5 update

Christmas time in Kalos was always a good time, for people and pokemon. People loved the decorating, the time spent with friends and family, and of course, the presents. Pokemon loved the decorating, the time spent with friends and family, and of course, the presents. Both groups always looked forward to Christmas.

The weather in Kalos varied depending on where in the region you lived, so you could have a white Christmas or a green Christmas. Those up in the way north of Kalos stayed huddled indoors with their families and pokemon, sheltered from the raging cold outside, while those in the south ran and frolicked outside with family and pokemon, enjoying the warmer weather.

As for our favorite trainers, they were lucky enough to be in the "middle" weather. Serena's mother Grace had invited Ash, Clemont and Bonnie to join her and Serena for Christmas. Their home and the surrounding area had been given a sheet of snow: not deep enough to cause driving problems, but deep enough to be up to just below the knees of most people.

Or slightly higher in Bonnie's case, as she trundled through the snow to the front door of Serena's home, Dedenne snuggled in her winter coat and a small stack of mail in her hands. Opening the door and walking inside, Bonnie stamped snow off her boots and unzipped her coat, letting Dedenne hop to the ground before she took off her boots and coat, placing them aside and walking into the living room.

"Ok! I got the mail!" Bonnie called.

Around the room people and Pokemon were putting up some last minute decorations. Christmas was tomorrow, but Serena had seen some lovely decorations in the stores on her way home and she just had to buy them. Right now Serena was working with Eevee to hang up some holly around the stairs, Talonflame was helping Grace's Fletchling to hang some small colored balls from the ceiling and Clemont was outside with Hawlucha and Bunnelby working to put up some lights near the windows.

Grace's voice came from the kitchen, where she was making some Christmas cookies. "Thank you Bonnie! Just set it on the table near the couch, I'll look at it later."

Bonnie set the mail down where she was told and looked around. At the Christmas tree, Pikachu was passing Chespin some of the ornaments that Serena had bought. Chespin accepted an ornament and used its vine whip to place the ornament near the middle of the tree. "Hey, can I help too?" Bonnie asked. Pikachu and Chespin nodded and Bonnie went over, selecting an ornament and looking for a spot for it on the tree.

There was the sound of the door opening again and Clemont walked in, followed by Hawlucha and Bunnelby. He shrugged out of his backpack and winter gear before coming into the living room and dropping on to the couch. "Phew." He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Even with help from Hawlucha, Bunnelby and my Aipom arm, that's still a lot of work." He turned his head towards the stairs and raised his voice so Serena could hear. "Did you have to get all those new lights?" he called.

Serena finished with the holly and came downstairs to the living room, Eevee trailing at her side. "I guess I didn't have to," she said, sitting on the couch. Eevee hopped into her lap and settled down, Serena gently petting it. "But I wanted to get them." Serena said, looking at Clemont. "Usually it's just me, my mom, Ryhorn and Fletchling for Christmas. This is our first big Christmas since I was little. I wanted it to be special."

Clemont looked at Bonnie, still helping with the last of the ornaments. "Yeah, you're right." He said. "Bonnie and I usually spend Christmas with our dad and the gym pokemon. We're used to larger Christmas gatherings."

Bonnie hung the last ornament and turned to Clemont and Serena on the couch. "But this year will be our best!" she said, smiling widely as she sat down on the floor. "We get to spend it with our friends and all their pokemon."

Clemont nodded, smiling as well. Then he rubbed his forehead again, looking around the room. "Those lights would have gone up faster and easier if I had another person to help, too." He said. "Wonder what got into Ash?"

Bonnie looked at him. "You heard him when he left this morning." She said. "He has to do some last minute shopping because he realized he forgot something." She looked at Pikachu on the floor next to her. "Do you know what he forgot to get?" she asked. Pikachu raised his hands and shrugged, shaking his head. "Pika pikachu." He said.

