Pokemon: Radical Redux

Back at the Christmas party, the celebration went on for a good while, and it was fun… or chaotic, depending on how you'd describe anything Whitney runs. Unsurprisingly, Green managed to drag Gary into singing karaoke, and it only got better when Whitney forced Morty to join in too. Or, as she put it, "I'll tell your girlfriends about the eggnog incident."

And it went a little something like this:

—-

"—This year, to save me from tears, I'll—GREEN, I SWEAR I'M GOING TO KILL YOU—"

Green cackled from her seat near the front, phone out and recording everything. "Oh no, please don't stop, Professor-in-training! You're just getting to the best part!"

Gary gave her the deadliest glare mid-warble, but Morty, already halfway through his part of the duet, kept swaying side to side, completely offbeat but totally into it, "You gotta own it, man!" Morty shouted over the music. "Let the ghost of Christmas rhythm possess you!"

"That is stupid! I swear, why do I hang out with you people?" Gary shouted, pointing frantically down to where Green and Ash were standing with smug smirks on their faces.

Ash was sipping a cup of hot chocolate, watching the chaos unfold, with Molly sitting on his shoulders again, this time donning a paper crown and a candy cane scepter like a self-declared queen.

"Big Brother, I decree that Gary has to sing another song!" she declared, waving her scepter.

Ash grinned up at her. "You heard her, everyone! Molly's Christmas decree is law!"

Gary groaned into the mic. "You guys are evil!"

"Yup!" Green replied cheerfully.

Whitney, who had apparently gotten her hands on a stage light, swiveled it dramatically toward Gary and Morty, "Don't fight the spirit of Christmas, fight with it!"

—

Yeah, Ash and Green definitely had blackmail material for the next year, probably the whole decade, if Morty's tone-deaf rendition of Last Christmas, with Gary's unwilling backup vocals, was anything to go by.

But all good things had to come to an end. Eventually, it got dark, the snow picked up softly, and the music faded into slower, gentler songs.

Molly had fallen asleep in Ash's arms somewhere between the third round of eggnog and Whitney attempting to juggle Chansey-shaped cupcakes.

Delia caught up to him a few steps later, her coat dusted with snowflakes, her camera tucked safely away.

"She's out cold," she whispered with a fond smile as she took Molly into her arms.

"Yeah… guess that means we should go, huh?" Ash said with a small smile, as Pikachu ran up and hopped back onto his favorite spot on Ash's shoulder.

As Pikachu settled in, Ash looked back and saw Yellow walking up with Chuchu and Vee. It was kind of obvious that Yellow was getting tired too, though she didn't want to admit it.

Ash gave her a knowing look. "You okay?" he asked gently.

Yellow nodded, too quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine! Just… you know, pacing myself."

Vee yawned at her feet, then padded over and looked up at Ash expectantly.

Ash smirked. "Uh-huh. You and Vee both look like you're 'pacing yourselves' straight into a nap." He reached down and returned Vee to his Poké Ball so he could sleep.

Chuchu squeaked in agreement, rubbing gently against the side of Yellow's head.

Yellow sighed, letting a small, guilty smile creep onto her lips. "Okay, maybe I'm a little tired…"

Delia chuckled as she adjusted Molly in her arms. "I think that's a good sign. It means you all had fun."

Ash nodded. "Then maybe we should head out. It's almost midnight. I'll see if I can find Abby, wonder what she's up to…"

—

{Meanwhile}

Abby and Heracross were in the middle of a cupcake-eating contest.

—

"Probably nothing important," Ash shrugged.

Green and Gary passed by, still bickering half-heartedly. Gary was muttering something about never forgiving any of them, while Green proudly tapped her phone screen like it was a trophy.

"I'm uploading that to Pokégram the second we get Wi-Fi, and sending it straight to Pink," she announced with a grin.

Despite everything you might think, Ash, Gary, and Green were actually pretty good friends with the other five Pallet kids. It's just… well, it was kinda obvious half of them had a thing for them.

"You do and I swear I'm moving to Sinnoh," Gary muttered, tugging his scarf over his head.

"Promise?" Green winked.

Ash walked over, grinning. "Be sure to send it to me too, I need to show it to Misty and Brock."

Green smirked. "Consider it done~"

Gary groaned again, tugging his scarf tighter around his ears like it might somehow protect him from the humiliation, "And people say I'm the dramatic one…"

"You are."

