Chapter 51: Counterbalanced - An Unovan Tale

WARNING - From now on, if you haven't read the rest of the chapters yet,
I strongly suggest reading those first. There are important things happening/coming up in the story,
and reading those before the rest of the story just isn't as much fun as the other way around.

Counterbalanced - Chapter 51

…The Hall of Visions was even more immense than he'd thought.

They had to walk through a maze to get to it, but finding their way had been surprisingly easy.
The path to the enormous cave was lit and crowded – attracted by the probability of Alex showing up, people were swarming through the Victory Road's passageways. It had only been a matter of following the endless stream of trainers, journalists and tourists to get to their destination – the Hall of Visions.

Whispers filled the air.

'There. Look.'

'…This must be her.'

'Yes. Yes, it's her. The girl that kept Unova's journalists so busy…'

And even though people were shamelessly staring at them, they hurried to make way.
Like him, they probably knew something important was going on.
…But it didn't stop them from filming and taking pictures.

Quinn blinked as a camera flashed in his face. He wasn't camera-shy, but this was just ridiculous.
It was almost as if the sensation seekers were eager, or even hungry, for the next part of the story.

By the time he got to the Hall of Visions, he was silently thankful that his arms were otherwise occupied, or he just might get fed up and destroy one of those cameras… He flexed his arm muscles, hoisting his burden a little higher up against his chest.

…Comfortably nestled in his arms, and unaware of the hustle and bustle going on around them, was Alex. The girl was peacefully sleeping, her head against his chest. It had been a good call to keep her under hypnosis. This situation would've completely stressed her out, and her not feeling comfortable would have major consequences to their results here.

The effect of the impressive crowd was amplified by the Hall of Visions' mirroring walls, making it seem like the whole of Unova had come out to watch them. There was a platform in the middle of the massive space. It looked the same as the one in Caitlin's hypnosis-room, but larger. That's where he was heading.

The police had made sure the Hall of Visions' center was free, standing in a line to keep the crowd from entering the restricted area. When Quinn approached, his eyes met with Officer Jenny. The blue-haired woman took one, frowning look at Alex, before gesturing at the line of police officers, ordering to let him through. She was definitely ready to make an arrest, if Alex did turn out to be involved with her parents' death.

The echoing sound of many human voices talking started to subside as he approached the platform. They could see something big was happening. Their patience was finally being rewarded, and all faces and cameras turned to the center of the Hall.

There were some well-lit steps, leading up to the platform.
Quinn slowly climbed them, careful not to stumble with Alex in his arms.

…The short-haired girl sighed as he placed her on the cold, smooth surface.

The fingers of his right hand caressed the side of her face for a moment.

Quinn wished he could whisper some encouraging words, but because he was in charge of the hypnosis, any wrong word he said could influence her testimony. He had strict instructions, and if he didn't follow them, the evidence they presented would be declared faulty.

He turned around, leaving Alex on the platform, and made his way back down the stairs.
As he did, he took a quick glance around. There were over a hundred pairs of eyes looking back at him. He had planned to keep an eye out for Nicholas, but realised this was impossible with the immense crowd present. Wanting to get this over with as fast as possible, he redirected his eyes to the bottom of the stairs.

…
…
…Yena was waiting for him there.
Her newly evolved Pokémon was floating next to her.
Constantly working on keeping Alex under hypnosis, Musharna had little attention for anything else.

The small puffs of pink, smoke-like Dream Mist coming from the Pokémon's forehead slowly rose up towards the Hall of Visions' ceiling, and serenely drifted along the rough surface.

…The moment of evolution had been a precious moment between Yena and Munna.
Quinn and Alex had kept their distance, while Yena softly talked to Munna for a while, with the mysterious, dark green Moon Stone lying on the ground between them. When Munna had finally drifted down, towards the evolutionary stone, Yena had kissed her Pokémon's forehead, before leaning back. Munna had started to glow, brighter and brighter, until it was hardly possible to look at her anymore. And somewhere in that light, the pink Pokémon had changed, affected by the Moon Stone's presence.

Evolution was a mysterious phenomenon, and there was always a lot of research going on about it. But on that moment, none of them had wondered about rapidly transforming body structures or genetic changes. They had simply been captivated by the event, the room lit up by Munna's evolution light, and the moment had been almost magical.