Grace came in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on the apron she wore. She was followed by Braixen, who had been helping with the baking using its fire-type moves. "Thank you Braixen." Grace said. Braixen nodded and went over to join the others near the tree. Grace glanced at the clock on the wall, then turned to Serena, Clemont and Bonnie. "Well, whatever he went to get, Ash caught the ten o'clock bus to Lumios City this morning and its noon now." She said. "The last one that comes this way leaves at three, so he's still got three hours to get whatever it is he's looking for."

Secretly, Grace had a thought for what Ash had gone for. She had seen the way Serena looked at him, and the way he looked at her when he thought no one noticed. Grace thought it was so sweet that the boy Serena liked was sweet on her too, but she kept quiet so as not to spoil anything for her daughter. But Grace did have a little something special planned for Christmas for Ash and Serena. All she needed was the right time. And a little help from a certain pokemon.

"Well, after rushing out so last minute and being gone this long, I certainly hope he finds whatever it is he's looking for." Clemont said.

"Me too." Serena said. She eased Eevee off her lap and stood up from the couch. "Well, we've got the tree freshly decorated now. Let's put our presents under it for tomorrow."

"Ok." Bonnie said, standing up too. She looked at Serena. "Serena, can you help me with something?" She asked. "I need some more hands to help me wrap something. And Dedenne's hands are too small."

"Denne!?" Dedenne piped up indignantly from the floor, looking at its tiny paws.

Serena stifled a snicker and nudged Bonnie towards the living room door. "Sure, I'd be happy to help." She said.

"Guess I'd better get the presents out of hiding too." Grace said. She looked at the assembled pokemon. "If you have any presents you want to put under the tree, now is the time to do it." She said.

The pokemon chorused their agreement and headed off in ones and twos to bring out their own presents. Clemont stood up from the couch and stretched. "I'm making my presents this year, so all I need is some peace and quiet in the back room to finish up and wrap them. No interruptions." He looked pointedly at Bonnie. "That means you, Bonnie." He added.

"Hey!" Bonnie said with a pout.

This time Serena and Grace had to stifle their laughter. Then Grace went back towards the kitchen while Serena and Bonnie headed upstairs to Serena's room. As they walked up the stairs, Serena glanced at Bonnie. "I can understand Ash rushing out last minute like that because he forgot something. That's the kind of person he is." She said. A frown creased her face. "What I can't understand is why Frogadier insisted on going with him."

"Uhhhhh!" Ash moaned as he slumped back in his seat. He tilted his head back so it lay over the back of his seat and put a hand over his eyes. He was frustrated.

When Ash had been told that he and the others were invited to Serena's house for Christmas, he was overjoyed. Not only did it mean a good meal with great friends, but it was a great setting for what he wanted to do. This Christmas, Ash wanted to give a special gift to Serena, a one-of-a-kind gift for someone who was like no girl Ash had ever met. He didn't know what that gift was yet, but he knew he would find something.

Saying that and doing it, however, turned out to be two very different things. Ash had checked every store, every vendor, and every place they'd stopped at as the four of them journeyed to Serena's house. But where Serena had found the new decorations she liked and had insisted on buying to put up at home, Ash had come up with nothing. Absolutely nothing.

"Nothing, nothing, nothing and more nothing!" Ash moaned aloud, his hand still over his eyes. "This is ridiculous!"

"Fro-ga-dier."

Ash took his hand away from his eyes and tilted his head forwards to look at Frogadier. The two of them had stopped for a break (and lunch) at the Lumios City Pokemon Center after roaming the city for the past two hours. Now Ash sat slumped in one bench seat while across from him Frogadier lay sideways on his stomach across another bench seat, one arm and one leg dangling over the edge. Frogadier turned his eyes towards Ash. "Ga-dier." He said, then heaved another sigh and shut his eyes again.

While Ash had been looking into store after store trying to find a special gift for Serena, Frogadier had been looking into store after store trying to find something special to give to Braixen. Fire-type pokemon and water-type pokemon were an unusual pairing, but Frogadier knew what he felt in his heart. Even back when he was a Froakie and Braixen was a Fennekin, there had been the unmistakable draw between them. Frogadier wanted to find something unique to give to Braixen, a special thank you for all the support and friendship she had given him. But, like Ash, he was coming up empty.