"You are."

Ash and Green said in perfect unison.

Gary flinched. "I'm not that bad!"

"Dude, you got a car and hired cheerleaders that turned out to be bodyguards," Ash said flatly.

"You weren't supposed to remember the cheerleaders thing…" Gary muttered, voice muffled under layers of scarf.

Green smirked, still scrolling through her phone. "Oh, don't worry. We remember everything. I've got a list."

"That is deeply concerning," Gary grumbled.

Ash just laughed and clapped him on the back. "C'mon, admit it. You love us."

"I will challenge you to a 6-on-6 if you don't shut up," Gary warned, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, you wanna go, Number 2? Name the time and place, I'll run your pockets like we did in the League," Ash shot back with a smirk.

"Um, maybe save the battles for later," Green interjected, yawning. "As good as that content would be, and I will be recording and selling it for profit, but I'm tired."

Gary sighed. "Yeah, same here. And it looks like Molly already fell asleep."

Delia nodded softly as she rubbed Molly's head. "Yeah, she was so excited, she tuckered herself out."

"Alright, yeah, I get it," Ash said. "But I'm gonna go say bye to Whitney and Jasmine. They did invite us, or, well, me, and I dragged you guys along, so it'd be kinda rude if I didn't."

"Okay, okay," Green said with mock resignation. "I guess I have no choice but to take more adorable pictures of Sleeping Molly." She struck a dramatic pose, holding her phone like a stage actor clutching a goblet.

Ash rolled his eyes and made his way back inside the hall. The cold bit a little harder now that the front doors had been left open for people shuffling in and out. Most of the crowd had already cleared out, it was close to midnight, and most of the younger kids had dozed off in their parents' arms, just like Molly.

Whitney was lounging on a beanbag chair, her Miltank curled beside her like a giant pillow. On her other side, her Sawsbuck sat upright, letting Whitney use his chest fluff as a cushion. Jasmine sat on a nearby couch, a cup of tea cradled in her hands, quietly chatting with Whitney while Amphy lay curled on her lap like an oversized puppy.

"Hey," Ash called softly as he approached, giving a small wave.

Whitney's face lit up. "Ash! You made it back!" she said, already half-sliding off the beanbag before thinking better of it and dramatically flopping back down. "You were gonna sneak off without saying bye, huh?"

Ash chuckled. "Nah, I came to thank you guys. The party was… well, kind of a disaster in the best way possible."

Whitney grinned. "I try my best to cause maximum festive chaos."

"You succeeded," he said, then looked toward Jasmine. "And thank you too. It was nice… seeing everyone laugh like that. It's been a while."

Jasmine stood slowly, setting her cup down with care. "You're welcome," she said, her voice as soft and calm as ever. "It was good to see you smile again. And… I didn't get a chance earlier, but I wanted to give you this."

Ash blinked as Jasmine pulled out a small gift box. "What is this?"

"A thank you," Jasmine said gently. "Y-you know… for when you helped me back in Olivine. You rescued me from the collapsed building, and then did surgery on my broken leg… and you pushed yourself for three days helping anyone who needed it."

"I… just did what I could," Ash said, scratching his cheek. "You didn't have to."

"But I wanted to," Jasmine said, her voice firm despite her nerves. "So come on, open it."

Ash looked at the box, then slowly unwrapped it. Inside was a smaller box, and when he opened it, he found a pendant with the Olivine Lighthouse engraved on it.

"Oh wow, this is—"

"Cheesy, I know," Jasmine said quickly, already flinching a little.

Ash chuckled and looped the pendant around his neck, letting it hang over his hoodie. "It's perfect."

Jasmine let out a soft breath of relief, but before the moment could settle, Whitney sat up with a gasp. "No fair! Jasmine, you didn't tell me we were giving him presents! If you had, I would've gotten him something toooo. After all, he helped me when I broke my arm!"

She flexed her left arm for emphasis, even though it was her right arm that had actually been broken.

Jasmine smiled, a bit sheepishly. "It wasn't a competition, Whitney…"

Whitney flailed dramatically anyway. "Yeah, but now I look like the ungrateful one!" She turned to Ash and puffed out her cheeks. "Okay! You owe me a redo! Next time we meet, I'm giving you something, and it's gonna be amazing. I don't know what it is yet, but it'll knock your Pokéballs off!"

