"E...ah..."

Leia jerked awake at the odd sound coming from her left. She groggily opened her eyes and squinted around at the dark cell. It took her a moment before her eyes adjusted to the dark and she saw Sky's outline.

"Sky Blue...?" Leia murmured, rubbing her eyes with her fists while straightening up. "What's wrong, are you ok?"

At the sound of her voice, Sky shuffled a little closer to her. He was batting something thin and metallic across the floor, which she was able to decipher from the scratching noise.

A rather small tin plate was laid on the ground. All that was on it was the main meal, which appeared to be rice. Whatever was on the side was already eaten.

Leia smiled slightly and said slyly, "How did the side taste?"

Sky Blue gave a rather sheepish look, causing her to giggle. Judging from the juices on the side of the plate, it seemed that there was at one point berries. Leia recently discovered that Sky had an increased liking for sweets. In his normal state, he was rather indifferent toward things such as candy and berries. Now he couldn't get enough of them, and was the only thing he would eat. Leia was perfectly fine with this since this meant Sky was eating more again and was no longer threatened with force feeding.

As Leia set the plate in her lap, Sky Blue slumped against her, slouching forward as he ran his hand along the link of chains clamped to his wrists. No one had come to take Sky away or chain him back up. Anyone who came to the cell was only there to slide food through the food hatch. Unfortunately, while the shackles weren't chained to the ground anymore, the shackles still restrained his hands some what. For some reason, Sky Blue couldn't break them like he did with the boulder. He tried to snap them, but they were clearly made to specifically restrain someone of Sky's physical strength.

On the bright side, Sky was no longer subjected to being restrained to one spot. He was a lot happier not being confined to the center of the room where he could be found so easily. He now occupied the same corner Leia did and kept watch over her while she slept. It was like having a rather friendly guard dog around.

With Sky's increased calmness, Leia also tried teaching Sky how to talk again. She didn't have as much success as she had hoped, but he managed to "say" one thing; E-ah. She assumed that he was trying to say "Leia" but could only make a few noises. However this gave her hope that there was some sort of humanity left in him.

"Sky, how have you been feeling?" Leia asked the Aura Guardian a minute later, setting aside the now empty plate and watching Sky play with his chains. "Do your cuts hurt at all? Do you feel sick?"

Sky Blue shrugged slightly, his eye still on the chains. Leia sighed and looked around for their medical supplies. She moved them closer to her and slowly began to remove Sky's leather jacket from his shoulders. Sky flinched as the cold air hit him through the large tears in his shirt.

"It's ok, I'm just checking your wounds," Leia told him soothingly as he began to retreat into a hunched position.

She then lifted up his tattered shirt and began to examine them. However when she started taking the bandages off, Sky suddenly made an angry growled.

"What's wrong?" She asked, her heartbeat increasing more rapidly. "Sky, is someone coming?"

But he continued to snarl and suddenly pushed Leia down. She yelped with fright, afraid he was going to suddenly attack her. However he was staring in the direction of the cell door while he crouched over her. He seemed to be trying to guard her from someone coming toward the cell.

Unable to hear anything over the snarls, Leia kept herself to the ground. If they were coming to take Sky, there were most likely more than two guards.

A minute later the door burst open and a large canine doves into the cell. Leia screamed over the Houndoom's howls, but Sky Blue roared at the Pokemon and charged after it.

"SKY, NO!" Leia shouted as Sky and the Houndoom began to circle each other and growled viciously. "PLEASE, STOP!"

But neither of them quit. Instead Sky howled with fury and his blue, black, and red aura surrounded him and swiped at the Pokemon viciously. However the chains on Sky's wrists prevented him from giving his all and was quickly wrestled to the ground by the Houndoom.

Before Leia could do anything, the door flung open once more and three Team Flare grunts ran into the room. To her horror, they were aiming the same weapons they used to subdue Sky when they were captured. They had used the Houndoom to take him by surprise and then take him away.

"Leave him alone, you BULLIES!" Leia screamed, forcing herself off the ground and pushing the Houndoom away from Sky Blue.

