Chapter 13: Shining Star

"Gallows?" A familiar voice murmured through the inky blackness.

"Gallows? C'mon! Wake Up!" Another voice echoed, but this time a bit more clear.

Gallows woke up, finding tow faces in his. Jack and Jane were staring at him, their noses practically touching his. They leaped back, and Gallows could now see them as well as Magdalen and light pouring in from the window. Wait? Window! Gallows sat up and found himself in a bed. He patted himself to make sure he was real enough before hastily looking to the three. "What the-What's going on! How'd we end up at the surface? And what are you guys doing here! Aren't you dead!"

Jane crossed her arms and sighed. "Does he have to act like a moron all the time?"

"You don't understand! You guys remember, don't you? Shturdark, Gaia, and Glaive Le Gable!" Gallows asked frantically.

"We finished that mission a few days ago!" Magdalen laughed. "Glaive Le Gable gave you quite the bonk on the head, or should I say she gave us all a good hit or two. When we awoke, we found ourselves here in Baskar (Advanced the 3rd edition)!"

"You had us worried, because you wouldn't wake up!" Jack patted Gallows shoulder.

"A couple days?" Gallows sighed. "Well, what is today?"

"Don't you know?" Jane raised an eyebrow. "It's Christmas!"

"Christmas?" Gallows raised his eyebrow now. "But Christmas was when we fought Glaive Le Gable!

"She must have hit you hard!" Jack commented. "Like we said, we beat her a couple days ago. We've been in Baskar ever since!"

Gallows immediately leaped out of bed. Did he dream the whole thing, or was his desire really put into reality? He ran to the window and opened it all the way. Snow covered the little Baskar town and down below, a young girl was carrying a roast turkey. "HEY!" Gallows shouted. The girl looked up, revealing herself to be none other than Lilka!

"Oh hey Gallows! I'm delivering a turkey!" Lilka replied.

"You have a degree now in magic from Sielje and the only job you could get is delivering turkeys?" Gallows questioned the girl.

"Don't ask me! I just roll with it!" Lilka replied.

"Well whatever! Bring that turkey up here and I'll give you fifty gella!" Gallows dropped the coins down to the snow covered street.

"Yes sir!" Lilka laughed as she quickly picked up the coins.

"A turkey Gallows?" Jack raised an eyebrow.

"What's the deal with that? Aren't you going to go partying?" Jane placed a hand to her hip.

Gallows shook his head. "Though I love partying, if it's one thing I learned from this whole horizon business it's that Christmas is a time to be treasured and spent with those you care about!"

"That's awfully deep of you, good sir." Magdalen smiled.

"Well, it IS only one day a year. I can survive the day without the ladies. Besides, you guys will be joining me right?" Gallows hugged Jack and Jane at the same time.

"Sure." Jack squawked as he gasped for breath.

The door slammed opened, creating a loud ruckus! The agents all turned to see Marivel standing there, wearing her hat, scarf, and cane. She glowered at the group. "I see you guys are here having a little moment instead of earning me money! I have half the mind to fire all of you right now!"

"But we don't work for you…" Jane replied.

"Marivel!" Gallows dropped the two and gathered up Marivel in one hug. "Oh I'm so glad to see you alive!"

"Gah!" Marivel hissed. "The hugging! It burns!"

Gallows put Marivel down and blushed. "Sorry. I forgot about the whole nice thing."

Marivel rubbed her arm and let a small smile come through. "Well I'm glad to see you two you big idiot."

Marivel was run over as Lilka ran through the doorway, carrying the huge turkey. She placed the bird on a table and turned to Gallows. "Hey, are you guys having like a friendship dinner!"

"Err, something like that…" Jack rubbed the back of his neck.

"I want to join!" Lilka giggled.

"Stop it!" Marivel threw a snow-covered boot at Lilka. "Being giddy makes me nauseous."

The group of five laughed at this and then found more and more people knocking on the door and coming in. Virginia Maxwell and Ashley Winchester came through, followed by Cecelia Adlyhyde and Sheyenne Rainstorm. Soon the room was too crowded and then the house as all of ARMS and pretty much everyone else came to celebrate that most joyous of holidays, where there is good will towards men and peace on Earth. There was a good time to be had by all as there was food, drink, singing, and much merriment. Christmas was something special, and it would be special even if Jesus wasn't in it. Merry Christmas, one and all.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

"Heh." Gallows laughed. "You guys sand 'gay'."

Marivel crossed her arms across her chest and pouted as the last bit of turkey was stolen from her. "Bah Humbug".

George W. Bush walked in and turned to the camera. "The End. Stay the Course."