I don't own Pokemon...wish I did...yada, yada, yada...Ok, so, I know what you are thinking: a Christmas story in the middle of September? I've been working on this story for about a year now and am still working on it. So, by the time it is Christmas, I'm hoping it'll be finished. I really liked the idea and hope you do to. Its been a favorite of mine to work on. It's not your typical lovey, dovey Pokemon Christmas kiddie story. I wanted to show people that friendships have no age limit and hope that by the end of this story, I would have accomplished that. Well, there is one thing I should let you know about this story: its not a top priority. What do you mean, oh great MastermindMedley10? I mean I already have a majority of the story complete and checked. They are ready to go on whenever. However, I am a full time college student. Class comes first. What's second? Sleep and fanfic writing. In other words, if not many of you readers are enjoying the story, and YOU REVIEW AND INFORM ME, I will go back and edit my upcoming chapters before posting and keep in mind your suggestions as I complete the fic. If you guys are loving it and are begging for more (once more, this thing called REVIEWING) I will, with lack of sleep, go post more chapters and continue writing regularly. But, no reviews in general, and sleep will most definately win over fanfic writing. Hey, I love you guys, which is why I want to know what you think. So read and review!

Chapter 1:A Much Needed Guest

The funeral was over.

There was nothing left to do. No one to comfort. No mourners to greet and mourn with. Nothing. Just the eerie, dark silence of the Oak Lab from the days that followed. Of course, there was one sound that could be heard. A very familiar sound to those who knew the lab and its occupant: the sound of Professor Oak diligently typing away on his computer. Though, it was not the same man that the Pokémon World knew and loved.

No, since the accident, that man vanished and left in its place a man plagued by depression, sleepless nights, and many more awful feelings. On the rare occasion that he did get some rest that, too, was disturbed with nightmares that often left the old man waking himself up with suddenly yelps, drenched in a cold sweat, shaking, and with a shortness of breath.

The Professor Oak now had been typing for hours without taking a break. That was the norm for him now. The very thought of having his mind wonder to the incident that now left a dark void in his heart was too much to bear. The eternal clicking of his fingers taping the keyboard had become a mere buzz in the background.

Suddenly, a new sound made him jump, startling him. The sound of the doorbell made his ears echo and his heart start to race. The sudden shock left him clutching where his heart was, trying to slow his rapid heartbeats. He licked his very dry lips, trying to get some movement in his very stiff body.

"Coming," the old professor managed in a hoarse whisper, his voice sounding rusty after so long without using it. His effort was useless, the visitor obviously didn't hear him, as the doorbell rang again. He carefully stood out of his chair, his limbs sore from lack of movement.

He managed a dry swallow, one hand balancing himself on the back of his chair, the other outstretched trying to gain more balance. He wet his lips again.

"Coming", he said, once more, still sounding hoarse, but louder this time. It worked. The third bell stopped sounding in mid ring.

Slightly crouched from sitting for so long, the old man stumbled through the dark rooms up to the front door. He straightened himself before opening the door, hoping he didn't look as tired as he felt.

At the door was a very familiar face, not only to him, but to most of the Pokémon world.

"Hi, Professor Oak!" said Misty in delight, looking up at him through her red bangs with turquoise colored eyes.

"Oh, hello, Misty", said Professor Oak softly with a small smile, not wanting his dry voice to give him away to his grief. "Please, come in. You'll freeze to death out there!" he said, as he ushered her in.

"Thanks," said Misty, as she wiped her light blue boots free from any snow mush and stepped over the threshold, while the professor closed the door behind her. One glance of the once joyful place told her that a lot had changed since the accident.

"So, I see you brought my package for me. Thank you, I really appreciate it," the professor said quietly, as he took the small brown box that the young girl carried in her arms and helped her out of her light pink coat and hung it on a nearby coat hanger.

"It was no problem, Professor," replied Misty, as she brought her backpack around to her front and unzipped it, revealing a very happy and cute mouse type Pokémon, Azurill.

"Azurill!" the baby blue Pokémon exclaimed happily, as it jumped to the floor at the old man's feet, beaming up at him.

"It's good to see you too, Azurill," said Oak, as he bent down to pet Azurill on the head, with that same small sad smile.

"Well, take off your boots and stay awhile", Oak said, as he slowly stood up. "I can put tea on and I might have something special for Azurill."

"Sure, why not?" said Misty, as she took her boots off and set them neatly by the door. She felt bad declining, especially seeing how lonely the old man was.

She followed the professor, with her baby Pokémon following her heels, through the dark hall into a dark kitchen, which Oak flicked the light switch on for. The sudden light seemed to dazzle the professor, as he blinked many times to adjust his eyes.

"Been working hard on your computer today, Professor?" teased Misty, as she settled into a chair at the kitchen table.

He gave a soft snort of laughter.

"Just trying to stay busy", he replied in that same soft voice, as he gathered the necessities to make tea.

