The Blade and the Embrace

by galladefenrir44

The adventures of a Gallade named Rick who arrives in the Sinnoh region from the Hoenn region to fulfill his late trainer's dying wish. It also follows the story of a Gardevoir named Alara whose journey start by accident. Their stories will eventually innertwine and they will have to work as a team to succeed in their goals.

14. Chapter 14: A Hearthome City Night

Here's chapter 14 and my longest chapter yet. I kinda like how I tried to mix different elements into this one chapter so I'm just going to leave it here hopeful that I did well. Also, thanks for all the new questions. I have received them and I will make a Q&A in probably the next seven chapters or so...considering how many I get. If you want to know the current view standings it's #1) US #2) Canada (revenge time I see) #3) Norway #4) Mexico #5) Italy and UK. Well give me some reviews guys and I'll leave you to enjoy your little bit of reading here.

"speech"= talking out loud or conversing

*speech*= thoughts

speech= Pokemon moves

speech= telepathic communication

It's been about three hours since the fight with the Colossus, now a Salamance named Fang. Alara was still chasing Rick and he was running away. Seras and Jean were cuddling up by the fire, Dartz was speaking with Serenity and Fang, and Amber was trying to stop Alara from continuing her assault so she could tend to Rick's wounds.

Rick then dodged an attack from Alara and said, "Seriously Alara!? I did nothing, saw nothing, and you're lucky you had a spare dress. Why are you attacking me for?"

"I have no idea, I need to take my frustration and embarrassment out on something. Now hold still!"

"That's a horrible reason to be attacking me."

Seras then lifted her head from Jean's chest and told Rick, "Rick, cut the crap and end this. We need to get you patched up before you run out of energy and your wounds open again."

Rick nodded and stood still and Alara then tried to punch him but he caught her fist with a smug smile. That action only infuriated Alara more than it did stop her. Rick then sighed and put her fist down and amazingly she didn't attack him. He then walked over to the others and sat down, trying to get comfortable.

"So now what guys? Do we stay here for today or do we keep going? It's only about four in the afternoon."

Seras then looked at him, "We need to get going. You need a pokemon center before your wounds reopen for whatever reason."

"Which is why we have fang here for the time being. Fang!"

Fang then moved her head over to Rick, "Yes?"

"I only have one favor, can you fly us to this location on my map." Rick then pointed to a section south of Route 212 on his Poketch."

"That's an easy request, but I'll do it. It'll only take about and four hours to get there."

Seras then told her, "Just take us to Hearthome City. We'll be fine on out way over there. Thank you!"

Rick looked at Seras with a confused look, "Why there?"

"We need a day off don't we. To catch up and the like. Let's just go, it wouldn't hurt would it?"

Rick sighed and looked up, "I guess not. I also hear that Hearthome is quite the eye-candy of a city. With its centerpiece being the contest hall and the cathedral. I've also heard of its park, Amity Square I believe it's called. I'd like to wander there for a while."

Seras smiled, "Sure you can, but after we get you healed up. It shouldn't take too long, but I'll need you to be in your pokeball so that Nurse Joy doesn't suspect your gunshot wound."

"Actually I want to head to the center first and go to the park tomorrow. No doubt she'll have to operate and I'd rather just get completely healed than have it heal and get complications later." She nodded and then looked at Fang who also nodded. "You should stay with us for the time we're there Fang. Have some fun with us."

"That sounds nice but won't people be a little apprehensive about having a group of pokemon walking around their town. More with me since I'm a dragon and am larger that all of you. Besides I'm rare and some of them might want to capture me."

"Oh there's no danger with that around us. We'll just make it seem like you're one of our pokemon."

She looked confused at Rick, "What do you mean?"

"Look at the two "humans" next to you and the one with black hair. Don't you wonder how they can understand you and how they helped me turn you back to normal? Aren't you wondering what happened to the Blaziken? Well there's your answer. We can take the appearance of humans, it's a little skill we picked up a long time ago. It used to be for Psychics only, but we shared it with every one of our friends."

"So you can do that too?"

