Merry Christmas Folks! (Technically post Christmas since most people will be reading this by then.)
Sorry for the lateness in this one, I was having a writer's block and had a serve lack of motivation to write this week. I mean I had it all planed technically, but I was just too lazy to type anything. Or too tired… oddly feeling tired…
But I digress again.
Here comes the Christmas Special of System Restoration, whoo!
Will: Hey PG-13? Not to sound vain or anything, but why aren't I in any specials? So far Knoll has been in The Crossover Arc, Thanksgiving Special, and now a Christmas Special.
Duh, he's the main Character.
Will: … You're getting back at that one time in your Corner Show aren't you?
… Nooooo.
Will: Dude, aren't you still doing that?
Disclaimer! Depart your wisdom to thy huddled mass!
Disclaimer: I am you and you are me. There can be no you without me. Your resistance shall only engage my Humor Protocol. exe.
INITIATING "Holiday Cheer" SUB-PROTOCOL…
1%...
5%...
12%...
7%…
2%...
—3%...
—9001%...
*Gunshot*
ERROR.
OVERVIEW DISABLED.
It was December 23 in the Fire Emblem Calendar. The area of northeastern Ylisse was snowing lightly, making it look like a beautiful winter wonder land. In the spirit of the season, in a small town around that area, one free spirited child was merrily singing… with a special friend.
"~Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock!"
+~Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring!+
"~Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun!"
+~Now, the jingle hop has begun!+
"~Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock!"
+~Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time!+
"~Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square!"
+~In the frosty air!+
"~What a bright timeee, it's the right timeee!"
+~To rock the night away!+
"~Jingle bell timeee is a swell timeee!"
+~To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh!+
"~Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet!"
+~Jingle around the clock+
"~Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' beat!"
+That's the jingle bell rock, yeah!+
"Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock!"
+Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring!+
"Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun!"
+Now, the jingle hop has begun!+
"Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell twist!"
+Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time!+
"Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square!"
+In the frosty air!+
"What a bright time, it's the right time!"
+To rock the night away!+
"Jingle bell time is a swell time!"
+To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh!+
"Giddy-up jingle horse, kick up your feet!"
+Jingle around the clock!+
"Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet!"
+That's the jingle bell,+
"that's the jingle bell,"
"+That's the jingle bell rock!+"
"Whoo!" Knoll happily cheered.
+Never make me do that with you again. Ever.+
"Oh come on Chronos, I know you enjoyed singing it…" Knoll started picking up a large pile of containers and plastic bags.
+…N-no. I did not…+
"Don't worry, Chronos! Since you're technically the first Guardian of Time I know, besides Doctor Who, who actually enjoys Christmas, my respect of you has gone up." Knoll carefully balanced the large pile of stuff he was carrying.
+I am a Guardian of Time! I can have Christmas every second of my existence if I wanted to!+
"But you don't, because you know that Christmas is best like Thanksgiving Turkey! Great and amazing once a year!" Knoll almost said in sing song.
+I—well… *Sigh* … despite your horrible analogy, I always did enjoy the human idea of spreading joy to others. That's something I have to say is pretty… cool… despite so many of your kind taking advantage of other people's kindness during this period.+
"Must you always be so negative?" Knoll suddenly stopped to not run into the running children that crossed in front of him. "Where did those kids come from?"
+It started when their parents—+
"You know what I mean," Knoll interrupted him."Am I at the Garrison yet?!"
+No… your about one mile away not including you avoiding children playing and other shoppers and vendors.+
"Seriously?! Can you guide me?" Knoll struggle a little with the gifts despite having some low level super strength under his arsenal.
+Sure, but I'm surprised you keep answering me out loud even though you can just think your thoughts. You've gained quite the attention these past few minutes…+
Knoll suddenly realized what Chronos was saying and looked around from the pile of stuff. From where he was looking, people were staring at him and trying to avoid eye contact with him.
+You've got to pay more attention to your surroundings and your own actions. People think you're a lunatic because you're talking to yourself.+
"I'm talking to you." Knoll thought that in his head.
+And that's how most murder excuses start off: because of the voice in my head.+
"Haha, you're hilarious, but I cannot wait to see the look in everyone's face when they find out I got them all something this Christmas." Knoll mentally messages.
+… Knoll… did it occur to you you're in an alternate world?+
"What do you mean?" He projected in his mind.
