Wow this one took me longer than any other chapter I have ever written and it's also the longest chapter I have ever written. I was delayed by school, a party, World of Warcraft, and a stomach flu that REALLY hindered me. Anyways, I'm back to 100% health and was able to finish this chapter. I'll try to keep my usual routine of one chapter on Mondays and Fridays since I shouldn't have any more distractions. Anyways, enjoy guys and I was surprised by the results of September's final view standings. I'm no longer counting US because they will always have the most views. So #1) Canada (by three views and I was so surprised), #2) UK, #3) The Philippines, #4) Sweden, and #5) Mexico. Also, I got some pretty funny yet interesting request on making a Blade and the Embrace movie parody. Because of this I posted a poll on my profile of the three requests I have received, you can vote for two only. Also you can request an option for me to add by PM or by review. I don't mind writing any movie parodies you guys request for me to do as long as I have seen the movies. The voting will end on the 15 of October. Anyways enjoy the story guys.

"speech"= talking out loud or conversing

*speech*= thoughts

speech= Pokemon moves

speech= telepathic communication

The entire crew arrived at the spa center where the hot springs were at and Rick helped Alara and her mother out of his car before jumping over Jean's car and walking through the doors. Once he entered he was greeted by a Gardevoir that was behind a counter.

"Welcome to the Dream Oaks Spa Resort. How may I help you?"

Alara's father then walked up to the receptionist, "Yes we have a reservation for the hot springs for today."

"Oh Chief Saifer! Yes we remembered, the springs are ready for you guys to use today." She then bowed her head, "Please enjoy."

Rick was immediately suspicious, "How did you manage to get it reserved without us knowing? You were in the car with me and I didn't see you make any calls."

Alara's father quickly smiled, "Oh I was going to make this a gift to you but you guys never let me explain because of all the events that happened yesterday and today. Anyways, let's enjoy our time here."

The boys quickly went to a locker room to get their towels and the girls did the same. Not long after the boys got out of the locker room wearing towels and heading towards the hot springs. Before Rick could enter the men's spring with the rest of the guys he was stopped by Alara's father.

"Say Rick, look over here for a second. I need to ask you something."

Rick was suspicious but decided to play along, "Sure, what is it?"

"Well I just want to know how you like your father's house?"

As he was saying this his mate appeared and switched the 'males' and 'unisex' door signs and teleported back to the locker room.

Rick then answered, "I like it...still the constant views of the images that my parents left behind are beginning to freak me out."

"I'm guessing they left more memories than they should of?"

"Let's just say that I still feel uncomfortable in my own room after I saw a memory they left behind and then there's the memories of me that seems to be conscious of its surroundings."

Alara's father was now curious, "How can that be?"

"I can feel it when it touches me and it responds when I talk to it...not only it but my parents' images."

"Are sure they're images or ghosts?"

"If there are ghosts so why is there an image of me when I was a Ralts?"

"Good point. I should investigate that. Anyways, go inside the hot springs already and relax."

Rick almost rolled his eyes and walked into the door that had the 'males' sign on it. Alara's father then put the 'males' sign back to its place and walked into the males spring with a sly smile. Soon after the girls came out of their locker room, some in their human forms, wearing nothing but towels and entered the females' spring. Alara's mother and Amber then stopped her.

Amber then asked her, "Sis can you go back to the locker room and get me another towel. Just in case."

"Sure."

With that she used Teleport to return to the locker room and her mother quickly switched the 'unisex' sign and the 'females' sign before she could return. She then reappeared with the extra towel and she gave it to Amber before walking into the room. Alara's mother and Amber then nodded at one another and quickly locked and sealed the door. They then high fived each other and switched the signs before walking into the females' spring.

When Alara entered the room she looked towards the spring and saw no one there. She was confused by this and then saw someone coming up from the water. She then noticed the hair and the arms and knew it was Rick. She then gave a small shriek, which got Rick's attention as he wiped the water off his face. He then gave a small yell.

"Rick! What the hell are you doing here!?"

"What am I doing here!? What are you doing here!?"

"Can't you read the fucking sign on the door!? It says 'females"!

"You need glasses then because it says 'males!" They both then looked at the door and saw the 'unisex' sign. "Oh..."

Alara then finished his sentence "...crap!"

They then looked at each other and then Rick got up and put his towel over his shoulder and walked to the door. "Well it's been nice seeing you...well almost a lot of you but I have to go." He then tried to open the door but it wouldn't budge. He then tried to pry it open with Psychic but it still wouldn't budge. "What the hell? It's sealed!"

"Don't tell me we're stuck here and I'm naked."

"Then quickly get in the water and submerge yourself."

Rick quickly teleported back into the water and tried to relax. Alara was still a little embarrassed by what was going on. However she walked towards the water and walked in.

"Fine but keep your eyes somewhere on my face at all times or else."

"No worries. Just relax and enjoy your day...Also, I think I already know who's behind this."

"Really? Who?"

Rick just looked at her with an expression that said 'are you serious?'. He then closed his eyes and put his hands behind his head. Alara then hesitated to take her towel off but did it and stepped into the warm water. She then sat across from Rick with her arms covering her body. They then sat there in the water for a few minutes just enjoying the relaxing warm water.

Alara then broke the silence, "Don't you feel awkward about this?"

"Can't you sense emotions? Yes, I can. However not as much as you, and I can sense that. That and the fact that your blushing redder than a rose that fell in a can of red paint."

Alara immediately looked at her reflection and saw that she was blushing in a bright red. She then submerged herself in the water to try to calm down and then came out and saw Rick control some of the water. Rick was making the water form into a column.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just trying to pass the time. I wonder how long it'll be for us to be able to leave here."

[In the males' spring]

Alara's father finished letting everyone in onto their little plan.

Lucian, the Lucario, then said, "So let me get this straight, you want our help in getting Rick and Alara together...why?"

"Because, he's the son of my best friend and he's been Alara's only male best friend she's ever had."

"They were babies! What did they know about being best friends?"

