TDBigJ's message: Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas! Oh wait, it's not Christmas. What the hell am I bringing that up for? Maybe the thought of the previous two chapters is still in my head. I've got to get it out if I want to write this chapter. How has your past seven days been? Your one hundred sixty eight hours? Why am I getting mathematical? Sorry, my mind is a little whack right now. I've got to get my mind straight this chapter. Don't want to mess up, do I? I've got to cut down on the Monsters and Kickstarts, I think the caffeine is going to my head. Ah, who cares? Some people like to drown their sorrows in drugs or alcohol, I prefer to drown mine in caffeine. That's right! I went there! I was called a very strange term this past weekend, and when I say it, you guys will probably be familiar with it, as it has been used to describe a certain character in Pokemon. My dad actually called me dense. Does that sound familiar? I guess that really is it. I've got to get to the part of the chapter that no one cares about: The responding of reviews. I am actually being sarcastic. I don't really know who cares and who doesn't about the review responding. I'm babbling again. I don't know if I'm going to make it through the chapter. But I'll try. Well, here you go.

Oliverqueen01: Yeah, that's what I mainly hear on the internet about the dub. I hear the subbed version has better dialogue and better music than the dub. I watched one earlier episode of XY and heard the music for a certain part and I admit the music for the sub was better than the dub. Her reaction was out of character? Wow! That's surprising! You did a gift giving chapter too? Awesome! I'm happy to know you think Ash is growing as a person. Thanks for the review!

Rams30 (Guest #1): We will probably see one new character within the next couple chapters. Thanks for the review!

Espeon44: They had a good Christmas. That's good isn't it? I think the best MLB team, at least at this point, is either the Cubs or the Orioles. That is just my opinion. Thanks for the review!

49ers (Guest #2): No problem! I caught myself off guard there. I could have put them in the previous chapter. Thanks for pointing that out. Thanks for the review!

Guest #3: I guess either the last chapter was iffy or confused you. Sorry about that.

Klay (Guest #4): I sure hope he does. I will put that into consideration. Thanks for the review!

Bryce (Guest #5): I'm thinking I will be putting her in soon. No, she won't. Thanks for the review!

Jaguars5 (Guest #6): No, don't worry, they won't. Of course they love each other. Thanks for the review!

Raiders89 (Guest #7): No, she won't. No, don't worry, he won't. Thanks for the review!

Mariners23 (Guest #8): Yes, the Mariners do rule. But I hate the fact they're on a six game losing streak right now and they just got swept in a four game series. Seeing as by your name, you like Nelson Cruz? Yeah, I love boomstick (That's what I usually call him, hence his nickname)! Maybe, I'll think about it. I don't plan on splitting any of the couples up, don't you worry. No one will hurt them, I promise. I don't think he's that kind of character. Thanks for the review!

Mad Ass Dragon: Oh man, I'm sorry that you didn't like the last chapter. But I see you had some points as to why you didn't. I guess I could have been more elaborate with each character's reactions and maybe have had included Red's Christmas and made him do what you mentioned in your review. Sorry again that the chapter was a disappointment to you and that it didn't feel like Christmas. But, thanks for the review!

Patriots87 (Guest #9): That could happen, I would be fine with it. No, no one will tease them. Thanks for the review!

Rays3 (Guest #10): What Pokemon do you want her to have? You can tell me if you want, I'm not picky. That could happen. That was an idea for a chapter. No, that won't happen, I'm not evil. What's going to happen next? Well, here you go. Thanks for the review!

Mixt Number XV: Yeah, I know. It's nice at least in our stories he has a girl. It's about time he got one in the anime, although I don't know if that will happen. Thanks for the review!

Lions81 (Guest #11): They could if you want. There really isn't a chance of that happening. Maybe, I'll think about it. Thanks for the review!

Guest #12: It makes me smile too to see them happy together. Glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for the review!

Brig nodrm2347: You liked the chapter? That's a breath of fresh air. Glad you agree in was in your top three as well and that their presents had the most meaning. Sorry if it wasn't the presents you expected but thanks for liking my originality. The key and lock necklaces idea popped into my head and I thought it would be a good idea for their gifts. This chapter will take place a little after Christmas break. Thanks for the review!

Shadic4566: Sorry about the mistake. But it's still good to know that some of my endings are funny. I like to give someone one good laugh in their day. Glad you liked the gifts of Pikachu to Buneary and Ash's and Serena's to one another. Are you right or wrong? You'll find out. Thanks for the review!

