Chapter 10… Finally! I originally created the first document on September 14, and today, (as of writing this sentence) is October the 7th. I think I'm doing pretty good in progress wise. So, to celebrate chapter 10, I'm going to tell you guys a few things about the story!

Captain Jack was originally going to be a Corviknight, hence the name. (I know crows aren't sparrows.)

Originally, Spark the Jolteon was going to end up as Lacie's cellmate, and attack Azura in the courtyard somehow.

This story was originally going to be a singular chapter, about a Leafeon and another Eeveelution swapping minds, with the aid of an Espeon! (Don't ask…)

And finally, Andre is based on André Linoge, from Stephen King's "The Storm of The Century."! (Slight spoiler for it) In it, Linoge is an ancient being, known as Legion, who is dying of old age, and forces these townfolks to give him one of their children, so he can raise them and pass on his teachings. He is also responsible for Roanoke in the story. If you figured it out before I said this, amazing job!

Not many facts, right? That's cause I have horrible memory! Also, shout-out to ShinyUmbreonlover. He's insanely awesome, and really nice to talk to!

I don't understand why, but I only feel comfortable starting when I declare the chapter starts. Therefor…

Let's begin!

Azura's eyes snapped open, taking in the bright pink room. Her head snapped around, as she was sitting on her haunches, a book before her. She sighed, rubbing her eyes with her forepaws. Apparently she had fallen asleep while reading. She looked down at the book, seeing it open to the very middle. It was a picture book, it seemed. One of the pictures was a young Eevee, nuzzling another, smaller Eevee. Beside the two were two, familiar faces. Fenris, the Furfrou, smiled at the two Eevee's lovingly, while the Flareon beside him did the same. Her mouth cracked into a smile, as she stared at the image of her younger family. After shaking the final bit of tiredness from her body, she closed the photo album, before stretching. The moon shone bright, the white orb in the sky casting it's reflected glow into her room. Her open window allowed the flow of cool, refreshing air into the bedroom. The faint sound of the city followed the air, but the sound of nearly fainter breathing caught her attention. She raised her head, looking around the pink room. The breathing was stressed, and growing louder, as if something was exercising. Azura stood up, glancing around her room once again, her head darting around quickly. Her eyes locked on to a copper and purple paw, latching on to the windowsill, as another similar paw joined it. Whoever it was began heaving themselves up, before tumbling into the window and on to the floor. Azura leaped back, her eyes wide with surprise as she stare at the Purrloin, sprawled out on the pink carpet. The Pokemon panted, as Azura leaped off of the bed and stared down the widnow. It seemed they had climbed up to it, which is, from her experience, very difficult. She turned around, staring silently at the Dark type. They coughed a bit, inhaling deeply, before standing and shaking their entire body. The Liepard turned to her, and smiled.

"Heya, Alex. It's been a while, huh?" He said, a purr hiding in his voice, which sounded like audible chocolate to her, deep and attractive.

She stared at him a bit, raising a brow. "Who are you?"

The Liepard looked slightly shook, before squinting at her closely. His eyes widened as he bowed his head slightly. "Ah, you're not Alex. My apologies. Where is he, if I may know?"

Azura stared at the Liepard, inspecting him closely. His fur was short and smooth, the same patterns decorating his pelt as any other Liepard. The only thing special she could see about him was a silver necklace adorning his neck, with half of a heart pendant.

"I may or may not know where he is. First off, who are you, and second, why did you climb through my window?"

The Liepard grinned proudly. "If I may, I have as much a right to know who you are as you do I. So, I expect your name in return. I am Nathaniel, known by friends as Nate." He bowed his entire body. The Liepard clearly had manners.

Azura nodded. "I'm Azura. Alex is my brother. Now, answer my second question, please."

The Liepard smiled again, nodding. As he opened his mouth to speak, Azura's door began to slowly and quietly open. They stared at it, as another Pokemon gently snuck into the room. The door shut behind him, as Alex sighed in relief. He looked around, eyes landing on Azura, and he smiled. But his eyes drifted towards Nathaniel, and they widened a bit, as his smile did too. He ran over and tackled the Liepard, giggling a bit as they rolled slightly.

Nathaniel gazed at Azura, and grinned. "This is why I'm here."