"You're missing my point. She's always been a hard stone to crack and Rick broke through her expectations easier than any other male I've ever seen. She almost seems attached to him and I came up with a plan. It's crude but I think it just might work. Rick seems to be the only male she allows to get close to her without her permission. I also want my best friend's legacy to continue through my family, for his honor and for my pride."

Jean then said, "That's odd. You're a dad that's actually trying to give his daughter to a male with no apprehension whatsoever. It's weird...but I'm game!"

"Good! And the others?"

All the males then said in unison, "AYE!" They then raised there hands.

"Well that was easy."

Celand, the Sceptile, then said, "Hey we wanted Rick to get a girl for a while and this is the closest and only opportunity we have to hook him up with a female of his species. Also, the circumstances are perfect. He's known her all his life, he's already protective of her, they seem to trust each other...to a point, and he's not trying to get away from us this time."

"So it's settled then. If this fails today then we shall make more scenarios for them to go through."

The guys then looked at one another, "You know that he probably already found you out, right?"

"Yeah, I kinda figured."

[Females' Spring]

All the girls got the same message and immediately wanted to be part of it.

"Wow I barely said anything and you girls already want to pitch in."

Anna, the Flygon, then said, "Of course. Rick deserves this much and they seem to make a good couple."

Amber, Serenity, and Seras then looked at each other and said, "Right...whatever you want to think."

Serenity then said, "They make a good couple because they're the same, personality-wise. But at times they tend to fight with one another."

"What's a relationship without a few fights here and there?"

"No I mean that their fights are destructive without Rick even going on the offensive. Alara usually tried to hurt him to no avail whatsoever."

"That's a relationship for you."

Alara's mother then intervened, "So we're all clear on what we're trying to accomplish if this tactic fails?"

They all then raised their hands and said, "AYE!"

Amber then said, "Well I don't hear them killing one another. You don't think..."

Seras then said, "No, Rick isn't an easy conquest and by what I've seen of Alara, neither is she. They are probably just trying to not make eye contact."

[Unisex spring]

Rick and Alara were looking everywhere, well except for Rick was looking up so that he didn't see Alara.

"How long do you intend on looking at the sky like a fucking idiot?"

"You told me not to look down, so I'm not doing that."

"I actually have a favor to ask of you."

Rick then looked at her face, being very careful to not look down, "Oh you do? Lay it on me." He then closed his eyes again.

"I want you to train me."

Rick then looked at her with the 'are you serious?' face again, "Umm why?"

"Because if we run into Projects again I want to make sure I stand even a ghost of a chance against them."

"Umm that's wishful thinking on your part."

"So how can Jean and the others hold their own against them? It was by training wasn't it?"

Rick then sighed, "Yes and because of something else."

"Something else you neglected to tell me?"

"Jean and the others, not including Serenity, are called Remnants. In short, they share my experimental DNA because I chose for them to have it. They are as much a part of me as a limb and the DNA heightens their senses. Call it as a form of Pokerus that can never go away and is not contagious. But they have to choose whether or not they want it."

"How do you give them your DNA?"

Rick then brought out a small spike from his index finger, "This spike acts like a viper's fangs. It's hollow and almost useless in battle but it injects whoever I choose with my DNA. Don't worry the DNA does nothing to their own DNA. You keep your own genetic makeup but your skills are increased. You can tell who are my Remnants because a blue "A" will appear on their bodies when my red "A" appears. It does not make them stronger, it just pushes their limit mark to a further point so that they can do more than other pokemon."

"I see...so how does it work?"

"I stab you in a blood vessel with this spike and inject you with my DNA. Nothing too complicated about that. Then you'll have a short spasm while your body assimilates to the DNA. You'll be disoriented for a little while and then you'll wake up with a blue "A" on your body. Then you have to start training...immediately to get the full advantage of it."

"So what happens then? Does your strength rival that of a Projects?"

"Yes and no, considering how well your training has been. Jean and the others can hold their own but I don't know if they're able to kill a Project."

Alara didn't say anything and just sat back and thought. She then looked at Rick with a curious look.

"No, I am not going to make you a Remnant. Mainly because I wouldn't be able to leave you then...mainly because you'll become a part of me."

"You turned the others into Remnants and you still left them for a few years."

"Yes, but we're of the same species. It works differently than onto others from other species. If I turn you into a Remnant then you will, in a metaphoric way, become me. Your DNA will sync with my own, in readings you'll come back as me but you're still yourself and if a DNA test were to take place you will still have your parents' DNA."

"I'm still a little confused. So I metaphorically and quite literally become part of you?"

"Dead on."

"So what are the consequences for that?"

"Well, you're prowess will increase but your senses of me will increase to the point where you feel what I feel. Maybe not physical pain but I'm going to affect you mentally and emotionally at some points."

"You already do that."

"That's because we've been around each other too much but you can't read my mind or my immediate thoughts."

"So I'm guessing that with your DNA I can?"

"Yeah, to a point. In battle you can tell what I'm going to do before I do it but not if I'm your opponent. I can tell when you're in danger and you can tell when I'm in danger."

"That actually sounds very useful. Why are you so apprehensive?"

"Because then Team Rocket will target you if they find out that I assimilated you. Mainly because you're another me...only without the Alpha state. I'm doing this to protect you, now get over it."

Alara then glared at him, "Why couldn't you just say that? Now I understand."

"I was hoping that you would of gotten the point that I wasn't going to do it."

Alara then sighed, "Alright but what's your answer about my request of you training me?"

Rick opened his eyes for the first time in a while, "I'll do it but you better not complain about my training methods."

"Oh don't worry. By what I've seen with your training sessions with Serenity, you'll make sure I'll be okay. Also, this won't be the first time I've been through training. Everyone in the Sanctuary has to go through some sort of combat training. My father, mother, Zant, and Daedalus trained me for a few years, but it was general combat."

"Good to know. Your training might go by faster than Serenity..depending if you have her desire to learn."

"And I want to learn. Don't worry, I'm not going to give up and quit."

Rick then chuckled, "We shall see soon enough. When do you want to start?"

Alara then thought for a second, "Give me some time to prepare, I have a few things to do this week. So next week is good for me."

"Very well. Let's make sure everything goes well before that."