+Christmas in your world was based off an event that never happened here and therefore it shouldn't even exist here, yet here everyone here is celebrating Christmas.+
"That was the same thing with Thanksgiving. I just hope there won't be some kind of holiday trouble that will really mess up my holiday spirit," Knoll thought. "By the way, I want this to be a surprise to everyone, so can you help me hide this from everyone?"
+How?+
"Just tell me where everyone is or something. There is no way I can hide this entire mountain of capitalistic goods on my own." Knoll thought.
"Oooowwww…" Knoll groaned on a couch.
+You have been spending too much time with Sumia lately. How on earth did you trip on flat ground?+
"At least I was able to hide it everyone…" Knoll buried his face under a couch pillow.
"Hide what?"
"YAP!" *Thud!* Knoll was surprised by the sudden voice and fell over from the couch. When he looked up to see who spooked him, he saw Libra in winter clothing.
"Are you alright, Knoll?" Libra asked his fellow fallen companion.
"Err yes!" Knoll wanted to hide the fact he hid his presents, so he quickly changed the subject. "Where are you heading off to today?"
Libra smiled. "I shall be off and in service to a retirement center these next few days."
"A retirement center?" Knoll repeated.
"Yes, I have volunteered my work to the pleasant elderly this season and I intend to help make this season very merry for them." Libra explained.
Knoll was still surprised. "I actually wasn't aware we had a retirement center. I always assumed that most old people were taken care by their families."
"Yes, unfortunately… there has been an increase of elderly going to retirement homes because of the war between Plegia and Ylisse several months prior." Libra told him.
"Oh I am so sorry to hear that. Maybe I can help you with that! Mind if I come along?" Knoll volunteered.
Libra smiled and sat down. "I always welcome another's company. It's an hour walk from here; I shall wait here for you to change back into winter clothes."
Knoll nodded and ran back up to his room in the second floor.
+Why did you agree to something like that?+
"Because I felt bad hearing about it. Besides, I didn't really get a chance to spend time with Libra ever since he joined the army. I'm actually finding it pretty hard to actually spend time with everyone in this army…" Knoll thought.
+That's fine and all… but…+
Knoll got back to his room and took out several jackets and boots. "Is there something else you want to say?" He messaged in the mental plane.
+… No… Ugh! It's probably me still feeling annoyed you forced me to sing!+
Knoll chuckles and heads back down. While Chronos refused to say his real reason for bringing that last point.
Libra and Knoll walked toward the retirement center that was a few feet away, but both of them stopped to look at a patched up broken wall that was seen in the front of the building.
"What happened here?" Knoll asked out loud.
"Some whacko of a chick happened that's what."
The two looked over and saw an interesting sight: A man child. The unusually short man was wearing a green coat and was facing away from the two because he was putting down a few stones. He had dark brown skin, and when he faced the two, it showed he had green eyes and something like an after shave of a beard.
"A girl and her horse somehow crashed into the wall of the retirement home. She and her horse are now helping us fix the hole in the wall. Who are you two?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm Knoll and this is Libra. We're here to help with community service." Knoll introduced the two of them.
The small man smiled towards Libra and started to lean on a nearby tree. "Hey Baby, how would you like to Jingle All The Way?" He flirted.
Knoll grimaced. "Uhh… Libra?"
"Sir, I am a man." Libra stated.
At the look of seriousness from Libra and the furious amount of silent nodding from Knoll, the small man dropped his jaw down so fast it might have just fallen off his skull if it wasn't connected.
"Aahhh…" Was all that escaped the short man's mouth until he shook his head hard. "Brrrr! … Let me show you both to the register to properly record your service here…" He motions us ahead and Libra and Knoll walk ahead.
As they walked ahead, Knoll looked behind him and saw the small man mouthing out words. "Is he for real?"
Knoll just nodded and the person just continued walk behind them.
"By the way, you never told us your name." Libra turned back and asked the small man.
"Max, my name is Max Chris." He told them and hurried into the building first.
+Max… Chris?+
(Something wrong?) Knoll asked as he entered in.
+… Don't know... something feels off though.+
When they reached the desk, they notice a very tall man sleeping on the desk.
"Yad! Yad, wake up!" Max banged on the bottom side of the desk.
