A/N: Oh my god! I have once again reached a milestone. I've finally gotten over 200 reviews after the last chapter. I am so happy. After 25 chapters I have reached over 200 reviews. So I would like to thank you all. All the reviewers who took time out of their life and wrote down something to encourage me to keep on writing. I love you all! Thank you soo much and I hope you will all continue to read and review this fic all the way till the end. Thank you so much!! You guys rock!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Reviewer's Comments:

Beta Reader::: A new reviewer! Yay! Oh it's okay! I understand. My notes at the bottom aren't that interesting to read as the story it self. No prob! Sure I'll update… soon… uh that's a hard one. Any ways thanks for the review.

Dream ][ Walker3::: Yay! Another new reviewer! Thanks… any did you ever manage to finish reading everything I posted… before I posted this chapter? Just wondering… cause it is a lot. Thanks for the review, and I hope you continue to review and read this fic.

Joy-girl::: Uh… yeah! Emotional breakdown… I guess you could call it that. Hmm… was it Ash? Maybe… maybe not… I am telling… yet! Hmm… could be her imagination? Er… sorry… it took so long for me to post this chapter though. Thanks for the review.

Firehottie::: Wow! Another new reviewer! I'm getting a lot of these on the last chapter, but me happy! Really! Mine too! They're my favorite Pokémon couple too. Thanks for the review and I hope you continue to read and review this fic.

Melani::: Wow! Another new reviewer! Oh! You are too kind! Way too kind!!! Really! You really, really think so! Thanks a bunch! But I'm… really, really, really sorry that I couldn't post sooner!! Wow! Thanks! You told someone else about this fic! Wow! You are really, really kind! Thanks for the review and I hope you continue to read and review this fic.

Labannya::: Really! Thanks! Yeah! I know… it was suppose to be gloomy. I had to do gloomy and not enthusiastic chapters like the last for reasons that are still hard to explain at this point… but hopefully it'll fall together… later. Really! Maybe I should do more strange and unusual endings like the last… more often. Err… I can't tell you if it was Ash's voice or not! Sorry! But we'll see… soon… hopefully! Well! You got lucky huh? Yeah, and err… happy… very, very late birthday to your dad. Err… I don't think I'll be sending Misty to the hospital for quite some time… at least at the this point… that's how I got things planned…but you must surely know that nothing gone according to plan… so far. Thanks for the review.

ZetaBee::: Thanks! You really ended it? Yay! Thanks for the review.

Crystalstorm21::: Thanks… and sorry that it took so long. Thanks for the review.

Night:::: Yeah! Another new reviewer! I feel so blessed! Err… good questioning… the story is going somewhere… and soon… hopefully it'll all tie in, in a neat little bundle. Thanks for the review and I hope you continue to read and review this fic.

Etherelemental::: Really! I surprised someone! Yay!! Hmm… you could be right! Yes! You are definitely right… it will be explained… but not now. Not in this chapter any ways… but probably in so chapter in the not that far hopefully distance. Yeah… I know… probably was cutting it really close to two months any ways huh? A grand finale huh? That could take a while… and I hope the finale I have planned it really grand when I put it on to paper though. Thanks for the review.

Kit Kat::: Yes! I know! I was really, really lucky this summer. Oh… sorry… but I'm trying to keep in the ten page limit per chapter that I set on myself. That's probably why this chapter is actually been cut into two separate chapters into instead one whole very long chapter. Yes… I do love toying with you all… it's actually pretty amusing. Uh… I can't tell… you… yet. Oh! I'll keep writing and I hope you just don't get bored by the way I right by the time I get this fic finished and sorted out of all the plot holes. Oh… they will and have fought…I've just been cutting out the fight scenes in all the chapters so far. I find them not that important… so far. But…soon they will play a part in this fic… just keep writing and soon… I promise… it will pay off. Thanks for the review.

Overlord:::: Thanks! And I'll try to keep up the good work. Thanks for the review.

StA::: Wow! Another new reviewer! Thanks for the compliment and review and I hope you will continue to read and review this fic.