With his back turned, Misty let her concern for the kindly, old professor show through to her face. Ever since the accident, he just became a ghost of his former self. Though he was doing his best to show he was fine, to mask his pain, Misty saw right through his charade. He was hurting. And the fake smile he was putting on, along with his calm tone wasn't hiding anything.

He was almost unrecognizable with his gray hair (that looked grayer to her since the incident) slightly messy, his sagging skin that had taken on a gray tint with the depression, a bony look to his figure due to him losing weight from him not eating as much, dark bags around his eyes from lack of sleep, a five o'clock shadow, due to him not keeping up with shaving, and the fact that he wasn't donning his usual outfit of dark brown shoes, tan khakis, a red button up shirt, and of course, the piece that he is most famous for: his white lab coat. Today, his clothes consisted of a beat up old dark gray sweater, baggy light gray sweat pants, and much worn looking socks.

As the professor turned around with two steaming cups of tea, Misty quickly pretended to adjust her sideways ponytail, to hide the concerned look that she was giving him, and quickly replaced it with a smile.

"Thanks, Professor!" said Misty, accepting a cup from him, as he placed a small bowl of berries in front of Azurill, who gave a small squeal of delight and dug in.

"My pleasure", replied Oak, as he settled himself into the chair opposite of her and took a drink from the cup.

"So, where is Tracey?" asked Misty, noticing that his loyal assistant was missing.

"I let him take off early for the holidays to spend time with his family in the Orange Islands," answered Oak.

"Oh," said Misty, trying to think of something else to ask." What about Mrs. Ketchum?"

"She's visiting a cousin on One Island."

"Ash, Brock, and Dawn aren't coming?"

"No, Brock is going back to Pewter City for the holidays, and Dawn is also going back home to celebrate with her mother. Ash is taking a boat to One Island to celebrate with his mother, too."

"Oh. What about Gary? Is he coming to visit? You know, I figured he'd stay after the funeral, seeing that Christmas was a little over a month away. I was surprised to hear he left a few days afterward."

Misty noticed how Oak's eyes closed momentarily in pain at the mention of the funeral and automatically felt sorry for mentioning it.

"I'm so sorry. I should-", she managed, before Oak interrupted, once more with that pained smile.

"No worries Misty. You're just curious. Anyway, no, Gary isn't coming down to visit. He is with his parents in their home near Mt. Silver, which is why he left so suddenly." He gave a sigh and continued, "They really need each other right now."

"What about you? Looks like you need them too."

He gave a slight shrug and replied, "I've got a lot of work to do. Besides, when you become my age, Christmas is just another date, except fancier."

"Oh," said Misty, as she looked down into her cup, feeling remorse for the old man for having to spend Christmas alone.

"Enough of my troubles," said Oak, trying to sound happy," a young lady like yourself has got to have some big Christmas plans. So, are you going anywhere? Doing anything?"

"Nope", sighed Misty, "by the looks of it, it's just me and my Pokémon alone at the gym. My sisters are performing in a play in Hoenn and my parents are with them. And someone has to watch the gym."

She took a quick swig of her tea out of frustration. Life was so unfair.

"I'm sorry to hear that", said Oak, meaning it.

"Well, at least I have your Christmas bash to look forward to", said Misty.

"Uh…not this year, Misty", stated Oak nervously. He didn't know how she would react to the news.

"What do you mean?" exclaimed Misty, "The 'Oak Christmas Bash' is a Christmas tradition! People come from miles around to attend!"

"Not this year", repeated Oak, then, noticing Misty's shocked expression, continued with a sigh, "I need a break this year. It's going to be a long enough holiday, especially since the….accident. I just don't have the heart for it this year."

Misty nodded mutely and looked at the time.

"Oh, no! I've been here for too long! Sorry Professor, I really have to go!" she said, as she handed Oak back her tea cup and scooped Azurill up in her arms.

"Oh, well, thank you again for my package and please don't hesitate to visit," said Oak as he followed Misty to the front door.

"Will do, Professor! And thanks again!" said Misty hurriedly, as she put on her jacket and boots and placed Azurill back in her bag, zipping it shut and placing it on her back.

As she turned to leave, she paused and turned around to face the Professor. She felt so sorry that he had to spend Christmas alone, especially after all that has happened.

Much to the Professor's surprise, Misty wrapped her arms around him, making him freeze with shock.

"I'm really sorry about what happened to Daisy May," whispered Misty in the stunned professor's ear, "You two were really close and I'm real sorry that you have to spend Christmas alone."

She released him and looked up at him with her brilliant turquoise eyes.

"If you need anything, let me know", she said, as she walked out the door, waving.

Even when the door shut, the professor didn't move, still stunned by her action. Finally, after a few silent minutes, he walked to the door, sank down, rested his back to the door, and let the silent tears come.

-End of Ch.1-

Well, what do you think? Advice and reviews will be much appreciated! Also, I know, not very actiony, but that comes later.