Alara arched an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"Think for a second. We just fought two Rocket Projects and I'm the Alpha Project and I have no trainer anymore. They will be looking for me again and they now know that I'm in the Sinnoh region. However, they have no idea where in the Sinnoh region nor do they know about the Sanctuary. However, if they find this place then I'm going to kill a lot of Team Rocket members, including some Projects. Which I don't want to do?"

Alara was shocked at the last remark, "What are you talking about? If you kill them, everything gets solved and Giovanni looses all his ammunition against you and the world."

"I was stronger as a Kirlia, when I was a complete project. I gave up my Project powers a long time ago."

"Huh? What do you mean by that? You can give up your powers?"

"Yes I can...to a point. All the Projects came after me and all of them have a piece of my powers. I gave up my project powers when I joined my trainer, so that I could live like a normal Kirlia. I could no longer do any of the things that I did as a Project. However, there's backside to this. If a Project dies, the imprinted power will return to me and it will make it harder to hold in the Alpha state. I will gain back some of my powers the more they die."

"But you used some powers in the fight and earlier."

"I told you during the fight that Epsilon killed her brother Upsilon in a greedy rage. Because of his death I have some of my powers back. When they die you can tell when some of the power is returning to me because it manifests itself as black ribbons like things that will speed off towards me and impale me. It will weaken me for a second so that the power can return to its place. Then I might go into a quick Alpha state like rage like what happened to me when we fought Epsilon. And I don't feel like explaining more of this since it might not happen while I'm here."

"I understand. So if we kill the Projects, you'll gain your powers back?"

"Only if we kill the first few Projects that I was trained with. So that means that in order for me to become Project Alpha again, Projects Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Upsilon will have to die. Upsilon is out of the picture and I will never kill Gamma and Delta, they were like family to me. But I won't hesitate to kill Epsilon though. She has done so much against me that caused me so much pain. She killed her brother, broke Seras's arm one time, put Jean in a coma, stabbed me in the back...literally, she set my trainer's house on fire but we put it out quickly, she also tried to murder Seras, she even murdered a Marowak in Kanto just to get to its child, poor Cubone. I have to stop her once and for all."

"I feel you but will you actually do it?"

"No, not yet. I need to stay off the radar for a while and that means that I have to live like a normal Gallade for a little while."

"You know what popped back into my head? Your mission to get the amulet to Maylene. What happened to that?"

"Nothing. I'm still going to do it but the circumstances just got too dangerous and Epsilon knows how my human form looks like now and she is going to use that to identify me. Damn! Once again I've been delayed."

"Don't worry. Now you have a home to stay at and come back to. I know that'll make your friends happy since they know where to find you."

"You may be right, but I've only been here for two days and I still need to get to know the place better."

Alara then closed one eye in her usual fashion when she gets an idea, "I have an idea, are you game for another outing tomorrow from morning to night?"

"I have nothing to do. I'm game and what do you have in mind?"

"Just going through the Sanctuary and the attractions here. We're going to have some fun."

Rick then chuckled and closed his eyes again before submerging his head into the water.

Alara then sent him a mental message, "Don't drown now." She then giggled a little and Rick then reappeared.

"I won't drown, don't worry about me. So how long do you think we're going to be locked in here?"

"I have no idea. I wonder what the others are doing."

Rick then chuckled, "I'm going to get us out of here. Just wait, I'm not even going to move."

Alara was confused but didn't ask since she knew that Rick had a solution to almost everything.

[Males' Spring]

The guys were enjoying their day and joking around with each other. Alara's father then got a mental message.

"How are you doing sir? It's me Aeru. You have one minute to get me out of this room before I blow this place up. Yeah, I'm kinda on to you. Next time don't make it too obvious. Bye! Me and Alara will be waiting. If you can sense some energy building then that means that I'm no longer playing around. Ciao!"

Alara's father then felt some energy building in the 'Unisex' room and he quickly got up and ran to the room releasing the seal and opening the door only to be met by Alara's fist. Alara then walked out of the room with her towel on and she then spoke to her father.

"Low blow dad, a very low blow. Well we're out now and I'll deal with you and mom later. Bye!" She then walked into the female spring where they could hear the girls give a surprised gasp and Alara quietly growling at her mom and Amber.

Rick then helped Alara's dad up and walked him back to the male spring where the guys were waiting. When they saw Rick they quickly looked at one another and back to him carrying Alara's father.

Jean then asked, "What happened to Alara's dad?"

"Alara punched him and she packs a wallop. Anyways, let's just enjoy our time. I was stuck in that room for almost an hour."

After a few hours in the springs everyone decided to leave and returned to Rick's house where another dilemma presented itself. On the way back to Rick's house they dropped a tired Amber off at her house and then made it back to Rick's house. Once they entered the house many of the guys began to call dibs on the rooms for them to sleep in. Rick, Celand, and Jean quickly stopped them and Rick had to tell them the situation with the house.

"Sorry guys. I would love to have you guys living here with me but there's a few problems. One, there's not enough room for all of us here. Two, my parents made it perfectly clear that they wished that no one, other than myself, my sister, my mate, and temporary tenants were to live here. Sadly, none of you are my sister, mate, or tenants so I can't let you guys stay here."

A large number of his friends then gave a collective "aww" and they could tell that Rick would of let them stay if he could.

Alara's father then told Rick, "I figured this might happen if your "family" came and I actually have a surprise for you."

"I see that you like to think ahead like me. Mind telling me what you've planned?"

"Nearby there is a condominium building that had just finished being built. I think it will be a great place for these guys to stay. I'll even pay off the expenses for a few month and you guys will be the first individuals to live there."

Rick sounded as if he was suspicious as usual, "Sounds good, however I'll pay off their expenses for about a year, maybe even permanently if everything goes alright. Anyways, this seems way too planned out, want to explain?"

"Sure, once I heard your story from Alara I thought that there was a good chance that your friends might catch up with. So after taking every precaution and with the luck that the condos were finished, I decided to reserve a few rooms after Alara told me that there were sixteen of you in total. The condominiums have over a hundred rooms."

