Delibird Delivery: A Surprise in Every Box

Alterationists can take many forms; they usually take the form they once have back when they were mortal. Sometimes they take a different form. Some might not have even been human, or elf, or demon, or android, or squid-person, or golem, or elemental, or talking chocolate chip cookie, or dog, or living sentient tutu, or etc, you all get the point. – Oliver Oliander, Nexus Recruit Safety Lecture on the Alterationists

At the game room somewhere in Nexus, a group of friends are playing a strange game of poker.

“I have royal flush.” A man wearing some bright red formal attire said.

“King’s court.” A man wearing what looks like a steampunk themed formal attire, a black tuxedo with brass cogs and gears.

“Eight aces.” A woman in a white robe said as she shows her hand.

“People’s revolt.” The dealer said as he shows his hand. “Nicholas Flamel has won the round.” The man in bright red simply smiles and starts to take his chips and put it in his sack, each chip turning into a present.

“You’re going already?” The woman asked.

“Yeah, well,” Nicholas said as he jiggles the bag. “I have some deliveries to make.”

“Maybe next time then?” The steampunk man asked.

“Yeah, perhaps. Oh, and Eric, you have a lecture starting soon. Those recruits need to know how the Multiverse really works.” Nicholas said as his form then glows a bright light and change into a Delibird. Eric simply lies down on the poker table with a tired sigh.

“It’s hard being both a Nexus Associate and an Alterationist at times.” Eric said before he leaves through the door.

“Well, I better go. Can’t have volcanoes go dormant on my watch.” The woman said before she too leaves this one in a puff of white light.

The man-turned-Delibird simply fixes himself then he made his feathers make a snapping sound and he vanish. In the endless eternity he moves, through the bends of time and space, until he reaches his home reality. He still remembers his life when he was still mortal. He was just a normal Delibird until he mysteriously develops the ability to alter existence itself. He has to make sure he keeps himself mentally grounded. He doesn’t want to be one of those megalomaniacs who give his kind a bad name.

He looks around and sees the familiar tinsel and baubles of his hometown. The Delibird smiled, at least he returned to his timeline and not any one of the other timelines where Christmas didn’t exist. And so he starts to move around, hopping on the roofs of the buildings to give presents to one and all, like every single year he did.

Up the homes where little children sleep, over the newer apartments in the downtown, to the schools of every shape and size, there he puts a present for each and every person. Young and old, rich and poor, good and bad, all shall have a present for the season.

“Is that a Delibird?” Some might ask as they see him flying about that snowy winter night.

“Maybe it’s the one who gives people presents.” Others might say or mutter. But all through the night, the presents are placed, to be unseen and untouched until the proper time has passed.

And once gift giving is done, the Delibird lands on top of a large tree on a hill and wait for the sun to rise over the horizon.

“Honestly,” Said a girl wearing a frilly black outfit with an equally frilly umbrella as she floats towards him. “Why do you do such demeaning things?” She then starts to flick her wrist all about, causing a strong wind to pass through the city. “We have the power to rival the gods and here you are, doing mortal work.”

“I love to do this Wendolai.” Nicholas said with displeasure. The girl only frowns at him.

“You can just make those presents appear any way you want. You only need to think of it and your will be done.”

“It’s the principal of the thing. It’s better to give than to receive. Not poofing things into existence.”

“And what’s in the bag then?” The girl countered. “Isn’t everything that thing does be considered ‘poofing things into existence’?”

“No it does not. My bag perfectly works within the laws of reality.”

“Really?” She said, her eyes filled with disdain. But before he could counter, a voice suddenly shouts at him.

“Nicholas! Nicholas! It’s time to go home!” The girl simply vanishes into the air.

“You disgust me, you know that.” Her voice in the wind blows to his ears. “Even with practically omnipotence, you still choose to be a pet.”

“I’m not a pet.”

“Then what are you then? A slave? A servant? A warrior for battle?”

“Don’t you have women’s faces to steal Wendolai?” Nicholas said with suppressed anger.

