Hey; it's Poli here. Well, enough talk- enjoy the next chapter!

Location: Professor Rowan's Laboratory; Sandgem Town, Sinnoh

December 13th: 9:12 P.M.

Gary Oak lounged in Professor Rowan's soft gray computer chair while snow gently fell outside of the large white building. He was never one to slack off of his work, but he was just about done with his report on analyzing the physical changes that a Bellossom or Vileplume has went through after it had evolved from a Gloom.

His Umbreon nudged Gary's leg and purred, showing both signs of affection and tiredness.

"I'm tired, too," the teenager said, petting his buddy's soft black fur. "But I'm just about done with this report," he added as he saved his work and clicked "Print".

Speaking of professors, he wondered what "Gramps" was up to right now. Probably finishing up his research, or maybe feeding the pokemon a late dinner. Or possibly even putting up Christmas decorations with Tracey.

Although the best answer for that question was that he was most likely asleep while Tracey was probably either still up, either watching T.V. or sketching something.

As much as he wasn't too keen on all that mushy holiday stuff, especially when everyone made such a big deal out of it. Although, deep down, he kind of missed what Christmas was like in Pallet. Oftentimes, when they were little, Ash and his mother would come and celebrate Christmas Eve at his grandfather's house, or vice versa. Although that seemed like a long time ago, it sure didn't seem as far away as the time before that, when his older sister May was still living with them and before his parents had been…

Enough of that. He never liked to talk about his family much. Thus when he was about five years old, he went to go live with his grandpa, as he was inspired at such a young age by the great Professor Oak, and wanted to be "just like him".

"Gary?" a gruff but gentle voice called. "Did you finish that analyzation yet?"

"Yes, Professor. Just printing." He went over to the black and white printer, plucked the crisp paper, still slightly warm, out of the machine, and handed it to the aged man.

"Hmm…" The old professor skimmed through the pages of the seventeen-year-old's report, frowning as he concentrated on the typed black words.

"Very impressive, Gary," he said at last. "You have developed quite a talent for writing. And the paragraph on Bellossom's changes in personality was excellent."

The young researcher-in-training, not realizing that he had been holding his breath, let out a relieved sigh. "Thanks," he replied.

He had never thought he was such a talented writer. He had never even taken a writing class (at the time, Pallet Town didn't have an elementary school, and by the time many of the kids of Pallet were old enough to become pokemon trainers, or were older than that, no one saw a need for one- although now, the mayor is considering building a school in the center of town…). Sure, sometimes for practice, his grandfather had made him write a few short essays on pokemon, and once he wrote a couple of poems, but he wasn't a sensational writer.

Although the words "writing" and "poems" made him think of a certain blue-haired coordinator that was currently traveling with his childhood rival and best friend, Ash.

"Oh, no!" she cried out.

"What's wrong?" Ash said to his friend, concerned.

"Gary just said," she stated, "'I usually catch a break when I'm at the lake'." She smiled and looked at the researcher. "That's a poem if I ever heard one!" she exclaimed, making him blush.

He didn't actually like her or anything, but he had to admit, she was a beauty. She was smart, pretty, creative, and thought that he wrote the best poems in the world- next to his grandfather- even if they were cheesy, silly, and simple. But still, he graciously accepted the compliment, even if that was a year ago.

"Gary," Professor Rowan said, snapping the boy out of his daydream, "Congratulations. All of your work for me is completed. You have really proved to be a fine young researcher and excellent writer. You have also trained your pokemon very well, as I have seen."

"Thank you," Gary replied.

"If you want," the white-haired man continued, "You may go wherever you like, but you're free to stay here as well, although in just a little over a week I'll be heading to Kanto for your grandfather's Christmas party, if you'd like to join me on the ferry back there."

He almost forgot the Christmas party- he'd been so wrapped up in his work that he forgot it was in less than two weeks!

"If you don't mind, sir," the teen said at last, "I'd like to come with you, but I'm going to head to Pallet first."

"Very well then. I'm planning to leave on the eighteenth, so you have plenty of time to catch up with your family and friends back in Pallet before the party in the Seafoam Islands. I think your friend…Ketchum- er, Ash Ketchum -that was his name, correct?- and his friends already left Sinnoh."

"Yeah, he did." Gary rubbed his tired eyes. "Goodnight, Professor," he said. "Come on, Umbreon. It's been a long day."

"Bre, bree," the black cat-like creature added.

"Goodnight, Gary; see you in the morning," the professor called after them as they headed out of the lab and upstairs to the guest room.

Location: Maple Residence, Petalburg City, Hoenn

December 13th, 7:35 P.M.

"Dinner's ready!" a sugarcoated voice called from the kitchen. "I made your favorite."

"Coming!" The voice, one of which belonged to a certain ten-year-old that has just received his first pokemon not too long ago, raced to the dinner table.

"I've told you a million times, Max, to take off your shoes after you've entered the house," Caroline scolded as she dished out some macaroni and cheese on her son's plate, careful not to get any on the new Beautifly tablecloth.

"Sorry, sorry." The new pokemon trainer kicked off his sneakers and took his seat at the oak table.

"I just found out that Professor Oak, one of the most famous professors of the Kanto region, is throwing a party on Christmas Eve," Norman said, not looking up from his newspaper. "Take a look at the invitation, Caroline- it's on the counter."

"This looks like some party," the auburn-haired woman commented. "Well," she started, looking at her beloved husband and ten-year-old son, "I guess our plans for Christmas are set for this year. We'll discuss where we'll stay overnight later, Norm," she said, smiling and kissing him on the cheek.

"This sounds awesome!" Max said, digging in to his mac n' cheese.

"Plus, you'll be able to see all of the friends that you used to travel with, Max," Norman said, eyeing his son for almost spilling his iced tea on the new tablecloth out of too much excitement.

"Yeah, and I can't wait to show Ash the new pokemon that I've caught," the navy-haired boy said. "And of course, I'll get to see May again. Boy, I really miss her." He looked down and felt a little nostalgic due to recurring thoughts of when May, Max, Ash, and Brock had all traveled together in Hoenn and the Kanto Battle Frontier.

"I bet she misses you too, honey," Caroline said, giving Max's arm a sympathetic squeeze. "She's just really busy with her contests in Johto, but the best thing we can do is stay proud of her, even if we can't be with her right now."

"Yeah, I guess you're right, Mom," Max replied.

"Good," Norm said. "Now finish that mac n' cheese, and make sure not to get any on the table.", he reprimanded. He eyed his son, clearly amused.

The threesome shared a laugh and continued to eat their dinner, discussing holiday plans and of course, the party!

A/N: Sorry if the "Max" part sounded a little goody-goody or annoying, I just felt the need to add him in there before I forget. Plus, I wanted to express the family's concern for May, as she hasn't been home in awhile. Also, I know it's kind of late in the season, but I really want to continue this, even if Christmas and New Year's has ended already. Next up: Johto; May, Drew; and two surprise guests as well! Catch ya later! -Poli