You all thought I was only going to post one chapter for today, but nope! As a Christmas present to all of you, I'm posting two chapters which officially ends this arc! So, read it today or Monday, I don't care, but you will be getting a new chapter on Monday still. No, this does not mean I finished the chapter I'm stuck on, but I've been making slow progress on it. Very slow, but progress is progress! Also, when watching Encanto, watch the balcony on Dolores's part if you want to. You'll see someone there (it's so weird, but the first time I watched it I didn't realize it. They hide it so well!). More news: Everyone loved the presents I got them! I'm so glad and relieved, but I was so excited that I've barely gotten any sleep the past two nights. Maybe tonight I can get more sleep since the excitement has passed.

Warnings: Talk about child abuse. Mentions of what abuser does to child.

'Sign language'

Disclaimer: Never will own Pokemon. Autumn's mine.

-Ash's P.O.V.-

Things weren't going too well. After Autumn fell asleep, we all moved away so Professor Kukui could work on her cuts while we waited for a helicopter to come, "You go first," Lusamine told us when it arrived, "I'll be fine until another one comes, but she needs help first."

Kukui was already carrying her into the helicopter, but I waited a bit, "Thank you," I told her before I joined them in the helicopter.

Things just seemed to get worse when we got to the hospital. They flew us to Melemele General Hospital since it had the most equipment and they had her medical records, including every medicine that didn't work on her, "I'm sorry, but even service Pokemon aren't allowed back here while we're operating," The nurse said as I held Riolu in my arms.

I nodded, "Can you tell us when you get any news?" They had to do surgery on her wrist since it was that badly broken.

The nurse nodded, "I'll come tell you everything once we're done," And she was gone.

Waiting was torcher, but we never saw Lillie, Gladion or Lusamine. The others didn't show up either, "Professor?" I asked, "Where do you think everyone is?"

"They're at home," Professor Kukui answered, "Their parents were worried and they probably won't be able to come here until tomorrow."

I nodded, then asked what I had been wondering before all this started, "What do you think about Autumn being your niece?"

He looked at me with a smile, "At first, I was shocked, but I was suspecting that we were related somehow since she looked so much like my older sister. Now, I want to make sure she knows that she'll always have a place in my house," He ruffled my hair a bit, "So will you, Ash."

I relaxed a bit, but was still anxious about any news on Autumn. She looked awful the first time we saw her, but I didn't say anything because we still had to find Lusamine. Now though, I wish I had, "Most of her cuts were starting to get infected, but we got to her in time. Although, the one on her leg seemed to be infected before we got to her. She'll be fine, just has a small fever. The thing we're most worried about is her wrist," He finished, "How many times has she broken it?"

That wasn't something I could answer, "We don't know," I answered honestly, "Before she met me, her father tied her up multiple times and she had to break her wrist in order to get away. I do know that she's done it at least once before."

He nodded, "I suspected. The bone's really weak there and will take a while to heal. She may not recover fully from it at all and have to wear a brace for the rest of her life. She's also suffering from dehydration and starvation, but we've taken care of those for the most part."

We nodded, "Is there anything else we need to know?" Kukui asked.

He shook his head, "Not yet. We're keeping her under observation, but you can go see her. She's in room 184 and should wake up in a few hours," Then he left as we ran to her room.

She was almost as pale as the bedsheets she was laying on, but I didn't really care since she looked a lot better then when we met her in the Ultra Beasts world. We sat and waited for her to wake up, but she never did, "Lusamine just needs rest and will be able to do that at her home," Burnet told us when she came to give us an update as the doctor looked Autumn over to figure out why she wasn't waking up, "All the kids are alright as well, resting and wanting to see Autumn actually."

I smiled, "She would really appreciate them coming," I told Burnet.

Burnet just smiled wider, "Good, because they're going to be here in a few minutes."

Kukui laughed, "Hopefully she'll be awake by then. She hasn't woken up yet because of her exhaustion, I believe."

"Hopefully it's just that," Burnet agreed as they gave each other a side hug, "So, do you two need anything? I'm planning on going to your house after we learn what's going on with Autumn in case you want to stay here."

"Let's wait until we hear what the doctor says," Kukui answered, "Then we'll know more of what we'll need."

The other arrived just as the doctor arrived as well, "So, what's the news?" I asked, anxiously.

He sighed, "She's in a coma. We don't know why and we don't know when she'll wake up, but we're hoping she does soon."

Nothing was said, "I-is there any way to bring her out of it?" I asked, trying not to cry. The only other person I knew who used to be in a coma died.

He shook his head, "Not really. You can try talking to her if you want, but we don't know if she'll be able to hear you," After a moment of silence, he continued, "You can go see her if you want," Then he was gone.

I still haven't been able to bring myself to go see her, too scared that she'll die or just look dead. It's been two weeks! Every day I feel worse and worse for not going, but I can't. I stand outside of the hospital for hours after school, then walk home because I can't stand being there. Lillie actually found out the first day she came back to school, "You haven't seen her?!" Lillie yelped at lunch when she found out, "Why not?"

