So, I'm hoping to get another chapter out today, but if not then it'll come tomorrow. I have to go through everything in my room and... well, I have a hard time letting things go even when I don't wear or use them. So, that's going to be a very long project. Also, I don't have another chapter done yet, I just wanted to post this for all y'all. I'm probably not going to finish this before I leave, so I'm going to get as far as I possibly can and post them! I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Flashback/Sign language. (I'll tell you when it's a flashback so don't worry.)

Warnings: Fear. Past abuse. Police report. Talk of insecurities. Recovery. Talk of fighting.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Pokemon. Autumn's mine though!

-Autumn's P.O.V.-

No one could be trusted. Just my Pokemon and Kiawe were allowed to be near me because I didn't know who I could trust or not! I do want to talk and be near others again, even get a hug from my family! (We all agreed that it would be best if Rick and Christine stayed away until I was at least a bit better so I didn't scare them.) Everyone knew and made sure to keep their distance when they came to visit. The doctor released me much earlier than he probably should have and I still haven't been able to talk yet, a few weeks later, "I'm glad you're back," Ash admitted as he was falling asleep on the floor to my room (he refused to sleep anywhere else in case I needed help during the night), "Everyone was sad while you were gone. We tried to move on with our lives, but we never stopped looking. I just wish you didn't get captured in the first place," Then he was asleep.

Riolu looked at me as I turned the other way painfully, "You really shouldn't move that much," She reprimanded as she used Heal Pulse once more, "You'll never heal at this rate."

I looked at Winter, who never left my side and was currently claiming one of my arms for herself. Ribombee was sleeping next to my head. She had gotten into a habit of using Aromatherapy whenever she slept and was probably the only thing that helped me sleep. Well, that and the constellation night light Sophocles had given me for my birthday. Sadly, I had lost Lillie's present when I was… gone. Oricorio was keeping me just warm enough in her sleep so I didn't really have any nightmares about the cold. Sylveon climbed onto the bed and snuggled right next to me as Riolu claimed my other arm, "Don't worry about it," She yawned and closed her eyes, "We'll be here to make sure she recovers from her injuries as fast as possible. Mental, physical and emotional."

It wasn't the first night I held them all close and it definitely wouldn't be the last. Although, surprisingly, it was the first night I didn't wake up from a nightmare. I didn't even wake up until midday that day, "Good afternoon Autumn!" Kukui greeted as he came in with lunch.

I was slowly sitting up (with my Pokemon's help) and rubbing my eyes. Frowning, I looked at the food, "Afternoon?" I signed.

Kukui nodded, "You slept all night and all morning! We would have woken you up, but we thought you could use sleep more than food."

Honestly, I agreed because I had only been able to sleep for about an hour at a time since I got back. Winter was the only one who was still asleep, but no one woke her up, "I feel like we should wake her up," Oricorio admitted.

"But she looks so peaceful," Sylveon said, watching Winter in awe.

I smiled slightly as Kukui noticed something, "Where's your necklace? The one you made with the Ultra Beast stone?"

Pausing from eating food, I answered, "I used it all up. So now it's gone."

"You used it? When?"

Good, that means Kiawe doesn't know when I used it, "To help. I used it to help," Then I continued to eat.

He didn't ask anything else until I had finished, "Officer Jenny came by this morning," I tensed, "She wanted to know if you were ready. It's fine if you're not, but she wanted us to remind you that you could have anyone with you if you want to tell her in person or you can record it and give it to her," He collected my tray from Sylveon, "But only when you're ready," Then he was gone.

Honestly, I wanted to tell someone, anyone about what happened to me, but I still couldn't bring myself to talk with my voice. I knew I was broken (in more ways than one) and I knew it was going to take time for me to recover, but I just wanted to be where I used to be. Then I wouldn't be such a burden. I was pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on my door, "Hello Autumn!" Kiawe entered my room.

He was the only one who insisted on talking to me with sign language and no matter how much I told him it was alright if he spoke, he insisted. Told me that it would help his sign language and that he liked the silence sometimes because it helped him think, "Hello," I smiled back at him. He also made sure to visit me at least an hour a day (usually it was more), "How are you?"