The moment Sky was free, he began to whine and whimper like a puppy and huddled next to her. He seemed to understand that they were here to take him away. He was like a puppy scared of thunder, but this time it was four lightning bolts prepared to shock him.

"Move away from it, little girl, and no one will get hurt!" One of the grunts ordered her, their weapons suddenly moving to aim at her.

"I won't let you hurt him!" Leia snapped, pulling the now terrified Aura Guardian close to her. "I won't leave him alone with you, but you're welcome to try and separate us!"

"Oh please, don't give us any of that, little girl," a familiar voice sneered as the woman behind their imprisonment entered the cell. "You don't want us to go that far."

Sky Blue suddenly stiffened as the woman approached them and he let out a low growl. Leia winced a little as he gripped the back of her shirt.

"Just leave him alone!" Leia snapped at the woman. "He doesn't want to go with you, and I won't let you take him against his will!"

The woman's lip curled into a leering smile before whistling. The Houndoom lunged at the two prisoners, its sharp claws gleaming and flames flickering from the sides of its mouth.

Then Sky Blue let go of Leia and howled as his hands glowed with his aura. He flung out an Aura Sphere that whispered loudly in the cell and grazed the Houndoom's side. It then dispersed into whisps when hitting the solid walls, the Aura too weak yet to break any of the walls.

"Sky, stop, please come back!" Leia cried fearfully, grasping at his dragging chains and tried to pull him away from the fight.

However he merely snarled and whipped the chains out of her hands with his remaining strength. He didn't understand that he was in the open where Leia could do very little to protect him.

A second later a blast of light zoomed across the room and hit Sky in the left side. He gave a small yelp before he collapsed to the ground, his body motionless.

"Well now that that's over, now we can have a little chat," the woman hissed sneeringly, grabbing Leia's arm and giving it a forceful tug.

But Leia pushed her away and shouted at the woman, "I'm not leaving Sky! I won't let you hurt him! He doesn't deserve what you do to him!"

"And he'll get a lot worse if he doesn't get to his appointment, now GET UP!"

Leia gasped with pain as the woman grabbed her by the hair and forced her onto her feet. She did everything she could to get away. She shouted, she kicked, she pleaded to be released, pleaded for them to show Sky Blue mercy, but to no avail. She saw the guards approach the fallen Aura Guardian as Leia was shoved out of the cell and into the dimly lit hallway.

Leia saw a glimpse of over crowded and small cages full of stolen Pokemon, all of them up and barking from all the noise from the cell. However the woman swiftly shoved her forward and grabbed her upper arm before she led her on. The young trainer tried memorizing the route they were taking in case of escape, but it was no use. It was practically a maze.

"In here!" The woman snarled eventually as they reached a door that she opened and shoved Leia into.

The girl winced with pain as she stumbled inside. The room was dimly lit, but not quite as dark as the cell. To her horror, she realized that this luxurious office- if it could even be called one- had people in it. Three other woman were sitting around the room in handsome and comfortable chairs, each wearing the same uniform but with different visors. They're hair were purple, orange, and green respectively.

"Oh look what the cat dragged in, quite literally," the purple haired woman cooed as her gaze landed on Leia while she puffed out smoke from a cigarette she was smoking. "Now who's this little rodent?"

"Is this that little pip squeak that's been causing all those problems with the madman?" The green haired woman questioned the blue haired one sharply while the Liepard sitting next to her perked up and hissed.

"She's a little frail looking, isn't she?" commented the orange haired woman, showing some curiosity.

"This frail little girl attacked two grunts, she isn't one to be underestimated!" The blue haired woman snapped before saying briskly to Leia. "Little girl, this is Celosia, Bryony, and Aliana. Along with myself, Mable, we make up four of the five top scientists in Team Flare."

"Why am I here?" Leia blurted out, trying hard to stand her ground. "W-What have you been doing to Sky?"

"The madman, the madman, must we talk about that lunatic?" The orange haired woman, Aliana groaned. "Of course, he's the reason you're here and not will your other little friends."

"Your so called friend has been helping us understand him better," Bryony explained in a disgustingly bored manner. "He's been a rather disappointing specimen, really. He fights only at the brink of destruction."