Astros1 (Guest #13): I'll consider it. That probably won't happen. Her girlfriend is Dawn. Thanks for the review!

Guest #14: Maybe. I'll consider it. Thanks for the review!

Pokemonmeat: Man, it's been a while since I've seen you review. Good to see you doing it again. Glad you liked the chapter! I'll keep it up. Thanks for the review!

76ers (Guest #15): Don't worry, she won't. I'm thinking about adding her soon. Thanks for the review!

Colts12 (Guest #16): No, she won't. I'll consider it. It's not a bad idea. Maybe. That probably won't happen. No, they aren't. Don't worry. Probably the other way around. Probably not. Thanks for the review!

Eddy (Guest #17): I'll consider it but I've got the rest of the chapters planned out. Thanks for the review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or it's characters, they belong to Game Freak and Nintendo, and… whoever else.

It was now January, and that meant that Christmas break is a thing of the past. School was back in session, much to the chagrin of almost every student. All of them got their school gear and got ready for the day, with groans coming from nearly every single one of them. But at least Christmas break was a blast, and they got some things to remember it by.

The alarm in Ash's room went off, and within a split second he pounded his fist down on it. He sat up and rubbed his face with his hands. Pikachu slowly opened his eyes, his sleep interrupted by the loud blaring. Ash covered his mouth with his hand as he yawned. He pulled the covers off of him and slowly planted his feet on the floor, eyes half open. He had fallen asleep late last night and had gotten five to six hours of sleep but still felt tired. Usually when he got that much sleep he would be fine and dandy when morning came, but today was somehow an exception. Pikachu on the other hand, was all perked up and hopped down onto the floor by his trainer's feet.

Ash lazily got up off the bed and basically walked the pace of a zombie into the bathroom, and literally like a zombie. He looked at himself in the mirror. His eyes were still half open but his hair was messy. Oh wait, his hair always looked like that.

Ash stroked his hair with his right hand for the heck of it. Since his hair always had been like this, there was no need to make it any different. Pikachu jumped up onto the top of the counter and looked at Ash. Ash really looked like in no state to do really anything, and that was unlike him. Why was Ash so groggy at this moment? Pikachu himself wondered that. He gave his trainer a closer look. Seeing as he should do something so Ash wouldn't feel like he's doing nothing but stare at him, took a black comb that was next to him and handed it to Ash. Ash showed a small smile but with his eyes still remaining the same way. He combed the spikes of his hair slowly, rubbing through each stroke with his other hand. Once he had combed through each spike, he mentally gave himself an "okay" and placed the comb down on the counter.

Pikachu was concerned. He had hardly seen Ash like this, it was a rarity. He thought there was a better chance of someone winning the Pokemon League with just a Magikarp than him being completely drained of energy for one whole day. Even through all the journeys they had been on Ash never once seemed like he wanted to do nothing for an entire day. Even during the school year he was never like this, just why was today the day he looked like he just wanted to spend the whole day in bed?

Ash then mumbled something. Since it was mumbling, Pikachu couldn't understand what he said. But it almost sounded like he was saying: "I'm going to get in the shower." And it seemed like that was it, as he went over to the shower and turned it on. Pikachu, knowing how this usually went, leaped off the counter and went back into Ash's room.

Ten minutes later Ash emerged from the bathroom, towel around the waist. Since he was still so drowsy, he didn't tie it tight enough around his waist and it almost fell off, but he was aware enough to catch it in time before "anything" was revealed. Pikachu was now really concerned. Was Ash going to make it through the day?

"Pika pi?" He asked.

"Yeah buddy, I am still pretty tired, but I'll manage. I've been through worse." He explained.

Pikachu then covered his eyes as Ash got into his day clothes. Once he was finished Ash told him it was okay to look again. Ash was without his hat but did he really need to wear it at this point? He didn't have to leave yet. Ash went into the bathroom to comb his hair (again) and brush his teeth. After a few minutes of doing those two things, he came back into his room, rubbing both his hands down his face. He sat down on his bed and put on his shoes and tied them, at least he had enough "oomph" to do that. When that was done, he left his room and went downstairs to have a little bit of breakfast.

He went into the kitchen and sat down in a chair, faceplanting onto the table. He didn't feel really anything because, well, do I need to explain it? Pikachu looked at him once again. Since his partner was very tired to do a thing, he went up onto the counter, opened the cupboard, took out a glass and went over to the fridge and opened the door. Since he was so small, it was pretty difficult, but he got it opened. He got the orange juice and barely managed to get the carton on the counter while he held it in his mouth. He opened the carton and poured the liquid into the glass. He then grabbed glass and jumped the "death drop" onto the floor, keeping the spilling to a minimum and walked over to Ash.