He wrapped his forelegs around Alex, and brought his body closer, as their heads neared eachother. Azura's eyes widened in mild surprise as she watched her brother and this stranger lock lips, in a passionate kiss. Their muzzles stayed connected for a while, before pulling apart as Nathaniel grinned childishly at Azura, while Alex's cheeks flushed slightly upon realizing his sister had saw them.

"Wow. Alex, that's so…" she stopped for a second, taking in the show of affection.

Alex stared at her, hope fading from his eyes as he seperated from the Liepard, before looking down. "Azura, I-"

He was cut off as Azura squealed like a schoolgirl seing a newborn. "Cute!"

She ran forward, tackling her surprised brother, nuzzling his neck. He laughed a bit, before returning the affection. As Azura stood from her brother, she turned to the Liepard, who was grinning madly.

"Nate, treat my brother good. I haven't seen him develop in 10 years, so I don't know how exactly he acts now, but I can already tell just from these few moments that you both adore eachother so much. It reminds me of me and…" she trailed off, before shaking her head and smiling at Nathaniel.

The Dark type smiled back, before walking over to Alex and kissing his forehead gem gingerly. Alex shivered a bit, before nuzzling the Liepard affectionately again.

Azura smiled at them once more, happy for her brother. "You know, that gem kiss reminds me of the time you licked my gem."

Alex nodded, walking over to the bed and leaping up onto it. Nathaniel followed after him, as the two lay at the edge, side by side, their fur intermingling. Alex looked at Azura, and his eyes began to glow blue. A leather satchel floated out from under the bed, and joined Alex's side. The bag opened, before multiple small, arrow like darts floated out of it. The needles were thin, she could barely see them, and the egg-shaped grips were peach colored, with multi-colored feathers poking out of the end without the steel dart. He looked at the door, before one of the darts flew forward, embedding itself in the wooden frame. The rest that he had floated out followed suite, peppering the door with small holes silently. His eyes stopped glowing, and he smiled at Azura.

"That's the battling I learned. You taught me Shadow Ball all those years ago, so I should teach you this. It's really simple, but easier to so if you can focus on things outside of your vision. You wanna try?" The darts unwedged from the door, before flying back towards the three, and going into the bag.

Azura stared at the holes, and then back to the bag. She looked back to Alex, who was grinning.

"My gem is damaged. If I use my powers, it's likely to crack. From what I've heard, it can cause an explosion, really bad pain, hurt Dark types, and apparently really bad things."

Alex sighed, his smile falling. The bag levitated up, before floating back under the bed. "How'd it get cracked in the first place?"

Azura raised a paw, touching her gem. "First time, I got in a really brutal fight. A point blank Solar Beam hurts, alot. Second time, I apparently fainted after learning about Aloe…"

Once again, after mentioning her late husband, Azura stared at the floor, lost in thought. A few tears formed, but didn't fall because she blinked them away. She coughed into her paw, before raising her head to look at Alex. The male Espeon stared worriedly at his sister, pain in his eyes.

"What was he like, Azura? Was he good to you? Was he bad? Tell me." Her younger brother crossed his forelegs, leaning against the Liepard.

Azura pushed back her tears a bit, before she lay down on the pink carpet. She looked up at the two Pokemon, before taking a deep breath.

"He was amazing, Alex. The first time we locked eyes, I fell for him. I fell so hard for him, it made me rethink the whole love at first sight thing. I literally tripped because I couldn't look away, and he ran over to help me up. I was a mess, stuttering left and right. It was like I was gazing into Arceus themselves eyes. We hung out a few times after that, and apparently he felt the same about me. A few weeks after his employer left without him to go back to Slag Town, he snuck into our yard and professed his love for me. I was so entranced with spending my life with him, I didn't care how it would hurt Mom or Dad, or even you. I left with him that night, Alex. I left you that night. I know it seems really foolish of me to do something like that, but if I could have the chance to go back and change my fate, I wouldn't. The only thing I would change is we come back to here, before I had Jacky. Before that bastard attacked us. His eyes were so cute, any time I looked into them I stopped being angry, or mad. He had this ability, like most Grass types, that made an aroma that slightly effected others emotions. The first few times he used it to calm me down, it had the side effect of-" She cut herself off, blushing slightly.

