When he opened his eyes, he was alone. Jack sat up, putting a hand to his pounding skull. "What happened?" he muttered, looking around.
The chill was not unpleasant, for someone like him. If he were human, he knew he would be freezing; there was only ice and rock for as far as he could see.
Something snorted, releasing a puff of cold air from its nostrils. Jack looked up, into the eyes of a reindeer. "Blitzen."
She snorted again, pawing the ground.
"Yeah, I know." He stood up, rubbing her neck. Jack had stolen her for a quick outing. He'd never been good at steering, unfortunately.
Jack mounted her, and Blitzen automatically started trotting up a hill. He looked around from her back, confused. "Where are we?"
Blitzen snorted.
"What do you mean you don't know?"
Blitzen snarled softly.
"Grumpy muskox," he muttered, dismounting. "I'm going to take a look around." Jack held up his staff, calling, "Wind!"
The air was still. Jack frowned, calling louder, "Wind! I need a lift!"
"It is a lost cause, child."
Jack whirled around to face a large polar bear. Blitzen watched the creature calmly, as if not surprised that it could talk so clearly.
After he had become a guardian, Jack was surprised to find out that he could understand reindeer; North told him it was because the guardians needed to understand animal, though only the older few, like Bunny, could completely speak English.
Jack frowned at the polar bear, recognizing that the creature must be at least as old as Bunny. "What are you talking about?"
"The wind will not respond; we have been waiting for you, Jack Frost."
The Guardian frowned. "Why?"
"Come; there is much to do and little time." The polar bear turned, galloping away.
Jack exchanged glances with Blitzen, sighing as he climbed on her back.
Jack knelt in the igloo, frowning at the child. A little girl lay wrapped in fur blankets, breathing heavily with a hot fever. "What do you want me to do?" he asked in a low voice, turning to the polar bear, who stuck his head through the entrance.
The beast's eyes were sad as he murmured, "Skadi, the great owl, cursed her; she cannot be healed."
"Then why did you bring me? I'm not a healer."
"I know; the curse is broken if Skadi is defeated."
Jack stood up, shaking his head. "No; I'm not fighting any snow pigeon."
"She is not the first, Jack," the polar bear uttered softly. "There are entire villages where the children are sick."
Jack paused, turning to the bear. "Why?"
"It is… a long story."
Jack sighed, looking back at the sleeping girl. She stirred, opening her eyes. The child suddenly lit up, smiling weakly. "You're… Jack Frost…"
He knelt beside her, smiling. "You bet I am."
She coughed faintly, laying back and looking up at him with hopeful eyes. "Are you going to… help all the sick kids?"
Jack paused, and then took her burning hand, smirking. "I am; promise. Now go back to sleep."
Her eyes shone happily, and then she yawned and lay quietly, breathing steady. The bear watched as Jack stood and turned, sighing. "Well I am a Guardian." He indicated outside. "Lead the way."