At the word, specimen, Leia found her voice and snapped furiously, "A specimen?! He's a human being! How can you do such things?! You torture him and speak of him as if he's an animal!"

"Oh darling, but he is an animal!" Celosia said with a twisted smile. "Aura Guardians are rare, unnatural beings. Dark Aura Guardians are even worse. They are consumed by hate, passion, and all things insane. They are so consumed that they can't even identify their surroundings like us. Heck, your friend doesn't even talk anymore! He huddles next to his little protector and cries, like a Aragon hiding behind a hissing Skitty! His time as an individual has ended, and he will now start a new leaf and serve Team Flare in the new world! He will be even greater and more powerful than the pathetic thing he is now!"

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"That's why you're here," replied Mable, moving swiftly around Leia and looking her in the eyes. "You see, you were a mistake. We have just finally confirmed with our officers that you are not Mira Dragonclaw- though you made a good replacement. After today, we will have no need for you, so that's why we will be letting you go."

Leia was dumbfounded at the last sentence. She couldn't believe her ears. Letting her go? Now?

"I...I don't understand..." Leia stammered, unable to comprehend what was happening.

"It's quite simple really," Bryony interrupted, a slight smirk on her face. "We don't need you, and because we highly doubt you will ever find this base again, so we will be releasing you in three days."

"What about Sky Blue?"

"I just said, didn't I?" Celosia snapped irritability. "The madman will remain here and serve Team Flare! Why would we let such a prize as him go? Besides, there is barely anything left of the person you knew! If we released him, he would be killed or be locked up in some asylum. He'd be a useless animal, as he is now!"

"That's not true!" Leia shouted, her hands curling into fists and shaking with rage. "Sky Blue is human, and there is humanity inside him! You just don't bother to see it! He can feel pain, he can understand his surroundings, he can laugh and cry! He can love and protect others! In short, he's more human than any of you monsters will ever be!"

The tension in the room rose sharply as Leia blurted out all the angry words that piled up inside her. But everything she said was true. Sky was human. He could still laugh, love, cry, and protect. He may have been absorbed by a darker persona, but the real Sky, the one she knew and loved, was still watching over her. He was same man she had grown to admire and see as a good friend.

"Do you think this will sway our decision?" Aliana responded, sounding just as bored as before. "Our leader has made up his mind. Whether you like it or not, you're going and he's staying. There is nothing you can do about it."

"Surely you remember dear Kalliope, or as you know her as Deborah?" Celosia asked, puffing cigarette smog in Leia's face and causing her to cough. "I'm sure you know that her own memory was wiped. It was so she would no longer fight for her family, but would lose hope and serve us faithfully..."

It took Leia a second to realize why she was being told this. She shook her head and stuttered, "N-No...no, you can't do that! You can't do that to him!"

"He's technically already forgotten, darling," sneered Mable, a wide smile appearing on her face. "He barely recognizes you, he's bitter and angry. He is clinging to his feelings of loyalty and love. Once his memory is completely wiped, he will have nothing holding him back."

"Oh, but don't cry," added Bryony with an evil smirk as she watched Leia hold back angry tears. "You have three days to say your goodbyes. On the third day, you will be escorted out and away from Team Flare territory. Your Pokemon along with the madman's will be returned to you as well. Now, I think that's all that's needed to be said today."

"Think about what we have said," Celosia continued just as slyly. "We wouldn't want any funny business now, would we? We can always push his appointment sooner. Give the madman our regards."

*~*~*

Leia couldn't help but cry as she once again sat in her corner of her and Sky's cell. When Mable had locked her back up, Leia found that Sky Blue was gone without a trace. . They had successfully dragged him off to whatever miserable experience they were putting him through. All that was left was his old leather jacket, which she was hugging against her chest.

Now that Leia knew all that was going to happen in future if they didn't escape, cold reality was crashing down on her like a tsunami. She had failed Sky. She failed to protect him, and in three days she would be snatched away from him and tossed outside while he was stuck in his own living nightmare.

It wasn't fair.

It wasn't right.

