December 31st

Sunday

1996

5:00 P.M. 

Nick and Ritha are both playing in the hotel suite living room, having fun with some toy vehicles they had gotten for Christmas many days ago. The pup was playing with a street cleaner toy, while his friend enjoyed pushing around a fancy pink limousine that made engine sounds. Angelina was watching over them, making sure nothing went wrong. 

Both of the kiddos are wearing t-shirts, along with white diapers with a tropical flower pattern. Both of them had a light pink and blue shirt respectively. 

The Marbettes invited the Morrisons over for a small party on New Year’s Eve, both parents of the respective families were conversing with each other while drinking tropical cocktails. It was Lonstan’s decision to host this event in their hotel suite.

People were gathering on the streets of Hau’oli City, getting ready to celebrate the end of the current year. Many were standing around, waiting for the Tropical Star Drop to occur. This is an Alolan tradition that was similar to the Silver Star Drop in the Unova region.

At the top of a steel flag pole is a glass star fitted with two-thousand colorful lights, situated in the center of the road. It’s constructed with two medium-sized steel hollow cylinders, with internal wiring and switches that controlled the movement of the star. When the event is done, its taken apart and transported back to original destination until next time.

“I’m so glad we’re friends instead of enemies, your acts of kindness really opened my eyes. I’m really enjoying celebrating New Year’s Eve with you!” said Ritha. 
“New Ywear’s Eve?” asked Nick.

“You don’t know what that is?!” the vullaby asked in a surprised tone. 

“Nuh-uh.” said the pup.

“I’ll explain it to him.” said Angelina as she walked over to her brother, kneeling down to his eye-level.  “New Year’s Eve is the day everyone gets together and celebrates the end of the year. Its filled with wonderful parties, and a big countdown clock that shows how much time until the new year comes in!”

“Where it go, sissy?” the little fighting-type asked. 

The little pup wasn’t sure how to phrase his question, especially when trying to ask about where the old year was going after the new year came in. His linguistic skills weren’t quite perfect yet, but there has been great progress towards improving his speech.

“Where does it go? It fades into the past, little brother.” said the grass snake.

“But… what if I dwon’t want it to go?” asked Nick.

“Don’t worry Nickster, I’m sure you’ll love nineteen ninety-seven!” said Angelina as she cracked a smile and patted her little brother on the head. “Perhaps someone will invent robots that help change diapers!” 

Both of the little children laughed together in response to her statement, while their mothers headed over to the living room sofa and sat down. Angelina chuckled, figuring it was a pretty funny thing to say. Ranae looked over at her little boy, and gently grabbed him with vines. Placing the pup in her lap. Randa would do the same. 

“And with a new year, comes new changes.” said the serperior.

“Changes?” asked Ritha. 

“Yes my daughter… we all change and grow with time.” said Randa.

“Oh, I see.” said the vullaby. 

Lonstan joined them in the living room and turned on the television, switching the channel over to the news station. Nick and Ritha curiously watched the screen. There was a live broadcast of the Tropical Star Drop being done by the Hau’oli City News station. A female newscaster in long blonde hair and a tropical pink dress was on the scene, reporting on the entire event with her silver and gold trimmed wireless microphone. 

“Alola, and good evening! This is Hau’oli City News! I’m Sasha Malitz, reporting live from outside the Grand Gumshoos Hotel!” said the woman as the camera focused on her, making sure to get her whole body on video. “Today is a wonderful night for the Tropical Star Drop, an Alolan tradition that takes place on the final day of The Weeks of Kindness!” said the newscaster

The camera panned over to the large silver star standing atop the tall flagpole, shining brightly on the people that gathered around. It was a magnificent work of art that garnered the attention of the people! The lights on the object changed colors every thirty seconds, since it was on a timed rotation. Near the top of it was a big digital clock that was counting down to the new year: It was currently at six-hours before the beginning of nineteen-ninety seven. 

