Author's Note: Hello everyone! So I understand an explanation is in order, so here it is.

I did upload this story a week ago I believe? But I decided I wasn't happy with how it started. So I redid it, and I like this a lot better.

I used a lot of recycled content from the first version. So I do apologize if this seems repetitive. If you enjoy, that is awesome! I hope you like the differences.

Thank you for understanding!

"And that's the lesson for today. Thank you, everyone!" Rika concluded the class with a smile and wave. Juliana patiently waited for the other students to file out before she secured her bag on her shoulders and stepped out into the grass. She turned to see Rika speaking with the main professor before walking away. Juliana thought about returning to the League Club room, but the artificial weather in the Canyon Biome was nice so she decided to hang out for a bit longer. She found a grassy spot next to the river and sat down upon assuring the ground was dry.

She placed her bag to her side and selected two of her Pokemon at random. One was the Friend Ball and the other was the regular Poke ball. Juliana smiled and let Meowscarada and Ogrepon out. Her starter meowed happily, striking a showy pose. Ogrepon observed their surroundings with wide-eyed curiosity.

"Hey you two." Juliana greeted softly, "How are you feeling?"

Ogrepon grinned and hopped up and down while exclaiming, "Pon! Pon!" Meowscarada took a more refined approach, meowing with a look of content.

Juliana giggled, "That's good. I'm happy that Rika got to teach a class again. Learning from her is always fun!"

Meowscarada looked proud, remembering the first time they battled the ground-type specialist. It was a day that neither he nor his trainer would ever forget. The day they became official Champions. Juliana took notice, "Tee hee! Meowscarada, you're thinking about the time we battled her at the Pokemon League, aren't you?"

"Meow!" Meowscarada responded, making Juliana laugh again. Ogrepon looked at the grass feline inquisitively.

Juliana turned her attention to Ogrepon, "I'll be sure to tell you all about it sometime, okay?"

Ogrepon eagerly waved her hooded arms, "Pon!" Juliana responding by petting her. None of them noticed Rika approaching. Once the League member was a short distance away, she stopped and listened to Juliana speak to her Pokemon.

"You've really come a long way, Meowscarada. I remember when you first evolved and were a really jealous boy!" Indeed, it seemed like forever ago when her starter would react poorly if Juliana tried to give any attention to any of her other Pokemon. Meowscarada put his paws behind his back and swayed bashfully. Juliana comforted him, "It's okay, you didn't know how to handle your new emotions. But you've grown!"

Ogrepon couldn't help but feel concerned. Juliana noticed the little ogre trying to subtly hide behind her.

Juliana calmed her, "It's okay, Ogrepon. He won't hurt you!" She leaned close to whisper, "He knows better now."

Ogrepon hesitated for a moment before smiling again. Meowscarada responded with an assuring mewl.

It was then when Rika decided to make her presence known, "Hey there, kiddo. Bonding with your Pokemon I see!"

Juliana jumped slightly, "Oh Rika! You scared me."

Rika chuckled, "Haha! Sorry about that! What? Were you trying to escape from me?"

Juliana felt flustered at her choice of words, "Ah! Oh, no I wasn't-! You were… um…"

"I'm just giving ya a hard time kiddo." Rika replied lightheartedly, "So, winter break is only a few days away! How do you feel?"

Juliana paused at the reminder that winter break would be starting soon, and that meant she and the others would have to leave their Blueberry pals behind to return home, "I'm gonna miss all my friends here. The semester went by too fast!" A sense of sadness in her voice.

"Time flies when you have fun. So, tell me, do you have any plans?"

Juliana was excited to say, "Nemona's invited me, Arven, and Penny to her house for a Christmas party. It's gonna be so much fun!"

"Aha, I kinda figured you were gonna mention that. Nemona's invited all the Elite Four members too. So, be prepared. We're all gonna be there, kiddo. That includes La Primera." Rika informed with an impish smile.

Juliana was surprised, "Wha? Really? You'll all be there? Oh, now I know this party will be great!"

"I'm surprised that Larry agreed to come." Rika noted, "I hope he doesn't act too much like, you know, himself…"

Juliana giggled, "I'm sure he'll have a good time, Rika."