"That's amazing planning...also, I'm surprised on how modernized you guys are. For pokemon you guys act so much like humans in the way that you have technology and the such."

"We're actually get a lot of support from humans. Private companies and charities and they actually have franchises here. We're the closest pokemon to humans and this shows it."

"I would expect that pokemon would of been apprehensive about living like humans."

"Oh we live with human influence but don't mistake us for them. We keep our pokemon lives we just get support. All of our residence have lived in the wild at least once in their lives and it helps that we can't verbally speak to humans."

"But we can speak to them mentally. Anyways, this is off topic. How do I sign them up for their homes?"

"Tomorrow morning you can sign them up...but tonight they have to stay elsewhere. I think you have to keep them here."

Rick then scratched his head, "Well I guess you're right. There's five rooms here so I think that we can fit three in each room and all the girls in one. But that means I'll have to give them the largest room and I guess that's okay...but we'll have to fit four guys in one room."

"Um..Rick. We can't put them in your current room. It's your parents room and I know they would of wanted only you to be there."

"I'm really missing the point on why they want this place pretty much isolated to only family occupancy."

"It's a form of honor. The family home stays in the blood, even the most intimate room in the house, your parents' room. Is this understood?"

Rick then sighed, "Yes it is. I'd rather not think about what went on in my room. The images that only I can see are enough for me."

Alara's father laughed quietly before Alara proposed something, "The girls can stay with me and Amber. We actually have a guest room in the basement that they can stay in. It has a couchbed and two more beds."

"Now that sounds too perfect, care to explain?"

"I have friends here too you know. They like to stay over some times and I need a place for them to stay over at night."

"Wow...I have no input to give you. So what do you girls think?"

The girls in the room then gave a thumbs up and nodded. Rick then said, "Well it's settled. So I'm guessing that your girls are just going to fly over there?"

Alara then gave them her car keys, "You guys can use my car..." She then looked at Rick. "...they can drive, right?"

"Yes...why are you giving them your keys?"

"So they can drive to my house without drawing attention. Anyways, you'll drive me home anyways once we're done here. Also, your Scizor friend seems to be super tired anyways."

"Who Amari? I'm not surprised, she's a fierce fighter."

"So now you see my point? Anyways, I want to speak with you about tomorrow."

"Fine. I'll take you home afterwards. What do you need to talk about?"

"Follow me to your garden so we can speak privately. You guys can have your fun talking."

Alara then walked towards the garden and Rick followed her. Before Rick left he looked at her parents and smiled and narrowed his eyes, scaring them.

After they left Alara's parents got everyone's attention. He father then said, "Okay I have a feeling that Rick is on to us. Apparently it's hard to trick him and we're going to have to switch up our tactics. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

Seras then said, "Well I don't think putting them into some awkward situations is going to help."

"So what do you suggest?"

"Just leave them be. They seem to be bonding by themselves just fine. But I do have one suggestion."

"Which is?"

[In the Garden]

Rick and Alara sat down on a bench in the garden. Rick had never taken the time to see just how large the garden was and was surprised that his dad actually made a garden like this but something told him that his mother had something to do with it too. Alara then snapped him back into reality by snapping her fingers in front of his face.

"You okay there?"

Rick shook himself back into reality, "Yeah, just zoned out for a second."

"I don't blame you. My parents used to walk me through this garden when I was little. It always surprised me how your parents were able to make it since my dad tells me that your mom and dad built it with their own bare hands. This garden is amazing, for that reason I always wanted to live in this house but my parents never let me. I'm guessing they were saving it for you...oh well, at least the owner is my friend."

"Well you got that." He laughed. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Oh yeah, looks like I zoned out this time." She giggled with her hand to her mouth. "I just want to plan this out better. What time do you want to go?"

"After breakfast, if that's alright with you. I want to see this place a bit more."

"That works for me. We're actually going to be walking throughout the entire thing, so your feet might hurt at the end of the day."

"I walk miles for the hell of it sometimes. This will not be a problem for me."

"Good because I was not going to put up with any whining. I also know where we're going to eat tomorrow. Let's say it might be a repeat of Hearthome...only without the fancy restaurant and the guys following us."

"You'll never know when they will be following us."

"I asked them not to. I told them to give us our space."

"We're just going for a day out in the town."

"True but you know how Amber and Jean are some times."

"Good point."

"Well is that all you really want to talk to me about?"

"Not completely. Word of caution: We might run into a Gallade called Sayer and there might be trouble."

"Oh, ex-boyfriend?"

"He wishes! He's infatuated with me but he's a grade A asshole, especially towards Amber. He tends to become possessive when other Gallades get near me. He thinks I'm playing hard to get but what he fails to recognize is that I seriously don't like him."

"So let me guess, he'll probably try to attack me?"

"Maybe but I'm usually the one that hurts him."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Since I was nine. He's easy to point out. Look for one of the biggest Gallades in a group of four Gallades with red hair."

"I'm guessing he's a fighter."

"He's part of the military but has yet to do anything extraordinary. He pisses me off so much. He lives in the fourth den...which is, sadly, where there's a restaurant that I wanted us to have lunch in. I guess I should change it."

Rick then waved his hands in front of himself, "Don't do that. You already know he can't do anything to me. I would destroy him and his gang quickly."

"You're probably right. Fine, but I don't want that to ruin our day tomorrow."

"Let's hope not. Want me to take you home?"

Alara shook her head, "Not yet. I need to speak to you about something else."

Rick shrugged, "I'm all ears."

"You can sense that my parents are on to something, can't you?"

"I figured it out immediately. They think they're sneaky but I have a feeling that your mother has something planned for us and your father is completely oblivious to her plan."

"What do you think they're planning?"

Rick then rolled his eyes without Alara knowing, he was surprised that even she had no idea what was going on. Rick then told her, "I have no clue. Just keep your eyes and mind prepped for anything. So is that it?"

"Yeah. I just want to walk around the garden a bit more. Too many memories here and I would like to relive them."