Nothing is right. Frogadier thought to himself as he lay there on the bench seat. Nothing seems to stick out. Nothing seems to give that special feeling. I can't find anything that gives off that "you're one of a kind" vibe.

"Well, we finished lunch, and sitting here complaining won't give us any ideas." Ash said, standing up. "Come on, let's check the map of Lumios City. Maybe something will catch our eye."

Frogadier leaped lightly to his feet and followed Ash over to the large map of Lumios City that was set in a display near the counter. A detailed map of the city, it had a list of every store in the city, along with a numbered code so a person could find their way to it by using landmarks from the map.

"Hmmm." Ash mused as he studied the map. "We tried the clothing stores, but I can't judge what Serena would wear without her here and Braixen doesn't wear anything but that bow around her stick unless she's in a contest." Frogadier had been able to mime out his reason for wanting to come on the bus ride into Lumios with Ash. He was happy his trainer was there to give him a hand, even if they still hadn't found anything yet.

"Froga?" Frogadier suggested, pointing at the code on the map for a pokemon store. "Gadier." He explained, moving his hand like he was brushing fur on his arm.

"A brush or set of grooming tools for them both?" Ash asked. Frogadier nodded, but Ash shook his head. "Serena is a performer," he reminded Frogadier. "She already has those things for when she goes on stage."

Frogadier slumped in disappointment before going back to studying the map, tapping a webbed hand to his chin thoughtfully. What could you give a pokemon that loves to perform? He wondered. Is there anything that they won't already have got themselves?

"I would say some baking supplies, but Serena bakes cookies and poke puffs just fine with her own things right now." Ash said, eyeing a baking shop on the map.

Frogadier took his hand away from his chin long enough to nod in agreement before he resumed his thinking pose. He eyed a pokemon medical shop, considering a neat basket of potions and berries, then shook his head. Braixen is healthy and fit on her own. He thought, his eyes roving again.

"Well, this is getting us nowhere." Ash said, turning away from the map and glancing at the clock on the wall. "We've still got time. Let's go for another walk. Maybe we can spot something…"

"Excuse me?"

Ash and Frogadier turned at the sound of the voice to see Nurse Joy looking at them from behind the counter. She motioned them over to her and when Ash and Frogadier approached the counter, she looked between them. "I couldn't help but overhear you." She said. "Are you looking for a gift for a special someone?"

"Yes, I am." Ash replied. He motioned to Frogadier. "We both are." Frogadier nodded. "But neither of us can seem to find something just right." Ash said to Nurse Joy, raising his arms in a helpless gesture. "And this is our last chance to find something. We have a bus to catch at three."

"And I'm guessing your special someone is a girl?" Nurse Joy asked, looking between Ash and Frogadier again.

Ash started, nervously rubbing the back of his neck while Frogadier turned his head away. "What…what makes you say that?" Ash stammered out.

"I heard you talking at the map." Nurse Joy said with a coy smile. "It didn't sound like you were talking about a family member." Ash and Frogadier exchanged sheepish grins while Nurse Joy thought for a moment. "You know, there may be one place you haven't tried." She said. "About a block away a new jewelry store has opened. The map hasn't been updated to include it yet, but from what I hear it's a popular place."

"A jewelry store?" Ash said. He thought for a moment, then looked at Frogadier. "Well, it's not like we have any ideas of our own." He said, shrugging.

Frogadier nodded. "Frogadier" he said in agreement.

"Come on, let's go." Ash said, turning and walking towards the door. As Frogadier followed, Ash turned around, walking backwards as he waved. "Thanks for the advice, Nurse Joy!" He called back. "And thanks for lunch too."

"Happy to help." Nurse Joy said, waving too. "I hope you find something special for your friend."

Ash and Frogadier headed around the block to the jewelry store that Nurse Joy had told them about. It was easy enough to find, being the only store on the block with a shining necklace painted alongside the store name over the door. Walking inside, Ash and Frogadier looked around at the waist high display cases of necklaces, rings and earrings. Neither of them was used to shopping for jewelry, so they really had no idea where to look.

