Hey guys, I'm finally back on track and was able to write this one right on time to post it today. I don't have a lot to say this time so just tell me what you guys think. Review, give me suggestions, questions, and requests. Bye guys. Viewing rankings: 1st) UK, 2nd) Australia, 3rd) Canada, 4th) Philippines, 5th) Mexico.

"speech"= talking out loud or conversing

*speech*= thoughts

speech= Pokemon moves

speech= telepathic communication

Alara was slowly waking up in the morning after feeling someone tapping her forearm. She opened her eyes and looked at Maiyu, who had a wide smile on her face and pointed at Rick's neck. When she looked she saw that she was kissing Rick's neck and there was a mark left behind. Alara quickly tried to get rid of the mark and she noticed that it was more of a bruise than a kiss mark.

Maiyu then said, "You've been kissing his neck for an hour now. I'm amazed that he's quite the heavy sleeper."

Alara was shocked at what Maiyu was saying. She then used Healing Pulse to heal the bruise and then sighed a sigh of relief when it disappeared.

"You like Aeru, don't you Ally?"

"What makes you think that I do little one?"

"Because you talk in your sleep. I woke up an hour and a half ago because I heard you talk in your sleep. You let go of a lot of secrets in your sleep."

X then appeared on the couch across from the bed, "She's telling the truth. You tend to talk in your sleep and you release a lot of intimate information."

Maiyu looked towards the couch and waved at X, "Hi Mr. X!"

Alara then asked, "Maiyu, you can hear him and see him?"

"Yeah, I saw him this morning on the couch. We then started talking."

"You're usually shy around new people."

"I don't know why but there's something about him that tells me that I can trust him and he turned out to be really nice."

"Well that's interesting but how can you see him?"

"I don't know."

X then said, "I can appear before anyone I wish. Anyways, you said a lot of weird stuff last night and I had the displeasure of listening to all of it."

Alara just blushed and stared at X as one of his eyes began to glow through the darkness of the cloak and Alara could tell that he was smiling...or silently laughing.

Maiyu then said, "X told me that you've been kissing his neck for a few hours, on and off. He's lucky he turned his head in time at night. Then it would of been really hard to explain."

Alara blushed a brighter shade of red and X began to laugh out loud. X then got up from the couch and walked over to the bed.

"You better get up and get ready. Maiyu don't bother them with this for today and don't speak of it...for now."

Maiyu then gave him a thumbs up and X then vanished. All that was left was an awkward silence between Alara and Maiyu.

Maiyu then said with a laugh, "You like Aeru!"

"Shut up Maiyu!"

"Okay, but you'll have to explain to Aeru what just happened when X tells him."

"What!?"

She then put her hand on her mouth to stop herself from yelling. She then looked at Rick and caught her breath when he began to wake up.

Rick then looked at Alara and Maiyu and said, "What's with the yelling and laughing? I was actually having a nice sleep...wait...why is my neck so numb?"

Alara then yelled, "I HAVE NO IDEA!"

Rick looked at her with a confused look, "Umm okay...Maiyu what happened?"

Maiyu then responded, "Well Alara..." Alara closed her mouth with Psychic and made her float into the bathroom and closed the door.

Alara then said, "Take a bath Maiyu!"

Rick then said, "What was that for?"

"She just needs to get ready for today."

"But you cut her off and virtually threw her in the bathroom."

"Shut up and get up!"

"Well you woke up in quite the mood today."

She then sighed and calmed down, "I just had...quite the night."

"Well you look well rested."

"Oh trust me it wasn't because of insomnia."

"Nightmare?"

"No, I had an...interesting dream."

"Okay? I'm just going to let it go. But seriously, why is my neck numb?"

"...I have no idea."

Rick then rolled his eyes and got up to order breakfast for all of them. Alara just laid back down on the bed and thought about what she just did and what she did last night. She was trying to recall the dream she had last night and then it returned to her memory.

[Alara's Dream]

Alara was at the beach with Rick and no one else seemed to be around them or with them. Alara was holding onto his arm and then suddenly he took off running. Alara quickly took off after him and after a few moments of running she remembered that she was much slower than he was.

"Rick...wait...I can't run...as fast as you can." She said while panting.

Rick then stopped and chuckled before looking back. "Sorry, I just wanted some fun."

"It's okay. Should of given me a heads up though." She then sat down on the beach. "I always loved coming here. Ever since I was a baby my parents would always bring me here. It's always been a yearly tradition to come here and take a day off. I wonder if I'll come with them here again this year."

"Maybe but that's between you and them." He then sat down next to her. "I rarely go to beaches but I always found them to be calming."

Alara then smiled, "Well I hope you enjoy it. Odd for someone who constantly travels."

"Well everything I do is odd. I expected you to realize this by now."

"Oh nothing surprises me anymore." Alara then looked at Rick's hands. "How are your hands since the fight with Giovanni's pokemon? You grabbed their Horn Drills with your bare hands...to protect me."

Rick then showed her his palms and Alara saw huge bruises on his palms. They were healing but they still looked very painful.

"Do they hurt?"

"A little. It stings a little when I hold things but it's nothing serious. I can still function and fight. My arms are still sore from the fight though, but once again it doesn't hinder me. It's been two days since the contest so still being sore doesn't surprise me."

Alara then grabbed his right hand and looked at the bruise, "I put you through so much pain in the short few months we've been together."

"I'm used to pain, besides I protect you because I want to."

"Thanks but you're becoming a shield for me. I don't like seeing you like that."

"Oh well. It's my job and you're my best friend."

Alara then giggled, "What about Seras and Jean?"

