[Pokémon] A Pokemon Christmas Carol

[EmeraldSky]

Here's a Christmas present for the boards--my imagining of what it would be like if the Pokemon cast told "A Christmas Carol"


Ash and co. and the Brocklings

in

"A Pokemon Christmas Carol"

Episode 1: The Cold and Haunted Evening

"It's December 19, Happini..." a brown haired boy smiles as he cradles a pink humanoid creature in his arms.

"Pini pini ha pini?" Happini asks.

"Tonight's the night Brock begins his annual re-telling of 'A Christmas Carol'" the boy explains as he starts down the stairs. "You know, the story of the mean old guy who hates Christmas at first, but has a change of heart when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve?" Happini nods to show she understands. "When the story was originally written a long time ago, it was split into five parts, so Brock will tell one part each night until Christmas Eve."

"This is so exciting, Forest!" a girl with similar features cries as she warms her hands by the fire. "This is the first time Grandma and Grandpa are going to hear Brock's version of 'A Christmas Carol', humor and all....and to think he does it all from memory!"

"Well, if I've seen it as many times as he has, in print, on stage, and on screen; I would have it memorized too." Forest assures his sister as more children and some adults enter the den and crowd around a large red easy chair. Happini is about to climb in the seat when Forest shoos her away. "No, that's where the storyteller gets to sit." Happini sighs and walks over to another chair, where a black haired boy and a yellow mouse creature are sitting.

"My favorite part is when Scrooge buys the roast Combusken for Mr. Cratchit at the end." the boy tells Happini.

"But then again, Ash's favorite part in any story, movie, TV show, or play always has something to do with food." a black haired girl giggles as she brings in a tray of cookies, hot chocolate and juice for the children to enjoy. "That is, if it doesn't involve a Pokeflute or a whistle..."

"Do you have a favorite part, Dawn?" Ash wonders as he takes a few cookies.

"I like the part with the Spirit of Christmas Past." Dawn smiles as an older boy with similar features strolls onto the room and plugs in the Christmas tree before settling in the easy chair.

"Does Brock always start with an introduction before he starts the story?" a girl asks.

"Some years, he does, some years he just jumps right in." Forest replies as he waits for his elder brother to begin his yearly performance.

Once everyone is present in the den, Brock addresses his audience. "So, here we are once again....Christmas week. A time of joy, a time of celebration, and a time of love...but not all embrace this time of peace on earth and good will to all. Some have a justifiable reason--they may be grieving a loved one or protesting the endless commercialization. But, in one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time, a miser that has always despised the season finally comes to understand the happiness and joy that comes with this special time of year...I speak, of course, of 'A Christmas Carol'...."

---------​

Now, in order to understand this tale, you have to remember that Marley was dead from the very beginning. Brock narrates via voiceover as a procession of mourners make their way to a graveyard, with a dull purple haired boy with a dour look on his face--Paul--leading the way. And that guy there is Scrooge--Marley's partner. Paul shoots an icy look behind him at the audience. Hey, I'm only the storyteller here! Brock protests. Paul seems to accept that answer and continues down the path as the scene changes to a bustling town in a time long past. Scrooge was infamous for his icy demeanor--no one asked him for the time or for directions, and even the Pokemon knew to stay far away from him. Some Pikachus fearfully run away as Paul steps across an icy puddle. In fact, he preferred it that way. For all he knew, sympathy could take a hike.

"Penny for the poor, guv?" a random boy asks Paul as he walks along the frozen road.

"Bah!" Paul grunts as he waves the boy away and approaches a large house-like building.

Scrooge never bothered to paint out Marley's name, but it didn't matter--he would answer to either name. Brock narrates as Paul looks up at a sign on the building that reads "SCROOGE & MARLEY" with the MARLEY hastily scribbled out.

"Has it really been seven years already?" Paul muses, a rare smile crossing his face. "He was a good man--how he robbed from the widows and swindled the poor!" he muses as he enters the building. "Left me enough to pay for his tomb--but I preferred him buried at sea...and so he was." With that, he slams the door behind him.

The slamming door startles Ash, now clad in a dull red jacket, brown pants, and an olive shirt. "Uh...good morning, Mr. Scrooge." he shyly smiles as he tends to a stove.

"And what might you be doing with those coals, Mr. Cratchit?" Paul demands as he hangs up his coat and hat, revealing a dull gray outfit.

"I was..." Ash stammers, his mind racing as to what to tell his boss. "I was t-trying to...thaw out the ink?" he replies, shivering from the cold in the room.

"But you used a piece last week!" Paul thunders, poking Ash in the stomach with his walking stick, making the coals clatter into the trash. "Get to work!" Ash quickly complies with this, rubbing where Paul poked him in pain as he settles before his desk.

