It's close to the most magical day of the year: Christmas! So, I decided to do a special holiday chapter right before the final arc I'm planning, which will transcend to the Kalos League at last. This will take place right after Ember's Frozen Adventure and A Fiery, Passionate Rematch. Here's a summary for today's chapter: So, our heroes decide to spend the holidays in Snowbelle City, Liz's hometown. However, Liz starts getting pretty bad memories from when her family passed away, which bum her out and make her reclusive and depressed. Wanting to make sure that she enjoys herself, her friends share fun holiday traditions and do their best to make it the best Christmas she's ever had! Disclaimer- I do not own the songs or lyrics used today. So, on with the holiday show.
We had just come back to the pokemon center and told Iris, Bonnie, and Katie about our adventure in Arendelle and how Ember was now living in the Enchanted Forest. Katie stood by Serena, saying,"This must be hard for you considering you and Ember were close." Serena said,"It still hurts a little, but now, she's in a better place. She'll now be safe from Team Flare and she even handled Agatha for us...though ithe way it happened was an accident." Katie seemed to understand as she says,"I understand. Though remember, since she resembles you, you're both connected by soul and heart. You'll never be fully separated." This seemed to help her as Iris says,"Besides, your friendship will last forever and your memories will never go away." Serena was feeling a lot better as I mention,"Besides, the holidays are close. You wouldn't want to be a Gloomy Gus would you"? She smiled and shook her head as Bonnie says,"Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming"! I then tipped my hat, saying,"Then, let's stay here a little longer. When we celebrate Christmas in Snowbelle, it's like a Winter Wonderland." With that, we started setting up for the holidays. Greninja went out and used cut to bring down the perfect tree and we tied it up before heading somewhere special.
As we walked, we made it to this wooden cottage by the edge of the forest. I took a shaky deep breath before saying,"Welcome everyone...to my place." Ash says,"So, is this where you and your family live"? I sighed a bit, saying,"My family used to live here and even after they passed away, I still visit and make sure the place is still presentable and functioning. It's quaint and quiet, but within modern designs as well." I lifted the welcome mat, which revealed a small key, and used it to unlock the door. I then put the key in my pocket and opened the door. As we walked inside, everyone got to see what the place looked like. It had the normal quiet living room, a spacious kitchen dining room and five bedrooms, including two bathrooms. We brought the tree into the corner of the living room and placed it on a stand. I then went to the attic to bring down the Christmas decorations. Being up here sure brought back memories. I remembered spending the holidays with my family, having fun, receiving gifts, enjoying memorable feasts with relatives from all over. One memory started to play my mind as I started to get the ornaments and decorations.
I was 8 years old, celebrating Christmas with my family. We were going to open presents. My sisters were very eager, and once our parents gave us the ok, we started right away. Millie, she was a natural artist, so she got some drawing tools, paints, easels, and oil pastels. Allie was a stuffy lover, so, she got a plush Pikachu, Dedenne, Snover, Pancham, and Oshawott. I was eager to become a trainer, so, I got my signature cap, which was big at the time, a backpack, a compass and map, and even first-class binoculars. I thought the day could not get any better until I got one more, special gift. Inside was a pokeball as I picked it up. It automatically opened up as it revealed a Rockruff, who nuzzled me in happiness. I looked up at my parents in surprise, as my mother said,"Even though you're still young to become a trainer, your father and I hatched this fellow for you to take care of. Then, you two can start your journey together as you head to get your first pokemon from Professor Sycamore." I was so happy, I hugged Rockruff while thanking my parents before saying to it,"Hi there. Nice to meet you. Let's be best friends," as Rockruff barked in agreement.
Reliving that memory, I terribly missed my family so This isn't the first time I spent the holidays without them, but it still stings. I snapped back to reality when I heard Ash shout,"Hey Liz! You got the decorations yet"? I shouted,"Yeah. I'm coming," before grabbing the boxes and bringing them down. Once I brought them to the living room, we opened the boxes and started to decorate the tree. As we got started, I turned on the radio and played some Christmas music. While the radio played, a song came on as we all started to sing along.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Rocking Around The Christmas Tree~~~~~~~~~~~~
All: Oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh!
Liz: Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop. Mistletoe hung where you can see, every couple tries to stop.
Katie: Rocking around the Christmas tree, let the Christmas spirit ring. Later, we'll have some pumpkin pie, and we'll do some caroling.
