I know this was really fast for a new chapter of Eternity, but I managed to get it done faster than I expected. Still, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It's a slightly different pace from the other chapters of doom and gloom. I'm don't really have a lot to say this time, so please review and tell me what you guys will like to see. View Rankings: 1st) Canada, 2nd) Pakistan, 3rd) UK, 4th) Singapore, and 5th) Australia.

"speech"= talking out loud or conversing

*speech*= thoughts

speech= Pokemon moves

speech= telepathic communication

It was the middle of the afternoon in the Sanctuary. The streets were pretty busy with people at the street market and with kids out of school. Xeron was out because all his tests were finished and he had three days of absolutely no classes.

Xeron was walking around the market, looking for something to buy. What he was really looking for was a gift. A gift for Aldira, since her birthday was really soon and he wanted to surprise his longest running friend. He walked around the market for a while and browsed through every selection of potential gifts that he came across. It was tradition for him to get her something new every year, despite the fact that he did not possess a large sum of money to spend. Nonetheless, he persevered and kept browsing.

He was walking through a jewelry selection and looked around it and saw a golden locket. Sure, it was a simple gift, but he knew that it would be a great gift to give her.

Suddenly, he felt someone grab him from behind and wrap their arms around his neck in a forceful embrace. He looked back and saw just the person that he didn't want to see at the moment, Aldira.

Aldira said to him, "I never thought that I would find you searching around the market. It's so unlike you."

Xeron chuckled, "I was just passing by."

"Yeah, passing by with your head hovering over a jewelry case."

"Oh bite me! You don't see me questioning why you're here."

She let go of him, "Duh! It's a market! I'm here to shop!"

"So where are your bags of purchases?"

"I always teleport them home after I buy the items. I got a few dresses today."

Xeron chuckled, "Well sorry, but I'm not filthy rich and live in a mansion."

"Oh please! You're pretty much family. My mom is best friends with your mom and you've been there for every major event that my family has had."

"What's your point?"

"My point is that my family is always there for you financially. So you can say you're somewhat rich."

"I live in a home with my parents, brother, and three sisters. There isn't a whole lot of money to give out at home. That's why I do odd jobs for money."

"So you WERE here to shop for something!"

Xeron defended himself, "I never said that I was buying anything! I'm just passing by. Seriously, why do you care?"

Aldira giggled, "I'm just messing with you, Xeron."

"Whatever! So now I see how you spend your days out of school."

"I'm still going to hang out with you. Since you're here, we can do that right now."

"Sure! Say, can you go and get me a pound of Oran Berries? Here's the money!" He handed the money for the Oran Berries to Aldira, who nodded and teleported to the produce market.

Xeron made sure that she was gone and then turned and looked at the Gardevoir who was standing behind the jewelry cart and asked, "How much for the locket?"

The Gardevoir replied, "Two hundred dollars."

Xeron reached into his bag and pulled out the money, "Here you go!" He handed the money to the Gardevoir.

The Gardevoir then asked, "So is this for that Gardevoir that you were talking to a moment ago?"

Xeron nodded, "Yeah."

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"No! She's my best friend, but not my girlfriend. Her birthday is coming up and I just want to get her something nice. However, she can't know that I bought it for her until her birthday."

"My lips are sealed. Do you want it in a bag so you can hide it?"

Xeron nodded, "Yes please!"

The Gardevoir quickly pulled the locket out of the case and placed it in a jewelry bag and handed it to Xeron. Xeron then teleported it away to his home, to a secret spot where none of his family members would find it or judge him about it.

Xeron sighed in relief that Aldira was nowhere in sight and said to the jewelry vendor, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome. I hope she likes it. You two do look like you'll make a cute couple, if you do not mind me saying."

"Don't worry; I'm used to people saying that."

Aldira soon came back with a bag full of Oran Berries, "Here you go! They had a said so I got as much as your money could purchase."

Xeron looked at the bag and took it, feeling it being much heavier than he imagined, "Sweet Arceus! How much was the sale?"

"Fifty percent off! I had to get you guys more."

"Thanks!" He then teleported the bag of Oran Berried back home and said, "Well, I've done everything that I needed to do here."

"Then shall we be off?"

"Sure!"

The jewelry vendor said to them, "Goodbye to you two then!"

Xeron and Aldira replied to her, "Goodbye!" They then walked away.

