[Pokémon] The Feriado Town Festival (Christmas-fic)

[Masquerainisthajam]

A/N: For this Christmas occasion, I decided to write a fanfic that takes place after the Grand Festival, but before Ash's Sunyshore Gym Battle. So enjoy and Merry Christmas! This the Feriado Town Festival!

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The Feriado Town Festival – Part One
"With All the Bells and Whistles!"

Ash and friends are on their way to Sunyshore City for Ash's next Gym Battle when they are confronted with a gentle snowfall. They all look around in sheer amazement at the snowflakes gliding gently down from the sky and sticking on the ground as they walk through the forest trail.

"A snowfall!" Ash says to the Pikachu over his shoulder. His Pikachu smiles back at him.

They are looking around when all of a sudden, they hear a familiar voice up ahead.

"Come on, Zo-Zo! You need a little more kiai!" the voice shouts in a somewhat squeaky fashion.

"Is that who I think it is?" Dawn asks, her Piplup resting on top of her hat.

"I think so," replies Ash. "Let's go and see!"

The group runs to a small clearing in the woods and they see two familiar faces. On one side stood the Gym Leader of Snowpoint City, Candice Senior and her Abomasnow. On the other side was Dawn's main Contest rival, also from Snowpoint City, Zoey and her Glameow. They were wrapped in a very intense battle.

"Abomasnow, use Wood Hammer!" Candice commands her Pokémon. The Frost Tree Pokémon's arm glows a light green and it runs toward Glameow. But Glameow stands its ground.

"Glameow, stop that with your Iron Tail!" Zoey tells her Pokémon. Glameow charges toward Abomasnow, tail glowing a solid white. It then proceeds to whip its tail in front of itself, stopping the attack altogether. Abomasnow is surprised at the turnaround of this match.

"Now, Shadow Claw!" was the next command given to the Catty Pokémon. Glameow jumps to the side, causing Abomasnow to fall to the ground. It sticks out its paws and they are covered with a dark aura. The aura shapes itself into menacing claws. Then Glameow heads for Abomasnow, meowing ferociously. The hit lands successfully as Abomasnow falls backward on the ground.

"Shadow Claw one more time!" Upon her command, Zoey's Glameow once again heads toward Abomasnow with the same menacing dark claws.

"Abomasnow, Ice Shard!" Candice commands. Her Pokémon starts to generate a bluish-white ball of ice. But Zoey isn't concerned at all.

"Glameow, Fake Out!" she says. Glameow approaches the grounded Abomasnow about to attack, but instead it claps its paws together, sending a shockwave of air through Abomasnow, making it flinch and unable to use its move. Glameow then does a backwards flip and stands in front of Abomasnow.

"Abomasnow!" Candice cries.

"Let's wrap this up with Iron Tail, Glameow!" Zoey commands. Glameow then runs toward Abomasnow with its tail glowing a pure white. The tail is whipped, making full contact with Abomasnow's head. Candice's Pokémon crashes further into the ground and faints.

"So I guess that's it then, Miss Senior!" Zoey says as her Glameow purrs, rubbing itself around its owner's legs.

"I guess so," says the Gym Leader as she returns her Pokémon back into its PokéBall. "That was a very good battle with excellent kiai, as usual!"

"I agree," Ash says as both Zoey and Candice turn to see him and gang in complete surprise.

"Hey Dawn, Ash, Brock," Zoey says with a smile. "I didn't know you were here."

"Yeah," says Dawn. "We were caught up in the battle you were having with Candice. How's being Top Coordinator treating you?"

"It's great," Zoey replies with excitement in her voice. "But tiring! I've had so many interviews in just this week alone. It's crazy! But it's worth it. I needed a break, so I came to this forest with Miss Senior for another battle."

"She's doing great!" Candice interjects. "She needs to keep her Pokémon in tip-top shape. Just because she's a Top Coordinator doesn't mean that she's off the hook in training!" She then focuses her attention on Ash. "So Ash, how's the journey coming along?"

"It's coming along great!" Ash says with a smile, clenching his fist. "I'm just about on the way to fight Volkner at the Sunyshore City Gym! But, aren't you supposed to be at the Gym right now?"

Candice giggles. "Remember, Snowpoint City is waaaay up north," she says. "Not a lot of Trainers go there, so I have all the time in the world!"

"I guess so," adds Brock.

Everyone laughs and has a great time until they hear an enchanting chiming noise.

