Chapter 16: Amazing News And Promise

The group headed for North's workshop to go get Jamie and Sophie. The young boy, who had been watching some of the Yetis, turned when he heard the portal and when he saw Lea walking into the room with the Guardians, Balan, and two others, he raced to his cousin and glomped her. "Lea!" He cried out in joy, tears of happiness running down his face that she was okay.

Lea caught her younger cousin and hugged him tight. "Hey, cous," she said with a smile.

The boy then saw Balan and reached for him, to which the blonde-haired teen handed the boy to the Guardian of Happiness, who smiled and accepted the boy. Jamie hugged the magical being happily, who returned the hug, rubbing the boy's back soothingly.

The Yetis and elves welcomed them all and were curious about Viola, who smiled a bit shyly. "Yes, she is very much like our Lea," North said. "And one of our newest guardians, the Guardian of Self-Confidence."

Lance stayed in the back of the group as he didn't want to frighten the two young ones, but he saw Jamie spot him and the boy shrunk back a little in Balan's arms, which the tall being noticed and gently brushed a hand over the boy's head. "It's alright, little one. Lance won't hurt you," he said.

"Lance?" The boy asked in shock. "The...The same one that kidnapped Lea?"

"Yes, but he kept your cousin safe, buckaroo," Bunny said. "Pitch was the real mastermind behind all of this."

"He was hoping to keep Lea out of the way, but it backfired on him when Lance grew attached to Lea," Toothiana said with a smile.

Sophie, seeing Lance, grew curious before going up to him and reaching up her hands for him to pick her up. Curious, but smiling, Lance leaned down and scooped the child up into his arms. To his surprise, the little girl rested her head against his shoulder, smiling up at him.

"Big Magic Brother," she said.

The Guardian of Sadness was surprised, but then smiled. "She's grown attached to you just like Lea," Jack said with a smile.

"Guess she's sees Lance is similar to Balan," North said.

Jamie looked at Lea. "Lea, did Pitch hurt you?" He asked in worry.

Lea shook her head. "He tried, but he didn't succeed," she said. "Lance protected me."

The boy looked over at Lance and Balan moved closer to his counterpart, who smiled at the boy, reaching over and gently ruffling Jamie's hair. "If it hadn't been for you, little one, Pitch may have won," the white-haired being said gently. "I thought Pitch meant well, but soon learned his intentions clear as a bell."

"What do you mean?" The boy asked curiously.

"Meanie hurt big magic brother?" Sophie asked in worry, gently touching Lance's face with her small hands.

The blue-eyed being smiled gently at her. "He tried, but didn't count on Lea becoming my friend," he said. "She stood up for me to the end."

"Just as you stood up for me, Lance," Lea said.

Jamie smiled and reached for Lance, who looked surprised, but smiled and accepted the boy from Balan, adjusting his hold on Sophie so that he was holding one child in each arm. The boy then hugged Lance tight.

"Thank you for keeping Lea safe," he said. "But...why did you kidnap Lea?"

"I am loathe to admit that I fell prey to Pitch's spell, when he offered me the chance to have a friend good and well. Rest assured, I meant your cousin no harm, young one, and thanks to the Guardians and one who didn't give up, I saw Pitch's true face before all was said and done," Lance said.

"And it is thanks to Lea and Viola that Lance was freed from his past fate, as their devotion to each other stopped Pitch before it was too late," Balan said.

Both girls blushed. "I...I didn't really do much," Viola admitted. "That was mostly Lea."

"Maybe, but you forgave Lance too," Katherine pointed out. "You realized he wasn't evil like Pitch and your forgiveness helped him to join us in the final battle."

"Katherine's right, Viola," Bunny said as Sandy nodded.

"You played a big role too," Jack said, hugging Viola, who hugged him back.

Jamie and Sophie looked at Viola and saw that she looked very similar to Lea. Sophie's eyes went wide and she reached for Viola, to which Lance gently gave the young Guardian the small child.

