Disclaimer: 1/2 Prince belongs to Yu Wo.

A/N: Thank you so much for all the splendid reviews, and for all of you kind enough to review my other stories as well! Again, this chapter is unbeta'd (I don't even know how to spell that...) so please point out any mistakes you see. Astroelvengoddess, and all my other readers, please enjoy the ending to A Very Merry Infinite Holiday Tale. Happy Belated New Year's to everyone!

Part II: New Year's Nightmare

"I can't do this again," Prince shook his head, looking exasperated as he stood before Yu Lian.

Yu Lian tutted, sighing and sounding annoyed. "Prince, we're not filling the castle with mistletoe again. This one is entirely up to you. You should be grateful for the opportunity to spend this night with those you love."

Prince finally threw his hands up in complete irritation. "Yu Lian-dasao! That's the problem. You invited half of the Central Continent! How am I supposed to enjoy this evening?"

Yu Lian crossed her arms. "Well, Prince, that is for you to decide." And with that she turned swiftly on her heels and marched away. She called over her shoulder as she exited his room, "The one thing I ask is that you don't miss the grand entrance for the ball. And please have a partner when you enter for the opening dance."

The door shut behind Yu Lian's retreating figure. Prince kicked at the wall in outrage. This was so frustrating. Why did he have to be the most popular male in Second Life? Why couldn't his life ever be normal? Moreover, why weren't his teammates helping him? Yu Lian almost appeared to enjoy tormenting him. So did Lolidragon. Even Wolf-dage seemed to be suppressing amused smirks whenever Prince was in the vicinity. He couldn't take it anymore. "You're supposed to be my teammates! Why aren't you ever there for me?"

"Xiao Lan, how are you holding up?"

Prince stopped for a moment as he paused to read Wicked's PM. His frown turned into a soft smile at the words. Zhuo-gege had been overly nice to him these last several days, quietly comforting the elf as Prince tried not to lose his sanity over his anger and frustration with his supposed "friends" in Second Life. Because come on, what kind of friends would throw you into party with screaming fangirls? Or insist that you become a kissing booth? Honestly. His purity was doomed the moment he started playing Second Life.

But Zhuo-gege was different. He was always looking out for her and protecting her from harm, even when Feng Lan didn't want it. Prince messaged back. "As best I can."

"Good. Let me know if you need anything. I'll be by your side in an instant."

Prince fought hard to quell the warm, pleasant bubble of heat rising in his stomach at the words. Since when did Zhuo-gege have this much of an effect on him? His words lately had not only been comforting, but had been making Prince feel all sorts of unusual happiness. Ever since that misplaced kiss, Prince had been confused but refused to address the issue or even ponder why he felt confused in the first place.

Prince sighed and walked over to his wardrobe before pulling out the outfit Yu Lian had designated for him. He took Meatbun out of his pouch and placed him on the vanity so he could quickly undress. Before he did, though, he paused in careful consideration at the costume before him. Costume, because he couldn't really figure out what else it should be called. He scratched his head and tried to recall where he'd seen an outfit like this before.

Meatbun jumped up and down excitedly. "Mama! Mama! Try it on! Try it on! Meatbun-bun wants to see."

Prince frowned as he held the shirt and what appeared to be leggings of some sort up to his body. "Ok, Meatbun. But close your eyes until I tell you to open them."

"Yes, Mama," Meatbun answered before squeezing his eyes shut in intense concentration.

Prince smiled at his cute pet, quickly undressing so his little Meatbun wouldn't have to remain with a scrunched face for too long. "Ok, you can open them."

Meatbun opened his eyes and his little mouth fell open. He had no words. "Wow…"

Prince shimmered faintly in the room as if surrounded by a moonlit glow. There must be some sort of special thread in the material Yu Lian ordered. Prince eyed himself in the mirror. His own appearance captivated and mesmerized him. There was absolutely no way he could escape away unnoticed at the party. The unearthly glow that surrounded him demanded attention. He was everything a prince should be – handsome, mysterious, soft, fierce.

He ran a shaky hand through his hair. Yu Lian really went all out on this one, and she ensured he would remain center stage the entire night. The last thought made him frown again. He sighed despite Meatbun's continued cheers on how magical he looked and placed the bouncing pet on his head. He took a deep breath and opened the door, only to find himself face to face with a pair of midnight purple eyes.

Prince jumped back slightly, trying not to appear too startled. He saw Gui take in his appearance and fall speechless. "…Charming…" Prince heard the bard breathe quietly.

Prince raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What?"

