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.
Chapter 18: Restoration
The continent of Tellius has now lost its Christmas touch. The kingdom of Daein is currently too busy worrying about its politics, the Begnion Empire had, since the beginning, returned to its original state, and there is no words regarding the Laguz countries of Gallia, Phoenicis, Kilvas, and Goldoa. And the once known Christmas-spirited kingdom of Crimea has its citizenry going about their normal daily routines.
It is the afternoon of December 24th, the day that was supposing to be Christmas Eve and because of the disappearance of Christmas, the entire continent felt dried and rusty… or so it seemed.
-Serenes Forest-
Ike, Elincia, Rhys, Soren, Titania, and the mysterious monk Lucius stood by the Serenes Christmas Tree along with the Laguz kings and their loyal generals. The Empress Sanaki was present as well. The company recently learned that the entire Laguz population besides the Heron has not forgotten about Christmas, because its magical spirit still felt alive in them.
Caineghis approached Ike and Elincia. Elincia clasped her hands together and pleaded, "King Caineghis! What should we do? The holiday… Christmas…it, it…"
"Queen Elincia," Caineghis politely interrupted, "There is something we have to tell you. In fact, I would like every one of you to listen to this, including you Ike."
"What is it King Caineghis?" Ike demanded, "Is there hope?"
Caineghis retreated and Deghinsea stepped in front. The black dragon king cleared his throat, "As you are aware, Oliver has the Crystal Ornaments in possession." He spoke, "yet…"
"Yet…"
"I don't understand." Lucius complained, "We had another chance at recovering the Ornaments when you helped us escaping the villa. But why didn't you allow it?"
"That is…" Reyson stated, "What we're about to explain."
Deghinsea made a signal and here came the twin crows, carrying the large chest seen earlier. Deghinsea continued, "What you are about to see inside this chest… might shock you."
Mace and Mina opened the chest, allowing the gang to peek inside. What they saw really was shocking: there stood the Seven Crystal Ornaments, resting inside the chest, serenely and unharmed. Each Ornament had its unique gemstone colors and was engraved with the national emblem of each country. Elincia was about to faint, Ike scratched his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming, and Lucius and Rhys almost dropped their jaws.
"W-Wait a minute!" Ike stammered, "Duke Tanas has the Ornaments!"
"We know." Reyson grinned.
"What's going on here?" Ike hissed, pointing at the Ornaments Titania and Soren aimlessly glared at.
"Before we get into a big argument here," Tibarn began as he pulled the chest in the center, "We were the ones who took the Ornaments."
Ike and Elincia couldn't believe what they were hearing. "WHAT?" they screamed, their faces turning white. Tibarn continued, "…but it was for a good reason!"
"Really?" Ike crossed his arms and squinted, "and what is that good reason?"
"Allow me," Kurthnaga stepped in front and cleared his throat, "It all started two days before the week came in. We received dire reports from Nasir and Ena, who were recently traveling by sea to Phoenicis for the holiday. They overheard news of Oliver's return to Begnion and also heard of his plans to steal the Ornaments for himself before the start of the week."
"As you're already aware," Ena commented, "the Ornaments are the actual essences of Tellius's Christmas Spirit."
"And since we know how precious Christmas is to both Laguz and Beorc," Nasir added, "we had to act fast before it was too late…"
"…and so we warned King Deghinsea first." Ena finished.
Deghinsea continued, "Then that is when I rallied my fellow Laguz and neighbors from Gallia, Phoenicis, and Kilvas. And believe it or not, the apostle was involved in this."
The gang glared at Sanaki, "Empress Sanaki?" Ike gasped, "We thought you forgot about Christmas!"
Sanaki nervously grinned, "My acting was quite real huh?"
Everyone giggled to each other yet getting fooled was not so amusing to Ike and Elincia. Sanaki cleared her throat after meeting their glare, "Anyway you thought wrong. I apologize for the lie I committed, but it was part of the plan. I had to act like this so that Oliver would think that the entire Begnion populace has lost its Christmas spirit, which they did."
"So you have the Spirit at heart, much like the Laguz and us as well?" Elincia asked.
