Redbat132, who owns Lea, Nightlight, Jamie, Sophie, and Katherine, asked for and co-wrote this one with me. Here you go, Amiga! :) Enjoy! :)
Balan Wonderworld belongs to Square Enix. Rise Of The Guardians belongs to Dreamworks. I own nothing.
Regaining Happiness
Jamie and Sophie were worried about their older cousin Lea. She had been feeling down after a major disagreement with her own father earlier that day, so in order to cheer her up, the Bennett kids took her to Kate's bookstore to see if the Guardians of Imagination or Fun had somewhere for them to enjoy and help the teenager. However, even when going there, Lea was too sad to enjoy herself and decided to leave.
"Jamie, I don't want to ruin anything. You and Sophie can continue having fun here," she responded, giving a weak smile while turning to the door. "I'll just wait outside in the park."
"Come on, Lea. Please, don't go," Jamie begged, grabbing her arm to stop. "We want you to stay."
The blonde teen looked down in doubt, gently getting her arm free. "I'm sorry, Jamie. I just don't feel in the mood to play. I'll come back here to pick you two up before sundown."
Before saying another word, he watched his cousin take the exit in a hurry. The young boy, along with his sister, had major concerns for the blonde teen.
"We better find Katherine," Jamie said to Sophie, who nodded her head in agreement.
As they searched for the Guardian of Imagination, Lea walked around Central Park in despair. Not even the comfort of her childhood friend, Nightlight, could make her feel better. Her mind was still thinking about the fight she had to deal with involving her father. One where the blonde teen lost big time. Her opinion had no meaning. It just went deaf to her dad's ears and all she got was yelling from him.
"Why did I think he would ever understand or listen to me?" She questioned herself, tears forming in her eyes before sitting down on a nearby bench. "He only listens to himself. I might as well disappear because I'm only invisible to everyone."
Nightlight hugged his sad friend by her right shoulder, patting on Lea's back as she let her tears fall. The living toy had never seen the blonde teen this distraught since the loss of her own grandparents. He did not know what to do to help Lea out from her depressed state.
As she continued crying her eyes out, Lea heard an unusual chirping sound that made her lift her head in seeing something out of the ordinary. It looked like a white fluff ball with blue eyes, bunny ears plus cottontail, and a beak. The little creature was moving pass the blonde teen and was heading somewhere in a small hurry.
"Huh…Think we should follow it, Nightlight?" She questioned, starting to sound hopeful a little.
The wooden toy nodded his head without hesitation, as an answer. He even jumped out of Lea's shoulder and ran after the white fluffy being.
"Hey! Nightlight, you get back here!" Lea shouted, now standing up and chasing her childhood companion.
It felt like hours for Lea following both Nightlight and whatever that ball of fluff was hopping away adorably. The blonde teen tried grabbing her childhood toy in staying close to her, but he kept avoiding and dodging.
What is going on with Nightlight? He's never acted so stubborn before, Lea thought to herself, getting annoyed.
When making a sharp turn to an alley way, she witnessed what appeared to be an abandoned theater up ahead. This perplexed the blonde teen because she had walked pass this alley multiple times before and never seen this run-down building in the area.
Okay…either Kate is behind this or something else is going on here, Lea mentally noted, growing cautious when walking closer.
Above the abandoned theater was titled 'Balan Wonderworld'. The words did not seem familiar to the blonde teen one bit.
"I don't even recognize this place anywhere," she admitted out loud, now seeing both the white creature and Nightlight go inside a small doggie door in front of the main one. "Nightlight, no!"
Believing she has no choice; Lea turned the knob of the door and went into the theater. Unaware that someone was expecting her arrival.
Meanwhile, back at the Golden Goose Bookstore, Jamie and Sophie were able to find Katherine by taking the backdoor entrance that leads to the magical doorway of the Ganderly.
"Jamie and Sophie. Happy to see you both," Kate said, only to notice something off. "Where's Lea?"
"That's why we're here," Jamie explained, looking concerned. "She had a family fight and is feeling down to a point of not spending the day with us at the bookstore. We were hoping you have some fun adventure for all of us that's sure to get Lea out of her sadness."