"They're my best brother and sister. They're best friends in the sense that we're extremely close. You're someone who isn't related to me or sworn into a pact sibling-hood. So you technically count as my best friend."

"That's actually sorta sweet."

"And I wasn't trying."

They both then laughed and Rick looked at his Poketch, "It's late already. Sunset or, more specifically, 6:30."

"Already?"

"Yeah." Rick then looked at the horizon. "Look."

Alara then looked and saw the sun disappearing into the horizon. "Wow. Everytime I see that...it makes me happy. It's always so beautiful."

Rick then said, "But we're facing south. How is sun setting here?"

"It's not. The Sanctuary's invisible psychic barrier actually reflects the sun's rays. Making it look like it's here."

"I still have a lot to learn."

Alara then smiled at him, "Well you'll be with me for that time. I'll teach you everything I know."

Rick then chuckled, "I'll like that. I get to enjoy my time with you and learn. Not like I don't learn something about you everyday."

"And I learned a lot about you. We're back in each other's lives and it's been great."

Rick then chuckled louder, "You can say that again." He then turned his head back towards the horizon and Alara looked at him and bit her lower lip.

She then got his attention, "Rick?"

Rick then turned his head, "Yeah...?" He was then cut off by Alara pressing her lips onto his in a passionate kiss. Rick didn't fight the kiss. Instead, he returned the kiss and held her in place.

Alara then involuntarily pushed him on his back and kept kissing him, only stopping to breathe every so often. The moment was then interrupted by someone tapping her arm and forcing her out of her sleep.

[In reality]

Alara was laying down on the bed with her eyes wide open after realizing what she was dreaming about. She was a little shaken and very embarrassed since X and Maiyu were watching all of it unfold in reality. Alara then looked around the room and saw Rick in the porch playing his violin.

She then placed her hands over her eyes, "Oh Arceus! I can't believe this! Mom and dad are winning...I'm in love with Rick!"

Maiyu then popped her head over the bed, "I knew it!"

Alara then pulled her close with Psychic and then put her hand to her mouth, "Listen here Maiyu, you better not tell him. Also, what's the deal with eavesdropping on me?" She then let go of Maiyu.

"I was just coloring on the floor and then I heard you talk. So I wasn't eavesdropping on you, I was just in the room when you said that. Also, why don't you want Aeru to know? You two would be an awesome couple."

"You'll learn when you're an adult. Until then, don't say anything about what you just heard."

"Okay I won't I promise...Pinkie Promise."

"Okay I trust you but you better not let your tongue loose. Go to your cousin. I have to make a call real quick and then I'll join both of you on the porch."

Maiyu then gave her a thumbs up and ran into the porch where she sat down in the chair next to Rick. Alara then grabbed her Poketch from her bag and dialed Amber's number.

Amber then picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Hi sis!"

"Hi Ally! How are you?"

"Conflicted."

"How?...Oh Arceus what did you and Rick do?"

"We didn't do anything."

"So why are you feeling conflicted?...Oh Arceus it happened, didn't it?"

"What?"

"You fell in love with him."

Alara's voice then grew serious, "Are the other girls with you right now?"

"No, I just woke up. I haven't even gotten off my bed yet."

"Good!" Alara then sighed, "Yeah. I realized that I fell in love with him."

"How did you find out? Butterflies in stomach, loose feeling, urge to suck face?"

"I woke up this morning and I realized that I gave him a hickey as we slept."

"That...is...gold! Wait until mom and dad here this one."

Alara's voice then grew harsh, "If you even mention this to anyone I will go to Eterna Forest, find your real parents, make your mom rebirth you, and rename you 'My Bitch'. Don't fuck with me!"

"Okay! Okay! I'll shut up. Wow you woke up in the mood."

"Sorry, I just didn't expect this."

"Listen just tell him. What's the worse that can happen?"

"I really don't want to know. I'm glad I can mask my emotions from him...to a point."

"So you're just going to hide it from a being that has been trained like a detective, super soldier, and super weapon?"

"I never said I was going to keep it in forever. I just need some time to get it together and make a decision."

"I hope you two do get together. I've never seen you so close to a male before. Also, you guys have been friends since you guys were babies. If anything you two have all the credentials for a relationship."

"I guess you're right but..." She then stopped talking when she heard the porch door open. "I gotta go sis. Talk to you later. Bye!" She then hung up the call.

Rick then entered the room with Maiyu sitting on his shoulder, attempting to play his violin. Maiyu then gave up and gave it back to him.

Rick then looked at Alara, "Are you going to stay in bed all day? We have to meet up with Dawn and May before we leave."

Alara then nodded and teleported into the bathroom and then shut the door.

Maiyu then said, "Well looks like she's getting ready for you."

"Excuse me Maiyu?"

"Oh nothing. Let's go eat breakfast already. I'm hungry!"

"Alright. Go eat!"

Maiyu then teleported to her sear while Rick took out her food and placed it in front of her so she could start eating. He then sat down and ate his breakfast, waiting for Alara to finish freshening up. It took about twenty minutes but Alara finally came out of the bathroom and ate her breakfast.

Rick then asked, "So what's on your mind?"

Alara then said, "Huh?"

"I can sense that something is bothering you. Want to talk about it?"

"Nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking."

"Really? I'm starting to get worried."

She then gave a slight smile, "I'm alright Rick. Thanks for looking out for me, but I'm okay."

"If you say so." Rick sent her a small smile which she returned the smile. Maiyu was just looking at them with a wide smile and closed one eye before drinking her juice and giggling.

Ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door and Rick went to check on who was there. He then smiled when he saw Dawn and May at the door and quickly opened it and they soon entered and greeted one another.

Dawn then said, "It sucks that you guys have to go already. I wish we could of had more time to hang out."

