Thanks to Firstone33 for their review. Well, all I know is that Gestahl isn't a good guy and if Noct and them find out that his place isn't a kingdom, but an empire, it wouldn't be good. And in this, he's also showing sexism against Luna as he most likely thinks that religious leaders should only be men. But, if Luna had the chance, she would prove him wrong.

-miano53

Chapter 22: First Winter's Festival and Metalcore Interruptions, pt. 1

December 15th, Insomnia…

After finishing up the summit, learning about the other nations, and Hunters' HQ receiving a ton of requests from the other countries, Noctis and his family had returned to the Citadel. But it was much different as it was decorated with red, white, green, and lots of flashing lights, an indication of the upcoming Winter's Festival. The babies were interested, their eyes growing wide upon seeing it and the many trees that dotted the palace. But Noctis knew that this was just a ruse and that a certain someone couldn't wait until the holidays rolled around…as said person did that last year.

That day, he looked around for Gladiolus, certain that the Shield would pop out from his hiding spot just as Noctis wanted to play his Festival Music list. Growing paranoid, as he remembered the many years Nyx, Crowe and other Kingslglaive members would pop out of nowhere, scaring him, his father, and other members of the Old Council while they played or practiced carols.

One year, the King remembered, Nyx had punched a man in a Rudolph costume while singing/rocking out to "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Mesmenir". Then the year after that, the Kingsglaive scared his poor father with their metal version of "Jingle Bells". And when he had returned from Tenebrae when Niflheim attacked, Noctis nearly fell out of his wheelchair when Crowe screamed/sang her part in "All I Want for Winter is You." He was certain the song's singer sung it with finesse and not like a wailing banshee.

But since most of the old Kingsglaive had been slain both defending the city 12 years ago and protecting him before the Endless Night ended, Noctis felt a bit sad. He was sure he'd miss their antics during the holidays. Upon entering his office and feeling a sinister presence, Noctis quickly dismissed it.

He glanced around, certain that Gladio was in the room…just waiting for him to put on music and for him to pop out and interrupt it with loud metal music. After several minutes and having the specter of his father assuring him that he was fine, Noctis relaxed, sat behind his desk, and turned on his computer and checked the status report of the city. According to it, Minister Tot had authorized a parade for the Winter Festival, costing the royal family about 1,000,000 gil. Which was a bit hard to come by as Noctis hadn't taken up on those hunting offers yet.

He then checked the jobs on Hunter's HQ, the group finally hopping onto the reestablished "interwebs", as his father had called it. It was becoming worldwide, with the help of Midgar and Altissia. And it helped hunters keep track of each other and hopefully would help them receive aid faster if they ran into trouble fighting monsters.

Seeing the offer for "The Fury", a dreamhare that plagued Conde Petie in Alexandria, Noctis was about to accept the job when a text from Ignis stopped him. The man asked about the babies and the festival, too which Noctis replied, "It's their first festival, so yeah."

"Well, I hope that the people are receptive as we haven't had one since the start of the Endless Night," Ignis texted.

"Yeah. Minister Tot wants to hold one, but it'll be a million gil…And taxing everyone for it's not gonna be a good idea…" Noctis said.

"I'll see what I can do…if there are any extra finances in the accounts. And if push comes to shove, taking up the offers from Hunter HQ would be the next best thing," Ignis told him.

Putting the phone down, the Lucian King went back to work, but everything had started to grow boring. The babies were taking a nap, Luna was out on Oracle duties, Prompto was at Meteor Publishing, and Gladio…Wait, where was he?

The bad feeling rising again, Noctis was sure that Gladio would pop out from nowhere at any moment, playing loud metal festival music. Regis assured him again that it wasn't the case and Noctis sighed. The many years of being scared out of his wits during the holidays made him question if he should get therapy. Well, after having experienced the Endless Night and the terror the Starscourge did to get back at his family and the gods would prompt anyone to get therapy. And getting terrified during the holidays just added to his PTSD.

"Okay…just gotta calm down and play some music…Yeah, that's it!" Noctis told himself.

He pressed an app on his phone and the holiday music began playing. Sighing, Noctis listened as the singer sang, "On the First Day of Winter, my true love sent to me…a partridge in a pear…"

"TREE-EE-EE-EE!" Gladio bellowed and screamed as if he was a rocker, popping out of the door leading to the children's nursery.

Behind him were Kingsglaive members, armed with an electric drum set, electric guitars, and an amplifier. They rocked out to Gladio's "singing" if you could call it that, and successfully scared Noctis and the babies, who wailed from the loud music. They wore red and white hats, or "Santa" hats, and unfashionable festival sweaters.

Seeing their King scared out of his wits and hiding behind his desk, holding his chest, the Kingsglaive and Shield ran off, taking their instruments with them. Grumbling, Noctis vowed to get back at them, but how?

In the halls far from Noct's office, Gladio and the others burst into laughter, a successful metalcore interruption in the books. They hadn't done such a thing since the Endless Night and the destruction of Insomnia and it felt good to prank Noctis again. But, since was older and wiser…somewhat, the man would probably find a way to get back at them. Nah…Noctis was the musically inclined one, but he still wasn't that bright.

"Yeah, there's nothing to worry about. Noct only knows classical music and some music the kids listened to," Gladio said upon a Glaive mentioning retaliation from their King.

Little did they know, a rather vengeful Regis had watched over the whole thing. Due to his wanting to get back at the Glaives for the many years of pranks, he had lied to Noct saying that Gladio wasn't trying to prank him. But he did so to help the man remember the terror the Glaives brought by ruining the holidays with their loud music. And based on Noct's reaction, it worked.

"So, how do you want to go about it?" Ardyn asked appearing.

"No pranks that will wind them up in the hospital," Somnus said, also appearing.

We have to find non-festival songs that would work with their 'singing'…And then show Noctis. I've no clue what the kids are singing now, but maybe their songs will work," Regis said.

Crepera and Aulea appeared, with the former saying, "I'll be on the lookout."

"While I'll give subtle hints to warn Ignis and Prompto," Aulea said.

Tonitrus appeared, the burly man asking, "What about the Oracle?"

"Hm…Find her and give a warning to Gladio's antics. We shall get back at the Glaives one way or another," Regis said.

The Lucii disappeared, their plan in motion. But Regis stayed behind to console his still petrified son and grandchildren.

Poor Noct. But it's that time of year again and the Glaives seem like a group that would love metalcore…right?