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Jason dreamt that night of his past with Sarah, how the two met and all the happy moments they had together. Jason found himself sitting under the shade of the tree by the lake back at Avalon, the young Riolu staring at blank nothingness as his mind slowly ate itself away in depression of Damion's death. He'd constantly see images of his time with the goofy Zigzagoon flashing before his eyes as if they were happening at present, almost to the point that Jason would lose track of reality. Tears began rolling down Jason's eyes, Damion's cheerful smile, his warm, compassionate personality, everything about him made it near-impossible to let go. Jason wanted Damion back... he wanted him back badly.

"Hey, why the long face?" Damion asked as his image appeared next to Jason, placing his hand over the Riolu's shoulder. "C'mon dude, cheer up."

A part of Jason knew he was just hallucinating, but he just didn't care anymore. He would occasionally start conversations with his own hallucinations and pretend that Damion was still alive and was there with him.

"Oh... it's nothing." Jason closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "You wouldn't understand."

"Don't be all dramatic with me dude," Damion stood up, made his way to the lakeshore and picked up a flat stone. "you know how laughable drama is." Damion threw the stone at the lake and watched as it skipped along the surface.

Imaginary Damion throwing an imaginary stone... nothing out of the ordinary here. "Heh, yeah, yeah, whatever." Jason stood up and joined Damion in skipping stones at the surface of the lake.

Of course Jason wouldn't just give up like this so easily, he hasn't lost his grasp of reality yet. He returned to his spot under the tree and just stared as his hallucination tormented him with happy moments, moments he'll never be able to experience again.

"Um, excuse me." A female voice called out from the distance.

Jason wasn't sure whether she was addressing him or someone else, but Jason preferred to believe the latter.

"Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time?" The female persisted.

Jason let out an annoyed sigh. "Just ignore it Jason, she's probably talking to someone else." He thought to himself. "I mean, why on earth would I be expecting a visitor?"

The female grew impatient and approached the Riolu and tapped his shoulder, startling Jason a little. Jason turned to see that the female was a Kirlia, one who was holding a large bag and seemed in distress. "Sorry if I have disturbed you, it's just that... I need your help."

"It's alright, I wasn't doing anything anyway." Jason answered politely. It wasn't in his nature to reject someone in need. "How may I help you?"

"Well, for starters, can you help me carry my stuff?" She held out a large bag which was filled with what seems to be bricks... at least, Jason assumed it was bricks. "My arms are really wearing out."

"Of course." Jason stood up and took the bag from the Kirlia. "Where will we be going?"

"I don't really know the address exactly..." the Kirlia chuckled uncontrollably. "But I know where it is. Follow me please."

The Kirlia lead Jason through the city. When she said she knew where it was, Jason began doubting that she did. The Kirlia lead Jason through streets, alleys, market places, around circles, zigzags, almost as if she was giving Jason a tour around the city. "So, um... you sure you know where it is?" Jason asked. "We've passed the market twice already."

"Darn it..." the Kirlia mumbled biting her lip. "I guess I didn't know this city as much as I thought."

"Where are you from anyway?" Jason asked.

"Um... I don't think you want to know..." the Kirlia stopped walking and shifted side-to-side in discomfort.

"Well, I'm currently doing a stranger a favor." Jason set down the heavy bag and rested his arms. "I might as well know a little background about you."

The Kirlia nodded her head and sighed. "I guess it's only fair. Promise me you won't get mad?"

"Why would I get mad?" Jason asked.

"I'm from... Arkha." The Kirlia answered, trying her best not to make eye contact.

Jason's eyes widened a little in surprise but it soon faded away. "You must be referring to the sort of racism Avalon has towards Arkha and vice versa." Jason mumbled as he approached the Kirlia. "Don't worry though, I don't harbor the same hatred."

"Finally, someone who feels the same way." The Kirlia exclaimed with delight. "I swear, I feel like I'm the only one back at home that doesn't feel any hatred towards your people."

"Then you'd be surprised at how many people respect Arkha here in Avalon." Jason snickered. "Basically everyone I know respects Arkha. No offense but your people are the only ones who still resent the other."

"Interesting..." the Kirlia mumbled. "So I don't have to worry about people getting mad at me?"

"Depends on what you did." Jason answered. "Respect the law and Avalon will respect you."

"Seems simple enough." The Kirlia nodded. "Um, do you know a Victor Manchester?"

"Manchester... Manchester... Manchester..." Jason mumbled to himself. "Do you mean the Medicham?"

"Yes, that's the one." The Kirlia's eyes lit with delight. "Do you know where he lives? I'll be living at his place during my stay here in Avalon. He's sort of a friend of my dad so... yeah."

