Chapter 1

Miracles

-Bree-

Do I believe in miracles? I believe in luck and destiny, but miracles have been foreign to me. I am lucky to have the amazing friends I have, but I don't think Arceus helped me out there. I was destined to be a Protector, and I like to believe I was destined for Preston. Even I, Bree Taylor, can be a little cliche when it comes to romance I'm a teenage girl, deal with it.

Winning the tournament was a combination of luck and skill. I have been extremely lucky and destiny has been good to me, but I've never had a miracle. I find it that people often mistake miracles for luck and destiny. A "miracle" can have a realistic explanation, or can be seen as luck or destiny from a certain stand point. The same can be said for luck and destiny. Luck can be destiny, and destiny can be a miracle; it all comes down to what you believe in.

I don't doubt the existence of miracles. I'll believe in miracles once I find something that can't be explained through luck or destiny.

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"It's better than procrastinating," I reminded myself as I scribbled down the last few answers to my homework.

I slaved through the rest of my assignment until I finished with a predicted B+. I slammed my book shut and looked to the trophy sitting on top of my bookshelf. I smiled and stood up. I was still on winter break. Abbie had left to go to library, leaving myself here with Blue and Vulpix. Vulpix was curled up and glaring at Blue while he jumped from my bed to Abbie's. I guess Vulpix wanted more beauty sleep.

"Why are you so hyper today, Blue?" I asked my Marshtomp.

"Marsh!" he shouted as he collided into me.

I yelped and tumbled down, grabbing ahold of the curtains. I slipped, but my grip remained on the curtains. They ripped their bar and fell on top of me. I pushed the curtains off me and glared at Marshtomp who smiled sheepishly. He scurried under my bed before I could do any serious harm to him.

"This'll take some explaining," I grunted as I stood up.

Vulpix snickered at my misfortune.

"Shut up," I threw the curtains on her.

I looked out the window. I almost fell on my rear end at the sight of the white blanketed grass. Snowflakes gently hovered to the ground, covering more of the ground. I stammered at the sight of the snow. This was Hoenn for the love of Arceus!

"Luck or destiny?" I wondered aloud.

I threw away my philosophical thoughts and realized I could play in the snow again like I used to. I let out a rare squeal and threw on my coat and stocking cap.

"Come on, you two!" I beckoned my Pokemon partners. "Snow!"

I propped open the door and Vulpix skipped out the door with Blue not far behind her. I slammed the door behind me and we bolted out of the dorm's lobby. I immediately flopped into the snow the second I got out. I sighed with contentment and rolled onto my back. Vulpix and Blue started playing in a nearby snowbank. I let out a puff of visible, hot breath and watched it disappear.

I started making a snow angel, despite the glances from onlookers. Vulpix and Blue joined in as well. After I signed my name under my angel and my Pokemon marked theirs with their paws, I walked to the open field in the back of the dorms. I took a seat and watched Vulpix teaching Blue the basics of a snowman. I shook my head with a laugh as I saw Blue roll away with a his snowman's lower body.

My laughter was caught short when I felt a snowball collide with my right shoulder. I fell off the log in shock but quickly gathered myself.

"Who's there?" I asked aloud.

I was answered with silence. I looked to my left, only to be pelt with another snowball. I listened more carefully. A soft crunch and a snicker came from my right. I slowly turned to the noises. A fern rustled and I leapt at my attacker. The struggle was quick and I easily pinned my attacker.

"Bree, calm down! It's me!" my attacker said desperately.

"Why are you throwing snowballs at me, or following me for that matter?" I cocked an eyebrow at my boyfriend.

Preston smiled sheepishly, "Um, cause it's fun?"

I narrowed my eyes at him as he tried to charm his way out. I grabbed a handful of snow and packed it in his face.

"You're right! It is fun!" I exclaimed.

Preston wiggled from underneath me and brushed the snow off his face. He even started spitting out some of the snow he swallowed.

