A/N
Been a while, aye? I actually have most of a real chapter written, but I'm hesitant to post it as I'm not entirely sure what I want to do with this story. I'm dissatisfied with many elements of it, and I don't know if I want to rewrite it yet, so I'm afraid of committing further.
I'm sure there's no one in the world who just loves Ambition's Shadow THAT MUCH that they're BEGGING for new content, but I hope at least some people care enough to appreciate this little tidbit!
Without further ado... Ambition's Shadow: The Dubiously Canon Christmas Special!
The Christmas Eve party aboard the S.S. Cryogonal was in full swing! All of the guild members who hadn't left to see their families were at various places throughout the ship, enjoying their festivities.
The main event was up on top of the deck. Pokémon were lit up with cheer, simply having a blast as they talked, played, and feasted. Team Stop Calling Me That were sat at a table in a corner next to a couple other teams. Inu, Yuku, Peppy, and Aundei were laughing heartily at a joke Alfonzo had just told. A certain ninetales, however, was not elated by the festivities.
Snute glared off into the distance. Her chin rested lazily on the safety railing of the ship. The snow-covered houses below stretched on as far as the eye could see, all lit up with holly jolly joy. The ninetales simply sighed in resignation.
"Christmas... What a load of fooey..." she mumbled, adjusting her Santa hat. Yes, unfortunately for her, the dressing up part of the party was, in fact, mandatory. That wouldn't be a problem if the party weren't also mandatory for those not visiting family.
Evidently, she had spoken louder than she'd meant to, as gasps lit up around her. She raised an eyebrow, turning to see the other pokémon stare at her with shocked expressions. Her icy blue gaze met each of theirs individually.
"...What?"
Inu, dressed as an elf, threw his arms up in exasperation.
"What do ya' mean, 'what'? You just dissed the best Holiday!" The meowth appeared to get increasingly irate as he spoke, gesturing wildly with his paws.
"Hold on, now!" Alfonzo, the candy cane magician interjected. "Halloween is way better! But, I agree with the sentiment."
"Whatever," Snute sighed, turning away. "I'm not saying you all can't enjoy it. Leave me out of it, though."
"But Snute!" Yuku pleaded. As she swung her head, the braid of reeves, mistletoe, and pine branches draped over her horn smacked lightly against Snute, much to the ninetales' annoyance. "Everyone should be happy on Christmas! We don't want you to be sad!"
"Yeah," Inu agreed, arms crossed. "Quit bein' a killjoy!"
"Believe me, I'd bloody love to just go hide in my room until it's over. But, the guildmaster won't let me; the bugger!"
Aundei put a paw on the ninetales' back. She attempted to shrug it off with a growl, but the glameow simply smiled.
"Oh, come on, Silly! It isn't that bad!" His fake beard bounced a bit as he moved about. "Come on, let's get you some coco!"
"Joy," Snute deadpanned as she was dragged away from her spot.
A delibird was sitting comfortably in his sleigh, one wing rested upon his magical sack. The vehicle was pulled along through the air by a group of stantler and ponyta. Next to the delibird was an impidimp who frantically scanned across a long scroll in their hands.
"Okay, Mr. Claus!" the impidimp proclaimed. "Looks like this is the last town of the night! Just gotta wrap things up quickly and we'll make it back to the North Pole by dawn!"
The delibird, Santa Claus himself, gave a hearty laugh, his large gut jiggling with each "ho".
"Oh, that is delightful!" Santa cheered. "Another glorious night of delivering presents to all the good little boys and girls! If only I could be around to see all of their smiles on Christmas morning!"
"You said it, boss!" one of the stantler - Blitzen - commented. "It sure is hard work pullin' yer fatass around all night, but it's all worth it!"
"And it's only once a year, so it's all right!" Vixen, one of the ponyta said.
"Marvelous indeed!" Santa laughed.
Another of the ponyta seemed to be pulling a face. He grimaced lightly, giving his muzzle a little shake.
Santa tilted his head, a warm concern filling his heart.
"Comet? Are you feeling quite all right, old boy?"
The ponyta groaned, shaking his head.
"Ugh... I had a sneeze in there, but I think I lost it."