After writing in the ledger for a while, Ash works up the courage to ask an important question. "You know...tomorrow's Christmas and I, uh, was wondering if I uh, c-could have a day off?" He swallows hard as he awaits Paul's reaction.

"Christmas?" Paul balks, before reluctantly sighing. "I suppose so, but you will be docked half a day's wages...and at 200 credits a day, that comes to..."

"That's 250 credits a day, sir..." Ash corrects.

"Oh yes, I forgot about that raise I gave you three years ago..." Paul chuckles--it was rare for him to forget anything concerning money, and it was also one of the rare times Ash had seen him laugh. "For doing my laundry, if memory serves." Ash nods in confirmation of his theory. "Just return to your work while I consult my ledgers...and before I forget, a bundle of shirts, as you asked." He sighs as he gives Ash a large bag and disappears into another room. While he wishes he could keep the clothing for himself, Ash is overjoyed by the immense number of shirts inside.

So there Scrooge sat in his office, listening to the chatter of the townsfolk, the whistling wind outside, and the hurried scribbling of Mr. Cratchit in the next room. Brock narrates as Paul writes in a ledger himself, keeping a watchful eye on Ash as a wind gust rattles the window, obscuring the murmur of a bustling crowd. Suddenly, he was snapped from his calculating interest and payments when he heard a knock at the door.

Paul hears the knock just as he finishes counting a stack of coins. "Now who could be calling at this hour?" he grumbles as he opens the door.

It turns out that Barry is on the stoop. "Merry Christmas!" he smiles as another wind gust ruffles his sandy blonde hair.

Ash smiles when he sees who is at the door. "And Merry Christmas to you too, Master Fred." He gets up from his desk and helps Barry inside.

"Bah...humbug..." Paul grumbles as he continues studying a ledger.

Barry balks at Paul's reaction. "Christmas, a humbug, uncle? You can't be serious..."

Paul slams the ledger shut in frustration. "What's so merry about it? I'll tell you what Christmas is...just another workday, and any Mankey that says otherwise should be boiled in his own Berries!" Barry swallows hard, fearing what Paul will do next.

"But Christmas is a time for giving!" Ash protests. "A time to be with one's family!"

"I say bah humbug..." Paul coldly replies before turning to return to his office.

"Say what you will, but I still say Merry Christmas, uncle!" Barry retorts.

Ash applauds Barry's enthusiasm. "Well said, Fred!"

"And what are YOU doing?" Paul demands when he hears Ash applauding.

"Just...keeping my hands warm?" Ash stammers as he returns to his work.

Paul then addresses Barry. "And what brings you all this way, nephew?"

"I bring you a wreath..." Barry then offers a wreath studded with pinecones and holly to Paul. "and an invite for you to join me for Christmas dinner."

"Well...will there be roast Combusken with all the fixings?" Paul asks.

"Yes..." Barry replies.

"And Ganlon pudding with Nomel sauce?"

Ganlon and Nomels? Yuck! a boy interjects.

That's what Scrooge asks in the story, okay? Brock assures his brother before the scene returns to Paul and Barry again.

"Yes!" Barry smiles, excited.

"And candied Berries with gingerbread?" Paul asks.

"Yes! Yes!" Barry is estatic now. "Will you come?"

"Are you crazy???" Paul screeches as he yanks open the door. "I don't like any of that! Take your wreath and be gone!" With that, Barry is shoved out the door and into the snow, wreath and all.

Ouch... a girl comments as Paul slams the door.

Poor Fred... a boy agrees.

"Bah humbug!" Paul replies as he storms back to his office. Unbeknownst to him, Barry has discretely hung the wreath on the door before hurrying away.

"Ah, Fred...he's got such a big heart..." Ash muses.

"Heart or not, he always was a little peculiar." Paul muses before hearing the door open again. "Now what?" he grumbles before recognizing Ethan and Lyra on the stoop. "Oh, customers...come right in." he muses with a droll smile. "What can I do for you this afternoon?"

"We came seeking funds for the needy and less fortunate." Lyra explains.

"Won't you give something and allow the poor a merry Christmas too?" Ethan asks, offering a jar filled with all kinds of coins to Paul.

Paul thinks for a moment. "If you give something to the poor, they wouldn't be poor anymore, right?" he muses as he paces the floor. "and if they are not poor anymore, then what's the point in raising money for them?"

"That is true..." Ethan muses.

"Then if there's no point in raising money for them, you would be out of work--and I'd hate to put you two out of work." Paul concludes as he gently escorts Ethan and Lyra outside and closes the door behind them, giving Lyra the wreath on the way out.