"What's that?" Dawn asks out of curiosity.

"I don't know," Candice replies as the gang looks around, trying to pinpoint the chiming's location. Then they hear another sound, a melodic and captivating sound, almost like one playing an instrument.

"Now another sound!" Ash says. "But it sounds so amazing!"

"And captivating!" adds Dawn.

Pikachu's ears prick up and it calls to Ash, telling it that it knows the origin of the sound. It starts to run away.

"Pikachu! Where are you going!" Ash shouts out to his Pokémon. They all run after it. Moments later, they see an interesting pair of Pokémon, a Sunflora and a Chingling. These two Pokémon were responsible for the beautiful music they were creating. When the group looks around, they hear a voice from in the trees.

"Hello, my friends! It's a surprise to see you once again!"

The group looks up. Seated on the tree branches and strumming on his Mew shaped harp is none other than the traveling minstrel Nando.

"Hey, it's Nando!" Dawn says out loud.

"Nando?" asks Candice. "Oh, that's right! I battled him not too long ago! Didn't you beat him at the Grand Festival?"

"That's him!" Zoey replies with a smile on her face. "It's good to see you again, Nando!"

"It's good to see you, too, Top Coordinator!" Nando responds, jumping off the high branch and landing safely behind his Pokémon.

"What are you doing out here?" Ash asks the male Coordinator.

"Well, I'm going to take part in a music festival in Feriado Town," he replies.

"Feriado Town?" asks Zoey.

"Yes, Feriado Town," Nando continues. "Like I was saying, there is a music festival going on in Feriado Town and I am planning to enter. It is very similar to a Contest, except the end prize is not a ribbon, but a music note plaque and the key to the city."

"Really?" Dawn inquires. "Sounds fun!"

"Also, we do not have to worry about using just music. They're doing a special Christmas themed festival, so any kind of moves that relate to the Christmas spirit helps."

"Hey, that looks fun!" Ash exclaims. "I'm joining!"

"Why not? I'll join, too!" chime Zoey and Dawn.

"What about you, Candice?" asks Nando.

"Well, I do have my Gym to take care of, but why not?" she says. "I'll take part in it, too! I'm going to show them my kiai!"

"Oh boy, there she goes talking about kiai again," mutters Ash.

"Then it's all set!" affirms Brock. "Nando, will you escort us to Feriado Town?"

"Certainly, my friends," replies Nando. "If you will follow me this way…"

To Be Continued...​

 

[Astinus]

I'm kind of rusty when it comes to reviewing, so this might not be as coherent as I want. But I figure since your thread didn't have any replies to it, why not try?

First, let me say that I like how you're writing like this is an anime episode. That's one of my favorite things to see in Pokemon fics, and since you're writing about anime characters, it makes sense.

One thing you need to watch out for is your tenses. Are you more comfortable writing in present-tense? I ask because most people find past-tense easier to write in, and you seemed to slip into writing past-tense for a few sentences.

"Now, Shadow Claw!" was the next command given to the Catty Pokémon.

Like here you say "was the next command" and then finish the paragraph in present-tense. To keep it the same, it should be "is the next command..."

Another thing you could maybe work on is your battle writing. I'm not the best at writing battles (it's one of my least favorite parts of writing Pokemon fanfiction!), but I'll give some advice that helped. You'll want to avoid using words like "then" when writing them. With battles, everything needs to flow at once, like no one is pausing. Words like "then" tend to imply that. So maybe work a bit on getting the battle to flow from one move to the next.

But your battle was good in the fact that you described the Pokemon attacking. They didn't just "use Shadow Claw". You described both how the attack looks and how the Pokemon looked when using the attack.

Really all I can comment on. I haven't seen the anime in years, so I'm not too knowledgeable on how the characterization is. But from what I know, you were good at keeping everyone in character. Everything looks good.

Definitely keep writing!

 

[Giratina ♀]

Well, for one thing, you may want to consider removing the formatting for fanfiction posts. Fortunately, large Century Gothic isn't that disruptive, but it does get a little strange to read through such large text. And some people have computer screens that might make the text ENORMOUS. So... yeah. Probably a good idea to keep it at generic Verdana/Tahoma/whatever.

So, Astinus pointed out most of the things here. I've just got a few comments to make here. For one thing, anime episodes are about half an hour, right? I've seen people write chapters of a fanfic in an anime episode fashion, wherein each chapter is one episode. Most of them were the length of a sane man's one shot, which definitely could have worked here. It would have also improved the feeling that everything was a connected episode, not just multiple chapters of a larger story. (And besides, this bit seemed a little short in the first place.)

