Chapter Nineteen: Epilogue
"Ready?" Tooth asked, making her way down the line, fixing collars or tucking back curls. "It'll be super easy, this is all just formality,"
"Formality," Merida breathed. Hiccup gripped her hand tightly, lending the redheaded season a soft smile.
"Everyone in there is a dreamsand warrior, a yeti or another spirit," Tooth continued. "And we'll all go first, so don't worry,"
"Time to go sheila," Bunny said, twirling the fairy around as the doors opened. "Good luck anklebiters,"
"Nikolas North, Guardian of Wonder!"
North walked out into the main room of the Warren, wearing an impressively embroidered suit of dark red and brown. A few elves swarmed around his feet, but the older spirit avoided stepping on his helpers.
"E. Aster Bunnymund, Guardian of Hope!"
"Bye anklebiters," The Pooka smirked, and followed North outside.
"Toothiana, Guardian of Memory!"
Tooth breezed out of the room, her floaty rainbow dress shimmering as a few of her fairies lifted the layers.
"Sanderson ManSnoozie, Guardian of Dreams!"
"Here we go…" Jack whispered, squeezing Rapunzel's hand. "Ready to go Sunshine?"
"Absolutely,"
"And presenting, the seasonal guardians!" The announcer yelled. "Presenting Rapunzel Springs-daughter, Guardian of creativity!"
The blonde stepped forwards, her long lilac dress dragging on the floor over her bare feet. The gown was layered with translucent pink petals of fabric that fell from her waist down her back, and glimmered with golden embroidery of flowering plants at the hem and bodice. Light drapes of the pink fabric fell from the top of the bust, covering her bare shoulders as the flowers in her hair bloomed brightly. She disappeared into the ballroom.
"Jack Winters-son, Guardian of fun!"
"Bye!" The white haired boy grinned, adjusting his grip on his staff. His thick double layered blue cloak rustled with a slight wind, the fur lined hood tipped back from his hair. The rest of his robes were a mix of rich blues and purples with silver edging. Like Rapunzel, he had bare feet, but his shins were wrapped with thick woolen wraps in a bright shade of blue.
"Hiccup Autumns-son, Guardian of change!"
"See you out there," Hiccup said, letting go of Merida's hand as he walked out. Like Jack, he wore a cape and hood, but his was made out of warm colored leaves. His shirt was a warm red and his pants a warm brown, and his new prosthetic was shined to perfection. The clasps and buckles on his boot and cape were a clean bronze.
"And finally, Merida Summers-daughter, guardian of courage!"
Merida took a deep breath, and stepped through the open doorway. Her loose pants and shirt were in shades of varying green with tons of delicate but strong beading across the top. A soft leather belt was slung low on her hips, and wraps of the same color covered her forearms. Her hair had been pulled back with a gold band, and jewelry of the same color wrapped her arms and ankles.
Merida made her way down the walkway, keeping her eyes trained on her friends and family ahead. The other seasons had already reached their spots on the dias, and Merida caught eyes with the announcer - Kozmotis.
"Do you, Rapunzel, Jack, Hiccup and Merida, all swear to protect children, and now, the wellbeing of the world?"
"I do," They chorused together. Kozmotis smiled.
"Then I name you both guardians, and seasonal protectors,"
Bright smiles spread across the spirits faces, and the four turned around and linked hands as they stared out at the crowd. Together.
Authors Note: And this is a wrap on The Nightmare Children!
Y'all I cannot tell you how happy it makes me feel to both finish 4 Rotbtd fics (not counting oneshots) and have people actually read them! Starting next week, I'll be posting Lionhearted, but I've been working on a lot more. Hopefully as we go into the new year, I might be in the midst of writing some NOT animation content.
As always, if you want to see art of these stories, check out view/wizardlymagic-fic-tures/home
I might be putting more Nightmare Children content up there soon.
See you all next week on a new story!