Chapter 23

"Oh, Deborah, please come along!"

"Non! I refuse to be treated like a child!"

"You're not, i-it's just that he, t-the man that agreed to teach you, is gonna help you interact with the humans!"

"Is he good?"

"Um...well..."

Margaret had been left taking Deborah to N for their first "social skills" lesson. Unfortunately, the only time Deborah could meet the fugitive was on the day before the Ambrette Town Pokemon Showcase. Though she'd rather work with her pokemon on the routine they planned out, Margaret was instead secretly accompanying the Gardevoir through the forest along the top of the ravine on Route 8.

"You didn't answer my question," Deborah snarled as she stomped through the forest undergrowth. "Is he good with these much needed social lessons?"

"W-Well...he's very polite, and he cares about pokemon..."

"So you're saying he's like you?"

"Oh, well...maybe a little, but that depends on how you see me..."

"I see you as overly quiet and shy, very polite and kind, and all the pokemon seem to like you." snorted Deborah in a flat voice. "You're technically a pokemon and boy magnet."

Margaret was taken aback by this, and stuttered uncertainly, "Oh...um...thank you...I think..."

After a minute, the Embrace Pokemon continued, "My trainer cares a lot about you."

"I-I don't think he said that..." Margaret stammered, feeling herself blush.

"No, he didn't," Deborah agreed. "But his emotions said it all."

"Oh...is that ok...?"

"Of course. I have nothing against you."

"That reminds me, how are you adjusting to being with Danny and the other pokemon?"

Margaret watched as the Gardevoir thought for a moment. A moment later, the Psychic Fairy Type told her, "It is alright. Samson hates me, and Loopy's still a little nervous, so only Spirit likes me. Too bad he's mute. We communicate through the linking of thoughts."

"How exactly does that work?"

"The sash on his handle is like, well, like a phone. He wraps his sash around someone's arm or front paw, and it transmits Spirit's thoughts to the person or pokemon on the end of the sash. The person or pokemon's thoughts in turn transmit to him."

"How many people know of this?"

"Just a few people. Maître Danny, myself, and Samson and Loopy mainly. By the way, the Honedge's name, Spirit, how did he get such a name?"

"What?"

"Why is he called 'Spirit'?"

"Oh, well," Margaret started, relieved that she was given a question she could answer. "He's the Sword Pokemon, and people like knights have always had a habit of naming their swords. Danny gave him the name Spirit because of the Sword of the Spirit in the Bible."

"Is there really a sword like that?" Deborah asked, and Margaret could hear the small bit of curiosity in her voice.

"Well, I've always thought that the Sword of the Spirit was a metaphor. The real Sword of the Spirit is the Bible. You're supposed to 'arm' yourself with a Bible. Once in the Bible, in the book of Revelations, they described a warrior with a sword for a tongue, and he knocked down people with his sword. The sword represents the Word of God."

Another few minutes passed in silence. Then the Gardevoir huffed, "It is confusing."

"What is?" Margaret asked.

"World religion. It seems burdensome."

"Burdensome?" the rookie repeated blankly. "Why would you say that?"

"How best to put it...well I've heard of lots of religions or beliefs. Some people believe that there are many gods, while other people believe one God created the universe and the earth in six days. Then there are people who believe the world was formed by one pokemon, or there are even people who don't believe any god created the world or mankind. I've noticed that humans argue with each other about religion very often. It tears apart families and friends, and there are groups of people who slaughter anyone who doesn't believe or think the same way they do."

"O-Oh my...that's a deep thought, but I'll do my best to explain. Yes, there are many religions and beliefs in the world, and there are people who kill or hurt others who belong or follow another religion than their own. People even believe we evolved from pokemon. But when you look at all the religions, how many of them have proven to be true? How many gods have been proven to be real? Only one. There is only one God, and he has proven himself to be real.

"A long long time ago, God showed people miraculous and impossible miracles and signs. He protected his children, he parted large bodies of water, shut the mouths of Pyroars, freed his people from slavery and provided for them in the desert, and the list goes on and on. "

"How come he isn't parting seas today? Where are those miracles?"

