I gasped for air. Breathing it through my lips before my eyes shot open; quickly sitting up. My hands immediately went to my stomach instinctively. Searching it frantically as I expected to find blood; to my surprise there was none. And then I had slowly remembered everything; I had died.

But...where was I?

     I looked up. Everything was white. Empty. No figures or hints of walls, no clouds or pitchforks, no pearly gates, just...white. It was a blank wasteland with a comfortable silence. An empty canvas waiting for the artist to splash color on. I didn't think the after life would be so empty. I sighed, picking myself up before I got to my feet. Dusting myself off as I ran my hands along my blue dress. Patting the soft fabric to remove all the dirt before I straightened up. My mouth falling agape once my eyes took upon the scene once more.

I was outside now. Standing upon a giant white walk way framed by two parallel rows of glittering white cherry blossom trees. Fully in bloom with little hints of ice blue inside each flower's center. The rustling of trees in the wind filled the air as few strands blew into my face. Beckoning me to look up upon the clear pale blue sky. The dancing of doves and warm wispy clouds filling the blue. I adverted my eyes back to the walk way; seeing that it led somewhere far off into the distance. Unable to see its destination as it called me to move forward. To walk down the marble stone pavement and to take the idle journey alone. It called me and I listened; thinking I had nothing else better to do. I kicked up my heels and began to walk, taking a lovely stroll as my train dragged behind me with the rest of my dress. I allowed myself to take in the sights as I walked. Noticing small freckles of gold covering the spot where the trees and the walk way met. The amount of gold growing each time the farther I progressed. Climbing up the tree trunk and lurching it's way between the cracks of marble. Adding a lovely accent to the world of white and blue.

     I continued to walk in silence and was surprised to hear the faint laughter of a little girl. Tensing up as I stopped in my tracks; catching a glimpse of something dodging in between the trees. I whipped my head around frantically. Twisting and turning as I could only catch glimpses of movement. The laughter being thrown off as it came from a different direction. Acting like a deco so the creature that taunted me couldn't be spotted so quickly. I thought you weren't suppose to get taunted in heaven. If that is where I am that is. My eyes kept jumping between the trees. Chills going up my spine when a giggle went off right behind my ear. Like an evil whisper. I spun around; hands posed and ready. My breath was stifled as my eyes slowly scanned the scene. Searching every detail as I waited. I allowed a minute to go by before I lowered my hands to my sides. Letting my senses relax before I turned back around. Ready to continue my journey...before she scared the shit out of me.

     There she was. Standing in front with hands behind her back. Swaying on the balls of her feet like the child she was. Big blue eyes and platinum blonde balled up into a neat bun. A dress that I was all too familiar with. And condoning gloves for smaller hands. She looked at me and smiled. Her little black shoes tapping as she left me in bewilderment. My head tilting to the side with the slight confusion on how I was looking at my childhood self. How I stood before the young girl who hid behind the door and relied on gloved hands. How happy she was now standing in front of me.

"How-" I began to say. But she hushed me by placing her finger against her lips. The small sound of quick breath escaping her teeth in a "shh". Accurate and quick. She stared at me like that for a moment, with her finger against her lips. Letting it slowly fall before she slipped it back behind her back. Then she walked up to me, her fingers slipping my dress between them before she tugged twice. A child's universal sign to "come closer". At first I was hesitant to her request; unsure of the girl before me. Which only made her tug harder at my resistance. More demanding as she stomp her foot impatient. I rolled my eyes; was I that rude when I was young!? I doubt it. I chuckled, falling to my knees before I sat back on my legs. Meeting eye to eye as her eyes seemed to sparkle and dance with mischievousness.

"Yes?" I asked softly. Raising my eyebrow as I look at her peculiarly. She stared at me for a long moment before placing both of her hands on my cheeks. Holding my face softly like a new born baby: young and curious. Her eyes scanned my face slowly: examining the changes that occurred from child to adult. To see how time had passed and how pain had aged me. She smiled, thinking that we had aged well. Her hands pulled at my head gently; bringing it down so she could press her small forehead against mine. The moment her skin pressed against mine a spark lit. An unknown connection dancing between us filled with memories and the unknown. She pulled away and with the gentleness of a child grab my hand. Her little fingers barely grasping mine.

