Once Upon A Time...

There was a magical world called Christmas.

"Wait, Christmas? Like Christmas, Christmas?"

"Is that why we call that holiday Christmas?"

"Who knows? Maybe we named it after that magical land, maybe that land took the name from us. Let's continue."

Back when the world was younger and more innocent, the magical land provided everything that was needed for Christmas. Every year, Kris Kringle would come the day before and load up his magical sleigh with all the candy, chocolate, and toys for all the good children of the world. Buoyed by magical winds conjured here, he was able to make his deliveries to all of the good girls and boys in the outside world.

The world of Christmas was divided into four region and each region had it's own guardian and purpose;

Toyland in the East: Ruled by the Princess of Toys. The Toy Princess was a woman of her people. Of all the guardians, she was most active and involved in her kingdom. Nary a day went by that their Princess was not out among the workers, lending a hand in assembling, loading or anything else she could be of help with. A tall, fit woman with lightly golden skin, cascading locks of crimson and blush, and eyes the color and sparkle of the sun. It was joked that she often got lost going back to her own Sugar Plum Castle because she spent so little time there. The people of Toyland were renowned crafters and carpenters with the skills to be able to build or sew any toy on a good child's wish list.

Candyland in the West: Ruled by the Princess of Candy. The Princess of Candy was a bright, spirited woman who seemed to have boundless energy. A slight creature, with bubblegum pink eyes that seemed larger than the rest of her body, a bright smile, and taffy colored curls that bounced along with the rest of her. While Candy was not the wisest, more beautiful, or hardest working guardian, she was the most beloved. It was impossible not to be cheered or lifted up by the enthusiasm and joy she constantly gave out to anyone in her path. The people of Candy created every sort of confection imaginable from the chewy and gooey to the sweet and sour. Their bright, colorful treats would spill from presents and stockings once they were opened on Christmas morning.

Cocoa Dunes in the South: Ruled by the Prince of Chocolate. Of the four guardians of the Christmas lands, the Prince of Chocolate was said to be the wisest. A strong, tall man of milk chocolate skin, caramel hair, and beautiful sunset eyes, he was a man with a calm nature and few words. Whenever he spoke, it was only after much thought. It was said that no one could find fault in any of his reasonings or logic. The people of the Dunes were master chocolatiers, the magical sands of their desert grew any type of Cocoa known. Chocolates of every flavor, of every filling, of every shape and size were made to fill the stockings and shoes of the good children of the outside world.

Crystalline Mountains in the North: Ruled by the Princess of Snow. The Princess of Snow was said to almost rival the Queen of Christmas in beauty and in truth, the pair had a friendly competition going over who had the shiniest hair or best style. Slender as an icicle, with skin as pale as snow, and hair the color of the winter sky, Snow was a formidable looking woman in the Palace of Frostine. Despite her intimidating surroundings, Snow was actually a very warm and jovial person. She loved music, art, and her favorite thing was to laugh. It was said that in even in a land where it was perpetual winter, it would warm just a bit when their Princess would laugh. The people of the Mountain were magicians who conjured up the special winds that carried Kris Kringle along his once a year journey at such speeds as to visit all the houses everywhere in a night as well as the winter snow of the outside world.

"But it doesn't snow EVERYWHERE!"

"It used to. Shhh now."

And above them all was the Queen of Christmas. The Queen was a kind, regal creature, said to be the most beautiful woman in the land. Her golden hair flowed longer than the rivers that encircled her Poinsettia Castle. Her complexion was soft and the color of fresh buttermilk, and her eyes a deep blue. But those who weren't enthralled by her looks (few weren't) had deep admiration for her deep sense of fairness and love. It was her job to make sure each region of Christmas met their quotas for Kris Kringle's yearly adventure, and keep peace. While it was rare for the regions to be in a squabble about something, if it happened, the Queen's word was the final. It was known that as long as the Queen of Christmas ruled, every holiday would be joyous and all the lands would be protected.

This balanced was maintained for many, many years, even as the outside world where the children lived grew and changed. While no one would say it out loud, everyone began to notice there were orders for less treats and less toys. The magical winds didn't have to travel as far and the Christmas snow touched far fewer places. ("Seeeeee?" "Hmph!") But they continued on as they had, generation after generation until one year, just after Christmas had passed, their world changed.

"Finally! If everything is too peaceful it's not much of a story."

"Noo I liked it better that way!"

"Don't be such a baby!"

"If you want me to continue, you must all be quiet."

"Sorry."

The Queen of Christmas had four Knights who guarded her. Each Knight came from one of the regions of Christmas and was captain of their regional guards.