Alara then said, "I know! I was really enjoying your company in the last few days. Maybe I can get you two clearance to visit the Sanctuary."

May then said, "Oh please do! It sounds like an awesome place. A city made up of only pokemon, mainly from the Ralts line."

"I'll talk to my parents to give you guys passage immediately when I arrive. My dad will surely give it. He's an awesome guy."

"I really want to meet him."

Rick then said, "Oh he's really friendly. I tries to make you part of the family...and I can't stress that enough."

Alara then looked at him and laughed silently, "Well that's true in a way."

May then said, "What is?"

"My parents have been trying to get me and Rick together."

"Wait, you guys aren't mates?" Dawn then waved her hands to stop May from asking the question.

"No." Alara said plainly.

Dawn then said, "Wait...you guys didn't her mad or irritated."

Rick then said, "We kinda got used to it after being asked that about a few hundred times. We just say 'no' now and leave it at that."

"Oh okay." She then turned to May. "Now then. We just came to say goodbye."

"It's really nice of you guys to do that. Where are you guys headed from here?"

"Well we're headed back to Twinleaf Town and then May is going back to the Hoenn Region for a while."

"Oh really?" He then looked at May. "So you're from the Hoenn Region?" May nodded. "I was actually raised and grew up there. Twenty-one years and then came here."

May then said, "That's awesome...what city?"

"Fortree City."

"I'm from Littleroot Town."

Rick then chuckled, "Well we learn something new everyday. Anyways, there is a sports car on the outskirts of town waiting to take you both to Twinleaf Town as we speak."

Dawn then said, "How?"

"Did you see the guards outside the room?"

"What guards?"

"Exactly." Rick then yelled. "Good job guys!"

He then received a reply from the hallway, "Thank you sir!"

Dawn and the rest of the girls then looked outside the doors and could not find out where the guards were or where their voices came from. They then looked at Rick who shrugged his shoulders in response.

Dawn then said, "So I guess we have a free ride back home. Thanks Rick!"

"You're very welcome. Anyways, we have to go. Our flight leaves in fifteen minutes, so we have to get going."

"Alright. Bye guys!"

"Bye Dawn! Bye May!"

They all then gave their farewells and parted ways to get back to their homes. Rick had ordered a limo for May and Dawn and they got into their own limo and left the hotel and got back into the jet.

Not too long after Rick, Alara, and Maiyu arrived at the Sanctuary where they were immediately sent to the Chief's Court by the guards. Rick and Alara were already not surprised that they were sent for the moment they arrived and teleported to the Chief's Court.

In the Chief's Court, Alara's parents were speaking to Rick's team and were soon cut off by Rick, Alara, and Maiyu appearing in the middle of the room. Rick was surprised to see all of his friends in the room but ignored it and waited for Alara's parents to speak.

Alara's mom then said, "Good to see you both. Your performance was amazing last night, we all saw it."

Alara then said, "We're very aware of that. Thank you Jean!"

Jean then said, "No problem little lady!"

Alara's mom then said, "Anyways, we had a reason for calling all of you here and the reason is that you are all getting a day off tomorrow."

Rick then said, "Another?"

"Hear me out. We're ALL getting a day off tomorrow. We're having a day out at the beach."

Once Alara said that her heart stopped for a quick second and she then returned to reality. Rick however seemed to tell that something was wrong with her.

Rick then asked her, "Are you okay?"

She then responded, "Yes...I'm...fine."

"You don't sound..."

Alara then interrupted him, "I'm fine Rick! I just have a lot on my mind."

Everyone was still in an awkward silence after that and then Alara's dad broke the silence, "Anyways, we want to take a beach day. So everyone should go home and prepare for it...also, Seras is back."

Everyone then gave a collective 'huh?'. They all then heard someone walking down the flight of stairs and saw Seras, in her pokemon form, walking down.

Once she reached the bottom she said, "Missed me?"

Dartz then turned into his pokemon form and pounced on his sister, "Only a whole lot! Do you know how annoying it was to deal with Jean virtually by myself?"

Jean then said, "I resent that statement."

"Who the hell cares!? The other guys are always busy with...something. Rick and Alara are always with each other doing Arceus-know-what, the girls are always in different dens, and I'm stuck with you!"

Seras then laughed and walked up to Rick and Alara, "So you two have been spending almost all your time together?"

Rick then said, "Yeah, Alara wanted to compete in a contest and convinced me to make it happen."

"I know, I saw the contest back home. You guys did amazing. Did you keep the ribbons?" Alara then took out a case that May gave her and showed Seras her ribbon and Rick pulled his case out. "That's awesome. Only four more and you two can enter in the Grand Festival."

Rick then said, "Let's not give Alara any ideas. That last contest was way too close for my liking."

"Oh yeah. I freaked out when I saw Giovanni. You're lucky that he didn't recognize you or there was going to be a blood bath."

"I know...but I still got a hit on him."

"Was that just out of spite or rage?"

"Both. I wanted to hurt him for all the crap he did to me, but I couldn't kill him with people around me. He then began to touch me and Alara and when he started to pet Alara I let one loose and busted his nose."

Seras then sighed and then giggled, "Well I'm glad you had fun. So who's up for a beach day!?" Everyone then gave a collective "aye!". "Good so let's get to buying our swimsuits already. We're going to be there all day tomorrow."

Jean then said, "Lucian, get the footballs."

Lucian replied, "You know it!"

Gloria then said, "Can you guys ever go to a beach and not play beach football?"

Jean then said, "Hey you girls don't do anything at the beach besides work on your tans. We like to play a nice, competitive, violent game of beach football." Jean then leaned down to say to Serenity and Winston, "Or as you Brits call it 'hand-egg'."

