THERE WILL BE NO FORMAT FIXING DONE TO THIS POST.

Night Of Christmas Eve

1. Skye, Diane, and Annie

Burned Tower

-Skye and Diane are wandering what remains of the tower. Annie is in the latter's hair.-

Diane: It's too bad we couldn't get into Bell Tower again.

Skye: If you were planning on jumping off again, it's a good thing...

Diane: Hey, I have no plans of doing that again.

Skye: ...Really?

Diane: Of course.

Skye: Phew–

Diane: I've already checked Bell Tower off of my list.

Skye: …

-Skye facepalms. Annie chirps.-

Annie: <You two are the silliest moms ever.>

-Skye and Diane sweatdrop-

Skye: We're not your mothers...

Diane: I've tried to tell her, but she insists on calling us that...

Annie: <Of course you're not my real moms, but I chose you to be them!>

Diane: Well, um—

Annie: <And besides, you're funny when you get all awkward about this~>

-They both blush.-

2. Jazz and Adelinda

Amarin Household – Outside

-Jazz is wandering around. Adel comes up to her.-

Adel: <Hey, Jazz.>

Jazz: <Hey, Adel. What's up?>

Adel: <Oh, not much. It's a kind of boring night for me.>

Jazz: <Same here.>

Adel: <Ah... So, what's it like being the new “team leader”?>

Jazz: <Wait huh what?>

Adel: <...Eskay didn't mention that he released Skye?>

Jazz: <Oh, that. Yeah, he mentioned it. But that doesn't mean I'm the “team leader”, I could never be something like that.>

Adel: <Why not? I could definitely see you being that to your team.>

Jazz: <If anything, that's what Spectrum is now. Sure, a golden snake would look like a good team leader, but there's no way I could live up to what Spectrum is.>

Adel: <Eh... speak for yourself. I bet you could do what she can do, and more.>

Jazz: <Look, I get that you're trying to make me feel better. But don't feel like you need to. I know my limits, and I'm perfectly fine with them. Being a leader... it's not an easy thing to do. And just because I've been on the team the longest now that Skye's her own personmon doesn't mean I'm the “face of the team”.>

Adel: <...If you say so. Although that pattern on your hood could definitely be the “face of the team.”>

-Jazz cracks a grin-

Jazz: <Ha, ha, very funny. I'm dying of laughter here. Please, someone get me to a Pokemon Center. It hurts. Oh, the pain.>

3. Spectrum, Wilbur, and Doopliss

Amarin Household – A Guest Room

Doopliss: <For the last time, Slick. I do not have a crush on Crewe.>

Spectrum: <[[teal:Then why do you keep trying to kiss her? ]][[pink:There's no way you aren't in love~]]>

Doopliss: <Because it annoys her. And she's so easy to trick into it.>

Wilbur: <I'm gonna have to side with Spectrum on this one, actually. There are a lot of other ways you could be messing with her, but you're choosing kissing.>

Doopliss: <Wha– Come on, Slick! There's gotta be someone who believes me!>

Spectrum: <You can't fool a Heart of Gold on this stuff, you know.>

Doopliss: <If you were really using your “grand power of heart-ness”, you would be able to understand that, yes, I am just doing it to annoy her!>

Wilbur: -sigh- <Do you want me to search surface thoughts?>

Doopliss: <Try me, Slick. ~Lalala no romantic thoughts here, Slick, la de da de da, nothing to see here.~>

-After a brief scan, Wilbur facepalms-

Wilbur: <You're not fooling anyone, Doopliss.>

Doopliss: <...Are you telepathically deaf or something?>

Spectrum: <[[pink:Nope, you're just romantically blind~]]>

Doopliss: <...How about this. Let's just go on pretending I'm hopelessly in love with... oh, I dunno, Dihrao. Will that shut you–>

Spectrum: <[[pink:Crewe has many names, but “Dihrao” is not one of them!]]>

Doopliss: <...SPECTRUM.>

4. Alyssa and Vierr

Ecruteak City Outskirts]]

-Alyssa is sitting by herself in the woods. Vierr finds her.-

Vierr: ...Alyssa? What are you doing out here?