As they were away from earshot, Aldira asked Xeron, "Were you talking to her? There was no need to say goodbye."

Xeron replied, "I had to do something while you were gone."

[Two Hours Later]

Xeron and Aldira were coming out of a local café that they had stopped in earlier to get a quick snack. Xeron was finishing a small sandwich that he had bought and Aldira was wiping off the remnants of a muffin that she was eating.

She asked Xeron, "Well we had a good day. It's awesome not being in school and finishing all those damn tests!"

Xeron chuckled, "Oh please! You're pretty much a bookworm. You love school."

"You too! However, you're still Number 2 in school and I'm Number 1."

A vein popped up on Xeron's forehead, "That's by one little point."

"One point too many. I will always dominate you, no matter what happens."

"We'll see when our test results come back."

"We'll see." She then looked around and said, "Want to have a little bit more fun before we head home?"

Xeron was curious, "You have my attention. What do you have in mind?"

"Remember when were little and we would climb on the rooftops here in the den?"

"Yeah, but that was a while back."

"Still, remember how we both promised that one day we would make it to the top of the bell tower?"

Xeron looked at the bell tower. It wasn't the tallest structure in the den, but it was still pretty imposing.

"Yeah?"

"Well, let's try it now. Let's climb the bell tower and just looked around."

"You think that we can do it now?"

"Of course! We can reach the grooves now so we can climb up. Also, we're much stronger now."

Xeron sighed and cracked his neck and knuckles, "Alright. I'm down for the climb."

"Good! Let's go!"

The two quickly wall ran onto the nearest wall and grabbed onto the roof and pulled themselves up. Soon, they were running on top of the rooftops and jumping from one roof to the other, heading towards the bell tower. At one point Aldira lost her footing and was beginning to fall, only to have Xeron catch her and pull her back up.

Aldira caught her breath and held her rapidly beating heart, "Thank you so much!"

Xeron smirked, "Let's slow down a bit. It's been a while since we've done this."

Aldira nodded and stood up, "Yeah." She looked towards the bell tower, "But we still have a good distance to go."

"Fine! We'll still go a little fast, but we have to be more careful. The last thing I need is to explain to your parents why you got hurt."

Aldira nodded and took off running towards the bell tower. Were soon stopped by another building that was too high for them to climb and there was nothing they could grab onto to so they could scale it.

Aldira then got an idea, "Hey, cup your hands together and throw me up there. I'll help you up when I get there."

Xeron seemed apprehensive, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yeah. It's not hurting anyone. Now get ready."

Aldira walked back a few paces and Xeron cupped his hands together, putting them low so that Aldira could step on them for the vault. Aldira then ran towards him and stepped on his hands, which led to him throwing her into the air. She flew a few feet and grabbed onto the high up edge.

She secured herself and then stuck an open hand down, "Alright, grab on and I'll pull you up."

Xeron nodded and ran on the wall until gravity began to push him back down. He quickly grabbed onto her hand and she began to pull.

She was struggling and said, "You are one heavy son of a bitch."

Xeron used his feet to help push him up and replied, "Oh shut up and pull!"

Aldira did so and soon she managed to get him on the high rooftop. The two took a small breather and soon began to run across the rooftops again, getting closer to the bell tower.

Xeron suddenly stopped a few blocks from the bell tower and began to chuckle as he looked at the rooftops, "Do you remember this spot here? This spot directly above the old café?"

Aldira looked at him and nodded, "Yeah. We would always sneak out of my house when we were little Kirlias and play up here. It would give my mom a heart attack when she would see us up here playing."

Xeron chuckled, "We always gave our moms a hard time when we were little. Still, I loved every minute of it."

"Same here! Can we go now?"

Xeron nodded and the two ran off until there was a wide gap between the roof they were on and the roof across from them. Xeron took a deep breath and walked back a bit before charging forward and jumping as far as he could and landed on the other rooftop rolling as he landed.

He got up and turned to look at Aldira. He waved her over, "Come on!"

Aldira smirked and chuckled before taking her own charge and jump, lading just like Xeron. However, she kept sliding until she crashed into Xeron, knocking him down.

Xeron groaned, "That was a bad idea."

Aldira nodded, "Yeah." She then noticed that he was on top of her, "Do you mind getting off of me?"

Xeron staggered up and then picked her up, "Sorry about that." He looked up and saw that they were at the bell tower. "I didn't even notice that we were here already."