Serenity then said, "Oh shut up!"

Everyone then laughed and then departed for their homes to prepare for the day of fun the following day. All the guys made a check list of things that they will need for the beach day: Grill, football, hamburger meat, bread, paper plates and cups, a lot of soda, hot dogs, taco shells, taco ingredients, a lot of first aid kits, and two drink coolers with ice. All the guys split the list and went shopping for the day while the girls focused on their swimsuits.

In the afternoon, Alara was in her house after arriving from buying her swimsuit. She quickly went upstairs, sat down in front of her mirror, and began to brush her hair. She then sighed and sank her face into her hands.

"Why the hell do I feel like this? X, Rick's parents, or Arceus, if you can hear me tell me what the hell I'm supposed to do."

She then rose here head and looked into her mirror. Her eyes then shot open when she saw a humanoid figure standing in the middle of her room. She quickly turned around and teleported her sword into her hands. She then stood up and looked at the being. The being looked almost human, with long white and gold hair, it was wearing a white cloak with a golden brim. Alara could not see its feet or its face as its face was covered by a golden veil. What alarmed Alara more was the fact that it had a blade in a sheath on his side.

Alara then asked the being, "Who hell are you!? Are you here to harm me? Are you part of Team Rocket?"

The being then spoke, his voice was gentle and powerful, "Be in peace Alara. I am an ally. You asked me for help so I came."

Alara then got out of her stance and stared at the being, "Who are you?"

"It would of been a danger to come to you in my true form. I am your master and Aeruthael's master. I am the first of all. I am Arceus."

Alara quickly dropped her sword, "Is this true?"

"Yes child. I came here in this form but this is just my image. I never leave the Hall of Origin but I can manifest myself this way. Besides, no Team Rocket member can pass your psychic barrier in this place. I'm here because you called for me."

"I wasn't really expecting anything to happen."

"Well I'm here now. I always listen."

"Why did you even bother coming to see me?"

"Because you are my child. I must listen to you. Also, because you have a part in this war. You are supposed to help Aeruthael along in his task. From beginning to end and really soon. That war will begin and you will have a part to do with that."

"I don't understand. Am I going to do something to cause the war?"

"Not necessarily but it will be because of you."

"I'm so confused but I'm not going to ask. I'd rather wait for it to happen."

"True, this is not the reason for me to being here. So you're having trouble with your emotions?"

Alara then sighed, "Yes. I'm trying to not distract myself because I feel like I'm in love with Rick."

"How is that a bad thing? To me it makes sense that you have these feelings. He's the closest to you and you admire him incredibly. I see it as natural that you wish to mate with him."

"Alright, I never said that now."

"You're forgetting who you're talking to. I can tell anything that's going on with you."

"Listen, can we just get back to my emotion part of the conversation?"

"As you wish." He then sat down on a chair in Alara's room. "Emotions were created so that my creations can have their own personalities and live accordingly. I know that they probably conflicting at time but it made my creations into individuals. No two individuals are completely the same and...to be honest, it is very entertaining. You're emotions are understandable, you love him and want to be with him. That is what I see and I wanted you to accept."

"Wait, you knew this will happen?...oh wait, stupid question."

"There's is no such thing as a stupid question. I actually saw your dream last night. Needless to say, you're confused how the setting is turning to be the same setting your going to be in. Follow your dream like a script and keep going. Regret nothing that you do. It will all happen for a reason tomorrow. I wish it could happen sooner but things have to take their own time. So I sent a preemptive prior."

"Wait, that's actually going to happen?"

"Yes. If you didn't call for me you would of done it regardless. Don't be afraid of Aeruthael. He is not afraid of you so show him in kind."

"So there's no way around it?"

"If you want it to happen. If want something different then I will understand. It's a lot to take in and I haven't been the largest of help."

Alara's voice then had a hint of sadness and pity, "You know. You couldn't changed his life if you wanted to. Probably stopped all that sorrow and pain. Maybe he could of been happy."

Arceus then gave a long sigh, "I know. I hate thinking about that but it needed to happen. I wish I could take it all back and change his life for the better but then this plan would of not worked. He was chosen because he had the capacity to take the pain and to respond to it correctly. I did not choose him out of the blue, I had to see if he could take it. He was so young though and everything so horrible. I've never seen such a young person take so much pain and carry it with him."

"He carried his pain?"

"He never let go of it. He continued to carry it behind him and put on a brave face. The truth is that he is always in pain. Being a Project means that you will always be in pain but you learn to live with it. Rick's pain was the worst. He was the only orphan among the Project and he went through more pain than the others. The experimentation was horrible, it killed him a few times but I would not allow him to die. I always feel like I should of stopped it earlier but my plan would not allow me. I made him the scapegoat and then turned him into the devil, in Team Rocket's case. They even codenamed him 'the Devil' because of how he turned out."

"So he had to go through it and he's still in pain? I can't imaging it."

"Oh but see he is not in pain anymore. He gave up his powers, giving his body room to recover. He formed a new family to cope with his real family's death, and he eventually made it back home. I made him suffer, so I gave him comfort. I'm not asking for you and Aeru to forgive me, I just hope both of you can understand."

"Was I a part of that healing process? Did I help?"

"Yes, in your own way. I took his best friend away and then I returned her to him. It was hilarious to be honest but it had a greater purpose. You make him happy and that's what I wanted. I also returned his parents to him, though they are dead but he can see them and have a relationship with them."

"What about his sister? After her death he never saw her. I feel like he's confused on how he can see his parents but his sister is nowhere in sight."

