Lilac smiled as she walked through the forest, Lance beside her. Since they had started going to school together, neither had been teased by the three bullies nearly as much as before. :I have to find a way to repay him...: Lilac thought, keeping her mind closed so that the other Kirlia wouldn't hear.

Lance smiled back at Lilac. "So, where are we going again?"

"We have to end up home at some point, but I love exploring the woods," she admitted with a laugh.

"Alright then. Maybe we could make a tree house for you and Daisy and I."

"Yeah! We should!" Lilac said enthusiastically, forgetting something important that Yasmin had told her a few days ago.

"Maybe dad could help! Or Ferrum, either or. Man, that'd be so cool!"

"It would be," she grinned.

Lance nodded, smiling at Lilac. He hadn't realized the pink spreading across his light gray cheeks.

Lilac didn't notice either, likely because light blue was spreading across her own face.

A rustling was heard in the bushes, making a sound as if a blade had been unsheathed.

Lance got in a fighting position, his blush fading.

Lilac squeaked and jumped behind Lance. Unlike him, her blush grew, more from embarrassment than anything.

A Shiny Leafeon leapt out of the bush, playfully tackling Lance and licking his face.

"Dangit, Zircon! Get off!"

A giggle could be heard as a Glaceon leapt from a parallel bush, surprising Lilac for a moment.

"Miracle!" the Kirlia laughed. "You scared me!"

Lance smiled, pushing Zircon off.

Zircon bounded to Miracle, smiling.

The Glaceon giggled again and licked Lilacs face before turning to Zircon. "Yeah! We scared them!" she cheered, as if it had been her intention.

Zircon back flipped in triumph, his muscles rippling as he landed.

"Yep, you got us," Lance smiled.

Lilac nodded. "Yep!"

Miracle smiled as well. "So what are you two up to?" she asked, rainbow eyes shining with joy.

Zircon laid down and stretched.

"We were exploring the woods. Now we're gonna go find a place to build a treehouse."

The Glaceon gasped. "Ooh! A treehouse?! Can we help, please, please, please?!"

Lilac giggled. "I don't see why not!"

"That sounds good. I'm sure you and Zircon would be great helpers!"

Lilac nodded and Miracle cheered, "Whoopee!"

Zircon cheered, but ended up making a large screech the resounded through the forest.

Lance covered his ears, cringing.

Miracle cringed slightly as well.

Lilac clasped her hands over her ears.

Zircon shut his mouth, red from embarrassment. He covered his face with his paws, his ears falling.

"Hey, it's alright, Zircon. Lilac, maybe you could translate his thoughts," Lance asked.

"Oh! Yeah, of course!" Lilac said and closed her eyes, concentrating. She linked ZIrcon's mind to all of theirs, transmitting his thoughts.

"Wow, thanks Lilac!"

"Now we won't have to hear your screeching," Lance joked.

"Hey, it's not my fault I can't speak normally."

Lilac seemed to be struggling slightly, so she talked telepathically as well. :It was a joke.:

"It was still mean," Zircon pouted, his ears dropping again.

:Zircon...:

Lance frowned and sat on his knees in front of Zircon. "Hey, pick yourself up, buddy. The things that make you different are the things that make you...well, you," Lance said, petting Zircon's head.

Zircon smiled and nuzzled Lance, purring mentally.

Lilac smiled as well at that.

Miracle grinned happily.

Lance smiled back.

"I'm glad you guys are my friends..." Zircon smiled.

:I'm glad we're your friends,: Lilac responded.

Zircon grinned wider, before yawning. "Miracle and I should go back to the guild now," he said sleepily, adjusting his scarf.

Miracle tilted her head. "But what about the tree house? I'm tired too, but..."

:It's fine, guys,: Lilac replied. :Go back to the Guild.:

"We're not starting it yet. We have to go get materials."

Zircon smiled and slid under Miracle, lifting her up on his back. "Bye guys..."

Miracle giggled. "Okay then, bye!"

Lance waved as Zircon carried Miracle off.

Lilac let the connection fade and she waved as well. "Bye, guys!" Then she turned to Lance. "We should probably get back to your dad's house."

"Yeah, we should. Maybe we can ask him about the treehouse."

She nodded and smiled, beginning to walk through the forest. "Alright, let's go!"

Lance followed, smiling back. The pink on his cheeks had returned, but much less noticeable this time around.

Lilac approached the house and grinned, seeing Daisy. "Hi Daisy!"

Daisy grinned, running up. "Hi guys! Where were you?"

"We took a different route home," the purple Kirlia laughed.

"That's cool! Wanna go inside and play?"

She nodded happily. "Let's go!"

Lance and Daisy nodded, and teleported Lilac and themselves into their room.

Downstairs, Yasmin and Gawain were talking.

"You really mean it," Gawain asked Yasmin, concerned about what the news entailed.

She nodded. "Yes... We are going to Johto."