SulliMike23::: Oh, no. This isn't the end… not by a long shot… actually I lied. After reading your review, I was actually going to end this fic there and start another fic as the continuance, but then I decided not to. That would mean this fic would have no conclusion or climax what so ever… just a lot of rising action and conflicts that are never solved. Thanks for the review!

Chapter 26

Falling… falling… falling…falling into that of time itself.

A scream is heard. Awaking the forest. The sound of hustling and cooing is heard as a darkened figure bolts up. Covered from head to toe in snow the figure stands up. The powdery snow drifts slowly and surely back down to the already covered ground. It looks around… around at its surroundings. Such beauty… trees covered in snow around it. Acorns dangling from the trees as the first rays of the morning sun, hits the winter frost that has stained the tops of the acorns.

The figure leaves its spot and walks on leaving no mark of its existence. The figure continues its trek till reaching a pond. The traces of frozen ice can clearly be seen. The figure looks around and sighs. It's eyes scrunch together in furrow. Biting its lips the figure looks at the ice before it. The glitter that the ice makes as dawn's first light shines though the world. So early, so early in the day… not even five in the morning.

The figure watches… watches the sun rise. The beauty that the colors, red, yellow, orange, purple, black, and blue can make as one. The figure relaxes falling to the ground. It crosses its legs drifting into mediation. Its body relaxes. Its glorious eyes form a line. Once again starting to fall into deep… deep sleep. But… before… its mouth opens in a whisper speaks…

You die

*********

The streets of Thunderbolt were filled with Christmas lights. The sounds of Christmas carols could be heard coming from the streets, the school yards, and buildings of all sorts. The look of laughter, glee, and merriment filled the faces of all. Christmas was a mere day away as the last minute decorations were put into place.

But even on a day like Christmas Eve there was one unhappy soul… Kasumi. She stayed locked up in her office overlooking the decorations. She was never very fond of Christmas… never. It was on Christmas Eve… this very day so long ago when the first shovel full of soil was dug from the ground forming the underground confinement that they now lived in. But… back then Team Thunderbolt was nothing like the powerful empire that it has become today.

No, back then it was just her, Takeshi and his overly large family, Mrs. Ketchum, Prof. Ohkido, Haruka, Masato and their parents, Shigeru, May and the residents of Pallet. Thunderbolt was more of a refuge then an army headquarters. Before it wasn't even an underground maze but merely in an above/ underground cave for refuge, but once word got out about their hiding place, and it just became what it became today. An illusion she had made up during those nights of despair had suddenly turned into reality. With so many people turning up… a team… a unity was created as she hoped for, the day that Pallet was burned.

Misty sighed as she left her seat by the window. Her breath mark stayed on the window even after she left her office. Even being underground it was still cold. The temperature was marking an even 0º lately.

Misty looked around the streets of the Plateau. Nodding here and waving there to friendly faces. She couldn't help but sigh. Before she knew everyone in Thunderbolt… but now… with nearly everyone on Indigo Island now living underground, she couldn't possibly remember every face… every name. With children being born everyday… the population was growing rapidly. She knew very well that soon… the underground world would be overpopulated. Then no longer could they all stay here, and that scared Misty. The day that anyone joined Thunderbolt agreeing to fight against the Pokémon. In return for their commitment to be part of the team Misty and all the generals had promised friendship, security, and a permanent and safe environment in return. But with everyday reaching a closer point to hitting the psychic barrier that Natsume and Itsuki had put up, to keep the waters from pouring into Thunderbolt, Misty grew more worried… afraid that she couldn't keep her promise.

She had watched so many men, and women die in battle out of bad military training or control. Families had been torn apart in war, and now… with the days getting limited… some would have to go. She knew that, that days was drawing nearer. She knew that probably in another year or so, the fear that she and everyone shared would come true. They had to beat the Pokémon or all would be lost. The years of confinement they spent in the underworld… only getting to see the outside world though battles or the farming seasons.

Stopping at the outskirts of the Plateau she turned around once more and looked at the streets… the buildings. So much work it had taken to build this exact replica of the destroyed, outside world… and once the war was won… well… these buildings… would all go to waste.

