Rise of the Guardians: Nutcracker Frost

Disclaimer: Dreamworks has full right to the Rise of the Guardians characters, this however is simply a story fanmade. However, I do take ownership of Raquel Jones. If you do not like this, please be polite and leave, or hit the small x buttons. For those who do want to see, read on.

Nutcracker Frost

By Angel Ayami

Act 1: Give Him a Name

Snow was hanging thickly on the ground in a small town, frost clung with vivid patterns against the windows of a small quaint home. Inside there were extraordinary clocks ticking their way to midnight, an old jolly looking man was sitting at a work table, stroking his white beard thoughtfully. Christmas Eve was only a minute away, but he was rather stumped on something; what to get his sweet young adult niece who rarely asked or begged for anything. She was on break from college and he planned on paying a visit for the holidays as well as her aunt on her mother's side, she had no parents or siblings, they passed away some time ago but he was glad to have her at his side. Oh…how her eyes always would sparkle like beautiful crystal icicles hanging from the roof in the sunlight, her smile would bright even the most depressed of days, she was so full of wonder and joy. Since she had grown up to go to college it took her moving to the big city of New York, she could no longer stay by his side, though she still called.

He paused as he heard the beautiful array of clocks begin to go off all at once as they struck midnight in unison. Then his gaze looked to the frost coated window and something soon clicked; she could use a companion! He laid a piece of paper upon the wooden desk and pulled out a pencil and began to draw out a figure, a boy holding a staff in hand, a cocky smile upon his lips, standing there in a leaning position against the staff, barefoot, wearing a simple pair of pants and a hoodie, his hair sticking up a little in its short fashion. His eyes? Oh…those were holding a feel of gentleness, love, and fun behind those orbs. When he felt accomplished in his sketch he picked up a small bag of tools a block of wood, pulling out a knife he began to slowly carve into the wood, this would make such a wonderful surprise.

~o~o~

In New York, cars were driving carefully on slicked roads, packed and loud as per usual. Snow had really hit hard here to the point some of the roads were closed and even certain flights in and out. At a decent part of town in a simple apartment near a theater on Broadway a blonde haired girl was humming along to a Christmas song, her feet moving elegantly underneath her as she twirled here and there around the large tree decorated beautifully with antique decorations, twinkling lights, and a beautiful shining silver star on the top. Her name was Raquel Jones, a girl of 20, despite things that hurt in her past, she wouldn't let it hurt her Christmas spirit that she held dearly to her since she had stayed with her uncle. It was 10 in the morning at the moment, some flights were delayed and she believed her uncle would be late, but her aunt? Let's just say she had ways of always showing up right on the dime.

Raquel was adjusting one of the little blue orbs she could see her reflection in, but stopped when she felt the tree rattle a little. Letting out a small sigh she moved the skirt of her outfit aside as she bent down to look underneath the tree and see a small blue grey rabbit sitting there nestled under the warmth of the lights looking as if it got caught like the cat that got into the supply of cream, a carrot settled in its paws as it nibbled. "Oh Aster, did you get into the supply of carrots I was going to be using for carrot cake? You naughty little bunny." She chided making the bunny named Aster hopped out a little, looking up at her with big green eyes reproachful and sorry. "It's okay, there's still plenty left. It's Christmas after all, you deserve a treat for being such a good boy." She smiled as she scratched Aster under his furry chin, giggling as his leg began to thump in a rhythmic joy.

Aster was a peculiar bunny, seemed almost human in some ways; his fur was a blue-grey and had odd markings along his fur in certain places. Raquel had found him in the animal shelter and instantly fell in love with him as he did with her. He could jump onto high places and use them for perches if he wanted to join her on the kitchen island he would jump from the dining chair onto the counter with shocking skill. He was her loyal companion, much nicer than a dog or a cat, loved the holidays like she did, he loved Easter most of all. He sat there on the floor, munching on the carrot with soft crunches after Raquel had stopped scratching his chin and his leg stopped thumping the floor and disturbing the neighbors below. Aster tilted his head a little as she sat on the floor, looking up at the frosted windows, and he seemed to let out a sigh; she was always so full of a childish heart. "Jack Frost came to visit last night Aster, isn't he amazing?" she asked only to receive a big green eye roll from the rabbit. The rabbit held the carrot in his mouth and hopped over and settled himself in her lap, crunching on the vegetable, his gaze to the tree, feeling her hand pet the top of his head, thumb stroking behind one of his ears.