"Muuuu…"

Musharna's voice had slightly lowered, and somehow reflected more power.

Yena had stroked Musharna's soft snout, before gesturing at Alex to come closer.
The blond girl was smiling.

"I think my Pokémon has always wanted to help you, Alex. She's always kept an eye on you, right? Even to the point where you got so annoyed with her… She couldn't wait to evolve. Isn't it great that she's finally playing this important role?"

Alex had followed Yena's example, her hand softly rubbing Musharna's head.
The Pokémon was turned to her, as usual, probably drawn to the locked memories in her mind.

"It is."

…
…
…
…Quinn blinked, trying to focus.
The fact that so many people were staring at him, didn't help.

Keep to the instructions.

He'd been given a whole set of them, and he'd been endlessly going over them in his head.
Some were about the hypnosis. Quinn hardly knew anything about the subject, but the most important advice from Caitlin was not to say anything, other than the words she'd taught him. She'd taken her time making him practise them, until he felt like he could say them without thinking.

In the meantime, Yena had been going through the details of the plan with Alex.
They'd realised Alex had been portrayed as a vicious, mean-spirited girl by the media.
Wanting to counterbalance this, they had thought out subtle details that would help the influenceable public see Alex in a different way. It would be the start of making Nicholas look like a liar.

…Carrying Alex through the Victory Road's passageways. Carefully placing her on the platform.
Quinn's hand softly caressing her face. He had sincerely meant it, but it had also been part of a choreography, designed to affect the audience.

They could've shown up with guns blazing, accompanied by the most powerful Psychic-type trainer in Unova. But instead, they were dropped off in front of the Victory Road's entrance by Darach's Staraptor. On their own. Looking innocent. Almost vulnerable.

How could a sleeping girl possibly be an aggressive, lying murderer…?

…
…
…

There was another, smaller platform next to the one where Alex was sleeping on.
It was designed as a high throne, and Quinn could see where Caitlin's inspiration for her own hypnosis-room had come from. He had to sit there to gain control of the Hall of Visions' full potential.

The steps leading up to the Hall of Visions' throne were high.
It would take him some effort and time to climb up.

As he prepared to do so, Quinn took a quick glance over his shoulder.
If something happened, it would take him a while to get back down.
…But Yena was there, standing by.
Her golden hair was carefully combed, and gracefully fell over her shoulders.
She'd dressed in light, soft colors for this occasion, and looked like the most harmless, blue-eyed creature in Unova.

But if the three of them had learned anything, it was that appearances could be deceiving.

…Hidden away in the small, white handbag she'd borrowed from Caitlin, were six Pokéballs.
The simple movement of opening the purse, and turning it upside down, would cause the carefully instructed Oshawott, Sandshrew, Zigzagoon, Tauros, Emolga and Zebstrika to appear, ready for action.

Quinn had Pignite's Pokéball with him, for emergencies.

…
…
…
… The Hall of Visions' throne was made of the same smooth, cold material as the platform.
It seemed to emit a mysterious power.
Quinn gave a silent sigh as he sat down on the Hall of Visions' throne.
Even the last whispers in the crowd had died down now.

…All set.

---

"I wish it would all just be over, Quinn…"

"When you wake up, it will be, love."

Alex pressed herself closer to him, savoring this last moment.
She breathed in deep.

"You know, Quin…"

She hesitated.

"…If things turn out for the worst, I just want you to kn-…"

But he interrupted her by pressing a strong kiss on her lips.
Then he made her look him in the eyes.

"Hey. Stop that. Don't go all dramatic on me, now."

She had nervously sighed, once. Twice.
Then she'd stepped back.

Yes. She'd be strong. Another deep breath.

"…Right. Let's do this."

---

After this, Quinn had told Musharna to take control of Alex. The pink light coming from Yena's Pokémon had silently spread out to the girl, and Alex had fallen asleep without a struggle.