Gui shook his head to bring himself back to his senses, but seemed to fail as he only kept staring at the elf and blinking as if caught in a dream. In the back of his mind, Prince wondered if his appearance would have the same effect on everyone he met this evening. Maybe he would simply render all of the guests speechless and unmovable. That would save him the trouble of having to talk to, dance with, or entertain anyone. He suddenly realized that this outfit not only made him appear otherworldly, it made him entirely unapproachable. He smirked maliciously at the thought and decided he would have to thank Yu Lian later.

"Mama's glowing tonight!" Meatbun announced joyfully from atop the elf's head. "Isn't it pretty?"

Gui slowly nodded his head. Seeing the bard completely speechless somehow unnerved Prince. It wasn't like him. It just simply wasn't Gui if the bard wasn't talking his ear off and throwing himself at the elf.

"Gui?"

Gui finally appeared to focus all his effort into turning his head from Prince's face and looking down at the floor. He finally mumbled. "Yu Lian wasn't kidding when she said she was making you the perfect Prince Charming."

And that's when it hit Prince. That's who he was reminded of, a fairytale character. In that moment, Prince realized that Gui also appeared to be dressed as some sort of strange garb and had something weird and green on his head. "Why are you dressed so funny too?" Prince couldn't help asking.

Gui refused to look at Prince, not wanting to be blinded into silence again by the sight of him. "It's a fairytale ball. I'm the Frog Prince."

Prince put two and two together – the green accents in the costume, the green beanie on Gui's head that might pass as a poor imitation of a lily pad, and the absurd, hunter-green tights that the bard was forced to wear. Prince suddenly burst out laughing. "You look ridiculous."

Gui gave a sheepish grin at the noise. Prince's laugh always sounded like music to his hears. "It was either this or the Pied Piper, and I'm not too fond of the second."

Prince kept grinning finally pleased with the turn in events. "Did Yu Lian pick out all of the costumes?"

"Oh, yes, every single one. For our team and friends at least," Gui answered.

Prince found himself actually starting to look forward to the night's events, if only to see everyone dressed in odd costumes and trying to figure out who they all were supposed to be. Perhaps it wouldn't be such a terrible evening after all.

"Mama! Go downstairs. Meatbun-bun wants to see everyone's costumes! Meatbun-bun wants to see the fairytale."

Prince smiled. "Sure, Meatbun. Gui, lead the way!"

Gui looked shocked for a moment, and then gave a smile as he turned his head to hide the blush rising on his face and to take Prince down to the grand ballroom.

~o~0~o~

The moment Prince arrived Yu Lian rushed down upon him. Brown ringlets flowed down her back and her hair was pulled away from her face. She wore a yellow satin ballgown and looked extremely flushed. "You're just in time. We're about to announce you. Have you decided who your partner is?"

Prince blinked in confusion. Partner…what? He was still trying to figure out Yu Lian's character.

He glanced over at Gui's hopeful expression. Turning his head, he also noticed Wicked in the vicinity. He tilted his head as he eyed Wicked's outfit. He was dressed in forest green, wore brown boots, and had a quiver slung over his back. A pointed green cap with a red feather topped his white-blonde hair. Prince grinned in recognition. "You're Robin Hood!" he exclaimed, pleased that he had figured it out so quickly.

Wicked couldn't muster a comment. He too was captivated by the glowing figure that was Prince. Wu Qing stood next to him, eyeing Prince in mild disdain. It was clear that Wu Qing hated his own costume and was jealous that Prince had a good one. Wu Qing crossed his arms over his jumper-clad body and glared at Prince.

"Why are you so shiny?" Wu Qing frowned.

"Why are you wearing lederhosen?" Prince stifled a smirk.

Lolidragon bounded up and started laughing hysterically. "Because Yu Lian made him Hansel from Hansel and Gretel."

"Shut up! It's not like I had any say in the matter." Wu Qing's face turned bright red. "But your costume just suits you perfectly, Lolidragon! Yu Lian really got your awful and conniving personality down with that one."

Now it was Lolidragon's turn to fume. She crossed her arms and leveled a cool gaze at Wu Qing. "Rumplestiltskin is clever. I wish I could say the same thing about Hansel, but in the end she got your personality down too. Fat and lazy."

"Why you—"

Yu Lian's voice rose over their argument. "Enough! Everyone needs to take their place with their partners." She turned to Prince. "And you especially better find one soon."