"He lives near my place." Jason carried the Kirlia's bag and began to lead the way. "Just across the street actually. C'mon, I'll show you."

The day slowly passed and the sun slowly set as the two made their way toward's Jason's neighbourhood. The two exchange conversations with each other and learned a little more about the other. Only then did Jason learn that the Kirlia was named Sarah and that her purpose in moving to Avalon was to take a break from the city life, to get away from the stress and whatnot.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find the countryside quite relaxing." Jason reassured her with a smile. "By the way, why were you so persistent in getting my attention back there at the lake?"

Sarah let out a chuckle of amusement. "Well, as a Kirlia, I can sense the emotions of those around me. When I saw you sulking under that tree, I felt that you were someone I can trust with my life, someone who wouldn't let anyone down."

Sarah's made a wave of guilt wash over Jason as images of Damion's death flashed before his eyes. Jason felt troubled and disturbed, and Sarah seemed to feel it. Of course she did, she's a Kirlia. "Um, are you okay?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'm okay..." Jason answered. "Just a little tired, that's all."

"Oh, well, are we close?" Sarah asked.

"Yup, just around the corner now." Jason and Sarah made their way around the block where they stopped in front of a cottage decorated with a beautiful garden with majestic plant life. "I see this house every day I wake up and I've never really appreciated how beautiful their garden is." Jason stared in awe at the beauty of the garden.

"Oh yeah, you said this is just across the street from where you live." Sarah turned around and scanned the other houses. "So, where do you live?"

Jason turned to see where Sarah was looking at and pointed to the house with smoke coming out of its chimney. All the houses looked similar, really similar, so you'll have to pay attention to the house numbers or other landmarks that would identify the house (like the Manchesters' garden). Luckily for them, the smoke in the chimney was an easy identification of Jason's house. "That's where I live, just across the street."

"Well, I know where I can go if I need any more help." The Kirlia said warmly, taking her bag from Jason.

"You know, you have the Manchesters there to help you." Jason pointed out.

"Hey, you're a nice person to be with." Sarah gave Jason a gentle nudge at the shoulder. "I enjoyed our time together, let's do this more often."

Jason stared at the Kirlia in disbelief, he couldn't believe that this girl was being THIS friendly with him. He was never the most social people, he always felt awkward around groups of people. His friend Damion was usually the one to introduce him to other people and increase his circle of friends. He never imagined he'd be able to make a friend, let alone a girl, all on his own. "Uh..."

Sarah let out a chuckle and gently pushed Jason away. "You look adorable when you blush like that. anyway, see you tomorrow then." Sarah cheerfully waved her goodbyes and slowly made her way towards the door. "Seriously though, thanks for helping me."

The days and weeks passed by and each of them had Sarah and Jason hanging out together. Sarah constantly approached Jason for his help such as tours around the city, getting to know the people of the neighborhood and whatnot. Although there are occasions, numerous occasions where all Sarah asked for was his company. Sarah enjoyed Jason's company immensely, and Jason enjoyed hers just as much. He felt happy with Sarah by his side, the same way he felt whenever Damion was with him.

"So, Jason," Sarah held Jason's hand as she dragged him around town. "Where's your favorite spot here in Avalon, where you feel most relaxed?"

"You're already dragging me along." Jason said as he tried to match Sarah's pace, not too fast, not too slow. "Where are you taking me anyway?"

"Well, I took a guess at your favorite place during our time together." Sarah cheerfully said as she continued to drag Jason across the city.

"But where are you taking me?"

"Oh, hold on." Sarah stopped in her tracks and began rummaging through her pocket and produced a sort of blindfold. "Here, put this one and wrap it around your eyes. I have a surprise for you."

Jason was reluctant at first and stared and the blindfold he had in his hands. "Are you serious?"

"Yep, now put it on!" Sarah giggled and took the blindfold from Jason's hand and began tying it around his eyes.

"Alright, alright." Jason chuckled as he fixed the blindfold. "Now will you tell me where we're going?"

"What part of surprise do you know understand?" Sarah asked and she took Jason's hand and the two proceeded to run once more.

The further the two travelled, the closer they were to their destination. The closer they got to their destination, the more Jason managed to visualize where they were going. Familiar scents began flowing into Jason's nostrils giving him a visual image of where they were. "Oh my... how did you know this was my favorite place?"

"Jason, don't ruin the surprise for yourself!" Sarah scolded as she swiped the blindfold from Jason's face, revealing that she HAS taken Jason to the lake.

"Seriously though, how did you know this was my favorite place?" Jason asked.

Sarah chuckled and walked towards the tree that stood closest to the shore. "Well, I always find you under this tree almost every day. I assumed this place has some sort of significance for you."