Under Caitlin's watchful eye, they had done a quick check.
With Musharna's Dream Mist, there was hardly any need for Alex to speak.
When Quinn had asked her to recall what happened on Castelia City's Prime Pier, the pink smoke had surrounded them. They saw Alex leap into the water, saving Yena's life. Both girls being lifted out of the water. Nicholas speaking with clear contempt, suggesting Alex' involvement with the fire. Yena escaping. Alex stopping Nicholas from sending Houndoom after her.
Alex resisting hypnosis, resulting in Nicholas slapping her across her face.

Hypno successfully putting Alex under hypnosis.

And then…
Nicholas voice had echoed through the hypnosis-room.

"Alright then, that's a good girl. Stand up for me."

…Quinn, Yena and Caitlin had quietly watched the scene unfold.

They could see everything. Hear every word.

Alex had fully surrendered to the hypnosis.

These barriers were gone.
They were ready.

…Time for the grand finale.

---

From his high throne, Quinn looked down on Alex, still sound asleep.
He thought she looked awfully alone, all by herself on the large platform.

To his left, standing near the platform, Yena called out to the crowd.
Her clear voice rang through the Hall of Visions.

"All the Hall of Visions' regulations were carefully abided by. This way of presenting evidence is officially accepted by the law. Today, you will witness what truly happened on the 16th of July. This is Elizabeth Kauri's testimony of that fateful day. With permission from Caitlin, acknowledged Master Psychic-type Trainer and member of the Elite Four, Quinn Teide will lead the presentation."

Her words had been strong and confident. Perfectly done.

His turn.
Wanting to do this exactly right, Quinn closed his eyes for a moment to concentrate, and spoke:

"Anything you show or tell us will be the truth. The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Do you understand?"

Down on the platform, Alex stirred.
Her reply wasn't loud, but still echoed across the Hall of Visions.

"Yes."

"State your name."

Both of their voices seemed to be carried far and wide.
She gave him the same answer as she'd done in Caitlin's hypnosis-room.

"Born as Elizabeth Kauri. 'Liz', for most people. Changed my name to Alex, two years ago."

The Hall of Visions' platform seemed to glow reassuringly underneath Alex.
Quinn shifted on his throne.
It seemed like the smooth, stone material had warmed up, as if it was activated.

He breathed in deep.

"Think back. Recall everything. Show us all that happened on the 16th of July, two years ago."

Next to the platform, Musharna had slowly but surely released her mysterious Dream Mist.
It drifted along the ceiling, filling up the top half of the Hall of Visions.

And when Alex obeyed Quinn's command, the mist came to life.

Enlarged projections appeared in the Dream Mist.
The people in the crowd watched with open mouths as closets, a dresser, and a nightstand emerged from the pink smoke above their heads. It was a bedroom, with a bed near the window.

When the girl in the Dream Mist-bed sat up, her hair messy and her expression sleepy, Quinn realised that Alex' old bedroom was projected throughout the hall. He had asked Alex to recall everything, and that's what she was doing – from the moment she'd woken up that day.

Caitlin had predicted this, and had instructed him accordingly.

"Go through that day. Show us the highlights only, until I say 'stop'."

It was almost like watching a 3D movie, being projected above.
Now, it started to fast-forward, only slowing down for the moments that Alex considered to be highlights.

He looked up, and watched the fifteen year old Alex go through her day.

…
…
…
…Looking out of the window, and discovering it was going to be a beautiful day.
…
…
…
…Sitting at the breakfast table, and feeding Zigzagoon a piece of toast without her mother noticing.
…
…
…
…"Toast isn't Pokémon food, Liz."

Damn. Mothers had eyes on the back of their heads.
…
…
…
…Her father entering the room, asking his daughter to help him tending to the eggs in the laboratory.

"…She still needs to finish her algebra homework, William.
You might've snuck outside yesterday, but you will do it, Liz."

"Oh come on, mom…"

"I know you think it's complicated.
Go and help your father, and then come back here. We'll look at it together."
…
…
…
…Making her way to the lab.
…
…
…
…Adjusting heat lamps, checking for cracks in the eggs, her father saying something about the chance of foreign Pokémon and native Pokémon having shiny offspring…
…
…
…
…The lab phone was ringing.

"This is William Kauri speaking. Who is this…? Oh, hello. How are y-…"
…
…
…
…A loud, angry voice. She could hear the tone from the other side of the lab.

"Calm down… Yes. You heard right… Hey now, there's no need to talk like that…"

A long pause.

