The light of the full moon shines down on me. It white light reminds me of the first time I saw it. It was so big and so bright. It seemed to chase the darkness away. And when it did, I wasn't scared anymore.
The same is happening here, 350 years later. Although it's an entirely different situation. Instead of becoming Jack Frost, I'm becoming human again.
Doubt creeps into my mind. I've been Jack Frost far longer than I've been human. I don't know if I can remember how to be human. But then again, North said I'm the best one for the job, since I've worked hands-on with the kids more than they have.
Still, I hate the fact that I'll be without my powers for a whole week. No flying. No snowballs. No frost. It'll be torcher. However, if this is what it takes to protect the future guardian from Pitch, than so be it.
I flashback to this morning. We were all called to the pole for an important meeting . . .
"Alright, North. What's all the commotion about?"
"Yeah, mate. I was in the middle of a ripper card game with a wallaby."
"Probably best that we called a meeting then. I'd hate for the little bunny to lose." I say
"I see someone is still a little cold after I beat your bum last time." Bunny hops over to me and playfully hits me on the back.
"Come on you two. We didn't come to socialize." Tooth says as she flies past. Sandy follows her. We walk into the familiar room full of life and wonder. Airplanes of all colors fly around and yetis are rushing around with boxes of cool toys. One yeti drops a little doll and I fly over to grab it before it's stepped on. I set it in the box with the others. These guys need to be more careful. But then again, Christmas is coming up so it's a little hectic around here anyway. I turn my attention to the giant globe in the middle. Lights shine all over the countries on it. The pole always amazes me.
"Frost, Bunny, Tooth, Sandy. There is something wrong. I got vision from the moon." Santa says.
"I didn't know you could get those." I say.
"Only when it's really important." Tooth says.
"Well what'd ya see, mate?"
"A sixth guardian." Santa says. Tooth gasps. "It was young girl, teenager. She has great power, but her powers are suppressed inside her and she needs our help."
"Thankfully it wasn't a leprechaun." Bunny says. Sandy nods.
"What do we need to do?" I ask.
"Well first, she's not believer. We need to make her see, make her believe. Manny also said that because she isn't believer, she can't see us and so we can't help her get powers." North chuckles. "You won't believe this, but Man in Moon has found way to make one of us human."
"What?!" Bunny exclaims
"You can become human again?" I ask.
"Is that even possible?" Tooth asks.
"I was shocked as well. Manny has been working on it for long time now. It will only last for small period of time. About a week." Santa says
Sandy asks who will go.
"What about me?" Tooth asks. "If it's a girl then she will need a loving sister or mother figure."
"Sorry, Tooth. But you have been Guardian for too long. You wouldn't know how to go back to normal life. I know I wouldn't be able to either. We need someone who has spent loads of time with children; a more recent addition . . ." Santa looks at me.
"Me?" I'm taken aback.
"Yes, Jack. You are best one for this job. You spent your whole life with children before you became Guardian. Plus, you are her age." Santa gives me a pleading look. The rest of the group looks at me. I stand there wide-eyed in shock, at first. Become human again? And help a new guardian believe? How am I supposed to do that?! I couldn't get anyone to believe in myself for 300 years!
"Please Jack." Tooth pleads "You know you're the best suited out of all of us."
I wrestle with this idea. "But what about winter? Its winter in most places right now. Who will be Jack Frost if I don't have my powers?"
Santa gestures to the moon. "Manny will take care of it. That's partly why you should go. Manny can't run Christmas can he?"
"I guess not." I probably am the best one to go. This is a really big mission though. But the opportunity to be human again is to good to pass up. To be normal for a week and have people see me all the time? And a break from work? I find myself nodding my head.
"Oh, why not? I've got nothing better to do." I say.
"Other than, oh, I don't know, winter." Bunny says. I glare at him.
"Good. Now here is plan. You will be turned back into a human for one week. After that, you will become Jack Frost again. Your power will be stored in a crystal ball here, at North Pole. That way Manny can use your power and keep winters coming. You will be placed in her school, as "new kid". You will need to get close to her, become her friend, and then help her believe."
"I don't know if this is a good idea . . ." Bunny says
"I'll do it." I say. "Let's have a little fun."
The white light increases suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts. "It's time." North says.
I nod and step into the light. I feel the moon's light stop it's increasing magic, as if asking for my permission to continue. I nod. "I'm ready." Then the light hits me. It's blinding but has a warmth to it. After the white light fades a little, a white wave of light and magic flows into me. The magic pours into me like a gentle river. It softly works it's way around my body. The magic wave reaches my cold center. Slowly, it tarts pulling at it.
I feel the frost and winter flowing out of me. It's a scary feeling. I feel like a part of me is being taken away. I shudder but don't pull away. As if sensing my discomfort and fear, the wave becomes gentler. Eventually, a light blue wave starts to flow from me to the crystal ball. That's my frost?! I look at my reflection in the glowing crystal. The white is fading from my hair, turning it brown. The blue eyes turn brown as well. My skin slowly gains more color. The frost designs on my hoodie and pants fade away. Lastly, I look at my staff on the floor. It shrinks so small I can hold the whole staff in my hand! I look at the wave and see the last bits flow into the crystal. The moon passes and I fall to the floor feeling extremely empty inside.
I'm panting and exhausted. I feel slightly nauseous. The Guardians surround me and they all speak at once.
"Are you okay?" Tooth asks. Sandy is signaling a lot.
"Quite a show there, mate." Bunny says.
"Step back. Give him room." North orders. They move away. A winter breeze flows in and cools me off. I take a deep breath and the nausea fades. I manage to get onto my hands and knees.
"Jack, you alright?" Tooth asks. I nod.
"Yeah. I'm good. I just needed a minute." Slowly, I stand up. When I turn to face them, they are surprised by my change of appearance.
"So this is how you looked before." North says. "Nice. You know, blue eyes are pretty and all, but I knew a couple girls back in my day that were suckers for brown eyes." He laughs. Tooth nods.
Bunny claps me on the back. "Ya don't look so tough now the frosty edge is taken off of ya."
"And who was a fluffy little bunny a few adventures ago?" I retort.
"A strikingly handsome one, at that." Bunny says.
"Alright, alright. Let's get going. You can sleep on the way. We've got to get you to next Guardian." Santa grabs the bags we packed and heads to the sleigh. I am about to follow when I remember something.
"Wait one more thing." I look on the ground and find my now tiny staff. It has a black string tied around it so it can be worn as a necklace. I send a thank you to the moon in my head. I slip on the necklace and tuck it into my hoodie. Then, I head after North.
"Good luck, mate." Bunny says.
"Don't forget to floss." Tooth says. Sandy waves and I wave back. What have I gotten myself into?