"Yes, but I choose not to transform."

Seras then looked at Rick, "Can you please transform Rick? I haven't seen you in your human form since you were a Kirlia. I want to see what you look like now."

With that everyone looked at Rick who sighed and began to glow, "You guys owe me big time." Everyone saw him morph into a human and then two red eyes were visible through the white light and it disappeared. They then saw a young man with mid-length spiky green hair with a silver tint that, it also had a bang that went over his nose. He also had a green sports jacket, a white dress shirt that had the last two buttons undone, black fingerless gloves, green cargo pants, and black combat boots. His chest and back spike was gone, his face was chiseled, he had bright sharp red eyes, the spikes on the side of his face were gone, no mustache, and a green goatee. On his neck he had the Chaos Scarf, his trainer's amulet,and a locket that had a red crystal on it.

Rick then said, "Ta da! Happy now guys."

Seras, Serenity, Fang, and Alara were speechless while Jean, Dartz, and Amber were clapping.

Jean then spoke, "So this is what you look like now? I've got to say, it's an improvement."

"Okay shit for brains, you got your wish. You got to see my human form for the first time. Now don't go criticizing it now. Also, now what?"

Seras then spoke, "We leave, what else do you think?"

Rick then nodded and looked at Fang and wondered how she was going to carry all of them. She was a large Salamance but it would still be a challenge for her to carry all seven of them.

Rick then told Jean, Seras, and Dartz, "Guys give me your pokeballs so Fang can carry us easier." Jean then passed him an Ultra Ball, Seras gave him a Love Ball, and Dartz gave him a Dusk Ball. "I should also put Serenity into one." Serenity then looked at him with a shocked expression. "Don't worry Serenity, I'll release you from the ball once we arrive to Hearthome."

Dartz then told Rick, "No, you'll go into your pokeball. You're still hurt and need to rest. Seras will stay outside of her ball to watch the girls. Agreed?"

"Okay you have a point...but if I sense anything happen, I will burst out."

Seras then grabbed his shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I didn't tell you this but I saw Mewtwo fly away before we got to you guys earlier today."

"In that case, knock yourself out", Rick said as he handed her the Love Ball and his Ultra Ball. She then pushed the center button and Rick was sucked into the ball. She then recalled Jean and Dartz and placed the balls onto her belt. She then turned to the other girls.

"Shall we go? I'll explain things on the way over to Hearthome."

All the girls then nodded and climbed onto Fang's back and Fang then took off. Amber was holding onto Fangs neck for dear life and the other girls were sitting comfortable on Fang's back.

Seras then spoke up, "I'm guessing you guys want to know more about us. Mainly Rick, right?" Alara and Serenity nodded. "Well let me start from the beginning. I wasn't there when our trainer actually caught him, I was at home with my brother and two other members of our "family". Our trainer brought him to us a day after he found him and when I first saw him he had a large bandage on his side. He didn't really feel comfortable around us at first and spoke to me first after about a week or two. He was always shy and used to hide behind me if he got scared. He became attached to me since I was older and looked motherly. It was odd because I evolved a week prior to meeting him and I was surprised to quickly going from the team baby to caring for another pokemon."

Alara awwed and Serenity kept listening attentively.

"About a month or so later, he finally started to talk to Jean and the others but was still a little scared. He then sparked a friendship with Jean and started to open up to everyone but never abandoned me. He still relied on me for a lot until his wounds healed."

Alara then asked, "What caused his wound?"

"I don't really know but I think he was shot. If you look closely at his side, you can still see that he still has the scar. But after he healed he went straight to training with our trainer, which I felt was still a bit too early but Rick didn't mind."

Serenity then asked, "Can you tell us about your trainer? By what Rick tells us he seems to be pretty powerful for a human."

Seras sighed, "Don't worry he's still human but he has quite the record. He used to be a ranger in his youth and then, if I remember correctly, he helped out a Mew and he got some gift from the other legendaries. Mainly, the knowledge on how to train his pokemon into champions. He then took the Sinnoh League challenge and became the champion for about the next ten years before retiring after one of his dearest pokemon were killed by some group. He then released most of his pokemon, except for his and settled down in the Hoenn region. He got married, started a family, and then lived his life for a while."

