Wow…the end already? Here I hoped to make it to the big 10 on this. Oh well! I hope you guys read, review and enjoy away! Drink some hot cocoa, munch on candy canes, fall off the roof trying to assemble lights (but remain unharmed)…all that usual stuff.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Sunlight hit Kate's face, opening her eyes. She groggily woke up and took a look around. The couch. Kate was on the couch back in Vientown, Almia. Not Aimla castle. No shaymin, Star, Seven…or Keith.

Wait…where's Keith? Where was the buizel nutcracker? Kate looked through the pillows and around the couch. Nothing. Nada. No nutcracker. Kate searched through the Christmas tree frantically. That nutcracker had to be there! But he wasn't. The buizel nutcracker, and Keith, was gone.

Had it all been a dream?

"No, no. It felt real." Kate whispered. "It was too real to be a dream!"

But there was no nutcracker. No evidence that it ever happened. Kate had woken up in normal clothes and not as a princess. Besides, Aimla was just Almia backwards (or switched letters). Talking pokemon? Curses and magic? Keith, a prince, falling in love? And with Kate? It could only happen in dreams.

Kate sat back on the couch, feeling a rush of emotions. She liked the dream…a lot actually. Felt magical and amazing. Almost real. But it was too real. Kate felt like she fell in love with a fantasy Keith. The real one was probably off in a faraway region, not even thinking about her. Probably would still tease her too if they'd ever meet up.

"ARECEUS! My head's killing me!"

Crawford came into the room, holding an ice pack was held to his afro-head.

"Gah! What a night…I'm never mixing milk pudding with eggnog again!" Crawford moaned.

"No kidding. It was like getting drunk without the alcohol." Luana dizzily stumbled in as well.

"You guys!" Elaine whispered. "Kate still might be asleep!"

"I'm awake." Kate told them. "And recovering from an eggnog-pudding hangover…"

Most likely explanation for the dreams anyways.

"You know, a common hangover cure from Hia Valley dictates that one must drink pickle juice…" Elaine smirked.

"I'M CURED!" Crawford cried out dramatically. "I'm magically cured from a hangover! Christmas miracle!"

"Huzzah!" Luana cheered as Elaine laughed.

"Ok, what's with all the huzzah's?" Barlow chuckled as he came into the room. "Hey Kate! I was just finished with a phone conference with Professor Hastings. Thanks to you saving the ship full of pokemon, you're being promoted! Top Ranger #11!"

"Me?" Kate gasped. "I-I'm a top ranger?"

"Yep! And the Union's asking you to come over there immediately." Barlow replied.

"On Christmas? Odd request." Elaine commented.

"Bawww! I'm gonna miss you!" Luana bawled, hugging Kate. "Things were so much interesting since you came to Vientown!"

"No, Kate brought excitement. Crawford made things interesting when he first arrived." Elaine corrected.

Everyone laughed and talked over breakfast, congratulating Kate for her promotion. They'd toast with eggnog or milk had they not chugged it down the previous night. There were promises of visits and staying in touch. Kate packed up her stuff into a small knapsack, gave her goodbyes and set off for the Union.

The Vien Forest was covered in snow; a beautiful white Christmas. Kate managed to trudge through it and on her way to her new location. So wow…top ranger. Was it a quick decision by Professor Hastings? Or had he known the previous night and neglected to tell Kate? Either way, it put Kate in very high spirits. Perfect Christmas present!

Not many people out in Pueltown. A few little kids playing in the snow with new sleds. Everyone was out celebrating with their friends and families. Kate would've been with the gang in Vientown. Now she was off to the Union to meet new people. It'd be a little awkward to celebrate with strangers, assuming they'd celebrate at all. But Kate would have to take a deep breath and go for it. She could manage. If she survived the insanity that was Vientown base, surely she could take on the Union and whatever was inside.

Kate had never been to the Union but she did know its general location. Through the forest path from Pueltown and beyond Peril Cliffs. One stairclimb and there it was. The grand building known as the Union. Strange….it almost resembled Aimla castle in some ways. Ack! No! Dream! That was a fantasy! This was real.

"KATE!"

From the doors, someone burst out and gave a hug-tackle. Took a moment for Kate to realize who it was.

"Rhythmi!" Kate exclaimed. "Wow it's been forever! What're you doing here? Weren't you assigned to Oblivia?"

