*Not a part of the actual story. Just a special. Enjoy!*

"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!" Nina said.

"Right back at you, Nini!" Kat said, draping her arms around her shoulder.

"It was sweet of Elise to invite us to Thanksgiving dinner." Eric said.

"Yeah," I said, "A couple of her friends she considers family will be over soon."

It was Thanksgiving Day, and Grandma Eli invited us to dinner. Her food is incredible!

"Jet and Charcoal! Come on out!" I cried.

At my command, my Garchomp and Charizard appeared.

"Think you can fly us to my grandmother's house?" I asked.

The pair nodded and ducked down. The four of us hopped on my Pokémon's backs, and they took the skies in a heartbeat.

"So, what does your grandmother make for Thanksgiving?" Nina asked.

"Macaroni and cheese, steamed veggies, mashed potatoes," I said, "The list goes on."

"Ooh, I'm getting hungry already!" Kat whined, placing her hand over her stomach.

I giggled and shook my head fondly.

They're going to love Grandma Eli's cooking. I can't wait to see what other dishes she has prepared!

That's when I heard a familiar roar beside us. Twisting my head, I smiled when I saw Dragonite.

"Hey, Dragonite!" I cried.

The others smiled and waved. Dragonite let out a friendly cry and started to fly ahead of us.

"Follow Dragonite, you two." I said.

Jet and Charcoal nodded before picking up speed. Once we flew past the clouds, Grandma Eli's manor was in view. When Jet and Charcoal landed, the four of us got off their backs and walked up to the estate.

"You said your grandmother's friends will be there, right?" Eric asked, "Does that mean the rest of the Elite Four will also be there?"

"She does consider them family, so yeah!" I answered.

"Awesome! I can't wait to see them again!" Kat said.

I looked upwards to see Charcoal and Jet flying around with Dragonite. I smiled as we continued up the hill. When we arrived, I knocked on the door and waited. That's when the door opened, and Klaus stood in the doorway.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Klaus!" I said happily.

"And to you, Ms. Eragona," Klaus said with a bow, "Please, come in."

He stepped to the side, and the smell of food filled the room.

Already it smells delicious in here!

Looking towards the kitchen, I saw Grandma Eli taking a pan out of the oven.

"Hi, Grandma Eli!" I said.

She looked up and smiled. When she placed down the pan, she walked up to us and embraced us.

"Welcome, kids." she said, backing away.

"Wow, Elise! You made all of that by yourself?" Kat asked, staring at the food on the counter.

Looking back, Grandma Eli chuckled fondly.

"With the help of my Pokémon, yes," she said, "However, I need some extra hands to help."

She looked back at us with a wink. The four of us glanced at one another with grins.

"We can help!" we said in unison.

Grandma Eli laughed before leading us into the kitchen.

It's been a while since I've cooked with Grandma Eli. And to have my friends help out will be twice as much fun!

"So, what is it that you need, Grandma Eli?" I asked.

"Well, I'm out of a lot of ingredients to make certain dishes, and I don't have the time to run and get them all," Grandma Eli said, "Having you guys here is just the relief I needed."

She then grabbed a notepad and pen and began scribbling down a list.

"If you guys can get these ingredients for me, I'll be able to get everything ready before our guests get here," Grandma Eli said, "Think you can do that?"

"You can count on us, Elise!" Kat said.

The others and I nodded in agreement. That's when a fun idea popped into my head.

"Guys, I just had an amazing idea to make this fun!" I said.

"What is it?" Nina asked.

I took the list from Grandma Eli and showed it to my friends.

"We have a challenge, a race to be exact," I said, "Whoever gets all the items on their list wins."

"That does sound fun!" Kat said.

"I'm game!" Eric said.

"So am I!" Nina said.

"In that case, let me rewrite this list and make four separate ones." Grandma Eli said.

Grandma Eli started writing down four lists by taking the original list from my hand. When she finished, she held out the four lists.

"Each list has four items. Beside each item is where you can find it," Grandma Eli explained, "Remember, you don't have the same items, but some items might be in the same location."

Nodding, we each took a list.

On my list, I need to find Moomoo Milk, Tamato Berries, herbs, and Pecha Berries. Luckily, I know where to get two of those items.