Viola held Sophie with care and was surprised when the little girl hugged her. "Ice sister!" She chirped, making the others smile.

The young Guardian was surprised again, but smiled. "Aww, she came up with a nickname for you too," Toothiana cooed.

"That means she's accepted you as a friend and family member," Lea said.

Katherine smiled at this before noting the time. "It's nearly morning where the kids live. We best get them back," she said gently.

"I agree," Balan said with a nod.

Thanks to North's magic snowglobes, they were all soon outside the house and Jamie and Sophie ran inside, but Lea held back, looking up at the house nervously. She didn't want to go in, but at the same time, she knew if she didn't, the situation wouldn't be fixed. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned her head to look at Lance, who was beside her and he smiled, pulling her into a comforting hug. "Don't be afraid, Lea," he whispered soothingly in her ear.

Following his lead, the others also hugged Lea, also whispering words of encouragement in her ear.

"It's going to be okay," Jack said to her.

"You got this, Sheila," Bunny said gently.

"Take a deep breath," Katherine advised, which the teen did.

Sandy created a sand scene of Lea and her father hugging, to which she understood he was telling her that her father would listen to her if she asked him to, making her smile.

"You can do it," North encouraged her.

"You've got more courage than you realize," Toothiana said with a smile.

"If you can face off someone like Pitch, then you can certainly face your father," Viola said to her.

Balan was the last to hug her, rubbing her back gently. "And remember, your father loves you, just as we do," he reminded her, his tone gentle.

The kind words helped a bit and Nightlight, now back in his toy form, gave Lea a thumbs up. Just then, Balan pulled out the music box and opened it, to which Lance reached in as the soothing melody played and he pulled out the Crystal Shifter, which he gave to Lea. She took it and put it in its proper place before seeing Lance hold up the wolfblood necklace, which he gently placed around her neck. Balan pulled out the necklace he had given Lea the first time they met and he placed it around her neck. "There," he said, gently closing the music box.

Feeling a bit better now, Lea took a deep breath and walked into the house as the Guardians watched her with smiles on their faces. Once she entered the house, Lea looked around and found her father, finding him in the kitchen with some coffee. "Hey, Dad?" She asked.

He smiled. "Good morning, sweetie," he said before noticing she looked pensive. "Is everything alright?"

Lea felt nervous. "Can...Can I talk to you in private in the hallway? Please?" She asked.

"Sure, honey," he said before hearing his wife ask him to help her find something. "Let me go help your mother and I'll be right there."

"Okay," she said, going to the hallway. But as she was waiting for her father, she began to get nervous. "Maybe this is a bad idea," she said to herself.

"Lea," a familiar voice cooed to her.

Recognizing Balan's voice, she lifted up her head and saw him in the mirror and he was beside her, but when she looked beside her for real, he wasn't there, making her realize he was in the mirror. She looked back at him and he smiled encouragingly as the other Guardians appeared beside him, all of them smiling and nodding to her. She gave them all a grateful look, appreciating that they were all there for her. She took another deep breath and let it out. Just then, she heard her father coming and she turned to see him walking towards her. "Sorry for the wait, honey. You're mom couldn't find her slippers," he said with a smile. "Now then, what's bugging you?"

"Well, it's about the announcement you had last night," she said. "I...I'm pretty sure I know what you were going to say and...I...I got nervous and worried because...I'm scared about what your announcement means for me."

Her father looked confused before it hit him. "Sweetie, are you talking about the argument we had a while back?" He asked.

She nodded and he sighed softly. "Oh, honey," he said before pulling her into a hug. "You know, I had been thinking about that day and I felt bad that I didn't listen to you then. I guess I got a little carried away in thinking you'd want to do something like your mom and I do and I just wanted what was best for you. I felt this would be great because you could get a good job later on and not have to worry about anything."