Talk about a roundabout way of saying no... Dawn comments.

Scrooge is actually pretty smart for a mean old guy. a girl agrees.

Paul, meanwhile, sighs in despair. "What's the world coming to? You work all your life to earn money, and people ask you to give it away..." He continues muttering as he disappears into his office.

Ash just shrugs as he warms his hands by his desk lamp some hours later--while it isn't much in the way of warmth, fighting with Paul over the coal box is the last thing he wants to do. He looks up at the clock, which is beginning to strike seven.

"Seven o'clock already?" Paul gasps, surprised that the time has gone so quickly. "You are free to go." he tells Ash. "And take tomorrow off, for all I care." he grumbles as an afterthought.

Ash flies from his seat, bundles up and gathers the clothing, gives Paul a few kisses and a whispered "Merry Christmas" before dashing outside into the snow. Paul follows him some time later, the same dour look on his face from before.

And so, Scrooge went on his way home to the old creaky brick mansion on the outskirts of town where Marley had once lived. Brock narrates as we see Paul approaching the aforementioned house. While he knew the place well from its balconies at the top floor to the rusted black gate at the entryway; that still didn't explain how the ornate Entei head door knocker became Marley's face for a few moments. Paul balks as the aformentioned knocker transforms into Kamon's head for a few seconds, but when he looks again, it is a normal gold Entei head.

"I must be seeing things..." Paul sighs as he enters the house, climbs up the ornate staircase, and enters the den, where he glumly studies the flickering flames, oblivious to the thumping and creaking around him.

But try as he might to wave away the odd noises and the door knocker's transformation as 'just seeing things', Scrooge didn't expect the ghost of Marley to join him there in his lonely room. Brock narrates.

At this, a bell by the door begins to ring, startling Paul. "Who's there?" he asks, a note of fear in his voice as he hears footsteps approaching and chains jingling. He gasps as Kamon--now with a green-blue aura and clad in a dingy robe and a bewidering array of chains around him, appears before him. "Marley? Is that--"

"Ebeneezer...remember how in life I robbed the widows and swindled the poor?" Kamon asks.

"Yes...and all in the same day, too!" Paul stammers.

"Well, Arceus bade me to be punished for these deeds, and as my pennance, I'm to carry these chains for all eternity." Kamon explains, showing Paul one of the chains. Paul tries to reach out and touch it, but feels nothing. "And the same fate will befall you too, Ebeneezer Scrooge, when you pass from this world."

"But, it can't!" Paul protests as he untangles himself from the ethereal chains. "It mustn't! Is there anything I can do?"

Kamon thinks for a moment. "Tonight, Arceus will send three spirits to you--listen well to what they have to say, and put their words into practice...lest your chains be heavier and greater in number than mine!" Paul slinks further into the chair, shaking profusely in fear. "The first will arrive at one...the second, at two...and the third...at three..." With that, he disappears as mysteriously as he appeared.

Paul looks around to make sure he is alone, then gets up from the chair, Marley's words weighing heavily on his heart. "Spirits..." he grumbles as he walks to a bedroom and changes for bed.

He wasn't sure if it was his emotions, the rigors of the day, or his encounter with Marley's ghost; but for whatever reason, Scrooge was tired. Brock narrates as Paul climbs into bed with a yawn and falls asleep as the scene swirls back to the present.

---------​

"He soon fell into a deep sleep, unaware of the wonderous events that were soon to transpire." Brock concludes. "And that ends our tale for tonight."

Everyone applauds at this. "Well told, Brock." an older man replies.

"Your version's my favorite." Terra agrees as the group troops upstairs to their rooms.

"Pi pini pini pi?" Happini asks as Brock carries her upstairs.

"Don't worry, sweetie--you'll hear what happened tomorrow night." Brock replies. Happini smiles and drifts to sleep, anticipating the next part of Scrooge's story.

To Be Continued...

 

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 2: A Link to the Past


The next evening, Happini peeks in the den, where she hears Brock playing his guitar. "Pini?" she asks, stopping Brock from his song.

"What is it?" Brock asks as he puts his instrument away.

"Pini pini pini Pini Pi?" Happini asks as the children lead the way into the den. Dawn, Ash, and Pikachu follow, with Dawn carrying another tray of treats.

"What happened next to Mr. Scrooge?" Brock asks as he plugs in the Christmas tree. "Let's wait for everyone to get comfy, and then I'll tell you all what happened next." Pikachu motions for Happini to sit next to him, so Happini tottles over to the cushion by Ash's feet, where Pikachu is resting.

Once everyone is settled, Brock begins his tale. "Scrooge woke up some hours later, and it was so dark, he couldn't even see the bedcurtains, much less the clock on the wall..."

