I spun around into my neatly decorated living room, all set up for the holidays. A warm fire crackling in the background, wreaths hanging from the wall, and a lovely Christmas tree to tie the whole room together. It didn't get better than this, that's for sure.

"Because today is the day! My third annual Christmas special!" I exclaimed with a pep in my step.

"Yes, emphasis on the number three…as in you haven't had one for three years." I deflated and glared at the Charmeleon entering the room. Lo and behold, the classic of my stories, Ryder, with his hood down and cloak fluttering behind him. "Does this even count as a third annual if you, I don't know, haven't consecutively done one in the years?"

So, my counterpoint was, "Look, I've been busy dealing with college! You can forgive me for not having the time to plan this out thoroughly! I can't say I'd be able to do one for every year. Still, things are doing better this year and I'm pretty excited. Secret of the Idol is doing well, Tribe of Fusions should potentially be wrapping up before or during summer, and I'm hoping to keep doing more."

Ryder wagged his claw. "You really think you'll have time to keep doing this even after college?"

"We'll talk about that later down the line." I rubbed my hands together. "First item of business: the guest list. Who's coming?"

Ryder pulled out a tablet. "Well, we obviously can't bring everyone. Not sure if Jango's coming, or Diego and Chase."

"Ooh…Diego and Chase…" I awkwardly scratched behind my head. "Yeesh, I almost feel bad I haven't been working on Life in the City. I just don't have the same drive for it like the others. Plus…there is a LOT I could've done differently when it first started out."

"No kidding, Mr. 'Ryder-has-special-dream-ninja-powers' PM64."

"HEY!"

Ryder smirked. "You weren't exactly the best writer when you started out."

I slumped over and sighed. "…I know…" I waved my hand. "Alright, then who IS coming?"

"Obviously some of the guys from TOF and Team Ravenfield." Ryder raised his brow. "You think we should do what you did the other year and bring in a special guest for an upcoming fic? You did say you've been working on the first few chapters for Bandits of the Forest."

"That's still a long time from now. Though, given the first set of chapters I'm working on aren't battle heavy, I could have something ready to upload by the time Tribe of Fusions is finished. It's been in the works for a long time, but…" I sighed and slumped into a chair. "I have so many ideas and so little time to make them…"

"Eh, you've been at this for over…what, six years now? I'd say you've done a lot in that time." Ryder pushed the tablet into my chest. "You can either keep doing this as a side thing once you go out on your own or find a place to stop and go for the bigger fish. That's my advice anyway."

I smiled. "Heh…you're a lot more cooperative when you're not shouting at Dark's ghost."

Ryder rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me…" He raised his claw. "That reminds me. Laura's going to be joining in as well."

"I'm guessing from a different region again?"

"Bingo."

I pouted. "Well…at least I don't have to worry about her starting any fights." I stood up and held my fists up high. "Right! I want to make this a great special for everyone! It is pretty nice answering everyone's questions." I grinned. "Plus…maybe a little look into the earlier drafts of my stories. Should be an interesting treat to explore, especially for Secret of the Idol."

"That's the spirit."

DING DONG!

I smiled. "Would you look at that? Our first guest! Let them in, Ryde!"

Ryder went to the door and let in the first of many guests: Quinn, Artemis, Ren, Tamara, Ulysses, and Juniper.

"What up, my peeps?" Juniper exclaimed, chugging a can of diet cola down.

"Hey guys!" I greeted, walking up to the entrance. "Rest of you not coming?"

Quinn shrugged. "We figured you would rather have the OCs you came up with come instead. This is supposed to be a thing to celebrate a year of your work, right?"

"True. Plus…well, once Team Ravenfield gets here, the place is going to be PACKED." I crouched down and patted Juniper. "I take it you're upset Wash won't be joining us?"

Juniper smirked. "Speak for yourself. When I get home, we're going to be snuggling up to the fire and sipping hot cocoa…with a little cola mixed in, but he doesn't need to know that."

"That sounds…really disgusting…"

"Probably will, but I'll try it!" She let herself in, chugging down the can.

I sighed, then let the rest in. "So…how does it feel knowing Tribe of Fusions will be coming to an end sometime in the summer?"

Tamara cracked her neck. "Kind of unbelievable. Though, as long as we get the proper send off, I'm good."

"Yeah, I've seen your work schedule for it!" Ren exclaimed. "Dude, you're going to be FREAKIN' wiped!"

I sighed and pinched between my eyes. "Why do I do this to myself?"

Artemis snickered as she wrapped her feelers around Quinn. "Well, we're going to get settled by the fire before the show starts. Come on, Spooks." Quinn followed her without resistance.

I turned to Ulysses and gestured him in. "Come on, Ulysses, the guests won't bite."

Ulysses gulped. "I-I know, but…I actually brought someone else with me."

"Huh? Who-?"

