FSE

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Jason and Sarah spent a tender moment together by the lake, the newly evolved Lucario running around like an energetic little boy, slowly getting used to his new form. He ran around in circles, climbed the trees, ran on water (okay, he sunk the moment he set foot on the lake), sparred with the air and danced like he just don't care. Sarah on the other hand watched in amusement as the newly evolved Lucario made a fool out of himself.

"Alright you crazy person, calm down." Sarah chuckled and took hold of Jason using her esper abilities. "You might hurt yourself before you even get the chance to fight with that new form."

"Sorry, I just can't help it!" Jason answered jumping up and down, unable to contain himself. "For the first time I've finally felt what it feels like to evolve. Everyone I know has already evolved at this age, I'm the only one among my small circle of friends that hasn't evolved yet."

"You had a small circle of friends?" Sarah asked. "Then why is it that you still went on depression?"

"Woman, I really don't want to talk about this again." Jason flailed his arms in front of Sarah to dismiss the topic. "I got over it, okay. I'd like to leave it at that."

"I know, I know." Sarah patted Jason's back and chuckled. "C'mon, your parents would probably want to see you now that you've finally evolved." Sarah excitedly said as she dragged Jason through the city once more.

They made their way through large crowd of citizens, careful not to knock anybody over in their haste. Jason could hear some of them mumbling and whispering at the unfamiliar face, obviously they are all unaware that the young Riolu had evolved already. The dark streets of the backwards city were slowly illuminated by the lamps and torches, and soon, the bright silver light of the rising moon. Later, the two had arrived at their destination and the two stood in front of Jason's house's door.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Sarah gently nudged Jason and tried to move him to the door. "Knock already."

"I'm just... I'm a little nervous." Jason took as step back and paced around nervously.

"Dude, they're your parents." Sarah took hold of Jason's hand to keep him still. "What's there to be nervous about?"

Jason stared into Sarah's eyes, hoping to seek shelter in her warm gaze. "It's just... we haven't spoken much since Damion's death. This'll be the first time in almost a year that we finally talk."

Sarah held both of Jason's hands gently to comfort the Lucario. "Then they'd be more than happy to finally hear your voice."

"Well... I guess you're right." Jason sighed and took a step closer to their door. "Well..." he mumbled beneath his breath. "...here goes nothing..."

Jason slowly turned the knob of the door and opened it, a slight creaking noise emanating from the rusty hinges. The inside of the house seemed rather stagnant as nothing seemed to change. Everyday just the usual routine over and over again: his dad would leave in the morning to report to the commanding officers and oversee the reconstruction of the damages while his mother would stay at home and manage the house. Jason felt guilty that he had to put his parents through that silent treatment of his... oh how they might react...

Sarah stayed by the front door, whispering her encouragements before watching Jason proceed into his house.

Jason peeked around the corner of the hall to find his father sitting on his chair reading the newspaper while his mother was busy in the kitchen cooking their dinner. Jason just stood their speechless, unable to think of a way to reveal himself to his parents. "Perhaps a simple 'I'm sorry' to start things off?" Sarah's voice echoed inside Jason's head in telepathy. Perhaps she's right...

"I'm sorry... dad..." Jason started, mustering all the courage he could possibly find in his heart. "...for everything."

The Blaziken just sat there reading his paper, not setting it down for a second to look at his son. "You've nothing to be sorry for, Jason." He answered. "I'm just glad you've finally spoken after all this time. It brings me joy to finally hear your voice after all this time... although I never remembered it being THIS mature before."

Jason chuckled as excitement began to well up inside him. "Well, if you just look at me you'd find out why." He said trying his very best to supress a giggle.

Aiden didn't understand what Jason had meant but he did so anyway. He folded his newspaper and looked at his son only to stare wide-eyed and mouth agape in surprise. He couldn't supress his great joy as he stood up and gave his newly evolved son a huge hug. "Oh, my boy has finally evolved!"

"Woah, dad," Jason exclaimed in surprise of the sudden affection. "watch the chest spike!"

His father let out a hearty laugh and set his son down. "Oh, Jason, I'm well aware of how to give a Lucario a hug. I'm married to your mother after all."