I can't think about this right now, Leia thought to herself sternly as she wiped away the tears. I need to get a grip and think of a way to escape. Either we escape or we stay. I have to do it for Sky. He deserves better.

Leia waited for her heavy breathing to quiet down before attempting to get up. She had to do something, she didn't care what. She needed to think of something other than their impending doom. Something to keep her mind off things.

She instead decided to prepare for Sky's return. Nine chances out of ten he would come back clingy and bruised. She could at least make sure she could help and support him right when he came back. The girl gathered up the jacket, blanket, and medicine and planted herself in the center of the room where Sky was previously chained up. She had a feeling he wasn't going to be able to wander as freely as before. She laid the blanket out next to the place where the link of chains were and set up the first aid.

When picking up a bottle of what should've been a near empty bottle of painkillers, Leia was surprised to find it was heavier than last time. After struggling to open it, the lid finally popped off to show that the bottle was restocked. She checked every supplies to find that each supply increased fully.

It's almost like their giving him his last meal, Leia thought bitterly as she put the cap back on and organized the first aid materials again.

She continued to mess with the objects in the room for who knew how long. She kept trying to divert her mind from Sky, but she couldn't help but think of the fate ahead of him.

She felt awful at the thought of leaving him behind, and she kept thinking of the others reactions. They would all be devastated for sure. White and Mira were his sisters, the three of them were a small family unit. They needed Sky, and they would be heartbroken. Margaret was one of his closest friends, and she would be crushed if Sky was no longer there for support. The boys might not have shown their appreciation for Sky, but she knew they would feel the absence of the Aura Guardian.

A loud clanging noise was heard outside, followed by loud snarls and howls. There was also some shouting and yelling, as if something was causing them trouble. Leia felt herself become a little more tense, afraid of the condition Sky would be in.

As the noise reached a peak, the door flew open and something charged inside. Leia screamed with fright and covered her face with her hands, fearing that it was the Houndoom. However she lifted her arms down after the thing skidded to a stop and began to whine with pain and sadness.

Sky Blue had never come back in a worst condition. His shirt was being held together by a few threads, and the bandages were almost all missing. Cuts had reopened while others were new. Bruises blossomed all over him and were visually seen. Every breath he took was nothing more than a sharp painful gasp.

"S-Sky..." Leia could only stammer as Sky quickly huddled next to her, fearful of the grunt that just entered the room.

"No funny business," was all the grunt growled, taking the dragging end of Sky's chains and locking them once again to the floor. After that, he literally ran out of the cell and slammed the door behind him.

A loud sniffing noise filled the room, and Leia looked down to see Sky crying. His eye was tightly shut but Leia could still see tears already leaking out.

"Oh Sky Blue..." Leia started sadly while grabbing Sky's leather jacket and handing it to him to hold. "I'm so sorry...I failed you... I'm not as strong or smart as White is, I can't protect you like she can, but... I at least know I can at least help make your pain more endurable."

Like always, Sky didn't answer. He merely hugged his jacket and stared off at one of the walls. He seemed to calm down slightly, so Leia took the chance and began cleaning Sky's wounds.

Guilt gnawed at Leia's stomach every time Sky winced, flinched, or gasped with pain as she wiped away the blood. His back was much more sensitive than before, and she could only imagine the pain and discomfort Sky was experiencing. She did her best to keep talking to him, babbling about any story or memory that came to mind in order to keep Sky's mind off his misery.

"How are you feeling now?" Leia asked in a croak to Sky at last after an hour or so of talking and cleaning the wounds.

Sky Blue shifted slightly as if testing how much of the pain had left. He flinched a little smaller than usual, but did not make a sound.

"We're almost done now, you'll feel much better in a bit," she told him quietly, patting him lightly on the top of the head while the other hand reached down for the bandages.

Once unraveling a large piece of the roll, a slim sheet of paper fluttered off and landed on the ground. Leia picked it up curiously and was shocked to see text printed on it.

It was a letter.

"Sky Blue!" Leia started sharply, causing the Aura Guardian to look up at her lazily with his red eye. "Sky, I need your help! I need you to make a small Aura Sphere so I can read this, it may be a message! We could be free if it's a rescuer!"