"Follow me." Grandma Eli said.

We followed my grandmother outside and watched as she whistled to the sky. Her Dragonite, Jet, and Charcoal flew down from the sky in a heartbeat.

"Salamence!" she cried, tossing up a Pokéball.

At her command, her Salamence appeared with a mighty roar.

"You'll get to your destinations faster with a little help." Grandma Eli said.

We nodded and walked up to the large Pokémon.

"We're gonna have a little friendly competition," I said, "You guys down for that?"

The four Pokémon let out mighty roars. I got on Jet, Kat got on Charcoal, Eric got on Salamence, and Nina got on Dragonite.

"On your marks, get set, go!" Grandma Eli cried.

At her command, the four Pokémon launched themselves into the sky.

"First, let's get the Moomoo Milk," I said, looking down at the list, "Maidbury City, Jet!"

Jet let out a cry and started flying faster. When we flew past the clouds, the pastel buildings of Maidbury City became visible. When Jet landed, many people stopped to stare. Waving with a friendly smile, Libby, Jet, and I started walking toward the market. I soon saw a stall that was selling Moomoo Milk.

Exactly what I need!

I walked up to the stall with a soft smile. The woman behind the stall looked up and smiled.

"Hello, and Happy Thanksgiving!" she said, "What can I do for you?"

"Happy Thanksgiving," I said, "I'd like a... small case of Moomoo Milk, please."

A small case holds four Moomoo Milks. That should be more than enough.

The woman nodded and pulled up a small case. Paying the woman, Jet, Libby, and I waved goodbye and walked back to the center of the two.

"One down, three more to go." I said.

Jet let out a cry and used his claw to cross out the Moomoo Milk. I laughed and placed a hand on his head.

"That'll work," I said, "Next on the list is Tamato Berries. Good thing I could get the Tamato and Pecha Berries from this town."

Patting Jet's back, he hunched over, allowing me to climb on his back.

"Next stop, Grasmere Town." I said.

Jet let out a cry and flew into the air.

I wonder how the others are doing?

I took out my phone and asked them about their progress.

Kat: "One down, three more to go."

Eric: "Two more to go."

Nina: "Three more to go!"

Looks like Eric's in the lead. That's going to change very soon.

When Grasmere Town was in view, I patted Jet's back for him to land. When Jet landed, I hopped off his back with the Moomoo Milk in hand. Knowing where to go, I walked inside the small town and started heading towards the garden. When I arrived, I saw Nina and Dragonite already there. When the duo saw us, they smiled and waved.

"How many do you have left to get?" I asked, walking up to them.

"Only two more," Nina said, "You?"

I grinned as I walked up to the older woman.

"You're here for berries, too?" she asked.

"Sure am, and what better place to get them than Grasmere Town's berry garden?" I asked.

The older woman chuckled with a fond smile.

"So, what do you need?" she asked.

"Tamato and Pecha Berries, please." I said.

The woman nodded, and she and Florges began picking the berries, carefully placing them in a small basket. I smiled as I took the basket from the Florges.

"Thank you." I said, smirking at Nina.

The redhead scoffed before hopping on Dragonite's back.

"Come on, Dragonite!" she said, "Suncam City, let's go!"

Dragonite let out a cry and took to the skies. Shaking my head fondly, I thanked the woman again before walking back to the town's gate.

"That's two more things off the list." I said.

Jet let out a cry and crossed out the two berries.

"That only leaves us with the herbs," I said, "And I know exactly where to go."

I patted Jet's head as I climbed on his back.

"Ajax Village, Jet." I said.

Jet roared and took to the skies.

If I can get the herbs, I win the race!

I took out my phone and told the others about my progress.

Nina: "One item left as well!"

Kat: "Same! One more to go."

Eric: "Three down, one more to go!"

We're all tied. This is going to be close.

Looking at the clouds around us, I saw a dark, shadowy blob in the air.

Kat...

"Jet, fly in the direction where the Shadow Ball was released!" I said.

Jet obeyed and changed course. I took out my phone and started a call with Eric and Nina.

"Did you guys see that?" I asked.

"Yeah, Salamence and I are heading there now." Eric said.