"Lea really sad," Sophie said softly.
Just as Kate was getting ready to help, the Man in the Moon called the female guardian's attention, telling her that he has a new mission for her. The moonlight formed a shadow of a tall figure with a hat. And, for once, Katherine had no clue who that is. Which could only mean one thing: this is a new dimensional world to write as another book series!
"MiM wants me to do research on a new dimension," she responded, facepalming in shock. "Talk about bad timing."
"Why? This is perfect! We can bring Lea along and see what this story has to offer!" Jamie replied, happily.
"Yay!" Sophie giggled, jumping up and down with excitement.
"Jamie, you and Sophie do not understand. We know nothing about this new dimension I am assigned to work on writing," Kate explained, grabbing her bag of necessary items. "There is a delicate balance between the forces of good and evil found in every parallel world. Although the first guardian has never steered me wrong in choosing a new universe to do notes on, I cannot let my guard down for some unknown shadowy element to appear and take me by surprise."
Suddenly, a pearly white book with red and gold colors on the spine flew pass Kate and the Bennett kids' heads. The book twirled and spun around, as if being entertaining. When Katherine snapped her fingers, the book calmed down and floated into her hands. The front shiny cover was blank with no title. The only thing it had was am outlined silhouette of a hat with eyes.
"Odd. I've never crossed a book this exhilarating before," the young woman said, looking at the kids. "Must be a fun and magical dimension."
"Yes!" Jamie exclaimed, knowing this is exactly what his cousin needs.
"Let's not celebrate just yet," she stated, raising an index finger to tell the young boy to pause. "This might be a magical world, but it could also mean there's a dangerous dark side lurking behind that dimension. We cannot know until I check it out. You two, stay in the Ganderly. Kailash will keep you company."
"What?! No way!" The boy said, getting in front of the Imagination Guardian. "We are not staying behind again! We want to come with you!"
"Yeah!" Sophie agreed.
"Look, I don't have time to argue. I've had centuries of experience in exploring new dimensions. I am not going to bring innocent kids to my party when something could go-" Kate stopped at her sentence, seeing the Man in the Moon's light flicker; as if telling the Imagination Guardian something. "…What?! You can't be serious!"
"What is it?" Jamie asked in curiosity.
"It appears that Manny wants me to take you and Sophie along with me on this story mission after all," she answered, not believing her own words. "Very well. If MiM says you may come, then I respect his wishes."
"Alright! Thanks, Man in Moon!" The boy shouted in happiness. "After we check it out, can we bring Lea?"
"As long as this dimension turns out safe, we will do exactly that," Katherine assured, grabbing her emergency snow globe to pack in her travel bag. "But only if you and Sophie promise to behave yourselves on this mission."
"We will, Kate. Promise," Jamie said, nodding his head. "Let's go already!"
Sighing, Katherine opened the shiny book where several blank pages were flipping over in rapid speed until a fancy theater door appeared in front of her. Jamie and Sophie stared in awe.
"I am definitely getting showman vibes from this story," Katherine noted, as the door opened itself to a bright white lighting. "Come along now, Jamie, Sophie. Our adventure awaits us."
Following their friend, the Bennett kids tracked Katherine into the new story world doorway. As they crossed over, the door closed and disappeared into thin air.
Meanwhile, Lea was exploring around this theater. When entering, she lost Nightlight. He seemed to have disappeared with that strange creature. The blonde teen was starting to become scared.
Despite this theater run-down appearance on the outside, Lea noticed how the inside of the place wasn't too damaged, not collecting a lot of cobwebs and dust. Framed posters displayed in the walls didn't even look scratched or torn. In fact, they looked like new and have been displayed recently.
"What kind of plays are these? 'The Man Who Rages Against the Storm'? 'The Dolphin and The Diver'? 'The Boy Who Would be One with the Wind'? 'The Girl and the Kitten'?" Lea said out loud, reading all the different posters on the wall. "And I thought Kate's guardian line of work was a mystery."
As Lea looked up, she found herself in a room, but didn't see the strange creature or her friend. "Nightlight?" She called out. "Oh, where could he be?"