Instead of feeling heated glances directed his way Prince only felt looks of longing. His costume was immaculate and he was untouchable. Gui and Wicked both continued to stare at him with matching looks of desperation in their eyes. Ice Phoenix couldn't even form a sound when her eyes landed on the handsome elf. Prince noted vaguely the pea-shaped pendant hanging from her neck, which was the only unusual piece in a rather immaculate and pretty pink ballgown.

Ugly Wolf stepped up next to Yu Lian. He wore a handsome suit and a smile on his face as the two began the procession into the ballroom of awaiting guests. Prince heard the announcer give a brief welcome and rattle off their names as the crowd 'oohed' and 'awed' at the Beauty and the Beast couple standing before them.

But Prince didn't have time to appreciate his friends' ingenious outfits. His teammates were slowly pairing themselves up and entering the grand ballroom to enormous amounts of applause. At this rate he'd end up alone and Yu Lian would be furious. He thought quickly through his options. Lolidragon? No. He was fairly certain something was going on between her and his brother. Fairsky and Rose were taken too. Ice Phoenix? He shuddered at the thought of her being attached to him for the rest of the evening. Definitely no. He'd never hear the end of it. That left…Wicked or Gui?

He paused and looked nervously over at the two. He felt more comfortable with Wicked at the moment, but even then he was not comfortable enough to appear at the top of the main staircase with a male escort in tow. Trying to appear straight to the rest of Second Life was one of the only normalcies in his life as Prince.

Then he spied of flash of red. Meatbun noticed it too.

"Red Riding Hood!" Meatbun exclaimed.

"Doll!" Prince sighed in relief as the tiny figure turned around to face him.

Doll's eyes widened in delight. "Wow! Prince-gege looks like an angel."

Prince felt his cheeks redden at her childish and unabashed awe. "Really, you think so?"

Doll nodded her head vigorously. "Prince-gege should've been a celestial being instead of an elf."

"And Doll makes the cutest Little Red Riding Hood," he ruffled the red hood on her head. He leaned down to smile and asked, "Would you walk Prince Charming down the staircase? I think only another celestial being can do it."

Doll practically trembled in excitement. "Yes!" she exclaimed and began jumping excitedly. "It would be Doll's honor to escort Prince-gege."

Meatbun gave a little shout too. "Yay! Red Riding Hood and Meatbun-bun can arrive together!"

Doll held her arms out so that Meatbun could jump into them. She squeezed him tightly. "Would Meatbun like to ride in Doll's wicker basket?"

"Yes! Yes!" shouted the tiny bun.

Prince held his hand out to Doll, who took it graciously after carefully arranging Meatbun in her basket so that he could look out and see the crowd. The two stepped forward to be announced and a hush fell in the ballroom at Prince's appearance. There it was again. No words. No movement from the crowd. Just those looks of desperate longing and silent desire. Prince was grateful for the silence because it meant there was no danger of a chaotic uproar or girls crying loudly at him and trying to chase him down.

Doll smiled sweetly. "Prince-gege is the most magical Prince Charming tonight. He captivates everyone."

This caused the faintest blush to appear on his cheekbones, and rather than this comment ruining the moment and starting a mad chase for the elf, it only made every girl in the room sigh in dreamy agreement. This one time they would all share Prince and admire from afar, because no one could bring themselves to mess with something so absolutely perfect.

~o~0~o~

As the night continued, Prince noted with increasing unease the unusual quietness of Wicked, Gui, and everyone else around him. "Zhuo-gege?" Prince messaged him. "What's wrong?"

Messaging seemed to work better, because Wicked was having trouble forming coherent sentences around him. Prince found this out the hard way by walking directly up to his friend and trying to start a conversation. Wicked only dropped his mouth and swallowed hard while staring. Prince remembered Gui's reaction from earlier and the bard's need to look anywhere but Prince's glowing figure, so he quickly excused himself to the food table and decided to talk to Wicked where the dark elf couldn't see him.

"How did Yu Lian do that to you? Make you so…so…"

"Shiny?" Prince didn't know how to describe himself either and used the word Wu Qing had for it earlier.

"Radiant."

Prince definitely felt that funny warm feeling rise inside him at that. He squashed it with a bite of red velvet cupcake. "I don't know. Must be something in the fabric." Prince ventured a look up from the food he was selecting and saw all the females in the room just staring at him despondently, like they all had broken hearts and he was the cause of it. They had been like this all night and he couldn't decide if this really was a step up from being chased mindlessly. It was one thing to feel wanted. It was another to feel like a heartbreaker. It made him feel guilty.

