Chapter Twenty-Six

Amira awoke in bed and came face to face with Theodore as he stared at her anxiously. She bonked him on the head by accident in her hurry to sit up. He fell back on his rear and shook his head to brush off the sting.

She petted him and gave out a soft apology as she looked around. She was once again in a hospital room, only this time its minimalist design and technological worship told her right away that she was in Opelucid City. Sitting across the room and looking out the window with his back turned to her was Alder.

She didn't get the chance to say a word as two women entered the room. The first woman was dressed in pink scrubs and a white lab coat with her curly red hair done in a tight and prim bun. The second woman was an older yet kindly looking lady in a belted black trench coat and a long red skirt.

Alder turned his head at having heard the sound of their heeled shoes clacking along the floor. As they entered the room, he struggled with whether he should be by her side to comfort her or if she even wanted anyone near her at the moment. It was his first time dealing with anything like this. He had acted on his instinct, on his need and desire to protect her. He wrapped her in his poncho and brought her to the hospital as they were the only things he knew to do. Now he was lost in the aftermath but stalwart in his determination to further help in any way he could.

"Good afternoon," said the first woman as she approached her bed side. "My name is Doctor Lepore. I'll be seeing to your care while you're with us."

She turned her attention to Alder, who rose from his seat expectantly, then spoke once more.

"Are you comfortable divulging personal information in the presence of this gentleman?"

Amira slowly wrapped her arms around Theodore and stared at Alder with wide eyes on the verge of tears. She had no idea what was happening, what would happen, nor what she should expect. She didn't want to discuss what had happened around Alder. She didn't want to discuss it all.

"It's alright," he answered in her hesitance. "I can step outside."

The two women bowed their heads to Alder as he passed while she lowered hers in shame. She held on to Theodore tighter, realizing that, as she was in a flimsy hospital gown, someone must've dressed her.

"I'll also be conducting your evidence collection examination," the doctor continued. "This is done to protect you against unwanted pregnancy and diseases."

"I'm Mrs. Darwish," said the second woman. "I'm an advocate from the Sexual Assault Crisis Center. I'm here to see you through the procedure and answer any questions you have. So if there's anything you need, please feel free to ask me."

"I would… I would like to just go home, please?"

Tears burned down her face as she shut her eyes tight against the women's looks of sympathy. Theodore mewled questioningly and reached up to hug her back as she leaned her head on his.

"I understand this is hard for you," said Mrs. Darwish, "but it's very important that you let us help you."

"You don't have to undergo the procedure right away," added Dr. Lepore. "I'll leave Mrs. Darwish here to explain to you what will happen and we can give you some time to-"

"No," she muttered again through audible sobs. She had started shaking not only from the cold but from the fear of her parents finding out. She was sure they already had and were on their way to disown her. "I really want to go home. Please just let me go…"

She cried harder, remembering she had uttered those exact same words only hours before. Mrs. Darwish stepped closer to the bed and reached out her arms. She stopped as Amira not only flinched but violently shied away from any embrace.

"We've contacted your family," said Dr. Lepore. "Your mother and father are on their way. We can't let you leave without their permission."

She hid her face and gritted her teeth at the news. As her tears began matting his fur, Theodore began crying as well.

"I can sit with you if you like," offered Mrs. Darwish, "until your parents arrive."

"Please leave me alone…"

The two women let out tentative sighs of despair but granted her at least that wish. They left without a word and stepped out in the hall. The police had already arrived and were collecting Alder's testimony but were warded off from attempting to interview her just yet.

She had released Theodore and instead hugged her knees as she wept. He watched her in fear, called to her, touched her, tried to nuzzle her but she remained unresponsive. Terrified of once again failing to handle the situation on his own, he turned to the nightstand where her Poké Balls sat. He pressed each one, releasing his team mates in the hopes that they would somehow get her smile to return.

They had watched the horrific attack from their capsules and were anguished at being unable to act. They knew well the situation and huddled around her in solemn penitence.

It took a while but with Dharma's expertise in meditation, he helped her to calm down by showing her how to take deep breaths. For each of them, their nerves were calmed but their feelings remained the same.

Her tears dried not a moment too soon as after a knock on the door, Alder poked in his head in to ask if she'd like his company.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Champion."

"Don't be. It's not your fault." His voice was cold in a way she never heard before but the warmth in his eyes, the burning of his anger, was fresh. She kept her head down, wanting to face anyone but him.