Suddenly, she gasped as she felt a presence behind her. Spinning around and pulling out her hockey stick, she got into a defensive position, holding the stick like she was about to use it. She then blinked as she took in the person's appearance.
He was tall, probably a bit taller than Bunny and North, but his suit reminded her of freshly fallen snow shining in the light. His golden eyes gave off a warm feeling that reminded the girl of Sandy. The charmistic grin he wore gave a playful, yet friendly mood that reminded Lea of her frosty guardian of fun, Jack Frost. Last but not least, his neon green hair reminded her of Toothiana, minus the feathers. Overall, he just looked incredible and she felt herself feeling mesmerized by his presence before she swallowed hard and looked at him. "Who...Who are you?" She asked, trying to keep her voice steady, though a tremor ran through it.
She blinked as it seemed his smiled softened at seeing that she was calming down, but still wary around him. He raised his hands in a placating gesture before moving closer. "Hello, my dear," he said, his voice deep, yet pleasant, reminding her of her friend, North. "Don't be afraid. You're safe here."
She took a deep breath, sensing the truth in his words, relaxing her stance a little. Seeing this, the being smiled again before spinning around rapidly, making her gasp before he stopped before her and bowed to her as a performer would. "And welcome to my theater," he said, grinning at her again before straightening. "I am Maestro Balan, but my friends call me Balan."
"Balan," she repeated and for some reason, the name intrigued her. She smiled, putting away her hockey stick and holding out her hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Balan. My name is Lea."
"What a lovely name you have, my dear," he said, taking her hand for the handshake before noticing her bracelet and he blinked, gently pulling her hand closer to examine her bracelet before he looked amazed. "So I wasn't just seeing things. You have magic too."
She blinked. "How did know that?" She asked, knowing she hadn't done anything magical around him.
Balan smiled. "Being a person who uses magic and is magical, I can sense when someone else has magic or magical items," he explained. "And your bracelet is exquisite." He then noticed the necklace around her neck and gently lifted it up, looking at it closely. "Ah, and you're friends with a Wolfblood. Rather elusive creatures, but loyal to those who are their friends."
Lea blinked in amazement as he just accurately described her friend. She then remembered why she had come in here and she took a deep breath, gently pulling her hand away from the tall being. "Um, you said this was your theater, right?" She asked.
"It is," he said, still smiling.
She bit her lip. "Then...I owe you an apology for trespassing," she said. "You see, my friend and I saw this creature we had never seen before and he took off after it and I tried to follow, but they both came in here and I can't seem to find them."
Balan smiled. "No apologies necessary," he said gently. "My theater is open to all who believe in magic and to those who need something to smile about when they are going through hard times."
Lea blinked before smiling as he again reminded her of her guardian friends. The tall being chuckled before gently brushing the backs of the fingers of his right hand over the left side of her face in both a comforting and friendly manner. "Now then, who is your friend?" He asked.
"Well, he's a small toy and is not only my childhood friend, but is very special to me," she said before seeing movement and looking to see the same creature coming towards them and Nightlight was right beside it. "Nightlight! There you are!" She said in relief as he waved to her.
Balan turned to look and his eyes widened in surprise at seeing Nightlight. "Amazing," he said in awe as they came up to the two and he reached down, gently grasping the toy and lifting him up into his free hand, seeing Nightlight standing there and looking up at him with a smile. "I've never seen something like him before, but I can sense the magic and love that was put into his creation. But...how is he alive like you and me?"
Lea smiled. "Part of it is my bracelet and the other is because I believe in him and some special friends of mine that I'm very close to," she said. "The Guardians Of Childhood."
The entertainer snapped his fingers. "Of course! That's what familiar about the magic around you," he said, smiling. "I've heard about them and their magic."
"Really?" She asked.
He nodded and smiled. "You have a very special friend here," he said, gesturing to Nightlight. "A very rare, magical figure who becomes alive from the belief of his childhood owner friend."
He then gently handed the toy to her and she smiled as she hugged her friend close. "Thank you," she said. "He is very special to me. My grandparents made him for me and when I first met the Guardians, Nightlight ended up getting damaged, but North, who is Santa Clause, fixed him for me."