“Nicholas! Come on buddy! Mom’s gonna get angry at us for staying out late!” There was no reply from the girl nor was there any strong wind in the area. With a sigh, the Delibird lands to the ground and hurriedly runs to his trainer.

“Deli!” Nicholas shouted as he jumps to his trainer.

“There you are. We better go home and celebrate.” His trainer said as he then carries Nicholas and runs home for the Christmas Eve party.

As the trainer runs home, he hears a familiar voice calling him.

“Hey! Alexander! Alexander Flamel!” Someone shouted at him. The person is of the same age as Alexander, wearing red and white winter clothing that looks like a Delibird.

“Nick! How are you pal?” Arnold asked to his friend as Nicholas ended up jumping on to Nick’s head before landing on to his arms.

“Oh, great. Lost an online poker game though.” Nick said with embarrassment on his face before he then changes his expression to hide it, “Well,” He said in a happy tone, “Let’s go! You’re having a Christmas Eve party, and I’m wearing an outfit to fit the occasion.”.

“Deli!” Nicholas shouted while being carried on Nick’s arms.

“I don’t want to know what’s under that jacket then.” Alexander said with a smile as he then remembered something. “Oh man, I forgot to get something.” He then runs off. “Go ahead!” He shouted. “I’ll be there later!” As Alexander runs to a building, both Nick the human and Nicholas the Delibird sighed.

“It’s dizzying.” Nick said. “Dealing with two bodies at the same time.” He said as the two then look at each other. Nick then starts to touch his face. “Was my human skin always this pale?” He wondered as he then makes less pale and more pinkish. He then lowered his hoodie to see white hair, which then change into a blonde color. “Almost forgot about that tiny detail. Well, we better go home.” And he runs towards the nearby suburbs.

The Flamel Household is filled with Christmas cheer as people, young and old, are having fun.

“Hi Mrs. Flamel. Can I use the bathroom to change?” Nick asked as he brushes some snow off his jacket.

“Of course, be sure to keep your clothes safe.” She said as he runs off to the nearest bathroom with Nicholas staying to guard the door. After a few minutes, Nick opens the door to show his outfit to everyone. The phase ‘fashion blind’ is simply not enough to describe the outfit. It appears to be a normal gentleman’s tuxedo except for the fact that it’s in a bright Delibird red instead of black, it also have an equally bright red top hat. People simply stare at Nick at times, with some muttering the strangeness of the attire and others saying sense of high fashion coming from the same attire.

He then bumps into Jack.

“Ha ha ha!” He laughed at the sight of Nick’s outfit. “Really man? You’re wearing that?”

“I think a good impression is needed.”

“Good impression? You’re a walking fashion disaster. Really, bright red? Are you blind or something? A whole herd of Tauros would charge at you if they see you wearing that outfit.”

“What can I say,” Nick said with a smile while Nicholas gives an annoyed expression, “I do love the Delibird theme.”

“A little too much Nick? You’re starting to look like some creepy Delibird lover.” Jack said as Nicholas the Delibird decided to pull a present out of his sack and tries to give it to Jack. He simply smiles and pokes the Delibird’s bill. “Not this time Nicholas. That last present blew up on me.” He said before he heads back to the party and dining table.

“That guy can be a jerk sometimes.” Nick mumbled as Alexander runs to the house with a present.

“Hah, finally made it. Oh Nick- what on earth are you wearing?” He said as he notices the bright red suit.

“It’s awesome right.” Nick said with a smile.

“No, you look like you’re going to blind someone with that.”

“Everyone’s a critic.” Nick said as he too goes to the dining table. On the table is an excellent selection of food, from spicy Figy pudding to fruitcake, from sweet and sour Magikarp to spaghetti, enough food to feed everyone and their pokemon.

“I hear that Delibird is giving those empty gifts again.” One guest gossiped to another.

“I know. What a mean trick to play on people during Christmas.” Replied another as he grabs some fruit using his extra set of arms.

Nick simply grabs a plate of food, a cup of soda, and some fruits and berries for Nicholas, and the two heads off to eat at Alexander’s bedroom, away from the festive partygoers for some relative peace and quiet.

