Happy Holidays to all my readers. This wasn't originally planned, but I decided to put in a little Christmas Special in this story and I do hope you enjoy.

Remembering a Beginning

Alec's POV

The group had stopped once again to train Ash and Greninja and so far his progress had stalled. Clemont said he was working on a device that might be able to help, but Alec and Liz were both a bit reluctant about that since the form required a solid bond and both doubted it would do anything. But Clemont had been adamant that his device could help, but he wasn't saying what.

Greninja was knocked to the ground and knocked out without even achieving the form he could. "Man. I just don't get what I'm doing wrong," Ash complained, more to himself.

"Let's take a bit of a break. You've been working hard for the past half-hour and it's best if we don't push you two to the brink," Liz told him.

Ash then went to where Serena was training for her next showcase, Sylveon working harder than ever after what Alec heard about the last Showcase. Serena didn't seem to notice Ash's presence as he sat down to watch. "Why can't he just go out and say he likes her. He makes it too obvious," Alec noted to Ethan.

"Well, you're one to talk," Liz commented as he sat near him. "From what Cassidy told me you two didn't confess until a week into your Speaker Valley training."

"At least I did it," Alec bluntly pointed out.

[More than Dence-type Ketchum over there,] Ethan commented and Alec chuckled.

"And it's not as funny when I can only understand half the conversation," Liz stated.

"Well, can't help you much there," Alec stated. "Though I'm wondering why Ash hasn't been able to trigger the waterspout mode? He's been able to do it at least three times but it's like something's blocking the connection."

[I think their hearts aren't fully in the battle,] Sino suggested.

"What do you mean by 'not fully in the battle'?" Alec asked, translating for Liz.

[Ash and Greninja are thinking like this is training, not a battle. As such, he's not going all out, but holding back,] he explained.

"That might be the case," Liz said after Alec translated.

"Come to think of it, when we were trying to bring out that form me and Flame didn't hold back, and as such you two didn't either," Alec noted.

"I guess that could work, but we can't do that because with our power we'd take down Greninja in an instant," Liz pointed out.

"Maybe battling some trainers more on Greninja's level could work out. We tell him to use Greninja and try to force the form out," Alec suggested.

[I think that's the best option,] Sino stated with a nod. Alec didn't need to translate for Liz to get that.

"Hard to think that stubborn Froakie from before we began our journey became the way he is now," Alec commented when Sino went to meditate.

"It is when you consider Ethan hasn't changed in the slightest," Liz added, earning grumblings from said Umbreon. Alec couldn't help but think back on that day when Liz got Sino.

9 years ago

Alec and Liz were walking home from school with Ethan on Alec's head. "Ethan, can you please get off?" Alec asked him.

[Hmm… Nah. It's comfy up here,] Ethan replied, only digging himself further into Alec's hair, like it would protect him from Snowbelle's consistent cold weather. Most visitors normally wore heavy coats for most of the year, and lighter ones in the summer, but it wasn't uncommon for residents who were more than used to it to only wear coats in the colder months and that's where they were at the moment.

"Get off!" Alec shouted, trying to pull the silver Eevee off his head but Ethan wasn't moving. Liz meanwhile was laughing at the two's antics, as she was more than used to it at this point. "Oh ha ha. I'm sure this is very funny to you but it's not to me!" Alec told her, finally getting Ethan out of his hair and into his arms.

"Sorry, it was just funny seeing you trying to pull Ethan off like he was a cartoon character," Liz told him.

"Again, only for you," Alec replied deadpanned.

[I had fun!] Ethan declared.

"Well you would. You know that hurts my head," Alec told him.

Ethan blew him a raspberry before getting out of his arms and running into the nearby trees with a playful look on his face. [Catch me if you can!] he shouted.

"Ethan, you get back here this instant!" Alec shouted, running after his friend while Liz sighed before following him.

"There they go again," she commented and Alec barely heard her.

After a few minutes of the two humans chasing after Ethan, he suddenly stopped and looked at a clearing worriedly. "What is it, Ethan?" Alec asked, knowing Ethan wouldn't have stopped the game until he was caught.

[There's something over there,] he replied before lowering to the ground and creeping forward. Alec followed him doing the same thing and Liz not far behind, putting together that something was up.

"So, what's going on?" she asked.

"Ethan says there's something over there," Alec told her as they entered the clearing.

Ethan then ran forward towards a figure laying in the snow. [It's injured!] he shouted as Alec and Liz approached, now seeing it was a Pokémon.

Liz flipped the Pokémon over and the two were greeted to the sight of an injured Froakie. "What happened to it?" Alec asked.

