Story Name: Dancing Through Starry Skies
Author: Kisuru-chan
Main Pairing: Pokeshipping, Ash x Misty
Warnings: OCs that do not interfere with the Pokeshipping whatsoever. Used as comedy relief and help to the plot? Also, my personal brand of sappiness.
Length: Likely 40,000+ish words. 11ish chapters.


What's special? What can be more special than snow on Christmas?

Wind gently grazed his cheeks, turning them frostier and redder than a moment before.

If snow is the gift to the world, then what should the best present for the person I care about the most be . . .? Ash wondered, shutting his eyes. What magic would I need?

He stared blankly at a break in the cloud-engulfed sky, watching the little cirrus clouds chug along until the larger clouds swallowed them whole. No angel descended from the heavens to answer his call for inspiration.

Snowflakes fluttered from the heavens in dizzying spirals. One by one, snow spiraled to the frost-streaked trees dotting Route 7's path. White glistened on the cusps of branches; crystal rainbows zig-zagged and sparkled against surface as the sun threatened to peek through the smoky film of clouds and shine upon the chill forest

Even though the land had settled into a frostbitten and overbearing winter, the usual three suspects traveling Kanto's farthest reaches animated the freezing forest with the constant crunch of footsteps. By then, it had been snowing relentlessly all day with no sign of letting up on the horizon

"Pika. . . ." PIkachu whined to itself, digging its paws into the shoulder of Ash's coat.

Stirred from his musings, Ash sleepily titled his head to the side to glance at Pikachu

"Are you cold, buddy?" Ash asked.

Teeth chattering in agreement, Pikachu all but confirmed this but clinging even tighter to Ash's coat with all the force of the shivering snow hugging to the trees.

It was at times like this Ash wondered if Pikachu should return to its Poke Ball and delight in the warmth inside instead of subjecting itself to being sick.

Pikachu vigorously shook its head as if it knew what evil scheme Ash was hatching. "Pika pika," he rejected quickly.

Misty clutched pink mitten-laden hands to the folds of her pink jacket. Any extra space for warmth would suffice even now. She shivered nearby, hugging herself.

"Brrr, I'm freezing!" Misty complained to anyone who would listen. "I can't wait to get inside and drink a nice hot chocolate! And maybe catch a Christmas movie."

"I could go for a plate of nice, hot food right about now!" Ash agreed with a laugh. "I want three, no four, huge heaping plates of hot food after all this snowfall. Bring it on!"

Misty pouted at Ash as though he had grown a second head. He had turned her general idea topsy-turvy into something goofy, as per usual. "You think with your stomach, don't you?"

Ash shot her a scathing Look. Misty returned his firepower with a full-brunt glare without backing down a muscle. He tossed his arms to each side and scoffed at her attitude.

"I can't help it. The holidays are the best time for devouring delicious food," Ash said, reproachful but full of positive energy. "I also really, really want to beat the Celadon gym leader. I'm so excited to get my next badge."

Ash and Pikachu exchanged a high five. Pikachu was always on his side, after all.

"Pikachu!"

Meanwhile, Brock clumsily shifted the map in hands horizontally and vertically, or every which way possible in imagination. Despite his usual good graces with maps his fingers creaked and stiffened beneath a pair of dark green gloves. Eventually, he twisted the map until it stood in his hands diagonally. The crisscrosses and inked in red lines revealed Route 7's current path crystal clear.

"Well, the Pokemon Center should be right up ahead," Brock insisted for the fifth time for the past half hour. Trekking through the forest had taken longer than expected because of the black ice and snow drifts pouring into the pathway like tiny waterfalls. He turned the map in his hands to relieve the coldness once more seeping beyond his gloves and stinging his palms. "We're about there."

A white puff of breath left Misty's lips. She sighed gratefully. This time, something in Brock's tone tipped her off that this was the real deal "That's a relief. I like snow, but not when I'm the one freezing."

Like clockwork the trees thinned into an expanded azure sky. Snowy rooftops of beyond the route replaced the forest's snow-tipped brush and desolation.

"So the Pokemon Center should be to our immediate—" Brock started.

"To the right!" Ash filled in.

The Celadon City's red Pokemon Center roof arced through the sky like a welcome beacon. Ash, Misty, and Brock made short work of the welcome gates, kicking aside the last vestiges of slippery snow blocking their way, and entered the Pokemon Center.

I'll have to think about it later, Ash thought. Rest needed to come before thinking of such exhausting things like amazing presents.

Inside the Pokemon Center, toasty warmth thawed Ash's frozen limbs straight down to the weary bones. Trainers of all sizes and shapes lounged on the floors and tabletops in clusters. Some trainers were gathered near the TV monitor hung above a sizzling fireplace in the corner; mistletoe and crimson Christmas stockings hung above the chimney. From just this view, most Pokemon and Trainers alike seemed to have migrated to the Center for the day to drop off their luggage before speeding off once again into the bustling crowds outside.

A display filled with food was stationed on the lobby's other side. Batches of mini green-red cakes and snowflake and snowmen cookies cheerfully decorated the tabletop in droves.