Clemont and Bonnie: You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear: Voices singing let's be jolly. Deck the halls with boughs of holly.
Iris: Rocking around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday. Everyone's dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way.
*Saxophone solo*
Ash and Serena: You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear: Voices singing let's be jolly. Deck the halls with boughs of holly.
All: Rocking around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday. Everyone's dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way!
We stepped back and looked at how beautifully decorated the tree was with the shiny ornaments, the bright lights, and the shining star on top. Bonnie and Dedenne were gawking over how beautiful it was as Iris says,"Like a true tree should be." There was one more ornament in the box to put on the tree, but it was special. It was two little angels, but with my parents' faces on them. I made it at school for them as a gift when I was little. I remembered that day well.
My sisters and I were 6 and coming home from school. We had a party and we all made fun little ornaments. Millie made a candy cane and Allie made this cute Christmas mouse. As we went inside, I said,"Mommy! Daddy! Look what I made"! I showed them the ornament as they smiled while I say,"I made you both angels because I love you both so much! It's my Christmas present for you two. I know it's early, but I couldn't wait." They loved it so much, they hung it up on the tree right near the star, shining as bright as the star did. Seeing how happy my parents were made me so very happy.
That memory brought tears to my eyes as one fell, hitting the ornament lightly. Serena caught wind of this as she asked,"Liz? Sis? Are you ok"? I looked up, rid myself of the tears, cleared my throat and said,"I'm fine. Just some...dust in my eyes. No worries," as I hung the ornament up exactly where it belonged. Afterwards, we started decorating the house, putting up garland, hanging wreaths, and even planting some mistletoe in a special spot. However, I wasn't enjoying myself as much as everyone else. I know what I said earlier about not being a Gloomy Gus, but I couldn't help it. It was hard to be happy when I missed my family so, especially at this time of year. The others started to notice and as I hung the last piece of garland, Ash came up to me and asked,"Are you sure you ok? You're not as excited or happy as you were before." Clemont joined in, saying,"If something is the matter, you can talk to us. No matter what, we'll sit and listen." I swallowed a sore lump in my throat before saying,"Look...I don't know how to say this, but...I might as well say it...I'm depressed. I can't stop remembering the times I celebrated Christmas with my family. It...hurts...it really does...and being back here...celebrating with you guys...I'm sorry...but it makes me feel worse. I know it was my idea for us to celebrate here and I came up with that idea because I thought I was ready...ready to go with visiting this place since my family's death. But...I guess I wasn't...I'm sorry guys. I shouldn't bum you guys out, especially near Christmas, about something like this."
Serena sat by my side, holding my hand and saying,"It's ok. I understand. We all do. I feel almost the same way since this is my first Christmas without Ember. It hurts me too, but, you don't have to go through it alone." Ash seemed to develop an idea as he smiled and says,"I got it! Tomorrow's Christmas Eve right? Well, tomorrow, we'll share Liz some of our holiday traditions. Doing fun things together and learning about what we do to celebrate will help Liz feel better and have her spirit lifted again." It seemed like it might work as I sighed and say,"If you think it'll help, ok then." Soon, the night came just as quickly and I offered them the other four bedrooms to sleep in for the night as I went to my room. It hasn't changed at all, with battle posters on the walls and pokemon themed covers. I closed the door and looked out the window as a light snowfall began. I closed my eyes as a sorrowful, yet beautiful holiday song came into my mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Blue Christmas~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liz: I'll have a blue Christmas without you ( Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh ). I'll be so blue just thinking about you ( Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh ). Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree ( Ahh, Ahh ). Won't be the same man, if you're not here with me ( Ooh ).And when those blue snowflakes start falling ( Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh ), that's when those blue memories start calling ( Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh ). You'll be doing alright with your Christmas of White ( Aah ), but I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas.
Oooooooooooooohhhhhh! Oooooooooooooohhhhhh! Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree ( Aah, Aah ). Won't be the same man, if you're not here with me ( Ooh ).
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain ( Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh ). And when the blue heartaches stops hurting ( Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Ooh ), you'll be doing alright with your Christmas of white ( Aah )! But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, Christmas ( Oooooohhhhh! ). Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh!