Alyssa: <Aah!> Oh... um, hi, Vierr... um, I'm just... you know, um... er...

Vierr: ...Nevermind.

-He sits down next to her-

Vierr: You've really gotta grow a backbone somehow, you know. You've been hopeless for as long as anyone can remember.

Alyssa: I know... >[[pink:////]]<

-Vierr sighs-

Vierr: Look. Next year, just... do something bold. I dunno what, and I frankly don't even care what, just do something rather than waiting behind everyone else.

Alyssa: ...R-right... um...

Vierr: If it helps, I'd be willing to help you figure out whatever that “something” is. We're family, so we should stick together and help each other out.

Alyssa: -hesitates, then nods- ...Thank you.

Vierr: ...So really, why are you all alone like this? It's much more comfortable at Eskay's house.

Alyssa: I like being outside... The woods are home to me...

Vierr: ...If you say so.

Alyssa: ...What about you? Why are you out here?

Vierr: I was bored.

Alyssa: ...Oh... um, okay.

5. Ellen and Pallad

Ecruteak City]]

-Ellen and Pallad are somewhere in the city. The former is currently “wearing” a cloak to avoid unwanted attention; Pallad attracts enough of that on his own.-

Ellen: It's been quite a long time since I've gotten to do anything Christmas-y.

Pallad: <Six years. Six Christmases.>

Ellen: It would have been five, if I hadn't gotten amnesia...

-Ellen sighs.-

Pallad: <Perhaps it was for the better. Even though you couldn't be there for him, I could and was. Meanwhile, you were there for an entire society. Even when you weren't Ivory Amarin, you were Femata. The Toa of Iron.

-Ellen remains quiet for a few moments. Her illusion flickers, and a silver mask is added to the disguise.-

Ellen: Perhaps you're right. And if the Toa of Iron is ever needed again, she'll be there. If Ellen Amarin is ever needed, she'll be there. And if the Impossible Champion is ever needed... you know the rest.

Pallad: <Not “if”. “When”. You'll be needed in the future, in some way or another.>

-Ellen smiles-

Ellen: Then whatever the world brings, I'll be there.

6. Banjo and Nom Bomb

Amarin Household – Outside]]

Banjo: <COME, MY EXPLOSIVE APPRENTICE!>

Nom Bomb: <No.>

-Banjo is trying to drag Nom Bomb toward the woods. Due to the latter's evolution within the past year, the former is getting limited results.-

Banjo: <We must celebrate our anniversary of apprentice-sensei-dom! It was one year ago that I, Banjo, chose you as an apprentice!>

Nom Bomb: <Yeah, well, too bad.>

Banjo: <Come on! Surely you remember last year!>

Nom Bomb: <I have the scars to prove it.>

Banjo: <...That was an unfortunate, but fleeting incident! TODAY IS A NEW DAY!>

Nom Bomb: <Whatever.>

-Nom Bomb makes no attempt to move. Banjo continues futilely trying to pull Nom Bomb.-

7. Dihrao and Hayley

Amarin Household – Basement]]

-Dihrao is searching around for something when–

Hayley: <Whatcha doooooin'~?>

Dihrao: <Eep! Um, uh, I'm definitely not trying to find– nevermind, um, hi, I'm Dihrao, I'm cute, cuddle me, insert kittyface here!> :3

Hayley: <...You're funny. I like you already!> :D

Dihrao: <–Phew...–  So, um, hi! What's you're name?>

Hayley: <I'm Hayley!>

Dihrao: <Cute name and kinda cute in general AHEM like I said, I'm Dihrao, but feel free to just call me “Dihr”~>

Hayley: <Ooh, okay, Dihr! Are you one of Eskay's Pokemon?>

Dihrao: <Yup! The cutest and best with the ladies, at that~ But I was so much cuter as a Nidorino—>

Hayley: <You would have been so adorable why didn't I meet you back then, it would have been so great... OOH! I know! I can help you find a way to devolve!>

Dihrao: <Y-you'd do that?> :3

Hayley: <Yup! It's no problem to me~>

-She gives Dihrao a hug that proceeds to break at least one of his ribs.-

Dihrao: <Er– um– thanks– -owwie— ->

8. Sprocket and Ben

Amarin Household – Outside]]