Arceus sank his head at the comment, "She cannot face him...yet."

"Doesn't she love him. I mean she loved him so much."

"She still loves him but there were circumstances that made her not want to face him. She's a little ashamed but she's also sad. She will not allow me to bring her to him. It's sad, even for me, but she made up her mind."

A tear then came to Alara's eye, "That's...really sad. The person Rick loved most in his life and she doesn't want him to see her."

"It's not out of spite. It's out of shame. It makes me feel bad that I had to take everything away from him but I'm a being of mercy. I will make everything right but he has to give me some time and I can't do it alone. Which is why I also chose you to help me out...scratch the 'me' I just said. Replace it with Aeru."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

"Keep doing what you're doing. You're changing his life, little by little. But as it was once said, 'The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.' Aeru's journey began but he didn't take a step, he crawled on his stomach for some of the distance. His friends helped him crawl on his hands and knees. You...helped him get up and walk the rest of the distance. When you actually take the time to think about it, maybe a thousand miles isn't too much of a challenge. Once you start walking you might stretch your journey from a thousand miles to ten thousand, maybe a hundred thousand, or maybe a million. It does not matter as long as you get from point A to point B. But I decided that will not travel alone, he has others and you."

"Anywhere he goes I will follow. If that is what I'm supposed to do."

"No, you will not follow him. You will lead the way with him."

A knock was then heard at Alara's door, it was Amber who then said, "Alara! I'm home. What are you doing?"

Arceus then said, "Go ahead, open it."

Alara then got up from her seat and opened the door and saw Amber in the hallway carrying the swimsuit that she was going to wear the following day.

"So what are you doing sis?"

Alara then answered, "Just fixing up my hair. What are you going to do?"

"Oh just make myself some dinner and then head straight to my room and watch tv."

Alara then gave her a giggle, "Alright. Go enjoy yourself."

"You got it! Bye sis!"

Alara then closed the door and looked at Arceus, "She didn't see you."

"Like X, only those that I allow to see me will I appear to. She cannot see me or hear me. Nor can she hear you when you're talking to me."

"I guess that makes sense." Alara then looked at her window and saw X standing in front of it.

X then walked up to them and said, "Enough questions. You know what to do. Make it...entertaining." He said as he disappeared with a laugh.

Arceus then said with a chuckle, "Oh X, always looking for entertainment but always knowing when to be serious. He's an interesting individual. As long as he is around Rick will continue to advance in strength. Believe it or not Rick is learning more about his power the longer X is with him. I will soon wield that sword like X wields it. Anyways, I have no more to tell you. Do what you want now Alara. The decision is your's and your's alone. Goodbye!"

Alara then bowed her head, "Goodbye my lord!"

Arceus then faded from view and Alara was left alone in her room. She then laid down on her bed to think about everything she had heard and what she knew might happen the following day.

[The Following Day]

The entire team arrived at the beach south of the Sanctuary and the boys wasted no time to drop everything on the beach and take off with the football. Rick walked up to the beach with Alara holding onto his arm and she then let him go so he could tackle Lucian to the ground and take the ball. Alara then cringed when she saw Wayland tackle Rick.

Alara then walked up to Amari, who was cooking on the grill. She then looked around and saw everyone in their human forms so she decided to turn human as well.

Alara then looked at the guys playing football and saw them destroying one another. She then asked Amari, "Good Arceus! They're supposed to be tackling one another not obliterating each other."

Amari then giggled and said, "Why do you think we have so many first aid kits? This happens all the time."

Amari then saw Jean running with the ball and handed Alara the spatula, "Hold this for me for a quick second." Alara grabbed the spatula and Amari went running towards Jean and drop kicked him, taking the ball, dodging a tackle from Sage, and throwing it at Allen. She then went back to the grill, "Sorry about that and thank you. Yeah, I love the game. I'm the toughest girl here."

Gloria then landed near her and said, "Go play if you want. I'll take care of the food."

"Thanks Gloria!"

Amari then ran back to the game and clothelined Shadow for the ball and began to run with it. She was then cut off by Bolt. She then threw the ball at his crotch and kicked him when he fell on his knees and took off running again. She then jumped on Wayland's head made him carry her to the goal but Rick managed to take the ball from her by hitting her with a Psycho Cut. Jean then took it back hitting him with a Blaze Kick in the gut and suplexing him.

Alara just looked at the game and asked Seras, "So what's the point to beating the shit out of each other?"

Seras then responded, "You do realize that they almost always forget to keep score? The game hasn't even started. So I don't understand what they're doing."

It took another thirty minutes for the food to be ready and that alone stopped the guys and Amari from killing one another. Everyone then went back to the grill and grabbed food to eat and sat down on the beach to eat. Maiyu sat on Rick's shoulder and ate while Rick and Alara ate next to each other.

Alara's dad then said, "So it looks like food stops you guys from killing each other."

Sage then said, "Oh we can take anything we can dish on each other. Also, damn it Amari you took Shadow's jaw out."

Shadow then said, "It took me a while to push it back in place. At least I'm not Bolt. I'm surprised he kept his balls."

Bolt almost said 'bitch' but stopped once he saw Maiyu on Rick's shoulder. "You're a mean person."

Everyone then began to laugh and finished their meals. They then put the trash in a pile and Jean torched it with a pile of branches and dead wood, creating a bonfire. Every then began to have fun around the bonfire. They began to play music, tell stories, play in the water, and joke around, just enjoying each other's company.

It was beginning to become sunset and the girls changed from their swimsuits back to their regular clothes, or went back to their pokemon forms. The boys just transformed back into their pokemon forms.