Winter, who had woken up with the knock on the door, interrupted before he could say anything, "Mommy and daddy are here!" And she used her tail to pull Kiawe onto the bed to sit next to me.

Kiawe laughed and rubbed Winter in her favorite spot, "I'm doing alright. No problems on the farm today," And he told me about his day so far. Somehow, we could still just talk for hours or just be in each others company for hours without saying anything. It was never awkward or tense, just… nice, "How are you doing?"

He asked me every day and it was usually the same, but today, "I don't know," I admitted, "I don't want to be afraid of him, but I still am! Even after everything that happened, even after I fought him, I'm still scared. He's the reason I don't like to touch or be touched by people, he's the reason I haven't been able to talk yet. He's the reason I want to run away every day, but I'm staying for some unknown reason. I don't want my fear, the fear he put into me to influence me. I told him that I wasn't scared of him, but… I still am! Why can't I just get over it?!" All if it just came out, "Am I still scared of him? Am I going to be stuck this way forever?"

"No," Kiawe made sure he had my attention before he continued, "You have lived your entire life fighting and you've been able to touch before. You will be able to touch people again, even if it takes a long time I will be here for you. And you may still be scared of him, that's okay. When the moment counts, you can ignore your fear and do what is needed. That is what counts and proves that you're able to get past this. One day, you'll be able to look him in the eye and say, 'I'm not afraid of you. You do not control my life' and walk away. And when you do we will all be there cheering you on."

Neither of us said anything, then I asked, "How are you so sure that I'll be able to touch people?"

"You've done it before. It may be harder, but you can do it. I have no doubt."

Our conversation turned lighter and the next day, when Kukui brought me breakfast, I asked him, "Will you take me to the Police Station?"

He nearly dropped the food and I covered my mouth with a hand to keep the laughter from coming, "Uh… sure. Just… finish breakfast and we can go," Sylveon gave me the tray and I started to eat as he left the room in shock.

Today was the first day I was allowed to walk farther than the bathroom. So, I was going to do it today, before I lost my nerve. Once I ate as much as I wanted (then an extra bite just because) I got up and slipped into a summer red dress with slip on brown shoes. I had to sit down to do my hair and have my Pokemon do it for me. Sylveon combed it while Oricorio instructed Riolu and Winter where to put my hair while Ribombee intertwined flowers into it, "Looks like you've got your own stylists," Burnet said while coming in.

My hair was in a loose braid with flowers intertwined with the entire thing. The flowers even looked like a rainbow too, "Their the best I know," I told her, smiling.

She was barely able to keep her composure and smiled, "Well, Kukui is ready for you. The jeeps right in front. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," I stood up with Sylveon's help and started walking with my Pokemon following me. I still wasn't strong enough to carry them so they walked right next to me.

Ash stood up from the couch as soon as I exited my room, "Do you want any of us to go with you?"

I shook my head, "Just Kukui," He was the only one I trusted to know everything. Still didn't want him to touch me, but he was going to be with me when I told them the story of my life. Riolu was going to be there as well because she already knew everything. She may remember something I don't.

Burnet and Ash stayed home and we went to the station, "Autumn!" Officer Jenny smiled as I came in, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm ready to tell you," I answered, "But only you, Professor Kukui and Riolu can be in the room with me."

She blinked, looking at Kukui then back at me, "Sure, but may I ask why?"

"They're the only ones I trust to know everything and not do something that will put them in jail or do something they'll regret later in life," I answered honestly.

"Not even Kiawe?" Kukui asked.

"Whose Kiawe?" Officer Jenny asked, curious as she led us somewhere.

"He's the one who saved me," I paused and turned to my Pokemon, "Winter, I want you to stay with Sylveon, Ribombee and Oricorio. Listen to them until I get back okay?"

"Where are you going?" She asked as the others went to the chairs right outside the door.

"I've got a few things I need to do and I don't want you there," I gave her a hug, "I want to protect you from the darkness in the world as well as I can."

Winter smiled, "Thank you mommy. For protecting me," Then she went to join the others on the chairs.

I stood and followed Kukui and Officer Jenny into the room, "Alright, I honestly suspected that you would come in with the boy who saved you, Kiawe."

"We're… uh… in a relationship," I admitted, "The only reason I don't want him to know is because I'm scared that he'll do something he'll regret."

