You walked slowly through a forest. The trees were close together, making it dark. Even though it was night time, the moon was bright; its - or, his, rather - light guided you through the thick grove. Around the brambles, over the trailing vines, and under the low-hanging branches you walked, not seeing but somehow knowing where you were going. You felt safe, secure, despite the lack of understanding or physical companionship. Even though you were alone, you knew someone - or something - kind was with you.
"(Y/N)," came a quiet voice above you.
"Yes?" you responded, stopping in a lit clearing. The outside of it was illuminated, but you couldn't see beyond that. Somehow, this was appropriate.
"Have a seat. I'd like to talk to you."
You took a seat on one of the three rocks that were in the middle of the clearing. The light around you continued to glow, and it made your heart feel lighter.
A figure appeared from the forest, taking even strides towards you. He looked kind, glowing slightly even as he left the bright light around you.
"I've been looking forward to meeting you in person," the man said.
"Excuse me, sir, but who are you?" you asked, keeping your eyes trained on him, although you found him as absolutely no threat. In fact, you felt like you knew him somehow, but you couldn't put your finger on who he was or where you'd have known him from.
"I'm Manny, or, the Man in the Moon." He smiled warmly.
"But I didn't think you could come to Earth," you said.
He sat next to you. "I can come to you like this in dreams."
You couldn't help but smile. "It's lovely to meet you then."
He smiled back. "And you. But unfortunately, I have something very grave to discuss with you, and I'm guessing that you know what it's about. But I'm sure you can handle it, right? Are you willing to listen?"
"Y-yes," you said quietly, unsure for the first time.
"Don't worry, it'll benefit you in the end." He sighed heavily, then raised his hand. In front of you, a small projection was displayed. Images started moving in the light. "As you've been told, you have to die before you can become a Guardian. The thing is, your death will save one, and cost another. Not his life, but it will inflict great suffering on him, and also you, in turn."
"Wait, is it -" you started, but Manny cut you off.
"That, I cannot say," he interrupted. "But don't worry, he'll be fine in the end. You'll be able to help him, (Y/N), with the powers that I'm going to give you. Which brings me to my next point."
"I've started developing them already," you told him, even though he already knew this very well. "The other Guardians are worried about it. Why?"
"Because they've never seen anything like it before. (Y/N), you are to be a very special Guardian once your time comes, which will be soon, I promise. You are strong, and your powers will change everything. The delicate balance that rests among the Guardians will have to be rebuilt. Everyone is depending on what they know, but soon they will depend on your new powers to save the children of the world."
"I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of responsibility," you said carefully. "I'm scared. I don't know if I really want to die just to become something else."
"Fear not, young one," Manny said quietly, standing up. "You will see how the plan unfolds in due time."
"Wait, Manny, please tell me more. I'm so lost."
"There's little left to tell," he said, putting his hand on your shoulder. "Although, I guess I should say something about you and Bunny. I asked Cupid to put you two together for a reason. But let me tell you that your relationship has grown past what Cupid's powers were meant to do. You mean a lot to him, (Y/N). More than you could ever know."
He drew his hand from your shoulder and turned away. He strode back towards the forest, and the setting around you started to disappear.
"Manny, one last thing," you said, walking after him. He looked over his shoulder at you, but continued walking. "Why did you choose me?"
He smiled. "I've been watching out for you, young one. And I always will."
❧
Anticipating Sandy and Jack's arrival, you waited next to the window, staring out at the fields of grass and Easter eggs. You couldn't help but smile. Your dream from the night before still shone in your mind, as vivid now as it had been when you were experiencing it. You hadn't told Bunny about it - not yet, anyway.
"Ya want somethin' to eat before ya go?" Bunny, now a Pooka once again, asked.
"Uh... I don't know. I'll come back if I get hungry."
He laughed lightly and walked over to you. "Excited?"
"Have you ever seen it, Bunny?" you asked, turning to him. "Jack's snow, and Sandy's dreamsand? Well, of course you have. But it must be so beautiful, especially the snow. I get to watch him bring winter to, like, the world! And Sandy is the cutest, I can't wait." Bunny looked hurt and a little worried. As he was about to say something, you gasped. "They're here!"
