Hey, it's been a while. That's summer reading I guess (Which I am almost done with, though). So I thought it was time I put up chapter 6 and update the previous chapters. Truth is I also had a little bit of writer's block. Once again, I thank those who reviewed my story. Just note that this chapter is a little slow and short compared to the previous chapter. Enjoy!

ALSO: Chapters 1-5 have been updated and changed somewhat. It would be good to re-read them. Also, seeing as how it took a month for me to update this, it would be a good idea to re-read anyway in case you forgot.

Notes: "This is normal talking" 'This is thinking. Italics with apostrophes' "this is telepathy. Italics with quotation marks"

Disclaimer: I don't own this stuff except my OCs. OCs are listed in my profile.

Chapter Six: The Morning After

The bed was very comfortable. 'Wait, a bed?' I thought, 'Since when was I in bed?' I felt like I was just waking up. It felt like my head was hit with a sledgehammer, and my arm hurt like hell. I guess that's what happens when you are shot in the arm and you are pummeled to the ground by an oversized chicken.

I opened my eyes, and I sat up a bit in the bed. I looked around the room. It was small, yet comfortable and had a window. Judging from the light coming in the window, it was around eight in the morning. 'How long was I out?' I thought to myself. There was a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and chair, and numerous art supplies. I still had on my black shirt, pants, and gold cross. I looked at my left arm and saw white bandages on the upper part. My hat and duster was on the desk, with my staff and gloves next to them. My backpack and boots were on the floor next to the desk. I saw the pouch with the Soul Dew was on top of my backpack.

"I see that you're up," said a familiar voice. I looked and saw Bianca leaning on the open doorway.

"Don't tell me I passed out," I told to her, "I have been through a lot worse than that and haven't passed out." I remembered that after the battle in the garden, I followed Latias' aura somewhere, but the rest was blank.

She walked in and sat on the chair. "You were out for about fifteen hours. You were shot and had a concussion," she said while putting emphasis on shot and concussion. "Yesterday, after we came here, we waited for you. Eventually, we hear a knock on the door, and guess who we see all beaten up and barely conscious."

"Me," I replied laughing a bit.

"You collapsed at our door. Thankfully, no one was out then to see you. With a little help, I was able to patch you up and get you to bed. We were able to get out the bullet. You are lucky it didn't shatter the bone or break anything. It's like a miracle that that is all it did to you. Do you mind telling me what exactly happened?"

"It's a long story," I replied.

"Well you can tell us over breakfast, then. We're eating soon." After that she got up and left the room. I waited a minute. I looked at my golden cross around my neck. I held on to it and gave a small prayer of thanks. I then got out of bed, found some cleaner clothes in my backpack than I had on, and put them on. I grabbed the leather pouch with the Soul Dew and headed down for breakfast.

"So she was taken out by a flock of spearows? " Bianca asked at breakfast. We had breakfast in the kitchen/dining room. The house wasn't big, but it is a comfortable size for two people and the occasional guest.

"Yeah," I said while eating my breakfast roll. I had just finished telling Lorenzo and Bianca what had happened in the garden the previous day. I had conveniently forgotten to mention the soulgaze. "By the way, where's Latias?"

"After she knew you would be aright," replied Lorenzo, "she went back to the garden and see what happened. After all, the garden is her home." Both Lorenzo and Bianca were unhappy about what I had told them. Both had worried expressions on their faces.

"Well if she went to check out the garden, I hope she knew I had this." I then put the leather pouch on the table.

"What is that?" asked Bianca. She didn't need me to answer because she went on to open the bag. "The Soul Dew?" She pulled the glowing sphere out of the water in the bag.

Lorenzo stared in disbelief. "How could you take it? If it's out of the water for too long it will die!"

"Relax," I said while I grabbed another breakfast roll. "I put water in the bag to keep it happy. If I left it in the garden, it would just get stolen. This was the safest option." I then looked around the brightly lit room. "I thought the Soul Dew provided power to the city, but why is there still power with it gone?" I asked.

"Power reserves," Lorenzo said a little more calmly. "There is enough to power the city for two weeks, but with the gala tonight I wouldn't be surprised if it only lasts a week."

By that time, all three of us had finished eating our rolls and coffee. Bianca had brought a glass bowl filled with water to the table. She then took the Soul Dew from the pouch and put it in the bowl. It was quite beautiful. "Speaking of the gala," Bianca said, "He said he would come this morning." Just then there was a knock at the door. "Oh, speak of the devil that must be him." She then got up and went out of the room to the door.