"…Alright. Sure. See you in ten minutes, then."
…
…
…
…She turned her head away from the Pansage egg she was polishing.

"What was that about, dad…?"

He ruffled up her hair as he passed her by.

"Don't worry, Liz. Listen… I need go and discuss something.
After you finish this up, you can go outside for a bit."

A smile broke through on her face.

"Yes! I'll ask Martin to -…"

She was halfway to the door, when her father called out to her.

"Not so fast. Like I said, finish your work here first. And don't be late for lunch."

And with that, he hurried through the door that connected the laboratory to the house.
…
…
…
…Hurrying through her tasks in the lab.
…
…
…
…Running back to the attic to get the old blanket she discovered there earlier this week.
Martin had told her about old tribes sending messages to eachother through smoke signals, and she couldn't wait to give it a try...
…
…
…
…As she passed the livingroom door, she could hear a heated discussion going on.
But with Zigzagoon in her shadow and an exciting game to play outside, she didn't slow down to listen in.
…
…
…
…Dashing outside…

---

The image above their heads wavered.

On the platform, Quinn could see how Alex' head slowly tilted back.
She was breathing faster now, as she rapidly approached her strongest mental barrier.

Quinn grit his teeth. What if she wasn't able to break through it…?

In the Dream Mist, he saw the young Alex running through the forest.

…
…
…
…It had been a warm summer day. She was dressed in shorts, and a blue summer top.
Her sturdy walking shoes were helpful as she nimbly climbed up to the treehouse she'd build with Martin.

"Martin, are you there…?"

…
…
…

The furthest point in time they'd reached during Caitlin's sessions was close.
Quinn couldn't stand watching her struggle.

…
…
…

"You're early, Liz! Did you run off again…?"

She was wildly grinning.

"No, I'm here with permission this time. Let's go, we're sending smoke signals today!"

…
…
…

Alex flinched.
Her short, pained scream echoed through the Hall of Visions.

…
…
…

"This looks like a good spot for a fire. And the wind is blowing from the-…"

…
…
…

Quinn's voice echoed through the Hall of Visions.

"Stop."

The images in the Dream Mist wavered again, but more severely this time.
Then they froze, and it felt like the whole audience was holding their breath.

The silence was almost deafening, and Quinn hesitated.

He had called out, because Alex was now truly in pain. She writhed on the platform, and pulled her arms closely around her head, struggling with the point of the story they'd reached.

It wouldn't work.
She couldn't break through.

But just when Quinn started to consider waking Alex up, a child's voice rang through the Hall of Visions.

"Come on, Alex! You can do it!"

Yena had turned around to the crowd.
Because she was standing closeby, Quinn heard her mumble in amazement…

"…Scout?"

On the platform, it seemed like Alex breathed a little easier.
Quinn turned his head to the crowd again.

The little girl's call out triggered more responses from the people in the Hall.

To his left:

"Be strong, Alex…!"

Then, somewhere at the back:

"Don't stop now…!"

"Show them the truth…!"

"We have your back, Alex…!"

…Yena turned around, a surprised smile on her face as she looked up at him.

"The Gray Guardians, Quinn."

They were here. They had come.

Quinn had spend very little time with them, but their presence was a huge relief.

And before he had properly thought it over, he called down to Alex:

"Did you hear that?"

Alex' eyes were still closed, but her head was turned to the crowd now.
And even though she was very pale, her pain seemed to be gone.

"Yes."

There had been no instructions from Caitlin for this situation.
But the throne he was sitting on glowed, and he felt sure of his words as he told her:

"You're not alone. We're all right here. You know that, right?"

Her breathing had calmed down completely.

"Yes."

"Then break down that damn barrier, and show us what happened after this.
Every detail you can remember."

…And with that, the Hall of Visions fully came to life.
The walls no longer reflected the crowd, but showed a forest. Soft Pokémon cries could be heard through the trees. This was the place Alex had grown up. She knew it like the back of her hand, and every detail was crystal clear.

The effect of the walls and the Dream Mist together made it seem like they were actually present on the scene, like wild forest Pokémon might pass by at any given time, and the sun was shining down on them.

On the platform, Alex breathed in deep.
And then it started.

…
…
…
…
…