"This is my failure," he continued. "You did nothing wrong. I should have protected you. I'm sorry. I failed you and I am sorry."

His anger had not quieted but his look toward her softened. She understood now that he was mad at himself. This only deepened her guilt instead of its intended opposite effect.

"I shouldn't have gone alone. None of this would've happened if I would have told you to pick me up directly. I was being reckless as usual by thinking I could just walk around on my own. I should've ran when I had the chance instead of walking into his trap! I knew that's what I was! I had the feeling and yet, I was an idiot and just…"

"Amira!"

The rise in his voice and his sudden assumption of authority made her jump. Her Pokémon, who had also been vehemently protesting her faults, were also brought to silence. With only the call of her name in the voice of a champion, he brought the room to his command.

"Nothing you did, NOTHING, no matter what it was, warranted such an attack. You're not to blame for what happened, any of it. He used you..."

The words were difficult for him to say and he wanted to bury them. Yet he knew she needed to hear them, and his comfort was not an issue at all. He spoke slowly as he tried his best to hammer each word and their meaning.

"He took what he knew and used it to prey on you. Don't blame yourself for his evil… If you're to blame anyone, let it be me. I should have never let you out of my sight. I knew you were being targeted by Team Plasma and I took no precautions to ensure your safety. I failed you as the Champion and as your friend. I won't waste my breath asking for forgiveness but I give you my word," his face darkened and the fire within him emanated with such a force that it raised the temperature of the entire room. "I will bring him to justice for what he has done."

She swallowed with a mix of fear and admiration. Even though it wasn't directed at her, she felt the need to be cautious around him.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," he said softly.

He sighed and let the room fill with silence as he watched her interact with her Pokémon. He could see how they tried to comfort her though were affected by her trauma as well. His trained eyes could see their turmoil through their façades. It was a testament of the bonds she shared with them that they put up such strong fronts on her behalf. Likewise, she too was now attempting to squander her fear for their peace of mind.

He also caught a glimpse of the curious decoration on her Audino. The ornate pink ribbon tied around its neck was offset by a white, plastic heart charm. In the center of that charm was a faint metallic glare.

"Amira, is it alright if I see your Audino for a moment?"

"Sure, but it's not exactly mine…"

While she was merely curious, Theodore stared on in horror, wondering if he was at it again. Instead, he softly petted Diana on the head, then took her charm in between his fingers and crushed it. Diana let out a startled cry of despair, prompting them all to stare in confusion.

"Mr. Alder," she screamed in shock, "what was that for!?"

"That was a lens." He smiled and spoke as if it meant nothing at all, while hiding his growing fury. He took the charm apart and showed her its treacherous insides. "It's a micro-camera. Someone was using it to spy on you."

Amira sat speechless; not because she didn't have anything to say but simply didn't want him to hear her scream 'that fucking Colress' over and over again with increasing anger. It suddenly made sense now as to why Diana was not only the first one awake in the morning but also insisted on being in the same room as her when she dressed or took a shower.

"It wasn't your fault, now was it? I'm sure you didn't know what you were doing. You would never purposely harm anyone, right?"

He cooed to the still teary-eyed Audino, who was distraught not at having failed her mission but from having a gift from her former trainer broken. He also shielded her from the less than docile looks she was receiving from the rest of her team. Though they wouldn't hurt her, there was no warm welcome for betrayal.

"Your parents are on their way. The hospital staff was asking me about your family so I had Drayden contact them."

Snapped out of her blind rage, she was once again nervous at the thought of her parents learning what had happened.

"Did he… He told them what happened, I guess?"

"He told them what he felt he could," he replied. "They've also been in contact with the doctors here, who've told them how you're doing. The rest is up to you. It's your choice."

"Wait! Alder, the Light Stone!"

Her sudden yelling startled them all. She threw off the covers and scrambled to get out of bed as he reminded her, word for word, of her prior unpleasant obligation.

"The Light Stone! If he managed to get it-"

"The Light Stone is fine. It's safe in your bag with your other possessions. Right now, I just want you to focus on recuperating, nothing else."

She relaxed and let out a sigh of relief. He found her concern awkward and misplaced but supposed he shouldn't. She was worried about the Light Stone because he had made her so. He remembered she had refused it and now it was proved to be with good reason. He said nothing but his guilt deepened as he thought of all the ways he had set these horrible events in motion.

"Knock, knock," came a hesitant voice.

