I stared at my Pokégear while soaking my feet in Erica's gym's pond while my Dragonair and Dewgong were playing around in the water. I was staring at the message she sent me awhile back, asking me if I wanted to come to a Christmas party Blue was throwing.

I received this message on the same day I went to Mount Silver when I didn't have any signal, so there was no way I could have seen it. This party was about a week away, and I have no idea if I should go or not.

"Sorry I kept you!" Erica came running from another hallway with a big coat, gloves, boots, and a beanie on "I had to make sure I have enough layers! The cold and I don't do very well" she looked at my feet soaking "You're not cold?" I stood up and went to sit on a chair to wipe my feet dry.

"Not really. The cold doesn't really bother me" she held her chin.

"I can see that, since all you wear is a coat and shorts. What's the point, if I may ask?"

"Don't get me wrong, I do get a little cold, but it's funny how you take it to the extreme" I giggled.

"Well..." she blushed "I'm a grass type trainer! Just like the plants, I'm not use to the cold as much! I may get sick as well" she waved her hands "I don't go outside as much during the winter season, but I was asked to help you find an outfit for the Christmas part! Let's go shopping now!" I put my boots back on.

"I don't think it's a good idea for me to go. Blue threw this party, so I doubt he'll want me here"

"Don't worry about him! He's just a little grumpy" she giggled "He probably does not remember you, so you'll be our guest. Many of the girls are excited to see you again" I blushed and looked down.

"I'm surprised that all you girls remember me... We only met once at the surprise party"

"It seem like so long ago, but I will never forget what you've done for me" I shyly smiled "Some of the others were probably too drunk to remember that night, but the girls haven't forgotten"

"That's old news. I'm sure anyone would had done the same" I waved my hand and walked to the exit "come on. Let's go shopping"

"O-Okay!" She followed after me through the city she works in, Celadon city. We walked over to the largest department store in Kanto and went up to the dress department where there were dozens of dresses. Erica started looking for one of her own while I leaned against the wall, watching how crowded the place was due to the holiday spirit.

This year will be my official Christmas with friends and family. I'd often spend holidays alone or on the job, taking bonus cash from clients who wish me a Merry Christmas and all that.

I didn't really mean anything to me. I felt pathetic that I couldn't celebrate with anyone, not even Pichu. Going to my aunt wasn't an option either, but now I have so many friends and have a family growing... I'm happy things have became different.

"Valerie!" Erica called me "You're not going to pick out a dress?"

"Shopping isn't really my thing" I looked at the elevator, seeing if our other friends would show up like they said they would "I'm not really a dress person"

"You're not? But didn't you use to wear short skirts back in that job of yours?"

"It wasn't my choice to wear something so sexualized" she quickly blushed and looked down, looking embarrassed. I just chuckled at her innocence.

"R-Right! I'm sorry... I didn't think of it that way" she looked back at me "but I think a dress would look nice on you! The others would agree! You'll see" I smiled at her determination and looked over at the elevator letting out Misty, Janine, Jasmine, Whitney, and Karen... Huh?

"Everyone! Yoo-hoo!" Erica waved to us. Karen was the first to see me and quickly ran to attack me with hugs that overwhelmed me due to her leaning on me.

"Kitty!" She rubbed her face on my head "I'm so happy to see you!" I groaned and pushed her off me.

"Call me that again!" I glared, getting annoyed of hearing that nickname over and over. I calmed down when seeing Jasmine looking at me surprised "Jasmine" Whitney jumped to the frame "Whitney" I looked at the Kanto girls "I didn't know you guys knew each other"

"Well, we are part of the league" Karen shrugged "I know all the gym leaders and they know each other" well, that makes sense.

"I'm very surprise to see you here" Jasmine smiled "That makes it all better!" Whitney faced her.

"What do you mean?" She asked "Was she a normal trainer to you?"

"Hm? No way! She risk her lift to save Ampharos in the lighthouse! There was a big storm up ahead and she went to the next city across the sea to get medicine!" Whitney gasped amazed. I was a bit embarrassed.

"Whoa! Really?! I first met her when I had no money left for ice cream and she bought me some after a trade!" She put her hands together excitedly "What's better, she saved me from getting close to Team Rocket who took over Goldenrod!"

"Oh yes! I heard she was the one that disband them!" My face felt very hot at that moment. I didn't expect to be praised like this.

"Oh! You were the one that did that?!" Janine grabbed my shoulders in shock, surprising me "You're just like Red!" She laughed. I looked down, hiding my face. This... This is so embarrassing!