Santa laughed once more.
"Oh, how dreadful! We'll have to help you get it out when we land!"
"Haha, y-" Comet's response was cut off as his sinuses practically exploded all at once. Without warning, he unleashed a loud sneeze, lighting up the sky with a brilliant display of fire. "ACHOO!"
Gasping in surprise, the stantler all tried to angle out of the way of the blast.
The impidimp next to Santa immediately began to panic.
"Wait, you lot! Don't do that! You're gonna- Oh, dear lord!"
It was too late. The brief spout of disorder within the plotted course began to rock the sleigh. Everyone shouted and struggled in alarm as they all tipped upside-down, hurdling toward the ground.
"Calm down, you lot!" the front stantler, Dasher, commanded sternly. "Pull up! Resume normal formation!"
The impidimp, still clinging upside down on the sleigh, let out a loud shout as it flipped back over, sending him onto his back. Within seconds, order had been restored, with the sleigh back up the right way.
The impidimp groaned, standing up and rubbing his head. He looked around, then gasped in alarm.
"Uh, guys? I think Santa fell out!"
Yet more gasps filled the air.
"Comet, ya' damned idiot!" Blitzen shouted. "Ya' couldn't have held your sneeze fer five minutes?!"
"Wh- Hey!" the ponyta stammered. "It's not my fault, you big jerk!"
"It doesn't matter who's fault it is, you dolts!" the impidimp shouted. "Turn back around so we can pick up the boss!"
"Got it!" the stantler and ponyta all shouted in unison.
Snute was sitting out in the snowstorm. She leaned against a tree as she sulked, sighing miserably.
"Good grief... Can't get a moment of peace and quiet around these pillocks. At least I managed to sneak away."
Her train of thought was interrupted as she heard a crash above her. The ninetales looked up in time to see a large branch falling toward her. She leapt out of the way before it hit the ground.
Snute looked up into the tree suspiciously, then back down. Her brows raised in surprise.
A rather fat delibird was groaning on the ground next to a giant sack of sorts.
"Uh... Are you supposed to be Santa Claus?" Snute ventured, rolling her eyes.
The pained delibird's eyes shot open. He struggled to sit up, squinting at the ninetales. He gave a strained laugh.
"Ho-ho! Why, of course it is!" He felt around for his lost glasses. Soon enough, he felt the familiar frames against his wing. He lifted them up and set them back on his beak. "Oh, why, if it isn't little Lucille! Oh, you all grow up so fast..."
Snute backed away, eyes wide.
"H-How did you..."
Santa laughed heartily, waving a wing.
"I'm Santa Claus, my dear! I know everyone's name!"
Snute grimaced, shaking her head.
"Well, shouldn't you be delivering presents, then?" She looked up to scan the sky. "On your sleigh?"
"See, about that..." Santa muttered, looking down sadly. "One of my ponyta had a rather... explosive sneeze, and I ended up falling from my sleigh!" He attempted to stand up, but only groaned in pain as he fell forward onto his plump belly. "Oh, dear, and it appears my back has been injured in the fall! And, on tonight of all nights? I'm in no state to deliver presents, now..."
Snute stared forward with a deadpan expression.
"Uh... That's a bit pants, I guess."
"I will need someone to finish for me, you see! My sack, however, will only open for someone with a truly compassionate heart!" Santa exclaimed.
Snute shrugged.
"Uh, good luck with that, mate."
"I need you, Lucille... Please... Help an old man out, and bring smiles and joy to the children on this night of wonder and cheer!"
Snute looked at him blanky.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
Upon receiving no further response than a head-gesture toward his sack, Snute rolled her eyes. She stomped over, then carefully undoing the sack and peering inside. A sea of toys, trinkets, and nicknacks met her eyes.
"W-What the hell?"
"You are our only hope, Lucy!" Santa pleaded. "Please, I need you to save Christmas!"
"Bloody hell. Fine!" the ninetales scoffed, scowling. "Where's your stupid sleigh?"
As if on cue, jingling bells met Snute's ears. Completely baffled, she looked up to spy a sleigh descending from the sky, pulled by stantler and ponyta. An impidimp frantically hopped out as they came to a landing, rushing over to the downed delibird.