"Yes, I do." Sanaki replied, "And I gotta say, hearing Ike's complaints at the Cathedral almost caused me to confess."
"Uh! I guess I should have complained more." Ike stated.
"So basically, you all took the Ornaments from the Tree before Oliver did?" Lucius asked.
"Yes." Caineghis replied, "And we hid them in Goldoa for a long time."
"But what about…Oliver's ornaments?" Rhys asked.
"Ooh, that's the best part!" Mina clasped her hands together.
"The best!" Mace grinned, "we've added a little of good ol' St. Nicholas' trick. I mean, if he wants an eternal Christmas, he'll get one."
-Tanas Villa-
Oliver sat hauntingly on his throne, the ornaments sitting in group on his lap. His fellow soldiers and servants gathered around him in speculation of what was to come on the subject of the ornaments.
"Isn't this a merry Christmas Duke Tanas?" One of the servants asked.
"Merry Christmas indeed." Oliver gloated, "With these Ornaments in my grasp, I will have the holiday cheer, forever and ever and ever and ever and ever…"
"Aren't you going to rub these Ornaments or not, Duke Tanas?" One of the soldiers complained.
"Oh will you stop your complaining already?" Oliver cried, "I'll be getting to it. Everyone… stay silent."
The army stood silent as they watched Oliver rubbing the ornaments. Light began glowing in reaction to the rubbing and immediately exploded a puff of white smoke, engulfing the entire room. The smoke cleared and Oliver saw a musical band, a crowd of carolers, and elves all smiling robotically. Oliver smiled but his army felt uncomfortable.
"Erm… Duke Tanas?" One mage asked, "I have a bad feeling about this."
"What bad feeling?" Oliver snorted and quickly realized he spoke too soon. The carolers and elves began performing an excerpt of 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' in high-pitched and off-key tune and the band played their instrument badly and stridently, causing the windows to crack.
WE WISH YOU A MERRY FREEZE-MA!
WE WISH YOU A MERRY FREEZE-MA!
WE WISH YOU A MERRY FREEZE-MA!
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAST!
"Stop it!" Oliver begged as he plugged his ears, but the band did not listen. In a sudden turn of event, the entire room's temperature began dropping down to zero and a blizzard formed inside. The soldiers glared in fear of their surroundings.
OLIVER GOT THE…
MERRY CHRISTMAS WILL…
CHICKENPOX FOR OLIVER!
AND A BAD LUCK FOR HIM!
Oliver began scratching his body and trembled through the cold, "W-What's going on? Is it some…kind of spell? I'm can't stop scratching and shaking! Someone turned up the temperature!"
One of the soldiers ran through the crowd and desperately manipulated the temperature settings, "It's busted!"
WE WISH YOU A MERRY FREEZE-MA!
WE WISH YOU A MERRY FREEZE-MA!
"Not only they aren't listening" one of the cavaliers cried through the brouhaha, "They're singing all wrong!"
"I…I…f-freezing!" One of the mages crossed his arms attempting to give himself warmth through the indoor blizzard.
"Shut them off, NOW!" Oliver cried, scratching uncontrollably, "AND SOMEBODY GET ME AN OINTMENT FOR MY BODY!"
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAST!
Things have calmed down in the Serenes Forest since the truth of the Crystal Ornaments' whereabouts blew on Ike and Elincia's faces. The Laguz, the company, and the heron population were now getting ready to restore Christmas in Tellius as a band of herons, still in the spirit, were playing an instrumental excerpt of "Deck the Halls" in a peaceful tune.
"Ike, are you okay?" Ranulf approached Ike.
"Yeah, I'll be." Ike replied, "now that I know the entire truth."
"Sorry we've put you and the queen into all of this trouble," Ranulf replied, "but if you put it together, it was quite fun!"
"Ranulf is right." Reyson came in, "I, myself, can't wait to see the look on Oliver's face when he finds out he's been swindled." He immediately chortled in laughter and immediately Ranulf joined in.
"You got that right." Ranulf replied and continued to laugh. Ike simply smirked.
Lucius then approached Ike, "You seem happy Ike."
"Lucius." Ike said.
The monk continued, "I mean your face may not look happy, but I know you're happy that all's well that end's well."