"Pika." Pikachu said, holding the glass up.

Ash looked down at him and smiled and took the glass. "Thanks buddy."

Pikachu smiled as Ash took a drink. Ash leaned back in his chair. "I really need the energy. I don't want to spend the whole day like this." Pikachu nodded his head, agreeing with his trainer.

"It's just weird though. Usually when I get that much sleep, I wake up without a struggle, just why am I feeling this now?" He said out loud. Pikachu didn't know if he was either talking to himself or if he was talking to him indirectly. But, it was a question that didn't really need to be answered. He got up onto the table and patted Ash's head. Ash looked up and patted his buddy's head in return. Delia came downstairs and noticed the state her son was in.

"Honey, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine mom. Just tired."

"How come?"

"I may have gone to bed a little late last night."

"What time exactly?"

"About one, one thirty."

"Hm, interesting."

Delia was a reasonable mother. She didn't care when Ash went to bed, just as long as it was at a reasonable time. Most mothers would have their kids go to bed at a certain time, especially if they were still in school, but Delia was different.

"Look honey, going to bed at that time is fine with me, but seeing as you are still tired this morning, maybe just for tonight, you should go to bed a little bit early." Delia explained.

Ash was not one to complain. He didn't really like having a set bedtime but if it was just for one night, he guessed it would be okay.

"All right mom, if I have to, I have to." Ash responded.

"Like I said, just for tonight. Tomorrow night you can go to bed whenever. But if you wake up Wednesday morning drowsy once again, you may have to have a set bed time for a week." She explained.

Ash sighed. "I understand mom."

Delia smiled. "That's my boy." She rubbed his head and kissed him on the forehead. Due to the fact that he wasn't eating anything at the moment, she thought she would make him something.

Half an hour later, Ash left for school, still drowsy as hell. Ash's mom gave him some coffee to perk him up but it's effects had yet to kick in. Once those did, his day would be smooth sailing. Pikachu thought he would walk down on the ground this time just in case that if Ash stumbled and fell, he wouldn't fall off, and seeing as Ash was being beaten by Mister Sandman for the first time in history, that seemed likely.

"Man, I hope that coffee kicks in soon, otherwise, people will think I'm auditioning for a zombie slasher flick." Ash commented.

Serena came running up and put her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, good morning!" Ash, with his eyes narrowly closed, shot open, only for them to go back down to half closed.

"Oh hey. Good morning!" He replied groggily. Serena was a little surprised at his state.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just still a little tired from last night."

"Hm. Did you go to bed late?"

"Yeah. My mom doesn't give me a bedtime, she's fine with me going to bed at any time, as long as it's reasonable." He explained.

"Well okay. Did you do anything that could give you a boost?" She asked.

"Yeah I drank some coffee but I've got to wait for the caffeine to kick in." He answered.

"I hope you get alert soon. I'd hate to see you like this because… I've never seen you like this before." She stated.

"I know. Most people would have felt this by now, but it's been ages since I've felt this way." Ash said.

She placed her hand back on his shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll be able to get through this day. I know how strong you are."

He sighed. "That's easier said than done." He thought to himself.

Once school came around, it wasn't easy. Pretty much every class he felt the same he had been feeling since he got up this morning. Today had to have been one of the hardest days he ever endured. Sure, he's had harder days, like when he lost a gym battle or that time he tried to befriend Charizard. This one was nowhere near the hardest ones, obviously the Charizard time was, but luckily, that time was past.

It was twenty minutes into lunchtime, Ash was by himself by the apple tree. He wasn't in the mood for a big meal, since his drowsiness made his appetite weaken, but not by much. He had eaten about five apples and working on his sixth. Maybe something a little different wouldn't hurt.

Serena had been walking around looking for him. She hadn't seen him in the lunchroom and had been looking for him for the past fifteen minutes. When she saw him by the apple tree, she came over and sat down next to him.

"Hey, you still holding up?"

Ash took his left hand and rubbed his eyes with it. "Yeah, I guess I'm a little less tired than I was this morning, but I'm still pretty tired."

"Oh, well, that's good."

Even though he was tired, he really wanted to talk to someone. At least she was there to, but what could they talk about?