Leia could've sworn that when she said the word "free", Sky's eye flashed momentarily from red to violet and a split second of blue.

Sky had every desire to be free of the pain.

He closed his eye as pale blue light began to spark from his open palms. It faltered for a few seconds before lighting up dimly in the dark and revealing the clear words on the letter. With this small bit of light, Leia began to swiftly read through the cramped text.

To Leia

This is N, and I am with White. Despite what White might say we're doing fairly well for being in such an intense predicament. We have gained some allies in our corner if the Team Flare organization, and they have helped us sneak you this note.

I'm assuming Sky Blue is off his rocker like I've been told, so I'm speaking directly to you, Leia. White isn't fairing well herself, I don't know why but she's been sick and injured, so it's up to us two to save the others.

There are two headquarters; your in the one that is largest and I've been told your section of the base is somewhere under northern Kalos, like around Laverre City. We are under Lumiose City, so this means you are on your own- for the most part.

There are Team Flare members where you are that we have made connections with. I won't name names, but they have been making sure Sky Blue is at least somewhat taken care of when out of your sight. He has more than one "guardian angel".

If you ever attempt escape, they will also be there to come to your aid, but not directly. If you escape, I want you to head to the route above ground. From what I could get out of White, the tribe that can save Sky is somewhere in the above the route, or so I think.

Leia, we will be alright, but take care of Sky. He will come back if you treat him like a person, like a friend. He needs friends and family more than ever.
White wanted me to add this for you to tell Sky as her own remark: I am deeply sorry for causing you, Sky, so much pain, but despite everything that we have gone through, I still very much love you, brother. I will do everything I can from here to save you. Remain strong and stay untameable for Team Flare, and I will see you soon. That's a promise.

Leia did not pry her eyes away from the letter until Sky Blue began to whine and nudged her shoulder with his head. She then realized that tears were pouring down her face.

Tears of relief.

"I'm fine," she told Sky soothingly to Sky after wiping away her own tears. "It's...it's from White."

Sky's face darkened a little, so Leia hurried on, "She...she misses you. She's worried about you. She's so sorry she's not here to help you through this, but she is doing everything in her power to help you. She loves you beyond words."

Sky growled a little and suddenly turned his back on Leia. She hesitated before setting the letter aside before beginning to wrap up the rest of his wounds. She was sure he was sulking and remembering every hurtful emotion and unintentional pain White caused him.

The Aura Guardian did very little to interact with Leia, so she spent her time wrapping bandages around Sky by thinking of escape plans. Unfortunately, there was a small chance she might be able to escape, but it was nearly impossible for Sky to escape with her. He could not muster the strength to break through the chains, and he was in a much weaker condition than before.

"There you go," Leia finally announced softly as she finished pressing down the last bandage. "How do you feel now?"

Sky shifted slightly and grunted what she thought was a thank you. Leia was just considering getting up and moving away to give Sky some space, but she froze after hearing a small, "E...ah..."

"What is it Sky?" She asked immediately as her friend slowly edged around.

Sky's eye was watering as he pointed to himself, then to his heart, the letter, and finished by holding up two fingers. Leia knew instantly what he meant and couldn't help but smile. It was a sure sign that the real Sky Blue still existed.

He had responded, I love her too.

*~*~*

"I SAID NO!" White shrieked deliriously, smacking N away from her with all the strength in her one arm.

"White, please, you have to have something to eat," N croaked hoarsely, trying to make his sister see sense. "You need to eat in order to heal faster!"

But White growled threateningly and turned her back on him as she went back to huddling in the corner of the small room. N couldn't help but huff irritability and moved away from her in order to avoid doing or saying something he'd regret. White had become very unreasonable since being put in N's care, despite her still being in such a weak state. She had healed very slightly since first seeing her, and the only thing she gained was her full volume. N had a feeling that it was all the stress coming down upon her.

Since White continued to refuse to give any information about Sky Blue, all Team Flare's frustration was landing on N. He had gone through several "meetings" but he refused to let them persuade him into abandoning his promise. Each time he came back, White would apologize over and over again even though it was all N's choice, not hers.