"I'm making toys!" The tall man screams as he wakes up then he looks around him and notices Knoll and Libra. "Uhh… right. Hello sir and madam, how may I help you?"
"Yad, these two gentlemen are applying for community service. Assign them a senior to take care of." Max told Yad.
"Gentlemen?" Yad said as he looked to Libra. "But you're so gorgeous..."
"I am here to offer my service to those in need this season of peace and thanksgiving… nothing more." Libra seemed a bit peeved about still being called a girl and then started glaring at Yad.
"Err, sorry mam—I mean sir!" Yad quickly said and then took out two sheets to be signed. "S-sign here please."
Knoll came first and read the paper. He then borrowed the pen and wrote his name down. Libra followed and did the same.
"So tell me who the two of you have signed up with so Yad and I can bring you both to your assigned senior." Max explained.
"Mrs. Junes Lorat." Libra answerd.
"And you?" Max turned to Knoll.
Knoll read the person's name. "I got… Naats… Alcus…"
"Oh Naats Al—Why do you have Naats Alcus!?" Max seemed to panic.
Knoll seemed surprised. "Is there something wrong with this?"
Max looked over to Yad and Yad shrugged his shoulders weakly. "N-no," Max explained. "It's just that… Mr. Alcus… is… a Grinch!" He suddenly seemed to realize something. "Yeah! We wouldn't want to trouble you with such a man, so let's just sign you up with someone else…"
"It's fine," Knoll told them. "I'm sure it won't be that bad."
Yad and Max looked at each other worriedly. "Listen, kid—"
"Argh!" A loud and frustrated female voice came from a room over followed by a loud bang.
"Oh not again! The chick that destroyed the wall probably dropped another stone brick again!" Max complains and heads to a room to where the hole in the wall was. Everyone followed him and they all saw another odd sight. As Knoll would put it, he would say that it looks like a snow-white horse was butting heads with a moose.
Trying to break up the two was a woman, or a cowgirl to Knoll. Her features were rather elegant despite dressing up as some hybrid cross between a Bow Knight class and a cowgirl. She wore a white shirt and wore a brown vest tunic over. She actually wore dark black pantyhose under a pair of brown shorts. She had beautiful golden hair and had ruby red eyes. Not to mention her skin was almost as white as snow just like her horse.
"What in blazes is a… moose doing here!?" Max yelled.
"I don't know! It probably just walked through the wall!" The girl looked back and screamed sarcastically at Max.
"Umm… what about the horse in the room?" Knoll pointed out to the other large animal in the room people seemed to have ignored.
"He's mine," The girl turned to who said that and noticed the two people. "His name is Helios, got it punk?" She went up to Knoll and poked at his chest hard.
Libra stepped in. "He and I did not mean any offense, dear lady. I am Libra and this is Knoll. We are here to help in community service this fine day."
The girl seemed to back off. She sighed before speaking again, "Sorry about that, I guess… My name is Yana," she then takes another curious look at Libra. "By the way Libra, by any chance are you a sister of the church? The way you talk is almost like a nun…"
Knoll spotted a vein in Libra's head under his luscious hair.
"Miss, I am from the church, but I am a male." Libra said while Knoll could have sworn he was restraining more of himself today.
At the mention of this, Yana, Helios, and the moose all turned to Libra and dropped their mouths. "… B-but… your skin looks so flawless…" Yana muttered. Behind Libra, everyone else was nodding their heads silently.
"How exactly did the accident in the wall come to be, if I may ask?" Libra changed the subject.
Yana fixed her face for a moment before explaining, "Uhmm… well I was just on my way home for the holidays, but then this blue snake appeared out of the snow and spooked my horse! Helios ended up making me fall and ran into that wall." She pointed to the broken hole in the wall.
(… Chronos…) Knoll questioned his powerful friend.
+That explains why the horse looked familiar.+
(Chronos! When did this happen?! Why did you do that?!)
+I was letting off some steam.+
(You're a Gaurdian of Time! How could you do something as petty like this!?)
+That's exactly why! That little event happened yesterday while you still were starting off your Christmas shopping and told me to go that pawn shop to reserve that tea set for Maribelle! Me, an powerful guardian of time who knows secrets that could make your mind break with a single word, reduced to reserving fine China! Excuse me for letting off steam for my ruined pride!+
(You're excused.)