“This year’s Tropical Star was designed by Aether Tech Inc: a great and reputable company known for its computer and lightbulb manufacturing! This shining star can change to many colors, such as these examples: Red, Yellow, Blue, Silver, and even Gold! There is a total of two-thousand small light-bulbs fitted on the star itself!” Malitz stated.

Nick and Ritha were amazed at the colorful display of lights that were being shown, it was so beautiful to them. It was like a shiny diamond shining in the night.

“Reminds of the Unova Star Drop.” said Randa.
“Yeah, it’s very similar. I’m glad we’ll be able to watch it before we head home in two days.” said Angelina. 

“It must’ve taken a lot of time to install those lightbulbs.” said Ranae.

“So pwetty!” exclaimed the pup.

“It’s wonderful!” said the vullaby. 

“It’s unfortunate that the kids can’t stay up too long. They’ll unfortunately miss it.” said Adrian who came in from the kitchen after washing some drinking glasses. 

“Yeah, they need their sleep.” said the grass-snake. 

The pup and baby bird sighed with disappointment, since they wanted  to watch the Tropical Star Drop as well. Both mothers noticed the sad looks upon their face, and felt bad that the younger kids couldn’t enjoy it with them. 

“I know how sad you feel, but I don’t want you being a grouchy baby in the morning.” said Ranae as she rubbed her son’s back using one of her vines.  “Maybe when your a little older.”

“Don’t worry my daughter, when you get older… you can stay up for the whole thing! Baby birds need their beauty sleep after all.” said Randa. 

“Okay…” they replied in a saddened tone.

Lonstan looked to his son, and cracked a short smile. The gallade came up with an idea on how to make the little kiddos happy for a moment. He walked over to his son and knelt down to his eye-level. Nick looked at his father curiously, wondering about what was going to happen next.

“How about I order some pizza, will that help you feel better sport?” asked the gallade.

The pup was excited at the idea of having pizza, since it was one of his favorite foods. He began wagging his tail as he stood up and jumped around. His sister and mother giggled at how energetic the little guy became. 

“Yes daddy! Pizza! Pizza!” said Nick.

“Alright sport, I’ll get room service to bring it up!” said Lonstan as he went over to the nearest phone in the room and dialed the number for room service. 

Their mothers decided to give their youngest children a gentle back massage, in order to help them relax after being disappointed about the news they received. After the pizza order was phoned in, the gallade put the phone down and went back inside of the living room to rejoin his family.

“The pizza will arrive in one hour and thirty minutes, the kitchen has many pizza orders to fill today because of today’s festivities. It’s quite popular it seems to get pizza during this time.” said the gallade. 

“That makes sense, by the sound of that… they must have pretty good pizzas.” said Adrian. 

“I’d be surprised, because we haven’t tried an Alolan Pizza before.” said Randa. 

“Now you’ll have that opportunity,” said Ranae. 

Both families spent time in the living room, watching the television while they waited for their meal to be made and brought to the room. Nick and Ritha kept playing with their toys, even swapping them around so they could play with different ones that they received for Christmas.

****

December 31st

6:30 P.M

Sunday

While they were watching television, there was a knock at the door that interrupted the moment. Lonstan got up and opened it. A butler in a gold and silver trimmed tuxedo was standing outside with a steel dining cart that contained one large pizza.

“Here you go sir, one large pepperoni and cheese pizza.” said the butler. 

“Thank you, we appreciate it!” said the gallade as he picked up the pizza and brought it to the dining room table. Placing the box gently on its surface. 

“Have a wonderful new year!” said the man as he walked away with the empty dining cart. 

The scent of the greasy yet comforting food wafted through the entire room, making the two babies hungry for a delicious meal. Angelina chuckled at her little brother drooling, and got a napkin in order to wipe his face off before picking him up. Randa gently grabbed her daughter and brought her to the dining room table. 

The high-chairs were already set up, so they didn’t need to worry about doing so before having dinner. The grassy-snake put her little brother into the high-chair, with the mandibuzz following suit. Both of the little kiddos watched as Lonstan got out the plates and put a slice of pizza onto each. 