Ben: <Figures. I got stuck with you.>

-A few irritated clicks come from the Klinklang accompanying Ben.-

Ben: <Well, it's not my fault. I'd be perfectly fine staying all alone.>

-Sprocket clicks more.-

Ben: <Look, I like loneliness. If you don't want to deal with anyone else, don't deal with me either.>

-Sprocket makes four slow clicks.-

Ben: <...Oh, no. No, no, no. I am not dealing with you suddenly getting fleshbag thoughts. I don't care if you're lonely. Be lonely alone.>

-Sprocket emits a low whir-

Ben: <Don't give me that. I'm not going to soften up.>

-Sprocket continues whirring-

Ben: <No.>

-Louder whirring-

Ben: <No.>

-Even louder-

Ben: <No!>

-Loooouder-

Ben: <UGH! FINE! You can stay.>

-Cheerful clicking-

Ben: <But don't annoy me with your incessant whirring and clicking and whatever other sounds you always make!>

-There is a brief silence.-

-This is quickly ended by a rather loud mix of clicks, whirs, clinks, and clangs.-

Ben: <SPROCKET! SHUT UP!>

-Sprocket lets out a whir-whir-whir that almost sounds like a wheezy laugh.-

9. Dylan and Trent

Nimbasa City

-Dylan is watching the Orre Colosseum battle.-

Dylan: There's no way... It's impossible, yet...

Trent: Oh, come on. You're still watching that?

Dylan: -sigh- Yes, Trent. I am.

Trent: It's clearly just some elaborate hoax. Your real son was too whiny about how real her death was for that to be real.

Dylan: ...Right.

Trent: ...Great. I can just tell that you're going to end up going out to search for her anyway.

Dylan: Look, I messed up thirteen years ago. I want one chance to try and fix it. And if it helps, it's one more way for me to get out of your sight.

Trent: ...All right, fine. Do it. If it stops your constant sulking, if it gives me a reason to want to be home for Christmas, then do it.

Dylan: Right. I'll... see you some other time, then.

-He gets up and sets out.-

Trent: … -sigh- Merry Christmas, Dylan.

10. Jessica and Emily

Coulombia City]]

Emily: She's so cuuuuuuuute!

-A certain catlike Growlithe purrs as she's cuddled by Emily.-

Jessica: She's... kinda weird.

Emily: Yeah, she's weird, but she's adorably weird!

Pluto: <Speak for yourself.>

Tanamo: <Oh, quit being such a grump, Pluto.>

Pluto: <You're the one who's in love with a grump.>

Tartarus: <I heard that, Pluto.>

Jessica: Um... Emily?

Emily: Yeah?

Jessica: I think those three are fighting.

Emily: Oh, they always do that. It's never anything more than bickering! I think.

Jessica: ...Let's hope so.

11. Daniel and Fangirls

Virbank City]]

Daniel: Just go awaaaaaaaay!

Fangirl 1: But– but– but– you need to find Alli!

Fangirl A: I've even got the mistletoe!

Fangirl I: Come ooooooooon!

Daniel: Girls, let me get something through to you. I. DO. NOT. LIKE. ALLI. I can't even stand her!

Fangirl A: But you two would be so adorable together!

Fangirl 1: You're the only one she's ever liked except...

-The fangirls share deadly glares toward nothing in particular-

All Three Fangirls: Dopants.

Daniel: Look, I don't know who this Dopants guy is, but for all I care, he can have Alli. Just leave me alone!

Fangirl I: D'aww, he wants his beloved to be happy. It's so adorable!

-Daniel stares at them before breaking down in tears-

Daniel: What did I do to deserve this...