"There are still signs and miracles today, we just don't notice as easily. He's been changing and saving lives everyday. He provides for us still, and he sends people out to help bring others to him. He does so many miracles and good things, even if they're small. I don't know anybody else who has done what he has."

The Embrace Pokemon didn't respond right away. A minute later, she asked, "Do pokemon go to heaven?"

"W-what?"

"If I died, and I was saved like a human, would I go to heaven?"

"I...I don't really know," Margaret admitted slowly while choosing her words carefully. "I always thought that pokemon had their on kind of soul, so I believe you would go to heaven."

Deborah's body suddenly stiffened up. It was like she sensed something or someone.

"D-Deborah?" The rookie stuttered nervously as two pale pink blade appeared in the Gardevoir's hands. "I-Is everything ok...?"

The Embrace Pokemon didn't reply. Then Margaret heard rustling leaves from ahead of them and the sound of voices. She recognized a few pokemon voices and a human, but it wasn't N. Who else would be this deep in the forest?

"Je t'ai eu!" Deborah snarled as someone came out of the bushes and the blades swiftly landed on each side of the person's throat.

"Oh my goodness, White, I'm so sorry!" Margaret gasped.

The person that Deborah had her blades against was none other than White. The older trainer did not show any signs of fear, but her body was tense from the blades near her neck. Fiona, who was being carried on White's back, squeaked and ducked behind her. The three pokemon walking next to White, which were Green Ivy, Archy, and Zoroark, all gave loud yelps at the sight of the Gardevoir. The Ivysaur actually hid behind White.

"If you're gonna slit my throat, can you give me five minutes to rewrite a will?" White asked coldly. "I want Sky to get Tiny and Purr instead of N. That way I can get some entertainment after death."

"I am so so sorry!" squeaked Margaret as she took away Deborah's blades. "S-She didn't mean to, it's just-"

"I know, it's ok," she assured her. "I was just checking on N. I'm borrowing Zoroark for a day or two. You're having the social lesson today?"

"Y-Yes, kinda, does he know...?"

"About Deborah? Goodness, no. I just told him you were going to drop by. Well, I got other things to do. See you later, Margaret."

Margaret watched White, Fiona, and the other three pokemon with interest. After White and Sky helped her will routine, nobody saw much of her. She kept going off with Fiona, and they wouldn't see her till the evening at the Pokemon Center. Nobody knew where she was going.

"I apologize for my behavior," Deborah suddenly said, bring Margaret out of her thoughts. "I've been feeling a little...nerveux and défensive..."

The rookie gave a small smile, led the Gardevoir into the forest again, and assured the Embrace Pokemon, "Believe me, I understood. Sometimes I get the same way, but you might want to be a little more careful with your daggers, ok?"

"Bien sûr, you're right..."

After a few more minutes, Margaret could see a clearing ahead. Something white and snowy was sparkling in the clearing.

"Deborah, stay here for a moment," she told the Psychic Fairy Type, who nodded obediently.

Margaret gave the Gardevoir a reassuring smile before entering the clearing. The shiny object in the clearing was an igloo. It had large icy spikes all over its sides, and vines weaved around and in between them.

"Um...hello?" Margaret called, slowly approaching the igloo. "N, you here?"

"Margaret?"

N came out of the opening in the igloo and looked around. After seeing his friend, the man smiled.

"I was beginning to think you weren't going to visit until after the showcase," N told her. "Actually, shouldn't you be rehearsing? The showcase is tomorrow, right?"

"Well, yes, but I actually wanted your help with something..."

"Oh? Is something wrong?"

"N-No, but...well just a moment, ok?"

Margaret stepped back into the bushes for a moment to see Deborah observing the area around her. As she noticed that the rookie had came back, she said defensively, "What?"

"Y-You can come out now," Margaret informed the Gardevoir.

Margaret came back out into the clearing as the Embrace Pokemon followed her cautiously. Deborah froze after seeing N staring at her. For some reason, Margaret noticed that a look of shock and amazement spread across Deborah's face.