Alara then asked another question, "Which pokemon of his died and then what happened?"

Seras thought for a second, "Well, if I remember it correctly it was a Gallade like Rick. I also believe that he was his first pokemon. I can understand how that would of driven him into retiring from the Champion's seat in the League. But I don't understand why he released all his pokemon...except for Winston...the Alakazam."

"I guess it was to start over."

"Perhaps but I'd like to know why? But it's too late to ask him. Anyways, he moved to Hoenn afterwards and got married and had two kids. Then his kids grew up and left and his wife died. He then caught us and made a new family. Also, if Rick hasn't told you, he got sick one day and died soon after." Her voice sounded sad at the end.

Alara seemed to have picked up her emotions, "I'm sorry."

"Oh it's okay. It's been five years since then and we've all moved on." She said with a smile. "But Rick was never the same. He became more reclusive and began to keep to himself, even from me and Jean. I made me sad to see him alienate himself from the rest. Even the others wanted him to be back to normal, but once we decided to go our separate ways he became the first to leave. It was a sad day for me and the others, the one that we all saw grow from a timid little Kirlia and turn into a powerful happy Gallade, leaving us in a depression. Needless to say, it was hard on me and Jean but we knew he'll be fine."

Alara then picked up another group of emotions, mainly irritability and annoyance but with a bit of sadness and remorse. She immediately knew that it was Rick, even though he was in his pokeball but he could still hear them or was listening through one of their minds. Alara then tried to channel Rick's mind to figure out what was wrong with him.

"Rick? What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing. I just don't like hearing this story."

"Then why are you listening in...and how are you listening in?"

"By listening through your mind. Well now you know about my past. Are you happy now?"

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I didn't think you would care. We've only known each other in a few days and didn't think we would spend this much time together. Also, I can't believe she told you though, I even avoided the conversation with you. Only Serenity knew about this...to a point. Mainly because I'm going to be stuck with her for a while."

"Well you're going to be stuck with me for a few more days so I guess you should open up to me."

"I'm going to rest now. Leaving your head...Now!"

"Rick you ass! Don't ignore me!"

The girls were looking at her when she yelled out.

Amber then asked her, "What's wrong with you? You just froze for a while and then started screaming at Rick. I'm guessing you were talking to him?"

"Yes and he says that he wanted us to not know anything about his past."

Seras then sighed, "I expected that. He doesn't like to talk about it much, but he has to tell someone eventually."

After about two hours Fang announced, "We're here!"

The girls looked at the city below them and were in awe of the beautiful sight. Alara noticed the Super Contest Hall on the north side of the city, Seras noticed the cathedral that was found on the west side of the city, and Amber noticed the Poffin house in the center of the city.

Fang then asked, "Where do I land?"

Seras responded, "Just outside the city so we can let the boys transform back into their human forms without anyone noticing."

Serenity then asked Seras, "Oh, they automatically change back when they go back into the balls?"

"Yep. Somehow it cancels out the human form."

Fang then landed in a clearing outside the city's entrance and Seras released Jean and Dartz, who were back in their normal forms and the girls finally saw that Dartz as an Umbreon. Seras then tried to bring Rick out of his ball but he didn't come out despite her efforts. Alara could feel a mixture of emotions coming from the ball but dismissed them. Seras was confused on why he didn't want to come out but she figured that it was for the best so she put the ball back on her belt and walked towards Jean who quickly turned human, along with Dartz.

"Okay so let's go to the pokemon center and then enjoy the city for the remainder of the day and then book a few hotel rooms."

Jean then pulled her close and told her, "Yep, a room for me and you, Dartz and Rick, and the remaining girls."

Dartz then grabbed his shoulders and told him with a stern voice, "Oh no you don't! Not while I'm still alive."

"Want to try the dice game?"

"Fine, I'm down for it."

Alara then asked Seras, "What's the dice game?"