"Ok, I'll look on the left side, you look on the right." Ash said. "Call me if you find something interesting."

"Froga" Frogadier answered.

The two of them split up and wandered off to look. Ash walked down an aisle, pausing to look at some silver earrings. Those would be nice, he thought, but Serena just doesn't seem like an earring person. He moved on to the next display.

Frogadier stood at another case, looking at some strings of pearls. Those sure are pretty, he thought, bending down to look at eye level. Then he stood up, shaking his head. No, Braixen wore bead jewelry when she was a Fenniken, back in her performance debut. And I remember hearing about how that went. Painful memories. Frogadier moved further down the aisle, glancing left and right at the display cases. He was about to turn the corner, when something in the end case caught his eye.

Ash was crouched at eye level to a case, debating over a slim gold wristband, when he heard it.

"GA-DIER!!"

Ash immediately straightened up. "What's going on…" he started to say, before turning around to see Frogadier jumping excitedly about near a back display case, waving for Ash to come over.

"Ok, I'm coming." Ash said, walking over. "What'd you find?" he asked when he reached Frogadier.

Frogadier pointed at the display case beside him. "Froga, frogadier!" he said excitedly, pointing at one of the pieces on display.

Ash looked at what Frogadier was pointing at, then bent down to look at eye level, his eyes wide. "Wow, that's very pretty." He said. "And so well made! Is that what you want to get for Braixen?"

"Frogadier!" Frogadier answered, nodding enthusiastically.

"A great choice." Ash said, looking at Frogadier. "I'm sure she'll love it." He turned his eyes back towards the display case. "I wonder if there's one here I could get…" Ash fell silent when he looked at the case and the piece next to the one Frogadier was eyeing. "Hey look at that one. Right beside the one you want to get." He said. Frogadier looked at what Ash was looking at. "Froga-dier" he said, patting Ash on the shoulder. "Really, you think Serena will like it?" Ash asked, still staring at the piece of jewelry. "Gadier." Frogadier answered, nodding again.

Ash stood up straight. "Then it's decided. We finally found our Christmas gifts." He glanced around, spotting a woman locking another case. "Excuse me, miss?" Ash called. When the woman looked up, Ash pointed to the display in front of him and Frogadier. "We've found something we'd like to buy. Can you help us over here?"

"Of course." The woman answered. Coming over, she took out the two pieces of jewelry that Ash and Frogadier pointed out to her. "Lovely choices." She said, admiring them both. "Would you like them boxed and wrapped? We have some lovely Christmas wrapping here."

"Please." Ash said, while Frogadier nodded. "But, separate wrappings, please. So we can tell them apart when we go to give them."

The woman nodded, carefully putting each of their choices in its own box with some tissue paper, before wrapping them in shiny green wrapping paper, tying Ash's with a blue ribbon and Frogadier's with a red ribbon. "How's that?" She asked. "Great, thank you." Ash answered.

Paying for the gifts, Ash and Frogadier accepted the wrapped packages. Ash looked at Frogadier, who happily held his gift up. "We found something after all." Ash said triumphantly. "Frogadier!" Frogadier echoed. "Come on, we can catch the bus back to Serena's place and help with the preparations for Christmas." Ash said, heading for the door.

Ash held the door for Frogadier, turning back to the woman before he stepped out. "Thanks again, miss. Merry Christmas!" he called.

"Merry Christmas to you too!" the woman called, and Ash let the door swing shut as he and Frogadier headed for the bus stop

Serena, Grace, Clemont and Bonnie were sitting in the living room with the pokemon, sipping hot chocolate and chatting lightly, when they heard the door open.

"Is that you, Ash? Frogadier?" Grace called.

"Yeah, it's us." Ash called back. He handed his package to Frogadier. "Quick, run upstairs and hide this in my bag. I want it to be a special surprise."

"Froga" Frogadier answered. Moving quickly, Frogadier raced past the living room and up the stairs, both packages clutched close to his body. Ash, meanwhile, shrugged out of his winter gear and boots before walking into the living room.

