A/N: Based off the classic novel by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.

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It had been years since the incident at the Battle Frontier, and years since Green Oak had spent time with his friends. After the event, Green trained and did little research here and there. He kept contact with his closest friends, Red, Blue and Yellow. Soon however, he began to slowly lose contact with them, with Red going to wherever he felt like, Blue spending well deserved time with her parents, and Yellow…doing whatever she did in her time.

About a year later, Green had become tired of trainers who he deemed too weak to enter his gym, let alone battle him. So he was forced to use pokémon he had barely trained so the challengers had a fighting chance. He wanted to use his normal pokémon again, so he set out on an adventure going anywhere.

He traveled to many regions, but one caught his interest in particular, Unova. While he was there, he noticed on how little researchers actually fully understood the pokémon that lived there. Their forms, evolutions, and lifestyles were all mysteries to most of the scientific community. Green had taken notes and studied the pokémon living there while training in Unova.

Green discovered many breakthroughs in pokémon research and was revered as an excellent pokémon researcher, even at such a young age. This excited Green, understanding the unknown, unraveling the mysteries of pokémon. Even after so many years of humans living along side pokémon, they still didn't know everything. Who knew if humanity was even close to understanding everything?

Green spent two years in Unova, and finally returned to Kanto to base his discoveries to the pokémon living there. To his amazement, he had discovered even more things about the pokémon that researchers had already suspected they knew everything about. While his research kept him busy, he still continued to train regularly, but not as often.

He established himself a research facility in Johto, on Route 36. Green was still technically the Viridian City's gym leader and came by to check up on it every once in awhile. He took more time studying pokémon than ever before, he hadn't heard from Red or Yellow in who knows how long. Every once in awhile Blue would call him, most of the time he would ignore the calls or answer to tell her he was too busy to talk. Rarely would he actually have conversation with her, until ultimately, he just didn't.

As his research started to quickly become too much for him to handle, he realized he would need an assistant. He looked at his options and concluded that a fellow Dex Holder would fit the job quite nicely. He had not spoken to her in years, but that seemed irrelevant to him, since he had not spoken to many people in the years since.

He got in contact with Crystal from his grandfather, the esteemed Professor Oak, who had been proud of his grandson for his remarkable work in the field of research, was also a little sad since he had not seen him in years. Crystal still helped Professor Oak mostly, but spent more and more time at the Pokémon Academy in Violet City. Green offered a better paying job as his assistant. Since Green's lab was much closer to her home and closer to Pokémon Academy, Crystal left Professor Oak to be Green's first and only assistant. She thanked Professor Oak for letting her work with him and he wished her luck in working with his grandson, who felt so distant by that point.

For weeks, the only human interaction Green had was with Crystal. Green became so obsessed with his research, he gradually began to care less and less about his friends and family. Telling himself that his research was more important and he'll see them another time. Blue would still try to keep contact with him, and eventually found out where his lab was and began to be 'pesky' as Green would call it. All his other friends and even his family just accepted that Green was too busy for them. Green was satisfied with this life he had chosen, or so he thought. He had forgotten something, something important. He would soon remember it in the days to come.

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Green returned to his desk rather exhausted. He was running off about four hours of sleep, and frustrated since he hadn't gotten much work done in that time. He was even more frustrated since Crystal was late to work again that day. He didn't feel like berating Crystal for her continued tardiness, so he let her off and started to look over research notes. Crystal was in a smaller office down the hall from Green's office. Her office was not as big as Green's, but at least she had a workspace.

He had just came back from Goldenrod City to get some office supplies such as paper while Crystal got some food supplies from Violet. Green lived in the lab, which meant he would have lived in complete solitude, if not for Crystal. Green was known well by most for his status as a researcher, but most people did their best to avoid him. Something about his presence was unsettling, since he came down to society rarely and had a negative look about him, as if warning all cheer to keep its distance. The city was lit up even more than usual since it was the Christmas season. All the lights made Green have a headache. Green returned to his lab and entered his office without saying a word to Crystal, expecting her to continue working.

Green was in deep thought and didn't hear the door to his office open. He saw a female standing in front of his desk, who he assumed was Crystal. "Do you need something?"

"I could think of a few things, but nothing in particular"

That wasn't Crystal's voice, but Green recognized it. He looked up with a little surprise.

"Merry Christmas, Professor Green" Blue said with cheer.

Green looked at her for a few moments; he almost didn't recognize her at his first glance. Not because she had changed, she still greatly resembled the way he remembered her, even after about five years. He simply stared at her for a moment or two and returned to examining his notes.

"I said" Blue said, sitting herself on his desk, "Merry Christmas"

Green glared at her, "You too"

"You're supposed to say 'Merry Christmas, Blue'"

"It's not Christmas day yet, so it's pointless to say that" Green said, not once looking up from his notes.

