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On December 23thIn the Heiwa League, it was tradition for the Gym Leaders, Elite Four and Champion to go caroling around the region in the evening and have a massive celebration at Mt. Harmony after that on Christmas Eve. And they will head back to their hometowns early in the morning on Christmas. So now, the Elite Four and the Champion, Red, were decorating the main ballroom for the celebration.
Initially, Red had planned to isolate himself in his newly made hideout so as not intrude with the Elites and Gym Leaders' party. But they had found out about his plan and persuaded him to join them for the festive and would not let him say no.
So that's how he found himself hanging the Christmas lights along the window with Meganium hoisting him up with Vine Whip. Pikachu was scurrying along the curtain rails, making sure that the lights were securely wrapped around the rail.
"Ok Meganium, you can lower us now." Red patted the vines when he and Pikachu were done.
"Meg!" Meganium did as told. Once her trainer was lowered, she affectionately nuzzled against him.
"Thanks Meganium." Red patted her neck. "How 'bout you help Swanna and Zoroak with the tinsels now?"
Meganium bobbed her head and joined the Water and Dark Elite's pokemon at the fireplace, working on untangling the tinsel. Red smiled warmly and looked around the ballroom which was decorated with various Christmas decorations including a massive tree that took the three male Elites and their pokemon to haul in. Then it took all of them and several of their pokemon two hours to decorate it. After that, it was putting up the lights, stockings, cut out snowflakes, wreathes, and ornaments, all the while singing Jingle Bells.
Reika: Dashing through the snow
Muraku: In a one-horse open sleigh
Daimen: O'er the fields we go
Arata: Laughing all the way
Everyone looked at Red expectantly which he hesitantly continued. "Bells on bob tail ring."
The Elites beamed and continued the song.
Daimen: Making spirits bright~
Reika: What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight!
Everyone: Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh! what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. (2x)
"Alright, we're done!" Arata grinned as he topped the tree with the Christmas star. "Now, checklist for tomorrow." He said, whipping out a clipboard from his pocket. Reika, Daimen and Muraku rolled their eyes at Arata's thoroughness but Red was still not used to it, so he was a bit surprise.
"Why are we doing this checklist now?" Red quietly asked Muraku.
"Arata's style. He likes to make sure that things are in place ahead of time." Muraku shook his head slightly. Arata tapped a pencil on his clipboard to get their attention.
"Carol lyric booklets?"
"Check." Reika pipped, thumbing at the small stack of booklets on the table.
"Christmas costumes?"
"Check." This time, Daimen waved at the door where several costumes were hung above the door.
"Muraku, you have our itinerary?" Arata raised his head at the black-haired Elite.
"Yes, Arata." He said patiently, holding up his Xtrans. "I sent it out the route to everyone. We'll gather at Prof. Darcy's lab by 4 and start out from Shiroma Town. Then we'll travel around all four areas and be back here at the league by 8.
"Ok. Then the Christmas party is from 8 to 11. Everyone will be staying the night then head back to their homes in the morning." Arata noted then turned to Red. "You're joining me and mom for Christmas, right?"
Red was taken aback by that. "What?"
"Mom's inviting you and your pokemon." Arata said casually while Reika and Daimen giggled at the Champion's shock look, knowing that he was not expecting anyone to ask him to spend Christmas with since he planned to spend the day by himself and his pokemon.
"Don't give me that look." Arata chided the Champion. "We know that you don't have plans to celebrate with anyone so mom took the liberty to have you over. I think she misses having your pokemon over at her ranch." He gave him a pointed look. "So you're coming over or not?"
Red opened and closed his mouth then slowly nodded. Arata beamed at that. "Great."
