A Pokémon Christmas

Chapter 1

“Energy X! You’re so dead when I find you!” I heard Alan scream from the other room. When he ran past me, his face was covered in whipped cream and he was struggling to keep a stern face. I knew that he wasn’t upset, because Alan never got mad. He could be strict sometimes, but that was because he loved us.

“Is he gone?” Uncle X whispered, poking his head out from behind the back of the couch where I was sitting. His face was practically glowing with mischief.
I smiled. “Yeah, but he knows who did it.”
“I know, I know. What he doesn’t expect is that I have another trap laid out for him.” He smirked right as we heard another angry yell followed by a crash. “And there goes the bowl of flour that I had above my bedroom doorway.”
The sides of my mouth twitched with the efforts to smother an amused smile. I shouldn’t encourage him, but none of his tricks were ever mean or meant to hurt others. Besides, he always cleaned up after his pranks and made sure that clean clothes were ready for whoever he pranked with a messy bag of baby powder or a bucket of milk.

“Well, I guess that I’d better get back to cooking.” Uncle X said, standing up and brushing the dust bunnies off of his weathered blue jeans. I don’t know what Uncle X’s real name is, but he’s always insisted that we call him that.
After he stood up, I could get a better look at him. His unruly hair was surprisingly tidy this morning, brushed into acceptable rows most likely by his hope to please his brother, Alan. However, thin hairs on his chin was evidence of his neglect to shave this week. He wanted to grow out a beard, much to his brother’s distaste. But disagreements were common between them. A red festive sweatshirt was how he usually dressed during the holiday season. I suppose that I should blame his fun-loving nature for that.

“Can I help?” I asked, looking up at him with begging eyes, already knowing what his answer would be.
He clutched his heart in mock surprise. “I wouldn’t leave you out of anything, Keirra. I don’t even know how I’d live without my partner in crime.” He reached down to ruffle my hair, which was now covered in flour from his dusty hands.
I laughed happily and glanced at Gary, who was reading a book from his favorite leather reclining chair by the fire. “Do you want to help us, Gary?” I asked giving him the same begging look.
Gary looked up, his carrot orange, top-heavy hair bobbing when he moved his head. “Not this time, Kee. I’m hoping to finish this book before I have to return it to the library.”
Looking at my downcast expression, he smiled warmly. “I promise that I’ll make it up to you next time.”
I sighed. “Okay. I can wait.” I slumped my shoulders, counting to three for what I knew was coming.

“I guess that this book can wait until later this evening.” Gary sighed, pretending to be upset. But I knew better. I had peeked into his studio earlier this morning while he was working. I could see that he was in the middle of one of his latest masterpieces; a snow covered meadow full of Pokémon.
Every single one of his paintings included Pokémon. It was just part of his art style. And each painting was something new. An open prairie with Patrats and Watchogs, a cherry orchard in full bloom and dotted with Cherubi, and even a diamond mine with a Diancie in the center of it, casting her glow all around.
The one that he was working on now would probably be his best one yet, but I wanted a closer look for myself.
“You want to see my painting, don’t you?” Gary’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. My smile was enough of an answer to his question that he took my hand in his and guided me to his studio.

I stopped in my tracks and glanced at Uncle X. He was smiling and shooing me away with his hands. “Go have fun. I can manage the cooking by myself for one meal.”
I smiled back and followed Gary as we made our way to his art studio. As we walked, Gary regarded me with a wistful look in his eyes. “You’ve never seen a Pokémon before. Isn’t that correct?” He asked softly, his voice curious but calm at the same time.
I shook my head. The only Pokémon that I’ve ever seen were in sketch journals or Gary’s paintings. I didn’t get the chance to answer before we reached the end of the hall. Gary pushed open the door to his studio as I took an awestruck step inside. There were windows everywhere and paintings adorned the wooden walls. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the colorful canvases. It was almost like there was something magical about each one.

“Gary are you home?” A voice spoke up gruffly from the exterior door to Gary’s studio. “I have someone that I think wants to see you.”
My eyes widened as I spied the bundle of white fur in the man’s arms. It had a tint of icy blue in the fuzz on its head and lush cottony tail. I gasped when it met my eyes. They sparkled with a power and strength that I’ve never seen before.
“That’s an Alolan Vulpix.” Gary whispered in my ear, making me jump. My head swiveled to look back at the fascinating creature as the man stepped inside. After the gentleman closed the door, he unwound the scarf from around his face, allowing me to finally recognize him. It was our neighbor, Micah.

“It’s chilly out there, am I right?” Micah’s face had a few scars on them and his hands were deeply calloused from handling rough books for many years. He stomped the snow off of his boots and gently set the white Vulpix on the stone floor of the studio.
“We’re supposed to have a white Christmas this year.” Gary looked contemplatively out the windows, watching the snow fall in rapid flurries. “I think that we might even be stuck here for a few days.”
Micah gave an exhausted sigh. “This means I won’t be working at the library for a few days.” In truth, most people would be happy about a free excuse from work. But Micah was different. He loved the library.

The white foxlike creature gave a small whine from where it sat at Micah’s feet. He smiled and picked it up. “Don’t worry. We’ll be back after the holidays.” He comforted it, stroking its soft fur.
“How can you understand it?” I gaped, still captivated by my first glance at a Pokémon.
Micah chuckled softly. “First time?” He asked Gary, who smiled and nodded. He turned back to me and got on one knee to meet my height. “Her name is Holly and she likes being pet.”

Hesitantly, I extended a shaking hand to pet her. A quick sneeze startled me and caused me to jump. “Don’t worry, Keirra. She doesn’t bite.” He soothed, giving the tiny creature a soft pat on the head. I trusted Micah enough to know that he was telling the truth. The power behind Holly’s eyes wasn’t scary. It was more of a gentle power that promised protection.
I reached out again, this time with more confidence. Holly sniffed my hand and I shivered. Her breath was warm, but had an ice cold hint to it. The closest thing that I could think of was a freshly made peppermint cookie.
I carefully moved my hand towards the puff of hair on Holly’s head. My hands were shaking as I gently stroked her. A purr of delight made me freeze, but I smiled and continued petting.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Gary whispered, sitting next to me with a warm smile on his face. I didn’t have an answer. I was too enchanted with the wonder in front of me. “She’s the star of my next painting.”
I finally managed to avert my attention to Gary’s painting. I gave another gasp when I saw it. Icicles like crystals dangled from a frozen willow tree as a creature stood powerfully in the middle of the frozen branches. Snow dotted the landscape and was tinged blue beneath the creature’s feet. Its breath was creating the winter wonderland that it was surrounded by. It took me a couple moments to realize that the unfinished creature was Holly.
I looked down at the sleeping Vulpix with wonder. Was she really capable of that much power?

“I’d better head back before the storm gets any worse.” Micah grunted, getting back to his feet. “I trust that Holly will be safe here with you.”
Gary nodded. “Of course. We’ll take good care of her.”
Micah smiled and wrapped the scarf back over his face. With a wave, he opened the door and disappeared into the flurry of white.
I waved back and looked down at Holly, who yawned and curled up on one of the paint tarps Gary always had handy. I couldn’t believe my luck. I would get to spend an entire Christmas with a Pokémon.