"Ah, yes," the entertainer said. "Santa can fix and create anything."
Lea smiled again before noticing the odd creature, who now came up to her and nuzzled her leg, giving a happy chirp. She kneeled down and reached a hand out, gently petting it. Chirping happily again, it nuzzled her hand. Balan chuckled as he kneeled down too. "He likes you," he said.
"What is he?" She asked. "He looks like a combination of a rabbit and a bird."
The tall being smiled. "He does, doesn't he?" He said. "He's called a Tim. They are creatures from my world."
More Tims came forward and Lea gasped in surprise at seeing them all. "They're so cute," she said, smiling as they came closer. One hopped up to her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek, making her chuckle as she petted it and it chirped happily. Another jumped up into her lap, gently knocking her over to sit on the floor as the others surrounded her, nuzzling her and looking at her with happy expressions. Lea, having a huge soft spot for small adorable creatures, smiled at them all, feeling like she was drowning in cuteness, but she didn't mind. She then realized how soft their fur was. "Wow, they're really cuddly."
Balan chuckled. "They are," he said. "And very affectionate. Especially towards young ones."
Nightlight smiled too at seeing his friend was feeling better. The Tims then hopped away and Lea stood up, wishing she could stay here, but the argument with her father came to her mind and she tried to push it away, but she felt sad again. She tried to hide it, but didn't see her new friend look at her knowingly. "Lea, what is bothering you?" He asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She bit her lip. "It's...nothing," she said. "Sorry, I just...,"
She trailed off and looked away, not seeing the tall being smile at her. "Oh, Lea," he cooed in a singsong voice, making her turn to look at him before he grinned and vanished into his hat.
The teenager blinked in surprise before picking up the hat and looking inside it, but not seeing anything. "Balan?" She asked, looking around. Shrugging and feeling a bit down, she placed the hat down and turned to get Nightlight when she suddenly felt something grab her and she let out a scream of surprise before she was lifted up and something wrapped around her lower legs while her arms were also grabbed. Rather gently, she noted as she was set gently on the floor before something gently pushed her back so that she was laid out on the floor. She blinked as the lights grew a bit brighter and she was in shock to see not one, but five Balans looking at her. She grew a bit afraid, but then saw one move closer, smiling at her. "Easy, Lea," he said.
"You...You can clone yourself?" She asked.
"Yes," he said, smiling still. "It comes in handy when I'm giving a show or cheering someone up."
The girl noticed that two clones were at her feet as one had an arm wrapped around her legs and the other two pinned her arms and shoulders down, being gentle, but as she squirmed a bit, she noted that they were very strong. "Um, what are you going to do?" She asked, having a feeling she was going to get tickled.
Balan smiled and lifted his hands, wiggling his fingers at her. "I sensed you were sad when you walked in and it has returned," he said. "So it's time to get you smiling for real again."
The clones at her feet removed her shoes and began tickling her feet. Lea squealed and arched her back, surprised that the clones still had a good hold on her after it felt like she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOT THE FEET! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOT THE FEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEET!" She pleaded.
Balan laughed warmly before he moved her shirt up just a little to expose her stomach and began tickling her there, making her laughter grow at that. "My goodness, you're as ticklish as my other friends," he said, smiling as he could see the sadness was starting to go away. The two clones at Lea's arms each began tickling her underarms and she squealed as three of her major tickle spots were tickled before one of the clones tickling her underarms moved his hand and wiggled his fingers into her neck, making her giggle and scrunch up her neck.
Just as she was about to beg them to stop again, they did and she took some deep breaths, hearing her friend chuckle warmly and she looked at him, seeing his eyes twinkle. "Hmm. I wonder if you have another ticklish spot," he said thoughtfully.
She blinked. "Um, not that I'm aware of," she admitted. "You just got my major tickle spots."
He chuckled again. "Yes, and such sweet laughter," he said, reaching forward and playfully tickling her chin, making her chuckle at that. "But there's one spot I'm curious about."
She was about to ask when she felt his fingers gently poking around her ribs. A surprised laugh left her and she squirmed, shocked to realize that just a small poke was enough to send her into hysterics, just like her feet. "Well, well," he said as he continued poking around her ribs. "Looks like we found another sweet spot."