"Um, N, this is Deborah, and Deborah, this is N," the young trainer introduced awkwardly. "I-I was w-wondering, N...h-how close were you with your foster sister's Gardevoir...?"

N looked from Margaret to Deborah before asking uncertainly, "Is she yours?"

"Err...no, she's-"

"I can speak for myself!" growled the Gardevoir agitatedly.

"Wait, you can talk? Aloud?" N added, but he stopped when the Embrace Pokemon all of a sudden began to circle him slowly, taking in his appearance.

"Yes, I can, and I'm just as intelligent as you humans are," she answered in a growl as she stopped in front of the fugitive. "Have we met?"

"What?"

"Do we know each other? You seem familiar, I feel like I've seen you just récemment."

N and Margaret both exchanged bewildered looks. As far as Margaret knew, Deborah had only seen her, Danny, Fiona, White, and Amos before the encounter in Glittering Cave. There was also Xavier and Shauna also spotting her. N clearly never knew the Gardevoir, so how was he familiar?

"I'm sorry, but I don't think we've met," N finally told Deborah slowly. "I'm positive that I would have remembered you."

However the Gardevoir continued to walk around him and observed his apperence.

"Long green hair, tall..." she muttered under her breath. Then the pokemon's eyes suddenly widened with understanding. Deborah stared at N right in the eyes.

"Wait a moment," started the Embrace Pokemon. "N isn't your full name, is it?"

"No," he answered uncertainly. "My full name is Natural. N is just a nickname."

"Do you have any relatives?"

"Just my little sister, otherwise I'm an orphan."

"Deborah, what's going on?" asked Margaret, stepping next to the Gardevoir.

"I have seen you before, I'm sure of it," Deborah insisted. "Or...at least someone like you...wait, do you have any male realtives?"

N shook his head and responded uncomfortably, "Not that I know of. My father left when I was four."

"What is your surname?"

"Gropius."

Margaret could tell that the Embrace Pokemon's almost white face turned even paler. The name seemed to have brought something back to her.

"Do you know something we don't?" Margaret questioned Deborah quietly.

She said nothing at first. Then after a moment, the Gardevoir turned her back on the fugitive and rookie and replied cooly in her neutral voice, "Non, the name means nothing to me."

With that, the Gardevoir ducked into the igloo without another word. Margaret looked back at N to see him staring off into the distance.

"N-N?" she stammered, touching his arm lightly.

He jumped and looked at the concerned girl. He then said defensively, "What is it?"

"Um, well I thought you would ask me why I brought my best friend's talking Gardevoir here to you..."

"That would be good information to know, wouldn't it?"

"Yes, um, well, did White tell you about the incident in Glittering Cave?"

"She said you all encountered a group of grunts who were apart of the organization Team Flare. She left out that you now have a talking Gardevoir."

"Deborah is Danny's Gardevoir, actually. But she is a very, err...special type of pokemon."

"Well she talks-"

"Not just that! Team Flare bragged that she has an IQ of 5,000. She has an intelligence to match a human's from the looks of it. Apparently she kept the ability of her human speech hidden till we freed her from Team Flare's technology. She has no memory of her life till at least two or three years ago when Team Flare caught her, and they tortured her by forcing her to wear a type of shock collar that helped scientists monitor her thoughts. She's traumatized, and Team Flare only left her behind because they had no choice. We think they'll come back for not only her, but for Fiona too."

"White told me about Fiona," N admitted, shaking his head. "Actually, Team Flare was an ally of Team Plasma. Team Plasma allied with lots of criminal organizations for resources and to share data. I didn't know that one of Team Flare's leaders had a daughter or that Team Flare had a princess. Otherwise I was never told of this information."

"Wait, you don't think they were using Fiona as a pawn like with you, do you?" interrupted Margaret, now feeling fearful for the young girl.

"No, I don't think so. From what White has told me, the grunts reacted to Fiona joyfully. They acted out of fear and worry for Fiona's safety when attacking you. I think they really care for her wellbeing. I think her father really does care for her, and he wants her back, but that makes Team Flare even more dangerous. A parent that cares for their child, like Fiona's father to her, makes them dangerous. There is one thing more dangerous than standing up against a wounded pokemon. It's more dangerous standing between a parent and their child. Margaret, please, you, White, and your other friend need to be careful."