"Hi Ash." Serena said. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

Ash just smiled. "You'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out." He said, sitting down on the couch beside her. "It won't be a surprise for the person if I say something now."

Serena smiled. "Ok." She said, then handed Ash a cup of hot chocolate. "Here, I kept one warm for you."

Ash accepted the cup and took a sip. "Thank you." He said.

Frogadier easily slipped into the room and joined the other pokemon, his hands empty. Someone had placed a bowl of pokemon food on the floor for them to nibble at, and Frogadier helped himself to some.

How about you? Pikachu asked. Did you find what you wanted to get?

Frogadier just smiled, swallowing a mouthful of pokemon food. It's all taken care of. He said calmly, picking up some more of the food.

Well? What'd you get, what'd you get?? Chespin asked excitedly.

Frogadier didn't answer, just smiled and continued eating. The other pokemon traded looks among themselves. Frogadier normally wasn't so quiet and withdrawn, but it seemed that like Ash, he wanted his gift to be a surprise.

Sooner than anyone suspected, Grace declared it was time for bed. Everyone went to their rooms: Serena to hers, with Bonnie trailing along behind, Grace to her own room and Clemont and Ash to the spare room. The pokemon followed their trainers, each wondering what their gifts would be tomorrow.

"Are those gifts safely hidden in my bag?" Ash whispered to Frogadier as they got ready for bed.

"Frog." Frogadier answered, nodding once.

"Great. Tomorrow, wait until after dinner. Then we'll make it a special moment for them both." Ash said.

Frogadier nodded again and the two of them quietly went into the spare room and to bed. They both were looking forwards to Serena's and Braixen's reactions tomorrow.

The next morning was Christmas. Bonnie raced downstairs to the tree, followed by Dedenne and Chespin. After her came Ash, Serena, Grace and Clemont, along with the rest of the pokemon. They entered the living room to see Bonnie waiting anxiously by the tree, Dedenne and Chespin hopping around near her feet.

"Presents!" Bonnie cheered, echoed by Dedenne and Chespin.

"All right, settle down Bonnie." Clemont said. "Remember, we're guests in someone else's home this year."

Bonnie stilled, her head dropping down. "I'm sorry." She said. Dedenne and Chespin murmured their apologies too.

Grace took a seat on the couch. "It's ok Bonnie." She said. "You can start passing out the presents once everyone is settled."

And once everyone was settled that's exactly what Bonnie did. Back and forth from the tree to the person, Bonnie brought everyone their presents one by one. Everyone was happy at what they received: Ash a fancy badge case for his collections from over the regions, Clemont a new set of pocket-sized tools so he could work on the go, Serena a vast box of performance accessories, everything from ribbons to clips, and Bonnie a new stuffed pokemon doll, Dedenne-shaped. Grace received a new set of pans for her kitchen and a new pair of gloves for her garden.

There was happiness among the pokemon at their gifts too: Frogadier a small watertight case and a set of rags, for moisturizing his amphibious skin, Braixen a hand mirror complete with a small bag to carry it in, Dedenne a small but neat vest he could wear for fancy occasions, and Pikachu an electricity insulated brush he could hold on his tail. Chespin in particular was overjoyed with his gift, a miniature set of baking tools. Now I can make my own poke puffs! He cheered excitedly. Good. Now maybe the rest of us will get some. Bunnelby muttered, and all the pokemon laughed.

All the people and pokemon were happy with the gifts they got. Thank you was said all around, and then everyone went off for breakfast. After breakfast, many people and pokemon were eager to try out some of their presents. Chespin wasted no time in going to the kitchen to test out his new baking tools.

The day flew by for everyone and then it was time for dinner. Grace had worked hard and, with Clemont's help, had put together a feast fit for both humans and pokemon. There was enough food to go around and everyone got to eat as much as they wanted.

After dinner everyone went into the living room to relax. Chespin had made a batch of poke puffs with his gift and, though he was very tempted to eat them all himself, shared them with the other pokemon.