"I don't know, but we shouldn't stick around and find out. Come on, let's get it to my dad," Liz said as she picked up Froakie. The three were about to leave when they heard a roar behind them and they turned to see a Ursaring behind them.

"Why do I get the feeling we just found the culprit?" Alec questioned as Ethan got into a defensive stance in front of the two humans.

[It's about time I found you. You've taken one too many berries from me,] Ursaring growled while glaring at the injured Froakie in Liz's arms. [Humans. Give me the Froakie and I'll leave you alone!] he demanded.

"What are you going to do?" Alec asked.

Ursaring was stunned for a few moments before answering. [I need to teach him a lesson. I don't tolerate thieves,] Ursaring growled.

[You're the thief. Taking food from the other Pokémon and hogging it for yourself. And in the middle of the cold season no less,] Froakie replied weakly.

"Alec, what's going on?" Liz asked and Alec gave her a rough overview. "Well I say you won't get Froakie," Liz said determinedly while holding Froakie closer to her chest.

[Then I'll take him the hard way,] Ursaring growled before suddenly firing Hyperbeam. Ethan reacted before any of them with Protect, blocking Ursaring's attack with a blue-green barrier.

"Ethan, Swift!" Alec called out. Ethan jumped into the air and sent several stars towards Ursaring, who, despite being immobilized by Hyperbeam, shrugged the attack off like it was nothing.

[Pathetic. This is a real attack,] Ursaring said before charging in with Hammer Arm.

"Dodge then use Quick attack!" Alec shouted. Ethan jumped to the side that Ursaring attacked with before slamming into his side, but the attack was again shrugged off. "Swift once more!" Ethan fired again but this time Ursaring destroyed the attack with Slash.

[Take this!] Ursaring shouted before hitting Ethan with Hammer Arm, sending him flying into a tree badly injured.

"Ethan!" Alec shouted, running to his friend before Ursaring attempted to use Slash on him.

"Hydro Pump!" a familiar voice shouted and Ursaring was suddenly sent back by a powerful stream of water. Alec and Liz looked to see Liz's dad, Louis, and his Feraligator. Louis bore remarkable similarities to Alec which caused a small joke to go around that he was actually Alec's dad, though Father was unsurprisingly the only one who didn't find it funny.

"Dad!" Liz shouted as she ran up to him and Alec took his chance and ran to Ethan.

"Are you alright?" he asked the injured Eevee, who looked up at him weakly.

[I'll be fine. Everything hurts but I'll be fine,] Ethan replied weakly.

"Alec, get over here!" Louis ordered, still looking at Ursaring. Alec grabbed Ethan and stood behind Louis.

[Give me Froakie!] Ursaring shouted, going for Hammer Arm again.

"Dodge then use Ice Punch!" Louis shouted. Feraligator ducked under Ursaring's attack before uppercutting him with Ice Punch and sending him flying.

When Ursaring stood up, Feraligator was growling at him and Ursaring got the hint and ran off. Alec, Liz, and Ethan both breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Dad, but how'd you know where we were?" Liz asked.

"Well, when you two didn't show up at your normal time I figured something was up, so I headed towards the school and saw Ethan's tracks running into the forest. Though what were you three doing here?" he asked.

"Well, we were originally chasing Ethan when he annoyed Alec but we found this Froakie," Liz answered, referring to the Froakie in her arms which had his eyes somewhat open.

"Alright. Let's get it and Ethan home and I'll take a look at them," Louis told the two and the small group made their way to Liz's home.

Once they arrived, they were greeted by Liz's mom Layla, who was taking care of the newborn twins Millie and Allie. All three looked a lot like Liz with their brown eyes and hazel eyes. "Louis, did you find-" she started when she noticed the injured Pokémon in the kid's arms. "What happened? Are you two okay?" she asked worriedly, though the second question was more directed at Alec.

"We're fine, mom. Just ran into a Ursaring while rescuing Froakie," Liz answered.

"Bring them over here," Louis called out from his medical area. Alec and Liz brought the two injured Pokémon and Louis started looking over them.

After a few hours, Louis stepped inside the house. "Well, they'll both be okay. But I'd like Ethan to stay the night to make sure he'll be alright," he said to Alec before turning to Liz. "Froakie will take longer to recover, but it'll be alright."

Both breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I'd better head home before Father starts looking for me. I'll see you tomorrow Liz," Alec told her and she nodded. "And thanks for helping Ethan, Louis," he added.

Louis gave him a smile. "Always happy to help. But you're right when you'd better head home," he told him.

"See you tomorrow Alec," Layla called out as he left.

A few days later, Alec was laying on his bed when Ethan hopped on and started poking Alec. [Alec. Come on. Get up. Get up!] he told him.