And second: Nando. Though he seems to be in character for the most part (along with the rest of the cast), there's just something a little bit off about some of the things he says. He's not the type to waste words, you know? So I find it a little strange for him to be answering questions with, "Yes, [name of object here]. As I was saying..." Of course, our character interpretations may be different, but when canon characters are involved I tend to say their lines with their voices in my head and... well, these kinds of things pop up. XD

 

[EmeraldSky]

Very interesting so far--I'm wondering how a music festival will connect to Christmastime.

If you need song (or story) ideas, just ask and I'll be happy to help

 

[Masquerainisthajam]

A Swablu Christmas!

The Christmas Town Festival – Part Two
"A Swablu Christmas!"


Ash, Dawn, Brock, Candice, Zoey all follow Nando through the snowy forest. Dawn looks at Nando's Chingling and pulls out her PokeDex.

"Chingling, the Bell Pokémon," it says. "It emits high-frequency cries that people can't hear. Once it starts, it can cry for an awfully long time."

"So Nando," Zoey says. "Since when did you pick up a Chingling?"

"I had actually caught it on the way to Mt. Coronet," Nando replies. "It makes great music when it jumps around."

"I see," Brock says. "With Nando using music as a theme for everything he does, I guess that owning a Chingling was a good idea. His Pokémon are strong, especially with his Grass and Bug-types."

"I know, he is surprisingly strong!" exclaims Candice. "I thought I would win since I had the advantage for the most part!"

"Yes, I do remember the battle," says the traveling minstrel. "That Abomasnow of yours was a tough one indeed."

"You know it!" Candice shouts. "But I guess it's really true when they say that music calms the savage beast. Your Kricketune really put that into perspective."

"Thank you," Nando responds. "It was a pleasure challenging you."

"It was my pleasure to present you my badge!"

As the group continues through the forest, they encounter an interesting sight; what were once snowflakes are now golden lights floating in the air, like fireflies in a summer night. These special lights are flickering and following each other continuously. Enchanting music is heard throughout the trees. The ground pathway under their feet is slowly being replaced with a cobblestone walkway. As the forest clears, they encounter a collection of buildings and streets lined with the same golden lights. They are now walking on the cobblestone sidewalks around this new place.

"Welcome," says Nando. "To Feriado Town."

A collective gasp enraptures our heroes.

"It's so beautiful!" Dawn remarks, her Piplup sighing at the sight.

"This is just amazing!" says Candice.

"Exactly," says Nando. "I was doing my usual traveling when I came across this place. They have a theme for just about every holiday known to man and Pokémon."

Ash's stomach grumbles. He and his Pikachu awkwardly laugh it off.

"I guess I was so wrapped up in this excitement that I didn't think about eating!" he says.

"I'm glad you mentioned it," Nando responds. "The Pokémon Center is up ahead."

Everyone walks up to the Pokémon Center. The doors slide open revealing a large lobby area. Various trainers are tending to their Pokémon. Christmas trees with Poké Ball ornaments are located in the corners of the building. Green and gold garland are draping all over the ceiling, sparkling from the overhanging lights. In the center behind the kiosk is Nurse Joy, wearing a Santa hat instead of a nurse's hat. She greets the group with a warm smile.

"Hello everyone and welcome to the Pokémon Center! How may I help you?" she says. She is suddenly taken aback by Brock holding her hand while on one knee.

"Nurse Joy!" he says in jubilation. "Never before have I seen someone so beautiful!"

"Uh-oh," sighs Dawn. "Here he goes again!"

"I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, my love," Brock continues. "I would love to roast Chesto Berries over an open fire with you and then spend a lovely yuletide by the fireside where we can make joyful memories ther….AAAAH!"

Brock's speech of love is rudely interrupted by another one of Croagunk's Poison Jab.

"I…guess…I'm getting…nuttin'…for Christmas!" Brock says while falling to the floor in agonizing pain. Croagunk drags him away.

"Nando, it's great to see you again!" Nurse Joy says to him. "Are these your friends?"

"Why, yes," the minstrel replies. "They want to enter in the Feriado Festival."

"That's wonderful! Who's going to enter?"

"I do believe everyone is going to enter, including me!"

"Okay, I will need some identification. Contest passes or a Pokédex will do."

