A/N Sorry for the delay everybody. I hoped to get this out the week of New Years, but my family learned that our 12-year-old golden retriever had liver cancer and had to be put down. I didn't feel like finishing this chapter. The better reason is that I was also working on a song arrangement for my school band. Once I post it on MuseScore, I'll put the link in the next chapter.

Word be warned about this chapter: it is pure fluff. It's important to the plot, and there is a small battle scene, but it is mostly fluff. Please read and tell me what you think!

"Normal Speech/Translated Pokespeech/what human hear in terms of pokespeech"

Thoughts

"Telepathy"

"Untranslated Pokespeach"

Disclaimer, I don't own pokemon. I do, however, own any OC's I may write in.

Chapter 8, New Year Special:

Luke and Ellie have traveled through Aloha for seven months now and decided to spend the winter holidays with Luke's mom. Christmas came and went with no trouble, but something interesting is going to happen at New Years'.

"Thanks again for letting us stay here for the holidays Mrs. H," Ellie said to Luke's mom, Olivia.

"My pleasure. Having Luke around for the holidays is great, but his traveling companions also make some great company, too!" Olivia joked in reply. "So, have you caught him under the mistletoe?"

Ellie blushed and immediately began denying any feeling towards Luke, but Olivia smiled. "Mother's instinct tells me otherwise."

Ellie sighed and admitted defeat. She looked around for Luke, but he was out training over at the Oak Ranch. "I want to, but even if he returned my feelings, it could never work out. There are too many barriers in place."

Olivia slid the tray of spinach-artichoke dip they were working on into the oven, then sat Ellie down at the kitchen table. "Can you tell me what you mean?"

Ellie looked into her eyes and saw understanding and support. Her instincts also told her that she could trust her. This led her to do something she never had done before.

"He could never love me because I am half pokemon," she said, feeling like she had lifted a weight off of her chest. "You are the first person I've told. Even my parents don't know. I just never felt like I could trust them."

She looked into the eyes of her friend's mom and found sympathy. "You should worry too much. There are fewer barriers than you think." Ellie looked at her quizzically, but she just laughed. "I'll let him tell you when he's ready. Now, let's get that queso made! We got a party in three hours!" Ellie perked up, and the two females busied themselves in the kitchen.

Out at Prof. Oak's ranch, Luke and his pokemon were taking a break by one of the ponds on the property. He was debating some feelings he had been having recently, specifically about his female friend.

(Begin thought process of Luke)

What are these feelings I'm having? Every time she smiles at me, I get giddy. Anytime we make contact, the spot becomes heated in somehow. When I see her, I can't think of any word to describe her other than beautiful. Why am I like this? I don't have a clue about stuff like this.

(End thought process)

"Want to spar again?" David said, walking over in his human form. Luke responded by transforming into his Latios form. David nodded and turned into his natural form. Both flew up and began battling.

Several hours later…

Since Pallet Town had grown since Luke left, and he had a lot of new people to meet. He was currently in an intense argument with a teen named John.

"My Magneton could easily cream your Golurk, no matter the type advantage!" John called, brandishing a Pokeball.

Luke just smiled. "Why don't we check outside?" John responded by running out and getting into battle position, his Magneton was floating ready. Luke grinned and got into position and sending out his Golurk.

Ellie went outside and watched as Luke proceeded to defeat John. How did I lose? I used every strategy I could think of. John thought. Luke heard this and decided to reply.

"You lost because the only offensives move that a Magneton can learn and will damage Golurk are Flash Cannon and Toxic. Unfortunately, Your Magneton doesn't know either of these moves, so all the electric type moves were nullified by Golurk's ground type, and the normal type moves were countered by the ghost typing. Try to keep this in mind going forward, but also remember that a good strategy can compensate."

John stared. "Did you hear what I thought?" he asked. Luke responded by lifting him up an inch. "Yikes! Your a psychic!"

"Guilty as charged," Luke replied, grinning

"Wow! I never would have guessed it! The only other psychic I've seen is Sabrina, the gym leader, and even though I've heard she was worse, she still seemed really cold and heartless."

Luke shrugged. "Well, I haven't met any other psychics, but I guess we are like normal people and have all sorts of personalities. Though, I did scare off some Team Rocket members by acting similar to how you describe this Sabrina. I think after Aloha, I'll travel around Kanto, so I can see for myself how Sabrina is. Anyway thanks for the battle."

"Sure thing. I'll try to keep your advice in mind as I move forward."

Mrs. Hunter, Luke's mom, called out from the house. "Come in, the ball is about to drop!"

Everyone crowded around the T.V. and watched the live feed from Viridian.

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Happy New Year!

As everyone around him cheered, Luke did something without thinking: he turned to Ellie, who was next to him, and kissed her full on the lips. Fireworks went off in his head, and he realized what all those feelings were: he was in love with his best friend. (For those wondering, he considers Ash to be a brother) Reeling with his revelation, he broke away and just stood there, his brain working sluggishly.

Ellie's mind, however, was racing. She felt Luke's feelings thought the kiss, something he had not meant to do. She thought back to want his mom had said: "There are fewer barriers than you think." She wondered what that could mean now that she had figured out that is was likely that he felt the same way as she did.

Olivia looked at them from across the room, glad that her son had found someone. She now knew for certain that they were made for each other. As she smiled to herself, she started collecting the glasses that people had used for the toast and thought to herself, I wonder what their kids would be like?

A/N How'd I do? The kiss description is mostly based off of other fanfictions as I still haven't gotten over getting friend-zoned by a crush. Oof.

Now, onto the one review I got: Latiash. This will take a while.

N is a few years younger than his anime counterpart but is okay with training pokemon like the games. He respects the choices of legendaries, so if they decided to turn Luke into a hybrid, he was okay with it. He is a bit jealous of the abilities, though.

We will see the friend in Aloha, however, I am keeping his identity a secret. I will say that you get something from him in the game. It's not Colress, I had to google him.

As of now, it is not planned that he makes a reappearance, but it is a possibility that he will return with Reshiram.

I was going for the anime feel with their pokemon. As for the move typing, Shadow ball is the only ranged move Purrloin can move, so I had to use it.

Ash will not return for several chapters, I haven't reached a point where I feel like I can rejoin The Black Latios.

Ellie is with Luke in Aloha. He will meet other legendaries, but I don't think I will include Ultra Beasts.

I had no clue about the professor's wife. She will probably not be included.

Curiosity is fine. Just try to separate your questions please next time. I had trouble telling what went together.

All offers from the last chapter still apply. Looking forward to any submissions!

Please fill out the form on my profile, as the info will affect how the story goes.

I think that is all. See you next chapter!