Dr. Lepore and Mrs. Darwish had returned. With a forlorn goodbye to Alder and her Pokémon, she was lead to the examination room for the start of the procedure. Though it was to ease her fears, the explanation of the procedure only made her all the more nervous. They had already collected the clothes she had arrived in and sealed them away to preserve any DNA evidence.

In this case, they had taken Alder's poncho since hers, she assumed, were still on the floor in the camper in Lostlorn Forest. She refused Mrs. Darwish's offer to hold her hand throughout the procedure. She preferred to be alone then accompanied by a stranger.

In the examination room, she was met by another nurse and an Audino, both there to assist to the doctor by handing her instruments when she called for them, to comfort Amira if they felt it necessary, and to bag the evidence as soon as it was handed to them.

First they combed and plucked a few strands of her hair, both from her head and from her pubic area. She tolerated the doctor's gloved hands and cold touch with gritted teeth and clenched fists. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes, not wanting to see whatever stare she would receive as she did what she was told. She lied back and opened her legs to allow them to swab her vaginal and anal areas. Even though they were shut tight, tears fell from her eyes as they took various samples.

She ignored their cooing and began to tremble, reluctantly opening her mouth so they could swab there as well. Her discomfort became all the more evident in her futile attempts to cease her sobbing as she was told to sit up. Her hands shook so badly, they had to be held still as they swabbed under her fingernails before trimming them and placing them in a sealed plastic envelope.

"I'm so sorry you have to go through this," said the doctor as she finished the procedure. "It's over now. That's the last of it. A nurse will be by later to draw your blood for testing. If at any time you need to use the restroom, please let us know. We need to collect a urine sample as well."

She said nothing in response. The only comfort she held as she was taken back to her room was that she would finally be able to bathe. Even though they had told her not to, she decided she was finished reeking of Ghetsis' disgusting scent and the musk of sex. It was a wonder to her how her Pokémon and Alder managed to stand to be near her. She burned with shame and disgrace as she saw their faces, unable to even fake a smile.

Alder had been comforting her Pokémon in her absence, reassuring them that they, neither through their actions nor inaction, were also not to blame. Although he couldn't understand their words, he understood their feelings.

"Amira, is there anything you want us to do right now? We'll do whatever you ask to be of help."

She avoided any eye contact with him and wrung her hands in her lap.

"No. I'm fine now. I'll be okay. Shouldn't you get back to the League? In case N shows up, you have to be there."

"You're more important," he answered without a moment of hesitance. "The League has been fine in my absence and it'll continue to do so. Right now, I'm doing what I should've done from the start and am staying by your side. I'll stay for as long as you need me to."

She mumbled to herself as she was struck by his words.

"You don't just have me either," he added.

Her eyes lifted from her misery and peered into the faces of her Pokémon, acknowledging them one by one. They stared back at her with stalwart hearts and unwavering faith. Even Diana, who didn't even belong to her and had barely been with her for twenty-four hours, gave her a ready smile.

She realized they wanted her to be okay just as much as she wanted the same for them. In the lift of her haze, she realized that they hurt just as she did. They felt for her, shared her pain, and stood by her in her time of need. Even through Ghetsis defilement, even as she no longer saw herself worthy of person-hood, they still stood by her. From what she read from the looks on their faces, they would continue to stand, together, no matter what they faced. Through words unspoken, they told her she was a still person, worthy of love, that she was loved, and that nothing would change that.

Lastly she looked to Alder and thought of their interactions throughout her journey. He chided her in Twist Mountain when she failed to meet his expectations. He had shown faith in her by entrusting her with the Light Stone. He left the League to come find her because he was worried about her. Even now, he was putting himself second just to comfort her. She lunged for him as an odd feeling of catharsis washed over her. Now that she too felt it, she understood how Bianca could be happy in such odd moments.

"Thank you, Mr. Alder," she said as she squeezed him tightly.

He patted her back as he returned her hug her and let out a sigh of relief. He stayed silent but broke into a prideful smile as he watched her also hug and thank each of her Pokémon, showering them with words of love.

"Mr. Alder," she turned to him with a nervous smile. "Uhm, do you still want to help me?"

"Of course."

"I want to take a bath. If I give you money, can you buy me a change of clothes?"