"Oh, boss! Oh, boss! We're so sorry! Are you oka-..." He suddenly stopped, squinting at Snute suspiciously. "Huh?"
"Uh, who's this broad?" Blitzen asked, tilting his head.
Santa gave a hearty laugh.
"This is Lucille!"
The impidimp's eyes lit up in recognition.
"Oh, yeah. A human, right? How could I forget?" He then frowned. "She's been on the naughty list for a long time."
Snute's eye twitched a bit.
Santa shook his head, chuckling.
"And she will be taking my place, tonight!"
"What?!" everyone else sans Snute blurted in unison. The aforementioned ninetales cringed, growling from the loud noise.
"Lookie, boss," Blitzen started, "I know I implied I was okay with pullin' your fatass around, but..." his eyes drifted to Snute's backside. "...I think that's a little too much."
"Oi! Fuck you, lad!" Snute barked, shaking a paw.
"You're such a pervert, Blitz," Vixen sighed, bringing a hoof to her face.
Santa gave a hearty chuckle.
"Oh, don't you worry! You lot will just be taking me back to the North Pole! Ms. Claus will be irate if she finds out I didn't come right home after getting injured!" The delibird shakily stood up, his impidimp friend rushing over to give him support. Santa threw his sack over to Snute, who caught it on her back.
The ninetales glared, huffing loudly.
"How am I supposed to deliver your stupid presents without the sleigh?"
The impidimp looked worriedly at Santa.
"...You sure we should be trusting her with this one, boss? She seems kinda... Mean."
"Fret not, dear boy! She'll do great!" He gave a smile, waving to Snute. "Don't worry about it, Lucy! This small village is the last stop on our list! You've just got about fifty households to deliver to!"
"...Great."
"And with that, we're off! Good luck, Lucille! Don't let me down, now! Christmas depends on you!"
With that, Santa flopped unceremoniously into his sleigh. By the impidimp's command, a symphony of hooves erupted in gallop, before taking off into the air.
Snute just stared into the sky, stood still in the middle of the snowstorm. She sighed loudly. Santa's list soon floated down onto her muzzle.
House One.
The ninetales grumbled to herself as she hoisted herself fully onto the snowy roof, careful not to slip off. She gripped Santa's bag like Christmas depended on it as she loudly stomped across the roof. She stuffed Santa's list into her pocket.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," she growled. "I can't believe I'm fucking doing this. Bloody hell. What has my life devolved to?"
Spying the chimney, she rolled her eyes. Every door and window was locked; she'd already tried those. With a low groan, she housed herself up onto the edge, then peered down. She could see some light streaming into the bottom of the livingroom, but above a certain point it was just a dark abyss. With no other choice, the grumbling ninetales stuck her head down in. She braced one forepaw against each side of the chimney's interior shaft, then began to slowly shimmy downwards. She'd made decent progress for a moment, until the inevitable struck.
"...I should have known," Snute seethed irritatedly, feeling her bodacious backside catch against the entrance. There was no way that was going to fit this way.
"Okay... Plan B."
Snute shimmied backwards, shakily crawling back out of the chimney. She oriented herself in the other direction - she supposed she should've done that to begin with - and began to lower herself in. Grunting and whining all the while, with a forceful shove, she just barely managed to squeeze her ample cheeks into the shaft. With that out of the way, she was finally able to start properly descending, though with quite a bit of friction putting up resistance. Upon getting fed up with the slow progress, she materialized ice along the walls to better lubricate her descent.
Within a minute, she'd made it to the bottom. Out she stepped from the fireplace, her pristine white fur stained with soot. She dragged the gift bag over to the Christmas tree.
Snute glared down at the bag.
"Okay... How do I do this?" She lifted the bag and held it upside down. Exactly three perfectly wrapped gift boxes somehow fell out and nothing else. "...Huh. Efficient."
After looking around, she gave a shrug, heading back over to the fireplace. She set to work on the arduous task of re-ascending the shaft.
House Two.
"Great. The fireplace is still active," Snute huffed to herself. With a glare, she took a deep breath. She formed the largest snowball she could, then promptly dunked it down the chimney. The fire was extinguished with a short hiss.