She then walked down a path and Rick went to follow her. Just then another memory that his parents left behind caught his eyes. He then stopped to watch them and saw the images walking down one of the paths laughing and enjoying each other's company. They then walked towards and through Rick, prompting him to turn around and see them walking down the path Alara went down. They then stopped and kissed one another and disappeared. Rick just smiled and chuckled before walking down the path and seeing Alara sitting on a bench and looking at a fountain that Rick did not see initially when he scoped the area.

"I see that you really like fountains. First in Hearthome and now here."

"I do. I love looking at them. I actually want to play some music right now. I now know how you feel."

Rick smiled and teleported his guitar to his hands, he was then surprised to see Alara teleport a harp and getting ready to play it. Rick chuckled and sat down next to her on the bench.

"What do you want to play? I've never heard you play your harp before."

"I want to play that song you taught me on the piano. I actually practiced it since we got here, but on my harp not the piano."

"Pachebel's Cannon? Sure, it will be interesting to see how it will sound." (Play Pachelbel - Canon in D Major (Harp and Guitar))

[In the House]

The girls were close to leaving and everyone was talking to one another and then they heard what sounded like music coming from the garden. The all immediately went to the large balcony to oversee the garden and traced the music to a fountain surrounded by arches. They then saw Rick and Alara playing their instruments and they all then relaxed and listened to the soothing music.

Alara's parents were surprised at the music. Alara's mother then told her mate, "I guess she wasn't kidding when she said he was a musician. I like him as a person even more."

"Yeah, I think we've chosen correctly. They seem to enjoy each other's company very well. It reminds me so much of Aeru's parents. I wish I can see the images he sees."

Alara's mother then thought, "You don't think the images are here for another purpose? I can sense that Rick can still see them but they shouldn't still be there after an entire day. They must have a message to convey to him...or just teach him what went on in the house."

"I think they are teaching him their past. Rick didn't have a lot of time to learn a lot about them personally outside of them as his parents but not as individuals."

"I guess you're right. Just enjoy the music."

After a few minutes the music stopped and everyone scrambled inside so that they didn't know that they were there watching and listening to them.

[In the Garden]

Alara and Rick finished playing and teleported their instruments back to their original places and then burst out laughing out of nowhere. Alara then rested her head on his shoulder and couldn't stop laughing.

Rick then said in between the laughs, "Why are...we laugh?"

"I have no idea. I'm just happy for no reason. We've gotten along too well lately."

"That we have because normally you would be getting off my shoulder at this moment."

"...this is true."

They then began laughing again and Rick then helped her up and they walked back into the house where everyone was acting casual. It would seem less of an awkward situation if Jean and Dartz weren't singing show tunes and the others were watching static on the TV.

Rick then said, "You know you guys are bad hiding the fact that you guys were watching us."

Dartz and Jean then quickly began to sing again, "Ummmm...Y-M-C-A."

"Shut up!"

"Okay."

After ten minutes, Alara's parents and Rick's uncles left the house to retire for the night. Alara then decided that she wanted to go home and prepare for tomorrow. So Rick and Alara got into Rick's car and Rick drove her to her house, where they saw her car parked outside and Rick could sense that everyone in the house was asleep.

"Wow, they really were tired even after a spa day. Anyways, here's your stop." Rick then got out of the car and opened her door for her. She then walked to her house and unlocked the door before turning around and talking to Rick.

"Well thanks for the...interesting day."

"You're welcome?" He laughed, "I have no idea what to tell you about that one."

"Well it was interesting to say the least."

"You yourself are pretty interesting. Your past and everything."

"Well I can't control that."

"But you didn't have to go and fight those guys."

Rick then looked up and then back at her, "Ordinary people run away from danger, I just tend to get in its path...way too much to my own liking."

Alara laughed quietly at this and opened her arms. Rick had no idea what she was doing, then a vein appeared on her head.

"Aren't you going to hug me?"

Rick then sweatdropped, "Since when did you allow me to hug you?"

"We know each other enough...technically we've known each other for twenty one years."

"This is technically true...oh what the hell!"

He then hugged her and she kissed him on the cheek before waving goodbye and closing the door.

"What the hell just happen?" He then shrugged and got back in his car and drove home.

[The Next Morning]

Alara and the girls arrived at Rick's house and Alara opened the door before peaking her head in and smelling to see if there was any fire. Luckily there was none and so she and the other girls walked in and made themselves at home with Seras heading to the kitchen to cook up some breakfast.

Alara then walked into the dining room where she saw one of Rick's friends, an Alakhazam, siting down by a window and reading a book. He then looked at Alara as she came into the room and greeted her.

"Why hello there child! Are you here for Rick?" His voice sounded much older than the rest but still kind but stern at the same time.

"Yes. Is he awake?"

"Yes, he's in the garden somewhere. That boy has sure changed since he was a Kirlia but I guess it's for the best."

"How long have you known him?"

The Alakhazam then put his book down and leaned back on the chair, "He's been on out team for twelve years but I've known him for nearly fourteen."

"In what way did you meet him before?"

"He was part of Team Rocket and me and my old master used to battle Team Rocket. Along with the others. Me, Gloria, and Wayland have had past run in with Rick. Usually violent since we were on opposing sides. Even Jean was Rick's enemy at one point but once Rick left Team Rocket we welcomed him into our lives with open arms. I never understood why my master wanted to let him in. Probably to compensate for the old Rick."

"Old Rick?"

"Yes, Rick was my master's second Gallade. The last one died trying to protect us and we've never forgotten his sacrifice. So when our master named him after his predecessor it told me that he was to carry on his work."

"Seras told me of the old Gallade on your team. So I don't think you need to fill me in on the details just yet. Did Rick ever meet this old Rick?"

"No, he died before Rick was Project Alpha. He died four years prior to the events that created Project Alpha. So there was no possible way for them to have met. Anyways, I'm forgetting my manners. I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Winston. I'm the oldest of our team and the only remaining member of my master's old team. No need for you to introduce yourself, I was told about you already."

"Very well, nice to meet you Winston. So Rick is in the garden? What's he doing there?"

"I would guess meditating or sharpening his psychic prowess. Either way it's okay to go see him."

"Okay, thank you!"