“Mrs. Flamel really did outdo herself this Christmas.” Nick commented as he eats his slice of honey glazed ham. Nicholas simply eats the fruits and berries before checking the map. “Once the party’s done, the gang would return to our journey to the next gym.” Nick said as he continues eating. “It’s still weird for be being a trainer though.” The door then slams open, which nearly caused Nick to spill his plate to the floor. At the door is Alexander carrying a rather drunk Jack, who’s still holding the bottle of mead on his right hand.

“There you are!” Alexander said, “Make some space on my bed, Jack’s been drinking again.” Nick simply puts his plate on top of the dresser and helps Alexander in carrying their drunken friend to the bed.

“Jack’s always getting himself drunk in almost every party we’re in.” Alexander muttered as he collapses to the floor from the effort of bringing his friend up the stairs.

“He is Jack, and I don’t want to change that any other way.” Nick muttered. “Even if he acts like a jerk at times.”

“Yeah,” Alexander then made a strange face as he looks at Nick with Nicholas simply climbing up his head. “You’re seriously going to wear that for the whole night?”

“It’s a nice outfit.”

“Right.” Alexander said with a smile and a sigh, “Say, have you heard the rumors about that Delibird that’s giving those empty presents every Christmas?”

“Yeah, I heard of them.”

“I wonder if Nicholas is the one perpetuating the empty presents.” Alexander said as he pats Nicholas’ head.

“You know it can’t be him.” Nick said as Nicholas raises his arm to the ceiling.

“Deli deli.” He said as if in agreement. A girl then stands by the open door and knocks on it.

“May I go in?” She asked. She’s holding a bottle of soda and some cups.

“Yeah, Mary Ann. You can go it.” Alexander said.

“Well, sorry to intrude in your little gay moment.” She said.

“I’m not gay!” Alexander quickly retorted.

“Yeah, yeah. Jack’s drunk again, isn’t he?” She asked.

“Pretty much, yeah.” Alexander said as Jack starts to snore while Mary Ann takes the bottle of mead from him.

“Seriously, he needs to cut back on drinking.” Mary Ann said as she puts the mead away.

“Is he even at the proper age?” Nick muttered which makes the two look at him with a strange look.

“What do you mean by ‘proper age’? Of course he’s at the proper age. He’s sixteen years old.” Mary Ann said.

“Oh,” Nick realized something and yawned to hide his mistake, “I must have,” He yawned again, “Mistaken something. Maybe it was from an online article.” Nick then stand up. “If you excuse me, I’ll get some much needed shut eye.” And then he leaves the room, with only Nicholas and Jack’s snoring to give the two company.

“So,” Mary Ann said, “I hear you got your fifth gym badge.”

“Yeah.” Alexander said as Nicholas the Delibird then walks away from the two and closes the door.

“It’s nice to see them being happy.” Nick said by the wall as he picks Nicholas up and heads to the guest room to get some sleep. He may not need to sleep anymore, being an Alterationist and all, but it’s the principal of the thing.

The alarm clock rings and the gang slowly wake up to Christmas day.

“Ohhh,” Jack moaned as he grips his head from the pain as he exits Alexander’s room. “What happened last night?”

“You went drunk on mead and pass out. There’s some aspirin at the medicine cabinet.” Alexander said by the bathroom door before he starts to brush his teeth. Nearby, Mary Ann and Nicholas are helping the Flamels getting ready for breakfast.

“Have you thought of joining our son in his journey?” Mrs. Flamel asked her.

“Someone should keep them in check you know.” Mr. Flamel said as he pulls out the cooked lasagna from the oven. “That Jack would put them in trouble with his recklessness.”

“Jack is hasty, sure, but they have Nick with them as well.” Mary Ann said as she pours the juice powder onto the pitcher of water and starts to mix.

“I don’t trust that kid. I know he’s best friends with our son since childhood but he’s just-”

“Quirky?” Mrs. Flamel said.