"Wait, why just me, White, and Danny? Why not the others?" she asked in confusion. "We're all hiding her!"

"Yes, that's true, but the three of you were hiding her the longest," her friend argued back calmly. "White and your friend, Danny, found Fiona, right? Well they kept her a secret and hid her. Then you were told, and you also continued to hide the fact that you were helping a runaway. Fiona grew closer to the three of you than to anyone else, so Team Flare sees you three as enemies. You three took their princess away from them. The others had nothing to do with this. Besides, your friend is now assisting their strongest guard dog and granting her asylum. They will undoubtedly see him as a troublemaker and a threat. If they do their homework, they will realize that Danny and Red are brothers, and Danny might want to copy his brother."

Margaret didn't reply. She didn't think of that. Red had almost signal handedly taken down Team Rocket. Since Danny was jealous of his brother's fame and good deeds, it only seemed fair to believe that he would go after the first criminal organization he finds and try to take them down. Danny wouldn't be so reckless, but he was unintentionally catching Team Flare's eye because he was protecting Deborah and Fiona.

"I...I guess you have a point..." Margaret whispered, bowing her head so N didn't see her eyes begin to water.

She then felt N pull her gently into an embrace. The rookie closed her eyes tightly. Team Flare reminded her of Team Rocket, and Deborah reminded her of herself. Team Flare and Team Rocket took advantage of innocent beings and used them for their own gain. Both she and Deborah were their victims. Margaret was the lab rat while Deborah was the Team Flare guard dog or trump card. Both of them were able to escape the terrible life they lived by running away, and running straight into one kind soul. In Margaret's case, it was Xerneas, while Deborah ran straight into Danny. Well, Margaret did eventually run into him, but that wasn't till weeks later.

"We don't have to discuss this right now," N told Margaret quietly, wiping his friend's eyes with a corner of his cloak. "Now, why did you bring Deborah here to me?"

"Oh, w-well," Margaret sniffed, rubbing her eyes. "S-Since she's started talking to humans, w-we've noticed that she needs, err... a little work with her social skills. I felt that you were the best candidate to teach her since you could relate to her more..."

"What about you?"

"I would help too, i-it's just that I can't do it alone..."

N thought for a moment before sighing, "Alright, I'll try to help."

"Y-You will...?"

"Yes, but only because you ask more politely than everyone else."

Margaret giggled a little at this as N escorted her into the igloo. It was larger than a normal igloo should have been, but Margaret remembered that N had a Zoroark, Rapidash, Glaceon, and Leafeon. Rapi, Silky, and Minty must have been out in the forest somewhere because only Deborah was inside. The Gardevoir's eyes were glowing as a box full of papers was levitated a few feet above the ground. A piece of paper and a photo were levitated to her eye level. Margaret than recognized the box as the box of letters N had showed her when talking about his friends from Team Plasma.

"Deborah, don't go reading through N's stuff!" the rookie scolded her, swiping the letter and the box from Deborah's aura. "It's rude to read other people's mail! You need to at least ask for permission!"

"Isn't that why I'm here, so I learn how not to be rude?" said Deborah calmly, her aura disappearing from the photo and letting it fall lightly to the floor. "This Esther girl is a fascinating person, I must say. I especially liked the part in the letter where that Mira girl didn't recognize her in Mistralton City, even though this Esther had picked on her and kept mistaking her for a five year old two years previously. You must tell me more about her sometime."

"Look, this isn't the time to discuss-" N started irritability, but Deborah lifted the photo again and levitated it very close to his face.

"Is this her and the two boys she spoke of?" She then asked.