As the pokemon enjoyed the poke puffs, Frogadier caught Ash's eye. Ash glanced at Serena, smiling and talking to her mom, then looked back at Frogadier and nodded. Frogadier finished his poke puff and headed upstairs. He returned shortly with the two wrapped gifts, handing Ash his.

Frogadier approached Braixen, who had finished her own poke puff and was chatting with Pikachu. Braixen? Frogadier asked. Braixen turned to look at him. Yes, Frogadier? She said. Could I speak with you a moment? Alone? Frogadier asked. Braixen glanced at Pikachu, then nodded. Sure, lead the way. She said and followed Frogadier out to the kitchen.

Ash kept his present at his side as he approached Serena. "Serena." He said.  Serena looked at him, smiling. "What Ash?" She asked. Ash nervously glanced around at everyone else, then looked back at Serena. "Could I speak to you in the spare room for a moment? Alone?" He asked. A pink tinge crossed Serena's face, but she nodded and stood up. "Sure Ash." She said, and followed him to the stairs.

Grace smiled as she watched Serena leave with Ash. "Fletchling." She called gently, turning to the pokemon. When Fletchling came and landed on the couch next to her, Grace took something from her pocket and handed it to the bird pokemon. "Like we discussed. In the spare room. And remember, do it quietly." She quietly told Fletchling. Fletchling nodded, its beak full, and winged its way upstairs, quietly passing over the heads of Ash and Serena before slipping into the spare room.

In the kitchen, Braixen turned and faced Frogadier. So, what is it? She asked. Frogadier's blue, amphibious skin went slightly red, but he held out his carefully wrapped present. This is for you. He said. I wanted you to open it in private.

Braixen tilted her head to one side in curiosity, but she accepted the gift from Frogadier. Untying the ribbon, she neatly removed the wrapping paper to reveal the box underneath. Lifting off the lid of the box, Braixen clapped a paw to her mouth. Oh wow. She breathed.

Sitting neatly in the box was a pendant, designed to look like a Fennekin face. The fur, the ears and even the eyes were all beautifully done, and the pendant itself hung on a slim but strong length of silver chain.

Frogadier gently placed a hand on the box. Please, let me. He said. Braixen nodded wordlessly and turned around, allowing Frogadier to hang the pendant around her neck, fastening the clip. Braixen put a hand to the pendant, hanging there on her fur, before turning back to Frogadier.

I know you only wear jewelry when you go on stage, but I thought I suited you. Frogadier said, flustered. Sure, it's a Fennekin face and you're a Braixen now, but when we met you were still a Fennekin and so I thought it would be…

Frogadier got no further, as Braixen flung her arms around his neck, deeply kissing his cheek before her arms tightened in a hug. Frogadier's arms flailed for a moment, then they settled around Braixen as he hugged her back.

It's beautiful. Thank you Frogadier. Braixen said.

You're welcome Braixen. Merry Christmas. Frogadier said.

Merry Christmas. Braixen answered.

Upstairs in the spare room, Serena stopped in the middle of the room and turned to face Ash, who stood beside the bed. "So Ash, what is it?" she asked. Ash turned his head away, nervously rubbing a finger under his nose, before he faced Serena and held out his gift. "One more present for you." Ash said. "I wanted you to open it when it was just us.

Just us. Thought Serena dreamily, then pulled herself back to the moment at hand and accepted Ash's wrapped present. Untying the ribbon, Serena set it aside and gently unwrapped the paper. Seeing the box underneath, she glanced at Ash, who nodded encouragingly. Serena held the box with one hand while she lifted the lid off with the other. Moving the lid aside, Serena saw what was in the box.

"Oh wow…" Serena breathed, her eyes wide.

Sitting in the box was a pendant, stylized to look like a shining star. The pendant was beautifully crafted, the star itself amazing even without the additions that made it seem to radiate the light. Sitting there in the box, its slim but strong silver chain lying with it, the pendant seemed to catch the light all on its own.

Serena gently lifted the pendant out of the box by its chain. Holding it at eye level, she stood there admiring it, her eyes caught by the way the pendant shone. Serena looked at Ash. "Ash. Would you please…?" She asked, holding the pendant out to him while her other hand went to her neck.

