For reasons unknown to me, my mind came up with the idea that I should write a parody of the animated Anastasia movie and Guardians of Childhood (the book mixed with the movie). Because I have so much free time while being in my senior year and in the drama club and working. Oh mind, why do you do this to me?

Here's the prologue! I am not sorry for writing this, I am sorry for putting it up on here XD

This story is a mix of the movie and the book series. You don't have to have read the the books but at least a working knowledge of the characters is a good idea. Bunnymund, Toothiana, and Sandy will appear in awhile, so I'll put their info up later.

Katherine: Anastasia
Nightlight: not really a role though if we gotta give him one then the dog Pooka (though not really)
North: Vlad
Jack: Dimitri
Pitch: Rasputin
Ombric: grandmother (or grandfather in this case lol)
Man in Moon: Alexei (he lives! :D)
Tsar: Tsar Nicholas
Tsarina: Tsarina Alexandra

Prologue

was a time not that long ago that we lived in an enchanted world of magic and learning. It was the height of the Golden Age and my son-in-law, Nicholas, was the tsar of the imperial Constellations. We were celebrating the anniversary of the Golden Age.

All throughout the universe, there was much celebrating. Beautiful art, magnificent inventions, soul cheering music filled all the towns, cities, and skies. At the height of the Golden Age, there was much to celebrate. In particular, the streets of Santoff Claussen were alive with people celebrating. The royalty of the other Constellations arrived at the Lunanoff palace amongst the lightly falling snow and dancing and singing in the streets. The palace, affectionately called Big Root, was lit up like a Christmas tree. Crystal chandeliers hung bright and twinkling from the ceiling. Everything shined, polished like new. In the ballroom dancing people dressed in dazzling outfits and dripping with gems sparkled like living ornaments. On the top level of the dais three golden thrones sat empty with another two on the lower dais.

The grand doors swung open and as one the crowd stopped dancing and turned to watch the most royal Lunanoff family enter. Tsar and Tsarina Lunanoff entered first, the lady's arm threaded through her husband's. Her dress was bright as star light, the skirt flowing around and behind her like the tail of a shooting star. Modest moonstones twinkled from around her neck and her ears. Tsar Luna looked tall and grand in his green military uniform, crimson cap flapping behind him. The golden sword of the House of Lunanoff hung at his side. The royal couple smiled at their guests, the other royals and nobility of the Constellations, and the high ranking officers of the Golden Army Military.

Behind the Tsar and Tsarina came their beloved children, Katherine and Alexei, and the children's guardian, Nightlight. Nightlight was only two years older than Katherine, and half a head taller though he looked older and taller in his starlight blue military dress and armor. In his left arm, Nightlight cradled the young Tsarevich Alexei. It was the boy's first official event during his year of life, and he gazed around the large room, giggling gleefully. Clutching Nightlight's right hand was the Grand Duchess Katherine. Just as beautiful as her mother, the princess looked even smaller than usual in her formal pink dress and green over-gown. The threads of starlight embroidered into the over-gown winked with every movement.

At last, the family stood on the top dais. "Thank you all for coming," the Tsar began, smiling at the room. "Tonight is a special night. We are celebrating not only the anniversary of the end of the Shadow Wars and the beginning of the Golden Age, but also the anniversary of my family's reign."

Next to him, Katherine pouted. "Papa," she whispered, tugging at his pant leg.

Tsar Lunanoff chuckled and bent down, scooping his daughter up. "And even more important! Tonight is my daughter's 7th birthday!"

The crowd clapped and cheered. Many called out well wishes to the little duchess.

"So everyone enjoy tonight! We have much to celebrate, and much to be thankful for!" Tsar Nicholas set Katherine on her feet and swept his wife onto the dance floor.

"Come on Nightlight," Katherine urged, pulling her friend and protector onto the dance floor. In his arms, Alexei laughed.

On that night, no star burned brighter than that of our sweet Katherine, my beloved granddaughter.

Still more people were arriving. They joined in those dancing or gathered on the sides with friends to chat. The great wizard Ombric Shalazar entered the room and looked around, smiling when he spotted his granddaughter dancing with one of the generals. He would have to make sure to dance with her tonight. For now though, Ombric sat on the left hand throne, draping his long flowing robes about him comfortably. Sitting back, he watched the celebration, every now and then tugging at his long white beard.

Katherine was the first of the family to spot him. She broke off her dance with her mother and father and ran over, practically jumping up the stairs. Nightlight ran after her, looking a bit frantic. Most likely worried she would trip on her dress.

"Grandpa!" she cried, throwing herself onto his lap and hugging him.

The old wizard chuckled. "Hello my dear. Happy birthday."

She begged me not to return to Lamadary, so I had a very special gift made for her to make the separation easier for both of us.

"Are you staying for New Years?" she asked, sitting on the arm of his throne. Seeing that she was unlikely to injure herself now, Nightlight returned to the dance floor. Alexei wanted to dance with his mother.

"No my dear," Ombric replied. "I must return to Lamadary."

Katherine gave him a most heartbreaking look, eyes going dull and smile wiped from her face. "Can't I go with you? Please? I want adventure too!"