"Kasumi."

Misty turned around and smiled. It was Haruka with her two young children… Senri and Crystal. "Auntie Misty!" shouted the two-year-old happily. Letting go of her mother's hand, Crystal ran to Misty, who she happily picked the child up. The child giggled as Misty wrapped her arms around the child and tickled her chin.

Haruka sighed before walking to Misty. "Christmas shopping?" asked Misty. Her eyes glancing at the packages in Haruka's hand.

"Unfortunately, yes," sighed Haruka. Senri, not wanting to be left out gurgled happily causing Misty to laugh. She placed Crystal back on the ground before taking Senri out of his stroller. "Hey there, big guy! My, have you grown… going on to the big one in a two weeks, huh?" The baby cooed happy in Misty's arms. Misty beamed and for a moment Haruka could have sworn she saw the sign of newly formed tears in her eyes. She knew it was an odd habit that Misty had… a habit that Haruka wasn't sure what had caused such tears… each time holding Senri in her arms. Sniffing back her feelings, Misty looked up… smiling. "Seems only like yesterday that he and Crystal were born huh?" asked Misty?

"Yeah… Everything does," muttered Haruka. Silence followed only to be interrupted by the cries of Senri. Handing the baby back to Haruka, she took all the parcels from her friend. After putting the baby to sleep, the foursome left for the outskirts of the Plateau where one of the many trains would take them to Masera. There, all their childhood friends were waiting for them. It was tradition. It had been the general tradition for a very long time having a big Christmas bash that would go on till tomorrow. It was their way of spending Christmas together and rejoicing on the past. The train ride was long and very tiring… much more then it usually was.

Upon arriving in Masera, they found a small café near the station and changed into their party gowns. Once again Haruka had bought a spare for Misty. This time it was white… pure white. The dress was very, very low cut… almost too low cut. There were basically no sleeves on this dress. A piece of white string held it in place as it dripped down to her feet. Glorious, glass slippers adored her feet much like the ones that Cinderella wore to her ball. A beautiful tiara encrusted into her hair, which flowed freely beyond her shoulders. She looked like a princess waiting to meet her prince.

Haruka too was dressed much like Misty. Except her dress was sky blue and covers much more of her body. It had long, puffy sleeves, and it too draped down to her feet. Crystal was dressed in an angel costume. Puffy, feathery wings were attracted to her silky white dress. A small halo was placed over her brunette locks. The child looked just plain adorable. As for Senri, a small suit was placed on him minus the tie.

Haruka grinned upon seeing Misty leave the restroom. The young women walked over to the waiting family, immediately Haruka beamed. "You look like a princess," said Haruka grinning. She loved seeing Misty dressed up as a fairy tale princess. Her lean figure made it perfect to wear all the costumes and dresses that she bought and never wore before she fatten out. An idea struck her head. Suddenly realizing why she bought this dress for Misty to wear. "You know something, Misty. Maybe this Christmas, you'll get a extra special gift."

Misty rolled her eyes before walking out the door with Haruka. "You got to be kidding, Ruka."

"No, I'm not. It's the seventh Christmas, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"So? Seven! Seven, lucky number, remember?"

Misty simply scoffed. "I don't believe in that kind of stuff. Beside… you know what I want more than anything in the world… and it also happened to be something that I can't have."

Haruka shook her head plainly. "Whatever, Misty. But you do know how in fairy tales, the princess always gets a special gift at the end. And since you're dressed just like a storybook princess… I'm willing to bet… that this Christmas will turn out special."

Misty rolled her eyes simply. "You can't be serious, Ruka. It's fiction. The key words in your reason is 'fairy

tales'. Fairy tales are f-a-n-t-a-s-y." She didn't know why spelt out the fantasy to Haruka. Could have been that she wished that fairy tales do come alive, or was it because Crystal, the young girl who loved fairy tales, was listening attentively to their conversation. Misty didn't know.

"Have some spirit, Misty. It's Christmas. The time for miracles, have some fate."