Alara soon came back from changing and saw Rick on the beach playing with Maiyu. The sight of both of them and Rick being so fatherly to Maiyu made Alara smile wide. Alara then swallowed the lump in her throat and took a deep breath before walking over to them. Once she got there Maiyu waved to her and Rick chuckled.

"Hey Alara. Want to play with Maiyu too?"

"Maybe later. Want to go for a walk Rick?"

"To where?"

"Just a walk on the beach. Nothing extravagant."

Rick then put Maiyu down and told her, "Okay Maiyu. Go play with Seras. I'll be back soon."

Maiyu then said, "Okay cousin Aeru. Don't take too long though. I want to play more."

"I'll be back little tike. Now go."

Maiyu then skipped towards Seras and Alara took Rick's arm and began to walk with him along the beach, away from the others. Alara was waiting for all the events in her dream to come true and she fought the urge to just kiss him and get it over it but she wanted to stay true to the timeline. She just waited for him to start running off ahead of her.

Rick noticed Alara's uneasiness, "Alara, seriously you've been acting weird for the past few days. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine Rick. Just thinking."

"About?"

"You probably don't want to know. I want to keep it to myself."

"That's not very healthy. Come on, you can tell me anything."

"I know I can but it's too personal. It's nothing bad though. I'm just thinking about it."

Rick then gave a concerned grunt but decided to drop the subject. "Say Alara, how do you think your training is going?"

"It's going great! I feel stronger, that's for sure. I have a lot more stamina then usual."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Rick then gave a small laugh and took off running. Alara then chased after him and she suddenly realized what was happening and then smiled and remembered what she had to say.

"Rick...wait...I can't run...as fast as you can." She said while panting.

Rick then stopped and chuckled before looking back. "Sorry, I just wanted some fun."

Alara then gave a chuckled. This was actually happening "It's okay. Should of given me a heads up though." She remembered to sit down on the beach. "I always loved coming here. Ever since I was a baby my parents would always bring me here. It's always been a yearly tradition to come here and take a day off. I wonder if I'll come with them here again this year." She said with a hopeful look on her face.

"Maybe but that's between you and them." Rick then sat down next to her, like in her dream. "I rarely go to beaches but I always found them to be calming."

Alara then smiled, "Well I hope you enjoy it. Odd for someone who constantly travels."

"Well everything I do is odd. I expected you to realize this by now."

"Oh nothing surprises me anymore." Alara then remembered to ask about his hand wounds. "How are your hands since the fight with Giovanni's pokemon? You grabbed their Horn Drills with your bare hands...to protect me."

Rick then showed her his palms.

"Do they hurt?" She said, pretending to be concerned.

"A little. It stings a little when I hold things but it's nothing serious. I can still function and fight. My arms are still sore from the fight though, but once again it doesn't hinder me. It's been two days since the contest so still being sore doesn't surprise me."

Alara then grabbed his right hand and almost cried while she spoke, "I put you through so much pain in the short few months we've been together."

"I'm used to pain, besides I protect you because I want to."

"Thanks but you're becoming a shield for me. I don't like seeing you like that."

"Oh well. It's my job and you're my best friend."

Alara held back her feelings a bit longer and kept the conversation going, "What about Seras and Jean?"

"They're my best brother and sister. They're best friends in the sense that we're extremely close. You're someone who isn't related to me or sworn into a pact sibling-hood. So you technically count as my best friend."

"That's actually sorta sweet."

"And I wasn't trying."

They both then laughed and Rick looked at his Poketch, "It's late already. Sunset or, more specifically, 6:30."

"Already?"

"Yeah." Rick then looked at the horizon. "Look."

Alara then looked at the sunset and then back at Rick, almost forgetting what to say until it dawned on her again. "Wow. Everytime I see that...it makes me happy. It's always so beautiful."

Rick then said, "But we're facing south. How is sun setting here?"

"It's not. The Sanctuary's invisible psychic barrier actually reflects the sun's rays. Making it look like it's here."

"I still have a lot to learn."

Alara then smiled wider, "Well you'll be with me for that time. I'll teach you everything I know."

Rick then chuckled, "I'll like that. I get to enjoy my time with you and learn. Not like I don't learn something about you everyday."

"And I learned a lot about you. We're back in each other's lives and it's been great."

Rick then chuckled louder, "You can say that again." He then turned his head back towards the horizon and Alara looked at him and bit her lower lip.

She then got his attention, "Rick?"

A voice then came from a nearby hill, "Aww how romantic!"

They both then looked back and saw a unwanted and unexpected sight. Epsilon was standing on the hill looking at them and laughing.

Rick then jumped on his feet and drew his blades, "Epsilon! What the hell are you doing here!? How did you find me!?"

"Simple tracking skills. I don't know where you've been staying but I was still able to find you. Anyways, looks like you two were having a moment. How bad of me to have interrupted!" She said sarcastically and then broke down into a laugh again.

Alara quickly turned her head and let tear loose and then quickly whipped it before turning back to look at Epsilon. She then teleported her sword to her hands and took her position.

Rick then said, "You have two seconds to get out of here! I don't want to fight today, I was actually enjoying this day."

"Oh really? Well Alpha I can tell you were enjoying your time. Any longer and you two would of been making out in a heartbeat."

Alara didn't say anything. She just gasped and then shook it off and turned her Poketch on and dialed Seras's number secretly, so that they can here what was going on.

Rick then said, "Epsilon just leave! I don't want to fight."

"Listen here! You started this fight the moment you returned on my radar. I thought I would of never of worried about you again. You humiliated me! You made me feel inferior again! No one is stronger than me! No one! And for that I decided to destroy you at any cost."

"And how do you intend on doing that?"

"Oh you'll find out."