"They relocated me! I've got skills!" Rhythmi giggled. "And they assigned me as your operator! We can talk, hang out and do stuff again!"

"Talk about Christmas magic!" Kate said.

Rhythi grinned. "Shocking isn't it?"

Huh? What the…?

"Come on! There's people waiting for you!" Rhythmi started dragging Kate's arm. "Hurry! Let's go go go!"

Kate was suddenly yanked through the Union doors. The lobby was impressive…though it was only a glance. Rhythmi was taking Kate upstairs to the second floor. There were a few people who stared at Kate but with warm smiles. Nice to see people were friendly.

"Ok we're here!" Rhythmi suddenly stopped, causing Kate to crash into her.

"Warn me before you do that!" Kate sweatdropped.

"Rhyth! Don't break her before initiation!"

Two more figures came out. Whoa, whoa, whoa. The green haired girl and the cowboy…they looked like Star and Seven! Was it…? Could they…? No it couldn't be. Probably mere coincidence. Their stylers said top ranger so maybe they were featured in the newspaper. Could be where Kate got the Union picture stuck in her head.

"Shouldn't you two be kissing under mistletoe somewhere?" Rhythmi pouted, then turned to Kate. "These guys are top rangers too. Any questions that I don't know, you can ask them."

"So basically I'll be asking them all the questions." Kate joked.

"Zinger!" The cowboy high-fived her. "Name's Sven. And this is my partner, Wendy."

"We're superstars! All seven days of the week!" Wendy winked.

Hold on. Superstars? Seven days of the week?

"Wait a sec…" Kate blinked. "Are you guys…?"

Wendy and Sven glanced at each other with devious smirks. Kate was about to question them when Rhythmi grabbed ahold of her.

"Well the meeting starts soon! You'll have to wait in the meeting room for Professor Hastings to get here." Rhythmi said.

Before Kate responded, the blond operator began shoving her across the floor. Kate shouted protests but it fell on deaf ears. The meeting room door was slid open and the about-to-be top ranger was shoved inside.

"Hey!" Kate exclaimed as the door slid shut. "Rhythmi!"

Damn. She locked it. What the heck was with her? Suddenly acting weird…Sven and Wendy in on something…being pushed into a meeting room….all of this seemed so strange. What was going on?

"It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

Kate spun around, hearing someone else in the meeting room. A silhouette stepped forth, coming into the light. A very familiar person at that; wearing a fine styler and rangers uniform.

"K-Keith?" Kate gasped.

He looked as Kate dreamt; taller, muscular and more handsome than their meeting at ranger school. His eyes shimmered brightly with that green hue that made Kate melt. She was torn between an aching love from her dreams and fear he'd make fun of her like old times. As Keith came up to her, Kate's heart was pounding like a drum. Felt like it'd explode!

Keith has a mischievous expression as took Kate's hand, as if he held some sort of secret. Something was placed inside of the girl's hand.

"I believe this is yours, pigtails." Keith said.

Kate opened up her hand. A golden locket…the same one from her dreams. The girl blinked once. Twice. She looked up into Keith's eyes which were twinkling brightly.

"Nutcracker…" Kate whispered, her cheeks pink.

Keith smiled, giving Kate all the assurance she needed. His hand caressed her check softly as his other hand slid around her waist, embracing the girl.

"It wasn't a dream…it really happened…" Tears of joy slipped past Kate's eyes.

"It did." Keith murmured, drawing his face close to hers. "And now we're together again. No magic in the world will separate us ever again. I love you, pigtails."

"I love you too, nutcracker." Kate's cheeks lit up.

Slowly, both filled with absolute love for the other, the princess and once-nutcracker closed the gap between them with a kiss.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

THE END!

Not bad eh? Finished a lot earlier than expected but hey. Not the quickest story by far. Shortest besides my one-shots? Yes.

Thanks for reading, reviewing and enjoying! Merry Christmas to my awesome readers and to anyone else viewing! If its not Christmas at the moment you're reading, then get yourself some festive spirit!

If you liked my epic story (and assuming you're not a regular reader), then check out my other crossovers or, better yet, one of the main-series fanfics! I've got quite a few on our adorable little couple. *wink, wink, nudge* And to my regular readers, YOU ROCK! GO YOU!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good….something. YAY FOR CANDY CANES!