"Hey, can I talk to you about something?" Serena asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah, shoot." He responded.

"Seeing all your Pokemon at Oak's lab and the Pokemon you caught this past summer, I've seen that most of your Pokemon have evolved. I mean, I am just curious as to why none of mine have." She explained.

"You want your Pokemon to evolve?" He asked.

"Well, I mean, I like all three of my Pokemon because I think they're just adorable, but I also want them to be powerful and have confidence in themselves. I want just one of them to evolve, just one. But I haven't been able to have one of them do it."

Ash's train of thought was fast when it came to this subject, no matter what state he was in, so he thought he would shed some light on the matter.

"From how I've trained my Pokemon and seeing them evolve, it usually takes two things for a Pokemon to evolve: time and experience. It differs with every Pokemon, some evolve quicker than others. Most Pokemon take time, each of them differently. Almost all of my Pokemon that evolved took time and experience to do so. One of my Pokemon that evolved fairly quickly was my Staraptor. Staraptor was the first Pokemon I caught in Sinnoh when it was a Starly, and it evolved within two weeks. It evolved into a Staravia before I even had my first gym battle there. But with my other Pokemon that evolved, it was a while until they did after I caught them."

Wow! That was a lot of information to take in. Serena had little knowledge of Pokemon evolutions so it was good to know from Ash how it all happened. Hey, he wanted to be a Pokemon master in the future, so it was smart of him to know so much on that.

"Thanks for all that. I think I have better confidence that Fennekin, Pancham, or Eevee will evolve soon. I know it." Serena beamed. Ash liked to see her shining of confidence, that was one of the things that he liked about her so much. That made his drowsiness wear off a tiny bit. She pecked him on the cheek and hugged him. She then stood up and pulled him up with her. Ash nearly collided with her.

"Gee, Serena, have you been getting stronger?" Ash asked, chuckling.

"Maybe." She responded, giggling a bit. "Come on class is about to start again." After that she pulled him along. Ash was still low on energy, but he was starting to manage a little easier. Only a couple more periods and he was home free.

The rest of the school day flew by, luckily for Ash. He was still feeling tired. He left the school's front doors, Pikachu once again walking by his feet. He still didn't want to take any chances.

Five minutes after entering the forest, Ash was still walking at a sloppy pace. They had barely even gotten away from the entrance of the forest. Serena wasn't there with them at the moment as she had to do something quick after school and told him she would catch up. He just knew that once she met up with him, he would have to walk faster, which, unusually, he was not looking forward to.

Ash just wanted to get home, go up to his room, and fall asleep. He doubted anything would happen, but he could only think that. He realized that the coffee he drank this morning didn't perk him up at all.

"Dang! Mom must have given me decaf by accident." He thought to himself.

"You ready to take a nap once we get home?" Ash asked his buddy. Pikachu didn't mind the idea of taking a nap. He wasn't tired like Ash was, but did he really need to be? He too doubted that anything would happen on their way home…

But that was too soon to think.

Out of nowhere, a large amount of Arboks appeared. Ash, despite being tired, saw this and immediately felt a jolt go up his spine, causing his drowsiness to leave his system, now fully alert.

"Gee, didn't think I'd see this coming. Ready, Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

"All right, use thunderbolt!"

Pikachu let loose a charge towards the Arboks. He hit one group that was close together and was able to shock all of them, taking them out. There were still many left but Ash and him were still able to fight.

Who knew that something like this would happen? Why is it that things like this happen often when they're outdoors?

Many more Arboks came towards them. Ash and Pikachu were on their own. Their training from their journeys would give them a good fighting chance, despite the odds.

Pikachu let a few more thunderbolts loose and hit some of the Arboks with a volt tackle. Multiple Arboks fainted but there were still numerous ones left. Ash and Pikachu were hopelessly outnumbered. They could defeat most of them but they needed some extra help to handle the rest. But there was no one else around to help them. What were they to do?

"Fennekin, use flamethrower."

Suddenly, a blast of flamethrower shot past Ash and Pikachu and collided into the Arbok, knocking out about five of them. Ash looked back at Serena.

"Thanks for showing up!" He shouted.

"Thank me later. Let's get these Arbok dealt with." She commanded.

With that being said, they each gave out orders to their Pokemon. Each attack either knocking out a few Arboks or dealing a lot of damage. After a devastating number of attacks shot out, the Arboks that were still standing, cowered away in retreat, valuing their lives and booking it out. Ash, Serena, Pikachu, and Fennekin were heavily panting, having gone through a lot of work to get through those Arbok.