"Is so! It's Christmas Eve, they're practically the same thing!" Blue said.

"Not to me"

"You've turned into such a Scrooge"

"Humbug" Green said, to mock her.

"Hmph" Blue pouted and got off Green's desk and back on her feet. "Aren't you going to ask me how I've been? We haven't seen each other in years and you ask as if you couldn't care less that a good friend of yours has come to visit you!"

Green sighed, "How have you been?"

"Well enough, and you?"

"Busy"

"Apparently, otherwise you would at least try to keep in touch with somebody"

Green looked up from his notes and looked at Blue sternly, "Well, if I know you as much as I think I do…"

"What do you mean? You probably didn't even remember me, or any one of your friends for that matter!" Blue said.

Green paused, "Like I said previously, if I know you like I think I do, you didn't just come around for a simple greeting. So what do you want?"

Blue looked annoyed in a bad way at Green's statement, but put a grin on her face. "Well I saw you in Goldenrod today and followed you here to see how you were doing"

"What were you doing in Goldenrod? Spending money on gifts for people, who'll just return them the next day?" Green said.

"Is that what you think Christmas is? It's about much more than that, Green!"

"Keep Christmas in your way, Blue, and I'll leave it in it my own" Green said, trying to ignore Blue.

"Sounds to me like you don't keep it at all anymore"

"Then let me leave it alone then" Green said looking up at her. "I have work to do anyway"

Blue looked angry, but Green didn't notice as his attention was once again devoted to his notes. Blue calmed down and put a smile back on her face. "Well, the main reason why I came down to this lovely little cheerful place, is because I wanted to invite you to a Christmas party tomorrow night"

Green didn't look up at her. He hoped that if he would ignore her, she would go away. You think he would remember how persistent Blue was.

"It's being held in a big apartment that Ruby's dad rented out for their visit to Goldenrod this year. So while Ruby's parents are out doing whatever married couples do, the Dex holders will have a get together Christmas party!"

"Isn't inviting every Dex Holder inconvenient since some live regions away?" Green noted.

"Not entirely" Blue said moving around the office, looking around. Nothing was there really, no pictures or anything like that. Just notes and books. "I already invited Red and Yellow, they said they'd love to come."

"You got a hold of Red?"

"It was easier than trying to get a hold of you" Blue said flatly. "Plus Gold, Silver and your lovely assistant Crystal all live in Johto."

"And of the Dex Holders from Hoenn?"

"Ruby's family visiting Goldenrod for old time's sake, and Sapphire's family is going with them. Plus Emerald is always at the Pokémon Academy in Violet City now. Didn't you know that?"

"Can't say that I did" Green said. "I thought there were others, from Sinnoh and even from Unova from the way I heard it"

"That is too far of a journey for them on Christmas day, I wouldn't want to keep them from their families. That's why we're having the party at night, so in the morning we can spend time with our families and at night we can spend time with our friends."

Green remained silent. He turned around to pull a large book out from his shelf, making an effort to get work done despite Blue's annoyance.

"Well…are you going to come to the party?" Blue asked.

"No"

Blue looked disappointed but she expected such an answer. "Everyone wants to see you, Green"

"Another time perhaps, but now I'm very busy"

"Too busy for friends you haven't seen in a long time?"

"They'll be other times"

""No time like the present"

"Exactly, and I should dedicate that time for research. Maybe some training here and there"

Blue looked at her old friend. Hard to believe what he had become. He wasn't the way he used to be. "Well, it's obvious you don't want me here" Blue said angrily as she made her way to the door. When she opened it, Crystal was at it. She was about to enter to see who the other voice was.

"Oh, Blue! How are you? Merry Christmas" crystal said happily.

"At least someone has a little Christmas spirit around here" Blue said looking back at Green.

"Just because I don't prance about, wasting my money and throwing candy canes at people doesn't mean I don't have what you cal, "Christmas Spirit" Green said.

"Well, Green unlikely as it is, I hope you'll reconsider the offer. The name and number of the apartment is there on your desk"

Green looked on his desk and on the corner of it laid a little piece of paper with writing on it. Green ignored it and pulled out more references and notes.

"In case I don't see you tomorrow night…or ever again for that matter, Merry Christmas!" Blue said as she stomped out the door. "And a Happy New Year!"

"…pesky girl…"

Crystal stood there, a little confused, not sure what happened. Since when did Blue get in the lab? She didn't hear her come in but then again she was Blue.

"Do you need anything, Crystal?" Green said, noticing her presence.

Crystal came back to reality, "Oh what? Oh um…yes actually. Since…as you probably already know it's Christmas…"

Green looked annoyed.

"I was wondering that maybe I might…have the day off tomorrow?" Crystal asked.