"You know, I hear you two loud and clear from here." His mother, Natalie, called out from the kitchen. "By the way, I had your friend George keep an eye on you, I'm well aware that you've evolved. Sorry if I spoiled the surprise for myself."

"Mom, it's rude to have someone spy on your child." Jason chuckled and gave his mom a warm hug, careful not to stab her at the back with his new chest spike. "How do you manage a hug with this stupid spike in the way?"

His mother gave Jason a warm smile and a small chuckle. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. I'm glad you're back to your cheerful self, Jason. Tell me, who's your new companion?"

Jason smiled at the thought that he could finally open up to his parents once more. "Well, I met this kind woman a few months ago and she's been a great friend to me."

"Well, I'm sure she's hungry right now." Natalie said. "Call her in... and George as well. He's probably just hiding out of site if you ask me."

Later, the entire Alexander household grew lively as they celebrated Jason's evolution. George, the Gengar, materialized out of thin air and apologized for spying on Jason. Jason, in turn, accepted his apology saying that no harm was done. Sarah finally got the chance to meet Jason's parents in person since Jason never bothered to introduce her to them before. Aiden and Natalie were more than happy to meet this special woman who managed to bring the old Jason back from his depression.

"So, you're from Arkha?" Natalie asked as she passed some food to Sarah. "I'm just glad the youth of that land aren't as proud as their elders."

Sarah let out an amused chuckle as she took the food offered to her. "Well, I was pretty humbled back when I was a child." Sarah mumbled, poking her food with a fork in reminisce. "I wasn't really the best in the academy... I've never really had a reason to be proud."

"Aw, don't feel bad sweetie." Natalie said with a comforting tone as she caressed the Kirlia's cheek.

"Yeah, you shouldn't feel bad at all." George added, a hint of sarcasm evident in the Gengar's voice. "I mean, it's not like Jason was the best or anything."

"You are?" Sarah asked, looking at Jason with a teasing suspicion.

"Not anymore." Jason answered as he washed his food down with a glass of soda. "It's been almost a year that I drowned myself in my own sorrows, I bet the others have already surpassed me."

"Oh you have no idea." George enshrouded himself with an ominous aura, showing off his new power. "But still, I can tell you're stronger than most of us." he said as his aura slowly died down.

"Well, at least I'm not left behind." Jason jokingly commented as they all shared a laugh.

"So, Jason, will you be going back to school?" His father asked.

Jason's laughter died down and was substituted by the silence of thought. "Probably..." he answered. "I have a lot of catching up to do after all."

"Maybe I could join you." Sarah suggested. "After all, what better place to get stronger than the military nation of Avalon?"

"Then it's settled." Aiden said with much pride in his voice. "I'll inform the head of the school that you will be returning and that they will have a new student. When will you two start?"

"As soon as possible." Sarah answered excitedly. "Probably by tomorrow."

Jason let out a nervous chuckle and scratched the back of his head. "Then I guess I'll be starting tomorrow as well."

"No, you two will be starting next week." Natalie said with a stern voice. "First, we're going to do some shopping for Jason's new clothes, heavens, his old ones won't fit him anymore. Then we'll have to go give Sarah a tour of the campus, see if she'll like it."

"Fair enough." Jason answered taking another sip of his soda.

"Oh yeah, forgot about that detail." Aiden said. "You look great in your new clothes, where did you get them?"

"It sorta evolved with me." Jason chuckled as he fiddled with the sleeves of his jacket.

"At least you evolved with casual clothes." Natalie commented. "When your father evolved into a Blaziken, he burst into flames and emerged wearing full battle armor."

"Best armor I've worn in my entire life." Aiden added. "When your mother evolved, you should've seen how beautiful she was with her elegant gown."

"Oh, stop it." Natalie chuckled and nudged Aiden's shoulder in embarrassment. "Anyway, what about you George, how was your evolution?"

George let out a soft chuckle and set his cup down. "Not as different as the usual evolution, no special details to discuss." He then turned his attention towards Jason and gave him a devious grin. "I can't wait to finally see you in training."

The atmosphere between Jason and George felt heavy and the tension grew higher. The two glared at each other with such fire in their eyes it caused Sarah to feel uncomfortable. "Um, do those two have a history of hating each other?" Sarah asked turning to Jason's parents for an answer.

