to have to trust her" Iris defended.

"But is she even a reliable source? Aren't they dating?"

"I think that N has changed," Cheren said, "guy's pretty trustworthy now"

Marlon mumbled something under his breath and crossed his arms, resigning.

"So what now?" Skyla asked. All heads turned towards Iris.

Iris took a shaky breath, "Send out a search party?"

"What good will that do? We can't send just anyone after Ghetsis. It's not like we can just leave our gyms, either" Elesa pointed out.

"Well I was thinking more along the lines of," Iris said, turning her head towards Bianca and Hilda "people who have dealt with Team Plasma before"

"Me?! You want me to go after Team Plasma?!" Bianca yelled "I-I'm not strong enough to do something like that!"

"Bianca we're just asking you to look" Iris soothed.

Bianca began hyperventilating, "I can't do it! I'm too weak!"

Cheren wrapped his arms around his friend, "Bianca it's okay, you don't have to do it" he said quietly "Any other bright ideas?" He asked the room, not letting go of Bianca. Bianca held onto his shirt tightly.

"I'd be happy to help look for Ghetsis, but I can't do it alone" Hilda said.

"You'll have that N feller of yours" Clay stated.

"You think N and I can cover all of Unova?!"

"Rosa and Hugh, maybe?" Iris suggested.

Hilda shook her head, "Rosa is focusing on her acting career, and Hugh only fought Team Plasma last time because they had something he wanted. Once he got it back, Team Plasma wasn't of interest to him"

Bianca was still hyperventilating, so Cheren took her outside.

"Cheren I can't do that!" Bianca exclaimed once they were outside.

"Nobody is making you, Bianca"

"But they need help looking for Ghetsis... what if they never find him, and it's all my fault?"

"It wouldn't be your fault, Bi"

"You don't know what it's like to be weak, Cheren" Bianca said sadly, tears brimming her eyes. "You've always been strong, and you've always been able to protect your Pokémon. I couldn't protect mine. I'll never be good enough"

"Bianca..."

Bianca took a deep breath, "I'll be fine. Let's go back in"

Cheren planted his hands on Bianca's shoulders and held her in place. He looked straight into her eyes.

"Bianca, you are not weak. You're the strongest person I've ever met"

"But Hilda-"

"You and Hilda are strong in different ways. For two years you went without seeing me or Hilda, yet you wore that beautiful smile of yours every single day regardless. When we were dealing with Team Plasma those years ago, you always had that smile on your face, and managed to pick up any conversation. You light up every single room you walk into, Bianca"

"Cheren...thank you" Bianca said, hugging Cheren tightly.

"Any time, Bi"

"Well that was a waste of time" Hilda muttered, kicking a rock down the road. The three friends were walking to the Pokémon Center where they were staying the night. Cheren and Bianca walked closer together, while Hilda was more distant from the two.

"It didn't go as expected, no," Cheren sighed, "but at least we're all on alert"

"I hope N knows what he's doing" Bianca added.

"Me too" Hilda hoped.

"Why didn't you go with him?" Cheren asked.

"Ghetsis doesn't like me. Why would he? I turned his own son against him" Hilda replied.

"That was hardly your fault" Cheren defended.

Hilda shrugged, "Not like it was my intention, either...but..."

"You and N fell in love," Bianca said, "that's nobody's fault"

Hilda smiled lightly, "Yeah..." her frown returned, "But that doesn't mean Ghetsis likes me. N said it would be for the best if I stayed here- said it would be safer"

Bianca and Cheren said nothing. What could they say? They hadn't even known that Hilda had liked N until she told them after he had left two years ago.

*ring* *ring*

Suddenly all three Xtransceivers went off and they all picked up. It was Rosa.

"Hey guys!" Rosa chirped.

"Isn't it a little late to be that happy?" Cheren groaned.

"Nope! I've got exciting news!"

"You're in another movie" Bianca guessed.

"Well yes, but that's not the exciting part!"

"No?" Hilda asked.

"You all can come to Pokestar studios and see it tomorrow for yourselves! I want to see the looks on all your faces when you see it! Hilda, bring N too!"

"Okay, sounds interesting- I'll be there" Cheren decided.

Rosa blushed, "You'll come, Cheren? Thank you!"

"I'll be there too!" Bianca chimed.

"N might be busy, but I'll go" Hilda said.

"Thanks guys! Be there by 6:00 pm! I have to call Hugh, see ya tomorrow!" Rosa said, hanging up.

"I've gotta get someone to cover the gym now" Cheren groaned.

"I'd better call the Professor" Bianca stated.

"I'd better...get some sleep, arguing with Marlon gave me a headache. Let's get to the Pokémon Center" Hilda mumbled.

The three of them walked into the Pokémon Center, went to their room, and passed out on the beds.