I heard voices coming from the hall. I pointed to the hall, and I silently mouthed "Who that?" to Lorenzo.

He sighed. "That is her date. They are planning to spend the whole day together getting ready for the gala." He sighed again. "I should be getting the museum ready, I'm the curator."

I didn't say anything. Galas and fancy parties aren't my thing. Besides, there was something in the pouch the Soul Dew was in that caught my attention. The water was glowing a bit. "Lorenzo, do you have any clean, empty water bottles?" He didn't know why I asked but he found one and gave the bottle to me. "Thanks," I said.

I poured the water from the pouch into the bottle. The water in the bottle had a soft light blue glow to it. Lorenzo saw it and was staring at it. "Lorenzo, I forgot. Does the Soul Dew usually sit in standing water in the garden?" I asked while examining the water.

"No, the water is constantly flowing as long as the Soul Dew is in the water feature." He replied. I thought about it for a minute. The Soul Dew, even in water, radiates a ton of aura. So much that it can power the city. With it sitting in the same water for hours, the water might have absorbed at least a little bit of the radiated aura. In a sense making it some sort of supercharged aura water. At least it would explain the glow.

"So what is it?" Lorenzo asked about the water.

"For lack of a better word, it is aura water. I think," I replied. "There's only one way to see. Cheers!" I then drank some of the water. Almost immediately, my terrible headache was gone. I felt much better than just a minute earlier. "Wow. Now that's an energy drink! Try some."

I offered the bottle to Lorenzo, who drank a little bit. "Wow that is good. All my aches are gone. I think I can get ready for two galas now. Thanks."

"No problem." I said. I then put the bottle of magical liquids into one of my pockets. I then filled the leather pouch with some fresh water and put the Soul Dew in it. I then put the pouch in another pocket.

Lorenzo and I were about to leave the kitchen, when Bianca came back in. "I would like you two to meet him," she said with a smile. She then went back into the hall.

"After you," I said to Lorenzo. I followed him into a living room. There Bianca made introductions.

"Grandpa and Esteban, this is Ross. Ross, this is my grandpa Lorenzo and my friend Esteban." She said. We shook hands.

Ross said to me, "Hey weren't you the person I met at the café yesterday?"

"Wait, you two know each other?" Bianca asked surprised.

"You two know each other?" Ross asked surprised.

"You two know each other?" I asked with a little laugh. "Small town, I guess."

"Well, I guess everyone knows each other then." Lorenzo interrupted. "It was nice meeting you Ross. I will see you at the gala tonight. I must go get the museum ready." Lorenzo then went up to his room.

"So, Esteban, what happened to you?" Ross asked. I looked myself over. I did look a little messed up.

"A mad woman with a gun and an oversized chicken; that's what happened," I said with a smile.

He nodded. "Ah, relationship issues; I hope you work that out," said Ross, "Will you be at the party?"

"No, I think it's only for locals," I said.

"I guess you're right. Nice meeting you again, Esteban. Should we go, Bianca?" He asked.

I said bye to them and headed back to my room. I put on my gloves and looked at my duster coat. It must have been washed while I was sleeping, because there was no blood on it. I put it and my backpack on. I decided against taking my staff because I thought I wouldn't need to use it. I headed to the door, and I saw Lorenzo about to leave. "Hey, Lorenzo, may I go with you to the museum?"

"Sure," he said, "It is open today until the afternoon."

"Great, thanks," I replied. We headed out the door and walked a little ways when someone came running towards us. "Oh, hi Latias," I said to the person who looked exactly like Bianca.

"How did you know it was me?" she asked telepathically.

"Let's just say you have this aura about you," I replied.

"Ah, well we have a big problem," she said

"Oh, and the Soul Dew is safe with me, in case you were wondering." I said. She was shocked for a moment and then had this "never mind" expression on her face.

Lorenzo then asked, "Latias, why don't you come with us to the museum. Bianca is getting ready for the gala with Ross."

"Ok," she said, "Oh, I'm glad to see that you're doing better Esteban."

"Thanks," I said, "It's good to know that the city's guardian cares. Now let's go!"

With that, the three of us headed for a day at the museum.

Yeah, I know it's mostly filler, but in a few chapters it gets better.

Well, is it good? Yes? No? Maybe? Please tell me in a review. I accept all kinds of reviews (positive, negative, constructive criticisms, etc.), except flames or spams. I don't like flames or spams.

I also need to know how I can improve this chapter. I need to figure out how to write it so it reads better, so please tell me.

There is no set date for chapter 7, but it will definitely be up by before the end of the month.

Thanks for reading, and please review!