"Stop being so dramatic," I rolled my eyes and stretched out on my back.

"You tried suffocating me with snow! Some of it slid down my shirt!" Preston shivered.

"Don't dish it out if you can't take it."

"I threw two snowballs at you!"

"And now we are even," I smiled.

Preston grumbled, "Whatever."

He scooted down next to me and put his arm underneath my head. I curled up next to him, and he flashed his smile that got me every time. Vulpix started dragging a trapped Blue out of a snowbank and helped him to his feet.

"Marsh!" Blue saluted her with much gratitude. Vulpix nodded and they both bounded towards us.

"You want to exchange Christmas gifts tonight?" Preston asked.

"Everybody is going to, dummy. Don't you remember?" I asked teasingly.

"Oh yeah! The Christmas parties our Study Halls are holding. Good thing we all have the same Study Hall."

"Yeah! Me, you, Abbie, Jase, and Cre-" I stopped myself on Cress' name.

"He'll get better," Preston pressed his lips to the top of my head.

"What if he doesn't?" I asked no one in particular.

Preston didn't answer. He couldn't.

"It's gonna take a miracle," he finally said.

"Destiny needs to make its decision and we need some luck if we haven't spent it all," I said quietly.

"What?" Preston asked.

"Nothing," I sighed.

"Am I interrupting something?" A voice said.

Preston and I immediately shot up in different directions. I was about ready to fling a nasty comment at our "stalker", but I softened when I saw who it was.

"Jase," Preston nodded.

The navy blue haired boy stood a couple of yards away from us. His visible breath masked his tired, sad face. The wind whipped at his unzipped jacket.

"I'm going to see Cress. Are you coming or not?" he grunted.

Jase's soft, intelligent tone was gone. His voice was hardened and in pain. He was only fifteen. In his first semester here, he had been wrapped up in this Protector business and his best friend had ended up in a coma that he may never wake from.

"Sure," Preston said quickly.

Jase lease the way out of the field and we were off campus, walking to the hospital.

"What do you think of this highly unlikely snow?" I asked Jase who was a few paces ahead of us.

"There's been sightings of Articuno all around the region. Apparently, he left the Seafoam Islands. It's funny how easily our lives can be changed, dominated by more powerful beings. Is this even our world?" Jase smirked grimly.

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A brown haired girl I recognized as Maria Grove was sitting next to Cress's unconscious body, holding his hand. They were practically dating.

"Hello," she smiled weakly at us. "Some weather we are having. Cress would love to see it."

Jase took a the chair on the other side of Cress with his hand on Cress's arm. It broke my heart to see the mischievous blond like this. I wanted him to spring up and laugh at us for falling for his prank. This wasn't a prank though. This was reality.

Preston draped his arm over my shoulder as he stared at Cress from the foot of his bed. Jase, Preston, and I all felt guilty. Ryker as well. I keep thing what we could have done differently, what I could've done differently.

"Maria, please go. Go home, sleep. You have to take care of yourself as well," I broke away from Preston and placed my hand on Maria's shoulder.

"Since you guys are here, I guess now would be a good time to leave," Maria stood up.

She kissed Cress's forehead and pushed away from of his hair, "I'll be back."

Maria walked out of the room, leaving us in silence. I turned my attention to Jase.

"How many times have you visited Cress?" I asked Jase with the tone you would use for an upset child.

"More than the both of you combined," he spat.

"That's enough!" Preston grabbed Jase by the collar. "We care about him as much you do! So stop acting like you're the only one here!"

"I'm pretty sure that I'm only one that cares out of us. You only care about each other. If us three were dangling off a cliff and you could only save one, who would it be, Preston? Don't lie to me either," Jase glared at Preston.

Preston sighed and let go of Jase.

"That's what I thought," Jase scoffed. "Cress and I expendable. You apparently don't need friends anymore."

"I'm done with this shit," Preston marched out of the room.