She pulled me, getting me to my feet as she dragged me along the white path. An excited little girl dragging a confused adult; an image known by all. She skipped every now and then making my arm bounce with each hop. She kept peeking back at me; giving reassuring looks that everything will be okay. She pulled and dragged relentlessly. Rushing me as she could no longer wait to bring me to the thing she was excited about. What could she possibly be excited about?

We soon came to a round plaza where she came to a halt. Squeezing my hand as I looked upon the area with curious eyes. In the middle of the circle was a moon pool of rich blue as grown vines sprouted from the water. Framing the pool beautiful in curly q's and magnificent shapes. Allowing the white lotus flowers to pop on the water's surface as white and black koi fish blew bubbles before diving back into the depths. The plaza veered off into the three different directions. On the left of the pond was a road of asphalt as molten lava broke through the cracks. The sound of a quite sizzle erupting from each movement of lava as black ash fell from a lightning cloud that laid low to the ground. On the right side was a road paved in read rose pedals. Unable to see the road beneath as it was completely covered. Two giant white wings framed the entrance of the road as they flickered periodically. Allowing their giant feathers You to fall and float along the road. Dancing between the golden fire flies that lit the path. Behind the pond was a road that looked completely like the one I was on. Except it was completely paved in freckles of gold leaf. Dancing in the air as it fell from the canopy of tall cherry blossoms that completely covered it. Leaving the rest of the path in utter darkness.

     I stared at the three paths for one long moment. Trying to figure their significance and what they could possibly lead too. What destination lies depending on which path I take. I gave each of them a hard look before my eyes went back to the pond where I was met by a familiar face. I froze as our eyes met; not noticing the disappearance of the little girl that once held my hand. Gone like dust in the wind as my hand was still extended to the side. As if some ghost was still holding it there. A lump was caught in my throat as tears began to pool in my eyes. My eyes furrowed in pain as I looked at the man before me. As I crumbled before the man who was more like a father to me than own my father. At the man with the blue crescent moon around his left eye.

"M-Manny?" I whispered, still not believing my own eyes.

He smiled and with the same old twinkle in his eye he replied, "hello Elsa."

I hiccuped up with a cry. Both of my hands covering my mouth gently as the tears began to slip. Trembling as every inhale was a sniffle and every exhale a cry. I was so grateful to see him and without a second thought I ran to him. Falling into his arms as I clutched him tight. Crying against his chest as he comforted me in a tight squeeze. Sharing my pain as he tried to hush more softly. There I was so much in that one hug, in that one moment. But my instincts told me that he was here for a reason and that this wasn't the time to be sorry.

"Manny," I began, pulling back so I could look at him. "What...what are you doing here? Where are we?"

His eyebrows furrowed as a look of uneasiness took over his facade. "Elsa...you know you died right?" He questioned, as if confirming if we were on the same page.

I swallowed hard, remembering Jack's pain filled face. "Yes...I do." Then I lurched back; an agonizing thought entering my mind. "Don't tell me that you're-"

"No, no. I'm not dead." He reassured me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Then why are you here?"

"Let me explain," he moved his hands from my shoulders and down to his sides. "You died and that road lead you here. To Kéntro, the center of all things."

"The center?"

He looked at my confused state before he gestured to the road of asphalt. "Hell, Heaven," the road of roses, "purgatory," the road of gold, "and earth," placing his hand on the edge of the pond. "They all connect here. To this single spot where we stand and I'm here to help you decide."

"Decide?"

"On what path you should take." He clarified.

"Isn't that Saraphine's job? No offense, but... she is the Angel of Life and Death after all."

He chuckled, "we both know that her hands a little tied right now. And besides she's not qualified to deal with guardian affairs. That's my job."

"I see, well where do you think I belong?" I looked at him; having a feeling that he might have one or two tricks up his sleeve.

"Elsa," he sighed. Saying my name the way a father would when explaining something to their confused child. "I don't think you belong here. I know you don't belong here."

"What do you mean? I'm dead, where else could I go? I can't go back, I can't go back to the living world."

He smirked; a glint of mischief and the all-knowing twinkling in his eye. "Are you sure about that?"

At first I was bewildered by his statement. Confused as his lips continued to stay in that smirk. Slowly putting two and two together; like pieces on a jigsaw puzzle. My mouth falling agape. "No...you don't mean..."

"I do." He paused, confirming my suspicion. "Elsa, you may have the powers and the title of a guardian. But you and I both know you weren't an official guardian. Guardians have to die and then to have choose whether or not to take on the responsibility. And you haven't died...not until now."

