ELEMENTS[On Hold]

Prologue

As the protectors of old scanned the prophecy that was to be foretold, they knew that they must help fulfill it.

The eldest, Spring, said, "Perhaps we should find a way to befriend the children."

The second eldest, Summer, added, "And in a way that doesn't make them feel threatened."

Winter, the youngest, said, "You know most sentences don't begin with 'and', but what should I know?" Smiling gleefully.

The third eldest, Autumn, walked in carrying four children. One on his neck, two in his arms, and one bashing a block against his shin.

"Whose shift is it at this hour?" He asked exhaustively. The old protectors chuckled except Winter.

"Now is the time for the children to sleep," Winter protested.

"So," Autumn began. "It's your shift?" Winter chuckled embarrassed.

"We're like brothers," Winter coaxed. "We're so close, I'll let you have my shift tomorrow." He winked.

"How about," Autumn removed the children in his arms into Winter's; the children on his leg and neck; the children on his back. "You take your own shift, Mr. Lazy."

Winter, defeated, carried the children out of the room, leaving the other three alone.

The protectors of old had chosen a special room, just for the children to play and sleep in. The toddlers were trying to "fight" sleep, so Winter thought if he just layed the children out on the playing carpet, they would tire themselves out and they'll be off to dreamland. He would watch the children, so that when they fall asleep, he could put the children in their cribs.

Winter laid the kids in a nice little play circle, when suddenly there was a huge crash, coming from the room where the Protectors of Old were.

"Winter!" Autumn yelled. "Get the children to safety! We need all the strength we have to fight off Shadow!"

"Shadow's here?" Winter asked mostly to himself. He looked at the children who had been playing with blocks. "There's only one way to protect you kids." He ran to the children but was blown away by a enormous blast into the room.

"The kids..." Winter was near being unconscious. "I have to save them." Forcing himself up, he limped towards the playful children.

"You'll be safe soon." He smiled, bending down to the toddler of Winter. "I promise. Don't forget about this place. This is your home, and it will be forever."

Using his scarred hands, Winter detached the amulet clipped around his neck with a special frost.

"This is your mother's." A tear escaped the old protector. "She gave it to me when I had no where else to go. She loved you, yet..." His vision became blurry, there wasn't much time left.

"I'll visit you again someday. I promise. Stay safe." Slowly, the old protector clipped the amulet around the young child. A beautiful frosty blue spread across the four toddlers.

"Take care." And with that, the children disappeared, out of the dimension.