She nodded and wrote something down, "And why did you want Professor Kukui in here when you're terrified of him?" That was something anyone could see.

I held Riolu close, "Because… even though I'm terrified if he touches me or if I do… I know he'll protect me. I also know that if I need help then he'll be one of the first ones there to help me," I smiled slightly, then added, "And he's the only one who won't do anything stupid if he knows."

Officer Jenny laughed, "Good reasons!" When she was done laughing, she turned serious, "Alright, now, do you want this recorded or not?"

"Sure," I admitted, "But I don't want anyone who doesn't need to know, know. I… want to keep this as private as possible."

She nodded and readied her pen over her notebook, "Alright then, let's get started."

I started with my first memory, watching him hit my mother because he didn't like what she cooked for dinner. Memory after memory was told in that room and there were many times I had to pause to keep myself from a flashback, panic attack or just being too terrified to talk for awhile. The hardest was my mothers death. That was the only time I nearly asked Kukui to leave the room, but I didn't and somehow made it through. Before I left I asked, "Is he going to be taken care of?"

Officer Jenny smiled, "He will be. I promise, but he will be getting punished. Hopefully it teaches him to not do this."

I nodded and left with Kukui and my Pokemon. Ribombee was using Aromatherapy while Oricorio was on my lap and warming me up. Winter had fallen asleep so Sylveon was taking care of her while Riolu watched my surroundings for me. Surprisingly, it took nearly all day for me to tell Officer Jenny what happened and I was exhausted, "Are you alright?" Burnet asked once we got back.

"Tired," I admitted, making my way to my room to get some sleep. This was the first day I had stayed awake all day since I was back and I was not looking forward to doing it again.

Ash nodded, "Get some sleep," He held the door open for me as I just crawled into bed, "I think you should change first," Ash was definitely frowning.

"When I wake up," I mumbled.

Then I was pulled to sit up, "Honestly, you'll feel much more comfortable once you're in pajamas," Oricorio scolded a little.

I groaned and let them push and pull my limbs until I was in pajamas and laid on the bed again, but I did hear what Kukui and Burnet were whispering, "She asked if he would be taken care of?!" Burnet whispered in shock.

Kukui most likely nodded, "She did. I'm so proud of her and how she's handling the situation."

"She has her heart on her sleeve," Burnet sounded like she was crying, "I love who she is."

"Burnet, are you…"

"Yeah," She took a breath then said, "I think of Autumn and Ash as our kids."

After that, my head was on the pillow and I was asleep, not feeling when my Pokemon undid my hair. It was a night filled with memories I would have rather kept buried, but relived anyway and soon, I just decided to not even try and sleep because I would wake up thirty minutes later, "Good morning!" Ash came in, with too much energy in my opinion, carrying my breakfast, "I brought breakfast!"

Yesterday was the first night Ash slept outside of my room. Sure, it was on the couch in the living room, but it was progress. We were both making it, "Thank you," I signed.

Ash frowned as Sylveon put the tray on my lap, "I thought you were talking again! What happened?"

"I used my voice too much yesterday," I told him, "I need to slowly work back to talking a lot or I could damage my voice."

His eyes widened, "Oh! Okay! Just take all the time you need! I don't want you ruining your voice and never being able to talk again!"

Before I could say that it would just damage my voice, he was gone. Oricorio asked, "He does know that you can talk, just not a lot, right?"

I shrugged as Ribombee laughed, "I honestly don't think he does!"

We all laughed a bit, but ate breakfast, then tried to take a nap. Key word: tried. None of us were able to even get to sleep! So, after Burnet brought us lunch, Kiawe arrived, like usual, "Where did you go yesterday?" Was what he actually asked me, using his voice instead of sign language, "I came here and waited for as long as I could, but you never showed up!"

"I was telling Officer Jenny everything," I signed, making sure he understood what I was saying because he still sometimes mixed up signs, "And it took all day."

Instantly, he was sitting on my bed and looking at me in worry, "Are you alright? It wasn't too stressful for you to do?"

I shook my head, "Not at all, but I'm going to have to work my voice back to what it used to be. So if your question has a one to two word answer then I'll talk."