Without informing Zhuo-gege, Prince fled the ballroom and its stifling atmosphere. He doubted it mattered. Wicked clearly didn't know what to say to him in the first place. He reached the outdoor rose-hedge labyrinth. He paused at the entrance, knowing that he shouldn't go any farther for fear of being lost for days, but one glance back and he felt his feet carrying him swiftly away.

The sight he'd seen when he turned around left him wanting to run away as fast as possible. It was unnatural to see so many eyes staring at him from the ballroom windows. So many eyes filled with pain and desire, and no one saying a word. Eerie was the only word for it. Creepy even. That's why he ran. He had to get away from it. He had to leave it all behind him.

Prince didn't know how long he continued to run deeper and deeper into the maze. He just flew as if trying to outrun the gazes and the unspoken words. By the time he slowed to a halt, he realized he was completely and utterly lost. He turned around to start retracing his steps, knowing before he even turned that it was useless. The first fork in the road only confirmed the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He had no idea which way he'd come.

He heard a voice in the distance announcing the nearing of the New Year, but the announcer's voice was muffled from the tall hedges. He could imagine everyone starting to gather outside soon to watch the fireworks and the ball drop. Those were the only two things that Prince had remembered Yu Lian talk about during the planning stages. She talked about how marvelous they would be. It was one of the few things that Prince had looked forward to tonight, and now he'd miss them because he was alone and lost in a maze. Even if he messaged someone, he knew it was hopeless. He had no idea where he was so it would take hours for someone to locate him in the first place, let alone lead him out.

He felt panicked and started running again.

He ran and ran. He ran until the faint trickling of water suddenly appeared. It wasn't much to go on, but he knew there was a fountain in the center of the maze and if he made it there then at least he could tell his teammates his exact location. The thought cheered him up and he ran closer and closer until finally breaking into a clearing where the sparkling fountain stood.

That's when he realized he wasn't alone. Another figure stood by the fountain. It turned around quickly. "Who's there?" it whispered, scanning the hedgeline.

Luckily, the moon was full and it was easy to make out the face of the person. "Gui?" Prince whispered incredulously.

"Prince?" Gui whispered back, sounding equally surprised. His shock seemed to overthrow his earlier emotions of awe at Prince's shimmering body. He continued to stare at Prince in confusion. "You made it to the center of the maze."

The bard's voice sounded like a mixture of disbelief and being impressed. Prince felt his face grow hot at the thought. It was like Gui was questioning his ability to navigate and, despite Prince knowing that Gui had every right to do so, Prince still felt irritated. "I did," he raised himself up higher, trying to look more impressive. "All by myself."

Gui quirked a funny smile at the sight and at Prince's words. He instantly knew that Gui didn't believe him. "His Highness is amazing," the bard humored him. "Even when lost, his luck leads him in the right direction."

Prince frowned and felt himself deflate immediately. Then he realized something. Gui was talking to him. Normally talking to him. And it wasn't because the bard was shocked by his surprise appearance. "Gui!" He launched himself at the bard and threw his arms around him, grateful for normalcy after such a disquieting evening. "You're being yourself."

Gui looked mildly alarmed. Usually he was the one throwing himself at the elf, not the other way around. "Prince?" he looked confused even as the elf just continued to hold onto him.

"It's this stupid outfit. Everyone has been staring at me, but no one comes close. No one says anything. Lolidragon and Wu Qing are too busy arguing. Yu Lian and Ugly Wolf are too busy entertaining. Meatbun's playing with Doll. I don't have anyone!" Prince suddenly wailed, letting all his emotions out.

Gui didn't know what to do. Prince had never let him hold him before, and the bard felt he couldn't even appreciate the moment because of the elf's distress. He patted his silver hair awkwardly. "What about the others? Like Nan Gong Zui? Or…" he let his eyes darken at the thought. "Wicked?"

Prince felt his breath catch. Wicked's silence was what disturbed him the most. How could one costume change affect everything? Prince shook his head, burying his face against Gui's chest. "Even you were acting unusual before," Prince's muffled voice complained.

Gui swallowed hard. Of course he was acting unusual. It's not every day you walk up to the person you love most and realize that everyone else is going to see exactly how you always envisioned them. He felt frightened…and jealous. His dream of Prince was laid bare for all to see. It was no longer uniquely his own.

But he couldn't tell the elf that. Not when his main job was to keep that innocent smile on Prince's face and wipe away all of his worries. He forced himself back into normal Gui mode. "It was because his Highness was shimmering so majestically. You take my breath away."

Prince's knuckles connected with the side of Gui's face. "You never change," Prince muttered sullenly, though Gui could hear the tint of relief and happiness within his voice.