"I guess we were just having too much fun running on the rooftops."

"Maybe. Oh well, this is the last thing we need to climb."

Aldira nodded and began to climb it, "Race you to the top!"

Xeron chuckled, "You're on!"

The two were immediately on a mad dash to get to the top of the tall bell tower. They climbed the bell tower by grabbing onto the small window like openings that it had and the wooden and stone structures that stuck out from the tower itself.

Aldira was making really fast progress, and soon the buildings below seemed much smaller than they really were. She looked up and sat the top of the tower. She quickly made the climb and pulled her onto the top of the tower.

She then cheered, "Woo hoo! Suck it Xeron!"

Xeron then said, "What are you talking about? Also, what took you so long?"

Aldira's smile immediately disappeared, "Huh? When did you get up here?"

"About a minute and a half ago. I've been waiting for you that whole time."

"There's no way that you beat me up here."

"I did. I had an easier side to climb. Should have looked as to where you would be climbing."

"Whatever!" She then sat down next to him and looked around. "Well, we accomplished one of our childhood goals."

Xeron nodded, "Yeah, but our parents would kill us if they knew we were up here."

"I doubt that they know." She looked around and then remarked, "You can see the entire den from up here. There's your house, my house, the arcade, the Councilor's house, and the library", she said pointing out each location.

"Yeah, this place truly is awesome."

Aldira laid down on the roof and said, "I'm pretty excited."

"About your birthday?"

"So you remembered?"

Xeron nodded, "Of course! After being your closest friend since we were Ralts, I kinda memorized your birthday."

"Well, yes. I'm excited for my birthday. I'm going to be sixteen. I can't believe it!"

"Well, it's a big age for youths. I'm seventeen and I still don't feel all that different from when I was sixteen."

"I know, but it's still an important date. When a Gardevoir turns sixteen, it's really special."

Xeron asked, "I'm still invited to your birthday party, right?"

Aldira nodded, "Of course! My dad gave you the invitation personally. Besides, you'll be with me, Auron, and Keerah at the VIP table."

"Sweet! All the good food!"

"Be happy I regard you so highly. No one else is as close to me than you are."

"What else do you regard me as?"

"That's easy to answer. I usually see you as someone that I need to correct all the time. Usually by force or by physical persuasion."

"In other words, you beat the living crap out of me."

"Yep! You know it's all out of love though. I don't beat you out of pure enjoyment. I still worry about your well being and the fact that your mom would kill me if I leave a mark on you."

"Which is why you usually punch me in the gut?"

Aldira nodded, "It doesn't leave a mark."

Xeron clutched his gut and laid down next to her. He sighed and said, "I miss the old days. When we were Kirlias."

"What do you miss about it?"

"Us running out of our houses and doing all sorts of mischievous things, us spending almost every moment of every day together, and then our little weirdo language."

Aldira laughed, "Do you even remember it?"

"No, but I have the note book with all the instructions to our language at home."

"You kept it?"

"Yes. Don't you have your own?"

"I do. I just thought that you would have gotten rid of it by now."

"No chance in hell! That's a happy memory that I will keep for as long as I can."

Aldira smiled and chuckled, "And that's why you're my best friend. You treasure everything about our friendship."

"You were my first friend and we kept it going for this long. Of course I treasure it."

"I treasure it too." She then sighed and said, "A birthday for a female also means one more thing."

"What?"

"One more year towards turning twenty one and having to make a choice."

"You're still a ways off from that. You should have to worry about it."

Aldira sighed again and said, "I know, but it's the biggest decision a girl can make in her young life here and I can't decline a choice because it's tradition."

"What do you think is best?"

"Well, I don't want to go outside of the Sanctuary for Arceus knows how long. However, picking a mate will be just as much of a gamble. It's been many generations since a female has chosen to go on an adventure, and now I see the reasons. You can get caught by a human, attacked by other Pokemon, or just not have what it takes to survive in the wild. Mostly, there would be nothing that can benefit the Sanctuary that you can bring back."

"Tradition also states that after a month of no progress, you can come back to the Sanctuary with no penalty."

"I know, but outside of the walls of the Sanctuary is too dangerous."

"So are you going to choose a mate?"

"It depends if I'm with a good male by then. One that I know can take care of me really well and love me back. That's the only reason I would choose a mate."

Xeron chuckled, "I'm sure that you'll find a good male by then."