"Are you saying...that I could go back?" I spoke in disbelief. My eyes widening with uncertainty. The thought of going back excited me but also left me puzzled with the prices I had to pay.

His eyes scanned me for a long moment; tilting his head to the side. Trying to guess my reaction. Then, like a proper servant, closed his eyes and nodded his head: affirmative. "Yes. That is what I'm saying. But do you know that there is a price to pay, one that may not sit well in your stomach." He was hesitant to tell me. A worry gaze taking over his solution.

"What is it Many!? Tell me! Please." I clutched his shirt as I was frantic. Having a feeling that I didn't have much time left. He didn't look at me, still hesitant and unwavering. "Manny!" I pressed.

"Taking on the full responsibility of a guardian is life threatening. The world comes before anyone else, even before yourself. Everything is for the goodness of the earth." He spoke stern, grabbing my wrist with a gentle urgency. "And...you can't go back to the life you once knew."

I flinched, feeling my heart tighten with pain. Clutching the neckline of my dress tight. "D-Do you mean I'll never be able to see Anna again?"

His eyes widened, "no, no." Quick to action as he placed his hands on my shoulders. "You can visit Anna as many times as you want. As long as she's...alive that is." I ignored the sinking feeling of his last statement. Knowing that one day Anna will die, leaving me for eternity. "What I mean about leaving your life behind, I mean you can never be queen again. You can never step back in that castle and expect to be seen again by all your people. You'll have to leave and visit in secret. And then...once everyone you love, everyone you knew as a child, family. Once they die...you will never see them again. You will have no family except the one you make from this point on. Yes, it's hard to leave the life you once knew completely behind. You will feel alone and want to give up; to just fade away into utter nothingness. But that is the price you have to be willing to pay."

     Manny's words were not to be taken with a grain of salt. His seriousness was so different from the care free going Manny I grew up with. So different from the man that I knew as my father. He was different; I was different. I had grown up, I had loved, and I had died. Now here I am: in front of my Father figure who is now telling me that I have a second chance. That I don't have to die; but in order to live I must leave everything I once knew. But the truth is...I don't have a lot to leave. Of course there was my sister, but my mother and father were never around. There was Arendelle, but I always knew that Anna would be better queen than me. No...there wasn't a lot; I had more things waiting for me. I had made my own family with Manny and the guardians. I had made friends with a man of darkness and an Angel of balance. I had created a life long companion who has found love with a black wolf. I had fallen in love with the frost boy. I love my sister and my parents. I love my kingdom and the people within it. I love them all, but my other family was waiting for me. They needed me and I would be totally wretched to keep them waiting.

     I tilted my head up; confident as I took a deep breath. "Manny," I addressed him, seeing a total change in my attitude. "I left my life the moment you took me from that castle and lead me to the guardians. I had been with you since the beginning and I will be with you until the end."

My answer had left him beaming with joy. Trying to hide his proud smile as he struggled to compose himself. "I am so so grateful to hear you say that. Gosh I could just hug you right now!" He contemplated the idea, snapping out of it quickly. "But they don't have much time." He turned away from me, moving with a purpose as he headed for the center of the plaza. Following him closely before we stood directly in front of the moon pool.

"Manny, how do I get back?" My voice was urgent as I could feel my heart about to pound out of my chest. Excited to be alive again.

"Simple," he said with a smile. Holding his hand above the water before dragging it across the pool. His hand not daring to touch the water's surface as it hovered gracefully from one side to the other. The image of a full blue moon appearing in the water: Manny's moon. "You jump."

I cocked my eyebrow. "I...jump?"

"Yes and allow the water to drag you, don't fight it!" He instructed, grabbing me by the waist and hoisting me up on the pool's edge.

"Wait, wait!" I said frantically. Looking at the water cautiously; not ready to fall in. "How do I know it's taking me where I need to? How do I know it's taking me back to my body!"

"Trust me, it knows." He placed me on the edge, allowing my feet to dip into the water. I clutched the side forcefully, not ready to go.

"Manny-"

"Elsa, you will be okay. Trust me, trust the water. I will be with you the whole time." He pleaded.

I looked at him, seeing the honesty in his eyes. "Promise?"

"I promise." He replied, crossing his heart as his eyes were kind and unwavering. "Oh and another thing. You may feel different when you get back."

"Different?! What do you mean-" sploosh!

