Disclaimer: The following characters and settings of the Fire Emblem series are a belonging of Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. The characters (Mace, Wiz, Zoe, Adrion, Adam, Nicole, Trevor, Keri, Ben, Chelsea, and Mace of Kilvas and Mina of Kilvas) are the only belongings of the author.

—The One with the Sacred Stone Ball—

(Part 2/3)

-Rausten Court Guest Room-

"Innes! What happened?" Tana cried in horror.

"I dunno! I dunno!" Innes replied, "I was walking down the stairs, probably slipped on some… banana peel on the way and here I was flying!" he sighed then faced Eirika, "I'm sorry to tell you this Eirika but there's a chance I won't be competing in the finals with you."

Ephraim secretly pumped his fist in the air, but Eirika couldn't help but show disappointment.

"What?" she cried, "You can't—we…we're on a winning streak here. I mean, did you see those judges? How wild they were? A-And the crowd?"

Innes sighed, "I know, but… I'm sorry."

"That's a bummer." Tana exclaimed, "You're so good in the rink. I mean, who could replace you?"

Ephraim leaned in front of the friends and giggled mirthlessly, "I will!" The foursome stared at him.

"You?" They all responded simultaneously.

"Ephraim brother." Eirika approached her twin brother, "you have ice issues. You can't skate."

"I can and I will." Ephraim argued.

Now it was Innes's turn to raise an eyebrow, "you seem desperate Ephraim." He said, "by your behavior, it seems that we know the true story."

Ephraim's eyes enlarged. Everyone, even Eirika turned to face Innes, "What true story?" Eirika curiously inquired.

Ephraim shook his head at Innes. The Frelian prince continued, "The fact that Ephraim was inspired by my look and grace on the rink. And with my ankle sprained, he's desperate to follow my step."

Ephraim took turn to raise an eyebrow, but quickly replied, "Yeah, that's right!"

Eirika placed a hand on her hip, "Since when do you worship Innes's look and grace on the rink?"

"Since I was in the Christmas spirit," Ephraim replied, "Now are we going to go for it or not?"

Eirika's sigh showed that she was not too keyed up into going to the finals with her twin brother as her skating partner, "Yeah, yeah whatever." She said, "But we should revise the basics if you're up for it."

"I'm up for it."

-Narube River-

The night has fallen in Rausten and Eirika and Ephraim were alone at the skating rink. Eirika nudged Ephraim near the ice rink. As soon as he made contact with the ice, he freaked out and left. Eirika gave him another chance and nudged him near the ice rink. This time, she didn't let go of it until they both entered the rink. She finally let him go and after almost losing his balance a few times, Ephraim ultimately fell flat on his face. Eirika, once again, gave him another chance. After few nudging, Ephraim is now getting comfortable with the ice. Yet as he heard a crack from nearby, he freaks out and ran onto Eirika. Both twins fell flat on their face. The crack heard from nearby was only a tree which was cut from afar by a worker. The worker glanced at the twins, his head cocked on one side. After few more face falling and few more nudging, Ephraim stood on the ice the longest and was able to skate. Eirika, feeling sure to win the competition, jumped of joy and ran to hug Ephraim.

-Rausten Court Ice Hall-

The Rausten Court Garden had been turned into a majestic ice rink. Now the garden is now christened the Ice Hall, in occasion of the Sacred Stone Ball Finals. A huge cheering crowd filled the hall, anxious to check out their favorite skaters.

"Welcome back to our Annual Sacred Stone Ball!" the host replied, "We're down for the final competition and we have two of our awesome pairs of skaters ready to take our feet up in the air. Well, our feet are already in the air, right Yren?" he addressed his wyvern, who smiled back.

Ephraim and Eirika were both elegantly dressed. Ephraim wore a shiny white puffy shirt and ivory pants. His hair was well-combed from the front. Eirika was in an ivory skating dress with a white-ruffled skirt reaching her knees. Her white elegant gloves reached her elbows. Eirika's hair was styled in a messy bun. Standing outside the rink were Tana, Lyon, and Innes. Innes was back in his normal clothing in addition with the crutches he stood on.

"Wow Eirika! You look…stunning," he complimented Eirika's beauty. Eirika grinned from ear to ear but Ephraim frowned. Innes continued, "I mean…you got fashion! You're sure to win this. You…are…fabulous."

"Gee thanks." Eirika smiled.