The knock on the door brought them out of their dazes and Raquel picked Aster up into her arms, walking to the door, unlocking the two locks on it before opening the door. Aster nearly jumped out of her arms as Raquel was suddenly hugged around her shoulders in a tight squeeze by slender arms. "Raquel! Sugarplum, how are you?" a woman's voice asked happily to her.

"A-Aunt Toothiana, I'm fine." Raquel spoke though her voice was a little strangled from the lack of oxygen in her lungs as the woman pulled away and stroked the short blonde hair.

"That's good! Have you been taking care of yourself? What about your dental hygiene? Let me take a look? Pretty please?" she absolutely begged and Raquel laughed softly pulling away.

"That's not necessary Aunt Toothiana, I've been sticking to the routine you gave me since I was five; brush three times a day, floss once a day, use mouthwash before bed." Raquel spoke as she looked at her aunt. Toothiana was her mother's sister, beautiful woman just like she had been though more eccentric. The older woman worked at a dental clinic and was always more than happy to help the children keep up healthy dental habits. Her hair was a soft chestnut brown tied back into a simple bun, bangs of purple and gold parted evenly to frame her heart shaped face, lips painted a soft pink and curled up in a smile. Toothiana was a beauty to behold and it was a curious thing that she wasn't married. "I've even gotten some floss picks, makes the job a lot easier."

"That's my girl!" she cooed and kissed the crown of Raquel's head and let herself in the rest of the way, holding a bag with wrapped boxes and walking to the tree. "Oh it's so beautiful this year, it must be that shining star. Has your uncle North shown up yet?"

"No, not yet, the snow delayed a few plane flights so I think he might be joining us later today. In time for the show I think." She replied as she scratched the rabbit in her arms behind one of his ears.

"Oh I almost forgot about dear Aster!" Toothiana came back over and poked the little rabbit's nose lightly. "Have you been a good boy to my niece? Been keeping her company?" in response Aster's nose gave a small twitch and he snuggled deep into Raquel's chest, keeping comfortable there. "I'll take that as a yes."

"You know, we can make the gingerbread cookies while we wait for uncle North to come. I'm sure he'd love a piping hot cookie when he comes." Raquel spoke putting her pet on the cozy pillow he loved.

"That's a wonderful idea!" her aunt replied clapping her hands together and nodded. "You're so thoughtful." She spoke as she pinched one of her niece's cheeks gently before walking to the kitchen. Raquel rubbed her cheek a little, smiling a bit to herself, she loved the family she had they were so different in their own way from Aster to her Aunt Toothiana…they were the three most important characters in her life and wouldn't change them for the world. "Are you coming sugarplum?"

"Coming!" she called back before scratching Aster behind the ear one more time and went to the kitchen. Her pet rabbit though hopped off from the pillow and bounced in step behind Raquel, following the two women into the kitchen.

~o~o~

Within an hour the whole apartment was filled with the mouthwatering smell of gingerbread, fresh from the oven cooling on a rack and some currently baking were spreading the delicious aroma. The cookies that were cooled down were getting frosted by Raquel's steady hand as Toothiana moved some of the fresh cut outs from the hot pan to the cooling rack while they listened to the lovely sound of Christmas carols on the stereo. Aster on the other hand was chilling out on the floured kitchen island, licking one of his paws and scratching under his chin a little as he watched the two move through the kitchen. If the rabbit were human he would be indulging in the sweet cookies that were sitting on a plate so tantalizingly. Suddenly he perked up, his long ears swiveling a little like sonar and he hopped off the island hopping to the living room.

"Aster?" Raquel called after her little friend and wiped her hands off on a towel and excused herself from the kitchen to follow him. "What is it?" she asked looking down at him as he sat right at the door, his cottontail was bouncing a little bit. "Wait a minute…is he…" she was interrupted by a knock on the door, much heavier than the one Toothiana had given when she came. Smiling she peered through the peephole and opened the door. "Uncle North!" she spoke happily and she was pulled into a tight bear hug.