+… I loathe you…+
A loud slam of a door catches the attention of everyone. To anyone normal, the person was tall, skinny, wrinkled, and had a very mean look to him. He was wearing trousers with some kind of black collar long sleeved shirt and held himself up with a long black cane.
"Shut up! I'm trying to sleep!" The man hissed.
"Then don't sleep near a re construction area!" Yana screamed back.
"I'm not moving! It's your entire fault anyway so fix the dang draft in t wall quietly!" The old man insulted back.
"Naats! Calm down!" Max called to the old man.
While the two started arguing and while Max got in and tried to stop the two, Knoll tilted his head at the man he was supposed to help. Despite being just like, as Max described: a Grinch, Knoll saw something in Naats eyes that made him mutter out loud one unsure word. "… Santa?"
"Are you blind boy!?" Naats waved his cane and went back into his room.
*Slam!*
With a loud slam behind him as he left.
"I think everyone should get back to work! Yads, bring Libra over to his assigned senior. Knoll, was it? You're with me really quick. And you, blondy, need to get this moose outta here!" Max screamed and quickly left with Knoll. Despite being smaller, he easily pushed the normally sized Knoll back outside.
Max seriously eyed Knoll. "Kid, this is very important: why did you call Naats, Santa?"
Knoll rubbed his head for a few seconds. "Uhh… he kind of looked like him?" Was all Knoll could muster.
"What?" Max asked in disbelief. "No one has ever seen what Santa really looks like or if he's even real. Why would you even say that?"
+Something did feel off with that old man…+
"I-I don't know, but he just seemed…" Knoll trails off before opening his mouth again. "~He knows when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.~ … Sorry, I don't know why I started singing… I'll just start trying to see if Naats needs something now…" Knoll apologizes and clutches head as he walks back in.
+OK, I sensed something off when you started singing. Just do what you wanted to do; I'll check something out...+
(I'm not sure that's necessary Chronos… after all, Santa isn't real anyway.)
+That's odd, I always thought of you as a person to believe in him.+
(I-It's complicated… I don't want to talk about it.)
While Chronos was trying to discuss something with Knoll as he left, Max eyed Knoll with curiosity.
Things weren't going well for Knoll and it had only been five minutes.
Naats wanted to take a nap, but he couldn't because he complained about a short blanket and a raggedy pillow. Axis went out and got him better object, but when he came back he was asleep. When Knoll returned the items back, he heard Naats scream all the way asking where he was and to hurry it up. Knoll got the things and went back… only to find him asleep again. Knoll decided to wait and tried to sit down, but he was pelted with a shoe as he tried to sit down. Naats accused him of sleeping with the things he wanted and Knoll simply gave the pillows to him.
Knoll quickly left after making sure Naats was finally comfy.
"Hey, kid."
Knoll looked over and saw Max and Yad calling him again. Knoll sighed and followed them outside again.
Max expressed his thoughts, "Kid… this is very important. We discussed this and we are left with no other option."
"Are you taking back that offer about changing? Because I'm not sure I can handle him anymore…" Knoll begged.
"Actually, we think you're the only one who can handle him now." Yad told him.
"Why is that?" Knoll asked with his brow raised.
"Because he's The Santa Claus and we desperately need your help." Max asked of him.
"… Pfft! Ahahaha!" Knoll laughed. "Good one, Max. Next you'll be telling me you're his elf."
Max sighed and put on a green elf hat with a bell on the end. He jingled the bell and his entire clothes turned into that of a Christmas elf. His ears grew pointy and his cheeky became so rosy. This really didn't fit his attitude which was showing embarrassment to say the least.
"Oh." Was all that escaped Knoll's mouth.
"What do you mean by "Oh." ?" Max asked a little annoyed.
"Well… you kind of looked like an elf even before the transformation?" Knoll answered meekly.
"I'm an elf too." Yad said and quickly put on his elf hat. After the Christmas magic faded, Yad looked even taller.
Knoll dropped his mouth in shock. "You're an elf?" Knoll gaped. "But you're even taller?"
"Oh when it's me people expect it, but when it's Yad, they think someone's pulling a joke on them!" Max complained.
"How is he even taller as an elf?" Knoll asked while ignoring Max's complaint.
"Well one day, I accidentally fell into the taffy machine…" Yad explained. "… The rest is kind of embarrassing…"
"Now do you believe us, kid?" Max asked quickly diverging back the topic.
