Chapter 7: The first test as guardians
1078 Words
Chapter 7: The First Test as Guardians
The days after returning the Eastern Star to its rightful place were a blur of celebration. The North Pole was alive with energy, the joy infectious. Elves danced in the snow, reindeer frolicked in the starlit skies, and the glow of the star illuminated the workshop in a warm, golden light.
Nick and Sky, however, were exhausted. They had barely slept since their victory, and though they appreciated the celebrations, they longed for a moment of quiet.
“Do you think this is how it’s always going to be?” Nick asked, slumping into a chair in the workshop.
Sky laughed softly, sitting beside him. “Constant life-or-death missions to save Christmas? Probably.”
Pip appeared, carrying two mugs of steaming cocoa. “You two have earned a break, but don’t get too comfortable. Being the next Mr. and Mrs. Christmas isn’t just about battles and saving stars. There’s a lot of work that goes into the day-to-day magic.”
Nick took a sip of cocoa, his eyebrows lifting. “Like what?”
Pip grinned. “Oh, you’ll see. Evangeline wants to brief you tomorrow. But tonight, enjoy the quiet while you can.”
---
The following morning, Nick and Sky stood before Evangeline in the grand council chamber. She held a scroll in her hands, her expression serious but kind.
“Now that the star is safe, it’s time to focus on your training as guardians of Christmas,” she said. “Your first task is something simpler than facing down a frost tyrant—but no less important.”
Sky raised an eyebrow. “What’s the task?”
Evangeline unfurled the scroll, revealing a map dotted with tiny glowing lights. “These lights represent children who are at risk of losing their belief in Christmas. Your job is to visit one of them and rekindle their faith.”
Nick frowned. “How do we do that?”
“By showing them the magic of Christmas in a way they’ll understand,” Evangeline explained. “Every child is different. You’ll have to listen, learn, and find the right way to reach them.”
Sky leaned closer to the map, her eyes landing on a single light flickering weakly over a city. “What about this one?”
Evangeline nodded. “That’s Ella, a ten-year-old girl in Maplewood. She’s struggling to believe because her family is going through a difficult time. Her parents recently divorced, and Christmas feels like a reminder of what’s been lost.”
Nick’s chest tightened. “That sounds... tough.”
“It is,” Evangeline agreed. “But remember, you have the tools you need to help her. Trust your instincts.”
---
Nick, Sky, and Pip arrived in Maplewood on a snowy December evening. The town was picturesque, with twinkling lights and wreaths adorning every door. But the house they approached was dimly lit, its windows dark.
“This is Ella’s house,” Pip said, consulting a tiny magical compass.
Sky knocked softly on the door. It opened a c***k, revealing a weary-looking woman.
“Can I help you?” she asked, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Sky smiled gently. “We’re here to help your daughter. We heard she’s been having a tough time with Christmas.”
The woman frowned, her brow furrowing. “Who are you?”
“We’re... friends of Father Christmas,” Nick said quickly.
The woman blinked, then shook her head. “Look, I appreciate the effort, but Ella’s not in the mood for Christmas cheer. She barely even wants to leave her room.”
“Please,” Sky said softly. “Let us try. We won’t make things worse, I promise.”
The woman hesitated, then sighed. “Alright. Her room’s at the end of the hall.”
---
They found Ella sitting on her bed, a book in her lap. She looked up as they entered, her eyes wary.
“Who are you?” she asked, her voice small.
Nick sat on the edge of the bed, keeping his tone light. “I’m Nick, and this is Sky. We were wondering if you’d like to tell us about Christmas.”
Ella’s expression soured. “What’s there to tell? It’s just a bunch of decorations and songs that don’t mean anything.”
Sky knelt beside her. “Christmas can be hard sometimes. Especially when things don’t feel the way they used to.”
Ella’s eyes filled with tears, and she quickly wiped them away. “It’s not the same anymore. My dad’s not here. My mom’s too tired to do anything. It just... doesn’t feel like Christmas.”
Nick’s heart ached for her. “Sometimes Christmas isn’t about what’s around us. It’s about the things we carry inside—hope, love, and the memories that make us smile.”
Sky smiled gently. “Maybe we can make a new Christmas memory together. Would you like that?”
Ella hesitated, then shrugged. “I guess.”
---
They led her outside, where Pip had set up a small surprise: a magical snow globe glowing softly under the moonlight.
“What’s that?” Ella asked, her curiosity piqued.
“It’s a special snow globe,” Pip said, handing it to her. “It shows you a Christmas memory from your heart.”
Ella held the globe, and inside, an image began to form. She saw herself as a little girl, decorating a Christmas tree with her parents. They were laughing, her dad lifting her onto his shoulders to place the star on top.
Tears welled in her eyes, but this time, she didn’t wipe them away. “I remember that.”
Sky placed a hand on her shoulder. “That’s what Christmas is about—holding onto the love and joy you’ve shared, even when things change.”
Ella clutched the globe tightly. “Do you think it can still be good? Even without... everything?”
Nick smiled. “We know it can be. And it starts with believing.”
For the first time in weeks, Ella smiled. “Okay. I’ll try.”
---
As they left Maplewood, the light on Evangeline’s map grew steady and bright. Nick and Sky knew this was just the beginning of their work as guardians, but they felt ready for whatever came next.
After all, Christmas wasn’t just a season—it was a light they could help others find, no matter how dark things seemed.
- Writer