I soon got changed and hopped in bed, trying to sleep off the sadness I felt in my heart. What I did not know was that Serena heard me sing and was determined to do whatever it took to make this the best Christmas I ever had. In the morning, I awoke to Christmas Eve to something I never expected: the scent of peppermint. When I got changed and went to grab my pokeballs, I noticed that my pokemon already let themselves out. This got me confused as I headed downstairs and was in for a surprise. Everyone was setting the table and making breakfast. Even my pokemon were helping out. Bonnie saw me and said,"Morning Liz. Sit! Sit," as she guided me to a chair, with me sitting down. I said,"What's going on and what smells so good"? Serena soon came out with a huge plate stacked with holiday-themed pancakes. She smiled, saying,"These are peppermint Christmas trees pancakes. Every year growing up, even after my father disappeared, my mom and I had this tradition where we went to this diner in town and there, they had these pancakes. They tasted so good, so the year before I started my journey, my mother decided to try and recreate them and I helped her out. However, it had a not-so-good result, but seeing that we were having so much fun, my mom and I laughed and laughed. Afterwards, we cleaned up and went to the diner. However, I can never forget that day when the two of us did something like this together and had fun trying, even if the results were not how we wanted them to be."
As everyone soon sat down and ate the pancakes, they were absolutely delicious and I started to feel a little better. Seeing the happiness on my friends' faces and enjoying the time we were spending together...it made me smile a little. After breakfast, we put on our winter gear and Bonnie and Clemont showed us what they usually do over the holidays. Bonnie started to roll a huge snowball as she says,"On Christmas morning, after we open presents and eat breakfast, Clemont and I come outside and we work together to make a snowman. Then, we dress it up and pretend it's alive." Once she finished rolling a pretty huge snowball, Clemont put a medium sized one on top before the two worked together to put a small snowball on top. Clemont says,"Once Bonnie learned to walk, I showed her how to build a snowman and ever since then, we've always made one each year. I even pretend sometimes that it can do the same things we like to do." Dedenne found a couple of pebbles and gave them to Clemont, who made a face on their snowman out of the pebbles. Ash took off his cap and placed it on top, saying,"There! Now, it's ready for a pokemon battle"! Katie put a scarf around the snowman as Iris stuck stick on its sides for arms. I thought something was missing as I molded the snow next to the snowman into a snow pokemon, and I knew which one too. Once I finished, stood a small, cute, Froakie. I said,"Now, our snowman has its starter pokemon." Serena giggled before saying,"All it's missing is a name. What should we call it"? Ash wanted it to be named Marcus, Iris thought Daisy, Clemont thought about Newton, and Bonnie wanted to name it Porridge, which got us confused as I fell back into the snow.
I made a snow angel while saying,"What about...Michael"? That name seemed to fit them perfectly as we all settled on it. In the hilarity of the situation, Bonnie started singing her version of Frosty the Snowman, only renaming it Michael the Snowman.
Bonnie: Michael the snowman was a jolly, happy soul. With a smile and eyes and a little nose made out of pebbles, not coal. Michael the snowman loved to battle, train and win. With a small Froakie, they were both okay to become the Champion. There must've been some magic in that old cap they found. For when they put it on his head, he began to dance around. Michael the snowman was a trainer in his prime. He would never give in, always go for the win, and have a wonderful time. Thumpity thump thump! Thumpity thump thump! Look at Michael go! Thumpity thump thump! Thumpity thump thump! Over the hills of snow!
We all applauded as I couldn't help but laugh and say,"That was pretty good Bonnie. Hilarious and on key." Bonnie smiled before saying,"Well, I have to practice. The concert is coming soon and I want to be ready to participate in it." Clemont grew confused at this as he says,"Bonnie, are you sure you want to do this? there are going to be a lot of people watching. You might get stage fright." Bonnie remarked with,"Serena performs in a crowd of hundreds of people all the time! If she can do it, I can too." Serena wanted to say something about how performing as a performer / Kalos Queen was different from performing as a singer, but Katie spoke up, saying,"I think it's a great idea. If she wants to give it a shot, I say, let her." That made Bonnie beam from ear to ear as Dedenne, Squishy, and Bluey, that's what she named the other Zygarde core that was with her, all agreed along with her. Suddenly, we heard what sounded like a low rumble as what was causing it came by. It was Lycanroc and my Luxray, both dressed up like reindeer, pulling a huge sleigh. This impressed us all as Iris says,"Looks like they came with my tradition, a sleigh ride"! We all climbed in as Iris insisted that I'd take the reins. I sat up, held the reins, whipped them and shouted a "Hyah," as they both started to pull us on this fun sleigh ride. Hearing the bells jingle a marvelous melody, Katie pulled out her guitar, as well as Serena, while Ash whipped out a harmonica.