"Well, sort of" Karen giggled "She challenged the Pokémon league, but didn't end up winning. I believe she'll become champion when she's not focused on other things"

"Not bad" Misty grinned "You're more amazing than I thought"

"I.. I wouldn't say that..." I frowned "in the end, I only participated so I could become stronger. All I could think about was getting stronger to prove myself, but when I went up to Mt. Silver and challenged Red, I couldn't even defeat one of his Pokémon"

"You went to Mt.Silver?" Erica gasped "Wait... You met Red?!"

"Well... I technically did, but we were in the middle of a blizzard. He most likely didn't see me"

"If you couldn't see each other in that blizzard, how did you know it was him?"

"Well... I just knew, but what gave it away was that he had a Mewtwo" the Kanto girls confirmed with a nod. I sighed and hid my face with my hair "We had a battle, but he was so strong... I figured it was a waste of my time to try to fight him. I didn't stand a chance!" I frowned "All this time, I was trying to get strong so I could prove myself... but I-"

"No you didn't" Karen pointed at me "You got stronger for yourself! Sure, it may seem off that you were getting stronger for him, to prove you were worth helping, but getting stronger made you free" I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah... That's it, but still..."

"Red does not care how strong you are" Janine held her hips "I don't know why you have to think you have to be worth something for him to notice you, but he already has! What happened? He end up winning?"

"Well..." I explained that he disappeared when one of my Pokémon was about to cause trouble, not explaining about Giratina hatching and wanting to murder someone for my safety.

"He just left?" The Kanto girls looked at each other confused.

"I'm sure it's nothing" Karen waved her hand "His time was probably coming close to an end"

"Where's Lorelei?" Janine asked. The Kanto elite four?

"She's busy, I couldn't really convince her to come with us" Karen faced me "What are you going to wear for the Christmas party?"

"What? You're coming?" I asked.

"But of course! Almost everyone that attended the party at the strip club will be there. Blue created the event, after all. He didn't personally invited me, since he didn't know the Johto league yet, but we all met causally this year and I was invited. You don't mind, do you?" I snorted.

"As long as you don't dance"

"This is an appropriate party!" Erica blushed "Everyone should be sober!" Everyone laughed and comforted her, assuring nothing crazy is going to happen. I smiled at her innocence and looked at Karen smiling at me.

"Seeing that you were leaning on the wall when we arrived, I'm guessing you're not going to buy anything?"

"I'm not really good at giving gifts" I looked at the dress department "And I'm not that big on dresses either. I mean, cute summer dresses are fine, but for special occasions? Not my thing" she pulled on my hand "hey!"

"You should wear something that matches your hair! Something lavender? Silver?" I tried pulling back, but the girls pushed me over to try as many dresses as possible. It was a bit annoying, but I did enjoy my time with everyone. I couldn't really complain.

I walked around the department store with a dress wrapped in plastic so it wouldn't fold. It's so embarrassing that I end up buying something like this, but whatever. This will be my first time enjoying special events! I have to at least go all out or nothing at all.

"I should probably wear a jacket over it" I told myself, walking around with Misty at the makeup department while the other girls scattered to buy gifts. I stepped away from the small area and stared at the section where there were scarfs of all colors "Should I bother getting something for him?" I thought to myself "I'm going to be paying him back the money I owe him, so..."

"Hey" I almost screamed when Misty snuck up on me like that "Sorry! Didn't mean to scare yah!" She showed me a makeup pallet of neutral colors "I think this pallet would be nice for you! You can never go wrong with something neutral. Maybe some glitter for your eyelids?" She pulled me back to the makeup and searched for some glitter and ended up finding lipstick "What's your favorite shade?"

"Make up? You already got me to wear a dress! Why would I wear makeup?"

"Hey, I'm the tomboy mermaid and even I'm wearing makeup" she waved around the pallet "get use to it. We should at least look decent at a party. I don't like it, but I want to look my best at a special occasion" she rubbed some samples on the back of her hand.

"Do I have to..?" I sweat dropped. Do special occasions really have this much effort? I hate putting makeup on! But if it's for a one time party like this or New Years, I guess it's not a big deal "Pink rose" I said. She looked at me confused before looking for a pink rose color and held up a pretty shade.

"Looks pretty good. Let's get it!" She ran off to collect some makeup to buy and handed me the entire bag. I lifted my hands, blinking confused "This is my Christmas present to you!"