Green sighed and put his hands to his head, "This could not possibly be anymore annoying" Green muttered. "All day tomorrow I suspect?"

Crystal looked nervous, approaching Green wasn't easy nowadays. "If it's convenient"

"It's not convenient, and it's not fair. Losing my helping hand for a day when I might need it?" Green said.

"Christmas only comes once a year…"

"A poor excuse…what if something were to happen tomorrow, and it wouldn't happen again. We were to miss a great achievement in understanding pokémon because of some day that is ultimately in the end…a waste of time and money." Green said, staring Crystal down with a cold glare, feeling no remorse.

Crystal looked down, hoping that Green would let her half some of the day off.

"…But…if you must have it…so be it" Green said.

Crystal lit up. "Thank you, Green. Thank you so much!"

"I want you here an hour earlier the next day! Understood?"

"Yes, yes I will!" Crystal said as she was about to leave, but turned around. "What will you be doing tomorrow for Christmas morning, Green?"

"Obvious isn't it? Working…plus I'll have to work double in your absence won't I?" green said.

"No Christmas feast?"

"I might make a sandwich"

Crystal paused for a moment, "Well…if you'd like, you can have Christmas dinner at the Pokémon Academy tomorrow morning. It won't be much but I'm sure we can-"

"No, thank you" Green interrupted.

Crystal remained quiet, "Are you sure? You're more than welcome"

"I need to get work done, and no ridiculous holiday will get in the way of that." Green said.

"Christmas is an important time of year"

"I assure you, whatever joy and good things Christmas had originally brought, is now all but gone. Now all it is about is greedy children getting more than they need for no reason and store owners finding an excuse to raise prices. When I say those things does that make a bad person? Does it make me a Scrooge? Then humbug to the whole thing. At least then I'll be left alone to get meaningful things done." Green said before finally returning to his notes.

""I've always enjoyed the arrival of Christmas time myself, despite what a few might seem to think it has become because overall, it is a good time. It's a time where everyone can be jolly and cheerful to each other, where many people don't think better or worse than others, but all but one as we all celebrate the wonderful event that it is. And so I say, Arceus bless it." Crystal said.

Green looked up her, "You have a way with words don't you? Ever think of going into politics?"

"Once or twice…"

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After Crystal had left the lab to return home to Violet City, Green thought he should a little training while there was still some daylight. The training session went longer than he anticipated, lasting until nine that night. Green was extremely tired and was ready to go to bed. As he returned back to the lab, he noticed a fog that started to develop. It was odd as this had never happened before. He ignored it and pressed on. He couldn't see his own breath in the cold because of the fog, and the snow was making it difficult to continue walking at a steady pace. The closer he got to the lab, colder and darker the fog became.

"I never noticed how far my training spot is from the lab…"

As he finally approached the front door he looked at the handle of the door but in stead of the handle there was a face. A ghostly, motionless face. Green jumped a little at this sight but before he fully grasped what he had saw, there was no face but the handle of the door again. Green stood there in the fog, cold and shaken.

"The fog and lack of sleep are getting to me…"

Green went straight upstairs, but not before getting a bite to eat. Just simple soup, as he reached for his bedroom door, he made sure his door didn't have a face on it this time. To his relief it didn't.

Green sat in his bedroom, alone in the quiet, trying to remember important details from the notes he studied that day. The he remembered the unwanted appearance of Blue…it was perhaps terrible to think of it that way but he was a busy man, and had no time for parties. Another time perhaps.

Then Green heard a knocking come from his front door. This surprised Green, who would come to visit him at this hour? Or simply come to visit him in general? He ignored it, but the knocking became louder and louder. Eventually it stopped. Silence. Then Green heard a noise coming from downstairs. It sounded like chains being slowly dragged across the floor. The sounds were making their way towards the stairs.

Green reached for his pokémon, ready for anything. The noises became louder until it sounded like the origin of the noises was right outside his bedroom door. He watched the door, not sure what would come through. As it turned out, something did come through, right through the door. A figure morphed itself right through the door. To Green's amazement, a ghostly figure stood before him, carrying chains. The figure stared at him with a familiar face; it had been the face that appeared on Green's door. There was also something familiar about the figure…something that reminded him of his grandfather…and of himself.

"What do you want with me?" Green asked amazed at the scene that was in front of him.

"Much" said the ghost. The ghost was grey and Green could faintly see through it. Its clothing was older as well as the ghost itself, resembling an older man.

"Who are you?" Green asked.

"Ask me who I was…" The ghost said.

"Particular for a ghost aren't you?" Green said jokingly. "Who were you then?"

"In life I was an esteemed pokémon researcher. Professor Viridian Oak"

"What did you say?" Green asked in amazement. "Did you say you're name was 'Oak'?"