Azura shook her head a bit, before continuing. "Anytime I went off on an angry rant about something, he'd sit there and take it, and I felt so bad after. I treated him horribly sometimes, but he still loved me. And I still loved him. That's the one thing I'd change if I could go back. I'd be more understanding, and try to control my temper. There was this Vaporeon, named Kalia. I'm pretty sure she was his adoptive mother, even though she talked about him like he was the worst Leafeon ever, in a worried way. We joked about her being Jacky's adopted grandmother, but I always assumed she actually was. Aloe couldn't handle a drink. That's one of the things I really loved about him. One bowl of hard Aguav juice and he was drunker than I've ever been. Slag Town had horrible drinks, but what do you expect? He was strong, too. Toughest Leafeon in Slag Town history, probably Feldon as a whole. But he… he couldn't beat Andre… Gods, I miss him so much…" Azura's head lowered to the floor, as she began sobbing.

Tears flowed down her lavender cheeks, dripping to the pink carpet like a waterfall. The light pink became a few shades darker, as her chest rose and fell quickly with her sobbing. Alex leaped down from the bed, dashing to his sister's side and nuzzling her, rubbing his head against her cheek. Tears dotted his forehead, but he paid them no heed as he comforted his sister. He let her cry onto him, before licking her cheek affectionately.

"Azura, It'll be alright. You'll get little Jacky back, and avenge Aloe. I know it won't bring him back, but it'll help the pain. Don't stay down in the dumps, I doubt he'd want you to be sad for long. I wouldn't want Nate to be sad for longer than a week if I died before him. Sure, it's alright to occasionally feel sad and reminisce about a loved one, but don't drown in your tears." He looked into her eyes, seeing his reflection in the vibrant purple abyss.

Azura sniffled, her tears slowing. An ember of extreme emotion flickered in her mind, before exploding to the top. Her tears stopped completely, as she stood abruptly, and stomped a forepaw on the ground.

"Yea! I'm going to go get Jacky back right now!" She nearly shouted, before turning towards the window.

"Wait, Azura-" Before Alex could finish his sentence, Azura had ran forward and leaped out of the window.

Only after a split second did she remember her powers were unusable, as she began to fall towards the ground. Right before her nose touched pavement, a light blue glow surrounded her, before she floated back into the air and back through her window. She blushed a bit in embarrassment as she was placed down on the bed, a few inches from Nate.

"Azura, I never thought you were the forgetful type. If I wasn't here, you probably would have hit the ground and broke your ribs and legs or something, and then probably get caught and put back in prison." The male Espeon said from the floor, before hopping up and joining the two Pokemon on the bed.

"Yea… Thanks." She muttered, shuffling her paws as she lay down.

"Wait, prison?" The Liepard at Alex's side asked, slightly shocked.

Azura nodded. "Andre lied about some things and got me in there. It was horrible, I don't know how others last years in there."

Nate stared at her, his eyes still wide. "Did you perhaps see a Mightyena in there, named Lacie?"

Azura stared at him, raising a non-existent eyebrow before nodding.

"That's my sister! How was she? Was she fine?" The Liepard leaped off of the bed, landing on the floor and turning to face Azura, his eyes filled with excitement.

Azura pulled her head back, spooked by his tone. She nodded quickly. "I don't see much resemblance, but you act sorta like her."

He nodded his head. "We're adopted, and we have another sister, who is our family's biological kid. I'm the youngest, 23."

Azura raised a metaphorical brow. "She never mentioned you, or the other sister. Any bad blood?"

Nate shook his head. "Nah, I guess she just didn't want it getting around she had siblings. For fear of someone getting out and hurting us, probably. Our oldest sister used to battle, but quit when she had a kid. She'd be fine if someone tried to attack her, but me? I never have to worry, cause Alex is such an amazing Psychic. He can shut down Pokemon with weak minds. As long as they aren't Dark type, that is."

Alex blushed a bit, smiling. Azura grinned, before turning to her brother as Nate returned on to the bed. "Alex, you said something about explaining some things?"

The male Espeon nodded, his expression going from joy to despair in a split second. "You remember how I always wanted to be an Espeon, because you were one?"

Azura nodded.