Seras responded while slightly laughing, "It's a game that we used to play to see who get grouped up with who. We still use it when we go to hotels and such to see who will be our roommates. Since both opposite sides of a die add up to 7, so it's mainly for only three groups. Here are the pairs: 1-6, 2-5,and 3-4."

Then they heard Jean and Dartz making the rules, "Okay Dartz, Rick is 1-6, Seras is 2-5, and you're 3-4. Only two of us will get a room with someone while the remaining three have to share a room with the last one chosen."

Fang then spoke out, "Oh don't count me. I want to sleep in the park tonight. Don't worry no one will mind. I've done that before I was captured by Team Rocket."

"Alright then, so the remaining three share a room."

Seras then sighed and rolled her eyes, "Can this wait until we get to the hotel you two?"

"Fine, but I will get your room no matter what."

She then giggled, "We'll see!"

They then entered the city and immediately arrived at the pokemon center so that they can start their sightseeing.

"Hello! Welcome to the Hearthome City pokemon center, how may I help you?" said the Nurse Joy that was behind the counter.

Seras then greeted her, "Hello! I'm hear to heal my pokemon."

"The Gardevoir, Lopunny, and Absol?"

"No their fine but I need my Gallade healed. He got shot on the shoulder a couple days ago but my Gardevoir used Healing Pulse to heal him from any serious injury."

"That's still a really serious injury. How did it happen?"

"A Team Rocket grunt shot him when he beat him."

"Those damn Rockets, ever since they appeared in Sinnoh they've caused nothing but trouble. May I have him so I can treat him immediately?"

"Sure."

Once she said that, Rick burst out of his ball and staggered to stay on his feet and his wound was open again. He seemed to be fighting to stay conscious and he then passed out on the center's floor. Alara and Seras then quickly ran to him. Alara was shaking him trying to wake him up and Seras was checking his pulse, which he still had thankfully. Out of nowhere two Chanseys came out of some double doors with a stretcher and quickly placed Rick onto it and disappeared through the doors.

The Nurse Joy then turned to Alara and Seras, "Don't worry. He'll be fine, I just need to check up on him and check if I need to operate on him. Don't worry Ms. Gardevoir, your mate will be fine."

Once she said that a vein appeared on Alara's head and then Nurse Joy left the room and Alara then facepalmed hard. "For the last time, he...is not...my...mate!"

Amber then jumped on her back, "Oh drop it! He'll be fine, so let's go sightseeing."

Alara nodded and they turned to leave only to see Serenity in her human form. "What? I wanted to try it out again."

They then left to tour the city with everyone going to different areas. Alara, Amber, and Serenity went to the Super Contest Hall, Jean and Seras went to the cathedral, and Dartz went to some shops to resupply.

[At the Super Contest Hall]

Alara and the girls were looking around the contest hall with wonder. It was very well decorated and large, nothing like what they expected but it was amazing to them. Serenity was still in her human form to give the impression that Alara and Amber were her pokemon.

Alara then spoke telepathically to Serenity, "Let's talk like this since humans cannot necessarily understand us."

"Good thinking."

"Anyways, this place is nice. I want to compete in a contest one day. Just to show myself off to hundreds of adoring spectators."

Serenity then giggled, "Don't worry. You can do that some day, but we don't have time today and there's no contest this week apparently."

Alara sighed, "Oh well another time then. But while I'm in this city I would love to get some new clothes."

She then ran into someone and she then looked at who she ran into. She saw a woman in a violet ball gown and with violet hair tied into four woman then looked at her and smiled before speaking to Serenity.

"Excusez-moi(excuse me) but are this Gardevoir your's?"

"Yes she is. Her name is Alara."

"What a beautiful name."

"Sorry about her bumping into you. She was just distracted with the contest hall. My name is Serenity by the way. The Lopunny on Alara's back is called Amber. And may I ask you your name?"

"Oui(yes) you may, mon nom est(my name is) Fantina. I am the the Gym leader of this city."

"Oh my, I wasn't expecting to meet a gym leader and even less here."