The Knight of The North: A woman as pale as her mistress and triple her size, making her, in comparison to her Princess, a mountain of a woman. Her eyes twinkled golden like the pale winter sun, and hair was the color of frost and ice. Of the quad of Knights, she was considered the leader and her words were second to the Queen's in importance. When she spoke, it meant business. Her tough, often haughty attitude hid a extremely soft spot for her Princess, her Queen, her world.

The Knight of The East: A man as dark at the night sky over Toyland, with dusk colored hair and piercing twilight eyes that often sparkled with mischief. Like his Princess, the Knight was a do-er. If he was ordered to do something, he would at once, even if it came with some disagreements. The East Knight spoke frankly and his mind to the sometimes amusement, sometimes annoyance of the Princess. There was a rumor that the Knights of North and East were consorting together, but none knew for sure.

The Knight of The South: A woman, slightly shorter than the rest with skin the hue of cocoa powder, hair of nougat and eyes like molten strawberry ganache. The South Knight was deeply in love with her Prince, though she would never admit to it and she was exceptionally good at hiding it. She would do anything for her lands, maybe a bit too rashly if it would make it look good in front of the Prince, often times dashing too quick and headlong into the fray. But the knight was a excellent fighter, and even if took a bite out of her in the end, the problem would be dispatched.

The Knight of The West: The shortest and most easygoing of the four. He was a man of marzipan skin with liquorice hair and bright blueberry eyes. It was fortunate the West Knight was so relaxed as his Princess was the complete opposite. He confessed he sometimes felt more like the Princess of Candy's father then her protector, as he often had to calm her down or redirect her back to her important tasks, least she wandered off again or lost the plot in more mundane matters.

Because the land of Christmas was peaceful, the Knights stayed in Poinsettia Castle with the Queen, acting as advisors from their respective homelands and mediums should the Guardians be unable to leave their lands. And because of this, it was deeply disturbing when each knight burst into the homes of their Masters unannounced.

"The Queen of Christmas is gone!" they cried.

*gasp!*

Ooo finally good stuff.

Shhh.

No YOU shh!

"Gone? Gone? How could the Queen just be gone!?" It was asked. The knights reported they did not know. They came to the throne room as they did every other morning and the Queen was not there. Concerned, Knight North went to check on her and found her bed chamber empty as well. They'd split up and searched the entire castle and the river that walled it off from the other regions, but no sign, no sign at all! Knight North ordered the others to go back to their homelands and to inform the guardians.

Spurred into action, each region gathered a group of soldiers and sent them out to search every corner of their lands. Days went by, weeks, and still no word. The guardians kept their people in the dark. The knowledge of the lost monarch would result in fear and questions that no one could yet answer. Toys were made, chocolate pressed, sugar spun, and snow prepared as nervous rulers prayed for the safe return of their Queen.

News slowly trickled in. Muddied reports of battles, a group of warriors returning to Candyland battered and near death. A shadowy figure, dark purple and black, with eyes the color of ash at the lead of thousands and thousands grey armor clad fighters, their helms rounded on the either side like the ears of a rodent. Because of this, they called the shadowy leader the Rat King. Left with no choice, the guardians admitted the truth to their people. The Queen of Christmas had vanished, and with her loss, the magic that kept Christmas safe was gone. They encouraged the people to keep working, because Kris Kringle would arrive soon and would need their goods. Let the Knights and their Princesses and Prince find the Queen and sort out the Rat King.

But it was already too late.

Royal was pleased to see her audience was enraptured and also silent.

It began on the edges of Toyland.

The army of Rat King began to take raze small villages. Terrified, the townsfolk fled to the larger cities, but those too fell to the Rat King and his seemingly endless amount of soldiers. Communications from the cities were cut off before they were destroyed, and so it was much too late before the Princess and her Knight realized what was happening. An invasion.

"Not the Toys!!"

The Toy Princess sent out missives to the other region for help in driving the Rat King and his people back. Her soldiers, while strong, were being crushed by the opposition and if nothing could stem the tide, they would be at the Sugar Plum Castle's doorstep in days. Production ceased full stop, the people became afraid and hid in their homes.

Messages arrived, and Toy's heart sank as she read them. Neither the North, South or West would be sending help. In fact, they were bolstering their own troops and borders. Knight East was enraged. Traitors! Cowards! How dare they leave the Princess and Toyland to be lain to waste by this terrible invader. But she understood. The other guardians had to protect their lands, their people, and if she were in the same position, she might have done the same. She told Knight East to prepare himself and the best of the Toy Army that was left. She would lead them and they would meet this Rat King on the field and stop him before Toyland was taken over.

Knight East said, in no choice words, that the Princess was foolish to go out herself to stop the Rat King. But her mind was made up. She wouldn't send Knight East or any of her people to do something she'd never do herself. Toyland and it's inhabitants were under her protection and it was her duty to save them.

TO BE CONTINUED! Aka: When I can brain more XD