The moon-trickster has pushed me into the water! Slightly cursing him mentally as I moved my feet gently. Floating in one place as I looked around; squinting my eyes trying to see through the black mirky depths. It was dark and so very cold. The only light came from the surface of the moon pool; piercing the depths as it created a tube of light around me. Looking up as I could see the distorted figure of Manny above the surface. His face looming over the water as he looked down. His hand was over the water in a tight fist. Still as his is grip was tight and unwavering. Then, as if dropping a mic, he flicked his fingers open. The next thing I knew was I was being pulled down; almost as if on cue. The force was gentle, but rapid making my heart beat frantically in fear of drowning. Not understanding that it was already dead and couldn't be killed again. Not understanding that the water I was submerged in let me breathed as easy as air. My lungs filled with enough oxygen for a life time, breathing it through my nose naturally. Every instinct in my body was screaming to swim up. To fight and reach for the surface. Every instinct shouted to swim. But the mind is stronger than the instincts and in a battle between the two...the mind will always win. I brought my hands to my chest. Feeling the slow of my heart as I gave no resistance. Allowing myself to be swept away like sea foam, fading from existence.

❄️ Narrator ❄️

"You're not getting out of this that easily."

Is what he said. Little did he know that all would change with the sudden urge of energy that vibrated in Tooth's body. Without a second thought she flung her hands at him. Throwing him back against the trunk of a tree eight feet in the air. Feeling the immediate impacted before he skidded down the bark. Feeling the scraping of his back as he landed butt first. Groaning as he knew that would hurt in the morning. He shifted his legs, trying to get back to his feet. A growl of pain escaping his lips with the regret of movement. She loomed over him now. Legs spread in a powerful stance as black fire burned from both of her hands. She looked down at him with eyes of red; rich and wicked as blood. She tilted her head to the side; almost looking like one of those evil dolls from horror moves. She stared at him; challenging him mentally before her lips turned into a eerie smile.

"You really didn't think it would be that easy did you?" She mocked. The flames on her hands growing more intense and rapid. Watching the widening of his eyes as he knew he had been cornered. It would have been better to give up now and count their losses. It would have been better to just die there. To join his love in the afterlife and leave the saving to someone else. It would have been so easy...but he knew better. He knew that Elsa would never forgive him if he gave up now. And he knew that there was no one else, there was only him. Without a second thought he lurched to his feet. Grabbing her wrist as they took to the sky. Flying through the tree branches as he flipped them. Holding her inside the tree as branches broke on her shoulders and arms. Hearing the constant snap mixed with curses of pain before they broke the tree line.

She cursed at him. Shaking him off of her before she brought her knees to her stomach. Driving her foot into his gut before she sent him flying with a kick. His body flailing quite a distance, doing 360s before he gained controlled once more. Shaking off the dizziness as he heard her laugh. Cursing before he flew towards her like a torpedo. Cutting through the air as he honed on his target. She smirked, flicking her palm towards him before crushing it into a little ball and casting it towards the earth. He had crumbled into a little ball, his knees going up to his chest forcefully. Like a puppet being controlled by a puppeteer he was thrown to the ground. Sliding across the snow as he landed at an angle. Stopping in the middle of the clearing as he laid on his back; his arms and legs covered in snow. With the force of a bomb she landed before him. Landing on her foot and knee as she kneeled with her knuckles to the ground. Elegantly getting back to her feet as she stood before him. Looking down upon him like an annoying insect that just wouldn't die.

"I've had enough of you!" She growled and threw her hand up in the air. Ready to strike him down with a powerful attack. She was about to bring her hand down; about to bring the hell fire. But the figure looming in the woods wasn't going to allow it and raised her palm to the clueless Tooth.

     Tooth felt something cold and stiff on her hand. Whipping her eyes to her arm quickly; seeing that it was frozen in place. A giant block of ice keeping it stiff in the air. "What the-" she began to say, but was soon distracted by the slim figure slipping it's way out of the woods. Tooth's eyes widened and a trembling of the bottom lip occurred.

"No...no! It can't be you. You...you died!"

"That's what you think," replied the figure. Her blue heels burying into the snow. She looked upon Tooth with the outmost rage as violent winds blew around her. A surge of unexplained power erupting from the blonde. Her platinum hair whipping in the wind and her dress as she clutched her fist tight. "Now, get the hell away from my fiancé!"