12. Starkeeper, Nightmare, and Spirit

Mirage Forest]]

Nightmare: <~It seems the cats don't celebrate Christmas.~>

Spirit: <~It's a human holiday. They despise human traditions.~>

Nightmare: <~Shame.~>

Spirit: <~It's unusual for you to care.~>

Nightmare: <~Merely an observation.~>

Starkeeper: <I'll let them believe what they want to believe. It's not like they're completely wrong about everything.>

Spirit: <~Hello, Mew.~>

Nightmare: <~It's a pleasure to see you.~>

Spirit: <~That was sarcasm, incidentally.~>

Nightmare: <~I'm sure she noticed.~>

-Starkeeper turns dark purple.-

Starkeeper: <I could tell.> >_>

13. Diane's Parents

:A House in Treasure Town]]

Diane's Mom: <It wouldn't hurt to send us a card or something.> >_>

-Diane's mom is looking outside at the mailbox. Her husband comes up to her-

Diane's Dad: <Relax, she's a busy girl. And she's an entire universe away from us. That kinda makes visits difficult.>

Mom: <I know...>

-She sighs-

Mom: <But I'm worried about her. It's only natural for a mother to worry about her daughter.>

Dad: <I know. But I'm sure she's perfectly fine, wherever she is.>

Mom: <You say that, but I keep feeling like I missed a time when she needed me... When she needed us...>

Dad: <I know... but we can't keep worrying about her like this. She's got a life of her own now, and one that spans universes at that.>

Mom: <Easier said than done...>

-She looks outside. A mailmon has just left.-

Mom: -sigh- <I'll go check...>

-There is a single card. She reads it.-

Dad: -grins- <See? I told you. You worry too much.>

Mom: -smiles slightly- <...I guess so.>

14. Relic and Corona

Finder's Keep

-Relic and Corona are packing up shop for the night-

Relic: <It's kind of funny how many peoplemons save their Christmas shopping for the day before.>

Corona: <Hey, some mons are just busy. This is probably the only day they could have done it.>

Relic: <I guess, but it's still amusing.>

Corona: <I guess so.>

-She smirks.-

Corona: <And I seem to remember someone doing the exact same thing last year.>

-Relic blushes-

Relic: <Hey, that was for one person! I'm talking about mons who save all of their shopping for today!>

Corona: <Hey, you can't make fun of people for doing something unless you make fun of yourself for it too. And since you're not doing that, I have all the right to do so for you.>

Relic: <Let's just get the rest of this packed away and locked down.> [[red:>]]_[[red:>]]

-He continues flitting around and getting stuff put away. He pauses.-

Relic: <I wonder how that poor Corphish we met in the desert the other day is doing...>

15. Paula

A Desert

-Paula is still wandering the desert, somehow not dead yet.-

Paula: <It's Christmas... Today is Christmas... I could have been spending today with Verax, but nooooooo, I just had to get myself thrown in this WASTELAND!>

-She shakes her claws at the sky in anger-

Paula: <FUCK YOU, RYKLYS! FUCK! YOU! Ah... heheh... heheheh... hey, I could pretend the sand is snow... Yeah, that'll work... Today's Christmas, so let there be snow!>

-She giggles, and flops down into the sand, waving her claws as if she was trying to make a snow angel out of dry sand. After a few futile seconds of flailing and laughing, she suddenly breaks out weeping.-

Paula: <W-why... I was just starting to like my life... I could have changed, but n-no... I... th-this is my punishment...>

Random!Sandile: <Um... are you okay, miss?>

-Paula flips over to look at the Sandile.-

Paula: <...I'm not crazy.>

-She lunges at him and clamps onto his shoulders-

Paula: <I. AM NOT. CRAZY.>

-She twitches a bit. The Sandile squirms out of her grip and backs away.-

Sandile: <...Um... if you say so...>

-He scampers away-

Paula: <...I'm crazy...>

-She resumes weeping into the sand.-

16. Loki and AU!Doopliss

[[teal:Twilight Town 2.0]]

Doopliss: <This is boring.>

-Doopliss is pacing in a replica of Creepy Steeple. Loki is in the same room.-

Loki: <Well, sorry. It wasn't my idea to turn everyone into Spoink.>

Doopliss: <Spoink and one Tepig! And that's not what I was talking about.>

-He looks outside-

Doopliss: <I was thinking of pairing this up with a Grinch routine, but no, everyone's gotta be too gloomy and depressed and stuff to pretend the falling ash is falling snow! They ruin all the fun!>