Lea heard the love in her father's voice and now realized he had just been worried about her future. She heard him chuckle. "I know you're not quite ready to be on your own yet, but I just didn't want you to struggle with life. In doing so, I failed to see that my words were hurting you. After a bit, I realized I had been unfair to you and that hurt me. Just because I worry about your future and want you to have a bright one doesn't give me the right to disregard your dreams and passion for music." He gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch comforting as he gently wiped away the tears that had gathered in his daughter's eyes. "Seeing you unhappy is the last thing I ever want, honey."

She looked at him and he looked concerned. "I know we made up back then, but I didn't realize this was still bugging you," he said. "Why didn't you tell me last night about your worries?"

Lea looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I...I was afraid you wouldn't listen to me," she said. "And...I was scared that if I said something, I would be called selfish and ungrateful."

Her father looked pained as he recalled how he had said such hurtful words back then. "Oh, sweetie," he said, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so sorry."

She hugged him back. "It's okay, Dad," she said. "I'm...I'm sorry too."

He smiled gently before wiping away the tears that escaped her eyes now. "I've given a lot of thought about what you like to do and I think my announcement will be one that you'll like and be happy about," he said.

She looked at him in surprise. "What is it?" She asked.

Her father chuckled and winked at her. "I don't want to spoil the surprise," he said. "But I promise it will involve doing what you love."

She looked at him curiously and he smiled. "Come on," he said. "Let's get everyone up. Your aunt said she's going to make a big breakfast for everyone. I'll give my announcement when everyone is at the table."

She nodded, going to go find her cousins and when she found Jamie, she pulled him into a hug. "Thanks for getting to the Guardians to tell them what happened, Jamie," she said.

He hugged her back. "I was so scared when I saw you go into that dark portal and you removed your necklaces and bracelet," he admitted. "I knew something was really wrong because you never take off your bracelet." He then looked at her. "Are you okay?"

Lea nodded. "I was...just going through a hard time, but I'm good and ready to hear what your uncle has to say," she said. "He'll give his announcement when everyone is seated for breakfast."

"Okay," the boy said with a smile.

A few moments later, everyone was seated for breakfast when Lea's father cleared his throat and stood up. "I believe it's time for that announcement I meant to give last night," he said with a smile.

"What is it, George?" Lea's aunt asked curiously.

He smiled. "I've made arrangements to take all of us to Vinyl City during the Winter Season and having Lea sign up for an internship at NSR to get musical experience," he said. "And I hope one day she'll make it big in joining their cause."

"Vinyl City?!" Jamie said in excitement.

"That's right," George said. "I spoke to Tatiana, the leader of NSR and when I mentioned Lea's name, Tatiana immediately agreed that there was room for Lea to sign up as an intern. I was quite thrilled, though I must admit to curiosity to why Tatiana agreed immediately."

"Perhaps she is looking for young talent and is eager to give someone like our Lea a chance," Lea's aunt said with a smile.

Lea was both shocked and surprised. "Dad...do you...really mean it?" She asked hopefully.

He smiled. "Yes, honey," he said. "I know how much you love music and NSR is big into music. I feel they can help you best in furthering your talent."

The teenager felt herself crying happy tears at hearing the positive news and she smiled as she thought about her uncle and cousins in Vinyl City, knowing that her father didn't know that Neon J and 1010 considered Lea to be a big part of their family. She knew if she told them the good news, they'd be thrilled too. It made the nervousness from thinking it had been bad news go away and she realized she had worked herself up over nothing.

The family was thrilled with the news. "I understand Vinyl City has some of the best music," Lea's aunt said with a smile.

Later on, Lea was in her room and she sat on the bed, smiling at Nightlight. "You know, Nightlight, I feel really silly for getting myself worked up over nothing," she said. "If I had just waited to listen to what my dad had to say, I could have avoided a mess with Pitch."