Seeing his mischievous grin, Lea tried to get away, but was unable to as her friend now began tickling her ribs and the tissue between each rib too. "Cootchie, cootchie, coo!" He cooed to her.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" She laughed out. "IHIHIHIHIHIHIH HAD NOHOHOHOHOHO IDEHEEHEEHEHEHEEHEEHA MY RIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIBS WERE TIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHICKLISH!"
The entertainer chuckled. "Very ticklish it seems," he said before surprising her by blowing a big raspberry right over her belly button as his nimble fingers continued to tickle her ribs.
Lea couldn't stop laughing, but just as she felt like she was losing air and tears started to form in her eyes, she felt the tickle torture stop and looked up to see the clones vanish and Balan kneeled over her, reaching up and gently wiping away the tickle tears that now escaped her eyes. She smiled up at him, seeing he was mischievous, but also very sweet, which made her like him more. Plus, while she didn't like being tickled too much, she didn't completely mind it from him and had learned she was more ticklish than she realized. She felt him scoop her up bridal style and he carried her to another room where a couch was and he gently set her down on it before sitting beside her. "Lea, if I may, what was wrong that you were sad earlier?" He asked in concern, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She felt her sadness come back and she looked down, biting her lip as she wasn't sure about telling him, but then saw Nightlight looking at her and he was gesturing to her to tell their new friend. Knowing he was right, she looked at the tall being, who was gazing at her with a concerned, yet gentle look.
"My dad and I had a fight," she said, rubbing her arms. "I gently tried telling him how uncomfortable I feel about a certain subject, but he refused to listen. He accused me of being selfish and yelled at me for it. That really hurt my feelings…,"
Without thinking, Lea hugged Balan and sobbed silently. "Maybe there's something wrong with me. I feel like I don't deserve anything good," she tried to say, nearly choking on her tears. "I feel like disappearing and keeping my mouth shut. That's all I seem to be good at."
"Oh, Lea," the tall being cooed gently, his long arms wrapping around her comfortingly, one hand rubbing her back. She tried to stop crying, but couldn't. "Go ahead, my dear. Let it all out," he said encouragingly. "Don't bottle up that hurt. Just let it out."
That did it. She just kept crying and hugging him and he continued to hold her, rocking her gently as he kept rubbing her back, his head resting gently on his friend's head.
Lea felt like she was surrounded by love and compassion and it was not only helping her to cry, but also to comfort her too. As she began calming down, the last of her tears escaping her, she sniffled before she turned her head to the side, her ear resting against her friend's chest. A familiar sound caught her attention and she realized it was his heartbeat. The comforting sound drew her in and she snuggled closer to her friend.
Balan, feeling her snuggle closer to him, smiled gently. "Lea, I want you to listen to me, alright?" He said. She nodded before looking up at him and seeing his golden eyes seeming to glow warmly as he pulled out a hankerchief from a hidden pocket and gently brushed it over her face. She sniffled again as he pulled her closer to him again, her ear once again resting on his chest so that she could hear his heartbeat.
"Lea, there is nothing wrong with you," he began. "You are a wonderful girl and a very unique person. And I can tell you are not a selfish person."
She felt him begin stroking her head gently. "Everyone deserves good things and disappearing or being silent isn't the answer to your problem," he continued, his voice gentle. "You are good at many things."
"Like what?" She asked, not moving from her spot.
Balan chuckled. "You're good at making friends with magical beings," he pointed out. "Because you believe in them with your heart and your mind. You have a gift of magic, based on your bracelet, necklace, and Nightlight. You're obviously good at hockey and you love anything winter related. Am I correct?"
Lea looked up at him. "How did you know that?" She asked.
He smiled. "Well, you need an ice rink to play hockey, though I have seen people play the sport without a rink," he said.
She nodded. "Yeah, but I like to do it on the rink," she admitted. "And yes, I do love anything winter related, because it makes me happy."
He nodded, placing a hand on the left side of her face as his thumb gently rubbed her cheek, making her lean into his hand trustingly as she knew he was trying to help her feel better. "Do you feel better now?" He asked.