"Hello!" Harper suddenly jumped out from behind Ulysses and landed on my head. "I'm ready to party!"

"GAH! Harper!"

Not just Harper, but Dakota also joined inside. "Heh…sorry, she really wanted to come, so…who was I to resist?"

"What about the other kids?"

"Oh, I'm having Hawkins babysit them…between you and me, I think he secretly likes the attention."

"You are surprisingly devious for a well-mannered school teacher."

Dakota shrugged. "I'm nice to children, not people my age." She rubbed her hands together. "Anyway, I heard there was cocoa."

"Kitchen," I directed her.

"Thanks." She walked past me.

Harper pressed her paws up against my face. "When do I get my present?"

"Heh…maybe later."

"Aww…"

I took the Eevee-Ditto to the couch and set her down, then handed her a candy cane. She thanked me and started gnawing on it. I sat down next to her and took a moment to relax while Ryder was getting video coverage with Laura set up.

"So, where's she parked this time? Still in Cinnabar?"

"Actually, she's in Lumiose City."

"That would've been my second guess."

Ryder got the set up working, then dialed up Laura. He took a step back as we watched the call go through on screen. It took a moment, but the screen popped up with Laura in the center. She appeared to be lounging in a hotel room, wearing a fancy white scarf, wide rimmed pink hat, and sunglasses (classic Laura).

She flicked her sunglasses up and smirked. "Heeey. What's shaking, people?"

"Laura. Good to see you're still finding ways to beat the cold."

"I'm just waiting until you get around to my side story," she admitted. "At least once you finish working on the depressed lizard's."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," Ryder mumbled.

"Speaking of, when are you getting around to TFONL's sequel?" Laura asked.

I held my hands up. "Look, I know people have questions. Believe me, I want to finish that stuff when the time comes. I've got plans for next year, especially once I'm through with TOF. In the meantime, how about we just enjoy this time together before we get down to answering everyone's questions?"

Laura shrugged and flicked her sunglasses back down. "Whatever you say."

I turned away from the screen and went to grab some hot cocoa when the doorbell rang again. "Oh, they're here!" I rushed to the door and whipped it open. "Hello, Team Ravenfield!"

The Ravenfield gang was dressed completely in winter clothing. Wes grinned and raised his paw to me. "What up, Brad? Give me paw!" I laughed and high-fived his paw. "Thanks for having us!"

"Well, I feel you deserve a proper appearance after your cameo last time."

"Who's coming on today?"

"Oh, that's a surprise for later." I smiled at the others. "Ella, Flint, Gwyn, Tony, Griffin…great to have all of you with us."

Tony smirked. "I was promised cocoa, so it better be worth not hanging out with my mom and sis."

"Is everyone here just for the cocoa?" I mumbled to myself.

"No, I'm here for the candy canes!" Gwyn squealed. She hooked her arms around Flint and jumped up and down. "Come on, Flinty, I want candy canes! Pleeeeeease!"

Flint laughed. "Alright, alright, we just got here. Come on." He led her inside as the others trudged in. Griffin closed the door behind him.

Ella snickered behind her paw. "D'aww, look at them."

I laughed. "Yeah, it is pretty cute."

Griffin crossed his arms. "So…how does this work?"

"Well, while I will be answering readers' questions, I'm also going to take a new spin on things and explain some of the original conceptions for my stuff. I got a lot to share for Secret of the Idol, and maybe some insight on Bandits of the Forest, as I'm in quite the mood to talk about that."

Ella smirked. "Sounds nice. Can't wait to hear about it." She walked off to the couch to mingle with the Fusions.

Wes scratched under his hat. "We could all use a break after everything that happened. Let's enjoy this Christmas celebration while we can!" He ran off to get some snacks.

Tony rubbed his hands together. "Annnd…I think I'm going to get myself acquainted with those fine ladies over there." He walked over to mingle with the Fusions as well.

Griffin narrowed his eyes. "…They all have boyfriends, don't they?"

I chuckled. "Except Tamara, buuut Tony would have the same amount of luck either way."

"Right…you have any yache juice around here?" He walked on in, hands stuffed in his pockets.

I pouted. "He's a grump no matter where he goes." I laughed it off, then joined them by the couch. "Well, that's what I get for writing him as such." I sat down between Juniper and Flint on the couch and sat back.

"So, I figured we do the same as last time. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask to your heart's content…within reason, of course. And, unlike last time, you're limited to just three questions instead of three to five. Aside from that, I thought it would be nice to have a little segment where we talk about the original concepts for the stories when they first came about. We already know I change a lot of things, like with The Assassin and the Princess, but Secret of the Idol has gone through a lot more than I intended, even some bits of Tribe of Fusions. This should be fun for everyone. Just to remind anyone who isn't caught up with either, this might have the potential to lead to spoilers. And remember to stick around when we'll be bringing in our special guest.

"Let's get this Christmas special started!"