Luckily, Ombric had predicted this reaction and had come prepared. He pulled a small rounded box from his pocket and offered it to her. The light bounced off the polished silver and blue surface. Katherine gasped and accepted the box, holding it gently. "For me? Is it a jewelry box?"

"Look," Ombric said. From another pocket, he pulled a silver star pendant on a chain. Putting the pendant into an opening in one of the etchings, he turned it three times and watched Katherine's face. Her eyes widened as the top slowly opened and a little platform rose. A beautiful white goose with wings spread decorated the bottom of the lid. Two figures, her mother and father, danced on the little platform to the beat of a familiar tune.

"It plays our lullaby!" Katherine exclaimed, beaming.

"You can play it at night before you go to sleep and pretend that it's me singing."

"Night light, bright light, sweet dreams I bestow. Sleep tight, all night, forever I will glow," the two sang together. Katherine giggled. Ombric chuckled. Handing her the pendant he instructed her to read what it said.

Katherine squinted at the words. "Together…in…Lamadary." She gasped and looked up at Ombric. "Really? Oh grandpa!" She threw her arms around him, barely able to contain her excitement. Ombric smiled and returned the enthusiastic hug.

But we would never get a chance to go together. For a dark shadow had descended upon the Golden Age. His name was Pitch. He was once General Kozmotis Pitchiner, who led the Constellational armies in rounding up and defeating the Fearlings and Dream Pirates. But he had become corrupted by the very villains he had sworn to destroy.

Nightlight looked up sharply, halting in his dance with Katherine. She glanced up at him, confused by the sudden stop. "Nightlight, what –" He held up a hand.

The doors to the hall flew open. The lights seemed to flicker and dim. A man, tall and wrapped in a cloak black as ink, glided forward. All around, the shadows began to writhe. "Hurry," Nightlight hissed, pushing Katherine towards the daises where the rest of the royal family sat. Tsar Nicholas rose to his feet and descended the steps, passing Nightlight and Katherine as they ran by.

"How dare you return to the palace," growled Tsar Nicholas.

Pitch stopped before the tsar and pulled off his hood. With a look of mock hurt, he exclaimed, "But I am your general."

Tsar Nicholas glared. "General? Ha! You are a traitor! Get out!" he ordered, pointing back towards the still open doors.

Pitch smirked. "You think you can banish the great Pitch?" He held up his hand and as if summoned the shadows began rushing towards him. "By the powers of the shadows I banish you with a curse."

Ombric stood up and held up his staff which began to glow. His daughter knelt behind him, clutching her children to her while Nightlight stood behind them, a staff tipped with a diamond dagger held aloft. The light chased the shadows away from the family but the creatures continued to climb the walls, and rush through the crowd, stirring up panic and terror.

One fearling shadow attempted to sneak around Nightlight to take him from behind only to be frozen by another boy. The lad couldn't have been much older than Katherine, with blue tinted white skin, snow white hair, and simple clothes that marked him as a member of the palace staff. He had a crooked staff slung over his back that flashed as he froze the fearling.

"Mark my words," Pitch warned, "You," he turned to the crowd, "and the other Constellations will die within a year and your children turned into fearlings!"

People among the crowd murmured. Some of the military officers reached for their weapons.

"I will not rest until I see the end Constellations forever!" He lifted his other hand, revealing a locket dangling from a chain. Darkness engulfed it before shooting a ball of pure darkness at the grand chandelier. It struck; stealing all the light and knocking it lose. People screamed and dove out of the way as the crystal chandelier came crashing down. With a dark laugh, Pitch vanished into the shadows. In his mother's arms, Alexei began to cry.

He became insane, consumed with hatred for the Constellation families. With the powers he gained from the darkness, he sowed fear, anger, and unrest across the universe. Riding the skies in his Nightmare Galleon, Pitch began to bring down the Constellations one by one.

"Another has fallen, Tsar!" reported a soldier. The young soldier had run into the parlor where the royal family was spending their evening. It had been months since Pitch had first made his declaration. It seemed like every month, there was news of another Constellation beaten. Pitch did more than just beat them; he took the dreams away from the children. And without dreams, there can be no inventions, no happiness, no thoughts of the future.

Now, as fall was beginning to end in Santoff Claussen, the Lunanoffs stood as one of the last Constellations left standing.

Tsar Lunar cursed. Ombric's eyebrows furrowed. Tsarina rocked Alexei as he cried. Katherine tried to put on a brave face, but her hand shook as she clutched Nightlight's.

"We must stop him," Tsar Nicholas growled. Standing up, he motioned for Ombric to follow him. "Alert the generals. Summon the remains of the Constellations. We will stop Pitch once and for all!"

Tsarina Alexandra watched her husband and father leave, her face stormy. Glancing out the window, she appeared to lose herself in her thoughts. In her arms, Alexei calmed down before dozing off.

Nightlight and Katherine had just picked up the book they had been reading before the interruption when Tsarina Alexandra spoke up. "Nightlight, when Pitch comes take Alexei and Katherine to the Moon Clipper."

"Mother!"

"Tsarina!"