"Raquel my beautiful girl how are you?" was the Russian accent of the heavy set man, people would call him fat, but the blonde considered him jolly, her own personal Santa Clause. His long white beard tickled her nose as she was hugged against him.

"I'm doing just fine." She smiled looking up into those blue eyes of his. She loved her uncle; she had been living with him since the accident. He was a brilliant toy-maker, tending to make things traditional by means of wood carving. Once in a while he even took them to kids who were less fortunate because even they deserved something no matter how small it was. "I hope the trip was okay, not too much trouble was it?"

"Ah, no trouble dear girl." He replied pulling back and looking down at her face and held her cheeks between his two large hands. "You look just like your mother, every day. Though I think I see some of your father starting to shine through." He winked at her as she gave him a soft giggle. Aster bounced on his hind legs a little, if there was one other person he liked besides Raquel, it was this old man right here. Why? Well...it was mostly cause he always got something to chew on to pass the time while the three of them were out to a show while he was stuck on the couch, watching a movie (put in by Raquel). North paused and took a whiff of the air. "I smell cookies. Gingerbread?"

"Fresh out of the oven North." Toothiana chimed as she nearly fluttered in, smiling gently to him, holding a plate of fresh cookies that were neatly decorated. "Raquel believed you would like one after your trip over."

"Ha! Girl knows me all too well." He barked with a loud laugh as he moved inside, shutting the door behind him. Raquel looked down at Aster, who looked rather annoyed to the fact he was ignored. North walked over to Toothiana and picked up a snowflake shaped cookie decorated with white frosting and blue sugar crystals; taking a bite a bright grin crossed his old features. "And delicious as well, very well done you two!"

"Well the recipe hasn't changed." Raquel shrugged a little, smiling innocently. "The icing recipe maybe a smidge." She giggled and looked at the clock. "Well I may as well get the kitchen cleaned up and get some hot chocolate made and we can have some good conversation, the show won't start for another two hours."

"We will help." Her uncle chimed as he set a bag next to Toothiana's beside the tree. "We are guests, but that don't make excuse to not help."

"Your uncle is right Raquel, we are family after all." Toothiana smiled and pet the girl's hair with a hand and walked back to the kitchen and North followed behind her. Raquel and Aster looked at each other and they both seemed to smile a little; family was family after all.

"Be good Aster, and don't get into Uncle's bag like last year." She told him as he made a few jumped and sniffed at the large, red velvet bag, but upon hearing her, his ears pressed back to his skull making her chuckle softly and walk into the kitchen to help get the dishes cleaned up.

~o~o~

Funny stories and conversations were passed between the three over hot chocolate from scratch and gingerbread cookies. North would talk of the funny goings-on in his little town as Toothiana would speak a lot about her dental job and assistants. Raquel would give them stories about her semester in school good or bad they would laugh together, some harder than others. It was a tradition in their own way to sit around in the dining room and talk about what happened in their lives over drinks and sweets (as long as they brushed their teeth afterwards). Toothiana and North would stay over through to New Years and then would depart before Raquel would go back to her daily life of college and work. Raquel wiped a tear of laughter from the corner of her eye from a particularly funny story of something she didn't fully understand, sobering up a little when North asked, "What is this show we are to see this year?"

"Oh, I have the tickets, we talked a lot over the few months to deliberate what we wanted to see." Raquel spoke as she rubbed her chin a little. "With so many shows to choose from, it was hard to make a decision. However, I thought we could see something festive; I got us tickets to see the Christmas Carol. It's a little traditional, but…"

"That sounds lovely sweetie! I hope those tickets weren't too hard to get." Raquel's aunt spoke as she brushed away some of her purple colored bangs.

"We did a non-traditional show last time no?" asked her uncle. "This year sounds like good time to be festive."

"Good." Raquel picked up her empty mug and a cookie shaped like a star and munched into it as she took her cup to the sink. "The benefit of living on Broadway is the fact the houses are not too far away. Though, I think we may want to go so we can find our seats, those places can become crowded in a hurry." Reaching into the fridge she opened up a bag of carrots and pulled out one as her family stood from the table in silent agreement.

"Should we wait outside while you tuck your rabbit away?" Toothiana asked with a soft giggle and North chuckled.

"Oh don't worry, I stick in a movie, give him a carrot, set him on the couch and he's good until we get home." Raquel smiled as she watched her aunt and uncle leave to the hallway, twirling a little, stopping in the living room to see Aster sniffing at the bag.