She nodded before hugging him again. "Thanks for listening," she said.
He hugged her back. "Of course, my dear," he said, smiling again. "Now, how about I give you a show?"
Lea blinked. "A show?" She asked.
He nodded. "And I can create it with your favorite season," he said, grinning as he stood up, lifting her up with him. She was a bit surprised, but noticed that he was holding her with little trouble. "Come," he continued, carrying her to a room where a stage was. Using his magic to create a chair for her, he gently set her down it in as Nightlight jumped up to his friend's shoulder and the entertainer straightened, snapping his fingers before vanishing and reappearing on stage with a spotlight on him.
Lea watched in fascination as Balan performed a few acrobatic tricks before a shower of multi-colored jewels rained all over the room, the light catching them and making them shine before the entertainer pulled the girl gently from her chair and into a door that appeared. She was amazed as the whole world went white and she saw it was a winter wonderland scene.
Balan let out his signature laugh and gently grabbed her, pulling her towards a frozen lake where ice skates appeared on both their feet and they began ice skating. Lea was a bit nervous about this, but then relaxed, trusting her friend as she saw him smile at her while they skated around. He even twirled her and lifted her up as if they were a duo performing for an audience.
Nightlight held onto his friend's shoulder as he smiled, enjoying this too. "You doing okay, Nightlight?" Lea asked.
The toy nodded before suddenly a sleigh appeared and the tall being pulled the girl over to it, setting her inside it before a blanket appeared over their legs and the entertainer took the reins, letting the horses pull them and the sleigh. The girl looked around in wonder as snow-white jewels landed in the snow and snowflakes that shone appeared around them, some landing in her hair and forming a headband. She reached up and touched in it awe and looked at the person responsible for all of this. He grinned at her before he lifted her up and jumped out of the sleigh, setting her down before heading off. She looked around before feeling a snowball hit her arm and she turned to find the tall being giving her a mischievous look.
"Oh, it's on!" She said, grabbing some snow and making a snowball, running and waiting for the right moment to throw it. Balan grinned and threw another snowball at her, but she jumped and threw hers at him. It hit his hat and knocked it off his head. He let out a laugh as he ducked down to make more snowballs.
"That's the spirit, my dear!" He said encouragingly.
Lea then got an idea and quietly moved to get behind Balan, waiting until she saw his back was turned and she moved behind him before scooping up some soft, light snow and playfully dumping it on him.
The entertainer let out a surprised yelp before turning to see her behind him and he grinned at her while picking up his hat and suddenly grabbing her, flying through the air with her. She gasped and held onto him with one arm and onto Nightlight with her free hand. "I've got you," she heard her tall friend say. "Take a look."
She turned her head and looked around before gasping in surprise as the bird's-eye view was amazing. She had developed a love of flying since her first adventure with Jack Frost and she had dreams about flying on her own because it made her feel free and she could leave all her worries and fears behind.
They soon arrived back at the theater again and Lea squealed as Balan tickled her ribs again. Her knees buckled and he caught her, falling lightly to the floor with her landing on his chest as he continued tickling her.
Back in the real world, just as Katherine and the kids went through the door, a picture appeared in the open book and a tall figure materialized on the page with a name. "Balan," Katherine said, seeing he was like a huge combination of all the Guardians of Childhood mixed with his own powerful magic as more of the new world appeared on the pages. He had the Sandman's warm golden eyes, Jack Frost's charm plus sense of fun to others, Tooth's ability in bringing people into places of their good memories, North's wonder element, Bunnymund's bright Easter colors representing hope, Man in Moon's shiny appearance plus observation of transpiring events involving others, and Katherine's imagination power times a thousand, helping children by cheering them up in his own showman style. And according to the book, he had the power to bring dreams to life with his magic.
"Of course! How did I not see this sooner?" Kate exclaimed, placing a hand on her forehead. "It all makes sense now!"
"What does?" Sophie asked.
"All of this magic. This world. It's everything the Guardians do, yet not completely. Balan is them and myself wrapped into one from the dimension world he protects!" Katherine explained.
