December 24, evening.
The Pokémon Theme Park in Jubilife City.
The Theme Park had already closed, but a small private party was underway beneath the giant Christmas tree in the Central Plaza.
Snowflakes drifted gently down over the Theme Park, and a huge Christmas tree stood in the middle of the plaza.
It was covered with lights shaped like Poké Balls and Pokémon, twinkling with a warm glow.
Red, Blue, and the others had arrived one after another yesterday. Red and his friends had helped put up all these decorations.
Li Wei and Brock were busy at a makeshift cooking station, preparing a sumptuous dinner for everyone.
Brock's Sudowoodo helped out beside them, clumsy but earnest.
Meloetta floated beside Li Wei, softly humming an ancient, beautiful melody.
The song seemed to hold a touch of magic, enveloping the bustling plaza in a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.
As the hostess, Cynthia was entertaining Diantha, Sabrina, Lorelei, and the others, though their conversation was all about food.
Diantha swirled her glass of red wine. "A new place opened in Lumiose City..."
Sabrina said softly, "There's a place in the Alola Region that makes delicious baked pancakes... They even held a Mallow Competition for them."
Cynthia asked curiously, "Do you like baked pancakes?"
"I do."
"Xiao Meng happens to be planning to make some today. You should try plenty."
Cynthia had also mentioned baked pancakes yesterday.
With weather like this, something hot would be perfect, so Xiao Meng had decided to make them.
While they chatted,
Pikachu, Piplup, Pachirisu, Buneary, and the other adorable Pokémon chased one another around the plaza.
They accidentally bumped into Arcanine, the police dog, who was grooming his fur.
Rather than getting angry, Arcanine gently lowered his head and licked them, making the little Pokémon squint their eyes in