"You don't know much about me, do you? Serenity nodded. "I'm not just the gym leader but je suis aussi(I'm also) a contest superstar here." She then looked at Alara and back to Serenity. "Are you planning to enter into a contest?"

"Oh no. We're just visiting but we might want to enter her in a contest in the future but I'll have to go buy Alara some new dresses."

"Oh ne vous inquiétez pas(don't worry) allow me to give her some."

"That's really nice of you but I don't want to bother you."

"No worries, I like to give pokemon makeovers. So now my dear Gardevoir come with me."

The girls followed Fantina to a room at the end of a large hall that had many clothes and accessories. There were also many people in there that had something to do with preparing pokemon for contests. Fantina then clapped twice and all the people in the room stood in attention.

"Alright mes amis(my friends), I have a little task for you. We're going to give this Gardevoir a make over and I expect the best." Immediately all the people got to work, taking Alara's measurements, fixing her hair, and giving her multiple new looks.

After about three hours of all the make over, Alara wanted to leave. She already had many new dresses and a hairstyle that she loved. Her hair was now wavy and want over her right shoulder. She was in a hurry to leave before the people thought of more styles for her. Once she got all the dresses and accessories she started to push Serenity and Amber out while the people thought.

"Let's get out of her before they decide to dye my hair a different color!"

[The Cathedral (a hour and a half prior)]

Jean and Seras walked into the cathedral after they left Dartz at the Pokemart. They wanted some alone time and saw the cathedral that Seras wanted to go to. They entered it and Jean sat down at a nearby bench while Seras walked around for a bit. After about five minutes she joined Jean on a bench at the back of the cathedral and they both looked up at the stain glassed windows.

"I love seeing these kinds of windows Jean. I wonder they managed to make those pictured with the glass. Oh well, something for me to research at another time."

"Yep, why did you want to come here? I mean, I'm all for church but it's Tuesday."

"I just wanted to have some fun and look around. This places was just interesting for me."

"Well I still want to have some fun." He then pulled her closer. "What do you say?"

She giggled, "Not now Jean. We're in a church. Last thing I want to do is get struck by lightning."

"I'm not saying 'let's mate here and now', I just want to make out."

"We're still in a church?"

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please? Pretty please?"

"...alright."

Jean then looked up, "Thank you for this gift Arceus."

Seras the rolled her eyes and lunged at him with a hug and a kiss. Amazingly they were alone in the cathedral so no one was going to stop them. They kept making out for a long time until they heard someone come through the doors. They quickly separated and Seras fixed her hair with Psychic before turning and seeing Dartz walking in.

Jean saw him and sighed, "Always cockblocking me!"

"What were you two up to?"

Seras then answered quickly, "Nothing, just admiring the architecture."

"You were making out, weren't you?"

"...yes. Sorry brother."

"It's okay. You guys are together...if you guys were mating I would of killed Jean. Not for this though. However there's a difference between showing affection and desecrating a church."

Seras then laughed slightly while Jean was not amused.

Jean then told Dartz, "You know, I was enjoying myself."

"And guess what, I don't give a fuck."

"Aren't you supposed to be shopping?"

"We split an hour and a half ago."

"Wow! How long were we making out?"

"Let's go. We're supposed to meet the girls at a fountain in the southeast section of the city."

They then left for the fountain, which thankfully appeared on the Poketch. They made it there in about ten minutes and saw the girls sitting on a bench, looking at Alara's dresses.

Seras greeted them, "Hi girls!"

They all responded in unison, "Hi guys!"

"How was your sightseeing?"

"It was great, we went to the contest hall, ran into the city's gym leader, she was nice enough to give me a make over and give me all these dresses. I even got a new hairstyle that I love."

"Looks like you guys had a great day."

Serenity then looked up, "There's a storm coming. I can feel it."

"Oh yeah, you're an Absol. You can sense when storms are going to arrive."

"Yep. There's going to be one tonight."

"I feel like we're forgetting something...oh crap that's right! Rick!"

Jean then facepalmed, "Crap I forgot about him! I need to see if he's okay."