On the bright side, N had found an asset in Amethyst, White's nurse. Even after White had been transferred out of the medical ward, Amethyst continued to check on her. These visits gave N the chance to connect with her and gain an ally. Amethyst had finally agreed to help after some time, and has since become an enormous help. She had made connections with other members willing to help, and has managed to give Sky Blue and Leia a secret circle of defenders. Best yet, Amethyst had been given a letter from N to Leia, and has been currently tasked with somehow delivering it to her.

N's thoughts came back to earth after hearing a sharp intake of breath from White. He looked over to see her wrapping her one arm tightly around herself while breathing in a shallow way.

"Whit?" N started, moving back over to her with concern. "Hey, what's wrong? You're in pain, where does it hurt?"

"It doesn't matter!" She snapped, her teeth chattering all the while. "You can't help, so leave me be!"

He only partly listened. N removed his cloak from around his neck before placing it over White. He had a feeling her condition was worsening, and he didn't know what to do as of then. White was much more fragile than she'd like to admit. He had a feeling that if they could get above ground, that might help her heath improve.

"White, we're gonna get through this, just you wait," He assured her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I promise I'll do everything to save you and the others."

A clang outside the door made White jump with fright and N stiffened up. Someone was coming in. Whether it was a friend or foe, N couldn't say.

However the second the door opened, there was a high pitched squeal as someone small ran inside and jumped into N's arms. The young girl's long auburn hair clouded his vision as Fiona squeaked, "Surprise!"

"Fiona!" White suddenly rasped, her tone changing suddenly to a much softer voice. "Fiona, is that you?"

"I'm right here, soeur!" Fiona told White while holding onto N and also reaching out to grasp White's arm.

"You...you can talk...after all this time..."

"She spoke the night we went looking for you, and I see you've improved," N told Fiona but looked at her with some concern. "Fiona, where have you been? How have you been treated?"

"Père says I finally found my voice! And I'm ok, frère, soeur! Really!" The young girl added hurriedly. "I've been worried about you, and Père won't tell me about you or let me visit, but the nice lady brought me here-"

Fiona was interrupted as she was snatched away from N and White pulled the young girl into a tight embrace. White was holding her tightly, and her eyes were closed shut yet tears were leaking out from under them. Fiona seemed startled at first but seemed to accept the predicament.

Footsteps were heard from the doorway, but N looked to see it was merely Amethyst. The young woman briefly looked to White and Fiona before jerking her head to the side as a gesture for him to come over.

"Thank you for letting us see Fiona," N told her while trying to muster a smile. "We, especially White, have been so worried about her."

"She's been worried about you too," Amethyst answered in her same cold tone. "She kept coming and complaining of a stomach ache, but really she was just under stress. I thought this would be best for her. By the way, I was just informed your note was successfully delivered."

The nurse must have seen the relief in his expression because she added sternly, "I wouldn't be celebrating yet. I was also informed of some disturbing news. What I'm going to tell you can't be told to your sister, it might push her health back a long way. Understand?"

"What happened?"

"Your friend, the mad one, I was just told that the scientists are moving on to the next step of his 'treatment'. They have been testing his comprehension of pain, his reactions to tense situations, and also how his powers work these past few weeks. It has been decided that his abilities will be put to use for Team Flare, starting by erasing most of his memory. Any memory made by the man you all know will be gone, and he will be left with all the negative emotions he holds."

N could comprehend what he was hearing. Erase Sky's memory? No, that just couldn't be possible. N knew Team Flare had a very dark history, but this was all just cruel. It was inhuman.

"Are you sure?" N croaked, his throat suddenly tightening. "You're absolutely positive?"

"I trust this source, and unfortunately it wouldn't be out of the ordinary," Amethyst sighed sadly. "They've been doing it to Pokemon for years. Your friends have three days to escape, and I don't need to remind you how my sources can't get near them easily, especially the mad one."

"What are their chances of escaping the cell?"