Margaret could see that the picture was of a girl, two boys, and their pokemon, all of them sitting by an ocean. The girl had shoulder length black hair and dark skin, and she wore a long Indian poncho over her t-shirt. The boy to her right had light brown hair and wore a black jacket over a white t-shirt. The other boy on her left wore similar clothing to the girl. He wore a cloak that looked like he could've made it himself, and he wore a red fur-like vest over his tan jacket. He had auburn hair and had a serious look about him. The pokemon on the picture included a Patrat, Mudkip, Chikorita, Illumise, Amaura, Larvesta, Monferno, Froakie, Amoonguss, and an Espurr. A Magikarp and Feebas were in the water near the girl.

"Yes," the fugitive growled, taking the photo from Deborah and putting it in the box among the letters. "Yes, that's Esther, Jerry, and Terran, but that isn't what we will be talking about today!"

"Then what are we talking about today?"

"T-Today we'll just be getting to know each other," Margaret told Deborah as she sat on the ground.

"What purpose would that serve?" Deborah continued, mimicking Margaret and sitting as far away from N as possible.

"Well like Margaret said, it allows to get to another," N explained. "It will make us seem less like strangers to each other."

"But we all know who Margaret is."

"Yes, so she doesn't have to share anything if she doesn't want to."

The Gardevoir nodded in to show she understood before saying, "Bien sûr, you may proceed."

"N, maybe you would like to start," suggested Margaret after a small awkward silence. "Just to show Deborah how it's done."

The fugitive thought for a moment before muttering, "There...there really isn't much for me to tell..."

"Except that you were king of Team Plasma and are currently a fugitive for theft, conspiracy, kidnapping, stalking, and must I carry on?"

After hearing the list of crimes against N, Margaret turned to stare at him. N had covered his face with his hands, most likely from embarrassment, as Deborah listed his charges.

"That sounds about right..." she heard him snarl irritability. "I didn't realize you had memorized my record..."

"I usually remember everything I learn."

"Kidnapping?!" Margaret repeated in disbelief. "You kidnapped someone?!"

"The theft of a trainer's pokemon is the same as kidnapping," stated the Embrace Pokemon.

"Margaret, any crime a member of Team Plasma committed was often an order," he explained, sounding a little humiliated and miserable. "Since I held the highest rank, I have more crimes than most members. Plus I have reason to believe that crimes done by the second Team Plasma was added to my record, so if that's the case, kidnapping would mean the kidnapping of White and Sky Blue, which was actually committed by Ghetsis and Zinzolin."

"But that's not fair!"

"My entire life isn't fair. That's why I've been running."

"In case you weren't aware, you are now officially wanted in Kalos," interrupted Deborah unhelpfully. "Team Flare reported your whereabouts to the authorities after encountering you on this very route. They actually searched this route. Now, shall I continue to name your charges, or would you like to change the subject?"

"I-I get the point," N stammered hurriedly, shifting uncomfortably. "W-Well...I have only one living relative, I'm an orphan, my father ran away, my mother and youngest sister died, I only have four pokemon, and as you said, I'm wanted by the authorities."

"Your living relative is White Copperstone, correct?"

"Yes...?"

Deborah gave him a skeptical look before continuing, "Is a life of crime normal for your family?"

"Well we never met our father's side of the family, but in our defense, we were abandoned by our mother at the ages of three and seven," N answered, sounding a little offended. "We had to improvise to survive, and we still do."

"Your sister was cleared of her charges, but if I remember correctly, she was charged with burglary, theft, aiding and abetting, and-"

"What did you do in Team Flare, research every criminal record?!"

"Non, not just criminal record, I had to research trainer files too," Deborah corrected.

"Trainer files?" echoed Margaret, tilting her head in confusion. "What are trainer files?"

The Gardevoir looked at the rookie in surprise. It was like she was surprised Margaret didn't know the definition of a trainer file. However, she didn't ask her why she didn't know, but answered Margaret's question.

"Every trainer has a trainer file," explained the Embrace Pokemon. "Before a person becomes a trainer, they must fill out a form, then they receive their trainer card. They are helpful for contests and tournaments. All they need to is get the participants' files and put it into the computer. The information on the file includes name, age, current pokemon team, and either the acquired badges, ribbons, or keys. The pokemon team is updated every time your pokemon are healed at the Pokemon Center or you use the pokemon storage."