"W-What?!" I looked in the bag to see everything a face of makeup needs, including foundation that was close to my color, blush, bronzer, lipstick, highlight, eyeshadow, mascara, and glitter! "What are you talking about?!"

"Christmas. Present" she repeated "It's a present for you!"

"It was expensive!" I frowned.

"I'm a gym leader!" She shrugged "Not a big deal" I looked at the bag in my hands "Expect a lot of gifts at the party. You know how the girls are with you" I looked down "What's wrong?"

"I... I don't deserve this special treatment. Erica ended up buying my dress..." she patted my shoulder and laughed.

"Don't worry about it! It's not everyday you get gifts! Accept them! Giving gifts are meant to make the other person happy! Be happy!" I sighed and smiled, accepting it. I'll need to do something in return "Speaking of gifts... When is your birthday?" I looked at her confused and told her. She froze and stood there for a minute. Probably knowing why she ended up like that, I scurried over to the scarfs again, thinking if I should get one or not.

"Valerie..." Misty came back to me "Your birthday... Is it really the day after Reds?" I faced her "That's... Mind blowing! You mean to tell me that you worked under Blue's stupid request at that one night stand with the conditions you've faced?" I smiled.

"Birthday or not, I did my job because of the money. I never celebrated my birthday, Misty. Karen doesn't even know my birthday. I found it unnecessary, like holidays. I was alone and hated everything. I starved a lot and was alone, not wanting to involve anyone in my life. This year has been different, and I'm looking forward to better things" she took my hands, confusing me.

"You deserve everything, Valerie. For a girl who took on Team Rocket on her own and helped so many people, you're incredible. Don't even feel bad about losing to Red either. He spent a lot of time alone battling. I don't think you even got the chance"

"Yes, that's right. I don't feel as bad anymore... I'm looking forward to this party. Are you good with makeup?" I shook the bag "Wanna do it for me?"

"Yeah!" She cheered "and I see that you have your eyes on the scarfs. Would be a pretty good gift for someone who likes being in the mountains" I blushed, making myself obvious "Wanna know something? Aside from having the name Red, it's actually his favorite color" she pointed at a row of different shades of red scarfs "But I honestly think it's better if you made it with your own hands. Can you knit?"

"Hm? Oh, yes"

"You can?!"

"I had a client that would often request me to listen to him talk about his problems and he ended up teaching me how to knit. It was pretty weird, but I think I still know how to do it" her face went completely red.

"C-Clients... R-Right" I nodded, not wanting to feel shame "What else have they caught you?" I thought about it.

"Well, those kinds of clients are rare, but I have had a few. The one who taught me to knit always came for the same reason and taught me every time he ask me to go to his house or whatever. I had another guy who just wouldn't shut up about his girlfriend being toxic, taught me how to juggle" I shrugged "pretty useless, but whatever" I could tell she was uncomfortable, so I stopped and walked to a different department of the store and found the arts and crafts section. Looks like I'm going to make something for someone who may not even remember me... that's alright. It'll make me happy if he ends up liking it <3

The girls and I had a pretty fun day Christmas shopping and eating at some food stands that gave special Christmas special foods. It was a memorable day and I can't wait to go to the party and be with everyone! I never been so excited to be around a crowd of people!

"You seem to be enjoying yourself" Auntie smiled, making some hot chocolate on the stove while I set a bunch of shopping bags on the floor with some gifts I got for some of my friends "Got anything for me?" She teased.

"Maybe" I winked and took out my supplies to make a scarf

"You can knit?"

"Yeah!" I hugged the soft maroon colored yarn, excited to get started "I'll be in my room!"

"Oh! Hold on!" She stopped me "We have some guest coming in a bit. Help me clean a little" guest?

At that moment, the bell rang "Don't tell me they're here already!" Auntie went to open the door and saw Lance coming in with some groceries "Oh! It's you! I thought it was our guest coming early" she sighed in relief. Lance chuckled and moved out the way, letting Dawn jump out of nowhere with a cheer.

"We're here!" I dropped my things and gasped, hurrying to hug her "Valerie!" She laughed and hugged me back as happily as I did. What a surprise!

"You two met?" Auntie gasped, standing beside Cynthia smiling at us.

"You can say that" Cynthia chuckled "She helped us recover the creation trio. Seeing that you don't have anything in your hands, I assume Giratina hatched already?" I nodded proudly.

"Awesome! Same with us! There was no warning either! Where did Giratina end up hatching? What happened?" I nervously laughed, ending up telling her the full story.