Pokemon: TRKL

Somewhat Silent Night

(A/N This might be a short chapter in the meantime between the last and the next chapter. The next chapter will be out at the end on this month to next month. I've been caught up on other things lately. Thanks, stay cool, and Happy Holidays,

- bakercomics)

Ash's POV

Almost 2 years prior to story...

I arrived home from Sinnoh with Brock. We were going to have another Christmas party that holiday season.

Dawn went home to spend time with family, as she hadn't had a family Christmas in years, as she said.

I didn't seem to mind, as I always loved Christmas parties. All my friends and family were there. I was especially thinking about Misty, I was still feeling bad about leaving her and staying with Brock.

We had a fun time together a year prior, sitting on the roof all night talking. I felt different that night around her. After we left each other, I always had a different feeling around. Little did I know it was longing attraction. We didn't argue as often those other days, (if I said we didn't at all, I would be exaggerating), and spent a lot more time alone. Little did I also know that this would right before the last time I would see her until I came back from Kalos, a year and a half later.

It was 3 PM, the day before the party and the day after we came home.

"Are you sure your friend Dawn didn't want to come?" Mom asked.

"She's spending time with family, Mom. Who's coming tomorrow?" I responded.

"Basically, everyone from last year, with the addition of the rest of May's family," She answered.

That's all wanted to hear. I wanted everyone there, all together. But at the time, you could already tell who I was waiting for.

Brock came downstairs after working on one of his recipes in my room.

"Shouldn't we start decorating, Ash?" he asked.

"Brock, you know me too well," I responded.

The Christmas tree had already been up, and the outside lights were already halfway done.

Brock and I put up lights (as Pikachu stared at them in amazement as always) on the staircase first, then on the walls in the living room and entrance, and lastly in the front yard. Decorating is just one of the best parts of Christmas to me, but if only I had just a few more people to spend it with, so it would take as long, as well as being more fun.

3 hours later, we were completely done, and Mom, Pikachu, Brock, and I headed out for dinner.

"What time does the party start, Mrs. Ketchum?" Brock asked, before putting a big piece of steak in his mouth.

"About 4:00, as the party is to last almost all night," she responded.

She continued. "May's family is staying in Viridian for the 2 nights. Misty, Tracey, and Gary should be here maybe even early tomorrow, as well as family-friends."

"Can't wait!" I said, with my mouth filled with chicken and potatoes.

"Pika!" Pikachu cheered.

We finished our dinner and went home, Brock, Pikachu, and I watched TV until Mom finished the party snacks. After that, Brock (whom was in the guest bedroom), Mom, Pikachu and I went to bed.

I stared at the ceiling, as I laid on the soft bed.

Why do I feel so weird when I think of Misty?

I thought 'liking' someone was not only a stupid game, but I didn't know how it felt personally.

I also thought everyone was gonna be the same, including looks and attitude, but I was mostly wrong, even about myself.

Thoughts of Brock and Misty flowed into my head. Can it go back to the way it was?Please?

I would beg a thousand times over to go back to the day we met Brock so the three of us can be traveling together forever, although I would lose the other companions I had. I didn't think about this stuff often unless some event was coming up. I tried keep my mind off memories and tried to think about the next day: Christmas Eve.

The next morning, I woke to a cloudy day and a dark room with no Pikachu in sight. I left the room and checked if Mom, Pikachu, and Brock were awake, and I saw both of them on the couch.

"Ma, what time is it? My clock is acting up again," I asked.

"You're finally up! It's two-thirty! Some guests may be coming in an hour!" she responded.

I overslept. It was common, but it wasn't this bad. I rushed back into my room to get ready so we could finish setting up.

I put the presents out under the tree, turned on the fireplace and set out chairs while Brock set out snacks, table decorations, and candles.

As soon as we finished, we heard the doorbell ring. I rushed to the door, only to find Gary and Prof. Oak on the other side.

"The guest of honor has arrived!" Gary chanted.

"Really? I don't see him," I retorted.

He then gave me a dumb look and walked in.

"Hi Ash," Professor Oak greeted.

"Hey, Professor, come in," I replied.

I shut the door behind them, and sat down and began watching TV while Gary went on and on about his Pokemon research to Brock, Pikachu, and I.

I heard a knock on the door; it was a gentle knock. I knew who it was, but I didn't know what to expect behind the door at the same time.

I opened the door, and my big smile went to an open mouth. She was there, but I didn't seem to think it was her. I was as tall as her at that point, her clothing choices had changed from the yellow top with the shorts to a teal long sleeved shirt that still reached just above her belly button with jeans, and her hair reached much further down her shoulders. For me, everything was in slow motion. I stared a second too long as I didn't responded to her greeting. She waved her hand in front of my face and I snapped out of it.

"H-hey, Mist. Sorry, I guessed I stared into space again," I stuttered out.

"It's fine. It's been a year, Ash," she replied.

"I know," I said.

"Do you know what that would mean, Ash?" Misty asked.

"What?" I asked.

"I missed you, you dense idiot!" she answered, hugging me and laughing. I didn't receive those often, and I almost thought I may have been dreaming or out of my mind on how she was acting toward me.

"I-I missed you too, Mist," I said.

Luckily, only Brock was paying attention to us, and when I turned my head, he was making faces and chuckling to himself.

We came in, and Misty politely greeted the others, as they did the same, except Gary, who greeted in the same snooty way everytime.

The next two hours were a flash. May and Max arrived, and we all went outside to socialize. The strangest part of the night aside from my usual lack of arrogence was that it snowed in Pallet. And when I mean snow, I mean a near foot of it. Eventually time slowed down when May jumped off the patio and into the snow. Right as I was about to question her sanity as it was cold that night, she chucked a snowball and it hit me square in the face.

"Oh, it's on May!" I yelled, jumping over the balcony and into the yard. We duked it out for a few minutes, then I threw one at Gary and Brock. Soon, Max and Misty were in it to, and it was full on war.

Max was very underpowered, as he wasn't very fast. Brock was a wall because his height. I didn't really bother to hit Misty, and Gary and May gave me a challenge.

I eventually grew tired and sat on the sideline. I watched Gary and May go at it while Brock and Max defended themselves in the middle of the battle. I noticed Misty was gone, and soon I spotted her crawling toward me.

"Hey, Ash. What are you doing over here?" she asked.

"I grew tired," I answered.

"So, what are you doing tomorrow for Christmas?" Misty asked.

"Same old, same old. Having Christmas here with Brock, Pikachu, and Mom. Brock's family went on vacation while Brock and I were in the middle of something."

I guess my disappointment in her leaving me began to show, and Mist asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm gonna miss you, that's all."

She took me by the hand. "I am too, but no matter what, I'll always be here for you and you will be here for me," Misty explained.

Is this what's really empty? Is she the thing I need?

She hugged me. "You should know I see you more than a friend or the brother I never had, Ash," she whispered.

I didn't say anything, nor did I answer. This was the turning point for me to feel this way about someone, but I still didn't reply on that then or later...

A/N: This could be counted as a separate story or part of this, whatever you want to believe. I rushed this kinda so there may be elements (lack of Pikachu) missing. Merry Christmas!

Stay cool,

bakercomics