The announcer's voice could be heard faintly in the distance. It sounded as if he was saying there was only five more minutes until midnight. Prince felt his heart sink. They'd never make it back in time to watch the ball drop and the fireworks with everyone else. Gui noticed the elf's despondent face.

"Your Highness?"

"I just wanted to spend New Year's with my friends. Not lost alone in the rose maze," Prince admitted quietly, not sure why he was suddenly telling Gui everything. His shoulders sagged at the thought.

Gui knew it wouldn't make a difference, but he said it anyway. "Prince, you're not alone. I'm right here with you." Prince continued to stare hopelessly at his feet. "And…" Gui took a deep breath and grabbed Prince's hand. "I know the way out. If we run we can still make it."

Prince brightened considerably and he looked up to stare into Gui's eyes. "Really?" he sounded almost afraid to sound hopeful.

"Anything for you, my perfect Prince."

Prince didn't have time for a retort or a chance to hit Gui in the head. The bard tugged his hand and took off at a run, leaving Prince with no choice but to follow because of their tightly clasped hands. The scenery whizzed by and Prince had no idea how Gui could keep everything straight in that genius brain of his. It all looked like the same foliage to him. The same roses, the same greenery, the same forks in the road.

The countdown to midnight slowly began. They could hear the voices of all the guests counting down the seconds as they continued to run faster and faster through the maze.

60…59…58…57…

The PMs started to come in from his teammates. "Where are you?" They all said. "Tell us your location and we'll find you."

Prince smiled as he ran. It was their way of saying they wanted to ring in the New Year with him. He should've known better than to think they'd want otherwise. They were all on the same page after all. Gui smiled too since this was all being conveyed over the team channel. "Just a little farther," he reassured.

35…34…33…

They burst out of the maze entryway and easily spotted Lolidragon's frantic waving arm. "Prince!" she yelled upon spotting them. "Over here!"

17…16…15…

He ran up to them and they all started hugging him. "You made it! We saw you run in to the maze earlier and all thought you'd never find your way out."

"It's a good thing Gui happened to be in there too."

7…6…5…

Prince smiled up at Gui and realized belatedly that the two were still holding hands. 'Thank you,' he mouthed his appreciation to the bard and began to tug his hand away. Gui tightened his grasp around it and Prince decided he'd let the bard do as he pleased. Gui had really helped him out this time. If it wasn't for him, he'd still be lost and feeling miserable in the rose maze instead of outside celebrating with his friends.

3...2…1…

Shouts of celebration rose all around, but Prince remained unusually deaf to them. He stood still, staring into the bard's eyes as they stared lovingly back at him. Prince was awful to him, and yet Gui always gave so much to make him happy. "Happy New Year, Prince," Gui's gentle voice cut through the joyful cries. Then he leaned down and kissed the elf on the nose. "I'll always do my best to keep that smile on your face. That's really what makes you glow. Not your silly costume."

Prince felt an indescribable warmth spread from his stomach to consume his entire body even as his mind registered he should punch Gui in the face for kissing him on the nose. Fortunately for him, someone else did. "Hey, get your hands off him," Wicked looked annoyed.

"None of us were allowed to touch Prince tonight. You know that!" Ice Phoenix interjected. "It was his decision to make for who he kisses at midnight."

Prince laughed suddenly at the absurdity of the evening earlier as he finally understood all the longing gazes and the hands-off approach.

"It was a kiss on the nose! It doesn't even count!" Gui cried out as Ice Phoenix started to beat his arm.

Lolidragon came up from behind and draped an arm around Prince's shoulder. "You should all be smart enough to realize by now that Prince isn't kissing anyone tonight." Then her voice dropped to a whisper so only he could hear. "Though if I were you, I'd totally pick Gui. He's a hottie!"

Prince shook his head at the ridiculousness of Lolidragon's statement and at the chaos ready to break out before him as Wicked, Ice Phoenix, and Gui continued bickering. His friends in Second Life really were the craziest, but he wouldn't change it for the world. "Happy New Year, everyone!" he shouted gleefully.

"Happy New Year, Prince!" Everyone shouted back.

"I love you." Gui's PM threw him off and caused him to flush unexpectedly.

Prince refused to look in the bard's direction and he continued with the celebration as though nothing happened. As he raised a glass of champagne to cheers, he messaged back discreetly. "I know. You remind me all the time."

"Should I stop?"

Prince didn't respond. It was all the encouragement Gui needed to know that he wasn't completely out of the race against Wicked.

The End (of 2011)