With that Alara went out back to the garden and then started the task of finding Rick in the maze of paths in the garden. After a while she found him in a small island in the middle of a fish pond, sitting. He seemed to be lost in meditation and Alara sat down on a bench across from him. Suddenly his eyes shot open and he looked at Alara without changing his emotionless expression.

"Good morning Alara! I wasn't expecting you here for about another hour or two."

"Well the girls wanted to come back here. How did you know I was here?"

"I sense you walk into the garden a while back. Your emotions are easy for me to pick up."

"Oh yeah, I forgot we could do that. Anyways, what are you doing?"

Rick then jumped off the small island and landed in front of her. "Well I was just relaxing. Just some meditation for a bit. When you're a psychic you would like to keep your psychic powers as sharp as they can be." With that he turned around and lifted a boulder that was around the fish pond with Psychic and crushed it while closing his hand. It broke little by little until he finally crushed it with a big pound of psychic power. "Well I need to work on it a little more. I haven't done it in a while."

"That was incredible in its own sense. You're stronger with Psychic than I thought."

"You should be stronger at it but I'll help you when we start your training next week. For now let's just head inside, I can already smell Seras's cooking."

Alara then nodded and both of them teleported back to the house where they found everyone sitting down at the dining room table indulging themselves in the breakfast. Rick and Alara then joined them and quickly ate their breakfast.

Jean then asked Rick, "So Rick any plans for today?"

"Yeah, Alara wants to give me a tour of the Sanctuary today. So I won't be home until this afternoon or later tonight."

"Sounds fun. You two behave now." He said deviously.

Rick and Alara then hit him in the back of the head and high fived each other before returning to their food. They finished eating with the others and then got up to leave for the day and waved goodbye to everyone before heading out.

Rick then turned and told the others, "Before I forget. I called the condo building. You're homes are ready for you guys to move in. Courtesy of me, so enjoy."

Everyone then cheered and Rick and Alara left the house.

"So where to first?"

"Well we could start here in this den but you pretty much know it enough now. So do you want to go to the second den?"

"Sure."

With that they went to a large elevator that was near Alara's house. They were joined by many other members of their species and soon the elevator took off and they arrived at the second den.

When Rick looked at the den he could stills the sky and then he remembered that Alara told him that the people in the dens created their own ecosystem to mimic the outside world. He then noticed a large crowd in a place that looked like a market.

Alara then told him, "This is the trade district. There are actually quite a few here in the Sanctuary but this is where a lot of the trade goes down. This section of the second den is called the Trade District but on the other end is the Watch District."

"What's it used for?"

"It's where the...well humans call it the police are found. It's just the Guard Unit's headquarters."

"So are we going to hang around here for a while?"

"I actually didn't want to stay here long. This may be the Trade district but you need things to trade. The Shopping District is in the fifth den so we're not getting the for a while. The third den is completely one of the many Residential Districts and the Military district in the center. The Watch and Military District actually have stations in each den for reasons of security. So let me ask you, do you want to walk around here or go down to the third den?"

"Well this place has nothing to offer unless you're a merchant here for trade or a guard. So let's go to the next den...mainly because my family is from there."

"Fine then let's go back to the elevator."

They then made the short walk to the elevator and went down another level until the third den was in view and Rick was surprised on how gigantic the den was. He then saw a large fortress in the center of the den and he immediately identified it as the Military District. The elevator finally stopped and opened up and Rick immediate walked out and looked over the cliff that the elevator was on. He leaned on the railing and looked at the scenery.

Alara then got his attention and pointed at a certain point in the area. "That's where your family lives. My family lives in the same place. So I'm guessing you want to see your family?"

"No I spent all my morning and most of my afternoon with them yesterday. I'm just here to have fun."

After some time they were walking around the area and Alara then began to look around cautiously. Rick was confused about why she was acting like this and didn't help that she was holding onto his arm, moving him at every one of her movements.

"Dare I ask what you're doing?"

"What did I tell you last night?"

"Oh the Sayer guy?"

"Yep. He's bound to be somewhere around here and I do not want to find him."

"Calm down. What's the worse he can do?"

"I'm just hoping he doesn't do anything. He's the one reason I try not to come here, but I'm here often because of my family. I was here all the time because my high school and college was here too."

"You have a college now? We're pokemon."

"Yeah, I have a diploma and a degree."

"A degree for what?"

"...Biology."

"Wow so close to mine."

"Wait you went to college?"

"Yep."

"What time did you have and what the hell would someone like you possibly major in?...wait, don't tell me. Considering your deductive skill I'm guessing Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or any form of investigative science, right?"

"None of the above."

"Then what the hell is it?"

"Wildlife Biology."

Alara then stopped and looked at him with a confused look. "Wait...what? I would of never of guessed that."

Rick then laughed, "Exactly! You would never of guessed but it actually comes in handy some times. Besides it pissed Team Rocket off because that was not what they wanted me to learn."

"I'm not even going to ask."

They then proceeded to walk again and soon reached a park where there were a number of statues of former Warlords. Alara then took him to one that she felt he would recognize immediately.

"Does it look familiar to you?"

Rick then chuckled, "Yeah, it's my dad. I look so much like him, I never thought about it."

Alara then giggled, "Yes, you do. He's one of our most honored Warlords."

"Why?"

"He made our guards and our army stronger than they have ever been. He changed our protection protocol which has save our lives more than once...of course I wasn't born yet but my dad tells me so much about him. Although his most shinning moment was when he help us win our war with an entire Mightyena colony. I don't know anything about that as much as I should but because of that we've honored him so much. That's why you have a celebrity status here now, because of them and because you returned after twenty one years." Alara then took a magazine out of her bag and handed it to Rick. "Read it for yourself."

Rick then began to read the front page of the paper. "Hmm looks like I do have a celebrity status here now and I have yet to speak to anyone...hell, most people didn't know I existed up until then." Rick then turned the page and chuckled while shaking his head when he read it.

Alara was confused, "What is it?" Rick then gave her the magazine and she saw the section that said, "Aeruthael and Alara: Possible Romance? Oh Arceus this is going to stick for a while. Oh well it's just a magazine. It's not like people actually believe this."

Rick then said while pointing behind her, "Then tell that to all the paparazzi, journalists, and onlookers taking pictures."

