Ash and Pikachu arrived at Lavaridge Town on a chilly Christmas Eve, which was blanketed with a thin layer of snow—a rare sight in the usually warm region. As they approached the Lavaridge Gym, Ash noticed the faint sound of panicked muttering.

Peeking through the door, he saw Flannery pacing back and forth.

"I can't believe I forgot! Grandpa's gonna roast me alive—figuratively, of course! Seven hours isn't enough time!" Flannery groaned, clutching a notepad.

"Hey, Flannery!" Ash called out, stepping inside with Pikachu. "Everything okay?"

Flannery whipped around, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Ash. "Ash! Pikachu! You're just the person I need!"

"Pika?" Pikachu tilted its head curiously.

Flannery rushed over, grabbing Ash by the shoulders. "I totally forgot that we're hosting a Christmas party at the gym tonight! Grandpa's been talking about it for weeks, and I was so busy with challengers that I forgot to buy gifts and decorations!"

Ash blinked. "The party's tonight?"

"In seven hours!" Flannery wailed. "If Grandpa finds out I forgot, he'll never let me hear the end of it. Can you help me? Please?"

Ash smiled. "Of course! We've got this, right, Pikachu?"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu gave an enthusiastic nod.

Flannery sighed in relief, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "Thank you so much, Ash! Okay, we need presents, decorations, and maybe some snacks. Let's split up and hit the market."

Moments later...

"Okay, presents first," Flannery said, scanning the stalls. "What do you get for a bunch of gym trainers and Grandpa? Oh, and something for the guests, too."

Ash pointed to a stall selling Pokémon plushies. "What about these? They're cute and perfect for trainers!"

Flannery's eyes lit up. "Great idea! Let's get a mix—Fire-types for the theme, and maybe some others for variety."

They piled plushies of Torchic, Vulpix, and Charmander into the cart. Pikachu picked out a Pichu plush, hugging it proudly before tossing it in.

Next, they stopped at a jewelry stall. Flannery picked out a firestone pendant for her grandfather. "This should keep him happy," she said, smiling nervously.

As they moved to decorations, Flannery spotted a bundle of fairy lights. "These will look great in the gym," she said, grabbing them.

"Don't forget the ornaments," Ash added, pointing to a stand with colorful baubles.

While Flannery loaded up on shiny red and gold ornaments, Ash and Pikachu wrestled with a giant inflatable Torkoal. "Why is this thing so heavy?" Ash grunted as Pikachu zapped it lightly to keep it under control.

Moments later...

With the cart brimming with gifts and decorations, Flannery slapped her forehead. "Snacks! How could I forget snacks?"

Ash pointed to a bakery with a long line outside. "That place looks popular. Let's grab something from there."

Inside, they bought an assortment of cookies shaped like Fire-type Pokémon, lava cakes, and spicy cinnamon rolls. The baker, noticing Flannery's frantic energy, threw in a complimentary batch of spicy cocoa mix.

"Thanks!" Flannery said, bowing slightly as they left.

Later that evening...

Back at the gym, they unloaded their haul and got to work. Flannery's Slugma and Torkoal helped string up the lights, while Ash hung ornaments with Pikachu's assistance.

"I can't believe we pulled this off," Flannery said, wiping sweat from her brow. "The place actually looks festive!"

Ash grinned. "Told you we could do it."

With the decorations done, they wrapped the gifts in colorful paper and arranged the snacks on a table. As the clock ticked down, Flannery glanced nervously at the door.

Flannery's grandfather, Mr. Moore, walked in.

"Hmm," he said, stroking his chin. "Looks like you pulled it off, Flannery. I was starting to wonder if you'd forget this year."

Flannery laughed nervously. "Forget? Me? Never!"

Ash nudged her with a grin. "Nice save."

The party was a roaring success, with trainers and townsfolk enjoying the cozy atmosphere. Flannery pulled Ash aside as the evening wound down.

"Thanks for everything, Ash," she said warmly. "I couldn't have done this without you."

Ash smiled, scratching the back of his head. "Hey, that's what friends are for. Besides, it was fun!"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu added, happily munching on a cinnamon roll.

As the gym glowed with warmth and laughter, Flannery raised a cup of cocoa. "Merry Christmas, Ash. And thanks for making this one unforgettable."

"Merry Christmas, Flannery," Ash replied.

As the party carried on in the warm, festive gym, Flannery took a moment to lean against the refreshment table and watch the cheerful chaos. Trainers were laughing, Pokémon were playing, and her grandfather was happily mingling with his elderly friends, who had arrived not long ago.

She turned her gaze to Ash, who was surrounded by a group of trainers enthusiastically peppering him with questions about his championship battles. Pikachu perched proudly on Ash's shoulder, nibbling on a leftover cinnamon roll. Flannery smiled warmly, memories of their old battle flooding back. Ash had grown so much since his days as her challenger—now he was the World Champion, yet he still carried the same earnest and humble attitude.

As she approached to thank him again, something caught her eye. A mischievous grin crept across her face as she spotted a sprig of mistletoe hanging above Ash's head, left there by one of her gym trainers.

Ash noticed her smirk and tilted his head in confusion. "What's so funny, Flannery?"

Before he could say another word, Flannery crouched slightly to his level and planted a quick, soft kiss on his cheek. "Consider that a thank-you for saving my Christmas," she said, her voice light and playful.

Ash froze, his cheeks instantly turning as red as Flannery's hair. Pikachu let out a surprised "Pika?!" as the gym erupted in cheers and laughter.

Turning to the noise, Ash and Flannery saw her grandfather's elderly friends hooting and hollering, clapping and giving them thumbs-up.

"Way to go, Ash!" one of them called out.

"About time our Flannery found someone!" another teased, making Flannery's face match her hair color.

Mr. Moore chuckled. "Well, I suppose if it's Ash Ketchum, I can give my blessing."

Flannery's jaw dropped. "Grandpa! Don't encourage them!" she cried, her voice squeaking as she waved her hands in protest.

Everyone laughed at her expense.