I played with my lunch, "I don't want to see her like that. There, but… not at the same time. Every time I see it, I don't like it."

"She actually has color," Kiawe answered, the one who went with me every day to go see her, but never pushed me to go inside and see her, "And doesn't look dead anymore."

"Really?" Mallow asked, excitedly, "I've been wanting to visit her, but I don't want to see her like she was before. It still scares me."

Kiawe nodded, "They're hoping that she wakes up in the next day or two because of how much progress she's made."

"Yeah," Lana smiled, "She doesn't have the infection anymore, right?"

"That's right," Kiawe smiled, "Most of her cuts have healed, but the bruises are still there though and haven't shown any signs of healing yet."

Kiawe had sort of become our go to on any news on Autumn. He gave us updates every day and told us all the good and bad things, "So, they think that she'll wake up soon?" I asked hopefully.

He nodded, "If not, then her injuries aren't what caused the coma."

Lillie smiled, "Why don't we all go see her?" She suggested, "Maybe she'll wake up if we're all there!"

"Great idea!" Lana beamed, "We can go after school today!"

"Then it's settled," Mallow nodded, "We'll go see her after school today."

"I won't be able to stay for long," Sophocles admitted, "I have chores I have to do at home."

School went by way too fast and soon, we were standing outside the hospital. Everyone was just waiting for me, "If you're not ready, you don't have to go see her," Lana admitted.

Lillie looped an arm around mine, "Why don't you want to go see her?"

"The last time I saw someone in a coma," I admitted, "They didn't make it. If Autumn doesn't make it… I don't want this to be the last time I see her."

"Don't worry," Kiawe put a hand on my shoulder, "She's strong. Autumn's going to make it."

"Ash," Lillie added, "Maybe she's waiting for you before she wakes up."

They only had to wait one more moment before I took a deep breath and went in. Riolu was the only Pokemon allowed in the room since she was Autumn's service Pokemon, so Pikachu waited in the Pokemon waiting room, "She's looking much better!" Mallow beamed, being the first one through the door.

"Wow," Sophocles paused before he went in, "She looks like she's just sleeping!"

"Come on," Lillie dragged me into the room when she noticed that I was hesitating, "Autumn wouldn't want you to be sad."

The sight that greeted me wasn't what I was expecting. Autumn truly looked like she was sleeping, "Wow," I mumbled, "She looks a lot better than I thought she would."

Kiawe smiled, "Autumn, today we have a surprise for you. Everyone's here! Including Ash."

Once he said that, it seemed like she relaxed a bit more. Her heartbeat even sped up for a second, but nothing else changed, "Hey Autumn," I walked forward and grabbed her hand, "Sorry I haven't visited you yet, but I'll come a lot more often now."

After that, we spent the time together like she was awake and able to talk back to us. We pretended like she wasn't in a coma for just a few minutes until Sophocles had to leave. The others left soon after him, each of them having things they need to do, "Ash," Kiawe asked nervously, "Would you mind if I asked Autumn on a date?"

I wasn't expecting that, but… "You can if you want," His eyes widened, "At first, I didn't like the idea of Autumn going out with anyone, but… you care about her. You help her whenever you can and you do everything you can to help her through her hard times," I looked him straight in the eyes, "So, I don't mind. Just tell me before you ask her because I wanna know."

Kiawe smiled and nodded, "I will, but first I feel like I have to ask Professor Kukui. He's kind of her uncle."

I huffed out a laugh, "That's so weird to think about, but it also makes so much sense."

Kiawe nodded, "I'm glad she has blood relatives alive that are good to her."

"Yeah," I smiled, "Maybe Professor Kukui can tell her about her mom when they were younger! That's something I want to hear."

"Autumn's mom was probably a lot like her. Watching out for her little brother and making sure to help him whenever possible."

"I wonder if she's the one who taught Autumn sign language," I wondered out loud.

"She knew sign language before you met?"

"Yeah. She didn't actually speak for almost a month around us, but she talked to Riolu all the time."

"Could you teach me more sign language?" He asked, "Autumn's been teaching me, but I still don't know it very well."

For this, I pulled out a book, "Here. This way you can study whenever you want, but it's usually better when you have someone with you to teach you," I held up my hands, "So, what do you know so far?"

I taught him as well as I could, but Autumn was a much better teacher than I was. We ended up on opposite sides, each holding one of her hands, "I'll be back tomorrow Autumn," Kiawe promised as he gently held her injured hand, not lifting it from the bed, "I promise."

"We'll both be here," I stated, "We'll come every day until you wake up," I nodded, then turned to join Kiawe in leaving since visiting hours were over. I was stopped by something holding my hand, "Is something wrong?" I quickly turned around only to freeze. Autumn's eyes were open and she was the one gripping my hand.