Everyone reveals their information: Ash presents his Pokédex, Dawn, Nando and Zoey show their Contest Passes, Candice presents her identification as a Gym Leader and Brock shows his Pokégear. Nurse Joy registers their information on the computer in front of her.

"Okay! You are all set!" Nurse Joy says. "Now what part of the Festival do you like to be in?"

"There's more than one part?" Ash asks.

"Yes, my friend," Nando replies. "We have the Christmastime Battle which is one-on-one battling and the Yuletide Jamboree which involves Contest-style techniques or song and dance."

"Yes," affirms Nurse Joy. "You can either battle or show off your Pokémon."

"That's great!" shouts Dawn. "I'll do the Jamboree!"

"You shall see me in both events!" says Nando.

"I've got the Battle!" says Ash.

"Me too! My Ice-types have excellent kiai!" adds Candice.

"I'm doing both!" says Zoey.

"Wait a minute," Dawn interrupts. "I thought you had something against people doing Contests and Battles!"

"You can contribute that to Nando!" Zoey responds. Nando smiles at Zoey, glad to know that he inspired her.

"And I will do both also," a mysterious feminine voice speaks from behind them. Everyone turns around and sees a girl wearing the traditional tacky Christmas sweater adorned with red and green snowflakes on a white background. Her blond hair is tied in a ponytail, held up with two candy cane sticks. She is also wearing large candy cane rimmed glasses with jeans and black tennis shoes. On her shoulder is a Swablu.

"Oh my goodness," Candice says while trying to restrain her laughter. "That is a great sweater!"

"Why thank you! I take that as a compliment," the lady responds.

"Who are you?" Ash asks.

"My name is Noelia," the lady replies. "I'm the Gym Leader of Feriado Town."

Ash, Nando and Candice's curiosity are all piqued.

"So, you're a Gym Leader?" Candice asks. "I am too! I'm Candice. I run the Snowpoint Gym."

"Ooh, a fellow Gym Leader!" Noelia exclaims. "What do you specialize in?"

"None other than the Ice-type!"

"Well," Nando says. "I have been looking for another badge."

"What do you specialize in?" Ash inquires.

"Well since this is the Christmas holiday," Noelia replies. "I wanted to match the warmth of the holiday spirit with the coldness of the outside. So I decided to specialize in two types, Fire and Ice!"

"An interesting combination!" Dawn comments. "I've used that combination once before!"

"Really?" asks a curious Noelia.

"Yeah!" says Candice.

"Totally!" piggybacks Zoey. "We helped Dawn with that combination before the Daybreak Town Contest."

"Because two things that don't seem to go together…" starts Candice.

"Actually works together really well!" finishes Noelia. "Exactly! I think you and I are going to be good friends!"

"I hope so!" declares Candice. Nurse Joy walks up behind the group.

"I bet you are all hungry after coming all this way here," she says. "Why don't you help yourself to some holiday snacks!" She points to the café. "Everything is behind that door over…"

Before Nurse Joy could even finish the sentence, Ash and Pikachu speed off into the designated room, leaving behind a trail of dust.

"There…" she finishes, awkwardly smiling at the situation. "So enjoy yourself!"

"You bet!" is the simultaneous reply.

While the group chows down on holiday treats, hot chocolate and coffee, Team Rocket approaches the counter that Nurse Joy is standing behind. Jessie is the first to walk up, her hair exactly like her Coordinator alter ego, Jessilina.

"Hello! I would love to enter the Feriado Festival!" she says. "After all, I know I'm going to win!"

"That might be what you think," Nurse Joy responds. "Do you have any identification?"

Jessie brandishes her Contest Pass. "I might not be Top Coordinator, but I'm going to show that twerpette a lesson!" she yells.

"Oh wow, such enthusiasm." Nurse Joy says nervously as she takes Jessie's Contest Pass. She spends a few seconds to register the information.

"Okay, you are registered. What do you want to take part in? The Christmas Battle or the Yuletide Jamboree?"

"Of course, I'll do the Yuletide Jamboree!" she shouts.

"You are good to go! We will see you tomorrow afternoon!"

"Oh thank you so much! It's time to get my revenge!"

Team Rocket leaves the Pokémon Center laughing maniacally, leaving Nurse Joy bewildered at the sight.

Meanwhile, Ash and group along with Feriado Town's Gym Leader, Noelia, are enjoying some holiday treats and eggnog.

"So Noelia," Dawn says while she takes a sip of hot chocolate. "You specialize in Fire and Ice-types. Why do you have a Swablu?"