"Good job, Serena. You too, Pikachu."

"You two did a good job, and to you too, Fennekin."

"Pika."

"Fenne."

But then something started happening.

Fennekin started glowing.

Fennekin was evolving.

Ash and Serena suddenly got surprised expressions, Serena especially. She couldn't believe it, one of her Pokemon was evolving. A smile grew on her expression as Fennekin continued to evolve. After what seemed like twenty seconds, Fennekin was fully evolved, now into a Braixen.

"Brai."

Serena cuffed her cheeks and ran up to her newly evolved Pokemon and gave it a hug. She was so happy. It had finally happened. What a coincidence that was. Her and Ash were talking about Pokemon evolutions earlier and by lucky chance Fennekin evolved. What do you know?

"You've finally evolved!" She exclaimed.

Ash walked up to her and Braixen. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks!" She let go of Braixen. "It's good to see you're now fully awake."

"Yeah. I guess a battle kind of wakes me up."

"That's different. A battle gives you energy."

"On me, Pokemon battling has the same effects as coffee."

"That's strange. But it works for you and I'm not complaining." She remarked. "Come on, let's head home."

Once Ash got home, he went up to his room, but not to take a nap, he grabbed the remote on his nightstand and turned on his tv. His original plan was to take a nap, but after that encounter with the Arboks, he was fully awake, and felt no desire to take one.

"Man, it feels good to be full of energy again." Ash said to himself. Pikachu was happy as well, but since he just battled a lot of snakes, HE felt tired, and laid down and took a nap.

Ash looked at his phone and saw a picture message from Serena. It was of her Braixen. She decided to take a picture to show everyone that one of her Pokemon finally evolved. Ash was sure that all of their friends were going to go nuts over this.

Once night came, Ash got ready for bed. He turned off the light and got under the covers. Now it was time to sleep. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

But once he closed his eyes, he was feeling uncomfortable, plus, he didn't feel tired at all. He tossed and turned in his bed, trying to find the right position to sleep in, but couldn't find it. He then came to the conclusion…

"Damn! I can't sleep!" He said to himself.

And the night continued that way. He hoped that he would find some way to get some sleep, hoping tomorrow wouldn't be like today.

Author's note: Well, what a strange turn of events that was. Didn't see that coming. Wait, that doesn't make sense. I'm the freaking writer for crying out loud! My own mind confuses even me. Now that's weird. You guys are probably like "What the hell is he saying?" I've really got to get my words straight, otherwise I would have to go through high school again. As I learn how to speak English again, here is the preview.

Meanwhile, Ash and Gary decided to walk back to Ash's house. They had spent enough time away for the day, and they thought they would spend the rest of the day back at the Ketchum residence, which Gary didn't mind.

"So Gary, how is the research career going for you?" Ash asked.

"Oh, it's great. Nothing new though." Gary answered.

"Anything this past summer?"

"Only a couple things, but other than that, not really."

"Why did you decide to become a researcher over a trainer anyway?" Ash asked.

Gary thought for a minute. "Hard to say. It was mainly to help Gramps out. Besides, being your rival was taking a toll on me."

Ash chuckled. "Don't worry, I've had numerous rivals after you that have kept me busy."

"I guess they have been doing me a favor then." Gary remarked. The two of them laughed afterwards. Ash didn't mind that comment, he had gotten a good sense as to what they meant as he got older. He knew how to take them as being serious and a joke at the same time.

"Some of them were my friends and rivals, some of them were just rivals. You were the latter when we traveled Kanto and Johto, but now you are the former. Funny how things turn out right?" Ash stated.

"Yeah. You aren't as whiny and impatient as you used to be. I got used to you after that." Gary said.

"I guess I was a little bit like that when I was ten. I'm glad I'm not like that anymore." Ash stated.

Ash then started to wonder something. "Hey Gary! Why did you decide to spend the day with me? Of all days?"

"Oh, no reason. Just wanted to hang out I guess."

The two approached Ash's front door. Ash turned the knob and opened it.

"Come on, there has got to be some reason."

When they walked in, Ash turned on the light, but then…

Author's note: Um, I have no idea what is about to happen. *Slaps forehead* There I go again! I'm the *bleep* writer! Of course I know what is going to happen. But thing is, do you guys know? Well, think about it and see if you're right when the next chapter comes around. Until then…

TDBigJ out!

John, I look like something you give your kid when you tell them grandma died.

-Ted, Ted