Tantalizing scents of cinnamon and ginger wafted against Ash's nostrils.

"Yum. Forget warm food. There's cookies. Cookies are all I need to survive!" Ash yelled. Small details. Dinner could wait—he was ready to chow down on sugary holiday goodness. He made a mad dash for the counter.

"Ash, stop it!" Misty snapped as soon as she saw his reckless action. She reached out and snatched him by the shoulder. Ash gasped and made a scene squirming in her grasp. She seemed determined not let him make a complete fool of himself.

But this was not to detour Ash from his soon to be prize. "Misty, stop being a killjoy! It's okay. I just want one. They're calling out to me. They're saying, 'Eat me, eat me, Ash'!" Ash scowled, but he stamped on one foot, turning halfway to dejectedly gaze at Misty.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu agreed. It waved his stubby hands out in front of itself, also hoping to magically grab a gingerbread man.

"No, the both of you can't have any until Nurse Joy says you can," Misty sighed, accusing tone firm. "Remember your manners. Look at the other trainers?" She made a general circle gesture to the center lobby to prove her point. "Don't you see they're not taking anything? I'm sure she worked all morning to make them."

The squeaking of wheels behind the front desk signaled the arrive of a medical cart.

"That's right, they're for this Pokemon Center's annual Christmas bash held in a few days," Nurse Joy interjected with a sparkling smile. Gusto strong for probably helping out with the treats, Chansey waved from behind her. "Don't let me stop you, go ahead. Help yourselves. I just put those out five minutes ago."

Ash smirked all too smugly at Misty's exasperation. Misty cringed.

"Great. Thanks, Nurse Joy!" He proceeded to zip off to the table and gorge on Christmas sweets.

"Nurse Joy's beautiful, and an amazing cook. What a breathtaking combination!" Brock sing-sang. Instead of joining Ash, he stepped up to the counter in a daze. "Will you—"

Containing Brock's excitement was surprisingly easy for the occasion. It only took Misty a mere five ear jerks before he calmed down and behaved himself.

"As you were saying a minute ago, Nurse Joy?" Misty prompted.

Quickly forgetting her nervousness with Brock's approach, Nurse Joy laughed as she deposited a Rattata with a large white bandage on its leg from the medical cart to on top of the desk. "Well, Celadon holds an annual Christmas bash every year out in the square. I can't help myself though," she explained with an ounce of pride. "When it comes to celebrations, the Center is one of the biggest hot spots in town. Gatherings here bring in as many people when they're exhausted from walking on the streets and I want to add to the fun with another party."

"Aw, that's so sweet." Misty smiled. "I'm sure the trainers are really thankful."

"I know I am. This cake is am-a-zing." Ash returned, stuffing a hunk of powdery frosting between his teeth. He dropped a plate of the sweets set out for Brock and Misty to try.

Despite her earlier annoyance, Misty dug a plastic fork into a piece of vanilla cake with only a half of Santa's hat frosted on. She took a hearty bite and grinned as sugar melted in her mouth like a burst of electricity. She set her fork right back into the slice of cake for more. "Wow, this is good. I can't remember having a recipe like this."

"Me either," Brock said. He was already shoveling two snowflake cookies into his mouth at once. Of course, a Breeder that dealt with food supplies each day could give me higher compliment. "I'd love to learn, if you wouldn't mind."

A companiable pause took shape as the sweets were consumed and Nurse Joy answered questions. Hop-scotch footsteps broke the silence once a trainer with a blue stitched hat and hoodie raced to the desk, the blue ball at the hat's end flying behind him as he jumped forward in excitement.

"Rad! Rattata's all patched up!" the trainer proclaimed, relieved. "How ya feelin' after facin' Erika, Rattata?"

"Ta! Ta," Rattata assured its trainer. It waved its paw in the air, showing off that its battle wound with a swell of pride.

The trainer and Rattata did a fist bump.

"Make sure you're more careful next time," Nurse Joy warned seriously. She still didn't seem all that upset with their reunion. "That wound was deep and I needed to do a little surgery. Grass type attacks cut close in the skin. Erika's Pokemon are extremely precise and elegant about it, so remember that."

"Gotcha, Nurse J. We'll watch our backs next time, you'll see." The trainer saluted.

Misty could only give a sidelong evil eye while Ash continued to munch into his cookie and a few loose sprinkles fell on the floor. Couldn't he have more decency?

"Gross," Misty mumbled.

Noticing her distain, Ash held out the half bitten cookie out to Misty's face. "What, you want a bite?"

He totally seemed to have misinterpreted her entire observation.

Red tinged her ears. He looked so innocent asking that, just like it didn't mean anything. A bite of his cookie.

Misty swore steam was pouring out of her eardrums. How could he even ask—ask—bite— She was mortified.

A bite of his cookie.

It was mocking her existence.

"No, you dork!" Lost for what other reaction to have, Misty violently slapped Ash's hand.

As the desired effect, Ash's hand snapped backwards. The offending cookie summersaulted in the air three times before, with a flicker of his wrist, he dived and miraculously caught it mid-air before it slammed into the floor. He sighed triumphantly at his luck.