"So…Balan is a mixed clone of the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, Santa Claus, Jack Frost and yourself?" Jamie asked, very confused.
"No. Not a clone. Don't be ridiculous," Katherine answered gently, shaking her head. "I told you before on how there is a balance between good and evil in every dimension. While the Guardians are a group in bringing joy to children from falling into darkness and despair in life, Balan is a one man show who does it all. His line of work is beyond anything I've ever seen in all my centuries as the Guardian of Imagination."
"But if that's true, then shouldn't there be a Pitch Black in this world, too?" Jamie pointed out.
"Yes. However, I do not believe it is exactly the Boogeyman. Balan must have his own dark enemy plotting to threat the balance of his world and those he is trying to help find the good in their lives," the Guardian of Imagination responded.
Sophie was amazed by the magical world and grinned as she saw a Tim that looked like a bunny. "Bunny!" She exclaimed, running up to it.
The Tim, seeing her, chirped and jumped into her arms, making her laugh as it nuzzled her happily. Laughter caught their attention and Jamie perked up. "That's Lea!" He said, running towards the sound.
Balan, hearing him, smiled as he stopped tickling Lea and stood up with her in his arms. "Sounds like we have more visitors," he said before setting Lea on the couch as a young boy came in. The boy paused in shock at seeing the tall being standing over his cousin, who was sitting up with a huge smile on her face.
"Lea?" The boy asked, not taking his eyes off the colorful being as he was unsure about him.
The girl smiled. "It's okay, Jamie," she said. "He's a friend."
She looked at the tall being. "This is my cousin, Jamie," she said. "If he's here, then no doubt our cousin Sophie and our friend Katherine are here too."
"Ah, I could sense a family resemblance," Balan said as he grinned before spinning around rapidly before spinning around Jamie, who gasped in surprise before feeling himself being lifted up and something wiggled into his sides, making him laugh as the being stopped spinning around him and was holding him in his arms while tickling him still.
Lea giggled at seeing that before seeing Balan let Jamie up and the boy looked at him in awe, making the magical being chuckle. "You have that same sense of wonder that Lea does, Jamie," he said, giving the boy a gentle boop on the nose.
"Are you a Guardian too?" The boy asked.
"In a sense, yes," the magical being said, smiling as he brought the boy over to the older girl. Lea reached out to accept her cousin from him and the two hugged, the boy looking at her.
"Lea...are you feeling okay?" He asked, looking a bit worried.
She nodded. "Balan helped me feel better," she said.
The tall being smiled before feeling a hand on his leg and he looked down to see a young girl looking up at him in awe. He chuckled. "I take it this is little Sophie?" He asked.
Lea nodded. "Yup, that's her," she said. "She loves anything magic."
Balan grinned before moving his hands in a circle and a stream of rainbow gems circled the air and surrounded Sophie, who gasped in surprise. "Pretty," she said before giggling as she saw the Tims. "Bunny!" She giggled and mimicked the creature's hop-like movements.
Balan laughed warmly at that, making the little girl turn to him and something about him just made her want to hug him, so she went up to him and reached her arms up in the gesture of wanting to be picked up. Smiling at her, the tall being lifted her up into his arms and was a bit surprised when he felt her arms wrap around his neck in a hug. He chuckled and hugged her back. "You're just a little sweetheart," he said before tickling her side and she giggled happily, squirming a little, but not trying to get away.
Katherine came into the room and she stopped in shock at seeing the tall being that was holding and tickling Sophie, who was giggling happily while her older cousins watched from a nearby couch. Lea saw her and grinned. "Hey, Katherine!" She said with a wave.
The tall being turned and smiled at seeing her as he held Sophie, who was still giggling and snuggled against him, her head resting on his shoulder. "Ah, the storyteller and keeper," he said. "I've heard many wonderful things about you."
"You have?" Katherine asked, blinking in surprise.
He nodded before taking the young woman's right hand and kissing the back of it as if he was a gentleman courting her. She blushed a little, but was pleased by his manners.
Jamie tried not the laugh and Lea just managed to hide her giggles. Balan smiled at them before guiding Katherine over to the two cousins and the Guardian of Imagination hugged Lea. "Jamie told me you weren't feeling well," she said gently.
