Chapter 3

The next few days were dark and gloomy, despite the constant sun and little clouds. Word of April, the teen hero's death, spread like the fire that caused her demise. Her funeral was a rather large one, people from the town came to bless her kind soul goodbye as well as her mother and relatives. Even the man who was riding the motorcycle came to say his last wishes for he survived the crash with only a few fractures and burns. He was now facing charges of drunk driving and was instructed to pay for the funeral, as he felt deeply guilty that he caused this little girl's death.

James was one of the last people to stay at the grave sight, silent tears slipping from his eyes as the sun beat down on the fresh dirt that had purple and white flowers on it.

"Sure is, pretty sunny out here i-isn't it?" James heard a woman's voice say slow and quiet. He turned with bloodshot eyes to find April's mom wiping her equally red eyes as she walked closer to the gray slab of stone. She was holding a single midnight rose.

"Y-yeah."

"April would be happy with the purple flowers, not so sure about the white though. She was always a fan of the darker colors." She leaned over and placed the glistening black rose at the base of the stone. "She would've loved it."

"Y-yeah." James responded again, not sure how to respond to a surprisingly calm, yet saddened, mother. She just gave a tired smile and a single tear ran down her cheek.

"It's hard to say anything isn't it? She was and will still be my daughter and your friend. She was always so bright and positive, always willing to lend a hand and a touch of sass. No one will ever forget her."

"I... I know."

"I don't know why, b-but these clear skies, I still think that her brightness is still with us. Don't you think?" She said as she gazed up to the sky, the sun beaming on the gloomy graveyard.

"I agree, she was so cheery. She never... n-never deserved to d-die." James quivered as April's mother gave James a careful hug, letting him cry out his anger, worry, and depression.

"I know hon. I know..."

XxX

The surrounding Earth was cold and bleak as winds bashed against the large clear windows. Five figures, all with their significant differences but were alike in one way, stood around a giant globe with thousands of yellow flickering lights. The cheery decorations adorned the walls which were clad in red and white. Large beasts sauntered around with boxes decorated with colored paper, tools, and gifts, all the while muttering to each other in their own language. Something was wrong, considering the tense atmosphere that the five beings shared as they glanced at each other.

"This is our chance, this is someone we've been looking for-"

"Ya know better than that Jack, we can't be jumpin' to conclusions." A large rabbit interrupted in his Australian accent as he tapped his foot impatiently. He was adorned with three boomerangs strapped to his chest and sports bandages wrapped around his feet and paws.

"Stop it you two." A large man with red overalls, a straggly white beard, and tattoos on both forearms piped up as he stepped closer to the globe. "I agree with Jack, we're gonna need her help one way or the other."

The teenage looking boy, known as Jack, threw the rabbit a smirk. "Told you Bunnymund."

"Hush up will ya? You're not very helpful." The rabbit, Bunnymund, asked as he jabbed Jack in his side.

"I agree with North, the kids aren't as excited this time of year for us as much as they would be for someone celebrating that one day event! They aren't even excited for me, the Tooth Fairy!" A woman, who introduced herself as the Tooth Fairy, exclaimed as North muttered a 'really?'. She was nearly covered from head to toe in green, purple, and yellow feathers and had rapidly moving wings on her back. The stout man next to her nodded as an image of a thumbs up popped over his head, everything on him was a dull yellow. "Even Sandy agrees."

"I see then..." North trailed off as he rubbed his chin in thought, everyone awaiting his final answer. He perked his head up and turned to face everyone with a wide grin. "I don't see any reason not to bring her to the team! Let's go find her and tell her lonely spirit the news!" He cheered.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on there mate!" Bunnymund interrupted, still a little skeptical on the idea on bringing another Guardian into the tight circle of the five of them. "Exactly what holiday do we need 'er for?"

Jack raises an eyebrow as he faces the Australian rabbit.

"Duh, for Independence Day, the 4th of July!"

I don't own Rise of the Guardians just the "OC"s in here and this story is mine. Sorry for the delay, school again. Once again it's short and I did promise the Guardians' appearance so here they are! Review if you like it's bound to pick up the pace in a few chapters and so will the length so you can count on that!

-Anonymous Vulture