"Well, you're not wrong there." Jason answered. "This place is probably where I can feel most at peace."

"By sulking like a sad fool under the shade of the tree?" Sarah asked. "That doesn't sound too relaxing if you ask me."

Jason stared at Sarah in with guilt. He didn't want to involve Sarah with his personal business, especially since it's very trivial and useless. "It's... it's nothing."

"It's not nothing Jason." Sarah held Jason's hand and stared him in the eyes. "You won't fix anything by staring at the past as it flashes before your eyes. You have to learn to let go."

"No, seriously, I'm fine."

Before Jason could even react, his face met Sarah's palm in a loud, painful slap. "Jason, I'm serious. What's wrong with you?"

Jason placed his hand on his reddening cheek and began trembling as the tears began to roll down his eyes. "I... I don't do it intentionally okay. It just happens... I have... had this friend. He was the best best friend a guy could ever ask for. He... he made me feel happy."

"What happened to him?"

"He... he died." Jason felt his entire body crumble under its own weight as the stress of the situation became too unbearable for him. Luckily for Jason, Sarah was there to support him voluntarily as she wrapped her arms around Jason and held onto him, comforting the poor Riolu.

"There, there... I'm here." Sarah hugged Jason and spoke to him in a soothing voice. "Just let it all out, let it all out."

The two of them probably stood there for about a full five minutes of crying and comforting. Sarah slowly coaxed Jason into sitting down with her under the tree, which wasn't a hard thing to do, and the two sat there just... staring at the lake. Jason rested his head on Sarah's shoulder, his eyes red from crying.

Sarah gently caressed Jason's face and wiped the tears off of his cheeks. "There, feeling better?"

"A little bit..." Jason answered with a sniffle. "It's just... I couldn't accept the fact that he died. It was in an attack by a gang of rogues. He was struck by lightning from a Luxray and... he died in my arms... and..."

"Shh..." Sarah placed her finger on Jason's lip to stop him from continuing. "You don't have to explain everything. I know it pains you to relive that pain, I won't force you to share. Just know that you don't have to bare this burden alone, you have your friends and family with you."

"I know... I know... it's just not easy to share this sort of information." Jason mumbled. "You were the only one among them that forced it out of me."

Sarah let out a soft giggle. "Forced it out of you? Jason, I didn't force it out of you."

Jason managed a wry smile and a chuckle. "Heh, woman, you slapped my cheek so hard I thought I broke a tooth."

"Okay fine, I guess I sorta forced it out of you." Sarah sighed. "But hey, you wouldn't have shared if I didn't right?"

"Fine, fair enough." Jason nodded as his heavy heart finally lightened.

The two spent the next half-hour just staring blissfully at the lake, enjoying each other's company. "I never realized how beautiful the lake is. It really reflects the light of the sun quite splendidly."

"We don't use sophisticated words like that to describe a lake around here." Jason snorted. "We just say 'it's beautiful' and we leave it like that."

"Well, I find the need to sound sophisticated every now and then." Sarah answered.

"By the way... thanks for forcing me to open up to you" Jason rested his head on the Kirlia's and relaxed. "It really helped a lot."

"Aw, you're welcome." Sarah answered followed by a sweet kiss to the cheek.

Suddenly, a bright light engulfed the Riolu and changes began to take place. His form grew taller in stature, his head became more jackal in shape and appearance and steel spikes emerged from the back of his hands and his chest. Before he knew it, Jason has evolved into a Lucario. "I... I evolved..." Jason gasped in disbelief.

"Aw, look at you, all mature and stuff." Sarah gave Jason shoulder a friendly punch which felt like a soft pat to the newly evolved Lucario. "I like the new clothes as well, they look nice on you."

Jason looked down and saw what Sarah meant. It seems that his clothes evolved along with him. From his usual summer clothing, a regular t-shirt, shorts and sandals, he was now wearing a hoodie with the same color scheme as his fur, jeans and a pair of running shoes. "Well, just the outfit I always wanted."

"So, how does it feel to finally evolve?" Sarah asked. "Do you fantasize sometimes about you evolving in the past?"

"Yeah, I do sometimes..." Just then Jason felt a tugging in his stomach as another wave of guilt washed over the Lucario. It is a requirement for a Riolu to experience immense love and friendship for them to evolve and Jason has always assumed that it would've been Damion to make him evolve... he only felt even worse that it was someone else.

"Hey, relax." Sarah placed her hand on the troubled Lucario. "Don't make me slap you again." She jokingly threated as she raised her hand.

"Alright, alright..." Jason slowly moved Sarah's hand away. "Well, now that I've evolved, I can tell that you and I will be close friends."

"Hey, for all you know, we could end up as more than friends."