I don't like this one. See, my vision for this song has always been that Ash, Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket were reading the story to Ash and Misty's children. But I already wrote that as a one shot for last year's project (SHAMELESS PLUG: it's called "The Night Before Christmas" and it's on my profile) and I didn't want to put that same story in here or skip the song entirely. So...I came up with this. Like I said, I'm not a fan.

This is based off of the ninth song on the CD: The Night Before Christmas.

The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even Meowth.

"Look at our beautiful babies…fast asleep."

"I bet they're excited for Santa to come!"

"Ash, they don't know who Santa is."

"How do you know?"

"Because they don't even know who we are."

Ash's childhood home in Pallet Town was quiet and still. It was late at night, very night. In fact, it was nearly the next day. The only reason this young couple was still awake was because they were young parents, with two very young babies who'd just needed to be fed. They were full now, and seemingly content, until one of them started to fuss.

"Well, now we've got a creature stirring, huh?" Ash chuckled, reaching into the bassinet and gathering his two and a half week old daughter in his arms. She was very tiny, and her cries were very weak and squeaky. She still made Ash smile so much, though. Chuckling softly, he carried the baby downstairs, Misty following quietly behind him, watching with curious eyes.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

He ended up in the living room, decorated beautifully for Christmas as only his mother could orchestrate. Still bouncing the crying baby, Ash carried her over to the fireplace, where five stockings hung delicately in front of the wire screen.

"Look at all of these, Shelly," Ash whispered. His soothing voice calmed Michelle down, to some extent, causing the baby to let out a delicate coo. Smiling, he plucked at a light pink one and continued, "this one is yours. Isn't it cute? We didn't really think you'd be here for Christmas, but we got you and Aiden your own stockings anyway. Good thing we did!"

Misty smiled sweetly at her husband. He was so gentle and loving. No one ever seemed to expect that out of him, but those who knew him best always did.

She decided she should probably go check on Aiden. She often felt guilty and was afraid that she and Ash were giving Michelle more attention than Aiden, because she was a bit sickly. Misty didn't want that at all. She loved both of her babies and wanted to give them an equal amount of attention.

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds
While visions of Vileplumes danced in their heads.

Misty sighed happily and leaned over the side of Aiden's crib. Her baby boy was so precious. He looked so much like his father…especially in his sleep. The way his little nose twitched every now and again, baby snores escaping from that same little nose.

He was wearing the cutest footed pajamas, printed with diagonal red, white, and green stripes. Misty just loved them; it reminded her of a candy cane. Which, of course, was sweet. Just like her baby.

"You're so cute," Misty whispered, smiling at the baby.

In his sleep, he smiled, and Misty couldn't help but to wonder what in the world that innocent little thing was dreaming about.

When out on the roof, there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Suddenly, a fairly loud sound startled Misty. Her body trembling, Misty gathered Aiden into her arms, not wanting to leave him alone in the room. She would not protest to the idea that she was just slightly overprotective.

Holding the boy to her chest, Misty hurried downstairs, finding Ash still standing by the fireplace with Michelle in his arms, staring up curiously at the ceiling.

"Ash," Misty's hushed and frantic voice caught the young man's attention, "what was that?"

"I don't know," Ash shook his head. He, too, was clutching the baby in his arms a little more tightly.

Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutter and saw Rapidash

Misty walked towards the window, wondering if someone was outside. Aiden mumbled against her, causing Misty to shush him softly and hold her hand against the back of his head. She peered through the glass, into the winter night, and waited.

"What's up, Mist?" Ash asked, moving closer to her.

"I thought the noise might have been from someone outside," Misty murmured.

"Someone outside?" Ash chuckled at the notion. "Come on, honey, this is Pallet Town! No one is outside in this little town at this time of night!"

Glaring at her husband, Misty bit, "I will not be too careful with these two around now! We need to protect them, Ash!"

"And I promise you that there is nowhere safer for them to be than Pallet Town," Ash rolled his eyes.

Suddenly, a series of shadows stretched across the snow, causing both Ash and Misty to jump.

"What was that?!" Misty shrieked.

"Was it a Pokemon?" Ash asked, leaning in closer. He wondered what kind of Pokemon it could have possibly been!

"I…I don't know," Misty blinked. "What kind of Pokemon would be flying around at this time of night?"

"Santa's Stantler!" Ash answered without hesitation.

Misty threw him a look, but Ash missed it. He was too busy staring outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa's sleigh.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday to Jynx's below

She knew he was crazy, he really was. Santa wasn't real, no way no how. All Misty could see now, on the snow covered ground, was the reflection of the moon, its light shining on the pure white surface. The shadows had gone, very quickly in fact.

But no way could they be Stantler. Not even.

He's crazy, Misty thought to herself, rolling her eyes. I've married a crazy man.

"Ash…" Misty murmured, lowering her eyes, "there's no such thing as…that." She didn't want to say it in front of the babies. Even though they were only a few weeks old, Misty didn't want to ruin anything for them.

"Of course there is, Misty!" Ash laughed it off. "Don't be silly."

"Oh, yeah," Misty sighed, "I'm the silly one in this house."

When what to my half-open eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

Suddenly, another shadow appeared on the snow, this one much larger and squarer than what had previously appeared. Misty stared up into the sky, her heart beating wildly in her chest. This seemed to make Aiden happy, as he let out a content breath and snuggled more deeply against his mother.

"What was that?" Misty gasped.

"I already told you. Santa."

"And I already told you, you're crazy."

A flash of red ran across the sky, Misty's eyes widening. Ash chuckled happily, and now Misty was resisting the urge to smack him with the back of her hand.

"I don't believe this," Misty muttered.

"Well, you have to!" Ash rubbed his cheek against her own, causing Misty to growl. "You just saw it with your own eyes!"

"Come on, Ash, how do you know for sure it's Santa?" Misty questioned. "You don't! There's no proof!"

"A big red sleigh flying through the air is enough proof for me," Ash shrugged. In his arms, Michelle let out a happy little squeak, causing Ash to smile and hold her even closer.

Misty pressed her lips together tightly. She knew Ash had a point…there didn't seem to be much else that the big, red box could have been. Besides, it would be fun to believe and feel like a little kid again…if for only one night.

"Alright, fine," Misty smirked. "I think you're right."

"You do?" Ash was obviously surprised.

"Yes. I think that was Santa Claus."

"I knew you would believe sooner or later," Ash smiled at his wife. He sounded relieved, in a way. It made Misty giggle. She loved that silly boy more than anything else in the world.

"Of course I believe," Misty smirked, her cheeks glowing lightly. "It's Christmas time."