"Do not argue with me!" she snapped. Alexei woke from his doze and looked around, startled. Taking a deep breath, the grand lady said, in a much calmer tone, "You two are the most important things to your father and me. We cannot let Pitch get anywhere near you. So when he attacks, run to the Moon Clipper. And leave."

The Moon Clipper was the fastest ship in the fleet and had the secondary ability to hide in plain sight as a moon. It would most certainly get them to safety should Pitch come.

"Promise me," she demanded, holding Nightlight's gaze.

"I promise."

Outside, it began to snow.

All too soon, the chaos reached our home. The fear fanned flames of unhappiness that would soon destroy our lives forever.

It was chaos. The remnants of the Constellational armies struggled against Pitch's army of fearlings and nightmares. But it was quickly becoming apparent that they were being overwhelmed. In the midst of a snow storm that was shaping up to be a blizzard, Nightlight woke Katherine and dragged her from her bed.

The entire palace was in a panic. "Help! Help!"

"Hurry!"

"Children, this way!" Ombric called when Nightlight appeared in the hallway with the royal siblings. "We don't have much time!"

"To the Moon Clipper!"

Katherine froze, a look of horror bloom on her face. "My music box!" She turned and ran back towards her room.

"No!" Nightlight yelled, running after her, Ombric right on his heels.

"Katherine! Come back! Come back!"

The door to her room flew open as Katherine raced in, dropping to her knees before her doll house. There! Her music box! She hugged it to her chest as Nightlight and Ombric, now holding Alexei, hurried into the room. Nightlight slammed the door shut and locked it. An explosion rocked the room. The sound of heavy boots and the haunting cries of the fearlings filled the air.

"We're trapped!" Katherine cried.

"We must hurry!" Ombric said, pulling Katherine towards the door leading to the play room she shared with her brother. If they hurried, they might be able to slip out through Alexei's room while the troops searched Katherine's.

"Come this way!" a voice called. Nightlight whipped around, staff raised defensively. A portion of the wall had been opened. A secret passage! A white haired boy dressed in the uniform of the palace staff stood there, motioning them to hurry. "Out the servants' quarters."

Nightlight nodded. "Go." He pushed Katherine through the door. She let out a startled cry as her music box slipped out of her hands.

"My music box!"

All this for a music box!

"Go!" he yelled, pushing her back in. Grabbing the music box, he tossed it to boy as he waved Ombric into the passage. The old wizard clutched Alexei in his arms, blankets wrapped around him to keep him warm. To the boy Nightlight ordered him to get the royals to safety. The boy promised and dragged Katherine away.

"No!" Katherine sobbed as Nightlight began to close the door. "Nightlight, come with us! You promised you'd always be with us and protect us!"

He gave her a sad smile. "Sorry." He shut the door. It blended perfectly with the wall, not even a seam was visible.

Nightlight drew in a long, shaky breath as voices reached his ears. "Comrades, in here!"

The door burst open. He turned to face the intruders, staff held at the ready.

"Where are they, boy?"

Nightlight shook his head and dived forward with a battle cry. He managed to slash two fearlings down before the third appeared at his side, a blade shooting out towards his neck. Nightlight dodged the blade but not the claws that followed. A burning pain exploded in his neck. Gasping, he spun around, stabbing the nightmare through.

In the distance, Pitch's laugh echoed in the cold night. Gritting his teeth, Nightlight forced his legs to run, trying desperately to block out the near blinding pain in his neck. He caught up with them outside, on the frozen river that separated the palace from the runway of the Moon Clipper. The boy was nowhere in sight but there, on the side of the Moon Clipper, was Pitch. And he had Katherine!

"Let me go!" Katherine screamed, struggling to free herself from the man's grip. She clung to the side of the Moon Clipper, which was already on, the Moonmice and Moonbots all in position to set off. Two of the Moonbots gripped Katherine's waist and shoulders, trying to keep her on the ship as it slowly lifted into the air.

"You'll never escape me, child," he hissed, "Never! You'll become my fearling princess! And then your brother will be my fearling prince!"

No they won't! Nightlight thought as he stabbed his spear into Pitch's back.

An explosion, brighter than twenty suns lit the night. When the light faded, Pitch and Nightlight were gone.

"Go!" Ombric yelled.

The Moon Clipper shot upward, almost drowning out a scream in the rush of air.

Katherine, unbalanced by the sudden acceleration, had fallen over the edge. She held onto one of the extensions of the Moon Clipper with one hand and it was slipping.

"Grandpa!"

"Take my hand!" Ombric yelled, reaching for her and several moonbots held him steady. He strained to reach her and she reached her free hand out to him. At last, they hands managed to grasp each other. And just in time as Katherine's other hand slipped. She screamed. "Hold on to my hand!"

"Don't let go," she begged.

But as the Moon Clipper flew higher and faster, fate had other plans. The ship gave an unexpected jolt. Katherine's hand slipped. "Katherine!" Ombric could only watch as Katherine vanished into the blizzard below. "KATHERINE!"

So many lives were destroyed. What had always been was now gone forever. And my Katherine, my beloved granddaughter, I never saw her again.

So um...how did I do? o_o tell me what you think.