Alara then turned around and saw the crowd that had gathered. She then grabbed Rick's arm and pulled him along to get away. They then made it out of the park and made it to an area with a lot of shops and restaurants.

After about an hour of Alara giving him a tour of the place they ended up in an area full of shops and restaurants. Alara was actually pretty excited to be in this area and Rick could tell without sensing her emotions.

"I take it this place means a lot to you?"

"Yes, me and my friends used to hang out here all the time when we were in high school. I usually still see some of them here." She then saw a restaurant that looked like a saloon and she entered with Rick in tow. "A few of my friends actually work here. I should introduce you to some since you introduced me to about thirteen of your friends."

She then walked up to a counter and a Gardevoir appeared from behind the counter. "Hello and welcome too...Oh! Alara it's just you."

"What do you mean 'it's just me', is that any way to talk to a patron?"

"We go way back girl. I don't have to give you the introduction. Hell, even the owner has you on speed dial if anything."

"Well this was our hang out during high school. Oh yeah, Serah this is Aeru. You probably know already. He likes to be called Rick so go ahead and call him that."

"Really? Pleased to meet you Rick."

Rick then said, "Charmed!"

"So what brings the two highest class children in the Sanctuary here? You two on a date?"

Alara and Rick immediately yelled, "NO!"

Serah laughed, "I'm just kidding but yesterday's magazine is bringing suspicion to others."

Alara then sweatdropped and asked, "How many people actually read that article?"

"It's the most popular magazine for the youth of our species. Almost everyone read that article already, just look around you."

Alara then turned around and saw all the teenage Gardevoirs and Gallades reading the magazine and almost fainted. "Oh crap! Have you seen Sayer anywhere around here lately? Last thing I need is for him to come crashing in here in a jealous rage."

"He's still trying to get you to be his mate. Does he ever grow up?"

"No, it's annoying. Anyways, Rick you want some lunch?"

Rick then said, "Yeah I can use a snack."

Just then an older Gallade came out of the back and saw Rick and Alara and walked up and hugged Alara.

"Alara it's good to see you my dear."

Alara then responded, "Hey Mr. Rolin. It's good to see you again."

"What brings you around here today?" He then noticed Rick. "Oh you're with Warlord Xeron's son? Are you here for lunch?"

"Yes, I'm giving him a tour of the Sanctuary today."

"Well order whatever you want. It's on the house!"

"Aww thank you."

Rick and Alara then sat down at a table and then ordered their meals. Rick was chuckling the entire time and Alara seemed to have noticed this.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing I'm just trying to picture you as a teenager and coming here everyday."

"Well I'm not very different than when I was a teenager. Also, speaking of which, how did you even go to school?"

"Team Rocket made sure I was educated. I went to college at the age of nine. I didn't have much of a childhood and my teenage years were full of training and combat. My only friends were my allies and I never really went out much. Me and my friends did go out every now and then but not too much."

"So you're not used to this? Wow! I guess we should do this more often so that you can get accustomed to it."

"If you want. I have nothing to do anymore. I want to deliver the amulet but I need to lay low for a while."

"So we agree. Good."

Soon their food arrived and they began to indulge in the delicious dish. Not long after Alara stopped and looked at the door with an irritated look. Rick then looked and sensed what she was sensing.

Alara then said, "Crap!"

"Let me guess, it's going to be one of those days?"

"Yep. Get ready for trouble. Here comes Sayer."

Alara then went to drink her drink and a large Gallade walked into the room with a group of three other Gallades. When Alara felt him enter she rolled her eyes and tried to make herself unnoticeable. It worked for a time and Rick stayed quiet so that he didn't give Alara's presence off. Sayer then went to the counter to where Serah was cleaning.

"Hey Serah, what's on for today?"

She then stopped cleaning the counter and looked at him, "We have soup and pie. Are you going to order some thing or just annoy me again?"

"Calm down! I'm just here to eat something. Say, have you seen Alara around?"

"Nope. You probably give up on her, she's not interested. So what's your order? I want to be able to get on with my day."

"Oh not this again. Come on she's only playing hard to get. I just need to push her a little more."

When Alara heard that she almost jumped out of her seat in a rage but Rick managed to calm her down mentally.

"That'll never work. Besides don't you read the local magazine?"

"Oh yeah I saw. There's no way that featherweight will conquer her, I bet he can't even beat me."

Rick chuckled silently at what Sayer just said and he then told Alara mentally, "Oh I like him already."

"Just wait and don't draw attention to yourself. I'd rather not risk a confrontation with him today. It's usually a daily thing here."

"Oh so you do come here often."

"Almost everyday because all my friends are here. But I haven't been here since I left so Sayer doesn't even know I'm here. Just be quiet and try not to laugh."

"No need to worry about that. I won't attack him unless he tried to do something to Serah. He seems to be a pretty rash individual but he has to remember that he's a Gallade and he has to respect a female's honor."

Sayer then told Serah, "I'll find her later. Actually, let me call her."

Alara then facepalmed, "I forgot. One of my friends gave him my number by accident. Crap! I have my Poketch."

"This is about to get interesting." Rick then smiled and just waited for the fireworks.

Sayer then dialed the number and called Alara. Just then her Poketch began to ring and Sayer looked at Alara while Serah facepalmed.

"Well looks like you were lying to me."

Serah then told her, "Sayer leave her be. She doesn't want anything to do with you."

"Oh shut up! Hey there Alara."

Alara then glared at him, "What the hell do you want Sayer?"

Rick just leaned back on his chair while Sayer walked up to her. "I just want to talk. Nothing wrong with that."

"How about no and get out of my sight before I throw you across the den again...I'm surprised you're even okay after that."

"I landed in the lake. Anyways, and if I don't? Also, who the hell is this?"

"He's Warlord Xeron's only son. The one that came back."

"Aeruthael?"

"Bingo dipshit!"

"So the magazine is true. You're going to go for him and not for me."

"I'd rather go for him than you! At least his actually a Gallade worth my time."

Rick just smiled and thought, *This is better than I thought.*

Sayer then told Rick, "So you're trying to steal my girl?"