Clemont, surprised, says,"Ash, I didn't know you had a harmonica." The Kanto boy smiled, saying,"I play it sometimes whenever I'm by myself with Raichu," as the orange mouse chirped happily in its little Santa hat. Both Serena and Katie started strumming a perfect melody as Ash blew his harmonica to the beat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jingle Bells~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena and Katie: Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.
Liz: Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh. Over the fields we'll go, laughing all the way! Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits right. What fun it is to ride an sing a sleighing song tonight.
Iris and Bonnie: Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.
Ash: A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride. And soon, Ms. Fanny Bright was seated by my side.
Clemont: The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot. He got into a drifted bank and soon, we got upsot.
All: Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.
Liz: Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!
Soon, our little sleigh ride looped right back to the house as we were all laughing and enjoying ourselves. Believe it or not, all of these fun traditions have really helped me. I was feeling sad and depressed missing my family, but doing all of these things with my friends and my adopted sister, it's like being with them all over again. I still miss them, but not as much as I did before and in the same way before either. As we go inside, I decided it was time to share a tradition I did with my family. Every Christmas Eve, ever since I was 5, I would make my family hot chocolate, but with my own recipe. It took me days to perfect it before, but now, it's a breeze. I whipped up my signature hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and gave them to everyone, saying,"What's better than warming up with hot chocolate after playing in the snow"? Everyone seemed to really love it as Ash says,"This is delicious." Serena smiled before looking up at me and saying,"This is delicious! You think you can teach me the recipe? I'd love to show Mom how to make this." I say,"I'd be happy to," while beaming with a happy smile.
After that eventful day, Christmas Eve was almost over as the starry night fell and overcame the sky. We all settled in and were ready to turn in for the night. Tomorrow is Christmas, and if we are to be able to do all that we can tomorrow, we need a good night's sleep. Besides, when we sleep is when Santa comes to visit and bring presents to all the good boys and girls. I was about to hop into bed when the door opened and Serena came in with a sleeping bag. I asked,"What's up? Did you need anything"? She said,"Is it alright if I sleep with you tonight? After hearing you sing last night, expressing some of the sorrow and sadness you felt, I thought you might want some company. Besides, we are sisters after all and it's been a while since we had a moment with just the two of us." I nodded and smiled, saying,"Ok. To be honest, I was feeling a little lonely, so, a bit of company wouldn't hurt." As she laid her sleeping bag down next to my bed and climbed into it, I say,"You know? My bed is quite big, can fit two people easily. Why don't you bunk with me? I don't mind at all." With that, Serena came out of the sleeping bag and joined me on the bed.
She then says,"You know? There's a personal, little tradition that I do by myself every Christmas Eve. I spot the brightest star in the sky outside my window and I make myself a little Christmas wish. Many say that if you make a wish on a Christmas star, it will definitely come true." I say in response,"Has it worked for you"? She nodded, saying,"It's worked for me every year. You should give it a try. Make a Christmas wish and who knows? Maybe it'll come true." I looked outside at saw the brightest star and in my mind, I said Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. All I want for Christmas...is to just enjoy the time that I have with my friends. They have done so much for me, more than I can say, and I'm eternally grateful for them to have been able to be with me this past year. I wish there was a way I can repay them for all they've done for me. Once I opened my eyes again and made my wish and smiled as Serena says,"Did you make your wish yet"? I say,"I did. It felt really good." Soon, we both fell asleep, with candy canes and sugar plums filling our head with excitement.
In the morning, we were both abruptly woken up with Bonnie running around, screaming,"It's Christmas! It's Christmas"! We all rushed downstairs and saw that underneath the tree were beautifully wrapped presents. There was one for each of us, and to my confusion, they were all from me, except the gift for me, which was supposedly from someone special. But that's impossible! I didn't sneak downstairs last night to put them under the tree. So, where did they come from? My friends didn't seem to worry 'bout it though as I was bombarded with a bunch of thank yous. Once I finished passing the gifts out, we all started to open them. Ash got a keystone, that he could attach as a strap to his hat and a mega stone, but this mega stone was unlike anything we've ever seen. He asked,"What kind of mega stone is this"? There was a piece of paper inside his gift as I picked it up, reading"This mega stone is a rare one called, currently named, Raichuite. This, a strong bond between trainer and pokemon, allows Raichu to MEGA EVOLVE"?! This shocked us all as Raichu was excited that it was going to be able to mega evolve and be extra powerful. Ash was the most happy he's ever been as he said,"Liz, you're the best! Thank you"! I responded with a welcome as I finally figured it out. My wish. My wish was to repay my friends for all they've done to help me. Santa must've heard my wishes and got them something that they would really like and labeled the gifts as if they were from me. It came true...my wish actually came true.
