It had taken a lot of work, but Josh had finally managed to install the insulators around the ranch. Wearing an ugly christmas sweater his mother had sown as a joke while he had worked out in the cold, he had been accompanied by his new Grookey on this venture. “I still haven’t found a nickname for you…” he muttered towards the Grookey as he examined the things, making sure that they were in working order. Grookey meanwhile seemed keen on imitating everything he did, save for a few seconds later when it decided to give the insulator a curious thwack with its stick.

“Hey! Stop it! God, you’re just like a child. Can’t take my eye off you for a second. You’re just like that little green guy from that movie” he remarked as he removed the Grookey from the insulator. “We need these ready to go in order to keep the ranch warm for the Pokemon who need it, during the winter months. We used to have them on the old ranch, but well, they weren’t really compatible with Lavaridge’s climate so…” he mused aloud as he finished inspection. “Ok, Grogu, this should do it” he remarked, joking about its name before he turned to see the Grookey staring at him. It seemed to respond to the name.

“Huh. Maybe Grogu would work after all…”

@tag

-Notes-

It was a good day to decorate the family tree before Christmas. The kids, the parents, the grandparents, and also the Pokemon. A lot of Pokemon, at that. There was a Charizard and a Dragonite flying overhead getting the ornaments closer to the top, and then there was a Venusaur getting decorations on in quick and precise succession with Power Whip. There was a Blaziken and a Typhlosion each helping the kids see how to put them on, and a Wobbuffet who…

Well, Wob liked to watch.

Lightning, Josh’s Raichu meanwhile, was trying to get the star on top. After some clambering it was finally able to get it up top, and then, to power it…

Down came Thunderbolt.

Shockingly, this worked.

@tag

-Notes-

Sleigh bells were ringing as Josh had gotten up early to feed the Pokemon as per usual. He had checked the insulators first thing. Many of the Pokemon were sleeping in the winter shelters that had been set up to protect them from the elements and the cold, aside from the group that preferred the cold. The hour passed and they would soon begin to stir as Josh finished his rounds.

Looking up, to his surprise he sighted a group of Chingling clattering in the air above.

@tag

-Notes-

The gold star at the top shined brilliantly, to the awe of all at the ranch. From Josh's family, to his Pokemon, or well... He supposed they were all one big family at this point, right? Yes, his family watched on with bright eyes. It had been a lot of work, trying to adjust to living here in Hoenn... The family had been on the move for so long now, it was hard to believe they might finally settle down somewhere.

But in times like these, it seemed like they might finally be home. Where they belonged.

@tag

-Notes-

"Charon, stop knocking down the lights"

Yes, Charon was his Gastly. What, were you expecting someone else? Either way, Christmas Eve was in full swing and Izumi's family had been invited to dinner for a big family get-together. With wife Izumi Yamamura at the helm for cooking crimmas dinner, it was Josh's job to get the house ready for company. The blonde had been cleaning everything from toys the kids left (and nearly fallen down the stairs in the process) to parts from his and his mother's inventing, as well as well, basically everything else, really.

But this was made a bit more difficult by the presence of his Pokemon, who really did not understand the importance of Christmas. Luckily, the promise of the Pokemon getting a share of the Christmas food was eventually enough to calm the curious mons, and even get some to help if it meant getting to the food faster.

One more day.

@tag

-Notes-

Santa and his flock of Delibird had arrived in the night. It was Christmas.

Gifts had been opened, cookies had been baked, and Pokemon were given funny hats to wear while they celebrated throughout the ranch. Christmas was for the whole family to enjoy, and the ranch trembled with the celebration that followed. It was Omni the Aegislash that cut the ribbons off a particularly difficult box that Lyra was having trouble with. It was Lightning the Raichu that ran around picking up gifts for the kids to bring over to them, seeming to know by instinct what was for who. Humans and Pokemon co-existing in perfect harmony.

Pure bliss.

@tag

-Notes-

The holidays had come and passed, but Dragomir Ranch continued on. As Josh and Lightning walked through the frozen ranch to do the morning feedings, Josh thought back on his Gym Battle with Alexei. It had been so long since his journey had started. About a decade ago now, wasn't it? Part of his personal pride hated that he hadn't been able to obtain a Badge until now. But there was also that feeling of accomplishment from actually doing it, after so long.

Perhaps age really was just a number. But now that he had one... He couldn't help but consider going for the others. A chance to prove himself, a chance to do what he should have done a long time ago. Should he?

@tag

-Notes-