He nodded, "Alright," He didn't ask me about who I chose to go with me (he knew Kukui drove me, but that's it) and he didn't ask about any of my memories. Instead, he started talking about yesterday and today, "Mimo really wants to come visit you," He admitted when he was finished, "But my parents want to make sure you're comfortable with it before she comes."

"Give me a few more days, then she can come. Just make sure she knows that I won't be able to move much. Hopefully by then I'll be able to talk a lot more."

"She's going to love that when I tell her," He smiled, then turned serious, "I didn't want to ask before, but… what happened to your necklace? The one with Winter's stored Aura?"

"I used it," I gave him the same answer I had given Kukui. Which was true, but he probably wanted more than just that.

That was proven right when he asked, "When?"

I thought about it for a moment, then decided to tell him. He deserved to know, "I used it when you found me…"

-Flashback-

Kiawe's here! It worked! He remembered everything thanks to my 'command'! Honestly, I'm surprised that it actually worked, but I wish I could do something about this. He wasn't ready to fight Milan and win. Milan played dirty and did whatever it took to win or get what he wanted. I know this first hand, "What can I do?" I asked myself, desperately thinking of anything that I could do in my weak state.

Since I could barely get up, I didn't think there was actually anything I could do. I couldn't even move, "Autumn," I opened my closed eyes (I didn't even remember closing them) to see Winters projected form in front of me, "You have to use the rest of my Aura. If you don't, you won't make it out of here!"

"I can't," I whispered, "You… you'll be gone… officially."

"No I won't," One of her feelers came to rest on the necklace, "We have done something that none of my kind have thought possible. We have bonded without one of us dying. Instead, we became friends, got to know one another, protected each other and helped one another as much as we could. Our Auras have taken on qualities of the other because we have been around each other so much. Use it, I will never be gone completely."

Slowly, I lifted my hand to touch the necklace I had kept hidden from my father, "Thank you Winter," I whispered as I closed my eyes, "For everything," Then I used it. Just in time as well since Milan was going to give Kiawe the final blow.

-Flashback End-

Kiawe stared at me when I was done for a moment, then asked, "You… used it to help me?"

I nodded, "I couldn't let him hurt you. I won't ever let him hurt my friends or family ever again."

Kiawe pulled me into a side hug and let me lean against him, "He won't. Not where he's going."

I pulled my Riolu stuffed animal closer, "Is it wrong that I still care for him? That I… don't want him to get hurt?"

"That just means you're too good for this world. I won't lie to you and tell you that he won't get hurt, because he will," Kiawe answered, "But if he doesn't get hurt, then he won't learn that what he was doing to you is wrong. That's something that he needs to realize and do what he can to change his ways."

I knew that, but, "Is it wrong that I still think of him as family? Not as my father, but just as family."

"He is your family. And maybe one day he'll change and act like your father again, just… promise me to be careful? If he does change it could be an act at first, but I'll be with you every time and hope it isn't. He's your father and even if you don't think of him as yours, he should still try and be a good influence in your life."

"... I hope he changes for the better," I grabbed all my Pokemon stuffed animals and held them close.

Kiawe nodded, "Me too."

It took a while, but eventually, I was able to go back to school for half a day and everyone was excited when I was, "It hasn't been the same without you," Mallow told me as we sat at our desks which were now in a semi-circle, "Just you being here is making everything seem normal again."

I smiled, "Yeah, it's helping me feel normal too."

"That sounds like a great start," Lillie smiled, "Get back to what you know."

"Does that mean we'll have a beach day soon?!" Lana asked, looking at all of us in excitement.

All of us smiled, "I guess we could," Sophocles answered, "We could have it this weekend!"

Even though I wouldn't be able to swim, "Let's do it!" It sounded like it would be a lot of fun!

Everyone nodded, agreeing, "I'll bring the food!" Mallow offered, then turned to Kiawe, "Could you bring fresh Moomoo milk this Friday? I want the food to be as fresh as possible!"

"Sure," Kiawe agreed, "I'll bring it after school on Friday."

Sophocles was already drooling, "It's going to taste sooo good!"

"Where on the beach are we going to have it?" Ash asked, buzzing with excitement.

He wasn't able to get an answer as Kukui walked in, "Alola!" He greeted us.