"Leave me alone Ethan. I'm too tired," Alec complained, shoving his face into the bed.

[I'm serious Alec. Get up!] Ethan shouted, trying to push the human off his bed but Alec wasn't budging.

A knock on the door caused Alec could look up. "Alec, it's Gordan. I just want to let you know that your father's back," Gordan's voice came through the door.

"Alright. I'm coming," Alec said, getting out of bed. "Stay here Ethan. Maybe I'll get a better chance without you."

[I'd take offense to that if I didn't already know this will be pointless,] Ethan muttered.

Alec left his room and walked to his father's office where, as expected, he was. Alec knocked on the door. "Come in," father's voice said from the other side. Alec opened the door and stepped in. "Ah, Alec. I take it there's something you want to talk with me about since the beast isn't with you," he noted.

Alec resisted the urge to shout that Ethan wasn't a beast but knew it would get him nowhere and he needed father in a good mood. Especially since he wasn't happy that he was almost harmed by a Pokémon again. "Well, it's about the holidays. They're coming up and I was wondering if you were going to be here?" Alec asked.

"I'm afraid not. I'm working on a deal over in Sinnoh and it sounds like I'll be away for a long time," father answered.

"Oh. Okay," Alec replied, looking at the ground disappointed.

"Hey, I'll make it up to you next year, promise," father told him.

"You said that last year. And the year before. If you don't want me with you on the holidays then just say it," Alec replied angrily before storming out of his father's office, slamming the door behind him. He then ran into his room and plopped down on the bed.

[I'd ask how it went but I think what I'm looking at answers it,] Ethan commented.

"I'm not in the mood for your sarcasm right now Ethan," Alec grumbled.

Ethan sighed. [I just don't get why you try so hard.]

"He's my father, Ethan. I know you've never known your parents but I just want him to be that to me. Not some businessman who's always got things to do."

[Well, we can sneak out and head over to Liz's. I know that makes you feel better,] Ethan suggested.

"Once he leaves. I don't want to deal with the problems of him catching us again."

"Then I'd suggest you leave tomorrow afternoon," Gordan said from the door. "I'll alert Louis and Layla," he added before leaving.

"Thanks, Gordan," Alec replied.

The time came sooner than Alec would have liked. Father said he was heading off and Alec merely muttered a goodbye with Ethan in his arms, not looking him in the eye. Not long after the limo left the mansion Alec lived in, which was on a hill just outside the city, he grabbed his coat and headed down to Snowbelle and Liz's house.

It didn't take the two long to get to Liz's home and he didn't even knock on the door before it opened to reveal Liz's mom Layla. "I was wondering what was taking you so long," she joked when she opened the door.

"Alec! You're here!" Liz shouted excitedly as Alec and Ethan came in. The two kids shared a quick hug before Liz turned to Ethan. "And how are you doing?" she asked, petting his head.

[Dealing with this guy 24/7 but otherwise doing fine,] Ethan commented.

"Ethan!" Alec shouted, causing the silver Eevee to giggle at his friend's expense while also getting chuckles from Liz's parents and Liz herself, all knowing Ethan made some comment that dissed Alec.

"I'm still a bit jealous of that ability of yours. Would make my job a little easier if I had it," Louis commented from a chair in the living room while watching the twins.

"Well, you can always tell me if you're having a problem. Pokémon seem to listen more when I'm around for some reason," Alec told him.

"Heh, I appreciate the offer, but it's fine," Louis told him, used to Alec offering to help him.

"By the way Liz, how's Froakie doing?" Alec asked her.

"He's doing well. Moving around finally, though I'm worried Froakie's going to get himself hurt again if he faces Ursaring again. He's tried multiple times to get into the forest but dad's Feraligator is keeping him from doing so," she answered.

"Well, why don't we go check up on him?" Alec suggested.

"Sure," Liz replied and the two went outside.

"Don't go too far you two," Layla called out.

"We won't!" Alec and Liz shouted back.

The two then found Froakie, who was training on his own. "Think he's training to beat Ursaring?" Alec asked.

"Probably," Liz replied.

[I wouldn't be surprised,] Ethan stated.

Froakie then suddenly ran in the direction of the woods. "Where's he going?" Liz asked before suddenly running out to follow Froakie.

"Liz, wait up!" Alec shouted as he and Ethan ran after her.

"I have to make sure Froakie stays okay!" Liz shouted back.

"Am I like this, Ethan?" Alec asked him.

[Sometimes,] he answered.

The three pursued Froakie for a while and eventually, the four ran into Ursaring. [I'm ending this Ursaring. You're going to give back the berries you stole. There's not enough to go around with you hoarding most of them," Froakie ordered.