Nodding in satisfaction, Snute hopped right in.
House Five.
"This is stupid... All of this is stupid... Bloody hell..." Snute grumbled to herself as she casually dumped presents beneath the tree. She was starting to get the hang of things, but the thought of having forty-five more repetitions of this wasn't exactly thrilling to her.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard a quiet, squeaky voice call out.
"H-Hello?"
Stiffening up, Snute slowly craned her head back around to see a pichu's head peeking around the wall from the stairs.
Snute waved her paw dismissively.
"Hey. Go back to bed, kiddo."
The pichu smiled brightly, working its stubby legs to sprint over to Snute. It looked up at her blank face with wide eyes.
"Are you Santa?"
Snute took a step back, groaning.
"No."
"But you look like him! And I saw you bring gifts!"
Snute's stare could level a pancake. She sighed miserably.
"Do you see a beard anywhere? Or a big gut?"
The pichu gasped in surprise, throwing its arms up.
"Right! You're a girl! Sorry! Are you Mrs. Claus, then?"
"No," the ninetales huffed. "I'm Snute. Now, if you'll excuse me." She turned back toward the chimney again.
"W-Wait! Aren't you gonna have some milk and cookies?"
Snute paused, eye twitching. She turned again to look at the pichu, then to the table it was gesturing toward. Sure enough, there was a tall glass of milk and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. She looked back down again to the pichu's pleading, watery eyes.
"Ugh! Fine!"
"Yay!"
House Twelve.
Snute sluggishly hoisted herself onto the roof, panting heavily. She felt her stomach sloshing uncomfortable.
"Ooog... I never want to see another cookie or glass of milk again after this..."
The ninetales sweat a little bit as she made her way over to the chimney.
"Couldn't someone have something a little less filling? Or, more umami, at the very least? Ugh..." She pulled herself over the side with a huff.
House Fifteen.
An umbreon with a flowing red cape hopped from roof to roof, her paws expertly maneuvering across the buildings.
Snute's eyes widened in surprise. That was Selena, of Team Just Is. What was she doing out here?
Selena thought to herself as she hopped from roof to roof.
"The reports say a ninetales dressed as Santa Claus has been breaking into houses... Is it true? Has the newbie gone rogue?" As if on cue, Selena finally noticed Snute staring at her. The ninetales had one leg in a chimney and held a giant, bulging bag. Selena's eyes narrowed just slightly. "So it is. Pity..."
Snute hopped out of the way with a yelp as a shadow ball streaked past her. Within seconds, Selena had nearly closed the distance, dashing across the roof.
Snute leapt over the umbreon, though promptly got tackled from behind.
With a deft roll, Snute managed to kick the umbreon off, sending her tumbling a few meters. She was soon back on her paws, however, rocketing toward Snute at high speed.
The ninetales yelped in pain as she was smacked into. She tumbled across the roof, then went over the side. Her forepaws' claws dug into the tiles desperately as her back half went over.
Selena approached steadily, then peered down at Snute with an even stare. The umbreon tilted her head.
Snute blinked.
"Uh... This isn't what it looks like."
The umbreon sat, staring expectantly, awaiting elaboration.
The ninetales scowled a bit.
"Apparently Santa Claus injured himself, so he's making me deliver the rest of the presents."
Selena carefully gripped Snute's paws, pulling the ninetales back up. She spoke softly and coolly.
"Want help?"
Snute sighed in relief, nodding.
"Yes, please."
House Twenty-Five.
With the two of them working together, taking turns, the pace of delivery had sped up by a lot. With Snute having more time to recover between houses, she was able to act with fuller energy.
On the other hand, Selena's more lithe figure and experience in stealth allowed her to work quicker than Snute had previously been able to. She still needed her own breaks to warm back up, as she didn't sport the same cold immunity as her ice-type compatriot.
Yet, even with this new strategy, things were still eventually slowing down. Even with all of the rest, Snute was slowly getting more and more tired, and Selena was shivering with ever increasing intensity.
...And they were only half-way done, too.
The two rested together under a roof, Snute panting heavily and Selena too numb to move.