"Alola!" We answered back and the lesson began.

The weekend was only three days away and we were all excited for the 'day off' we would all get. So, since I wouldn't be able to see them on Saturday, I went a day early and skipped school, with permission of course, "Everyone," Daniel went into the room first, "We have a visitor."

As soon as they saw me, they all cried out, "AUTUMN!" And ran up to me.

They all knew better and didn't hug me like they usually did, "You're here!" Naomi beamed, "I didn't think you would be coming for a few weeks more!"

"I couldn't wait to come and see all of your smiling faces," I beamed and sat with them on the couches, "What have you all been up to recently?"

"Neil made all of us computers that are connected to each other so we'll be able to talk to one another even after we're released!" Breanna answered.

Neil shrugged, "It wasn't that hard! Especially with Riley's help."

Riley blushed in embarrassment, "It's easy to get the parts you need when your father is a famous inventor."

Brett sighed, "It gets a bit crazy when we all play a game together on them. Everyone wants to win."

Naomi crossed her arms and huffed, "Who doesn't?! It's a race! The whole point of a race is to be the first one to cross the finish line!"

"That's why I prefer to watch instead of participate," I admitted, "My competitiveness gets a little out of control when I play games like that."

"You? Competitive?" Charly asked, shocked.

I nodded, "Once I accidently broke a window because I really wanted to win."

Neil pointed at me and told Brett, "See?! She gets it!"

"I don't like seeing others hurt!" Brett defended, "It's not a bad thing!"

"Neither does Autumn, but she still gives everything, everything she's got!" Riley added.

Breanna smiled at me, "We also got good news to share with you!"

"Really? What is it?" I asked, wondering what good news they'll share with me.

"If we all continue improving at the rate we are then we'll be able to be home before Amelia and Daniel's wedding!" Charly answered excitedly.

"That's amazing!" I beamed, then frowned, "Didn't they already get married?"

Naomi shook her head, "They decided to wait for you. They want you to be there."

"They didn't have to wait," I pouted slightly, "I would have been fine with just a video of it!"

"It wasn't an exception for them," Charly smiled, "They said that you were there or it wasn't happening."

We talked for hours about nothing and everything. Eventually, I did have to leave, "Before you go, the kids have something for you," Amelia stopped me as I started for the door.

Before I could turn around, Daniel stopped me, "Close your eyes," I heard the kids running around behind me, "They want to surprise you."

So, I closed my eyes and turned around, barely keeping the panic from tumbling out of me, "Can I open my eyes yet?" I asked when I didn't hear anything.

"One moment…" Amelia said, then, "Alright, you can open them now."

In front of me were the kids standing in a group. Naomi was holding a velvet box with the extra bracelet I had made. The stone was red and the word on the back was 'inspiration'. The others were crowded around her with different things. Charly had a red ribbon, Breanna had a homemade card, Neil had a computer (no doubt connected to the other computers so I could 'visit' them when I wasn't allowed to come in person), Riley was holding a few materials I could use to make things and Brett was holding a sign that said 'thank you' with all their names on it, "Thank you," They all coursed together.

I was confused as Breanna stepped forward and gave me the card while saying, "Thank you for visiting us."

Before I could say anything, Charly stepped forward and gave me the ribbon, "Thank you for talking with us."

This time, I just watched as Neil came forward and gave me the computer, "Thank you for the presents you've given us."

"Thank you for encouraging us to fight," Riley gave me the materials he was holding.

Brett stepped forward next and gave me the sign while saying, "Thank you for inspiring us to be who we are."

I was already crying tears of joy when Naomi came forward and put the bracelet on me, "Thank you for being our friend," She finished for all of them.

After putting everything down, I gave all of them a hug and told them what they had just told me, "Thank you… for being amazing kids," All of them were smiling and I was excited to go back soon.

On my way out though, I asked Amelia, "How did they get this bracelet?" I showed her the bracelet I had made for them, "I didn't deliver it."

Amelia smiled, "Kiawe brought it. He told us that he remembered that you finished it and brought it to them. He came every week when you usually would to try and keep their hopes up. When they asked him why, he told them what you had told him. As long as they're smiling, they're fighting."

Kiawe didn't see the kiss coming.