Chapter 42 - 42 - Holiday Season

December came, and the entire Kawayan City was almost close to be rebuilt and restored. Despite the rebuilding process, Christmas decorations are hung and attached onto lamp posts, footbridges, and other places. This is not just something that the residents and temporary residents would make them cheered up and happy, after Red Eye nearly obliterated their beloved and historical city, but a national holiday the Philas region declared ever since the founding of the region. The traditional European-style and Asian-style homes and buildings are among the first to be finished rebuilt and now adorned with decorations. Christmas caroling are everywhere; Christmas foods and drinks are at almost every table of almost every happy families; and, lastly, the entire 16-foot Christmas tree at the center of Kawayan City's largest plaza was now in construction, expecting to be finished before Christmas eve.

But, for a kid like Rico, it's a season of joy and happiness and harmony. One morning, as people and their Pokémon cooperate with each other to prepare for the holidays, Rico jumped from his bed in his normal house clothes with joy, while his Pokémon woke up slowly and quietly. Rico ran across the room and opened the curtains, then the window, showing the spirit of Christmas being presented everywhere in the city and its outskirts. He then inhaled, feeling the cool, clean breeze blowing across the neighborhood.

"Man, it's Christmas, one of the most joyous seasons of the year," he thought in mind. "Just like every year." He then turned around to his Pokémon with a positive attitude and look, and said, "Are you ready today?" Seeing the positivity of their beloved Trainer, Riolu, Litleo, and Piplup responded with excitement. Then, suddenly, Rosario called them for breakfast, with a note to eat up while it's still hot and delicious. With joy, Rico and his Pokémon opened the door of their room and exited, swinging the door back in normal speed, not shutting it.

Downstairs, Rosario was serving food and drinks on the table covered with a red, blue, and white textile cloth. Lucas was positive, reading in his daily newspaper, having received his Christmas bonus from his boss a few days ago. Rico and his Pokémon ran downstairs and gathered around the table, greeting them good morning.

"Good morning, son," Lucas greeted him back. His Magneton then responded in greeting. Riolu and Piplup then responded in greeting. Rico then grabbed his spoon and fork and eat up, so as to his Pokémon to their special food.

"So today's December, isn't?" Rico asked them in positive comment.

"Yes, it's December 1st," Rosario answered him as she served breakfast. She then sat down and eat up. The atmosphere was warm and lovely, even it's a bit cooling due to the winds. Today is Saturday.

"So what's your plans for today?" Lucas asked his son. Rico think for a while, and then answered his father, "I'm going to have a battle with Kolen, and I...uh...." He then think again.

"You wanna help me make buŧŧer and Christmas cookies this afternoon?" Rosario suggested something helpful.

"Sure! Okay then," Rico responded back upon hearing her. "Then, I'll meet up with my friends at Santiago's house this morning."

"Okay then, son," Lucas responded in agreement. Then, suddenly, a group of kids appeared to their gate, with their simple and homemade instruments, and started caroling for money, a tradition that the locals had kept for generations. Their voices were jolly and young, and most from poor, yet happy families. Upon hearing them from the outside, the family and their Pokémon went outside and opened the gate to see them. The singing was so good and filled with joy and Christmas spirits. The family and their Pokémon are amazed with emotional feelings of cuteness and pity happiness, as like to say "aww....." A minute had passed and when the kids had finished singing with instrument sounds, the Cruz family applause their performance and each of them gave 500 Pokédolllars to each of the kids.

"Merry Christmas, kids," they greeted them. Accepting the money happily, the kids greeted them together, "Thank you, thank you, Merry Christmas!" They then left the property with satisfaction.

Later after breakfast and preparing for the day, by 8:59 a.m., Rico went out with his Pokémon in their Poké Balls to Santiago's house, which is half a kilometer away from his house, and requires an easy, yet memorizing route. So, for Rico, having memorized the route for a long time, turn left, past 3 houses, then turn sharp right, pass two more houses and a little shop, and he's at his friend's house in less than 30 minutes. Upon approaching the front porch door, Rico knocked on it a few times, and then Santiago came and opened the door as answer.

"Oh, Rico, good morning," he greeted him brightly. Two of Rico's other classmates are already inside, eating, chatting, and playing games.

"Good morning to you as well," Rico happily greeted him back, "and Merry Christmas." He then come in and Santiago closed the door normally. Inside the house in the living room, Rico greeted his friends, and called his Riolu and Litleo out of their Poké Balls and they stepped into the scene in positivity. Then in turn, the Pokémon of his classmates, Pikipek and Bulbasaur, greeted them. Riolu and Litleo then responded back with greeting. Santiago came out of the kitchen with a glass of water and a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and crackers and served it to his friends. Rico then get some cookies and eat it with delight, so as his Pokémon to the crackers, eating it with delight. And as he sat down on the couch, Santiago asked Rico a question, "So, what is your schedule for today?"

"Well, after this I'll have a battle with Kolen," Rico announced his plans for today, "then I'll go to the mall to buy a gift for my uncle Lester, and this afternoon, I'll help mom making cookies."

"Wow, that was amazing and noble," his friends commented in amazement and approval.

"Yeah, but-" Rico replied.

"Wait! Wait! Guys, I had something to tell you," interrupted Raymond immediately with news.

"What is it?" Lauro responded in confusion.

"According to last night's news," Raymond told them, "there will be a storm coming from the east and it will hit us by tomorrow." This news stopped them from playing and turned their attentions towards it.

"What? Really?" his friends asked in response.

"Yes," Raymond continued on seriously, "and this morning, it made its landfall on the eastern beaches of the small peninsula of Leron and the city of Galen." Galen is a coastal beach city and where the 5th gym, a Water-type, is located.

"Are you serious?" Rico responded back in retorting.

"Yes, I am," replied Raymond back, "and it might spoil our fun for Christmas." Calming down, Rico replied, "Oh, I see." He then think for a while, "A storm? Tomorrow? Oh, no, it's bad. It might ruin our fun. But I'll just have to wait until next morning." But the question is: Will he adapt the news for tomorrow and accept it, or not? Surely today's schedule would distract him from all that anxious news about a storm.