"That's simple," Noelia replies while taking a bite out of a Christmas tree cookie topped with red and green icing. "I always have a Pokémon that throws off my opponent. As you can see," she points to her Swablu as it is nibbling on some cookie crumbs, "My Swablu is a Normal and Flying-type. I can interrupt a good strategy if they plan on winning by the advantage."

"That's just like me!" Candice exclaims, her arm in the air holding a snowflake shaped cracker. "I have a Medicham, which is a Fighting and Psychic-type instead of an Ice-type. I love it!"

"I almost lost to her Medicham," Nando pipes in. "Its Fire Punch knocked out my Sunflora."

"Really?" Noelia asks. "That's interesting!"

Noelia looks at her watch. All of a sudden, she realizes something.

"Oh my goodness," she shouts. "I have a challenger meeting me in 15 minutes! I can't believe I forgot!" She glances at her new friends. "Excuse me, but it was nice knowing you all. I'll see you in the Yuletide Jamboree tomorrow! Good-Bye!" And with that, she runs out of the Café with her Swablu on her shoulder.

"Well," Candice snickers. "I guess there isn't a dull moment with her around. I still can't get over that tacky sweater she's wearing!"

"Are you looking forward to the Jamboree tomorrow?" Zoey asks Dawn.

"You know it!" Dawn replies to her. "And I will win it all!"

"Not if I win it first!"

Everyone laughs at the ongoing rivalry between the two. After a while, after more treats and drinks, the group decides to call it a day and turn in for the night, dreaming about their future battles together.

*****​

It's a cold and snowy afternoon as everyone gathers to the Holly-Jolly Stadium for Part One of the Feriado Festival. The group meets in the preparation room ready for the Yuletide Jamboree to begin. The sounds of shaking snow from clothes and boots fill the room while everyone is preparing for their moments onstage. Everyone is dressed in their Contest attire and they are all talking together until Noelia walks through the door. She is dressed in a white blouse with a red and white striped skirt that drapes to her knees. She is also wearing red stilettos. Her blond hair is tied into two pigtails. Noelia approaches the group.

"So Dawn, Zoey and Nando, are you ready to go?" she asks.

All of them give the thumbs up, except for Nando, who is strumming on his double Mew shaped harp. Jesselina is watching the group, gritting her teeth at the fact that the "twerpette" and her friends are in the Jamboree as well.

"I will take them down one-by-one," she mutters under her breath. "Pretty soon, it will all be mine!"

As people are filing in the stadium, a sound like sleigh bells can be heard everywhere. Everyone looks around for the source of the noise. Suddenly from the ceiling, they see four Stantler wielding reins, running down on a pathway being created by a Glaceon, pulling a sled carrying Marian to the floor. She steps out of the sleigh, wearing an elf costume with an elf hat, holding microphone in hand. As she is about to speak, the crowd goes silent.

"Welcome one, welcome all to Day One of the Feriado Town Festival!" she announces. "We are so glad you can make it!"

The audience roars and the participants' tensions are mounting.

"We will begin Part One of our Festival with the Yuletide Jamboree, where the battle meets the Contest. Everyone must show something related to the Christmas spirit in their Performance Round to advance. We have a special guest judge. Let's just say that he knows if you've been bad or good. Please give a Feriado Town welcome to Chris Cringle!"

Out of the sleigh rises the man responsible for toy deliveries around the world. He is wearing a headset with a microphone built in.

"Thank you so much that you can make it!" Cringle announces, giving a hearty laugh. "We promise that we will show the best appeals for the eyes and soul!"

"Here are our other judges," Marian says while motioning over to the judges. "First up is the chief of the Pokémon Activities Committee, it's Mr. Contesta!"

"Thank you, Marian," he says. "I'm looking forward to the Christmas season and the rest of this festival!"

"And next is the head of the Pokémon Fan Club, Mr. Sukizo!"

"Feriado Town and Christmas is remarkable!" he remarks.

"And last but not least is Feriado Town's very own Nurse Joy!"

"I'm looking forward to the moves used today. I hope it will warm my heart and soul with their passion," Nurse Joy declares.

"And I am your humble host, Marian. Now let's get on to the Double Performances where the highest ranking scores will move on to battle in the Christmastime Battle the next day. And our first participant is ready. You're on!"

The curtain rises, revealing Noelia. She closes her eyes and throws her Poké Ball in the air.

To be continued...​