Knoll shook his head in disbelief. "There's no way you're elves! I mean, Santa isn't even real!"
"If he wasn't real, how did you recognize him?" Max quickly pointed out.
"That isn't him. It's just a grumpy old man." Knoll dismissed.
Max looked surprised. "But you do believe in him! You wouldn't have started singing it otherwise!"
"A-what? Singing can do that?"
"It means you believe you believe in him. What better way to express your Christmas spirit than singing? You sang a few verses which means you have a lot of it." Max told him.
"You're all crazy." Knoll told them.
"Fine, let's try this…" Max takes out a piece of paper. "Knoll, right? … …. ….. Where in Blazes is your Name here!? That's never happened before!" Max screamed.
Knoll raised his brow again. "Uhh… I'm going back to Naats."
+Knoll, wait. They're being completely honest and I do believe that those are their true forms. Besides, you're not really the type to turn down help. Clichéd, but still fairly respected and liked. Now turn around and give the holiday circus freaks a helping hand.+
"You are just oozing with Christmas Spirit, Chronos…" Knoll muttered sarcastically under his breath. Knoll walked back to the two who still were checking the paper. "You guys do look like you need help," Knoll sighed. "So… what do you need?"
"Oh thank you!" Yad came over and gave Knoll a huge bear hug.
"C-can-can't… breathe…" Knoll gasped.
"Let go of him you big lug." Max told Yad to do so. After that, max continued on, "OK, long story short, we need you to rekindle the big man's Christmas Spirit."
"What? How does the personified embodiment of Christmas itself lack Christmas Spirit?" Knoll questioned.
"Beats me! All I know was that one moment the three of us here were cruising over Mount Ever while on our practice flight, and then suddenly, the big man seemed to have some heart attack! We crashed around here and had to hide ourselves in this retirement home. After that fiasco, Santa became bitter and didn't remember who he really was! He's somehow trapped as that Naats persona." Max complained.
Yad quickly mentioned something, "Oh, before I forget, the moose you saw earlier today was actually a reindeer named Prancer. We changed all the reindeers into moose."
Knoll and Chronos noted something. "You were flying over Mount Ever?" Knoll asked.
"Yeah, why?" Max asked him a question now.
Knoll shook his head. "N-no reason..."
+If this is the work of a spirit, then I can help. You try their way while I study what really happened to Santa.+
Knoll feels Chronos' presence leave him and turns back to the elves. "So do you guys have any ideas on how to get Santa's Christmas Spirit back?"
Yad answered. "Some: would you consider sitting on his lap?"
"No. Why?" Out all the colorful and wide variety of emotions he could have shown, Knoll impressively showed none.
"Children are usually the best in showing their Christmas Spirit. And you're the only one with enough Christmas Spirit here to do the job." Max told him.
"Kids? Why not get one of them?" Knoll asked. "This is a retirement home! Just ask the grandchildren of one of the grandparents when their children come over."
"..." Both Yad and Max's expressions became solemn. "There… there are no grandchildren… at least… not anymore…"
Knoll didn't know what to say but, "What?"
Max sighs before explaining. "Look, at least all of the people in this retirement center lost their kids in the war between Plegia and Ylisse. They have no one anymore. And even if they had grandchildren that were still alive, they are probably in orphanages since their all too old to take care of them now."
"… I'm sorry to hear that…" Knoll told told them.
"Which is why we need Santa now more than ever, if the kids are still looking forward to something left, it's Santa. And you're the only one here that can help…" Max pleaded.
"Why can't you bring a kid over here?" Knoll asked.
"What kid would want to come here? We were almost planning to kidnap a kid and bring them here until you showed up with that man lady." Max said.
"That's a touchy subject, trust me, you don't ever want to even say that behind his back." Knoll warned.
"Fine, but we need your help. So here are a few ideas on how we're going to get the big man's Christmas Spirit back." They all huddled in as Max explained.
ENGAGING MONTAGE MODE…
First, they tried appealing to Santa's sweet tooth, so they made Knoll milk and cookies to give to Naats.
This backfires as Naats drinks the milk and spits it in Knoll's face while claiming he's lactose and intolerant.
Next, they discussed the lap sitting idea—then stopped and abandoned it the moment Yad re mentioned it.