"Yeah," Ike replied, "Just a question Lucius: were you part of all of this?"
"To be honest, I wasn't aware of this situation." Lucius replied, "I came to Tellius to run my usual holiday errands, and I was dragged up into this mess."
"I don't know how I can thank you Lucius." Ike replied, "But if it wasn't for your help, we would've figured this whole thing out."
Lucius and Ike shook hands, "Be grateful that your Christmas Spirit has not abandoned you Young Ike," Lucius replied, "your belief in its magic has helped Queen Elincia, and you specifically, save the day."
Ike blinked strangely at Lucius, "Wow, you know so much about the Christmas Spirit, Lucius. Who are you?"
"Oh you already know me." Lucius winked at Ike. The young lord still couldn't get him, "May we meet again." Lucius stated then began to walk away. Ike began running his thoughts and at that moment, his eyes widen in great surprise. He turned around to catch Lucius, but the monk was already gone.
"All right, bring them up!" a Laguz tiger hollered from up the treetop and Laguz workers began pulling the chest up to him. After a short while, everyone gathered at the treetop's altar.
"Let the rulers do the honor," Chelsea proposed, "It is time for the restoration of Christmas."
The heron band immediately began playing a quiet instrumental excerpt of "O Tannenbaum" Each Ornament was handed to each country's respective rulers.
The Gold Ornament, with the national emblem of Crimea, was carried by Queen Crimea Elincia, "This Ornament represents Beauty. This Christmas, may the Kingdom of Crimea be blessed in light and all that is radiant." She said and placed the Ornament firmly in its rightful altar.
The Ruby Ornament, with the national emblem of Daein, was carried by the White Prince Reyson, "This Ornament represents Strength. This Christmas, I wish for this kingdom to regain its glorious strength it lost since Ashnard's enthronement." He said and placed the Ornament firmly in its rightful altar.
The Rose Ornament, with the national emblem of Goldoa, was carried by its Dragon Prince Kurthnaga, "This Ornament represents Peace. This Christmas, may the Dragon Monarchy remain even more peaceful and serene than ever." He said and placed the Ornament firmly in its rightful altar.
The Emerald Ornament, with the national emblem of Gallia, was carried by its Lion King Caineghis, "This Ornament represents Wisdom. May this holy spirit shed its blessings to all Gallian this holiday season." He said and placed the Ornament firmly in its rightful altar.
The Desert Ornament, with the national emblem of Phoenicis, was carried by its Hawk King Tibarn, "This Ornament represents Fortune. This gift, this Christmas, has been received to all Phoenicians for abundance and bliss." He said and placed the Ornament firmly in its rightful altar.
The Azure Ornament, with the national emblem of Kilvas, was carried by its Crow King Naesala, "This Ornament represents Luck. I sure hope that I get even more luckier in money, money, and more money."
Everyone stared strangely at Naesala. "What?" he said, "It's Christmas." He then placed the Ornament firmly in its rightful altar.
Finally, Sanaki approached the last altar space for the Ornament of Begnion. She carried the Sapphire Ornament with the Begnion national emblem engraved in it and spoke, "This Ornament represents Miracle. I personally will like to thank everyone of you, especially Ike and Elincia, for bringing the Spirit of Christmas back in its former glory. That is the one miracle I have asked for, and it came true."
Ike and Elincia smiled, so does Titania, Rhys, and Soren. Sanaki continued, "May there be, even more miracles, in the days to come." The Empress then placed the Ornament firmly in its rightful altar.
Immediately the entire altar spun uncontrollably until a radiant glow shaped in between the Ornaments. Everyone backed away from the altar until the glowing light took the form of a three-dimensional colossal Yuletide Star, taking much of the altar's space.
The crowd breathed in awe of this regal vision. The heron band began playing an instrumental excerpt of "Joy to the World!" as the Yuletide Star began to pour its rays into the dried up Serenes Christmas Tree and the forest. The tree immediately regained its youthful prosperous colors and the light soon flooded the entire continent. The continent of Tellius, no longer a dried ashen land, was now drenched and fresh in abundant glow. It's Christmas again. The time of year has returned to the land of Ashera.
NEXT CHAPTER…