"Dragonite and I, too!" Nina said.

Putting my phone away, I breathed out a heavy sigh and looked ahead.

"Faster, Jet!" I said.

Jet roared before picking up speed. That's when another Shadow Ball was released, only closer. When we flew past the clouds, I was able to see Kat and Angel fighting against some Team Xenon grunts.

Where's Charcoal...?

I looked around and eventually saw Charcoal, heavily guarded by a Steelix. I then noticed that one of his wings was injured.

Team Xenon must've shot him and Kat out of the sky!

"Jet, use Flamethrower on the Steelix!" I cried.

Jet growled before charging up his attack. He then released a large blast of fire, hitting its mark on the Steelix's head. The Steelix groaned and started staggering. The grunts looked up and growled as I landed in front of Kat and Angel.

"Are you two okay?" I asked, hopping off my Pokémon's back.

"We are now." she said.

Hearing loud roars from above, I looked up and smiled when I saw Eric and Nina, along with Dragonite and Salamence.

"Glad you could make it." I said.

"What happened?" Nina asked.

"Team Xenon happened," Kat said, "With no remorse, they shot us out of the sky! Ugh, I'm sorry, Era."

I shook my head with a sympathetic look.

"It's not your fault," I said, turning back to our enemies, "It's theirs..."

The grunts soon let out hearty laughs.

"What's with all the food?" asked the male grunt, "Going grocery shopping?"

"That's none of your business," Eric said, "Give Eragona back her Charizard, and no one gets hurt."

"Aw, and what are you little brats gonna do?" asked the female grunt.

The Steelix slithered over and let out a deep growl. The Mightyena stepped forward and growled.

"You're not getting this Charizard back," said the male grunt, "We're stealing it in the name of Team Xenon!"

"In your dreams, Team Xenon!" I said, "Dragon Pulse and Shadow Ball!"

Jet and Libby charge up their attacks before launching them.

"Slice through them with Iron Tail!" said the male grunt.

The Steelix let out a low groan as its tail began to glow. It then canceled out both attacks with one swipe.

"Use Flamethrower, too, Dragonite!" Nina cried.

Dragonite roared and released a ribbon of fire.

"Shadow Ball!" the female grunt said.

The Mightyena barked and launched a large shadowy blob. The attack was consumed by the flames, canceling it out. The Flamethrower soon hit the Mightyena, blowing it back against the Steelix.

"Salamence, what can you do?" Eric asked.

Salamence roared before releasing an intense, fiery blast.

That was Fire Blast!

The Fire Blast hit the Steelix, causing the large Pokémon to fall backward.

"Whoa!" Eric cried, "Now that's power!"

The grunts scoffed before returning their fallen Pokémon. The Pokémon all growled at Team Xenon, causing them to back away. That's when the pair bumped into a conscious and angered Charcoal.

"I'd start running if I were you." I commented.

The grunts growled before hightailing it down the path.

What a way to spend Thanksgiving...

I ran up to Charcoal and wrapped my arms around him.

"I'm so glad you're okay, buddy!" I said happily.

Charcoal let out a friendly cry before placing his head on top of mine. Jet walked up to Charcoal and let out a cry. Charcoal smiled and gave his brother a thumbs-up.

I'm not surprised that Jet would be concerned, but it's nice to see that he does care about him.

Charcoal then walked up to Kat and let out a concerned cry.

"I'm okay, Charcoal." she said.

Charcoal let out a cry and started licking her wounds.

"Hey! Don't! That tickles!" Kat laughed.

The others and I couldn't help but laugh as well. Reaching into my back, I took out a potion and a Sitrus Berry.

"Here, Charcoal." I said.

My Charizard walked up to me and ate the berry out of my hand.

"Now, hold still." I said.

I reached up and started spraying the medicine on his wing. Charcoal flinched and groaned.

"I know it stings," I said, "But you don't have to endure it anymore. I'm done!"

Charcoal flapped his wing and smiled. Beating his wings, he soon took off into the sky, letting out happy roar-like cries. He touched down and let out a happy cry.

"You're welcome," I said, "Now, I believe we were all in the middle of a race, were we not?"

"We most certainly were." Nina said.

We all got on the Pokémon's backs and glanced at one another with competitive smiles.