The idea after that one was Christmas Caroling: before Knoll could even start, Naats' threw his shoe again at Knoll while he was opening his mouth to start. Knoll choked on it for a few seconds and really felt a nasty old man foot taste in his mouth.
The next idea was from Yad: reminding Santa by properly copying his job and inspiring him to remember who he is by the action.
Basically a science meaning for… going down the chimney… in a Santa costume.
As one could guess the stupidity of this, Knoll was stuck in the chimney for several hours.
To finally get him out of the Chimney, Yad and Max called over Yana to help them.
"Why, in the name of sanity, would you climb down a chimney wearing a Santa Suit?!" Yana questioned a dazed Knoll right after she got him out.
"All for the sake of offering my soul to Overlord Christmas as a worthy sacrificial pawn." Knoll muttered like mad man and then proceeded to collapse on floor due to lack of oxygen form the cramped space.
"Alright, since Mr. Minion's out cold, mind telling me what kind of sick joke this is?" Yana interrogated Yad and Max.
Max and Yad explained who they really were and turned into their elf versions. Yana was surprised about Yad's transformation, but she doesn't believe them still.
"Fine, hopefully this time it will work..." Max took out the list and read it aloud, "Your Christmas wish for when you were nine years old was that you... wanted to be the world's most beautiful bride?" Max eyed Yana curiously after reading his list.
Yana blushed furiously, needless to say, she believed them.
But now with a cow girl in tow, Yana had an idea to pitch in as well after being told their situation.
The next idea was to force him back into Santa suit. She had everyone gather the reindeer and the sleigh up.
They were supposed to get Naats into the costume, but while the four of them were still cleaning things up inside the sleigh with all of the reindeer tied up, Naats came out and threw a blue snake in front of the reindeer and they all panicked and dragged everyone over in a panicked pull. The connections to the reindeer snapped and the sleigh toppled over with the four and crashed into a tree.
MONTAGE END.
Knoll popped his head out of the snow and saw the same blue snake Naats threw out: Chronos.
"What happened to you?" Knoll asked as he struggled to get his hands out.
+There is a spirit invading Mr. Claus' mind. A spirit of depression, a being that feeds off sorrows. I was careless and was forced out of Santa's mind after a surprise attack. The Spirit's hold on Santa is almost permanent and soon this world will cease to have a Santa, which is a very bad situation for the timeline as well.+
"Of course it is..." Knoll sighed and finally got his hand out.
+Actually, it gets worse, it turns out that the spirit is not only latching itself onto Santa but is feeding off from the other seniors here. Even if by some miracle he leaves Santa, it may latch onto another host here. If only there was some way to to make everyone here less depressed...+
The others were getting out of the snow as well, so Chronos jumped back into Knoll's necklace.
As they all dusted themselves, a voice called out, "Knoll! Where are you?"
They all looked over and saw Libra coming over with a hunched old lady.
"Oh, Miss Lorat, how are you doing today miss?" Yad greeted the old woman near Libra.
"Oh just lovely! Christmas is coming soon! I'm so excited, I can't stop singing. And I dear Library here to thank for such a lovely first day here." She addressed Libra.
"Wait... you've been singing?" Knoll asked.
"Oh, she has a wondrous voice for such a noble age." Libra commented.
Ms. Lorat blushed. "Oh dear, stop it! I've just been singing Christmas Carols all day..."
"Ms. Lorat, don't you feel, I don't know... depressed?" Knoll asked.
Ms. Lorat smiles gently. "... Dear boy, you must be very sharp to see that. I am sad, but I'm also very glad. My dear sweet children and my oaf of an husband have all gone ahead of me into that great big house in the sky..." She starts getting teary eyed, but wipes it off immediately. "But I know that they always here... right in my heart. And I would do well to spend our favorite family holiday with a smile for their and my sake."
"That was beautifully answered, Ms. Lorat, you must be an angel." Libra commented to that while Knoll and the others looked rather shocked.
"Ohohoho!" Ms. Lorat laughed. "That's just what my husband used to say to me... oh that lovely man. He owes me a dance when I meet him again..." she responded so fondly.
Knoll smiled wide and approached Libra and Ms. Lorat. "Umm Libra? Ms. Lorat? We really really need your help in saving Christmas."
"You sure this will work?" Max asked Knoll as they got every senior into the mess hall.