Loki: <I'm the one stuck as nothing but a lackey. Quit complaining.>

Doopliss: <You don't like it, then leave. Not like I need you anymore anyway.>

-Loki gets a dark glint in his eye-

Loki: <...Dropping you is an excellent idea.>

-And Doopliss is knocked cold by the real Loki from behind.-

Loki: <Merry Christmas, Doo[ ]liss.>

-{{Beat}}-

Loki: <Oh, come on! You have got to be kidding me!>

-One can almost see a smirk on Doopliss's face, despite his being unconscious.-

17. Chroma and Varotsos

[[teal:Mistralton City]]

-Chroma is pacing.-

Chroma: <~Well, today marks day three-hundred-and-sixty-eight. It's been over a year, and still conflict rages on...~>

-She is seen by a yellow Tyranitar-

Varotsos: <...What's your problem?>

-Chroma freezes-

Chroma: <...N-nothing.>

-Varotsos tilts his head-

Varotsos: <...What's with your voice? It sounded... weird.>

Chroma: <...I have a cold>

Varotsos: <...Uh-huh. Sure. That's totally it.>

Chroma: <...Yep. Definitely.>

Varotsos: <...Whatever. At least you're not causing any problems. Unlike that Lucario who thinks he's all that.>

Chroma: <Um, right. Listen, I have things I need to do. Dragon-y things. And I'm gonna go do them. Right about... now.>

-She disappears in a cloud of sand and dust.-

Varotsos: <...What a weird Flygon.>

18. Scott, AU!Alli, and AU!Trent

[[teal:Opelucid City]]

Trent: <It's been a year. A full freaking year. You can toss any plans you had of thinking things are supposed to be “normal” one day.>

Alli: <Trent, don't say that–>

Scott: <He's right, though. If there was a way to fix this, we would have gotten fixed by now. This is the new normal.>

Alli: <Guys... Christmas isn't supposed to be a negative time of year. We're supposed to be happy about it.>

Trent: <Hmph. A lot of good optimism is when you're stuck as a frog.>

Scott: -sigh- <Alli... I wish I could stay optimistic. But you know just as well as I do that things haven't gotten better. They've shown no signs of getting better at all.>

Alli: <...Well... at the very least, can you please not argue about it? That's only making things worse...>

Trent: <...Fine. Let's all agree that life sucks.>

Alli: <Trent—>

Scott: <Agreed.>

-Alli looks at the two, and sighs-

19. Keith and [[red:AU!D]]iane

Bell Tower]]

-Keith is looking outside wistfully. Diane comes up to him.-

Keith: <Well, it's been over a year...>

-He sighs. Diane gives him a hug to the best of her ability.-

Diane: <It's not all bad, is it? I mean, we're still alive. We've had an active effort against the Dragons. Even if we can't do it as humans, we can still make the most of our lives. We can make the most of today.>

Keith: <...I guess...>

-He looks at the falling snow-

Keith: <You know what I'd like for Christmas this year? A sign. A hope spot. Something that can prove that, yes, things can go back to normal. To how they were a year ago.>

Diane: <I'd like that too... I'd love that. But until then, we need to hold on to our own hope, whatever little bit we have left.>

Keith: <...I guess...>

20. Keith-B

Keith's House

-The now-618-year-old Shedinja's mind flashes back to that second Christmas after the uprising.-

Keith: <A glimmer of hope... It's too bad that never came...>

-He looks outside. The town is celebrating its own Christmas with a festival.-

Keith: <I guess things did turn out at least somewhat well. And we did make the most of what we had...>

-He looks at a faded picture. It was of him and Diane, before she died, before the mon bombs, before they realized they loved each other...-

Keith: <Six centuries later, and it's a new “normal”... Not the best we could have, but it's good enough to get by.>

???: <When you're a ghost, you have to learn to deal with it, after all.>

Keith: <Hmm?>

-He turns around. For a split second, he thinks he sees a Golurk, but it vanishes before he can be sure.-

Keith: <...I know that voice...>

-He shakes his head and looks back out of the window.-

Keith: <And she was right. Life goes on after the thrill of living is gone...>

-He phases through the door and goes outside.-

21. Kaius and Famire

[[gray:Spirit World]]

Kaius: It's too bad nobody seems to celebrate Christmas here.