---------​

The scene swirls into Paul sleeping in the large bedroom, but he tosses and turns every so often. Gah, I can't sleep... He hears the clock strike one, but buries his head in his pillow.

No sooner did the clock strike one, did the room fill with a bright light, never mind that all the doors and windows were closed, and no one else was in the house. Brock narrates as Dawn materializes in the room, her bright gold aura being the source of the aforementioned light. She is now clad in a white robe, sandals on her feet, and a garland of white flowers and holly crowns her head. Once sure the room is well lit, she lightly rings a small bell hanging over the dresser. When no answer comes, she rings it a little louder.

"Mrggh--who is--" Paul grumbles as he wakes up, but gasps as he sees Dawn.

"I was wondering when you'd awaken." Dawn giggles, bemused at Paul's sleepy eyed look. "We don't have all evening, you know."

What you mean, "we?" Paul thinks as he rubs the sleep from his eyes. "Who are you?" he fearfully asks Dawn. "And what do you want?"

"I am the Spirit of Christmas Past." Dawn replies.

Paul sighs. "I thought you'd be a bit taller..."

"Ooh..." Dawn grumbles. "Know this, Scrooge--if people were measured by how well they treated others, you would barely be the size of a dust speck!"

"What's the point of kindness?" Paul yawns before turning away from Dawn's aura in an attempt to go back to sleep.

"There is some hope--you were not always like this." Dawn smiles as she walks over to a nearby window and opens it. "Come with me!"

"But, where are we going?" Paul asks as he climbs from his bed and walks to the window, shivering a little.

"Into your past." Dawn replies before offering a hand to Paul. "Take my hand, and we shall fly!"

So Scrooge took the Spirit's hand, and just as the Spirit had said, they flew out into the night. Brock narrates as Paul gingerly takes Dawn's hand, only to be pulled out of the window at a high speed! He looks down and sees the city far below him, making him try to climb aboard Dawn's back in fear, but soon finds himself next to her.

"What's the matter? I thought you liked looking down on the world." Dawn giggles she flies higher into the sky, her aura making a bright gold streak to the people down below.

After flying over more rooftops for a while, Brock narrates again as Dawn sets Paul on the ground before a tavern, where a lively reel drifts into the night. They arrived some time later in what appeared to be another city, but it wasn't until Scrooge looked around that he realized where he was.

Paul instantly recognizes the small wooden building. "I think I know this place..." He walks a little closer and rubs away some of the frost, allowing him to look in on the dancing crowd. "Fezziwig's Place...he was such a kind person." He sighs dreamily as he sees Lucas sawing away at a fiddle, leading the band in the reel. "I also see quite a lot of friends I knew in there!" he gasps, excited as the dancing crowd swirls by him and Dawn, lost in the band's song.

Great music in here! a girl comments.

You want to listen a bit longer? Okay. Brock replies as we look around the room at the dancing crowd. Those that are not dancing are talking or playing games, only pausing to applaud at the reel's conclusion.

As another reel begins, we see a younger Paul in the corner, reading a book. "That lad in the corner...is that me?" Paul asks.

"Yes...this is before you walked the path of a miser." Dawn replies as she nods her head to the tune inside.

"Nobody's perfect..." Paul protests, a little embarrassed at Dawn's remark before spotting Midori in the crowd, now wearing a beautiful green and gold gown. "And that...is that Isabel?"

"Ebeneezer..." Midori asks as she approaches young Paul, startling him from his book.

"Y-Yes, Isabel?" young Paul stammers.

"Won't you give me a kiss under the mistletoe?" Midori asks as she drags young Paul over to where some mistletoe is hanging and prepares for a kiss.

"Um, you're standing on my foot..." young Paul notes. Midori just giggles and guides young Paul into the dancing crowd, young Paul frantically trying to keep up with the steps all the while.

As Midori and young Paul dance, Ash comments Isabel kisses him in three...two...one... Midori then plants a kiss on young Paul's cheek, making him gain heart eyes as the reel ends.

"Oh, how I remember how much I loved Isabel..." Paul dreamily muses as the scene swirls back to the bedroom again.

"Sadly, in ten years time, you found a new love..." Dawn replies as she conjures a scene of a sightly older Paul behind stacks of coins. Paul watches, horrified, as the Paul in the scene shoos Midori away, making her burst into tears as she runs away into a stormy night. "You grew to love gold more than you did Isabel, and because of that, you lost a far greater treasure."

Tears well up in Paul's eyes at this. "Please! No more!" he pleads. "Leave me!" He climbs into bed again, softly crying all the while.

"Very well, I will take my leave as you request." Dawn replies before turning to leave. "But I leave you one more word of wisdom--you made these memories yourself." With that, she disappears, darkening the room again and leaving Paul to cry alone as the scene swirls back to the present.