"He'd better." Rika retorted with annoyance, "At the least he'd better put on a good façade."

This made Juliana grin, remembering what Larry told her when she defeated him in the Medali Gym. Come to think of it, she was still in possession of the TM025 he gave her.

"You like Christmas, Juliana?" Rika asked.

"I love Christmas!" Juliana eagerly answered, "Seeing all the lights and decorations make me so happy! Once I get home, I'm gonna be helping my mom decorate the house! Arven's gonna help us out too!"

"Well, that sounds really nice!"

Juliana giggled, "Hehe… my mom was not-so-subtly telling me to bring Arven. Because in her words, it would be REALLY nice if we had a man around to help us."

Rika laughed, "Sounds like she really likes him a lot. If I didn't know any better, she's probably hoping he sticks around long-term." Winking at that last word.

Realizing what she was implying, Juliana reddened, "Long…term?"

"Aww, are you blushing?" Rika teased.

"Rika… You're just as bad as Carmine." Juliana meekly covered her face.

Rika put a hand on Juliana's shoulder, "Don't be embarrassed kiddo. I'm just messing with you again."

Juliana smiled nervously, not sure how to respond. Rika sure had a playful side to her, nothing resembling the serious woman who gave her the League interview.

"So, about the gloves that the boss gave ya. I truly do hope you give it some consideration."

Juliana nodded, "I am, Rika. I… I have to admit that I am really flattered Geeta is considering me to take her place once she steps down."

Rika explained, "She did consider Nemona as a candidate, but then she realized that being the Top Champion would be more torture for her, since she wouldn't get to battle as much. If you remember, most trainers give up after four Gyms, and those that do make it don't get past Poppy."

"Ah, I understand." Juliana noted, "Yeah, that would be agony for her… hehe…" She turned to Meowscarada, "What do you think?"

"Mah…" The grass starter meowed, more than understanding after an entire adventure of battling Nemona. Ogrepon had been standing behind Juliana, her eyes glued to Rika curiously.

"Speaking of Nemona, where is she?" Rika inquired.

"She was in the League Club room last I saw her." Juliana answered, "Probably asking everyone for a battle, tee hee!"

"No surprise there. Anyway, any other plans besides the party? And helping your mother decorate?"

"I really want to check out the shops in Levincia. I heard they go all out for Christmas! I really want to see!"

Rika nodded in approval, "Sounds like fun! I've been wanting to check that place out myself to tell you the truth. Just as long as you stay far away from Area Zero, got it?"

Juliana's stomach turned at the mention of that dreadful place, "Oh no! I'm not gonna go back there again!"

Rika's face was now as serious as a heart attack, "Cause if you try, ol' Rika's gonna put a stop to it, ya hear?" A degree of threat in her voice.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that Rika." Juliana replied firmly, "Because I don't want to go anywhere near there again."

Rika was relieved, "That's what I wanna hear, Juliana. No more stunts, okay?" She turned away and whispered, "I can't lose anyone else…"

"Hm? What was that last part?" Juliana inquired.

Rika snapped out of it, "It's nothing kiddo, don't worry. I'm gonna head to the cafeteria. I'll see you around, all right?"

Juliana replied, "Okay, bye Rika." Unable to shake the small worrying sensation she felt. Her Pokemon could sense it too, watching the Elite Four member leave.

"Is she okay?" Juliana whispered.

Rika hopped into a taxi for a quick trip to the entrance, while in the car. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on something else.

This was something the Elite Four member seldom spoke about with anyone, but Juliana reminded her so much of her late younger sister. It had been five years since she departed, but Rika still thought about her often. For a long time, she was good at burying her grief. She had kept herself together or so it seemed.

Then Juliana came along and made history.

Geeta was the only one, outside of her mother of course, that she spoke to about her younger sister. And she could tell that the boss was starting to catch on. She's already noticed her soft spot for Juliana, it was only a matter of time before she connected the dots.

Rika wasn't sure she was ready to confront her past troubles. But, as always, she shook her head and put her focus on the present. She was about to watch a battle and the holidays were right around the corner.

She wasn't about to dampen the mood.