-Kaius is wandering... whatever the Spirit World looks like. With him is a Flygon he recently reunited with.-

Famire: <It's been an awful long time since our last Christmas, yeah.>

-Kaius raises an eyebrow-

Kaius: Since when did you actually talk?

Famire: <...Since you died.>

Kaius: Ah... well, it's nice to know you're willing to now.

Famire: <I guess...>

Kaius: What is it about my death that suddenly made you want to talk, out of curiosity?

Famire: <...I... am not entirely sure, really.>

Kaius: Huh. Well, that's aside the point.

22. Other!Eskay and Other!Sakura

Somewhere near Pastoria City

[spoiler]Thanks to Moon for spagging this with me

-Eskay goes to find Sakura, who is once again playing with Grant.-

Eskay: Um, hi.

-She just waves slightly while petting Grant with her other hand.-

Eskay: ...Still being quiet, huh...

-He sighs-

Eskay: I got something for you. You know, for tomorrow.

-He holds up a wrapped gift.-

Eskay: And I was hoping you'd be willing to talk for a bit, but if you don't want to...

Sakura: W-what is that...?

-Eskay smiles slightly at managing to get her to speak, even though she was still nervous.-

Eskay: Just something I thought you might like. I won't tell you exactly what until tomorrow, though.

Sakura: T-Then... Why are you giving it to me now?

-Eskay shrugs-

Eskay: I dunno, I guess I just thought you might like to know I got you something.

Sakura: T-That's kinda... Mean... N-Now I want to know what's inside.

-Eskay sweatdrops-

Eskay: Um... sorry. Right. ~Great going, me.~ Um...

-He looks away awkwardly. Sakura smiles.-

Sakura: T-Thanks though, I can't wait to see what's inside.

-She looks away as well-

Sakura: But... Why are you going to give me that?

Eskay: I just figured I'd do something nice. For a friend. One of the few real friends I've made while I've been here. And...

-He pauses-

Eskay: Um, nevermind. Point is, you've been a really good friend.

Sakura: I... I have...? All this time I've only been following around, playing with Grant...

-Grant then starts barking and Sakura pets him a bit-

Eskay: Well, at the very least, you and Lyuri both have been here when there's been nobody else. Even if you don't talk much, you're still being a good friend.

-He manages a very slight smile-

Eskay: And I do really like it when you finally do talk. You should speak up more often.

-Sakura starts getting really nervous and rubbing her arm with an awkward expression-

Sakura: U-Um... T-Thanks...

-Eskay blushes slightly, but smiles still.-

Eskay: You're, um, you're welcome.

-They both trail off, unsure of what else to say-

Final: Eskay and Alli

Amarin Household – Roof

-The Amarin siblings are sitting on the roof, gazing up at the Bell Tower.-

Eskay: Our second Christmas with the J-Team... It doesn't feel like it's been a whole year, but it has.

Alli: Of course it has! I think people think years are supposed to feel like thousands of days, but they're not. They're always shorter than you expect!

Eskay: ...Odd, but surprisingly true. You'd think we'd get used to what it turns out to feel like, but no, a year always seems to be so much shorter than what's in our mind. It seems so much longer than it is by just saying “a year”.

Alli: People are silly. That's why I'm silly too! To be a person, only more of a person than people are!

Eskay: ...Only the silliest would think that way.

Alli: Preeeeeeecisely~

-Eskay chuckles, and looks up-

Eskay: It's nice to be more or less a real family again... Mom's back, we're all back home, I've made amends with Dad... It's nice.

Alli: And yet we're the worst siblings ever.

Eskay: Hmm?

Alli: We never actually do anything sibling-y! We barely do anything together! Skye's always so much more sibling-y than I am to you, and I don't have anyone else to be sibling-y with!

Eskay: Ah... Well, let's change that. Let's start being a proper brother-sister pair. Not even “older brother younger sister”. Just brother and sister.

Alli: But how?

Eskay: Let's make it our goal for next year to figure something out. I'm sure we'll figure out something before too long.

Alli: All  right, let's do it~

-Eskay smiles, and leans back against the roof, looking up at the sky.-

Eskay: Merry Christmas, Alli... and with any luck, it'll be a happy New Year as well.