---------​

"Aw...poor Scrooge...." a boy notes.

"Scrooge wept for a good ten minutes after the Spirit left him, anguished at what he had learned." Brock continues. "But before long, he was asleep once again....and that is where we will end our tale for tonight."

"You know, I wonder what would've happened had Scrooge been true to Isabel..." Terra asks as she leads the others out.

"For one thing, he would've been much happier." Forest notes as he carries Happini to her room and tucks her in. "And a better person." he adds as he turns out the light.

"Pi..." Happini sighs as she watches the snow fall outside. She watches as a shooting star streaks by her window. Maybe that's the Spirit of Christmas Past taking Scrooge. she thinks as she drifts to sleep.

To Be Continued...

 

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 3: It Feels Like Christmas


"Come on..." Forest urges Happini as he leads the way into the den, where the others are gathered and waiting for Brock's arrival. Happini is not far behind, and eagerly climbs on a cushion with Pikachu and Piplup as Ash and Dawn arrive.

"Pini pi pini?" Happini wonders.

"He want to the store to get us more treats." Dawn explains. "We won't hear the next installment of the story until Brock gets here and we have treats."

"Speaking of the story, what are we going to do about tomorrow night, when we get to the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come?" Ash worries. "Would that be too scary for Happini?"

"In years past, he always warned the kids that it could get scary and that they were welcome to leave the room if it got to be too much." the older woman replies as she settles on the couch with Flint and Lola.

"Grandma's right--I remember leaving the room crying some years when I was little." Terra replies, blushing a little.

"I can take Happini out if she gets scared tomorrow." Forest volunteers.

The door opening and the rustling of grocery bags gets the children's attention. Dawn gets up and leaves the room for a moment as the door shuts and Brock comments "Cold out there..."

"The kids have been waiting for the next part of 'A Christmas Carol' all night." Dawn smiles as she helps Flint with some juice and soda. "They were in the den an hour ago."

"Really?" Brock is touched at the comment. "Tell them that I just need to hang up my coat and hat and I'll be right with them."

"Got it!" Dawn sprints back down the hall.

Some minutes later, the children nibble on some fruit, cheese, and cookies as Brock gets settled in the easy chair. Ash notices the plug to the Christmas tree is by his left foot, so he plugs it in.

"Okay...are we all here?" Brock asks. After the group is accounted for, he begins. "Scrooge was jolted awake when the clock struck two. He looked around, thinking the second Spirit would also light up the room, as the Spirit of Christmas Past had done..."

---------​

Paul wakes up with a gasp as the clock strikes two. He looks around the room and finds no light, no sound, no anything out of place. Figuring that his encounter from earlier was his imagination, he goes back to sleep.

Five minutes became ten, then ten became fifteen. Brock narrates as Paul drums his fingers on the covers. Suddenly, he heard the bedcurtains being opened, and he saw...

The Spirit wore that green and blue plaid shirt you like to wear at this time of year! a boy suggests.

With those black pants with silver trim! a girl adds.

And those tan Stantler skin moccasins! Terra agrees.

So essentially, Scrooge saw me. Brock deadpans before he peeks through the bed curtains, wearing the exact outfit the children described. "Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty!" he smiles as Paul yawns. He balks, however, when he sees his room has transformed into a festive party room--greenery hangs from the walls, a fire roars in the fireplace, and there is food of all kinds scattered about the floor.

"Wha--what happened here?" Paul asks. "And are you..."

"Spirit of Christmas Present, at your service!" Brock replies. "Come on, don't be shy!" he coaxes as Paul climbs from the bed. "Just look at all the stuff there is to enjoy!" He gestures to the immense pile of food.

Paul gasps in amazement at the food. "Theres...mince pies....roast Combusken and roast Spoink..."

"And let's not forget my personal favorite--chocolate mint pie with whipped cream!" Brock smiles as he sets a plate of the aforementioned dessert before Paul.

"But...where did all this come from?" Paul asks as he gingerly takes a bite of the pie.

"From the heart, Mr. Scrooge." Brock replies. "It's called generosity...ever heard of it?" Some Grepa Berries come falling off the bunch Paul is attempting to eat and roll on the floor.

"But no one has ever shown me generosity!" Paul protests as he scrambles after the loose Berries.

"That's because you've never given them any reason to, my boy." Brock replies as he gathers up the loose Berries and reforms them into a bunch. "Furthermore, there are still those that care even for icy hearts like yours."

"No friend of mine, I assure you!" Paul thunders.

"Don't believe me? Come see for yourself." Brock replies before leading Paul down the stairs and into the cold night. Paul shivers as he tries to keep up with Brock's strong and confident strides--at least he didn't go flying again.