I stared at her in shock, "Ash," Kiawe came back in, "We-" That's when he noticed Autumn's eyes were open and she wasn't letting me go.

He ran back out only to come in a moment later with a doctor, "She's waking up!" The doctor stated, smiling, "She's not fully back to awareness, but I believe she will be by tomorrow."

"Aren't you taking her cast off tomorrow?" Kiawe asked as I finally got out of her grip. Both of us went closer to her anyway.

The doctor nodded, "Then she'll have to wear a brace for at least three weeks, maybe the rest of her life. We'll know more next week when we check how her wrist is healing," He stopped a few machines and wrote on his clipboard, "I'll go inform her Uncle, but I'm going to have to ask you two to leave unless your family."

"I'm family," I answered immediately, "But Kiawe's our friend. Can't he stay?"

"Sorry, only family is allowed after visiting hours," He shook his head, "He can come back tomorrow."

"Alright," Kiawe slowly started for the door, "Tell me everything that happens tomorrow, okay?"

"I will," And he was gone, "Doctor?" I asked, "When will we be able to take her home?"

"Depending on what the results are of the tests, tomorrow afternoon, but we won't know more until she's fully awake again," Then he left the room as well, probably to call Professor Kukui.

He came along with Professor Burnet, who we both are very thankful for as she's kept us sane while all of this is going on. We've helped her as well, making sure she eats as well and takes breaks, "She seems to be coming back pretty quickly," Burnet observed once they arrived, "I think she'll be fully awake by tonight."

Kukui just sighed and sat in the chair next to me, "I'm just glad she's awake."

Burnet was a bit off. Autumn was fully awake when it was getting close to midnight, but the doctors didn't mind. They whisked her off to do tests and make sure everything was working as it was supposed to, "So," Burnet asked once they wheeled her back in, "What's the verdict?"

"No brain damage," The doctor answered, "And everything is as it's supposed to be, but she's not talking. We think she may have forgotten how, but she can speak sign language."

"Autumn does sign language whenever she's scared enough," Kukui answered, "She just needs time to recover and she'll be talking soon."

The doctor wrote some more things down, "Alright," Then he looked at all of us, "She'll be able to go home tomorrow, late morning, but she's on bed rest. She won't be able to sit up on her own for a few more days and she shouldn't be standing yet. You'll have to remember to clean the cut on her leg once every day at least so it doesn't get infected again. If she starts to complain about her head hurting, bring her back so we can make sure nothing is wrong and we didn't miss anything."

"Doctor," Professor Kukui asked, interrupting him, "Why are you telling us all of this now? Why not wait until you release her?"

"My shift ends in a few hours," He answered, "So I won't be here. And this way, all you have to worry about is getting that cast off of her arm and getting a brace on it before you leave. It'll be much faster that way. Now, if she wants to go anywhere for the next three days, someone will need to carry her. After that, she can be pushed around in a wheelchair. Although, I'm concerned about why she was so dehydrated and starved. I know what happened to bring her in here, but why was she so starved?"

"Autumn doesn't really eat a lot," I answered, "Her father didn't give her nearly enough to eat when she was with him and now she doesn't eat as much as she should. She's gotten better though!" I smiled, "She eats half a plate every meal instead of just a few bites a day!"

He hummed, "Alright. Autumn," He faced her, making her look up from Riolu, "Can you try to eat a bit more at meals? Just one more bite each time after you feel full, alright?"

Autumn nodded, 'I'll try.'

He nodded, "Great! Now I think you all need some rest. A new doctor will come by in the morning to take her cast off so you can go home."

"Thank you!" Burnet waved after him as he left.

Kukui was checking Autumn again, 'Are you sure you're alright? No pain?'

'No pain,' Autumn answered back, 'But… I would like to know what you think about the… information I gave you.'

'I'm excited to be your uncle,' Kukui answered, 'And you'll always have a place in my home to stay.'

Autumn smiled, tears coming to her eyes, 'Thank you,' Riolu wiped away the happy tears as they slowly came from her eyes.

'No, thank you Autumn. For being here,' That shocked me, 'Now I have a part of my sister back and I'll take care of you as best as I can. I've always wanted to be an uncle.'

"Ash," Burnet whispered to me as they continued talking, "What are they talking about?"

"One second," I whispered back, then tapped Autumn on the arm to get her attention, 'Is it alright if I tell Burnet about you and Kukui being related?'

'I think I should be the one to tell her,' Professor Kukui answered. After making sure Autumn was alright with her knowing, he took her out to the hall to tell her.

She came back in with a beaming smile a moment later, "I'm so glad you're part of his family!" She tackled Autumn in a gentle hug, "I hope we become friends at least."

Surprising all of us, Autumn slowly wrapped Burnet in a hug. We ended up all falling asleep on the small hospital bed, excited that she could touch all of us. It wasn't something we wanted to do again though, since we woke up sore the next day.