"I was," the teenager said. "But Balan helped me out."
He chuckled. "Just being a friend," he said, gently ruffling Lea's hair and making her chuckle and playfully push his hand away.
Katherine looked around the theater, sensing the magic in it. "What kind of place is this?" She asked.
"My theater, but also how to get to Wonderworld," Balan replied.
Lea perked up. "Is that where we were when you did that show?" She asked.
"It was your personal place in Wonderworld," he explained with a smile. "Wonderworld is where memories and vistas from the real world mix with the things that people hold dear, a place where people's happy and positive memories mix with their restless worries and negativity. It exists in people's hearts and imagination."
Katherine blinked. "I've heard of being in one's own little world, but that sounds amazing," she admitted.
Balan smiled at her before looking at Lea. "Lea, would you like to see more of your place in Wonderworld?" He asked.
"Really?" She asked before grinning. "I'd love to."
Magic gathered in the tall being's hands before a doorway appeared again and he opened the door. "Come, my friends," he said as he led them through the doorway.
The place was amazing! It was winter related yet has elements/ice sculptures that represented each member of the Guardians of Childhood, who were dear to Lea's heart. It even happy memories of her cousins and grandparents during the holidays. Icy slopes, skate ramps, frozen lakes for ice skating, and a warm cabin hut to sit around a bonfire to hang out was there along with other memories of enjoying some hot cocoa, marshmallow chocolate chip cookies, and acoustic guitar playing.
But most amazing of all was a gorgeous view of the Northern Lights.
"No doubt about it, Lea. This is your world," Katherine said in awe.
"It's awesome!" Jamie said as he ran through the snow happily.
Sophie, still being held by Balan, giggled at her brother's antics while the tall being smiled and made his way over to Lea, who was gazing around in awe. He placed a hand on her shoulder, making her look at him. "This place is special because you are a special person, Lea," he said. "Never forget that and never doubt yourself."
She nodded and hugged him gratefully. His free arm wrapped around her warmly to return the hug as he felt Sophie hug him again, as if she was thanking him for helping her cousin.
Katherine smiled again. "This place is amazing, Balan," she said. "And thank you for helping Lea."
"It was my pleasure," he said with a nod. "You all are welcome here anytime."
"Thanks, Balan," Lea said.
Jamie grinned. "Does this mean we have a new friend against the bad guys?" He asked excitedly.
Katherine smiled. "I believe so," she said.
Balan chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Of course," he said as the Tims came out and hopped around them.
After a bit longer, Lea bit her lip, not looking forward to heading out, but she felt fingers gently tilt her chin up and gently make her look at the tall being, who gave her a warm smile. "You should talk to him, Lea," he said gently. "Avoiding it won't solve it."
She sighed. "But what if he doesn't listen?" She asked.
He smiled and a warm glow filled his hand before a necklace appeared in his hand. It looked like it was made of a rawhide cord with a tear-drop pendant that a pretty shade of blue. Using his magic, the necklace lifted up out of his hand and gently went to Lea, gently slipping over her head and coming to rest around her neck. She gently touched it and looked up at him, seeing him smile again.
"He will," he said gently as the necklace gave off a warm feeling that made her feel better. "Should you feel overwhelmed or don't know what to say, hold the pendant in your hand and it will remind you of the courage and strength inside of you."
Nightlight patted Lea's shoulder and smiled, making her smile too before she hugged her new friend again. "Balan...thank you," she said.
He smiled again. "You're welcome, Lea," he said, setting Sophie down gently and holding the teenager in a warm embrace before seeing the five out, waving to them before winking at Lea as the doors gently closed.
Katherine smiled. "I'm definitely going to learn all I can about this special place," she said.
"I think if he was a Guardian, he'd be the Guardian of Happiness," Jamie said. "Because he helps people feel happy again, just like how the others do."
"You're right, Jamie," the Guardian of Imagination said with a smile.
Lea smiled again, grasping the pendant and feeling the warm feeling again. The day may not have started out so good, but it ended on a better note, thanks to a new friend who not only knew what to say, but also knew how to make someone fell better and find their happiness once again.
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