"Oh, no, they don't have each other." Natalie answered. "In fact, George is one of Jason's closest friends."

"It's just a bad case of rivalry, that's all." Aiden added. "These two go a long way back and Jason's been the only one to be able to top George. He takes pride in his ability to phase through matter and turn invisible but Jason always managed to find a way to get him."

"Ever since then they'd always treat everything as a competition." Natalie continued. "George would try his very best to combat Jason but Jason keeps managing to stay a level above the Haunter."

"How does Jason do that?" Sarah asked. "He is pure fighting type while he is a Riolu, how does a Riolu manage against a Haunter?"

"Oh, Jason is a special pokemon." His mother said with much pride and joy. "For some reason, he's inherited a lot from his father. See, Jason is part fire type because of that."

Sarah stared at Natalie in disbelief and amazement. "Really?"

"Now I know what you're thinking." Aiden interrupted. "But no, he didn't inherit the weaknesses of a fire type. All he received was resistance to fire and ice and the ability to use fire attacks."

"Interesting..." Sarah gasped in amazement. "And he uses his fire abilities to best the ghost types?"

"Jason's very creative with the use of his fire abilities." Aiden replied. "He doesn't stick to the usual pokemon moves when he fights, he tends to add a touch of his creativity in the mix. I guess you'll just see it for yourself when the time comes."

"What about you, Sarah?" Natalie asked. "Any special talent you have?"

"None that I'm aware of." Sarah replied with a wry smile.

Natalie smiled compassionately at Sarah and placed her hand on Sarah's shoulder. "Well, if it means anything to you, it was pretty amazing how you managed to snap Jason back to his old self. We really owe you one."

Natalie's words brought great joy to the young Kirlia as she smiled back gratefully. "Thanks... but you don't really owe me anything. Jason's my friend, I was just helping him through a tough time."

"Well you did so splendidly." Natalie placed her hand on Sarah's in a compassionate manner. "Not many people can mage to get inside Jason's heart. It takes that special someone to be able to mend his wounds."

Sarah felt honoured... a little... that she did what others considered impossible. "Um... if it makes any difference, I forced him to tell me what happened when we had our talk." She let out a small giggle as the memory replayed in her mind. "I had to slap Jason at the face just to make him talk."

"Told you we should've forced him." Aiden whispered sarcastically towards Natalie.

"He was going through a very hard time, it would've been rude if we just forced him to talk." Natalie answered defensively.

"Um," Sarah interrupted before they could start an argument. "I don't mean to interrupt but Jason and George look like they're about the beat each other senseless with spoons."

Natalie and Aiden looked at the two rivals and sighed. "They're always like that whenever they're together, always eyeing the other like predators hungry for blood." Aiden answered with a slight chuckle of amusement.

"Oh well, guess we're also back with the old competitive Jason." Natalie sighed and set down her drink. "At least it's better than having that sulking side of him."

"C'mon you two, knock it off." Aiden called out as he stood up and gave their shoulders a pat. "I know you're excited to be rivals again but you two shouldn't act like you're at each other's throats."

"Sorry, force of habit." George replied with a large, devious grin. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave now." George stood up and phased through the walls.

"He's right, it's getting late." Natalie said as she stood up. "You should head home too Sarah, get some rest, call it a day."

Sarah let out a yawn and scratched her eyes, the drowsiness getting to her. "Guess you're right... well, see you tomorrow Jason." Sarah said as she stood up and left the house with Natalie as her escort.

"G'night." Jason mumbled telepathically with his new ability with the aura.

"G'night." Sarah replied telepathically with her psychic abilities.

Jason returned to his room later that night, exhausted and drained. He stared at his room as if it was the first time in a million years that he's returned there. Now that he's evolved, his whole room appeared tiny to him. He almost laughed just staring at his place, his old bed, his old clothes, his stuff, everything just amused him. He later decided that he sure as hell ain't gonna fit in his old bed so he gathered up some sheets and blankets, laid them on the floor and lied down.

"Welp... I guess I can sleep like this for the time being." Jason sighed as he stared at the ceiling. "Man, we're gonna need to do some serious shopping here..."