What Aldira wasn't telling Xeron was that she actually preferred him. She has always had since they were little. At first it was a small attraction that soon became a full blown crush. However, she wasn't going to tell him that. How could she? This was her friend of many years, someone she was closer to than with her own brothers. She wanted to tell him, but she didn't want to jeopardize their friendship if he didn't feel the same way.

Aldira then thought of something and asked him, "Are you going to go to prom this year?"

Xeron nodded, "Yeah. Maybe just for the fun."

"Well, do you want to go with me?"

Xeron was surprised, "I thought you thought that it was stupid to go planning this far ahead of time."

"Well, I just want to make sure. Can you blame me?"

"No, I guess not. Sure! I'll go with you to prom. However, I want a say on what we wear."

"Fine! But we're not going in blue."

"Killjoy!"

Aldira smirked and didn't reply, just happy to get that out of the way. Suddenly, she jumped up and held her ears as the bell in the bell tower began to ring out.

Xeron held his ears too and when the ringing stopped he said, "Looks like it's six o'clock."

Aldira suddenly gave a small shriek, "Six? I was supposed to be home thirty minutes ago!"

"Then let's get you home before your parents begin to miss you. I'll take the heat today, but you owe me."

"Deal! Let's just go." She walked up to the end of the roof and then gave an embarrassed chuckle, "I have no idea how to get down."

Xeron sighed and said, "You're useless. Hop on!" Aldira nodded and jumped on his back. "Hang on princess!"

Xeron then dropped from the roof a bit and held onto a ledge. He slowly began to make his descent, seemingly having no trouble carrying her weight on his back. They then made it to the rooftop of the other part of the bell tower.

Aldira hopped off of Xeron's back and began to run, "Let's go! I'm so dead!"

Xeron warned her, "Be careful! Don't sprint like that!"

His warning came too late as a lifted part of a roof shingle was in Aldira's way and she ran into it as she sprinted on the roof. She dropped to the floor in pain and held her ankle, crying a little.

Xeron ran up to her and asked, "Are you alright?"

Aldira cried, "No! It hurt!"

Xeron inspected her ankle and said, "It's sprained a little. I can heal it."

"Just get me off the roof before you heal me. I need to get home."

Xeron sighed and picked her up, carrying her in bridal carry, "Alright. Just fight through the pain then."

Aldira nodded and bit her lip to drown out to the pain. Xeron carried her along the roof, looking for a good way to get her down from the rooftops. He then saw a pile of hay that was piled up in an alley way, which was primarily used to feed the Rapidashes.

Aldira saw what he was looking at and said, "Don't you dare do what I know you're planning to do."

Xeron chuckled and said, "Geronimo!" He then dropped Aldira into the hay and jumped down to the street. He walked over to the hay pile and dug Aldira out, only being met by a fist that his him square in the face.

Xeron fell to the floor, holding his face, "I was only trying to help. You didn't have to hit me in the face."

Aldira stood up on her good ankle and brushed the hay off her body, "I told you not to do that!"

Xeron got up, "What did you want me to do? Drop you on the street? I couldn't exactly carry you down to street level."

"Just heal me already!"

Xeron rolled his eyes and used a Healing Pulse on her ankle, "There! Good as new!"

Aldira put her weight onto her ankle and saw that it didn't hurt, "Thanks! Now let's get to my house, and fast."

Xeron nodded and took her hand as he ran through the streets. It took another five minutes before they arrived at her house and Aldira knocked on the door.

Her father answered the door and saw her, "Aldira Esmeralda Mendoza! Do you know how worried I was waiting for you?" Her father asked angrily.

Aldira bowed her head in an apology, "I'm sorry, papi. I was distracted and lost track of time."

He then noticed Xeron, "So I see. Did you run into him?"

"Yes. He was in the market."

Xeron apologized for her, "I'm very sorry, sir. I ran into her at the market and we started talking. It dragged on for so long that it was already six when she realized that she was still outside of the house. I quickly brought her here, not wanting her to get in trouble. The fault is mine."

Aldira's father smiled and said, "It's alright, Xeron and Aldira. I understand, my children. However, try to get her home by her curfew next time."

Xerom smiled and nodded, "Yes, sir!"

"Very well. Will you be staying for dinner, Xeron?"

Xeron shook his head, "No, sir. My mother is cooking one of my favorites today. And I don't want to miss out on it."

