The Missing Celebration

     King Skarl threw down the latest copy of the Neo-news with a sigh. "Gelert day," he said with gritted teeth. He scrunched up the newspaper into a ball and heaved it against the wall, furious.

     Not that there was anything wrong with gelerts, per say. It was just another reminder that he, possibly the greatest character to ever exist in Neopia, had still never received his own day. His own celebration.

     "It's just not fair," he muttered. "Sloth and Jhudora are evil, but they still get their own holidays. I led Meridell to victory in TWO wars, and still nothing. Where's King Skarl Day?"

     He sighed and got up. Time for another long day as King, listening to Neopet after Neopet telling him absolutely terrible jokes. And people wondered why he was so grumpy all the time.

     ***

     "What do you do if fierce Peophins has eaten too much 2 Gallon Hatz? By carrying them an amulet of Christmas!"

     The peasant Aisha laughed at her own joke, then looked at King Skarl expectantly. Her eyes darted hopefully to the pile of treasure sitting next to his throne.

     "That doesn't even make any sense!" King Skarl said, frowning.

     The Aisha saw that her joke had left him more annoyed than amused, and quickly darted out of the room with a muttered apology.

     The next Neopet, a young Poogle, walked forward cautiously. "Good morning, your highness," he said, bowing.

     King Skarl nodded gruffly. "Are you here to tell me a joke?"

     "No, your highness," said the Poogle, shaking his head. "I... I... I.... I was just..."

     "Go on then, spit it out! What do you have to say?" Skarl asked impatiently.

     "Sorry," the shy Poogle squeaked. "I was just wondering, could I have your autograph?"

     "You want my autograph?" The king asked, surprised.

     "Yes, of course! You're my hero!"

     "I am?" King Skarl felt a smile forming on his face. How flattering.

     "Yes, I've read every single book about you, and I think all that you've done is amazing! I travelled all the way from Faerieland to meet you. That's where I live, you see. Back home, I even started a petition to get a King Skarl celebration day made!"

     "You did?" Skarl asked, sitting forward in his seat. "How did it go?"

     "Good! People my age weren't around during the war, so they don't even realize how important you are. But when I told them, they were happy to sign the petition. I got over one hundred signatures, but then I ran out of Neopoints so I had to stop travelling."

     "What's your name, young one?"

     "I am Gilderoy the Third," he said proudly. "Named after my father, and his father before him." His voice was more confident now that he was getting used to the King's presence, and Skarl saw that the Poogle was quite a good public speaker. A perfect representative to tell people of Skarl's great deeds.

     The gears in King Skarl's head were starting to turn. "Yes," he murmured. "This could work quite nicely. Gilderoy, take as much gold as you need for travel expenses from my personal treasury. I will tell Snargan to give you as much as you ask for. I need you to travel Neopia, far and wide, and spread the word of how much good I've done. How I'm more than just a grumpy old king."

     Months had passed since Gilderoy the Poogle began his journey. The Poogle was determined, but there was only so much a single Neopet could do. King Skarl knew it would take time for Gilderoy to get enough signatures on the petition to get King Skarl Day created. Weeks, months, or even a year maybe. He just had to be patient and wait for good news.

      In the meantime, Skarl was doing what he could to further the cause. He had casually mentioned Gilderoy's quest to his brother King Hagan and to the faerie Illusen, in the hopes of drumming up some more local support. Illusen had promised to mention the movement to questing Neopians who visited her to help her gather supplies, which was sure to be helpful. Each day, countless Neopets made their way up the path to her Glade, so her help would spread the message of the "King Skarl Day Campaign" far and wide. He had also made posters to hang around the city, with clear instructions to his assistant that nobody was to know it was King Skarl himself who had created them and ordered them hung around the town.

      King Hagan could do less for the campaign, considering that his home of Brightvale was nowhere near as interesting or well-visited than Meridell, but Skarl didn't mind... the fact that his kingdom was superior was a fact that he found extremely satisfying, even though he wouldn't admit it aloud.

      ***

      It was a normal day in Meridell. The king was sitting grumpily, listening to some of the worst jokes Neopia had to offer. There was the occasional gem, but they were few and far between. He was in the middle of listening to a very mediocre joke when suddenly the door to his throne room burst open.

      "Your Majesty, I've got important news," the courier said, rushing into the room. He was panting and out of breath, as if he had run all the way to the castle.

      "Well then, what is it?" King Skarl asked, intrigued.

      "An announcement, right from the top. The powers that be! They've decided to create a new holiday, to celebrate one of Neopia's most loved characters! Isn't that great news? I'm so glad they decided to make another holiday, and even happier that they chose a local!"

      Skarl's heart skipped a beat. A local? It had to be him. This was it. He took the envelope with a shaky hand and carefully pulled out the message inside.

      **It is with great pleasure that we announce a day of celebration for a King who has gone without recognition for long enough.

      Though the green land he calls home has been blessed by his presence the most, Neopians from all over the world have benefitted from his wisdom. We are proud to announce that from now on, the first day of Awakening will be King Hagan day!**

      As Skarl read the words on the page, his joy turned to shock, and then fury.

      "Hagan?! They're making a King Hagan Day? How can that be, he's never even done anything!" He glared accusingly at the courier. "And you tricked me! You made me think there was GOOD news in this envelope!"

      The courier's smile faltered. "I'm so sorry Your Majesty, I thought you'd be happy," he said. "I thought you'd want to have me deliver a congratulations gift to your brother."

      "I think I will deliver my congratulations in person," Skarl said, tearing the message in half and letting it flutter to the floor.

      ***

      King Skarl rode his carriage straight over to Brightvale. Hagan was alone in his throne room, a small smirk on his face. "Hello there, brother," Hagan said. "I take it you've heard the news?"

      "Yes," seethed Skarl. "How? How did you do it? How did you beat me? How did you get your own celebration day before I got mine?"

      King Hagan smiled. "I always was the smart one!"

      The End.