“I was going say creepy. He’s very fond of Nicholas, to the point that it’s like some creepy perversion of his.” There was then a loud clanging noise as Nicholas suddenly falls down of the counter with a frying pan hitting his head. A similar banging noise was heard when Nick falls off his bed.

“Uhh, my head.” Nick said as he wakes up. “The floor and a frying pan. That’s got to hurt.” He said to himself as he would then get ready for the day. After a hearty breakfast and some fun in the snow, the guys were getting ready to continue their journey when Mary Ann notices something.

“Hey guys.” She said as she pulls out some strange presents from under the Christmas tree. There are three presents, each are strange magenta boxes closed by yellow ribbon, and one card. “Looks like that Delibird gave us a present.” She then gives the presents to Jack and Alexander, and the card to Nick. Nicholas simply stands on Nick’s shoulder as the two looks at the gifts with suspicion.

“Are you sure it’s not Santa?” Jack asked. “Cause that Delibird always gives those empty presents.”

“I don’t trust those things.” Nick said, “It just, gives me the creeps.”

“Oh, you’re just angry that you didn’t get a bonus present.” Jack said as the three starts to untie their gifts. Nick and Nicholas simply looks at the card they were given. The cover is normal, the usual snowy night landscape with Santa’s sled flying at the background until they notice a silhouette of a woman with a frilly looking umbrella. Surprise, Nick open the card and see a message which reads.

To Nicholas Flamel,

You have convinced me in joining the act of gift giving. I hope you enjoy your gifts.

– Wendolai

P.S. This card will spontaneously combust the moment you finish this sentence.

The card then burst into flame as both Nick and Nicholas, with horror on their faces, see their friends opening their presents.

“Watch out!” Nick shouted, “It’s a trap!” But it was too late. A blinding light burst out of the three presents only to vanish with nothing happening.

“What trap?” Alexander asked. “What did the card say Nick?” His voice starts to sound worried.

“Oh relax.” Jack said, not noticing that his hair is turning into a light yellow color, “It’s just a dud. Some special effects, that’s all. Why is everyone looking at me?” He wondered as his ears starts to stretch.

“Y-your ears!” Mary Ann shouted as her long hair starts to fall off. Alexander notice his hair is falling as well and crawls to the rather shocked Nick and Nicholas, with his parents looking horrified nearby.

“What did the card say?!” Alexander begged as he starts to feel heavier and hotter. Both Nick and Nicholas just stare in shock at what’s going on.

Orange and cream fur starts to grow on Mary Ann’s skin while Jack has light yellow and black fur with pink pouches on his cheeks. Alexander, on the other hand, is turning grey and red, with the grey areas starting to grow what looks like granite or steel out of his skin.

“What’s going on!?” Jack shouted as he starts to shrink as his arms and legs slowly lose both length and definition.

“This can’t be happening, this can’t be happening, this can’t be happening…” Mary Ann mumbled, closing her eyes in denial, as what looks like a yellow floatation bag starts to grow from her body.

“This has to be a dream.” Mrs. Flamel muttered, almost hysterical, as she sees Jack disappearing under his shirt, only for a Pichu with a tuft of fur on its head to appear. The Pichu itself looks pretty much traumatized from the experience.

“A dream? It’s a nightmare!” Mr. Flamel said as he hugs his wife tightly. The two close their eyes when they hear a sickening crunch and a scream when both Alexander’s whole body starts to realign for quadruped locomotion. His arms and legs are jutted to the side of his body. His head is now looking up towards the ceiling before looking what’s ahead of him. Then the sickening crunches return. His elbows and knees break into position. Then his hands and feet, the shoes burst when it happen, starts to shift and merge. His fingers move while the thumb disappears, soon each finger is now at a ninety degree angle from each other. The feet, on the other hand, shift into what looks like a digitagrade stance before each toe follows the hands, with the big toe disappearing as well.

“Pichu! Pichu! Pichu!” Jack the now frighten Pichu shouted at Nick as he grabs his leg sleeve and begs for help.