"Honestly? Getting out will be hard without outside help. We can't directly help or we'll get caught and the consequences will be great. It'll be even harder with the madman incapacitated. I hear he's a genius in his right mind, but his only benefit in his dark side is his brute strength. The thing is, he is put in custom chains that are unbreakable for Aura Guardians. It really will take a mixed effort to break out."

N didn't like what he was hearing. What she was saying was that it was all pointless. Sky was no use and Leia couldn't do it all alone. There was nothing they could do unless the defected grunts directly aided them, but N just couldn't ask them to do more.

"What about us?" N finally asked, gesturing to White and Fiona. "How do you suggest we get out?"

"Well, you're not pressed for time like the others, so that already makes it easier," Amethyst informed him in a professional manner. "However you don't need as much help. This particular cell actually has a secret to it. There was one man who was held in here and escaped. A Pokemon dug through the wall and he escaped out through the tunnel. If the story is right, the entrance was only hidden, while the entire tunnel is still intact. If you find the tunnel, we can figure out how to crack it open. I can try and figure out where it is in here but it will take time. Until then, everything needs to be down low."

She paused before continuing, "I will try to do more but I'm afraid I won't be able to do much. I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be sorry, you've already done so much for us already," N told her, waving off the apology. "I just...what made you help us? I just have not been able to figure out why you'd risk everything for us."

Amethyst did not answer right away. She started off at White and Fiona. The young woman was interrogating the girl about the treatment she was receiving.

"I'm a nurse, I help those who are weak get back on their feet," she answered at last quietly. "Team Flare beats down on both the strong and weak. They had no respect for anyone. They say your friend is a monster, but they are the real monsters, not him. I don't want to be a monster like them, not when I'm supposed to be doing the opposite."

"I understand perfectly, but not everyone will be as understanding as I," N warned her. "Some may still see the darker nature, while others see you as a traitor. You and your friends, you must stay together if you leave, and you must leave. You can't stay after helping us."

"My plan exactly. Now, I will leave Miss Fiona with you. She can't stay long, so make it quick. Anything else I need to know before I go?"

"Acually, yes," the man began, gesturing to White. "You know more about sickness than I do. White has been a little more introverted than before, and she's been acting a little two sided, as well as muttering to herself."

Amethyst watched White once again before saying, "Well, I can't say what you said makes sense, but she's probably feeling some sort of survivor's guilt. Everyone but her is suffering because of her, so she's probably punishing herself while also being as normal as possible. Besides, she's religious, she might just be praying, ya know? It's normal to do that in a time like this. Not much I can do for her apart from give her medicine for physical pain. She's a complex individual, that's all I can say. I'm just a nurse, not a psychiatrist."

"Right...well, thanks anyway."

The young woman nodded and exited the room, locking the door behind her. N waited a moment before returning to his sisters. He wasn't sure how to break the news to White about Sky. He never understood why, but she loved that man dearly. If they failed to rescue him...

"How did it go?" White asked sharply as N returned to her and Fiona.

"Fine," N half lied. "The message was delivered, so they at least know we're safe."

"Who does?" Fiona chimed in while White sighed with relief.

"Leia and Sky Blue were taken as well, but they know we're all safe."

"Are they going to rescue us?"

N thought for a moment before replying slowly, "No, not exactly. I can explain later, but we have a job to do. In this room is a sealed off tunnel we can escape through. It's big enough for us each to climb through, and we need to look for signs of its location. Once we find it, we can get out. Fiona, you can ask people about prisoners who've escaped from here without much suspicion, so do you think you can do that?"

Fiona looked amazed at the offer. She looked from White and back to N before stammering, "Y-You want me to help?"

"I don't think we can do it without you. Are you up to it?"

Fiona had never been able to help much before. This was a great privilege for her now. The small girl put her hand over N's and beamed as a response.

"I won't let you down, frère, soeur!" She promised enthusiastically. "I don't want to see you hurt anymore, and I'll help you kick those flaming buttholes!"

N bit back a laugh, not sure if he should be pleased of horrified that she called her father's employees "flaming buttholes". However he saw one of the few true smiles in a long time come across White as she kissed Fiona's forehead and whispered, "I knew there was a reason why I liked you."