Ash laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll be waiting for it."

Whitney pointed two fingers at her eyes, then at him. "You better. Or I'll throw you in the next karaoke rotation."

"That's not even a punishment anymore," Ash teased. "After tonight, I think I've developed immunity."

"Oh?" Whitney's grin turned dangerous. "We'll see how immune you are after a duet with Bugsy."

Ash blinked. "Bugsy sings?"

Whitney leaned back like she was recalling a battlefield. "Like a Beedrill with stage fright."

Jasmine quietly covered a laugh behind her hand, her eyes twinkling.

Ash shook his head with a chuckle, looking at the two of them fondly. "Seriously, though. Thanks again. You two are awesome."

Whitney reached over and gave Ash a quick hug. "So are you. Now get out of here before I cry or make you sing Jigglypuff's Lament in D minor."

Ash backed away, hands raised in surrender. "Okay, okay! I'm leaving!" But he smiled as he gave one last wave and turned to go.

Almost immediately, Heracross fell from the roof, nearly bonking Ash on the head. He looked completely zonked out, clearly in a sugar coma.

Ash glanced back and pointed at him. "This one's mine, don't worry. I got him." He grabbed Heracross by the horn and began dragging him away as Jasmine and Whitney stifled laughter behind him.

—-

{The Next Day}

After that, Ash had Abby take them back to Pallet Town. Delia, of course, insisted that Yellow stay the night too, and since it was already nearly midnight, Yellow agreed and took one of the guest rooms.

The next morning, it was officially Christmas Day, and time for presents.

Delia had gone all out, again, with a buffet-style breakfast laid across the kitchen table for anyone who was still sleepy-eyed and slow to start.

Molly was the first one up, bouncing on the couch in her footie pajamas with a gleam in her eye and a ribbon still stuck in her hair from a candy cane she'd unwrapped earlier. Pikachu sat beside her, munching on a small plate of berry pancakes.

Ash came down the stairs shortly after, rubbing the back of his head with a yawn. He was still in pajama pants and a hoodie, the Olivine pendant already hanging from his neck.

"Morning, everyone," he said, and was nearly tackled by Molly flying into his chest.

"Can we open presents yet?!" she asked, nearly vibrating.

Ash grinned and ruffled her hair. "Not yet. Let me at least wake up first."

Green was curled up on the recliner, already sipping some orange juice, her legs draped over the armrest. "She looks like she might explode. It's adorable."

Delia came out of the kitchen holding a tray of extra toast. "You know the rules, gifts after breakfast!"

Molly pouted but nodded. "Okay, Mama…"

—

After breakfast, they all sat down in the living room. Yellow had tried to quietly sit out the gift exchange, but was very much picked up and dragged over by Green, who sat her down next to Ash.

"I already got you something, so you have no excuse," Ash said, handing her a small box.

"Ash… you didn't have to…" Yellow said, trying to gently refuse, but Ash shook his head.

"I know. But I wanted to. Besides, I already sent Abby to go deliver presents to Misty and Brock, so you can't make me feel bad about it."

Yellow took the box carefully and unwrapped it. Inside was a necklace Ash had custom made, with two Pikachu on it. One was clearly modeled after his Pikachu, and the other was unmistakably Chuchu, complete with her tiny bow.

"Thank you," Yellow said softly, her voice warm and a little shaky, her eyes shimmering just a bit. "I love it."

Ash smiled, visibly relieved. "Good. I was worried it was too much."

"No," Yellow said quickly, shaking her head. "It's perfect."

Molly clapped her hands, grabbing everyone's attention. "Wow, it's so pretty! But it's my turn now!"

She picked up a present and marched over to Green with excitement. "I got you for Secret Santa!"

"Aww, really? That's so cute!" Green said, holding her cheeks, looking like she was about to explode from joy.

She unwrapped the present slowly, mostly for dramatic effect, and opened the lid to reveal… a pair of sunglasses shaped like oversized heart-eyes. Bright pink. Glittery. Definitely meant for dolls.

Everyone stared.

Then Green slowly, deliberately, put them on.

"Well," she said, striking a confident pose. "I guess I'll have to start my career as a fashion icon now. Watch out, Kalos."

Molly squealed and clapped. "She likes it!"