Rick then looked at his palm and saw Epsilon's 'E' on his palm, just then two more symbols appeared on his hand. An 'N' and an 'M' and Rick then realized that there were two more Projects with Epsilon.

"Damn it! Project Mu and Nu!"

Two Projects then came from the forest behind Epsilon and laughed with her. Mu was a Skarmory and Nu was a Sandslash. A large group of Specters also followed them out of the forest,

Epsilon then said, "You're out manned Alpha! Also, how could you tell that they were here?"

"I'm the Alpha Project. I know what Projects are nearby and I know what Greek name goes with the symbol. I've never seen the other Projects passed Project Theta but I can name the Projects by their symbols."

"The luck of the Alpha. Besides, you're not my target today Alpha. So just step aside! I want the Gardevoir."

Alara then gasped and Rick grabbed her and put her behind him. "Over my dead body!"

"That can be arranged. Mu! Nu! Get me that girl!"

Mu and Nu then lunged at Rick and Alara. Rick charged a Fire Punch and an Ice Punch on his hands to take on both Projects. Just then Jean and Serenity appeared out of nowhere and knocked the two Projects out of the way, followed by the other team members.

Rick then held Alara to shield her from Jean's flame attacks, that were exploding everywhere. Alara just held onto him and then looked at him. She was shocked. Why would Arceus want her to follow her dream if this was going to happen? She then looked back and saw X standing on top of the water and walking towards them.

He then stopped and told Alara in a message only she could hear, "This wasn't supposed to happen. I was too late to make things happen according to plan. My job was to keep things in order but something happened in the timeline that I can't explain too well. I was working on keeping you two alone for this time but another matter needed my attention. I thought I could of attended to both but it looks like I was wrong. Alara, you need to try to stay away from Epsilon and her goons. Mu and Nu are made from her DNA and she has her Fragments with her. Look out!"

Alara then looked and dodged a scythe attack from Epsilon. She then punched Epsilon and Rick knocked her back. Epsilon then got back on her feet and snapped her fingers and the Specters attacked them. Rick's team then went on the defensive and took on the Specter army. Two other pokemon then came out of the forest and laughed as they came next to Epsilon.

Epsilon stayed in place and watched as Rick and his team decimated the Specters and held back the Projects. After the last Specter got killed by Amari Epsilon began to clap her hands.

"Great job! I knew you guys would win. Anyways, let me introduce you guys to my Fragments." The two pokemons, a Delcatty and a Swellow with Epsilon's symbol on their cheeks.

Alara then asked Rick, "What a Fragment?"

Rick then answered her, "A Fragment is just like a Remnant. They're different in the sense that they are created scientifically instead of their master injecting their DNA into them. The DNA is incorporated into them and they share a few similar abilities. They are just as strong as Remnants but there are way too few of them. Projects are limited to only two at a time and they're only for the first five Projects."

"I see. What do they want with me?"

"I don't know and I don't want to find out right now. I have to get you back to the Sanctuary without them following."

Epsilon then lunged towards Rick and tackled him to the floor and brought the scythe down on his neck but he blocked it with his dad's blade and kicked her off. At that moment the battle was on with the Delcatty making more Specters and sending them into the battlefield. Seras then went to fight the Delcatty, while Jean fought Mu, Serenity fought Nu, and Gloria fought the Swellow.

Rick was desperately trying to protect Alara from Epsilon but it was becoming more difficult with Epsilon's rapid movements and Rick focusing more on Alara's position than Epsilon's movements. Rick then closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He then charged a Focus Punch and swung at random, hitting Epsilon and sending her flying back.

Epsilon then gave a loud growl and sprang back to her feet and disappeared into thin air and punched Rick in the stomach and uppercut him. She then grabbed his legs and slammed him on the floor and threw him back into the air and hit him with a Night Slash, launching him into a tree.

Epsilon then turned back to look at Alara and then laughed maniacally. She then grabbed Alara by her neck and lifted her up. "Oh poor, poor little Gardevoir. You're mate was weak. You're going to be useful to me."

Alara then kicked Epsilon in the face, making here let go of her. She then hit her with a Signal Beam, knocking her on her back. Epsilon then got back up and tried to slash Alara with her scythe but Alara blocked it and disappeared. She reappeared and punched her repeatedly. Epsilon quickly hit her with a Dark Pulse and grabbed her before she could fly away.

"Looks like Alpha trained you a little. That actually hurt. I'd rather end this quickly." She then felt someone pulled her shoulder. She turned her head and was met by Rick's Drain Punch. Rick then pulled her back into a knee in her stomach. He then hit her with an X-Scissors and kicked her onto the Swellow.

Rick then said with a livid tone on his voice, "I've just about had it!" He then charged a gatling gun on his blades and then fired it, taking out the Specters and hurting the Projects and Fragments. Rick then began to walk towards the downed Rockets with his eyes glowing red and his aura at full blast. "I was enjoying my life so much before you guys returned into it. I thought I could live my life without you interfering. You're an obstacle and obstacles must get destroyed."

Epsilon then smiled and said, "You fell for it."

"Huh?"

Rick then felt something pounce on him and hold him down. He then saw Project Mu and Nu holding him down and Epsilon using Night Daze to harm everyone around Alara. Epsilon then moved towards Alara and laughed again. Rick's rage then exploded and her pushed both Projects off of him and used Night Daze to get them away from him.

Epsilon looked back and was shocked that he used her species' signature attack. "How did you use that?"

"Don't worry about that! Now die!"

