Here's a story by Redbat132, Steelcode, and myself. Also, some credit to a user called Blair for coming up with some RPG artwork involving the Guardians. All characters belong to their respected owners. Sage belongs to Steelcode. Lea Carolina Thompson and Macy Monroe (along with the mention of her brother, Tommy, plus Catsandra Feline) belong to Redbat132.
It was another typical Winter day in New York City. The sky was cloudy and dark with New Yorkers getting through the day. Within the crowd was Lea Thompson.
Although the day was full of gorgeous powdery snow-not to mention she would be excited about it-the blonde teen had other things in her mind besides that.
There are so many questions and events that make no sense at all. I wish I knew what they all mean and figure out the answers, Lea thought in distress, tucking her backpack close while taking a right to Central Park.
Lea had been thinking over everything that had happened to her for these past days and was having a hard time to understand the missing pieces of this unsolvable puzzle. First, she meets the Guardians after giving Jack Frost a special gift on his anniversary. Then, she finds a magic snow globe that takes to another story dimension involving the Grant Mansion. Around her time there, she was face-to-face with the King of Nightmares himself and sworn enemy of the Guardians, Pitch Black, in this world instead of her own that attacked an innocent alien and human family that lead to stealing one of the magic snow globes but was taken back in the end. Next, her childhood toy changes shape with the help of her tears. And finally, the biggest case of all, there's the anonymous M.G. Joyce. A not very famous author that writes stories about not just the Guardians but also others, like the Grant Mansion. And both worlds happen to have the author's work.
"This is all so confusing. Maybe Jack and the others can help me," Lea muttered to herself, shuffling her boots through the snow and her hands inside her pocket while looking down thoughtfully.
Just as she was walking through the park, Lea noticed some of the kids acting strange. None of them were playing in the snow, ice-skating, making snowmen, throwing snowballs at each other, or anything fun. They all seemed depressed and nearly lifeless of hope, wonder, and happiness. The children in the park were just standing and lightly walking around in sadness.
"Hey, what's the matter? Why aren't you playing in the snow?" Lea asked in concern.
"There doesn't seem to be a point in doing that," a blonde-haired boy answered, still mopey.
"The Tooth Fairy hasn't shown up for me," a ginger-haired girl replied, super disappointed.
"And it's hard to sleep with all these nightmares," another boy that was younger than the first one said, rubbing his eyes from crying.
Lea stared in utter disbelief. Young children having nightmares and the Tooth Fairy not visiting with gifts? She hadn't seen this situation since the Easter Fiasco.
"I'm sure there's a reason for all of this," Lea replied gently.
"Yeah. That there's no such thing as the Tooth Fairy. Or Santa Claus. Or any fairytale we know," the blonde-haired boy bluntly replied, already leaving with his friends in depression.
Now Lea was more worried. If no one believes in the Guardians anymore, then there won't be any childhood wonder, hope, good memories, dreams, and fun left.
"I need to talk to Katherine," Lea suggested herself, now hurrying to the Golden Goose Bookstore.
Meanwhile, at the Grant Mansion, Sage trotted in from outside, shaking snow from his fur before stepping inside.
"Man, that chill feels good," Sage growled in appreciation, as he scratched at his collar.
As he did this, a cold sense of worry and fear began to seep into him. Whining with sadness, Sage closed his eyes and focused on where it was coming from. His girlfriend, Macy, was a happy. Her little brother, Tommy, was extremely happy. And his family was fine. Then, the coldness was coming from Lea.
"Hey, Wolf Boy. Is something wrong?" Macy, a short-haired-brunette with a never-give-up attitude, asked.
Sage nodded. "Remember when I told you about a girl named Lea? I said I gave her a gift like yours and Tommy's?" Sage asked, as he began to pace.
"I believe so. You mentioned that she was from another dimensional universe where all the myths and fairytales are real and protect children," Macy said, recalling that story from her boyfriend while following him. "Why? Is she in trouble?"
"Yeah. I can sense her fear and worry. I was just going to go round-up some troops, just in case," Sage said.
"Well, if you're going, then so am I," Macy replied. "You'll need all the backup for whatever this mission is."
Sage stopped and nuzzled Macy. "I love you. Let's get my dad and a couple of my uncles. I have a feeling she's going to be calling sooner rather than later."
Nodding her head, Macy started running to find a few of Sage's family in helping the blonde teen out on her dilemma.
Meanwhile, back in Lea's world, her luck went from bad to worse. She hurried to the Golden Goose Bookstore to chat with Katherine, but the place was closed. Lea only assumed that it must be because of the holidays. While heading back to her house, she got a call from her parents saying that they'll be running back home late because an unexpected snowstorm has got them snowed in.
Great. Stuck home alone again, Lea thought to herself in dismay. Of all times when things are becoming upside-down, the one time I need comfort from my family, they're not around.
Once reaching the house, Lea checked the mail to see she received a letter from her cousin. It actually made her smile to get something from her family.
"Maybe this will help turn everything around. Hearing how my cousins are doing always cheers me up," Lea hoped while coming inside her home to open and read the letter.
Unfortunately, it wasn't.
Dear Lea,
I hope you're doing well. Strange things are happening where I'm at. All of the kids at school and at my neighborhood are acting like zombies. Instead of excited about Santa Claus coming, they're completely miserable. It's like everything they have ever believed in has vanished! And that's not all. When my little sister lost her first baby tooth and put it under her pillow, the Tooth Fairy didn't show up. If that's not weird enough, my friends told me that they keep getting nightmares again. I think something's wrong. But don't worry. I'm not going to stop believing. I know that the Guardians are real and I'll do whatever it takes to keep the belief alive as best as I can. Just like last time when Jack Frost came to my room and made it snow.
Best wishes from your cousins...
Lea stopped reading, seriously more concerned than ever. Luckily, her childhood companion came down from upstairs to check on his distress friend. Nightlight, an eleven inched wooden toy that can come to life with the crystal bracelet Lea wears, slid down the rail of the stairs, jumped and flipped in Lea's hands. Even his fancy moves plus presences didn't seem to help cheer her up.
"Oh, Nightlight, this is terrible! It's Easter all over again!" Lea cried, sitting on the living room couch in dismay with Nightlight by her side with comfort. "Something has happened to the Guardians and it's affecting everyone! What am I going to do?!"
Seeing that his friend was freaking out, Nightlight glowed bright enough to get Lea's attention. He stood up fearless, as if telling her not to panic and relax. Along with taking out his diamonded spear staff to point at her heart and then her crystal bracelet. The blonde-teen understood what her Childhood Companion was saying.
"You're right, Nightlight. I can't let my worries and fears get the better of me," Lea nodded her head in agreement, already taking a deep breath to calm down. "That's exactly what whoever is doing this wants. I'm not going to let them. As long as I continue believing in the Guardians and show no fear, I can help them stay real. Just like my cousins."
Nightlight grinned, very proud of Lea while lifting his arms up to be picked up.
Lea chuckled while doing just that. "Glad I have you to keep me brave, Guardian of Courage," she joked, hugging him lightly.
Just then, Lea gasped in realization while departing her mini hug. "That's it! There's only one person left who could me! And he's what started my very first adventure!"