"I love it," Green said with a completely straight face, barely containing her laugh. "This is now part of my daily outfit rotation."

"Please don't," Gary muttered as he shuffled in with bed hair

Green turned toward him with theatrical flair. "Jealousy is not a good look, Gary."

"You look like a Chansey exploded on your face."

"You're just mad Molly didn't get you, Grinchy Oak," she said, sticking out her tongue.

Then, without missing a beat, Green reached under the tree and pulled out a neatly wrapped box, handing it to him. "Here. Merry Christmas, you Grinch. I got you for Secret Santa."

Gary eyed the box suspiciously. "There better not be glitter bombs in this."

"Only the finest chaos," Green said sweetly.

He unwrapped it with caution, then blinked in surprise. Inside was a leather-bound field notebook, hand-stitched, with his initials, G.O., on the cover. But what really caught his eye was what was tucked inside the front page: an old photo of the gang, from maybe three or four years ago. Everyone was grinning with arms around each other, and Pikachu, back when he was still a Pichu, was peeking out of Ash's hoodie.

Beneath the photo was a note in Green's unmistakable handwriting, "For the smartest dumbass we know. You better fill this with legendary research or embarrassing field notes. If not, I'm taking it back."

Gary stared at it for a long second. His expression softened before he cleared his throat, closed the notebook quickly, and stuffed it into his bag. "It's fine. It's cool. Thanks. Whatever."

Green grinned. "Aww, you're welcome too, nerd."

"Don't push it," Gary huffed, but his voice lacked any real bite.

Then he stood and picked up a larger box, walking over to Ash. "My turn. Here, careful, it's fragile."

Ash raised a brow and accepted the box. Pikachu leaned forward, sniffing it curiously as Ash unwrapped it. Inside was a high-tech incubator, and nestled safely within was an Egg.

"Eh?" Ash blinked.

Gary rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "Well, there was this competition back in Johto, some Egg race or whatever. I won, obviously. The prize was that. I already have a team, didn't really need it. Figured you'd make better use of it." Nobody bought his whole 'too cool to care' act, but no one called him out on it either.

Ash smiled and set the incubator down beside Pikachu, who was now glued to the glass, ears perked and nose twitching. "Thanks, Gary. Seriously. I'll take good care of it."

"You better," Gary grumbled, folding his arms, but he looked quietly pleased.

"So that means there's one gift left, hmmm," Green said, nudging Molly with an exaggerated smirk. "I wonder who it could be for…"

"Hmmm… I wonder," Ash said, tapping his chin dramatically. "Nope, doesn't ring a bell~"

"Big brotherrrrr!" Molly whined, pouting hard enough to make Clefairy faint from secondhand embarrassment.

Ash laughed and reached behind the couch to retrieve one last gift, already wrapped in sparkly paper with a star-shaped tag. "Okay, okay. Yeah, I got you. Here."

Molly squealed and took the box eagerly. She carefully peeled back the wrapping, lifted the lid, and gasped.

Inside was a plush PokéDoll shaped like a Cleffa. If you remember this is that this particular doll had been sitting in Ash's inventory since way back, when he turned 8 and got his rewards, it was just sitting in his inventory, it had some thing that whenever you hugged it it would calm you down, which honestly would be good for the nights Molly wakes up crying from the trauma that happened, and as a bonus smells like strawberries

Ash poked Molly's forehead gently. "Whenever you're sad, just hug this little guy, and you'll feel better. Okay?"

Molly's eyes were wide as she clutched the Cleffa doll tightly to her chest. "Okay," she whispered, voice small and touched. "Thank you, big brother."

Ash smiled and ruffled her hair again, "Of Course, now come on we got some more time want to see your big brother beat Grinchy Oak,"

"Oh your on," Gary pointed at Ash, "Let's go 6 on 6,"

"Oh this will be good," Green said smirking already preparing her phone to record,

"I don't know why you're laughing, you're next!" Gary pointed over at Green

"Whaaaaaa-" Green said overdramatically, "What did i do,"

"Besides uploading the karaoke?" Gary said dryly

Green huffed and stuck her tongue out, "It went viral,"

Gary looked at her, "You know i change my mind, Green your first,"

Meanwhile in the background Yellow, Molly, and Delia where watching, just laughing a little, they did get like this sometimes, but in the end they are still friends