"Wow, and you told me to be careful. You don't have to be so mean all the time, Misty. You almost ruined it and caused Nurse Joy trouble," Ash growled.

"Not my problem," she sniffed daintily. He deserved it anyway for his cluelessness.

While nobody seemed to be paying attention to Nurse Joy, Brock seemed to see how her expression darkly dropped. It didn't seem to be because of the food, though—something intense entered her gaze. He frowned at this. Nobody as beautiful and talented as Nurse Joy should have to be upset.

Brock took another bite of his cookie just to look casual. "Something wrong?"

She jumped slightly. Still, someone so chipper knew when she had been caught red-handed. "Well, I was just wondering, well. . . ." Nurse Joy fidgeted with her apron strings uncertainly. "Seeing how happy I've made you all today, I feel sad. I don't know how I'll get the rest of the chores for the party in time."

The mood shifted. Misty glanced at her, worry putting aside Ash's unknowing suggestive act to the side. "Are you okay, Nurse Joy?"

Nurse joy released a reserved sigh. "See, I know I told you about how I have the bash each year, but I haven't had the chance to finish preparations. I've been behind." She wiped the sweat off her forehead with a ragged orange cloth. "And I've been busy with the recent surge in Pokemon being brought in for the holidays. I haven't gotten the time to put up all the decorations. When so many trainers gather it's hard for them not to battle, even around Christmas."

Misty blinked at the level of secrecy kept, but she was concerned that so much had gone wrong for such a caring person. "That's awful, Nurse Joy. I wouldn't mind—" She fumbled to a sudden halt as an unguarded tear slip from Nurse Joy's eye.

"Oh, but what am I going to do?" Nurse Joy fretted aloud, overwhelmed now that she had been reminded of her workload. "I don't know who to turn to. The chief I hired to make the food cancelled on me yesterday, and the decorations are still down in the basement, and I still haven't prepared all the—" She hurriedly clasped her hand to her mouth as though she was about to spill something precarious.

What's that about? Ash thought.

Overhearing this, the Rattata trainer took a moment from rejoicing with his Rattata and looked over at Nurse Joy with a burst of enthusiasm jolting his expression. "I won't stand for that!" he shouted to the entire room. "Hey, everyone, Nurse J needs help with the Christmas bash and she doesn't know who to turn to! Ya'll gonna help her out or loaf around and be freeloaders?"

This got minor attention. A few heads raised at his high-pitched tone, wide-eyed with concern.

Brock's hands waved furiously in the air. He fumbled around for a minute until he found a tissue box under the desk. He slid Nurse Joy a stack of tissues in Nurse Joy's open palm and nodded his upmost gentlemanly agreement. "We can't let Nurse Joy cry on Christmas."

That brought the room full-circle. Like clockwork there clamor and chase prevailed. A buzz of excitement traveled from one side of the room to the other as trainer after trainer whispered to each other.

"I'll help you out, Nurse Joy!" one of the trainers called from the table near the wall. He stood up and dropped his manila work folder onto the table, waiting for orders.

"I'll help, too!" a girl with bright green hair in pigtails piped up hopefully. "Helping with the party is the least I can do after you healed my Squirtle after it was poisoned. Erika's so tough, and it was in really bad shape back then, too."

A few more murmurs of agreement followed, but gradually a wave of trainers seemed to get in on the good will. A rumble of shootouts speared through the lobby as the nature of helpfulness bounce about the walls. One by one each trainer willfully volunteered themselves for any grueling obstacle Nurse Joy had for them to prepare for the Christmas party the next day.

"Now that's more like it," Misty encouraged.

Nurse Joy dabbed at her eyes with the tissues. She had merely been saddened she wouldn't make anyone else happy. But to have so many trainers at her beck and call to make the holiday special. . . .

Now there was no excuse not to have a great Christmas bash to deliver to her wonderful customers. This would be a blast, if not better than the town party. That was, if she could help it in her own unique way.

"Thank you all," Nurse Joy laughed, smiling courteously and her most profound thank you. "Let me put my supplies away and we can get our hands dirty, shall we?"


A/N: Originally, my plan was to finish this fic before November 1st. Life happened, but I promised Zee-tan I'd start posting by today. I intended to stick to my word regardless!

Story dedicated to: zeetan, who's one of my oldest online friends for ten years now. And met less than a month before Christmas... or, at least at the end of November. (Yes, you recall I have a very good memory.) This story was promised to her after a writing competition on an old roleplay forum of ours about five years ago. See, I told you this present would happen. I was serious!

Special mention goes to: The friends who listened to me talk on and on about writing this. 4Kids' forgotten Pokemon Christmas Bash CDs gave me inspiration, too. Believe it or not this fic was not based on them, because I only remembered these tracks existed recently. Only a few "what am I going to do with this how is this going to plug into my weird ideas" loose ends were tied together after listening to the CD again.

I'm a bit nervous to post this on a public archive because I'm still editing the rest. But I wanted to take the leap and try to motivate myself for all the other writing I'm about to undertake this November. I'm actually really proud of this story despite that, though—I knew the ending from the start! Which is a rarity for me. I hope anyone who stumbles across this other than Zee-tan likes this.