So... I finally got around to watching the fourth wave of Elves the other day. For 25 minutes, they did a pretty good job telling this story. Noctura was terrifying.

Lego Elves has this special place in my heart as part of my childhood. It wasn't deep in lore or anything, none of the character never had a lot of development, and the plots were simple. However, maybe it was its simplicity that was so enticing. It was a tale of a human girl, her elven friends, and their quest to save a magical world. The franchise in itself only lasted for four years before Lego discontinued it.

I think it was because it wasn't dragged out that it ended on pretty much the perfect note. The fourth season could be expanded, but it also works as an ending. The franchise wasn't ruined by anything, it simply wasn't making enough money. What I'm trying to say is that Elves is untouched by the drama of business. It's a simple show, with simple and enjoyable characters. Yet, there was so much imagination there, especially with the Lego sets. 

I really did enjoy finally being able to watch the conclusion to Elves, so I wrote a kind of aftermath story for the prompt below. 

>(<>)<

There's another to carry the light. One as brave, as smart, strong in spirit, and kind in heart.

     Long live the new Guardian of Light.

     Emily stared at the staff in front of her. It was tall and white, with golden accents to bring out the azure jewel sitting at the top. It stood as a symbol of power, the light counterpart to Noctura's magical scepter. It used to be Lumia's, but now, Lumia was gone.

     As was Noctura, which Emily supposed was a good thing. The sorceress had almost succeeded in draining Elvendale of magic forever, as well as escaping the Shadow Realm. Lumia had clutched her old friend in their last moments, using her powers to destroy both of them. Darkness could only be matched by the light. Only the Guardian of Light could destroy the Empress of Shadows.

     Magic had returned to Elvendale, and the elemental guardians were safe. The forests were thriving with a bounty of colors, grass bloomed beneath everyone's feet, and the rushing water bellowed with joy as it flowed down the many cliffsides of the mountains. If one looked over the vast lands of Elvendale, they could see the sparks of the fire elves playing, the growth the earth elves were causing, the river's tampered flow summoned by the water elves, and the breezes changing direction due to the wind elves. It was a truly beautiful land, one Emily felt blessed to have ever discovered.

     But it was not home.

     Home was the kitchen table where Sophie would joyously talk about school while her father would laugh so hard he'd knock over his glass of tea. Home was where Emily could read with her mother in the garden while the weather was nice. Home was telling Sophie bedtime stories about her adventures in Elvendale. Her family was back on Earth, back in the real world.

     This magical reality wasn't where her family was.

     Emily couldn't help but feel torn. She didn't doubt that she could stay in Elvendale for many years, and no one on Earth would notice. Time passed very differently between the two realms, after all. However, taking the staff meant so much more than just frequent visits to spend time with her elven friends.

     Taking the staff meant accepting her role as the... as the...

     Emily closed her eyes, her fingers clutching at the grass below her. She doubted that taking on the role would allow her much time to go back to her family. She would have to tend to the elemental guardians, make sure the Shadow Realm didn't bleed into Elvendale, and look after the welfare of the whole world. She'd be eternal, yes, but eternity must be exhausting.

     So much responsibility laid upon the staff, more than Emily could ever truly fathom.

     How long could she stay in Elvendale before people on Earth started to notice? Days slipped by quickly in this world; she could never find herself bored with anything. Emily had once stayed an entire month in Elvendale, and no one on Earth had even blinked an eye at the hour she had disappeared. Eternity in Elvendale would someday make a significant impact on the time she was gone from home. Then, her parents would start to worry. They wouldn't believe Sophie when she told them. They'd call the police, then there would be panic, and the portal... the portal could be in danger.

     Emily scrunched her eyes. She couldn't stay here. Her role, first and foremost, was to be a guardian of the portal. If the portal was destroyed, then everything her grandmother worked for was for nothing.

     There's another to carry the light. One as brave, as smart, strong in spirit, and kind in heart.

     Another to carry the light.

     Elvendale needed a Guardian of Light. Without one, it would surely fall to chaos. And sadly, there was only one person who could take on that role. Even if she didn't wish to.

     Emily slowly got to her feet, stepping up the cliffside to where the staff stood upright. She could almost sense the elemental guardians watching as she stood at the staff's stand and reached out to close her fingers around the scepter.

     Suddenly, a pulsing bright light started to shine from just below Emily's neckline. Her amulet rose as her grip tightened, sending sparks of light flying through the air. The elemental energy of all four magic sources flowed into the staff, causing Emily to feel overpowered by their strength. She barely had enough willpower to keep holding on, yet somewhere she found the will to keep going.

     The staff slowly lifted from its stand, sending out a shockwave of pure energy with each inch it rose. Emily closed her eyes and yanked with all her might, instantly being blasted backwards the minute the staff left the ground.

     Her whole body was filled with a lukewarm sensation of running water. When Emily opened her eyes, she could see strands of light running down her arms and spreading over her body.

     As soon as her whole form was engulfed in light, the lukewarm sensation turned white hot, like fire. In the corner of her eyes, strands of her dark brown hair started to turn lighter and lighter. The fire turned the crusty feeling of rolling around in mud; her arms and legs reappeared, covered in garments Emily didn't remember putting one. Finally, the light engulfed her once again, and all Emily could feel was the gentle breezes around her, carrying her far, far away.

     "Emily?"

     Emily opened her eyes to see her house.

     Wait a second...

     She was in her backyard, still holding the staff of light. In front of her, her parents and sister were staring at her like she was some sort of foreign monarch. Emily felt like she should have gasped when she surveyed herself, but all she could feel was calm.

      She still looked like herself.

      But she also looked a lot like Lumia did.

      She looked like the Guardian of Light.

      "Mother, Father, Sophie." Emily stepped forward, clutching her amulet for strength. "I have a lot of things I need to tell you."

      Sophie started to excitedly yell that they needed to pack for an adventure, while her parents looked more tired than anything. Emily smiled softly, reaching out to touch her mother's shoulder.

     "It's about grandmother's amulet, and everything that's followed because of it. I've had... I've had a lot of adventures, and I think it's time you all become part of them."

>(<>)<

A/N

Make sure to check out therearenooptions's post! It's a continuation of the Soldier AU that will leave you wanting more. :D

See you all next week!

~squidneyxd