Rick then disappeared and reappeared choking Epsilon, like last time. His fangs were out and he was growling loudly. Mu then appeared behind Rick and grabbed Rick and pulled him off of Epsilon. Rick then turned around and hit him with a Fire Punch. Epsilon then drove a Specter's spear through Rick as he turned back to attack her. Rick then fell onto the ground, unable to move looked at Alara telling her to 'run'.

Alara didn't run, she just fell to her knees next to Rick and tried to heal him but couldn't get the spear out of him. She then heard Epsilon laugh and Epsilon then stomped on Rick's stomach.

"What's wrong? Can't move? Sucks, doesn't it?"

While Epsilon was taunting them, Serenity got up after shaking off the daze effects of the Night Daze. She then saw Epsilon beating a downed Rick and the Swellow, now in human form, holding Alara and making her watch as Epsilon beat him. The mere sight made Serenity furious, so she charged a Megahorn and ran towards Epsilon, succeeding in hitting her and knocking her onto a rock. She then headbutted the Swellow off of Alara and hit it with an Ice Beam, dazing him.

After getting freed by Serenity, Alara went to Rick and saw him barely conscious and bleeding from his mouth and nostrils. She then remembered about the spear in his gut and quickly tried to pull it out, succeeding after a few agonizing moments for Rick. She then used Healing Pulse on him to keep him conscious. He kept on bleeding so Alara ripped a part of her dress's skirt and used it to wipe off the blood on his face.

Rick then grabbed her wrist, "Alara...I told you to run. Get...out...of here!" He said in between breaths.

Alara then said, "Everyone was knocked out thanks to Epsilon's overpowered Night Daze. I can't leave you to suffer or worse."

"What's more important right now?"

"...I really don't know what to do."

Alara then gave him another Healing Pulse and he got up with a Recover. Rick then drew his dad's sword again and they watched in time to see Epsilon and Serenity fight one another.

Serenity was succeeding in holding Epsilon back and damaging her. Epsilon was trying hard to hit her but Serenity kept disappearing and attacking her when she reappeared. Serenity then went into her human form and drew her scythe to combat Epsilon.

Epsilon then said, "Alpha has been training you well. Are you his Remnant?"

Serenity then gave a contempt chuckle, "No, but he trained me well enough to fight a Project...at least for a while."

"Really, then come at me!" Epsilon said as she put her scythe on her back and stood still.

Serenity then charged at her with an X-Scissors and attacked her. When her attack reached Epsilon, it went straight through her as if she was a ghost. Serenity then turned back to see Epsilon and was met with Epsilon's scythe slashing her from her shoulder to the end of her waist. Serenity then fell onto the ground, easily mortally wounded. Epsilon then stood over her to finish her off but was knocked back by Sage hitting her with a Megahorn and then checked on Serenity.

Epsilon fell back and then stood up and moved back to attack Sage but was blocked by Jean and Wayland. Sage was extremely worried for his partner and tried to keep her conscious.

Sage was telling her, "Serenity, stay awake! Don't go to sleep! If you go to sleep, you won't wake up!" He then called for Aleerah. "Aleerah! Get over here!" Aleerah then landed next to them and began to check on Serenity. Rick then appeared with Alara and they both used Healing Pulse on her to try to heal her but the wound wouldn't close. They then heard Epsilon laugh.

Epsilon then said, "Aww what's wrong? Did you lose a friend there Alpha? I'm amazed that she's still alive. I nearly sliced her in two and hit almost all the vital organs. She won't last long though."

Rick then yelled, "EPSILON YOU BITCH!"

"What? I better end this now. Gale (the Swellow), get me the girl!"

Gale then appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Alara and returned to Epsilon, who grabbed her and held her at blade point. Rick then tried to charge at her to get Alara back but was knocked back by Projects Mu and Nu.

Epsilon then opened a portal, "If you want to do something about it, then face me in my fortress. You know where it is. I'll be waiting." She then turned around to go to the portal and saw Seras and Dartz blocking her way. "Hmmm? You're in my way!" She then kicked them out of the way and walked through the portal with Alara struggling to get free.

Rick then heard Alara yelling "RICK!" before disappearing. Projects Mu and Nu then followed through the portal and then the Delcatty. Rick then grabbed then spear that was in him and threw it at Gale before he could walk through the portal. The spear hit him and Dartz knocked him away from the portal.

Rick then turned to look at Serenity beginning to bleed out. He then asked her, "Serenity, tell me, do you want to live. Do you want to fight again and get revenge for this evil?" Serenity slowly nodded. Rick then sighed and brought the spike in his finger out and stabbed her in her neck. "Congratulations! You'll live and you've become my Remnant now."

Serenity then began to shake until the wound close and she passed out. A blue 'A' then appeared on her cheek and Rick then looked away and walked towards the downed Gale.

Rick immediately grabbed the spear and pulled it out of his chest and threw him onto the beach and began to push his head under water. "Now you're going to tell me everything you know! What is Epsilon up to!?

Gale then laughed, "What!? Were you expecting an apology?"

Winston then appeared in front of them and said, "You have no choice now! Tell us all you know!"

"Gee mister, I sure am sorry for attacking your friends and stealing the girl. I promise that I'm going to be good for now on." Gale said sarcastically. Winston then stomped on his hand. "OW! Take a joke asshole!"

"You are beginning to piss me off!"

"Alright, I'll tell you. This is what you do: You go to your local pharmacy, ask for something called Viagra, it will help you keep 'it' up so you can go fuck yourself." He then elbowed Rick and jumped through the portal and it closed.

Rick then roared out of nowhere so loud that the ground shook. He then vanished and reappeared in his house and headed straight to his dad's armory.

This chapter was fun to write and I thank you guys for reading it. Well I gotta go guys. Sorry for not having a lot to say but I'm running late for class today. Peace out!