"Aster?" she walked over to him and picked him up. "Have you been sniffing at that bag the whole time? There's nothing wrong with it." She chuckled as his big green eyes looked up at her. "Silly bunny." She scratched him behind an ear and just under his chin. Aster's eyes averted a little back to the bag, Raquel could notice there was something odd going about with her pet. Sighing she set him down onto the couch on his favorite pillow, setting a carrot in front of him. He took it and began to nibble at it as she put in a DVD for him to watch, he wasn't into the frilly (princess/romance) movies so she found him something slightly more to his level; an adventure, skipped the previews and let the movie play. "We'll be back in a while Aster, be good." She kissed the top of his head and left the apartment, locking it behind her as she joined her family.

Aster on the other hand averted his gaze and stared at the bag…yes to him something was off with it. The rabbit thought he heard a faint laugh and his ears swiveled about to catch the sound but it faded away quickly. With a twitch of his nose and no matter how much he didn't want to; tore his gaze away from the bag and began eating the vegetable to watch the movie she put in for him.

~o~o~

Raquel, North, and Toothiana didn't return until 10 that evening, they had gone through the show which had been enjoyable to see and as a treat to Raquel; Toothiana and North took her out to eat at a nearby restaurant. Aster's grey ears perked up as he sleepily looked over to the door and rubbed an eye with a paw, hearing the door unlock. His owner and her aunt and uncle came inside, laughing a little amongst themselves and he hopped off the couch, bouncing over to them. "Looks like someone missed you." North chuckled as Raquel picked up the grey ball of fur.

"Thank you uncle." She replied and gave a soft yawn, covering her mouth with a hand; her stomach was full and the evening had been amazing, so it made her sleepy.

"Aw, are you tired?" Toothiana cooed as she pet the short blonde hair.

"No, I'm okay. I can stay up for a little while." Raquel smiled, but then she looked up when she heard her uncle clap his hands loudly.

"Ah, I nearly forgot. I have something for you." North spoke as he walked over to the bag he brought with him to the apartment and Raquel set her rabbit back on the couch, tilting her head as she watched him.

"But North, shouldn't this wait until tomorrow? It is only Christmas Eve after all." Toothiana tried to talk as North was shuffling through the bag, but he waved a dismissive hand.

"Not at all Toothiana, there is still plenty for her and you know it." He turned and winked to Raquel as he brought out a box wrapped in purple with silver snowflakes. "This is for you."

"Wow…um…thank you." Raquel spoke with a soft blush on her cheeks as she looked up into the jolly face of her uncle. She saw his prompt to open it and began to unwrap the box, it was simple and white. Slowly she opened the lid and moved aside the tissue paper to gasp at what was inside.

"I see she likes it." North chuckled as he spoke quietly to Toothiana.

"Uncle he's beautiful!" the youngest spoke excitedly as she removed a wooden figure of a boy. He leant on a curved staff, a cocky-like smile on his face, feet bare and he looked like he was standing on ice. His skin was a pale shade, hair spikey and white as snow, pants in a torn way just above his ankle and colored the shade of brown, his hoodie blue and lightly frosted, and the most attractive thing about it was his eyes; they were blue like ice they were almost lifelike. The craftsmanship and paintwork was spectacular she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. "Thank you!" she turned and looked at North, eyes sparkling with joy and she felt a large warm hand on her cheek.

"North you've done yourself proud." Toothiana chuckled softly as she looked at the wooden figure in their niece's hands. "He is an amazing piece of work."

"Thank you Toothiana, and you're very welcome Raquel." North spoke, thick Russian accent filled with love. "Perhaps you would like to name him?"

"Yeah." Raquel nodded as she looked down at the figure in her hand, thumb stroking along the smooth wooden cheek, then one name came from her lips both with a first and a last name;

"Jack Frost."

~o~o~

Angel Ayami's Note: Hey guys, this is the end of the preview at least for now. I may continue it if you guys like it enough. Yes, this is supposed to be something like the ballet the Nutcracker, but I'm adding in a few tweaks. Still, I hope you liked it, if you did leave a review, if you want me to continue let me know, but for now I must depart and work on Age Doesn't Stop Belief. Kisses~!