Rick then smiled again, "Your girl? I don't hear that. Sounds like you're the bane of her existence. Sorry, but get it through your think skull: She...does...like...you. Got that Roderigo? (lol Shakespeare reference from "Othello")"

"Do you want me to kill you?"

Alara then snickered, "Oh please. He'll destroy you."

"Is that a challenge?"

Rick then said, "Alara please. I'm here to have a good time."

"At least do me the favor."

Rick then sighed, "Alright." Rick then used Psychic to open the door to the diner and teleported out with Alara. He then yelled, "Coming out or not?"

Sayer then walked out with his gang and took his jacket off. He then drew his blades and Rick just yawned with Alara giggling at how casual he was acting and because of how she was going to enjoy this.

Sayer then told Rick, "So do you expect to survive today?"

"I'm expecting to walk out of here without a scratch, take Alara back home, then head back home, and then take a nap. So yeah, I am expecting to survive."

"...I'm going to enjoy this far more than I should."

Sayer immediately charged at him. Rick quickly disappeared and hit him with a Shadow Ball, making him fall down.

"That was pathetic. I know you can take more than that."

Sayer jumped back to his feet and charged a Night Slash but Rick moved out of the way and tripped him.

"Too slow!"

"Are you trying to make me look like a fool?"

Rick then laughed, "I'm not trying, I'm succeeding. Now come on and fight for real."

Sayer again got up and fired a Signal Beam and Rick who caught it with his bare hands and redirected it back to Sayer. Sayer was sent flying into a brick wall and was cratered within it. Rick and Alara then teleported in front of him.

"I love 3-D art but this one is in poor taste. Kinda ugly too." Alara giggle when he said that.

Suddenly Sayer burst out of the wall and brought one of his blades down on Rick. Rick's expression immediately went from playful to serious and he caught the blade with no problem. Sayer was surprised by this and Rick just held the blade with his hand.

Alara then told Rick, "Alright, enough fun. End it Rick."

"Okay." He then glared at Sayer. "You will never be able to cut me, your power is just too low to even damage me. Now this is how it's going to go down: You're going to leave Alara alone, you're going to stop disrespecting every Gardevoir you meet, and you'll just go back home and fix your fucking attitude."

Sayer became even more irritated and attacked Rick with a barrage of Shadow Balls. When the dust settled Rick was behind Sayer and had his dad's sword to his throat.

"What did I tell you? You'll never beat me."

Almost immediately Sayer's gang attacked Rick and he jumped off Sayer, making them hit Sayer with their attacks. Rick then landed in front of Alara and drew his blades. They then fired another barrage of Shadow Balls at him and he and Alara jumped out of the way. Rick then caught Alara in the air and landed on the ground in front of the gang and fought them while still carrying Alara.

After a few moments they were all on the ground in pain and Rick didn't have a scratch on him. Alara then giggled again.

"Hey Rick, can you put me down now? Also, don't you guys get it, he's stronger than any military personnel you throw at him."

Sayer then got up, "Well not the Warlord."

Rick and Alara then looked at each other and laughed before walking back into the diner to continue their meal.

When they made it back to their meals they received an applause from the people inside and the owner then walked up to Rick and shook his hand.

"Well done my boy. We've been waiting for someone to put him and his thugs in their place and you did it with no difficulty. You really are your father's son and your appearance and power prove that. You're welcome here whenever you want and your meals are on the house."

Rick smiled and waved his hand, "No, you need to make a living and it's not fair to take even one bill from you. I'd rather pay like everyone else but I'm glad to have helped." He then turned to Alara. "So I'm guessing he wasn't just a menace to you."

"Nope, he would bully everyone else. A lot of people have wanted to beat the daylights out of him but no one would dare with his gang always around him. Then you did that and I bet they'll leave us alone now...for a while.

"I wouldn't mind beating the crap out of them again." Rick then turned to his food and told Serah, "Serah, this pie is to die for." Sayer then walked into the room and charged Rick again. "Say may I borrow that steel chair?" Serah then gave him the steel chair and he folded it before hitting Sayer in the stomach and then taking a major league baseball worthy swing to his head. "And that's how you deal with assholes. Any questions? No? Alright, class is dismissed."

Alara then walked up to him and grabbed his shoulder and they waved goodbye and left with Rick carrying the unconscious Sayer outside and dropping him in front of his gang. They then quickly made it back to the first den and kept laughing.

"Alara, what are we laughing about?"

"That was just so much fun to watch. You really kicked his ass and I actually enjoyed that. He'll think twice before messing with me since you're going to be around."

"Let's just home. Anyways, let's get into my car already. It's...wow it's already six in the afternoon. What the hell were we doing all day?"

"Having fun."

With that they arrived to where Rick had parked and drove off to Alara's house. After a few minutes he arrived at her house and did his usual thing of walking her to her porch and saying goodbye.

"Well this day was...memorable." He then laughed.

"It got a little populated. Want to do that again someday?"

"You tell me. I'm free for anything."

"Alright. I'll tell you when. Well bye."

"Bye"

She then hugged him and walked into the house. Rick then turned and walked back into his car and he then remembered, "Oh fuck I left the guys in my dad's house unsupervised!" He then sped off to his house in hopes that it was still standing.

[Somewhere]

Mew was floating in front of a dark room and was apparently speaking to someone that was hidden behind the darkness of the room.

"And that's what happened. I don't know how but I'm sure it's him. Who else can fight like that?"

A voice then came from the room, "Hmm, very well. I want you to bring him to me. I must speak to him, he will definitely be useful. Now go Mew, we don't have a lot of time to waste in idle chatter. Report back to me when you have brought him to my domain."

"Yes sir!" Mew then bowed and immediately flew into a portal and left.

"Hmm let's just hope that he will be willing to help us. Forgive me Aeruthael, but I must bother you for a task that only someone like you can complete. After all you're the only one with the experience to do this."

Too much writing and too much medicine went into writing this one. Anyways guys keep reviewing, sending me requests, questions, and suggestions. The next Q&A is going to come out once I actually receive more questions. So yeah, thanks for everything. Bye!