They immediately walked back to the pokemon center where they saw Rick sitting in a chair with his arms crossed and his right shoulder in bandage wraps. He looked bored and glared at the group when they walked in.

"Nice of you guys to remember that I'm still here. Nurse Joy finished treating me two hours ago. You guys have been gone for four hours."

Serenity then spoke to him, "Sorry, we got preoccupied with a few things."

"It's okay. I needed some alone time anyways. Can we go to the hotel already?"

"Yeah. That sounds nice."

Once they left the pokemon center Rick transformed into his human form and they went down the street until they saw the hotel towering over the other buildings.

Rick then turned to look at Alara and Amber, "You guys will either need to go into pokeballs or allow me and Seras to turn you two into humans."

Amber then asked, "Why?" Rick then pointed to a 'No Pokemon Are Permitted Within The Rooms' sign. "Oh I see. I choose human."

Alara sighed and nodded, "I'll go human too...does it hurt?"

"Not at all. Just relax and hold still. But we'll need to hide first so no one sees us. I think we should go into that alley for a second. It should take no longer than a minute."

They then walked into the alley and Rick turned Alara into a human. She hair was the same but her dress seemed more formal as it was still white and green but longer, more like a ballroom dress. She was slightly taller but kept the same body shape. Her face was rather striking with deep red eyes and her head spikes were gone. Her chest and back spike was gone, like Rick's, but she did have a necklace with a red crystal that seemed to be an imitation of the spike. She also wore white ballroom shoes, green gloves that were connected at her middle fingers but all her fingers were still visible.

Seras then took Amber to the alley and turned her into a human. When they came out Amber had the appearance of a teenage girl with a tan tank-top, a brown cardigan, brown pants, brown boots, a tan belt, and long wavy brown hair with tan highlights.

"How do I look?" Seras handed her a mirror and she also gave one to Alara. "Wow I'm hot! But what's new?" She laughed.

Alara studied herself in the small mirror and said, "So this is what I look like as a human? I'm kinda surprised to say the least. But I guess it's worth it. Let's go in already. The sun is already setting."

Everyone the nodded and entered the hotel. They were immediately greeted by the receptionist, "Welcome to the Hearthome City 5 Star Hotel. How may I help you?"

Rick immediately walked up to her, "Yes, I have a reservation for three penthouse suites for one day and two nights."

"Oh yes, I remember. You called two hours ago. Your rooms are ready and here are the keys to each room, we only give out two keys per room. Your rooms are on the top floor and are the only ones there so it shouldn't be hard to find. Enjoy your stay Mr. Rick!"

"Thank you very much." He then handed her 1,000 pokedollars. "And here's something for all your trouble."

Rick turned to look at the others who were staring at him with shocked expressions. "What?"

Jean then spoke out, "How can you afford that?"

"Oh I never told you? I'm loaded."

"How much cash do you have?"

"In US dollar amounts I'm in the hundred millions."

"How?"

"Stocks. Yeah, you didn't expect that, did you? I bought stocks in Silph Co., Poketch Co., and something called Facebook. But they were all great decisions...besides the fact that I don't even use that much of my money."

"Well that explains a lot and yet so little. What the hell do you do with all your money?"

"Absolutely nothing. I invest it mainly in charities and other organizations that I know have a future. Just some of the great things about being a Psychic type. You know who's going to fail and who is going to succeed."

Seras then ended the conversation, "Okay let's just drop it. Let's be happy that we're having good rooms."

They all then entered the elevator, which Serenity was kinda apprehensive about going into since she's never seen one. Eventually she entered the elevator and they went to the 15th floor and got off to see only three doors in the hallway. Rick then opened the first one and put his stuff in it before heading out to see the guys playing the dice game.

Jean was once again stating the rules to everyone around, "Alright, who wants in?"

Alara then spoke, "I want to try this out. It seems fun."

"Fine little lady. You roll first. Best of luck on whoever you get." She then shook the single die in her hand and let it go, rolling a 6.

"Who's number was 6?"