"You are…gosh! I don't know what to say…"

"Then, don't." Ephraim interrupted.

"What's wrong Ephraim?" Tana asked, "Innes is just being polite. Eirika is beautiful."

"Indeed." Lyon agreed.

"So what if she is?" Ephraim snapped and faced Innes again, "You don't have to moo her."

Everyone gasped in replied to Ephraim's rudeness. Eirika bumped his shoulder, "Ephraim!" she snapped, "Be nice! He's been supportive."

"It's okay Eirika." Innes approached Ephraim, unsteadily in his crutches, "Now Prince Renais," he began, "from your tone of voice, it seems as though you were planning to see me fall and out of the competition so that you could swoop in here and take my place."

"Well then maybe I was."

Everyone gasped in horror at Ephraim's words. Ephraim quickly realized what he had said and put his hands on his lips. Eirika glared at her brother cruelly. Innes did not say anything.

"Oh no you didn't." Tana whimpered.

"You…couldn't." Lyon shook his head.

Ephraim looked around then faced his fuming twin sister who approached him, "Ephraim. Did you do this to Innes? Were you the one responsible for Innes's sprained ankle?" She pointed her finger to Innes's crutches.

Ephraim grinned nervously, "well…"

Eirika's mouth hanged open. Ephraim began stammering, his hand held up in front, "before we stepped into the wrong foot here, I…OW!"

Eirika angrily stomped Ephraim's foot, practically crunching the toes and turned away. Approaching the duo and also dressed similar to the twins were the competing finalists Largo and Calill.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't our two finalists." Calill giggled.

"Eirika and… wait a minute!" Largo glanced at Ephraim, then Innes, and back, "Silver haired boy. You're on crutches!"

Innes shrugged, "yeah. And we know who made it happen." He glared at Ephraim, who was too busy with his toes to glare back.

Calill clicked her tongue, "That's a shame honey."

"Yeah." Largo said, "We were eager to compete with you two. Silver hair here is like a god in the rink."

"And with things changing between you two," Calill added, "you're nothing but random competition. We must crush you."

With these words they left.

"Yeah?" Ephraim cried, "Well bring it on then!"

"Up next," the reporter cried, "The world-Bestest skating duo, Largo and Calill!"

Largo and Calill entered the rink and performed in rhythm to the instrumental music of "Sleigh Ride." At the same time, the monarchs scampered around the large crowd, selling their eggnog balls on platters accompanying with fresh milk. Hayden was with Fado, while Vigarde was with Ismaire. The chefs were separated in both groups.

"It seems our customers are enjoying our dishes. Check it out." Fado gleamed as he saw one of his customers munching on his eggnog ball he just purchased. Hayden and the blond chef noticed as well. It seems as if it all went well, until Fado turned his back. The customer rushed off the scene, coughing up smoke and attempting to gag. Hayden and the blond chef grimaced.

"Did you notice?" Fado smiled at his friend.

"Yeah, I did." He grinned nervously, "so…noticeable." The blond chef nodded.

"Squeal! I'm so pumped up! Let's sell some more!" Fado rushed through the crowd to sell more eggnog balls, but Hayden took the eggnog platter from Fado, "I don't this is such a good idea."

"What? Why not?"

"Well…it's just that…" the king couldn't think of a possible lie that could let Fado buy it, until the blond chef interrupted, "Some of our customers might not like eggnog." Hayden nodded.

Fado squinted, "Not like eggnog?" he began arguing, "Who does not like eggnog? Everybody loves eggnog! Those who don't like eggnog aren't human. They're Grinches."

Hayden raised his hand, "I don't like eggnog."

"Okay, then you aren't human…" He took the platter from Hayden and glared at him, "Grinch." He walked back toward the crowd. Hayden and the blond chef began panicking.

"What are we going to do?" the blond chef quivered.

"You know this is all your fault." Hayden snapped.

"M-My fault!" the blond chef gasped, "How is that my fault Your Majesty?"

"You dragged me into it!" Hayden replied, "How can you drag your king into this mess! You should have been fired! You and your accomplice."

"But you weren't supposed to overhear us!"

Hayden looked up the sky, "True that."

Hayden and the blond chef followed Fado. "We got delicious eggnog balls here. Try them, it's tasty."

"I'll try it." Nicole raised her hand among the crowd. As she approached Fado to pick one ball, she flinched, "King Fado? Wh-What are you doing here, dressed like that?" she remarked the king's floozy merchant costume.