"Whatever… Ruka. We'll see… huh? We'll see." The words faded out into the cold breeze as the four arrived to Prof. Ookido's lab. Prof. Ookido's lab was the biggest building in all of Masera and the prefect place for a Christmas party. Once entering the lab, they were immediately mobbed by friends… some friends that they hadn't seen since last Christmas. Haruka immediately let Crystal play with her friends then dropped Senri off in the nursery section before once again joining up with Misty who was indulged in a friendly conversation with Bianca, Jessie, and Sakura.

"Bianca, Jessie, Sakura," acknowledged Haruka before pulling up a seat to join in on the conversation.

"Hey! Jessie was just telling us her good news," exclaimed Bianca.

"What?" asked Haruka curiously. She had become more and more friendly with Jessie over the last past few weeks and now they were finally on that causal and friendly term that Brock was hoping she would shot for.

"She's getting married," squealed Sakura happily.

"Wow! That's makes two, you and Gary, and Jessie and James. So what's the date?" asked Haruka.

Jessie blushed before answering. "We haven't set one yet… but… it probably won't be for a while. We kind of want a semi-long engagement before we tie the knot."

"Just don't wait too long… like Brock and I did," said Haruka quickly.

"Or… Richie and me," added Bianca.

"Yeah… I know. How long did it take you guys any ways?" asked Sakura curiously.

"Uh…" Bianca stopped talking upon seeing Misty's body vanished from her seat. She eyed the others questionably… all returning with a simple shrug. Haruka turned around and saw Misty at the window. Her body leaning against the window… her face pushed against the glass. Her back was towards them, but Haruka could tell that she was in deep thought.

"I'll talk to her." The others nodded. Getting up, she left her friends, making her way to the other side of the lab… there she laid a hand against Misty's shoulders. The young woman took no notice as she kept staring out into the darkened streets of Masera. A small tear fell from her eyes, but Misty didn't even bother to wipe it away.

"Misty," mumbled Haruka kindly. There was no response… only silence.

"Misty," stated Haruka once again… this time more loudly.

But still Misty made no notion to reply.

Misty's POV

I know. I know.

I know that Haruka is calling out to me… wanting to know what's wrong… why I left so quietly and quickly without an explanation. I had too. I was afraid… afraid that I would break down crying in front of them. It isn't all about my pride. That's just a small part of it. I… guess. I guess. I didn't want to cry with such good news going around.

Jessie's finally getting married… soon to James. They deserve each other… a lot. The look in their eyes… I knew that would somehow end up together. It was all too predictable… another match made in heaven. But… now… I must stop and think. When will it be my turn? When will my true love come back to me? Why is everything in my life so unfair?

Why can't I be with my love… my true love? I mean… I've known him for more than half my life. I was twelve. He was ten. I fished him out of a lake. Not very romantic… especially after I slapped him on the face right after wards. Sometimes now I wonder… why didn't I kiss him… then? Would have been more appropriate. Then again… back then my heart was still bitter… too bitter… to believe in love… but I was in love. I guess I just didn't want to admit it then, especially since I had a reason. He thrashed my bike. I bugged him to buy me another one for over a year… but after the Pokémon league… and the beginning of the Orange Islands. My bitterness had completely left me… I accepted that I was in love with him… almost too quickly.

I had become a woman then… a young, inexperience one, but never the less a woman. I was ashamed and hid it so well… for so long. I hid it well… maybe too well during Johto… I only cracked twice… twice in the same day. Lucky they never knew… they didn't understand what I had said.

Then we parted… such tears were shred on my part those days. But it helped the term "absent makes the heart grow fonder" certainly worked for me… and him. We started to communicate by phone… during the long hours of night… nobody knew… nobody found out. We talked… talked about everything, my victories, and defeats at the gym… and him on his new quest in Houen.

They wonder why I hate Christmas so much. I haven't always hated Christmas. It was just that it brings back bad memories… memories I don't really care to remember… again. I use to love Christmas… just like any other kid. The prospect of getting gifts on Christmas morning and eating that delicious meal… singing those Christmas carols… spending time with family… decorating the house with Grandma. It always made the gym seem so cheerful. We would put on a water show for Cerulean City. It was a family tradition.