"I'm not... Huff... Sure we can finish this in time..."
The umbreon nodded in agreement, burying her muzzle under the scarf part of her cape.
Just when all hope was lost, however...
"Hey, Silly!"
The two looked up in surprise. The rest of Team Stop Calling Me That was there, as well as a psychic ponyta with a long, pink beard!
Alfonzo smirked, waving.
"Hey, Lu'! We've been looking for ya'!"
"And we found The Aalder out here, too! There were reports of you breaking into houses! Naughty naughty."
The ponyta nodded, looking over to Selena. He adjusted his red cape.
"I take it that she is no evil-doers?"
Selena nodded, still shivering.
Snute sighed.
"Santa got injured or something. The bugger put me in charge of doing his job, and Selena has been helping me for the last thirteen houses."
"It's b-b-been h-h-hard w-w-w-work on f-f-foot," Selena added.
Snute nodded in agreement.
"It's been three hours!"
Peppy smiled, hopping over. The fennekin's faker antlers rustled as she moved.
"W-We could always g-get a flying sleigh like the real Santa! That would speed things up, right?"
Snute raised an eyebrow.
"Are you nuts?"
"Why, I just so happen to know a spell for that!" The Aalder proclaimed. "Little Peppy, go get your delivery wagon!"
"Got it!" Peppy saluted, before dashing off quickly.
House Fifty.
Snute, Aundei, Alfonzo, and Selena all sat inside the wagon as it was pulled through the sky by Peppy and The Aalder. With the ability to fly and sit, combined with four different pokémon to cycle between delivering, progress sped up immensely.
Before Snute knew it, a half an hour had passed, and they were headed toward their final stop. Snute checked Santa's list one last time.
"Okay... Looks like we're headed toward the Vanilluxe Guild. How convenient."
Aundei smiled, pulling Snute into a hug. She growled just a bit.
"Isn't that great, Silly? We can spread joy to all of our friends!"
Alfonzo and Peppy soon joined in on the hug, much to Snute's chagrin.
"You're so warm..." Peppy murred.
"OwO, what's this?" Alfonzo added.
"I hate you guys..." Snute grumbled.
Everyone erupted into laughter as the wagon descended upon the S.S. Cryogonal.
All of the costumes pokémon left on the deck looked up in surprise. Whisper stirred. Conversation erupted. Within five minutes, it seemed that everyone in the guild had gathered back up top. They stared in awe as the group of explorers in sky circles around their giant central Christmas tree.
Aundei hopped up onto the edge to address the crowd.
"On this night, our dear Santa Claus was injured while delivering presents! In his most dire moment, just when all hope seemed lost, Snute appeared from the fog to save the day! Our very own ninetales nobly and selflessly took it up on herself to deliver the rest of the presents and save Christmas! It would have been ruined without her brave actions, and team heroics..."
Shallot shivered in his chair. The fennekin straightened out.
"Hah... I think I just got chills."
Tart looked up from her book.
"You felt it, too?" the minccino asked. "Do you figure that somebody is discussing us behind our back?"
Salami shook his head at the two, rolling his eyes.
"Uh... It's like, ten degrees." The vulpix spoke in a deadpan tone.
"So, let me hear it! Three cheers for Snute!" Aundei cried. "Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
"Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
"HIP HIP!"
"HURRAY!"
Snute cringed, blushing like mad as she was cheered on, with her teammates holding her up in the air.
"Ugh! You guys are the worst!" she complained.
Selena picked up the gift bag, tossing it over the side. One present for every member of the guild flew out and landed right under the tree. Everyone cheered with smiles, making way as the wagon landed in the center of the deck. Everyone clapped for Snute as she stepped out.
Vanilluxe approached with two matching smiles.
"So, Snute!" Lefty started.
"What did you learn about Christmas?" Righty continued.
Snute scowled, walking past them.
"I learned fuck all. Now leave me alone so I can go sleep."
Everyone cheered and applauded the wonderful speech as the sulking ninetales slumped down the stairs and out of sight.
Watching through a crystal ball at the North Pole, Santa smiled warmly, relaxing into his bed.
"You did good, little Lucille. I'm so proud."