"Go!" we all cried.

The Pokémon all took off into the air before heading in separate directions.

"Ajax Village, full speed!" I said.

Jet roared and started flying faster. When Primeval Jungle was in view, Jet flew into the canopy and landed in the center of the village. The natives stopped and stared before welcoming our arrival.

"Welcome, young Eragona." said one of the natives.

He held out his hand and helped me off Jet's back.

"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!" I said.

"Same to you," the native said, "I am Telutci, one of Chief Chogan's guards. What can I do for you?"

"I'm here for some herbs. Can you spare any?" I asked.

Telutci nodded and gestured for one of the natives to come forth. A woman walked up and handed me a handful of herbs.

"This is perfect! Thank you so much!" I said.

I then placed the herms in the berry basket.

"Of course," Telutci said, "Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!"

With a nod, I took out the list and smiled.

"We're finished! That's all the ingredients we need!" I said happily.

Jet let out an excited cry and crossed out the herbs. Libby bounced back and forth between my shoulder and Jet's, letting out happy cries.

"Come on," I said, climbing onto Jet's back, "Back to the manor!"

With a final wave to the natives, Jet burst through the canopy and flew away from Primeval Jungle. A smile spread across my face as I felt the cool air hit my face.

Now I'm even more excited to try Grandma Eli's cooking!

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard mighty roars. Looking around, I smiled when I saw my friends.

"Looks like we've tied." Nina said.

"Oh, well," Kat began, "Last one to the manor is a rotten Exeggcute!"

Charcoal roared before picking up speed. The others looked at one another before the other Pokémon started flying after Charcoal.

"No fair!" Eric laughed, "We didn't even do a countdown!"

"All's fair in love, war, and races!" Kat said.

"When did you start getting so competitive?" Nina asked.

I laughed at my friend's playful bickering.

"Come on, Jet!" I encouraged.

Jet roared before picking up speed, eventually passing the other Pokémon.

"Oh, no, you don't, Era!" Eric said.

Salamence started beating its wings, soon catching up to Jet.

"Don't count us out just yet!" Nina cried.

Before I knew it, the four of us were neck and neck. When the manor was visible, the four Pokémon roared before picking up speed. Then, all at once, they touched down on the ground.

"Looks like we tie again." I said.

"Yeah. It was still really fun, though." Nina said.

Eric nodded in agreement. Getting off the Pokémon, I returned Jet and Charcoal to the Pokéballs before we walked inside with the ingredients. Salamence and Dragonite flew over the manor with mighty roars. When we entered, we saw some people had arrived: the rest of the Elite Four, Rachel, and some of Grandma Eli's friends.

"We're back!" I called out.

Grandma Eli looked up and smiled. The four of us walked over to the counter and placed the ingredients in front of her.

"This is perfect! Thank you so much," Grandma Eli said, "So, who won?"

"It was a tie," Kat said, "Finding the ingredients and racing back over here."

Grandma Eli chuckled and shook her head fondly.

"Well, now that I have all of the ingredients, I can make the rest of the dishes," Grandma Eli said, "Would you kids like to help!"

"Sure!" we all said.

For the next hour, the four of us helped Grandma Eli prepare the rest of the Thanksgiving dishes.

I haven't done this in a while. It's nice to help out in the kitchen again!

When we were done, Grandma Eli called everyone to the already-set table.

"First, I'd like to welcome you to this Thanksgiving dinner. It means a lot to me that you came," Grandma Eli said, "Every one of you I consider family, and that's what Thanksgiving is all about."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"And I'd like to thank Eragona, Kat, Nina, and Eric," Grandma Eli said, "Without them going out to get the ingredients and helping me cook, we wouldn't be seeing half of the food."

Everyone at the table laughed.

"With that, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!" Grandma Eli said, "Dig in!"

Not wasting a second more, everyone started taking food and adding it to their plates.

Having Kat, Nina, and Eric here celebrating Thanksgiving with me makes me happy, and I'm thankful to have met such amazing people and have made such amazing friends. I genuinely consider those three my family...

*I know I'm late with the upload. Apologies, I was with my family. Happy late Thanksgiving! I hope it was a blessed one!*