"Oh, well my grandmother filled that form out..."

"Team Flare tries to avoid making the same mistake as other organizations. Team Plasma and Team Rocket failed to take the threat of children seriously. Team Flare, however, does. They research their enemies carefully. I actually had to research all of you."

"Wait, all of us? As in everyone we've been traveling with?" Margaret repeated.

"Why would you be researching everyone in the group?" N asked the Gardevoir.

Deborah sighed and replied, "At first Team Flare was just researching on the assistants that the foreign professors were sending to Kalos. The elite leaders caught an interest to the madman with the one eye and sent a more stronger Team Flare member after him. However he tricked the scientist, and she lost her temper and hurt as much as she could. Your friend's right side is his only blind spot, so he was easily defeated. After pounding him to a pulp, she was going to take any technology he had on him until a lone Squirtle interfered. She fled the scene and left the boy to hopefully die."

"So, that's why he was defeated so easily?" the rookie said slowly. "They read his files?"

"Yes, they use the files and the organization's experiences with the trainer to make another file. When a Team Flare patrol ran into you two, they began to research the both of you. I feel that I should say that I know who you are, Margaret."

Margaret felt her heart sink as the Gardevoir said this. Her best friend's pokemon knew what and who she was. The thought of Deborah telling Danny about her horrified Margaret.

Of course she knows, she was raised by Team Flare, She thought bitterly.

However, the Embrace Pokemon seemed to sense her feelings and assured her, "You have my word that I will not share this information without consulting you first."

"O-Oh," Margaret stammered, a little taken aback. "A-Alright, thank you..."

"What about the others?" interrupted N after a moment. "What about White?"

"Team Flare knew there was a risk of White Copperstone interfering after attacking the madman," Deborah answered, crossing her arms and looking unblinkingly at the fugitive. "We found out that the madman and the little thief had a very close relationship. She had turned herself over to Team Plasma in order to try and save him. He lost his eye in order to save her life. If the girl put enough effort into it, Team Flare fears she alone could ruin everything they have been working to obtain."

"And the younger trainers, like Mira, Leia, and Amos?"

"Leia's a Champion, they'd be stupid not to research her. Mira is very close to the madman and the thief as well, so they made sure to keep some knowledge of her. I honestly don't understand why they kept an eye on that little Coordinator. I guess they were worried of underestimating him."

There was an awkward silence after this. Margaret was processing this information, and she knew N was too. Team Flare seemed to be readying for a real fight. A hopeless fight for them, the trainers. Margaret wanted more than anything to stop talking about this, and she even wondered how they got on this Buneary trail.

"Err...well," N started awkwardly and breaking the silence. "Deborah, why don't you tell us about yourself since you pretty much know everything about us."

Deborah looked surprised at this, but recovered and said swiftly, "Very well then. My memory only goes up to three years previously, I have no memory of my family or if I had a previous trainer, I had a needle connected to my brain, wore a shock collar constantly, and I talk like a Kalos woman. Is that how I tell about myself?"

Margaret and N exchanged looks before the rookie stuttered, "O-Oh, um...i-it was...nice..."

"I sense that I didn't meet the requirements," Deborah said dismissively.

"This isn't an interview," N told the Gardevoir, but he then added, "Ok, maybe it is a bit, but we want to know like...like your hobbies. What you do in your free time."

The Embrace Pokemon looked from Margaret to N before asking, "That much?"

"Well, yes," Margaret said kindly. "We need to know how best to teach these skills."

"Very well, but I didn't have 'hobbies' when with Team Flare."

"Is there something you enjoy doing?" N asked her helpfully.

Deborah thought for a moment. After a minute, she answered, "Scaring people."

"Scaring people? Scaring who, exactly?"

"Anyone really. It's very amusing watching them run around frightened."

"You mean like when we first saw you in Parfum Palace?" inquired Margaret.