"Nicole! Good to see you two." Fado greeted, "I'm making profits."

The blond chef gasped, "This is bad. King Fado is speaking with Lady Nicole, Princess L'Arachel's best friend."

"As long as Vigarde and Ismaire are not here, we'll be fine!" Hayden harshly whispered, "Now quiet!"

Too late. Vigarde and Ismaire came at the scene and also met with Nicole. Hayden gulped.

"We're done for." The blond chef whimpered.

-Castle Renais-

Seth tiptoed out of his bedchamber and headed downstairs toward the castle vault, where we had requested for his Christmas gifts to be locked there. Seth was craving to open one more of his gifts and began thinking of another tiny box he noticed not long ago. If he could open that meaningless box, he thought, that will make him feel better.

The paladin finally reached his destination: the vault. He examined the combination, and composed it. As soon as the gate opened, Seth saw four eerie shadows and let out a scream…

Seth breathed heavily, sweating greatly and almost wetting his bed. He looked around then let out a sigh of relief, "Just a dream." He flicked the light switch and saw Adrion and Adam, coddled up on both his sides of the bed. The brothers' eyes fixed directly at Seth, like a predator ready to jump on its prey.

AAHH! He jumped off his bed, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

"What does this doing here?" Adam waved in Seth's face two pairs of almost unwrapped gifts. Adrion opened Seth's wardrobe and about seven gifts rushed out of there. Seth stammered, "W-well…I was tr-trying to s-see if I c-could return…"

"Nice try." Adam grinned.

"You're a liar you know that?" Adrion pointed.

Seth lowered his head in shame, "A pathological one."

-Rausten Court Ice Hall-

Applaud roared as Largo and Calill ended the dance with a big finish. The cheering crowd roared with excitement.

"Awesome finish from Largo and Calill of Tellius, in the performance of 'Sleigh Ride', now that's what Christmastime is all about." The reporter gleamed, "Up next: The Sensational Eirika and Innes!" The crowd cheered and applauded louder than before. Just then a Pegasus knight flew towards the reporter with a cue card and whispered few words to him. The wyvern reporter nodded and spoke, "Looks like our program has changed people. Instead of Innes, it's Ephraim of Renais."

The crowd sighed, yet notwithstanding the change, applauded and cheered anyway. Eirika entered the rink, still angry. Ephraim trailed behind, nervously mingling his fingers.

"That's Ephraim and Eirika! Those are my kids!" Fado cheered at the sight of the twins entering the rink.

"Is that right?" Hayden approached Fado, seizing this chance to take the eggnog platter from the Renais king. Fado didn't pay attention and eventually let go of the platter. The two other chefs also took the platters from Vigarde and Ismaire who weren't paying attention as well.

"I thought Innes was competing? What happened?" Ismaire asked, watching the twins performing to the instrumental music of "Simply having a wonderful Christmastime."

"Wait a minute." Fado cocked his head, "Ephraim's afraid of the rink."

"Well looks like he isn't." Hayden replied.

"Something's fishy is going on here?" Vigarde questioned, "Should we meddle?"

"Let's leave them." Fado replied, "It's their problems, not ours."

-Rausten Court Family Hall-

"I can't believe I'm missing the Sacred Stone Ball finals for this." Rennac grumbled as he stared randomly at the milk and cookies.

L'Arachel returned in the setting, "Sorry, I had to go to the bathroom for awhile." She held onto her stomach, "too much eggnog balls."

"Swell." Rennac conjured a fake smile, "and you didn't buy one for me?"

"Believe me. You won't like it." L'Arachel looked around, noticing that something was wrong, "Where's Dozla?"

"He said that he had to run some errands from the Pontifex." Rennac replied, "Apparently he was supposed to run them since yesterday but he's having short term memory problems as we speak."

L'Arachel shook her head, but Rennac was not finished, "he told me to stay here and keep watch of Santa. Like you Princess, he's desperate to win this dumb bet."

"It's not a dumb bet!" L'Arachel contended, "Dozla believes in Santa and I doubt in Santa. We're trying to make a point here to see who's right."

Suddenly, bells began jingling from afar, and a heartily laugh "Oh! Oh! Oh!" echoed beyond the twilight. Both L'Arachel and Rennac gasped in reply of this sound.