"Well, after you left I felt sort of… sad, to say. I thought that that gang kidnapped you because you were an Espeon. I know no kidnapping happened, but still. I was afraid that they kidnapped you, and you couldn't fight back because they were Dark types. So I changed my mind, and I wanted to become a Sylveon, or a Vaporeon, so that nothing would be completely immune to my attacks. I told Mom and Dad, and they pushed me to evolve into an Espeon, in memorance of you. They gave up searching two years after you dissapeared. They thought you were killed or something, but me being the little kid I was, and in some ways basically still am inside, I knew no one could kill you, that you would find some way to get away. But they… the sneaky Rattatas we call Mom and Dad made an offer to a Pokemon, to befriend me and train me during the day. She took it, and I thought we became really good friends. Then, only after knowing her for a few months, my stupid body decided it was time to evolve. The second I did so, her smile dropped, and she turned and walked away." Alex sniffled a bit, but no tears fell.

"Mom and Dad were so excited when they found out I evolved. The first time I looked into the mirror, I cried. I cried because I looked like a smaller, male you. They started calling me your name only a few days later, and would ignore me if I tried to correct them. Then when my voice eventually got deeper, they told me to start talking through telepathy. They tossed out all my stuff from my room, and made me move into yours. They treated me like they used to you, except they wouldn't let me leave the house alone at all. Axel isn't a very good teacher, so they just gave up on homeschooling eventually. Gave me books to read, so I did. Once I finished everything, I would let my mind wander."

He looked straight into Azura's eyes. "You want to know the true source of your Psychic powers?"

Azura looked at him as if he was telling a joke, but nodded after a second.

"Imagination. Sure, actual intellect has a good hand in it, but what's all that smarts gonna do if you can't see or sense your environment? Sure, our Psychic Senses can make out other Pokemon's emotions and location, but what about non-living things? I learned to use those darts because of that. I was also afraid of fighting a Dark type, so that was another major thing. That statue out front? It's based on you, but the sculptor used me as a base. Mom and Dad would have a come apart of they found out I had a boyfriend. And no, their habit of projecting you onto me didn't give me a taste on other males. That's pretty much it, besides me sneaking out a lot."

Azura stared at him in shock. He appeared so nonchalant about his adolescence being ruined, it surprised her deeply. "Why are you so calm about that!? If I was you, I'd be so mad that I'd run down stairs and probably throw them against a wall or something!"

Alex shrugged. "It takes a lot to effect me now. I was really mad about it at first, but when I learned about meditation, I constantly did that. That's how I'm so good with my powers. We Espeon don't need to be physically strong. Heck, after learning Psychic, we could be unstoppable after just a few weeks of meditating."

Azura sighed, shaking her head. "I hope it's truly not effecting you. It's not good to hide from things that are hurting you, things will only get better if you confront them."

He shrugged, before turning to Nate, who was simply stating right at him, smiling. "We met one night when I snuck out. He was still a Purrloin. I had snuck out to go to the park, and look for someone to talk to, maybe make friends with. As I was walking the path around the park, I heard splashing, so I went to go check it out. And there he was, in the middle of a pond, flailing around like a Magikarp on land. So, I did the only thing you would do in a situation like that, and leaped in to go help him. Of course, when I bit down on his paw and dragged him to land, he slapped me." He turned and glared at the Liepard.

"Hey, I was swimming! I was even yelling at you to stop! Not my fault your deaf." He grinned teasingly.

Alex shrugged. "Anyway, after he so kindly explained to me he was swimming, I apologized and offered to take him to that one resturaunt that makes the really good Qualot Berry salad. Y'know, the one that doesn't make you weaker. Of course, neither of us ordered that, cause I had barely anything on me at the time, so we got a single Steamed Krabby to share. After that, we became really good friends, and I would sneak out so we could do stuff together. I taught him how to swim better once he evolvee from training with me, and eventually fell for him. And then came the day I asked him."

"Correction, I asked you." Nate smiled.

"Oh shut up."

Alex leaped down from the window, slowing his descent and landing softly onto the ground. He stared up at his window, which began to slide shut before locking. With a smile, he turned and began off silently, humming to himself. He knew his parents wouldn't check if he was in his room, they never even entered it or knocked to check. With speed rivaling a Rapidash, he ran towards the City Park, his favorite place. With the sun setting, and the temperature ever so slightly dropping, Alex was thrilled. Within minutes, he arrived at the park, flying past the part where most of the children played, he ran into the small forest. He slid to a halt as a stone path came into sight, walked to it, and began to follow the pathway. As he came to a stop a bit aways from a small pond, he gazed at the feline Pokemon that was staring into the water, at its edge. A mischievous smile crept onto the Espeon's face, as he began to sneak forward. When he was mere inches from the Liepard, he dashed forward, shoulder first. But to his dismay, Nathaniel moved at the very last second, making Alex yelp in surprise before tumbling straight into the murky pond. As he surfaced, sputtering water out of his mouth, he swam back to the shore.