You ran away from the window and to the door. As you began to open it, Bunny stopped you. "(Y/N), don't forget your things."
You spun around and ran back to him, slipped your coat on, then tossed your bag over your shoulder. You stared up at him for a moment. You'd been nervous for this, but you'd made up your mind to do it. In one quick gesture, you got on your tip-toes and kissed his cheek. Then you started running again. "Love you, Bunny! Bye!" You slipped out the door and down the staircase, then out into the field. Jack greeted you with a hug.
"Hey, (Y/N)," Jack said, spinning his staff. He froze an egg that waddled by.
"Hi, Jack. Hi, Sandy." You turned back to Jack. "Unfreeze the egg."
He shrugged and smirked. "No can do, Snowflake."
You glared at him, then picked the egg up. It slowly unfroze itself in your hands.
Bunny walked up, still looking slightly stunned. There was something new in him when he smiled at you. He said, "Jack, take care of her. Don't try anything too extravagant. Sandy, keep an eye on the both of them."
"You got it, Bunny," Jack said, offering his staff to you.
You climbed up and smiled down at Bunny. "See you later, Bunny."
He smiled back. "Be safe. I'll have lunch ready for ya, little mate."
He took the egg from your hands. Jack tossed a snowglobe to the ground, and a portal opened. Sandy floated through first and Jack followed. You waved as Bunny disappeared, and that was that.
On the other side of the portal, you landed with Jack as the sky was darkening. Sandy floated up to the two of you, then landed, a joyous smile stretched across his face.
Jack introduced you to the area. "Here we are, Snowflake. Oklahoma City's first day of winter. There are plenty of kids hoping for snow this year, and of course they want sweet dreams. So, we'll show you what being a Guardian is all about."
"How do I help?" you asked.
"Just watch for now," he said, grinning at you.
Sandy led you to a bench nearby, and you sat down on it next to him. Jack jumped into the air and immediately shot snow into the air. The flakes reached up, up, up, then started falling back towards the ground. Jack spun in the air and used his staff to freeze everything, from car windows to telephone wires. As he twisted and shot ice in another direction, frost started spreading across branches and rooftops. What little leaves were left in trees were shaken off by now-cold winter air. The night sky glittered with the oncoming storm. You smiled as you watched.
"Quite beautiful, isn't it?" someone asked behind you.
You turned around. "It is indeed. I love winter."
The small old man smiled, but his face quickly sunk into a frown. He shivered lightly and looked away. "It's hard when you don't have a family to share it with."
You got to your feet and took your coat off, then offered it to him. You felt around in your pockets, found a wad of cash, then handed it to him. "Please take this. It's not much, but you deserve a little peace, too."
He smiled warmly. "Thank you, but I couldn't."
"No, I insist. I want you to have it. Please."
He stretched out his hands and took the jacket and money. "Bless you," he murmured. "Thank you so much."
"It's my pleasure," you replied.
You're so cute.
The man continued walking down the street, putting the jacket on as he went. When you turned around, Sandy was smiling up at you. Jack had landed and had watched the event.
"You're truly something," he said quietly, smiling. Then he patted Sandy on the head and sat down. "Your turn, Sandman." Jack said, sitting on the bench. Sandy floated off of it, formed a golden cloud, then rose into the air.
As he sent dreamsand out into the night, passing it over and through various windows, you felt a rush of awe. The fact that you were here with them was so absurd, and yet here you were. And the best part was that you would one day be part of it. One day, you'd be able to fly above the rooftops with -
"Did you hear that?" Jack murmured suddenly.
"Hear what?" you asked, turning around on the bench. The night was darker than you'd expected. How long had you been sitting there? Not long, for sure, right?
A low snicker came from somewhere off to the side.
"I heard it," you breathed, looking to your side. Jack stood and pulled you with him, then shielded you from the direction of the sound.
"You can't protect her, Jack," Pitch murmured.
Something wrapped around your legs, and you were pulled into a cloud of darkness. You screamed, and just as fast as it had happened, you were floating away into nothing.
THIS IS GONNA GET SO GOOD GUYS.