Clemont was next as he got a deluxe tool box with everything he can use for future inventions, which got him really excited. There was even blueprints for inventions that he would think of. For Bonnie, she got a Pikachu onesie, a Dedenne onesie, and even a plush Tyrantrum, to remind her of that one time when we met an escaped Tyrantrum. Iris was next as she got a Dragon Master's robe, and her own keystone and Garchompite, for when her Gabite evolves into Garchomp in the near future. Katie got a special guitar cover, decorated with the Pop All Stars logo, a cute bracelet, and even new dance shoes that she can debut at the concert. Serena was next as she got a jacket, just like mine, new dance shoes as well, and a pokeball. As she picked it up, the pokemon that came out was a Gardevoir. Serena looked at the psychic/fairy type before looking up at me and smiling brightly, tackling me in a hug and saying,"Thank you Liz! You're the best"! The Gardevoir was holding something in its hands as well. Serena's keystone, which was put into a necklace like mine, and a Gardevoirite, which it wore as a pendant, like Diantha's Gardevoir. It gave her the keystone as Serena instantly put it on right away.
Ash says,"Wow Liz. How thoughtful of you to get us these awesome gifts." Serena said,"I'm so lucky to have person who's as sweet and kind as you as a sibling." I smiled before saying,"I'm the one who should be thanking you guys. You've done for me than I can ever say. Consider this as a thank you." I then started to open the present I got as it was just a piece of paper. I picked it up and read it, saying,"You know how you love to race? Here's a little something to bring your racing game to the next level. P.S., now Lycanroc won't be the only rock type on your team? Ok, I'm all the flattery, but what's that supposed to mean"? That question got answered when we heard a rumbling outside. As we got our winter gear on and rushed out to see, what was causing it was a Rhyhorn with a bright, red ribbon on its neck, coming towards us. It tackled me and nuzzled me, as I laughed and say,"Ok! Ok! I got it! I got it"! Once I got up, I petted the Rhyhorn while asking it,"Are you my gift little Rhyhorn," as it nodded and smiled in agreement. I then tapped it with an empty pokeball as it shook three times before it dinged, signifying that it was successfully caught. It then released itself out as it kept nuzzling me again while I laughed in excitement. Serena says,"That's amazing! I wonder who would send you a Rhyhorn for Christmas."
That question got answered when a voice soon joined us, saying,"Probably someone with experience in a special kind of racing...Rhyhorn racing. Hi Serena dear. Liz." It was Grace, our mom, technically, my adopted mom, as Serena ran over and hugged her, with Grace hugging her right back. I say, getting up and putting my hat back on,"Grace! I mean...mom...what are you doing here"? Grace smiled before saying,"I heard you guys were staying here for Christmas, so, I took a bus to come over and visit you. I also came to drop off your gift Liz, which is this little tyke right here. The racing organization couldn't handle him because he's energtic, so, I thought who would be able to handle a pokemon who's eager and energetic for anything? That's when I thought about you and the rest is history as we say." I had my turn of hugging her while saying,"Thank you so much! I love it! I know Rhyhorn is going to be quite the powerhouse in battle." Clemont spoke up, saying,"Now I get it. Rhyhorn is a rock type as well, so with it being on her team, now she has two rock type pokemon: Lycanroc and Rhyhorn." I was so happy, I just shouted from the top of my lungs,"This is the Best! Christmas! Ever"! Everyone was laughing along as Grace says,"Well, how about we continue this best Christmas ever with breakfast at the diner? Everyone can join us." We were all hands in and raring to go as we started to walk towards the bus stop. I was true to my word. Thanks to my friends, my family, this was literally the best Christmas ever! For all of us!
Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you have a magnificent Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever holiday you get to celebrate with your family. Hope your new year tiding are great and I can't wait to spend another year writing.