"Very well. Tell your parents that I want them to visit a bit more. I know that they're busy, but we're still friends. We should see one another more often."

"I'll let them know, sir. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

Aldira's father walked back into the house and Aldira turned around and asked Xeron, "Will I see you tomorrow?"

Xeron shrugged, "Maybe. I have nothing planned."

"Then come over tomorrow. It gets boring here."

"Alright. There's nothing to do at home. So I'll be here tomorrow at….." He waited for Aldira to finish the sentence for him.

"Let's make it three o'clock."

"Alright. Three o'clock it is."

"I'll see you then. Goodbye!"

Xeron waved goodbye, "Goodbye!" He then walked away, leaving Aldira in the doorway.

Aldira watched him as he left and sighed before walking inside and teleporting into her room. She laid down on her bed and finally smiled.

[Xeron]

Xeron arrived home, after his long day. He knocked on his door and it was opened by his father, who was glaring at him.

Xeron chuckled nervously and said, "Hey, dad! What's up?"

His dad replied, "Do you realize that I know what you've been doing today?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw you and Aldira on top of the bell tower today."

"Uh-oh!"

"Uh-oh is correct! I thought that you have outgrown your little roof climbing thing by now. It turns out that I was wrong. Regardless of how many times I have warned you not to do so…" He stopped for a second and looked around asking, "Is your mother around?"

Xeron shook his head, "Nope! The coast is clear."

His father chuckled and said, "You remind me of me when I was your age. I always wanted some sort of adventure. Your mother and I used to climb the rooftops here as well when were younger. We just didn't want you two to get hurt. I won't tell her about today, so don't worry."

"Thanks, dad!"

"Don't mention it. Also, I found your little gift."

"Gift?"

"The one for Aldira." He then pulled out the jewelry bag. "I see that you wasted all your saved up allowance on a locket."

"Hey, I wanted to get her something nice for her birthday. Also, how did you find it?"

"I never reveal my secrets."

"Whatever!" Xeron took the bag, "I'll be in my room."

"Very well. Your mother went to your grandparents' home for an hour. She'll be back soon."

"Gotcha! Thanks, dad! Call me if you need anything."

"I'll keep that in mind."

[Mortilend]

Mortilend found himself in a white field of wheat. He didn't know where he was or how he got there to begin with. He walked around for a few moments before turning around and looked for a way out, finding none. He tried to turn into his dragon form, but was surprised when he couldn't do so.

He said to himself, "What the hell? Where am I?"

He walked around again and walked for another ten minutes before he decided to stop.

He growled and said, "This is pointless and is starting to anger me."

Mortilend suddenly felt a presence behind him. He drew his sword and turned around to see a woman in a white dress with her back to him. He put his sword away and looked at the woman. He examined her from head to toe.

He suddenly gasped and asked, "Zeena?"

The woman turned around and looked at him, revealing the image of Zeena.

Mortilend ran up to her and hugged her tightly, "I've missed you."

Zeena didn't reply, instead she looked at him and smiled. Mortilend tried to kiss her, but she stopped him and shook her head.

Mortilend asked, "What's wrong?"

Zeena closed her eyes and her veins turned black and blood came out of her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

Mortilend suddenly woke up, roaring at the top of his lungs. He looked around and noticed that he was still sitting on his throne. He sighed in sadness and said, "It was only a dream."

He felt something wet on his face and wiped a large amount of tears from his face and sobbed loudly. Thaleus suddenly appeared in a black shadow and he slapped Mortilend.

He then said to him, "What the hell is a man crying about? You were crying all the while as you were asleep."

Mortilend rubbed his cheek and replied, "I had a nightmare."

"About your wife?"

Mortilend nodded, "Yes."

"You have to learn to move on, man."

Mortilend suddenly grabbed him and pushed him onto the nearest wall, "Never say that! I will kill you if you say that again!"

Thaleus put his hands up, "Calm down there! I was just saying. I wasn't trying to offend you. I just think that you have to learn to not live in your past."

"If you don't regard your past, you can't regard your present or future." He said as he let go of Thaleus.

Thaleus then said, "This is why you need to get your revenge."

"I know."

"So what's next on your agenda?"

"You shall see really soon."

Well this one I considered to be a pretty short chapter, but it was a needed one. So please review, ask questions on the forum, and give me your suggestions. See you all later. Bye!