[Heh. Beat me in a battle and I'll consider it!] Ursaring shouted, attempting to hit Froakie with Slash but he dodged it.

[Then I will!] Froakie shouted before pulling out a pair of Water Pulses and firing them at Ursaring. The bear took both hits to the chest but shrugged them both off like they were nothing.

"We have to help," Liz said and Alec nodded in agreement.

"Ethan, Swift!" Alec called out as the three made themselves known. Ethan fired the stars at a surprised Ursaring hitting him in the face.

[I don't need your help,] Froakie stated.

[Yeah, well, you're getting it anyway,] Ethan stated.

[You little pests!] Ursaring shouted, firing Hyperbeam which Ethan blocked with Protect.

"Alright Ethan, let's try out that new move we've been working on. Iron Tail!" Alec called out. Ethan jumped into the air as his tail turned to steel and he hit Ursaring in the head with it.

"Froakie, I know you want to do this yourself, but think about the last time you fought Ursaring. Sometimes you have to accept help in order to grow stronger. So please, let us fight with you," Liz requested.

"Anytime you two would like to join the party would be great!" Alec called out as Ethan dodged a Hammer Arm from a now moving Ursaring. "Ethan, Quick Attack!" Ethan charged in but bounced off Ursaring's body.

[Alright. Just this once,] Froakie said.

"Alright! Now use Water Pulse!" Liz shouted. Froakie fired the attack and it hit Ursaring in the head while he was distracted from fighting Ethan.

"Nice work. Let's take this guy down," Alec said, happy Liz was in the fight now. "Ethan, Swift!" Alec called out.

"Froakie, Water Pulse!" Liz shouted. The two attacks both hit Ursaring causing him to be knocked into a tree. "Now use Cut!" Liz shouted as Froakie formed the white blade.

"Iron Tail!" Alec commanded. Ursaring tried to block both attacks with Slash, but his weakened state was enough for both attacks to break through and hit Ursaring in the head.

[Why you little brats. I'll-" Ursaring started to shout when a bunch of wild Pokémon came out of the surrounding area and glared at Ursaring.

[Guess Ursaring annoyed more Pokémon than I thought,] Ethan stated.

[They likely got the courage seeing him lose to me,] Froakie replied.

[To us!] Ethan countered but Froakie didn't look at him.

After Ursaring was scared off by the wild Pokémon, Alec and Liz managed to convince Froakie to come back after the battle, as he was still injured. Then a day Alec was somewhat excited for came. "Time for the twin's first holiday!" Layla shouted with joy.

"Calm down honey. You've been bursting with joy for the past few days," Louis stated.

"Sorry, but you know how I get," Layla told him. Louis just shook his head with an amused sigh.

"Liz, Alec, come on. I've once we open presents, I've got some Snow Dunkers ready," she added. Snowbelle Snow Dunkers were one of the greatest things that came from Snowbelle, and Layla's were homemade, and the easiest way to describe them would be s'more chocolate chip cookies. Both kid's eyes lit up at the promise of one of their favorite treats and immediately ran up to where the tree had been set up with a bunch of presents.

After a series of unwrapping, Alec and Liz were about to grab a Snow Dunker but Louis stopped them. "Hold up you two. There's still one present left," he told them.

"Who's it for?" Liz asked.

"You, Liz," he answered, pulling out a Poké Ball. Both Alec and Liz gave it a curious look before Liz took the ball and opened it. Froakie then appeared in the room.

"You're giving me Froakie?!" Liz asked in surprise.

"He wouldn't stop bugging me when you four came back. I think he wants to be with you," Louis answered.

"Is that true Froakie?!" Liz asked with a gleam in her eye.

[Sums it up. You might be worthwhile,] Froakie answered, though Liz took it as a positive thing and hugged Froakie tightly. Alec didn't have the heart to tell her what he actually said.

"Come on. Quick picture and then we can have Snow Dunkers," Layla said, pulling out a camera. She quickly set it up and with her and Louis each holding a twin, Ethan on Alec's head, and Froakie in Liz's arms.

Present day

"I think it's safe to say we've all changed a lot since we left," Liz said.

"I'll say. If you told my seven-year-old self who'd I become I wouldn't believe you," Alec commented.

A sudden scream from Serena snapped Alec and Liz out of their reminiscing as Serena just noticed Ash watching her and she adopted a massive blush on her face. "Oh, sorry for scaring you Serena," Ash apologized quickly.

"I think it's time the two of us got back to training Ash, but this time we'll be doing things a little different," Liz told him.

"Alright. Come on Greninja," Ash said and the two quickly went to join Liz, who was already telling Sino her plan.