“Dinner is served, dig in everyone!” said Lonstan. 

“Thank you dear.” said Ranae as she sat down with the rest. 

“Not a problem, I figured it’d help cheer up our little boy.” said the gallade. 

Angelina would grab a plate of pizza for Ritha and Nick, making sure to cut it up so they could properly eat it without worrying about them choking on it. The rest of the plates would be distributed to each person at the table afterwards, the pizza looked very well done. 

Everyone began to eat their slices of pizza, and were quite surprised by the sweet taste of the crust that touched their own tongues. It was a new experience for all of them, something beyond the usual taste they get from pizza back in the Unova region. 

“My goodness… its wonderful! It’s like tropical fruits mixed with pizza dough, never thought that could go together.” said Ranae.

“It’s a marvelous blend of flavors, the perfect amount of sweetness!” said Adrian.

“How about you kiddos? Do you like this pizza?” Angelina asked while looking at Ritha and Nick. 

“We love it!” they exclaimed together.

“I’m glad you two are enjoying this! Make sure to eat every bite!” said Lonstan. 

“Yes dada!” exclaimed Nick.

After each slice of pizza was entirely consumed, all the empty plates were placed in the middle of the dining table. The pup and vullaby were taken out of their high-chairs and brought back to the living room to play with their toys for a while, being given bottles of milk. Just in-case they were feeling rather thirsty. 

Adrian made sure to grab all the empty and messy plates, bringing them to the kitchen so he could get them washed and put back in the cupboard where they belonged. The gallade appreciated his help, and said to him “Thank you, I appreciate it the most!”

“Not a problem, I’ll meet you in the living room. Go ahead and join your family.” said the honchkrow. 

“With pleasure.” said the gallade as he went into the living room. 

The gallade sat down next to his wife, watching as his own son played happily with his friend while his daughter watched over them. Randa would sit and watch the count-down that was displayed on the lower left of the screen. Nick handed a toy monster truck over to his new friend, watching as the baby bird smiled and exchanged it with one of her own toys: a small pile of pink PokèBlocks.

“Thanks Nick, it’s a nice monster truck.” said Ritha. 

“Your welkies!” said Nick.

The little pup began to build little block towers with the pink play blocks he was provided, not minding the color of them. All he cared about was having fun with his new friend, for they had plenty of toys to amuse themselves with. There wasn’t any concern about anything being stolen since the vullaby no longer hated the shiny fighting-type. 

*****

A few hours later…. 

Nick and Ritha let out some loud yawns while playing with some toy cars together, which meant that it was bedtime for the little pokèmon. It was now exactly four-hours until the Tropical Star Drop happens. Adrian picked up his daughter, carrying her gently in his feathered arms.

“Time for bed, my precious baby bird.” said the honchkrow. 

“Dream time for you, little brother!” said the grass-snake as she picked up her little brother.

“Thanks for being here tonight, hope you have a pleasant new year.” said Ranae.

“We shall do so, have a good night folks.” said Randa. 

The Morrisons left the room with their daughter, while Angelina headed over to her parent’s bedroom in order to put her little brother into his crib. The pup’s struggled to keep his eyes open, while staring towards his big sister. The grass-type smiled towards him as she used her vines to gently place him into his crib. Making sure to properly tuck him in. 

Angelina grabbed a light-blue pacifier from the diaper bag located near the crib, and gently popped it into her little brother’s mouth, watching as he peacefully suckled on it. 

“My dear little brother, it’s been quite a year with you. We’ve made plenty of memories together, including those moments from last year. They seem so far away, but they won’t be forgotten. I remember when I saw you hatch from your egg, it was a special moment in my life. You are a beloved member of the family, and always will be. Because family isn’t tied to just blood alone, but by those who you are close to. Please remember that. Goodnight, my precious puppy.” said Angelina. 

The grass snake turned on the night-light before shutting off the main light to the bedroom, quietly exiting the room and heading back to the living room. While it was a shame that her little brother couldn’t watch the rest of the countdown, he’d get the chance when he got older.