"Ms. Lorat has a better chance than me." Knoll tells Max. then he goes in stage and address everyone. "Hello everyone!"
All seniors just glare at him. Knoll took a deep breath before speaking again with a wide smile. "A short reminder before we introduce tonight's entertainment: Your loved ones will always be with you. So do them and yourself one favor and just take the slightly longer detour... you'll meet them all again."
The gaze of all the seniors softens as Ms. Lorat comes on stage and starts singing, but before she starts, a flash of unseen blue light quickly flashes into Naats' head. Then she begins.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now...
As the song ends, by then the whole mess hall was filled with singing along with Ms. Lorat.
Knoll looks over to Naats and sees his eyes flash blue before something gets ejected out of his head with a blue light quick in pursuit. As Naats clutches his head, Knoll once again sees an amazing twinkle in his eyes. Something so beautiful, it makes him believe in Santa Claus.
Knoll and everyone else run out to meet with Naats, but they can't find him anywhere.
"Where did he go?!" Max cried out.
Knoll then hears something. "... Bells? Guys!" Knoll runs and everyone follows him.
as they all leave the center, they are greeted by one amazing treat: Santa Claus in all of his plum, cheek rose, Christmas glory, Standing on top of his fixed sleigh with all reindeer ready to fly off.
And a small blue snake sitting on top of a giant bag of presents.
"Boss!" Yad and Max cried out.
"Max, Yad... thank you for the trouble these past few days," He spoke with a kind voice. He then turned to Libra and Yana. "Thank both of you for your hard work in helping everyone."
"It's no problem, Boss/Tis an Honor sir./Y-your welcome..." They all say.
Then Father Christmas turns over to Ms. Lorat. "You were very lovely. I always glad to read your name on the nice list every year."
Ms. Lorat just blushes and laughs.
Santa then met with Knoll. "Ahh, you... dear boy, none of this might have happened, had you not come here today."
"What do you mean? Ms. Lorat pretty much saved Christmas." Knoll answered him.
"No... You All did... and..." Santa surprises Knoll with a sudden hug. "Despite the list not knowing, you have always been quite amazing in keeping your love for Christmas, even if you stopped believing in me. Even if I don't exist, doesn't mean you can't be a Santa for someone else. Keep up the amazing work, Knoll. Because I'll be watching over you always."
Santa let's go and gets back on his Sleigh with Yad and Max. "Now before I go..." He turns back. "How would you all like to do the Ylisse run with me one night ahead of schedule?"
Knoll and the others quickly looked at each other and raced all in like children.
With a mighty laugh, Santa and the group flew away in one of the most magical December 23 of their lives.
Merry Christmas! Everyone! Sorry this is late. I really had a writter's block and huge lack of motivation to write this.
... And it's totally not because I was distracted with my new Asus/Windows 8 Ipad.
Well folks, see ya Next year! (maybe?)
Happy Holidays!
Libra and Knoll were finally heading back to the garrison in the dead of night.
"We should definitely keep this a secret, OK?" Knoll reminded Libra.
"As much as I wish to share such a wonderful memory, I will honor Saint Nicholas' request to this silent and holy night." Libra agreed.
Knoll stopped for a moment. "Hey, Libra, mind if you go ahead. There's one little thing I need to do."
Libra wanted to ask, but he just nodded and did what he was asked.
When Libra was out of earshot, Knoll looked around and smiled. "Chronos, come out for a moment."
Chronos appeared on his shoulder with a confused look in his snake face.
+Yes?+
"Well, the real reason I sent you to that pawn shop was because I wanted to keep this from you," Knoll takes out a silver pocket watch and hangs it near Chronos. "Merry Christmas, buddy."
+W-what? You... got me a pocket watch? You got a Guardian of Time... a pocket watch?+
Knoll scratched his cheek with his other hand nervously. "W-well, I needed to get you something because you're a Guardian of Time."
+Excuse me?+
"I figured your kind never really even get or have Christmas presents, so I wanted to be the first to give one of you people who diligently protect all of the Cosmos a thank you present on a day of giving."
Chronos looked shocked at Knoll.
+... In all of time and space, I never received a Christmas Present until now... and I haven't received a normal present in... in what feels to be an eternity...+
Chronos took the watch and it disappeared in a flash of blue light.
+Knoll, Merry Christmas.+
Knoll smiles, "Merry Christmas, Chronos."