She blushed deeply as she asked the question but refused to back down from her request. He looked back at her with the same embarrassment that he had forgotten something so simple all together. He was unwilling to stray too far from her and purchased a night gown from the hospital's gift shop and, much to the clerk's confusion, a pack of girls' underwear and brassiere. He returned just in time to meet Drayden in the hall who thought nothing at all of his most recent purchases.

Drayden entered Amira's room and gave her a look that made her shudder. His eyes reflected some animosity that, like Alder's, was beyond her. He was looking at her, at the damage that had been done, and thinking of Iris. It was certain that if anyone attacked his precious grandchild, they'd regret it for the very short remainder of their life. Amira wondered if he had come to chastise her when his look softened. He cleared his throat and spoke in a soft voice full of compassion.

"I hope you don't mind my coming to see you. I wanted to confirm that you were okay. I apologize that I couldn't bring Iris with me but she sends her love. She was also very worried about you."

"Thank you," she responded with a shy smile. "I'm doing fine."

She hadn't at all lost her fear of Drayden. In fact, now she was even more intimidated by him. To make matters worse, he was seeing her in such a pitiful state. In spite of his words, she was sure that he would never see her as anything more than a careless child who brought about her own misery.

"Uhm, I actually want to be alone for a bit, if that's okay?"

"Of course. I understand completely," he nodded. "Alder and I will be just outside."

She sighed in relief after they left then turned to Diana. Every eye in the room was on the little Audino, who had no idea of her misdeeds or the context to understand them. Amira repeated Alder's words and gave her Pokémon instructions not to scare her any further. She grabbed the shopping bag Alder had left at her side and went to finally bathe.

Meanwhile, he and Drayden stood just outside the waiting area discussing the turn of events. It was now clear that not only was Ghetsis a bigger threat than they had originally perceived but ruthless as well. They didn't excuse any line of his reasoning for attacking Amira and refused to be distracted from taking steps to prevent his cruelty from spreading.

Once Alder had given him the order, Drayden immediately extended his protection to Cheren and Bianca. He also passed along the harrowing news to the other Gym Leaders. He left out any details and instead opted for a simple statement that got the point across just as well, recognizing that the story wasn't his to tell.

The Pokémon League had been keeping an eye out for N ever since he awakened Zekrom but he still failed to appear. No one knew whether or not the assault changed the legitimacy of his challenge to the League or eligibility to take the title from the Alder. Yet no one decided it was an argument worth having when he had the power of a near demigod at his fingertips.

The call he made to Amira's parents was perhaps the hardest he made in his life. There was no kind way to tell them what had happened nor would he add insult to injury by attempting to soften the blow. He kept his words simple and answered every question as straight forward as he could. Predictably, they took the news with relative calm but there'd be no shelter from the storm that was slowly brewing underneath the surface.

"Her father will arrive sometime tonight. Shiya is still tied with her work in Sinnoh but I don't expect her to be far behind. I've prepared a place for them to stay in the meanwhile in Opelucid City. With Team Plasma still loose, it'll be safer if they're both nearby."

"Thank you Drayden," said Alder. "It should've been my responsibility. I've come to think that shirking my duties is at fault for everything that's happened. If I hadn't abandoned the League in the first place, it never would've come to this."

Drayden stared at his long-time friend with hardened eyes. They had been rivals as children and stayed that way well into adulthood, even now. They knew more about each other than perhaps their own families and there were no surprises between them. He knew Alder's faults, his weaknesses and the true strength that made him Unova's champion.

"I agree that this is your irresponsibility coming back to haunt you."

He also had no sympathy for the idiot.

"But don't think you can wallow in your guilt any longer. You placed your faith in that young woman when you handed her the Light Stone. She's put her faith in you as the Champion to lead her. You know as well as I do what it takes to be strong in the face of adversity, to keep it together for the ones that depend on you. Unfortunately, now that's something that she has to learn. Show her how."

Alder tensed at the seeming harshness of Drayden's words but didn't shy away from the truth. After the death of his first Pokémon, he had run from his duties as Champion. He wandered aimless and lived only for the moment. In the absence of law and order, Team Plasma grew quietly and unhindered. Now they were at the threshold of a world ruled by Ghetsis and only he and Amira stood in the way.

"Thank you."

Both men parted ways with lighter shoulders. Alder went back to her room, knocking before entering to make sure he was welcomed and came in just as another nurse was leaving. In addition to administering the final tests, she had brought food for Amira's Pokémon. She appeared to be in better spirits but a quick eye told him that her smile didn't match the trembling of her hands.