"Yes," Deborah agreed, her lips curling into a sneer. "That was very amusing. I was supposed to be spying on those two trainers, I believe it was that Xavier and the little pipsqueak with ponytails and the obsession with black bows. I was supposed to hide and keep out of sight, but I remembered hearing some trainers talk about a legend that involved creatures that looked like statues until a person turned their back. I decided to try and scare people by mimicking as a statue. I scared off quite a few trainers, but I had to stop after being shocked with the collar. It was worth it though."

"Wait, I remember hearing you, or at least your collar, the day I first ran into Team Flare. What were you doing there?"

"I was actually apart of the patrol. They sent me off to scare off trainers here in the woods. I missed the two of you on my search, so consider yourselves lucky. However, I did see you when coming back, if that's what you mean."

"So besides scaring people, is there anything else you like to do?" N continued, turning the conversation back to the question.

The Gardevoir thought for a few seconds before saying, "I like to dance and battle."

"That's interesting...anything else?"

"I like to sing."

"You sing?" asked Margaret curiously.

"Oui, I do." Deborah answered with a nod.

"Would you mind singing for us? B-But you don't have to of you don't feel like it..."

"I have no objection." The Gardevoir told her as she stood up.

The Embrace Pokemon stood in the center of the igloo and cleared her throat. Then Deborah began to sing. Her voice was absolutely beautiful. It wasn't like her talking voice, which was neutral and more cold than it was for a regular Gardevoir. It wasn't even like her shrieky Disarming Voice. Her singing voice was soft, gentle, and musical.

I know a place where we can go
To lay the troubles down eating your soul
I know a place where mercy flows
Take the stains make you whiter than snow

Like a tide, it is rising up deep inside a current that moves and makes you come alive
Living water that brings the dead to life, oh-oh-oh-oh

We're going down to the river
Down to the river, down to the river to pray
Let's get washed by the water
Washed by the water and rise up in amazing grace
Let's go down, down, down to the river
You will leave changed
Let's go down, down, down to the river
Never the same

I've seen it move in my own life
Took me from dusty roads into paradise
All of my dirt, all of my shame
Drowned in the streams that've made me born again

Like a tide, it is rising up deep inside a current that moves and makes you come alive
Living water that brings the dead to life, oh-oh-oh-oh

We're going down to the river
Down to the river, down to the river to pray
Let's get washed by the water
Washed by the water and rise up in amazing grace
Let's go down, down, down to the river
You will leave changed
Let's go down, down, down to the river
Never the same

Let's go down
Let's go down
Let's go down

We're going down to the river
Down to the river, down to the river to pray
Let's get washed by the water
Washed by the water and rise up in amazing grace
Let's go down, down, down to the river
You will leave changed
Let's go down, down, down to the river
Never the same
Oh down
Oh oh
Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go down in amazing grace
Let's go down, down, down to the river
Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go down in amazing grace

"Deborah, that was wonderful!" Margaret complimented, amazed by the Gardevoir's singing. "But weren't you just, um...questioning my religion?"

"I was, but I thought you would appreciate the song," Deborah admitted, crossing her arms behind her back and sitting back down.

"That really was beautiful," N told the Embrace Pokemon. "You remembered all the lyrics?"

"Oui, I have. I remember all the words to all the songs I have heard."

"My sister is very good with remembering lyrics as well. She loves music, she plays the guitar. How have you been doing with the other trainers, anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's asking what you think of the other people in the group, like Fiona and White." Margaret clarified for Deborah.

Deborah didn't answer right away. She tilted her head as she thought quietly. What did the Gardevoir think of everyone else?

After a minute, Deborah answered, "The younger trainers are annoying."

"Oh?"

"Mira is overly hyper and pushy. She pesters me, and it's irritating. Leia isn't too bad, but the Lucario that goes around with her obviously doesn't like me. He snarls at me and makes sure I don't get too close to her. Fiona is also scared of me, I can tell. She always hides when I'm around."

"Deborah, Mira is always like that," Margaret assured her. "She is very excitable, but she's very nice. Leia is nice too, it's just that her pokemon are protective of her, especially Ringdog. As for Fiona, she's just a little girl. She hasn't forgotten the incident in Glittering Cave yet, but she will eventually begin to open up. To be honest, she hasn't opened up to that many of us."