That was till it happened… till that fateful Christmas when I was eight. We were putting on the water show… it was storming outside. I had caught the flu and couldn't perform. Lily, Violet, and Daisy, bless my dear sisters wherever in the new world they may be, didn't perform that performance that night either… on account it wouldn't be fair. Something went wrong with the water heater. A spark illuminated in the pool… shocking almost everyone to death.

Only Grandpa lived. He was watching the show with me. I lost more than half my relatives that Christmas. Grandpa died of a heart stroke two years later… on Christmas. We were all alone, my sisters and I. Our parents had died years before leaving us in the care of Grandma and Grandpa. I had just finished fifth grade… with Grandpa gone… someone had to take on the gym. I went to school in Celadon… and got my license. Why I hate Christmas? Why should I not? I lost nearly… everyone I cared for on Christmas.

So when Ruka, blessed her soul, said I would be granted a miracle this Christmas… how could I not laugh? It was all too funny. I never had any luck on Christmas Eve or Day so why now? Why this Christmas? What was so special about this Christmas? But more ways then one… I wish that Haruka was right… that I would get a miracle this holiday season… but I know not to keep my spirits too high… set my eyes too high on the prize… set my goals to high. I know that if I do… they just come repelling back at me. It's been happening all my life… and I've learned to cope. I've learned to adapt. But still I watch… I watch out the windows for a miracle.

"Kasumi."

I hear Haruka calling again… so urgently this time. I decide not to prolong the impending questions any longer… and I answer. I turn around and see a sign of relief wash over Haruka.

"Hmm…" I mumble.

Normal POV

"Misty… you snapped out for so long," commented Haruka.

"I… I'm sorry," mumbled Misty. Her face blushing crimson red. "I… I had a lot of thinking to do."

"About Jessie and James's wedding?" asked Haruka.

"Yeah, I guess… I guess… it's just that… that… I don't mean to be rude… or insensitive. It's just that… oh I don't know. I can't help but thinking… I might not ever have that. Never have it," mutter Misty…her voice dying into a mere whisper. Hiccuping leaves her mouth as she cries into Haruka's dress. Like a loving mother comforting her daughter, Haruka caresses Misty's hair, smoothing it out. She understood her friend's pain. She too didn't know what she would do if something bad happened to Brock. How, she could live without him being there for her… for the children.

The minutes dragged on before Misty was ready to join the crowd. Her tears had left and with a little bit of makeup from Haruka, was she once again presentable. The feast was plain and simple… one among friends. The last of the tree was decorated with Misty placing the holy star on top. The candles upon the tree shined with a majestic, warm feeling. Presents piled below the tree. Friends and family all gathered around the tree and sang. They sang for hours and hours… their voices rang throughout Masera and more joined in, in all of Team Thunderbolt filling the underground with happiness and comfort.

But happiness could be broken just as it begins…

A bell rang… breaking all from slumber, thoughts of a jolly old man in a red suit, and joys of the holiday season.

A bell sounded… that would soon change everything….

Filling some with more despair and others with happiness but ultimately to all of them, piling more things on their list of goals…

Something unexpected was about to happen…

A/N: So… can you guess what the unexpected thing that is about to happen is? Come on, guess! I'm dying to see your thoughts and if any of you guys get it or not! Come on! Please! Pretty please! I'll even try to post the next chapter sooner if you do. Oh! And that brings me to my second important notice. You all must have noticed how long this chapter took to be posted right, right? Okay! I got a reason. School's started for me, already… poor me… any ways this year I also happen to be starting high school. With high school… unfortunately comes more homework… more homework means less time to write and post. Yes! Yes! Go ahead and complain! I know! I know! First it was my month long trip to China… then slight writer's block… now school. When will my schedule lighten up? I have no idea… so I have no clue when the next chapter will be up, but I know by reviewing it could shorten the time needed for me the write and post. So please REVIEW!! I love reviews! Then again who doesn't?