"You thought you could sneak up on me, a Dark type? Really, Alex?" Nate grinned, before releasing a few laughs he had been holding back.

Alex glared at him, before shaking himself free of any droplets. "If you weren't a Dark type, I'd pick you up and throw you into the center right now."

Nate grinned wider, as he stood up. "What're you gonna do about it? Can't use your mind magic on me. And I laughed at you! You probably want revenge, don't you?"

He leaned forward, as his tail began to lash about. Alex's glare softened a bit, as he began to smile.

"Maybe I'll throw a tree at you."

"You can't uproot one, and I know that. Only a god could do that, and you're just a normal Espeon."

"And you still lost to me despite being a Dark type last time we battled." Alex smirked, encasing his body in a shield of Psychic power, which pulled the remaining water from his fur, before dropping the shield as the water fell to the ground.

The Liepard began kneading the ground in excitement, his claws unconsciously unsheathing. "How about we go another round? I bet I can beat you. No powers for me, or you. How's it sound?"

Alex looked at him, staring silently. His eyes glossed over the Liepard's form, taking note of his sleek, well groomed fur. "You seriously gonna battle with your fur all done like that? What's it for, anyway?"

Nate, almost as if he immediately forgot about the battle he wanted, stopped all of his actions, returning his claws into his paws as he stood and cleared his throat. "I'll have you know that I don't want to look like a feral every time I go outside."

Alex smirked, and gave the Liepard an accusing look. "You sure you didn't spruce yourself up just to impress someone? You got a date or something? Look at you, Nate, finally getting someone. I'm proud of you."

He smirked, before leaning forward, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Yea, you. If you think about it, every time we hang out it's like a date. Our first friendly interaction was at a restaurant."

Alex stared in awe at the Liepard, a slight blush coming to his cheeks. "I-I mean… I guess so… but, I'm serious, why do you look like you're about to go before the Council?"

The Dark type shrugged, the same glint in his eyes. "I'm serious too, dude. You're pretty hot, and really nice too. I might love you, who knows? Hey, since we basically already hang out all the time, wanna be official? Maybe you could be my boyfriend?"

Alex stared, shocked at the strangeness of the situation. "I-I… I l-love you too, Nate. I-I'll be your boyfriend." he suddenly blurted out.

Nate grinned for a few seconds, before bursting out into laughter. "Alex, dude, you had me so convinced for a second. I thought you actually liked me like that. It was so hard to tell you were playing along with the joke!"

He rolled on the ground, gripping his side's as Alex froze in shock. "It… was a joke?" He muttered.

After a few seconds of rolling around and laughing, Nate slowly stood up, wiping tears from his eyes. "Alright, what do you want to do tonight?"

"Be with you." Alex blurted out. He seriously had to learn how to keep his mouth shut.

The Liepard raised a metaphorical brow. "The jokes over, dude."

Alex looked at him, before taking a deep breath. "Nate, I really really like you, and I've thought about being with you for a while. This is the first time I've ever asked anyone out, I really hope you feel the same."

Nate stared for a second, dumbfounded. "Wow… Alex, I've honestly… felt the same. The day you "saved" me from drowning, I started looking up to you. And when you were being really nice, I started feeling for you. Of course I'll be with you, Alex. I'll be your boyfriend. And yes, I actually did fix my fur to impress you."

The Espeon once more froze in place from surprise, before promptly falling onto his side unconscious.

Like, dude, this literally took me forever. At the time of writing this sentence, it's October 16th. Rip lazy me. I hope this story isn't too edgy. I know it has some in it, but unintentionally.

Anyway, this chapter was especially nice, in my opinion. I tried to put as much emotion into Nate and Alex as I could, atleast in their get-together part. I even rephrased some stuff I said to my boyfriend when I asked him out. Hopefully he won't mind. (If you read this, hello love!)

Anyway, have an amazing day/night, and remember, no matter who you are, atleast you're not the guy who decided Ash should stay the main protagonist of the anime!

(Seriously, Ash needs to become ash.)