"Santa's here!" the princess cried, "He really exist!"

"I don't believe it." Rennac wheezed.

At the same time, Mansel walked down the hallway and spotted the milk and cookies, "Say, who left these here?" he picked a cookie and a glass of milk.

L'Arachel came out of her hiding place and ran towards her uncle. Rennac followed.

"We left them here Uncle, for both you and Santa."

"Santa?" Mansel raised an eyebrow, "As in Santa Claus?"

"It's not midnight yet." Rennac complained, "Why picking those cookies now?"

"I was on my way to the Sacred Stone Ball finals, and I got hungry." Mansel replied, "besides, why leaving these goodies here? Santa doesn't exist."

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" the laugh sounded again. Mansel looked around frightened, "Okay he does exist!"

Entering the room was a chubby short figure in red velvet and white-puffed ensemble and hat, in addition of a pair of shiny ebon boots. He also carried a large heavy brown bag on his shoulder. It was really Santa Claus. "Gwoh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!"

Mansel, L'Arachel, and Rennac gasped at the sight of the jolly man, "Santa!" L'Arachel screamed, ran towards Santa and landed a heavy firm hug on him.

"Oof!" Santa gasped, "Not too tight! You're crunching my tender spine!"

L'Arachel released him, "Oh I'm sorry…umm…Santa?"

"Yeah?"

"I didn't know you were short."

Santa embarrassingly laughed, "Is that a problem?"

"Well yes," she replied, "my friend Dozla said you were tall like my uncle."

"Oh."

"But it's great to see you!"

As L'Arachel was about to hug him, Santa headed towards Mansel, "Hey!" he yelled at the Pontifex, who was about to eat the jolly man's snacks, "What do you think you're doing?"

"What do you think I'm doing?" Mansel boldly replied, "I'm feasting on my milk and cookies." He picked one cookie and chomped on it. L'Arachel gasped, "Father!"

Rennac grinned, "This ought to be interesting."

"Those are my milk and cookies!" Santa bellowed, yet he sounded a little shaken, "What are you trying to do, give the old man a heart attack?"

"I got hungry," Mansel said, "if you want some, there's plenty in the kitchen."

Santa gnashed his teeth and his face turned as red as a tomato, "GIMME THOSE COOKIES!" Santa clawed in Mansel, and both men began fighting.

"THEY'RE MINE!"

"MINE!"

"MINE!"

"MINE!"

RIP!

GASP! Everyone stared, dumbfounded at the Santa Claus's costume, ripped in two, revealing Dozla inside.

"Dozla?" L'Arachel, Rennac, and Mansel cried.

Dozla blushed, "Gwoh! Oh! Oh?"

L'Arachel approached Dozla, "You were S-Santa Claus?"

"Well…"

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" L'Arachel walked away in tears. Rennac approached Dozla and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. The rogue couldn't help but muster a smile, "What a performance my friend. Quite tragic indeed. You entertained me. Worth missing the Sacred Stone Ball."

"Rennac…" Dozla grumbled under his breath.

"No seriously!" Rennac continued, "If I was Santa, you will be on my nice list." He slapped Dozla's back and skipped towards the exit. Mansel stared menacingly at Dozla, his arms across his chest. Dozla nervously giggled.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" Eirika growled at Ephraim, as they waltz on the rink to the instrumental music of "Simply having a Wonderful Christmastime." "If you have told me how you felt about me going out with Innes instead of giving him this injury in the first place—"

"Eirika!" Ephraim interrupted, "how many times am I going to tell you that I'm sorry? At least you gotta forgive me and dance like nothing happened! The crowd's watching suspiciously."

Eirika scoffed, while twirling in place, "Yeah, like nothing happened." The twins resumed the waltz.

"Wait a minute! You were really going out with Innes?" Ephraim gasped.

"Duh! What did you think, him, inviting me to the Sacred Stone Ball was for? Competition purposes?" she hissed.

"Yeah-Uh!"

"We came to have fun, for goodness sake. Besides the one person you should apologize to, is Innes not me."

"If he asked you to the ball as a date, then there's no way that I'm apologizing to him!"

"Oh so be it."

Eirika twirled Ephraim in place and tripped him. The crowd gasped at this sight.

"Hey!" Ephraim cried as Eirika skated off the stage, "This was no part of the dance!"