After wandering through the deserted streets of the city for a while, Brock stops at one particular house. "Here we are!"

"What are we doing here?" Paul asks as he finally catches up to Brock, still shivering from the cold.

"Why, this is Mr. Cratchit's house, of course." Brock replies. Paul peeks in and sees several children--some black haired, some orange haired--running after Pikachu, while Ash helps some others decorate a small Christmas tree. Misty is nearby, tending to the stove and trying not to laugh at how cute the children chasing Pikachu look.

Paul notices Misty cooking a tiny piece of meat. "Is she cooking a Pidgey?" he asks. "They have to have more than that! Look at the fire for me, will you?"

Brock looks in at a boiling pot hanging over the fireplace. "Actually, that's your laundry." he reports.

Inside the house, Misty brings the meager meal to the table. "Time to eat, everyone!" she calls.

The children abandon what they are doing and charge to the table, but before they can dig in, Ash motions for them to wait. "Wait on Tiny Tim, everybody..." he cautions as he feeds Pikachu.

"Coming, Daddy..." a young black haired boy replies as he limps to the table, a Machop carefully guiding him to his place.

Ash smiles at the Machop. "I'll take him the rest of the way, Abi." The Machop nods and allows Ash to pick the boy up and carry him to his place at the table.

"Wow..." Tim gasps at the meal. "Mama must've been busy today with all this food!" He smiles. "We ought to thank Mr. Scrooge." he adds, making Abi chuckle as he receives his Pokechow, but Misty's smile turns somber at the mention of Scrooge's name.

"What's the matter with that poor lad?" Paul wonders as he watches Tiny Tim dig into his share of the food.

"Too many things to list..." Brock's expression turns somber as well. "But if the shadows remain unchanged, that chair will be empty; and that little Machop will have his master no more."

"Then that means..." Paul gasps before he suddenly wakes up in the bedroom again, terrified. After seeing the room is back to normal again and Brock is gone, he returns to an uneasy sleep as the scene begins to swirl back to the present.

---------​

"Scrooge was now growing more and more uneasy--if the Spirit of Christmas Present's warning wasn't enough, the clock was closing in on three o'clock, and he feared what the third Spirit would bring." Brock concludes. "And that is where we end our tale for tonight."

"Pi pini..." Happini sniffles as the others depart--she is worried more for Tiny Tim now than for Scrooge.

Forest senses Happini's unease. "You know Brock says that sometimes the darkest hour is just before dawn?" he asks as he tucks her in for the night.

"Ha.." Happini replies.

"Well...we're coming up on the darkest part of the story tomorrow night, but it's only setup for the incredible 180 that Scrooge has." Forest explains. "So we have a happily ever after coming, but we have to get through the scary part first."

"Pini..." Happini replies, relieved. I hope Mr. Scrooge does realize how wonderful Christmas is... she thinks as she goes to sleep.

To Be Continued...

 

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 4: The Hour of Judgement

The children dash towards the den, but are stopped when they see Brock in the doorway, a pair of black sunglasses obscuring his eyes. "Tonight's installment is gonna be kinda scary, so I advise all of you that you are welcome to leave the room if it gets to be too much."

"Oh, Brock, quit playing secret agent!" a girl giggles. "I've heard the story before, and I didn't get scared!"

"Me neither!" a boy agrees. Affirmative cheers waft through the air.

"Okay..." Brock smiles as he takes the sunglasses off. "I just wanted to give you the option just in case you got scared." he assures the kids before leading them into the room, where Ash and Dawn are waiting with treats.

After everyone is settled and Brock is in the easy chair, he begins. "When Scrooge awoke again some time later, he was not in the bedroom, but on a deserted street somewhere in town. As he heard the clock strike three way off in the distance, a ghostly figure approached him..."

---------​

Paul wakes up on an icy street as the clock strikes three off in the distance. He shakes in fear when he sees that the houses that were so full of life minutes before are now dark and empty. A ghostly figure appearing to be made from black and white fire is also present, flying in his direction. "I-I-assume you are the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come?" he asks the being as it approaches. As it passes a flickering streetlamp, we see what it is: Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon.

"Indeed I am." Darkrai replies, his deep and oddly pleasant sounding voice reverberating across the dead streets and inside Paul's head. "I am here to show you what has yet to come if you do not change, so that you will turn from your former ways. This street is one of these things."

"B-but I fear you more than the other Spirits! Tell me more!" Paul pleads as he follows Darkrai down the street.

"I could say many things about your future, but Arceus and I think it would be better if you saw what will come with your own eyes--so I will say no more, and let these shadows speak for themselves." Darkrai replies. "Either way, it is not a pretty picture."