Jean then fell to the floor laughing his ass off, "6 is Rick!"

Alara quickly asked, "Can I get another roll?"

Jean handed her the die back, "Sure."

She threw it this time and rolled a 1, "Who's that now?"

Jean started laughing again, "It's Rick again! Also, no you cannot have another roll. You're stuck with him."

Alara and Rick then both facepalmed while Jean picked up the die and started shaking it in his hand.

"Alright now to get Seras!"

Rick then leaned and told Alara, "He keeps forgetting that he sucks at this game."

Jean then rolled the die to reveal the number...

[Later that night]

In the Dartz's room there was an awkward atmosphere since Jean rolled a 4 and got stuck with Dartz after two rolls of 4. They were laying on the bed just looking at the ceiling, Jean had a 'well this is awkward' look on his face and Dartz had a 'you've got to be fucking kidding me' look on his face.

Jean then decided to speak, "Sooooo Dartz, did you catch the game yesterday?"

"Don't talk and go to sleep." He said with an angry tone in his voice.

"Just trying to make the situation less awkward."

"We're two grown men in a bed together in a penthouse suite. There's NOTHING less awkward than this right now and NOTHING more indignifying!"

"Calm down, not meaning anything bad by this."

"You and your stupid idea."

"What?"

"It was your idea to play the dice game."

"But you agreed to it."

"But you made me one of the options."

"...sorry."

"J...just go to sleep damn you."

Jean then shrugged his shoulders, "Alright, but there are a few things you should know about me sleeping."

Dartz eyes shot open, "Such as?" He then saw Jean's shirt being thrown to a chair next to him. *Oh hell to the no!*

"Such as, when I'm in human form I like to sleep in the nude."

Dartz then shot up from the bed, "What the hell dude!? Put your clothes back on or go pokemon."

"I'm a flaming bird."

"Fine then put your clothes back on and put that thing away!"

"Dude calm down. I won't bother you."

"You better be right." He then felt Jean's breath on his neck. "Oh my Arceus! Sleep on your other side!"

"But I'm used to sleeping on my left side."

Dartz was now riddled with bulging veins and his right eye was twitching, "Fine! Switch sides!"

"Ok."

They then switched sides of the bed and Dartz rested his head for some much needed sleep, until he heard Jean sing.

"What do tigers dream of, when they take a little tiger snooze?"

Dartz's eyes shot open again, "No...fucking...way!"

"Do they dream of mauling zebras or Hallie Berry in her Catwoman suit?"

"What the fuck are you doing!?"

"I like to sing this before I go to sleep."

"Does this look like The Hangover!?"

"No, I just like singing it."

"GOOD ARCEUS IN HEAVEN! GO TO SLEEP!"

"Okay okay...damn!"

Over in Sera's room they were all sleeping tight. Amber was sleeping on the couch, Serenity was sleeping on the bed since it was her first time on a bed, and Seras was also on the bed but on the left side. They were all out cold and Amber could be heard snoring comfortably.

In Rick's room the atmosphere was almost as awkward as in Dartz's, but at least he was sleeping with a female in his room. They were both in their pokemon forms and Rick was in the bed trying to get some sleep but Alara was fixing her hair,...again, before sleeping and she left all the lights on.

"How long does it take for you to go to sleep?"

"Go to sleep if you want. I won't stop you."

"I can't sleep with the lights on. I like my room to be dark when I go to sleep."

"There I'm done. Happy?"

"Quite! Now then good night."

They settled in for the night and then Rick heard what sounded like thundering outside but he didn't pay too much attention to it. All of the sudden a loud thunderclap sounded and Alara shout up and held onto Rick who was shocked at the sudden action.

"Ummm Alara...Alara you're holding onto me...Let go already! What's wrong with you?"

"I hate thunder."

"You can't be serious. It won't hurt you, it's just a sound. Also, it's super rare to be hit by a lightingbolt...well not from a pokemon but you know what I mean. Can you let go of my neck now?"