“T-this is…” Nick muttered as Mary Ann’s legs shrink, fins grow, and two tails burst out from her while she’s still muttering the same sentence over and over again until it change into one word, Floatzel.

“Do something Nick! Do tran heat!” Alexander said as and the grey areas grow even more, covering his whole head, fingers, wrists, ankles, and other spots, the grey growths turns out to be metal or steel. Two metal horns jut out of his head with a bump growing on his forehead. His jaw looks like it is lined with steel numbs and, when he opens his eyes, the whites of his eyes turn orangey red.

“T-this is my fault.” Nick mumbled out as he drops to the floor and starts crying. Nicholas is also tearing.

“<Your fault? How can this be your fault?>” Jack shouted with some electricity coming out of his cheek pouches.

“I, I talked to an online friend of mine. Trying to convince him to take part in the holidays, I didn’t know he does magic.” He lied, “I know he’s a total jerk but I didn’t think he would do something like this!” Nick said as Mary Ann patted him on the shoulder.

“<It’s not your fault.>” She said, trying to comfort him.

“Nick,” Mr. Flamel said, “You, you can understand pokemon?” He said in disbelief.

“I guess the secret’s out.” Nick said before Mr. Flamel grabs Nick by the collar.

“Tell me. Tell me. Will my son get back to normal? Will they all turn back to normal!?”

“I-in a week.” Nick blurted out. “The card said that the effects last for a week.” This calmed everyone down.

“<Well,>” Jack said, “<It looks like we’re staying here for a week more.>”

“<So you can talk to pokemon.>” Alexander said as he looks at both Nick and Nicholas. “<That explains a lot.>”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for putting you guys into this.” Nick said.

“<Don’t worry about it Nick.>” Jack said, “<Really, it’s not your fault some crazy witch wants to mess with you.>”

“I think the gifts are his way to prank me.” Jack simply raises his hands and shrugs his shoulders.

“<And people call me a bad influence. Really this guy has to be nuts. He has magic powers and he chooses it to mess peoples’ lives. That’s just not responsible.>”

“<This is coming from the guy who ended up drunk too many times to count?>” Alexander said while Nick and Nicholas looks sad and simply hugs him.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for hurting you.”

“<Hurting me?>” Alexander said in a confused tone, “<The funny thing is, I didn’t feel any pain. Scared for my life, yes, unrelenting pain, no.>”

“But I heard-”

“<You’re not the only one who heard that. It’s just, I know I was changing but I didn’t feel like I was changing. At least I’m rather relieved that this would last for only a week. Or course, we would have to stay behind until the week is done.>” Nick and Nicholas simply nodded together in agreement.

That day, Nick ended up helping the Flamels in taking care of the house and getting the groceries done. Nicholas, at the other hand, is at home, making sure nothing bad happens to his friends. As he passes by a park, he notices a number of children getting their presents under the Christmas tree.

The man shakes the red and green present, a present Nicholas is familiar with, and shakes it, hearing the present inside, he shouted.

“Where’s Rick Davidson?” And a happy young boy runs off to get his present. The boy then opens the present, with no one noticing that fact that the boy starts to change right in front of everyone until he is now a young anthropomorphic Poochyena, only for the present to be empty, with Nicholas being the only one knowing that the change is the present. Of course, the child gets another present to replace the ‘empty’ present the no good Delibird gives every year.

As Nick walks back to the Flamel household, a soft breeze reaches his ears.

“Did you like my present?” The voice in the wind said which made Nick angry and he quickly looks around for the frilly woman.

“Show yourself you power mad cross dresser!” He shouted with only the sound of laughter replying back to him. Nicholas knows he messed up on the timing. He could change reality to make it that the presents never happened, that the so called duration last for a day, that it was some cloudy poof instead of the graphic detail Wendolai loves so much, but he simply sighs. He has made his cover up and explanation, nigh-omnipotence or not, he will follow it through. For he is not like others, those who toy with the so called mortals, he is not a master, not a god, not a madman, he is simply a friend. Through thick and thin, he will always be a friend.