Jase dropped his gaze to Cress with a sigh.

"Go ahead. Leave," he said to me.

"Please come to the Christmas party tonight," I said.

"The nurse will kick me out by then so why not."

"Thank you."

"Do you think we can stop doing this?"

"I don't know."

"I want this Protector business to stop. I can't do this anymore."

"I don't think anyone can," I walked out of the room and caught up with Preston at the entrance.

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-Abbie-

I hummed a Christmas carol as packed up my things and put a book away in its proper place. I waved to the librarian and started down the hall to the dorms. I never understood why the library was so far away from the dorms. I couldn't wait to give Bree my gift for her tonight. Bree was my first ever true friend.

Most new kids hung out with me because they had to, but once they found new friends or got sick of my personality; they left me in the dust. I was friendly and tried to be as helpful to them, but they just turned at their first chance. Bree was the first to stick with me. She was the sister I never had.

"Hey, four eyes!" A voice I dreaded said.

I turned around to see Tracy and her ass kissing lackeys. Dealing with Tracy was the last thing I wanted. I didn't even know what they wanted from me.

"What can I help you with?" I asked. "After all, I am a tour guide for the school. I can show where you can get something special to deal with your problem."

"I'm not having one right now!" she screeched.

"Could've fooled me," I smirked.

The kid with the stupid haircut, Drew, walked towards me, but Tracy stopped him.

"Where's that bitch, Bree?" she snapped. "I have a bone to pick with her before I leave for home."

"She's probably somewhere continuing to be better than you in everything."

"Go get her. Now."

"You don't give orders around here," a tall kid with well groomed fiery hair stood behind Tracy.

I craned my neck to get a better look at the tall boy. A spray of freckles dotted his face. He had earthy brown eyes and he wore dark cargo pants and a dark polo.

"Intimidating a girl with numbers is weak. Trying to use her to get to her friend is just pathetic. Weak people piss me off," the boy said.

"Who the hell are you, fire crotch?" Drew asked.

"James. And with the can of whoop ass I'm about to open up, it'll be easy to remember," James said.

Drew swung at James. James easily caught his punch and nailed him to the floor with his own. Tracy and the girls of her group screamed and ran away while the few guys stayed behind to fight James.

A guy tried to attack James from behind, but he flipped him over his shoulder and into a wall. Another boy kicked at James' head. He ducked, grabbed the boy's leg and punched him in his crotch, instantly dropping him. The last boy successfully landed a blow, but it barely seemed to phase James. The ginger haired boy snapped his fist back and hit the kid so hard that he nearly did a backflip.

Drew started to slowly stagger to his feet.

"James! You missed a spot!" A boy sang as he slid down a staircase's railing. He landed on Drew's back with his arm's outreached

My other savior was with dark brown hair and black glasses. He had on dark skinny jeans with a grey shirt and leather jacket.

"Were these guys bothering you?" he asked with smile.

"Nothing I couldn't handle, but that was awesome! James was all like pow and bam and wham. And then Drew was trying to get up and you swooped in for the kill!" I squealed.

The boy laughed while bouncing on Drew, "That's one way of putting it."

The boy hopped off of Drew and approached me.

"My name is Karen Jackson, and this is my good friend and colleague, James Bradley."

"It's nice to meet you. My name is Abbie. Thanks for the help. It was a lot of fun seeing you're handiwork!"

"I do hope we meet again, Abbie," Karen took my hand and kissed it gently.

"Someone's a charmer," I joked with blush.

"Chivalry will never die," he grinned.

"Karen, let's go," James pulled him away from me.

"That's right. We sadly must depart. Let me know if you need any help with these nincompoops. Goodbye m'lady!" Karen stepped on Drew one last time and they walked out of my sight.

I ran my thumb over the spot Karen kissed my hand. I silently giggled. Today was just full of surprises. Snow, now this.