"Oui, I guess, but still. White is rude too. She obviously dislikes me greatly. She insults me, sneers at me. There have been times where I have had to keep myself from slitting her throat."

"Yeah, I kinda know the feeling," Margaret heard N mutter, but he said more loudly. "Look, White can be rough sometimes, take it from me. But she's a good person deep done. She hasn't had good experiences with Gardevoirs. It will take time for her to get use to you, but she'll get use to you."

"I doubt it, but I hope in a few years, maybe. Amos is fine, I have nothing against him."

"Lucky you."

Though Margaret very lightly hit N's hand at this, Deborah ignored him.

"But the one eyed boy...I don't like him. No, I hate him. There is something wrong with him. I sense...darkness from him. The only lead I have to his darkness are memories from at least seven years ago. However, it seems that his stupid Alakazam and Gallade, or at least the Alakazam, has placed a mental block on him. It prevents anyone from seeing the memories, and prevents him from knowing certain knowledge, yet he seems aware of the information. Not even Team Flare knows who he entirely is."

Deborah stopped abruptly and stared at N. Margaret noticed that the fugitive all of sudden looked very uncomfortable. The Gardevoir seemed to sense it too.

"You're scared of him!" The Embrace Pokemon hissed, sounding surprised. "You're terrified of who the one eyed boy is! Why?"

"I...I don't know what you're talking about." N denied forcefully.

"And I was under the impression that you were stronger than him," Deborah continued sneerly. "You know who and what he is. Why does he terrify you like this? What do you know?"

"D-Deborah, I-I don't think-" started Margaret, but N interrupted and told her, "It's ok, Margaret."

He looked at the Gardevoir straight in the eyes and said, "Deborah, it isn't in my place to tell you the past and life of Skyler Azul. But I will give you some advice. Never hurt him in anyway, never make him angry, and absolutely never hurt those he loves. I may seem to intimidate him, but I know better than to retaliate against him. I am the pokemon with a bit of training, but Sky Blue is the pokemon with the Mega Stone."

Margaret looked from N to Deborah. She didn't understand what was going on. They were talking as if Sky Blue was dangerous. He seemed harmless to her. What did they know that she didn't?

"I understand," Deborah finally hissed, bowing her head. "Is there anything else you'd wish to discuss?"

When N shook his head, Margaret hurriedly said, "W-Well, we should really get back. I still need to practice with my pokemon before the showcase tomorrow morning. Deborah, would you mind waiting outside?"

Deborah nodded respectfully and left the igloo. Margaret also stood up and turned to see N.

"N, do you still want to go through with this?" Margaret asked uncertainly.

N looked up her. He looked tired as he slowly stood up and faced his friend.

"It will be difficult," he told her quietly. "Deborah will obviously be a challenge. I think she needs to control her bluntness and her ability to sense other people's emotions. However, no matter how difficult she'll be, I'll help you teach her."

Margaret beamed at N and said happily, "Oh thank you so much! I wish I could repay you!"

"You can repay me by winning the showcase," he said to her, smiling slightly. "If you don't, there'll be no hard feelings."

The rookie was about to assure him that she would do her very best, but a neutral voice interrupted and said, "Blackmail."

They both turned to see who had spoken. Deborah was looking through the entrance of the igloo. She was smirking at N.

"What did you say?" N asked the Gardevoir.

"Blackmail," Deborah repeated. "The final charge against you. I believe that if arrested, your sentence would be seventeen years in prison. However, if I remember correctly, your time was cut in half, so if turned over, you only spend eight and a half years in prison.

"Oh don't worry," she added after seeing the looks on the two humans' faces. "I won't tell anyone about these meetings. I'm not a monster. Besides, I only just met you."

Margaret sighed as Deborah disappeared outside again. The rookie leaned against N as she continued to watch the spot where the Embrace Pokemon disappeared. Yes, Deborah would be a challenge. But of course, it would be interesting to teach Deborah how to interact with everyone else and teach her that it was wrong to try and slit White's throat.