A gentle hand rested on her shoulder and she turned to see Lance was there and he smiled gently. "But then we'd have never met and I never would have gained such an amazing friend," he said gently.

"True," she said before smiling. "I was so stressed over what my dad had to say and the music box you gave me helped me to stay calm and not lose my love of music."

"That reminds me," he said, pulling out the music box from his pocket as Balan had given it back to him after they had given Lea back the Crystal Shifter and her necklaces. With a gentle wave of his hand, his magic surrounded the music box and settled calmly. "There," he said. "Now you can enjoy it whenever you'd like."

He handed her the music box and Lea hugged him. "I know Pitch tricked you, but I'm glad we met," she said. "You really helped me out. More than you realize."

A look of sadness overcame Lance's features and he looked away. "I...I didn't make the best choices," he admitted. "By the time I realized it, it was almost too late in the end."

The girl gently reached up and took Lance's face in her hands, gently turning his face back to look at her. "Lance, I forgave you for that," she said. "Please, don't dwell on it."

He hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead. "You really are an amazing girl, Lea. No wonder Balan became so fond of you when you both first met," he said. "The promise he made to always stand with you applies for me too. I will always stand with you."

She smiled. "That reminds me. I have a surprise for you," she said.

Lance blinked. "You do?" He asked curiously.

She nodded before looking around as if knowing the others were around. "Balan, you and the others can come out," she said.

Amused chuckling filled the air and Balan appeared with the others. "I must be getting rusty with my magic if you sensed us," he said jokingly.

Lea giggled. "No, you're not. I felt you touch my shoulder a moment ago when Lance made his promise to stand with me."

Smiling, Balan ruffled her hair playfully and the other Guardians smiled. Lea took a deep breath and pulled out her guitar, smiling. "I guess you guys heard the good news, right?"

She asked."We did and we're happy for you," Jack said.

"We know you're going to do great," Bunny said.

"You know how much you believe in us?" Viola asked.

"Yeah?" Lea said.

"Believe that much in yourself," the white-haired girl said, smiling.

"I agree," North said as Sandy nodded.

"Oh, you're going to have so many good memories. I just know it," Tooth said, smiling.

"The story is definitely not over yet. A new chapter awaits," Katherine said.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Balan said with a smile.

Smiling, Lea lightly strummed her guitar before looking at Lance and smiling. "This one's for you, Lance. As a thank you for everything," she said.

Seeing him smile at her, she took a deep breath and began singing 'No Matter Where You Are', which Lance recognized and began singing along with her. Smiling, the other Guardians began dancing with Jack dancing with Katherine, Sandy and North dancing with Toothiana, and Viola and Balan danced, the young Guardian looking nervous. "I've never danced before with someone," she admitted.

"Just mimic me as if you're my mirror image, my dear," Balan encouraged her.

She took a deep breath and did that, soon getting the hang of dancing while Lance and Lea continued to sing before they started to dance, Lea setting aside her guitar, to which Balan snapped his fingers so that the guitar was still playing the song with his magic as they all danced. Lea's blue dreamsand even made an appearance and took different shapes as it swirled around everyone while they danced and Lea and Lance sang.

When the song drew to an end, Lea hugged Lance, who hugged her in return, kissing her forehead in affection. "Thank you, my dear," he said. "For everything."

Lea smiled, feeling that everything was going was going to be okay with her and her friends and she was excited to be interning at NSR. And no matter what happened, she was always going to stay true to herself and all things childhood belief.

And with that, our story has come to a close. :)

Redbat132 and I want to thank all of you who read, reviewed, faved, and followed this story. We had a lot of fun creating it and your guys' words in the reviews thrilled us that you were all enjoying reading it as we were enjoying writing it. Thank you all again. To quote Balan Wonderworld: "Every second was an adventure." :)

The song "No Matter Where You Are" is from the movie "The Book Of Life", which belongs to its respective owners.

Please leave Redbat132 and myself a review, but no flames!

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