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-Bree-

Christmas lights were strung all around the classroom. A Christmas tree covered in tinsel rested in the corner of the room. Everyone was wearing sweaters and drink egg nog.

"Thanks for letting us use you classroom, Prof. Ryker," I said to the dozing off teacher.

"Oh yeah, anytime," he yawned.

"Umbreon's swimming in the nog," I pointed out.

"Merry Christmas to you too," he closed his eyes for a second. It took him twenty seconds for those words to sink in.

"Arceus!" he exclaimed as he rushed over to Umbreon.

"So Tracy was giving you trouble?" I turned to Abbie.

"She still has a grudge on you, but I took care of her with some help," Abbie smiled at the back of her hand.

"Thank you for the Fire Stone by the way. I hope Vulpix likes it!" I hugged Abbie.

"Thank you for the cute handbag!"

We had already exchanged our gifts. I had even placed a gift wrapped book in Jase's lap who was half asleep. I just needed to give Preston his. I scoured the party of students and finally spotted my boyfriend by the window, staring into the night sky. I went up to him and rested my chin on his shoulder while I hid his present behind my back.

"Hey," I whispered. "Come with me."

Preston snapped out of his daze, "Oh sure. Let me get my present for you."

Preston quickly walked over to a coat rack and pulled a small box from his coat pocket. The box was colored red and it had a shiny green bow on it.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"Some place quiet," I smiled mischievously while taking his hand.

I lead him out the classroom door and down the hallways that were abuzz with their own parties. I pushed open the door to the front entrance and we were out in the courtyard. A cold tremor went up my spine from the wind.

"I'll go first," I held the gift out to Preston.

He took it with a smile and handed me mine. Preston slowly tore open the gift. His eyes lit up with curiosity. He held in his hands, a leather back book.

"Look inside," I urged him.

Preston cracked the book open and smiled at the pages, "Where did you get these pictures?"

"I had to do a little snooping around," I answered.

Preston flipped through the pages that included pictures of us. There were also pictures of our entire friend group. Preston turned another page and was met with a blank one. He turned through a few others.

"Why are they blank?" he inquired.

"So you can add more. It can be whatever you want," I smiled.

"Thank you, Bree. I'm looking forward to filling in these blank pages with you. Now open up your's!"

I excitedly tore my wrapping paper off in one stroke. A gold box with hinges rested in my hand. I tipped the lid open and gasped. A silver chain necklace rested on red velvet. On the chain were a sapphire water droplet and a ruby flame. Tears welled up in my eyes.

"It's beautiful," I choked.

"Beautiful necklace for a beautiful girl," Preston grinned. "The water droplet is for Blue and the flame is for Vulpix. Turn around and I'll put it on you."

I gave Preston the necklace and spun around. I could feel Preston's fingers delicately going to work.

"All done," he said.

I turned back around and held the charms in my hand. I was at a loss for words. I wasn't this happy since I kissed Preston. This. This was destiny.

"When did that get there?" Preston looked up.

I craned my head back and saw mistletoe hanging above us. My gaze went quickly back to Preston who was still staring at the plant. I mentally rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck. My lips crashed into his. The unnatural cold of Hoenn was nothing to me anymore. The warmth of his lips traveled up and down my body, jolting my veins awake. I pulled away to breath and felt my cheeks were on fire. Preston's were looking rosy as well.

"Merry Christmas," I smiled.

"Merry Christmas," he said. And with his smile, I got even warmer.

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Author's note: I'm back and I'm still not black! That was a doozie of a chapter! I hope I made up for the lack of Protectors in the last year. I realized how much I miss writing this series ;-; I'm super pumped for this book! It'll probably be my best work yet. I may not update for a while because I want to enjoy my break, but basketball is done so more time to type! I dropped a few hints at a certain something if you guys remember! If you know what it is, please comment! Also comment on what your favorite pairing in this book is (you can ship anyone). Please leave the pair or shipping name you think is appropriate. That's all! Merry Christmas!!!

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