"Princess Eirika tripped her skating partner on purpose!" the reporter said, "According to rule #800 Section 4E-6 of the Magvel Skating rulebook, the twins of Renais are disqualified! And so we have a winner: the World-Bestest Skating Duo, Largo and Calill."

A roar of applaud sounded from the crowd. The monarchs however felt disappointed.

"What happened? What in peppermint's name happened?" Fado asked.

"How are we supposed to know?" Ismaire shrugged.

"And where are the eggnog balls?" Vigarde finally noticed he and the others were not carrying the eggnog platters.

"King Hayden has it." Nicole pointed at the monarch and the chefs attempting to leave the crowd with the eggnog cakes.

"Hayden! Where are you going with those?" Vigarde approached Hayden and the chefs. Hayden stopped short and hesitated, "w-well… I, I…w-we thought…"

"Admit it, you just want to sell those cakes for yourself," Ismaire bellowed as she and the monarchs took the balls from Hayden and the chefs.

"Let me taste them." Nicole picked an eggnog ball and as she was about to shove it on her mouth, the chefs jumped and knocked the cake from her hand. The cake made a landing inside the yawning mouth of a man among the crowd. The man chewed the eggnog ball, immediately began coughing powder and left the crowd in haste.

"What in the—?" Fado baffled.

"Why's that man coughing powder?" Nicole questioned.

Vigarde approached Hayden and the chefs angrily, "Guys. Why did we saw powder coming out of a chewing eggnog ball?"

"It's… it's the batch!" the brunette chef confessed.

"WHAT?"

"Your majesties used Baby powder as a substitute of the baking powder!"

"Baby powder!" The monarchs all repeated.

Out of the blue, many coughing were heard among the crowd. The baby powder quickly smoke overwhelmed them.

"Hey! What are you trying to do, kill us?"

"Yeah! This is the worst holiday snack ever!"

"Begone with you!"

The crowd jeered and tossed the cakes on the monarchs, getting them out of the area. The monarchs finally reached a quiet place outside the ice hall.

Fado fumed at the chefs, "Why on earth didn't you tell us that we screwed up?" The monarchs glared at them.

"We thought that it wouldn't be a big deal." The blond chef said, "We thought it was just for fun, not charity."

"Not a big deal!" the monarchs bellowed.

"King Hayden thought the same."

Hayden shook as the monarchs stared down at him.

"I didn't think of it the same." Hayden said, "I found out right after we took leave for Rausten. By then it was too late. And…do you know how many hours we stayed at Frelia doing this?"

The monarchs looked at each other and nodded in agreement, "Yeah you're right." Vigarde said, "we did spend hours on the eggnog cakes and no success."

"I guess eggnogs are meant to be drinks only." Ismaire sighed.

"What was that all about, Eirika?" Tana asked Eirika, who stormed off the ice rink stage. Ephraim followed.

Innes approached the prince, "What did you do now Ephraim?"

"Everything!" Eirika snapped, "Everything that has be done wrongfully, I can't dance with this nuisance!"

"Oy." Lyon slapped his face.

Ephraim abruptly removed his skating shoes, "All right Eirika. You want an apology? Here it is!" he faced the Frelian prince, took a deep breath, and spoke, "Innes, I'm sorry."

Innes blinked. Ephraim continued, "I'm sorry for causing you this injury and I'm sorry I had you ousted from the competition."

Everyone, even Eirika, glanced towards Innes. The Frelian prince couldn't help but muster a sincere smile, and wrapped his arm around Ephraim's shoulder, "Forgiven, forgotten Eph!" he faced Eirika, "See Eirika. You don't have to be mad anymore. We made up."

Eirika nodded, then looked away and bit her lip, "Great!" her tone still sounded harsh.

"What's the matter now Eirika?" Tana asked.

Eirika whimpered, "We lost!"

The friends saw Largo and Calill trailing out of the ice hall with a convoy full of a multitude of color-wrapped gifts, basket, and decors. They laughed among one another.

"Hey! Too bad you lost cubbies." Largo exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Calill laughed, "But it's not like Christmas is ruined, right?"

"Yeah, what Calill said." Largo grinned, "And by the way, Merry Christmas. Bwah! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

The duo left in haste.

"These gifts should have been ours!" Eirika muttered.

"Well, if you hadn't tripped me in the first place—"

Eirika approached Ephraim. The prince backed up and changed tune, "Kidding. Just Kidding."

NEXT CHAPTER…