The Spirit led Scrooge to a cemetery, where he saw some familiar faces. Brock narrates as Darkrai points out Ash, Misty, the children, and the Pokemon crowded around a small tombstone. Abi is crying the hardest as Pikachu gives him a tearful hug.

"No..." Paul struggles to fight back tears. "Tiny Tim is...now Abi is..." He breaks down in tears for a moment before sputtering in between sobs "I didn't want this to happen! Is there any chance this future can be changed?"

Darkrai says nothing, but points out two undertakers making a new grave. "Some funeral that was!" one comments.

"No mourners, and no friends to come say goodbye..." the other agrees as he finishes preparing the grave. As the two undertakers walk away, Darkrai leads him closer to the grave.

Paul inspects the grave for a moment. "Whose tomb might this be?"

"I thought you'd never ask..." Darkrai laughs. "This tomb is...YOUR OWN!!!" Sure enough, Darkrai's flaming arms illuminate "RIP Scrooge" on the tombstone.

Paul screams as Darkrai uses a Shadow Ball attack to knock him inside the tomb, where fire comes welling up from the casket inside, intent on consuming him alive!

Scrooge hung on for dear life from a tree root, pleading with the Spirit to spare him even as the raging flames approached. Brock narrates as Paul finds a tree root and clutches it for dear life, frantically trying to climb it as the flames race higher.

"Please!" Paul pleads as the tree root begins to give way. "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and keep its hopeful message all the year! I will learn from the Past, influence the Present, and create a better Future!" Darkrai's laughter is all he hears as the tree root finally breaks, making the screen swirl back to the present as Paul falls screaming into the inferno...

---------​

"...Scrooge woke up pleading with the Spirit to let him go, but when he came to his senses, he found that the Spirit had gone, and he was merely struggling with the bedsheet." Brock continues, making some relieved giggles fill the air. "After feeling around him and reassuring himself he was safely back in the house, he decided to look outside just to be sure he was not still trapped in things yet to come...and that is where we end our tale for tonight."

"You had me scared, Brock..." a girl comments.

"Now see? Scrooge just had a big nightmare and fell out of bed." Forest assures Happini as he dries her tears.

"Pini pi?" Happini asks, her eyes shining through some worried tears.

"Yeah--you'll see how Mr. Scrooge was dramatically changed before Santa comes tomorrow." Brock assures Happini as he carries her upstairs.

To Be Continued...

 

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 5: A True Christmas Miracle

"Pini?" Happini asks as Ash brings her inside the den.

"Just be patient, Happini...we'll hear the end of 'A Christmas Carol' after Dad finishes his own story." Brock assures Happini as Pikachu and Piplup romp in the room.

"I forgot Flint likes to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' every year on Christmas Eve." Ash notes as Dawn brings in the tray with that night's treats.

Dawn peeks in the rec room just as Flint concludes "...But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, 'Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'" The children, now in their pajamas, applaud at this.

"If you'll come join us in the den, we have one more story to finish." Dawn begins.

The children cheer and race to the den, just as Brock settles in the easy chair.

"Pini..." Happini smiles at Pikachu as she bites into a bell shaped cookie.

Once everyone is settled, Brock begins. "Scrooge ran to the window and opened it to find that the city was just as it was before, and bustling with activity as Christmas bells ringing filled the air..."

---------​

Paul throws open the window and gasps joyfully as he hears bells ringing in the distance. "It's Christmas morning!" he cries. He spots May walking on the snowy street below. "Hello, good lass! Might you know what day it is?" he calls to her.

"It's Christmas, of course!" May calls back.

Of course it's Christmas--that means that everything that happened last night was all true! Praise to the Great Arceus, for he has made me a new person! Paul smiles to himself before calling down to May again. "Do you know if the large roast Combusken in the meat shop is still there?"

"It was when I passed it just now." May replies.

"Would you be so kind to buy it and have it delivered here?" Paul asks. "I'll pay you a thousand credits in return!"

"Really?" May gasps once she realizes who is asking the favor.

"Do it quickly and I'll pay two thousand!" Paul replies.

"Okay!" With that, May darts off down the road.

Paul dashes about the room getting ready as Brock narrates. Scrooge got ready as quickly as he could, tidying up every room in the mansion all the while. He laughed so much and smiled so large, people thought he'd gone nuts!

"Merry Christmas, one and all!" Paul yells into the cold winter air, surprising May, Ethan, and Lyra as they approach the house.

"What's gotten into you, Mr. Scrooge?" Lyra gasps as Paul gives May two large coins in return for the Combusken.

"You turned us away before!" Ethan agrees.