She then let go of him and tried to sleep again until she heard another thunderclap and went back to how she was. Rick didn't try to make her let go this time, he knew that she was really afraid and didn't want to act insensitive.

"What does Amber do when you get like this?"

"Usually she tries to calm me down and then puts some music on to put me to sleep. I know it seems stupid that an adult Gardevoir like me is afraid of thunder, but I've been afraid of it all my life."

"It's okay. Everyone had a phobia, I'm not judging you."

"Do you have one?"

"Yes, a few."

"Like?"

Rick then began to think, "Well...I hate spiders. That's one. I get uncomfortable with heights as well. So those two phobias are dumber than your's. See? Nothing to be ashamed of."

She smiled, "Thanks. I guess you're not so mean."

"We've established this." He said as he gave a quiet laugh. "I'm not a mean spirited person. I'm actually very kind and sincere with people. I just like to play around from time to time and you happen to of gotten around me when I wanted to play around. Yet it feels so good to be at 100% again."

"Well you're not there yet. You still need to heal a bit."

"True but that shouldn't take long."

A loud thunderclap then sounded and Alara went cowering in the corner of the room in a fetal position.

Rick looked on with concern this time, *Wow she really is afraid of thunder.* He then walked towards her and knelt down to check on her. "Alara are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just hate thunder. I can't take it when I hear one that loud."

"That reminded me of my little sister."

"Oh?"

"She hated thunder too. She would always run into my room when it started to roar and wake me up because she was scared. I never minded though, I knew she was scared and she was my little sister. As a big brother I had to comfort her if anything. I would usually cradle her and sing her lullaby to her so that she could sleep. When she finally did fall asleep I would carry her to her room and tuck her back in. I would never leave her room on those nights. I would sit at a chair that was across from her bed and just watch over her and eventually fall asleep there. It always made her feel safe and it always made me feel great because I knew I was doing my job right and I was taking care of her." Rick then stopped talking and Alara could see, even in the dark of the room, a tear fall from Rick's eye even though he was still smiling.

"You miss her, don't you?"

"Yeah...today would of been her 19th birthday."

Alara was shocked at what Rick had just said, "I'm sorry. Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"I think I made it clear when I refused to leave my pokeball. Seras and Jean should of already known."

"Oh so those were the emotions I picked up earlier today. You were crying in your ball, weren't you?"

"I only cry because of my past, I cry for nothing else. She would of been 19 and I would of never seen her grow up to be big. I remember that she evolved into a Kirlia on her 4th birthday after I gave her my present. She evolved because she was very happy and I was happy because of that."

"Sounds like you two were very close."

"I would of died for my little sister but apparently she died before me. She was so little, she was only 4. Why the hell would Team Rocket want to snuff out someone that young? It made me hate them with a dark passion, I even swore revenge. But no matter how many of them I've killed, it was never enough for me. It will never be until I ultimately destroy them, all of them. But enough of my dark talk, let's go back to bed and get some sleep. What do you say?"

Alara nodded and stuck her hand out towards Rick who took it and helped her up to her feet. They then walked back to the bed with Alara holding Rick's arm, trying to comfort him but he tried to convince her that he was fine. Rick then stopped at the base of the bed and began to countdown, "3...2...1." Just then a thunderclap roared and Alara flinched but didn't cower.

"How did you do that?"

"We psychic types have a tendency of being sensitive to a lot of things. I just used that sensitivity to pinpoint when the next thunderclap would come. Try it, it should help you get over your fear if you can feel it coming."

"How do I do it?"

"Just try to sense the energy in the sky and when the energy starts to vibrate just count down from three."

"I'll give it a shot." Alara then closed her eyes and concentrated, she then started to count,"3...2...1" A thunderclap then roared and she began to laugh in surprise.

"Oh my Arceus! It actually works!"

Rick then smiled wide, "Told you! Now good night Alara. See you in the morning." He then laid down on his side of the bed and Alara laid down on her side.

"Good night to you too Rick."

Wow this one took a lot of brainstorming and free time that I almost didn't have with school back on. Well I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'll try to bring the next one next week or so. Well have a great day guys!