"I did…"

Green was quiet. "Can you sit down?"

"I can…"

"Well do it then"

The ghost made his way to the chair that Green had offered. The ghost began to sit in the chair but fell right through it and hit the floor. "Well…I guess I can't. Right here's fine too I suppose." The ghost said as he made himself comfortable on the floor.

Green looked at the ghost on his floor skeptically. His lack of sleep was now definitely getting to him.

"You don't believe in me…" the ghost said, as it stared at Green with its dead, motionless eyes.

"I don't" Green admitted.

"What evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your own senses?"

'And I thought I had a good vocabulary…' Green thought.

"Why do you doubt your senses?" the ghost asked again

"Well, because the slightest of things can affect them. Such as bad food, or in my case lack of sleep. Besides for all I know this is some prank by the pesky girl. You might be her ditto. You're nothing but a joke. In fact." Green said as he reached for his pokéball. "You see this?"

"I do…"

"…But you're not looking at it" Green said.

"But I do see it…"

"Whatever, now observe" Green said as he released his charizard from the pokéball. "This will put you to rest 'spirit'. Go! Flamethrowher!"

The pokémon obeyed Green's command as fire surrounded the place the ghost once was. Then all of a sudden a voice boomed out of the fire. "MAN OF THE WORLDY MIND!" the fires died down and Green's charizard was suddenly sent back into its pokéball. Green looked at the ghost with a sense of fear.

"DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME OR NOT?!"

"I do! I must!" Green said. The ghost calmed down. "Tell me…you said you're name was Viridian Oak…if so, why do you come to me?"

"In life, I walked down the same road you walk down today young Green. I placed my research beyond all other things. My family, my friends, even my own self. In the end, no one mourned at my passing, no one cared and I lost the only thing I ever had. For thieves stole my research and took my discoveries for their own!" The ghost explained.

Green noticed that for a second time that he carried around chains. "Why do you carry those around?"

"It is required of all ill spirits to carry the chains they made in life. All bad and ill things they did in life will add to the chain and if at death the man is found unworthy of an peaceful afterlife, he must walk among the living world, unseen and unheard to only witness what it cannot share…but might have shared on earth and turned to happiness!"

"I still don't understand why you have come to me" Green said flatly, getting over his fear of the ghost who was sitting on his floor.

"Because Green Oak, you have begun to forsake your friends and family, and have begun to forsake the good fortunes of Christmas!" The ghost pointed at him, "Behold! Your chain has already begun to be made. A great chain it is, and at such youth!"

Green looked down at himself, "What chain? I see no chain"

"Invisible and unfelt it is to the living"

"You said you were a pokémon researcher?" Green asked him, trying to change the subject.

"Why yes, I am your great-great grandfather. But I am forgotten by all…even amongst my own family." The ghost of Viridian Oak said sadly.

"Is there…anything I can do for you?" Green asked him.

"For me? No…it is too late for me…" The ghost said. "But I come for you sake Green."

"My sake?"

"Yes…so that you might escape my fate, and live life happily and with friends and family with cheer in your heart. Preferably Christmas cheer. And that is how we shall help you."

"…We?"

"Tonight…you will be haunted by three ghosts…" The ghost of Viridian Oak said.

"I assume that's the chance of escaping your fate you mentioned?" Green asked.

"It is…"

"Well then…I'd rather not"

"Expect the first to arrive…when the bell tolls one"

"Couldn't they all just come at the same time? So we could get this whole thing over with quickly?" Green suggested.

"Expect the second…when the bell tolls two…"

"I don't exactly have a bell…I do have an alarm clock though, will that work?"

"The third…will arrive in his own due time!"

"That's reassuring…"

"Look to me no more!" the ghost said as it made its way towards Green's bedroom window. "Remember what has happened here tonight, it will be your one and only hope!"

The window opened on its own and the ghost of Viridian Oak vanished as the window shut itself. Green stood there in amazement. Had all that he thought he saw truly happen? He went towards the window to see what was outside. Nothing but snow.

Green turned out his lights and crawled into his bed, 'I just need sleep…yes…sleep'

A/N: Since it's Christmas I decided to write a parody of sorts around one of my favorite stories, involving my favorite fiction series, Pokémon Special! I didn't really want to turn Green into a cold-hearted character like Ebenezer Scrooge was, so I just turned him into a character that cares more about his work than anything else. As for Viridian Oak, I made him up, since Green has no dead business partners to haunt him. Also Viridian is indeed a shade of green. Anyway if you've never read A Christmas Carol, go read it. It's a timeless classic, one of my favorites. It has several movie adaptations. My personal preference is the 1984 version, so if you ever have free time or feel like watching a Christmas movie this year, give it a watch! I hope you'll enjoy the story!