Paul just ignores the questions. "Good morning to both of you! Please accept this little donation from me!" He snatches Lyra's hat off her head and fills it with coins.

Ethan balks at the amount. "It can't be!"

"Twenty thousand credits--and you're serious?" Lyra is just as surprised.

"That not enough?" Paul asks before snatching Ethan's hat and filling it with even more coins. "Have another fifty thousand!"

"It's a miracle...we have enough to give to the poor for three months at least!" Ethan smiles.

"I'm not through yet!" Paul then showers Ethan and Lyra with coins. "There...a hundred thousand credits in all, and not a credit more!" He laughs as he dances down the icy road to a melody he only seems to hear.

Lyra surfaces from the mountain of coins some seconds later. "I'd say the real miracle is Scrooge's changed demeanor!" She yells after Paul "Thank you, and Merry Christmas!"

Word about Scooge's changed personality spread like wildfire through the town, and while some pondered whether it was an act or not at first, they only needed one glance and maybe a gift to see that the transformation was very real. Brock narrates as Paul dances down the road, giving things to people.

He then spots Barry walking down the road. "Morning, nephew!"

"Uncle?" Barry gasps. "Are you okay? The town's buzzing with rumors that you've changed!"

"Indeed I have...and I'm looking foward to Christmas dinner with you." Paul smiles.

No way--the rumors are true! Barry isn't sure what to think at first. "You mean you're coming after all?"

"How could I not, when there's candied Berries and gingerbread to be had?" Paul laughs. "And chocolate mint pie with whipped cream, too!"

"I'll make a place for you immediately, Uncle!" Barry laughs as he continues on his way.

"I'll be there at two, sharp!" Paul calls after him. "Make sure everything's piping hot!" With that, he continues down the road.

But Scrooge's biggest surprise was saved for the Cratchit house... Brock narrates as Paul approaches the house with the roast Combusken and a bag of books and toys and knocks at the door. Although he wanted very much to put on an air of his former arrogance, his happiness just overwhelmed him.

Ash gasps when he sees who is on the stoop. "Mr. Scrooge...what are you doing here?" he wonders as he lets Paul in.

"You're not raising the rent again, are you?" Misty worries.

"No..." Paul replies. "I'm doing one better..." Misty's lower lip quivers as she fears the worst. "I'm giving you a raise!"

Ash's mouth hits the floor. "Honest?" Misty gasps.

"Y-you mean it?" Ash agrees.

"And even better--I'm making you my new partner!" Paul continues. "While I can't even begin to ask your forgiveness after all the years I have mistreated you and your family, I hope these gifts are a small step towards making amends." With that, he unveils the roast Combusken, the toys and the books.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!" The children run over to the bag of books and toys and start playing with them.

"Merry Christmas..." Paul smiles as he hugs Ash, Misty, and Pikachu.

"And Arceus bless us, every one!" Tiny Tim interjects as he moves a black king over one of Abi's few remaining red pieces on a checkerboard.

"Ma..." Abi sighs when he sees he lost the game of checkers, but smiles when he concedes victory to his master.

Paul fishes a book of fairy tales from the bag. "Come now, who wants to hear a story?"

"I do!" The children abandon their toys and crowd around a chair as Paul sits down.

Ash and Misty smile as Paul invites Tiny Tim and Pikachu into his lap and begins to read. "There was once a king in a far away land that had an odd custom...."

Brock narrates as Paul continues to read. Scrooge made good on his promises to give Mr. Cratchit a raise and make him his new partner, allowing Tiny Tim to get the care he deserved. He became his partner's closest friend, and eventually the whole town knew him well--even the naysayers had to admit he was a new person. The scene swirls back to the present as Abi tries to get a look at one of the book's pictures.

---------​

"But he never forgot what the Spirits had taught him--from that Christmas on, he was a happier person, and a true definition of a Christmas miracle." Brock concludes. "The end."

"Bravo!" Terra leads the applause as Brock takes a bow.

"Great performance, as always." Flint agrees.

"I look foward to it every year as much as the children do." Lola adds as she escorts the children upstairs.

"You have to, considering he only tells it at Christmas." a boy replies.

Dawn looks over at Ash. "By the way, have you heard from Misty at all this Christmas?"

"Just this Christmas card..." Ash replies as he shows Dawn a Christmas card depicting a line of Squrtles in Christmas attire. "Why?"

"I wonder what she would say if I told her you wanted to marry her..." Dawn sneers sneakily.

"Wait, what?????" Ash gasps in surprise.

"Kidding!" Dawn replies as she musses Ash's hair and plops his cap on top. Everyone laughs as Ash blushes, embarrassed.

THE END

Characters, names and all other indicia are trademarks of their respective owners