"Sure." Ash said with a nod. Taking the pendant, Ash waited until Serena had turned around before sliding the pendant around her neck, neatly closing the clasp. Serena turned back around to Ash, one hand going to the pendant hanging there around her neck.

"It's so beautiful." Serena said, admiring the pendant as it hung there.

"And it's appropriate." Ash said, smiling. "Whenever I see you up there on stage, you always shine like a star to me."

Serena started, a brilliantly pink blush appearing on her face. She looked at Ash, tears of happiness glinting at the corners of her eyes.

"Serena?" Ash asked, seeing her expression. "Are you ok? I'm sorry, I never meant to make you feel….oof!"

Ash wasn't able to finish his sentence, as Serena flung herself onto him in a hug that knocked him flat. Ash found himself on the floor with his back against the bed, Serena pressed against him with her arms snug around his neck. Ash kept his arms at his side, unsure of just how to respond, but when Serena snuggled herself closer to him Ash put his arms around her, holding her close to him.

The two of them held each other for a moment longer, then Serena eased herself off Ash's shoulder. Still with their arms around each other, they sat there on the floor, looking into each other's eyes. Ash's eyes drifted down to the pendant and a smile formed on his face. "I knew you'd like it." He said. "Merry Christmas, Serena."

"Merry Christmas, Ash." Serena replied, smiling too.

"Fletch-ling."

Ash and Serena both looked up at the sound. Grace's Fletchling fluttered near the roof over their heads, fastening something to the ceiling. Finishing the job, Fletchling looked down at Ash and Serena on the floor. "Ching fletchling!" it said happily, then winged its way over their heads and out the room door.

Ash and Serena barely noticed Fletchling leave. They were too focused on what it had hung over their heads: a small green plant with white berries. Both Ash and Serena recognized it, and they lowered their gazes back to each other.

"Mistletoe…" Serena whispered.

"Yeah…" Ash whispered back. His eyes glanced up at the plant above before returning to Serena's face. "You know, I've heard its bad luck to do nothing under a mistletoe." He said.

"Really?" Serena said. "I don't know about that, but I…!"

This time it was Serena who couldn't finish a sentence: Ash had leaned forward and gently kissed Serena on the lips. Serena felt her face flush pink and her heart beat against her ribs, almost like it would burst from her chest. Her emotions running wild, Serena closed her eyes and leaned, returning Ash's kiss just as passionately. She had dreamed of a moment like this for years, ever since meeting Ash at summer camp, and now her dream had finally become reality.

After a moment more they separated. Serena's face was flushed a bright pink, but she smiled at Ash. Ash smiled back, tilting his head down sheepishly to try and hide his own pink-tinged face. Serena took one of her hands from around Ash's neck and put it under his chin, tipping his head up to look him in the eyes.

"You know, I've never heard it said that you can get only one kiss out of a mistletoe." Serena said.

Ash's smile widened. "Then how about another use from this one?" He asked.

Serena smiled and leaned forwards. This time, she kissed Ash, her arms gently encircling his neck while his arms tightened around her waist, holding her close to him.

When Serena returned to the living room with Ash (hand in hand) and Braixen returned with Frogadier (webbed hand in paw), there was a lot of excitement. Pokemon crowded around Braixen and Frogadier, some asking about what had happened while others admired Braixen's pendant. Clemont and Bonnie bombarded Ash and Serena with questions, wanting to know why Ash had decided to get her a gift like that and why they had been gone so long. Grace caught Fletchling's eye, and when Fletchling nodded once, Grace just smiled and went back to sipping her cup of tea, letting Clemont and Bonnie try to get answers out of Ash and Serena.

For both of the new couples, human and pokemon, it was an amazing Christmas. They had gotten some great gifts from friends and from pokemon, and to make it complete they had given/received an amazing gift from someone they deeply cared about. Things could not have been any better for them that year. ash said he had one more gift for Serena and got on one knee and asked if she wanted to be his girlfriend and she said yes she would love to be his girlfriend and they kissed