Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters and I do not want to make any profit from writing this story.
Author's Note: So, I got struck with an idea for a Halloween fic...and it ended up being WAY longer than I planned. I spent the past month writing it and I managed to get most of it written. If all goes well, I'll be able to post a new chapter for the next couple of days. Apologies if this seemed rushed in a few places, I was very driven trying to get this done for Halloween.
Chapter 1
Deep in the dark chamber of his castle, a purple robed figure cursed as he staggered into the room. He hoped it was his bedroom, but he wasn't sure. If the robed creature could at least make out shapes and colours, that he could deal with. However, the combination of the spell spell and sand made it so the figure's vision saw nothing but darkness all around him.
"Stupid-If I ever see that man again!," he cursed. "He really thinks I'll be taken down by this!" He was hardly frightened of the dark, but it did make his current task much harder to complete. The figure then heard heavy thud of footsteps approach accompanied by a low moan.
"Frankie? Is that you?" he called out as he grappled what felt to be his favorite chair.
A low moan similar to a growl was his answer.
"Good," said the robed figure as he sat down to rubbed his eyes. It wouldn't get rid of the blindness, but he couldn't fight the instinct of not doing so. "So and fetch the heir. There's no time to waste now. Understand?"
He heard another familiar moan and then the parting of footsteps. The figure sighed deeply as he leaned back in the chair. This was not how things were suppose to be. He had hoped to give the young spirit time to adjust, but that wasn't possible now. If they didn't act quickly, then he would have no choice, but to fulfill that man's request. If that happened, Halloween would never be the same again.
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Cupcake tiptoed quietly as she walked around the tree trunk. She had already found Pippa and Monty. All that was left to find was Sophie and Jamie. She had a good hunch where Sophie was from the endless giggles she was hearing.
Cupcake glanced over her shoulder, and gestured Monty and Pippa to be silent as she sneak around the tree. "1, 2, 3 on Sophie!" Cupcake cried as she pounced on the giggling four year old.
"No fair!" Sophie protested with a smile as Cupcake grappled her into a hug. "You heard me!"
"It's your own fault for giggling," Cupcake said as she ruffled Sophie's hair. "So, where's your brother?"
Sophie grinned as she shrugged. "No clue."
Cupcake didn't buy that for a minute. Sophie probably knew exactly where Jamie was, but she was keeping her mouth shut. She looked back to Monty and Pippa. "So, we just have to find Jamie-"
She trailed off as she noticed both Pippa and Monty were staring up into the branches of the tree. Cupcake frowned as she turned, but then let out a laugh as she pointed. "1, 2, 3 on Jamie!"
Jamie growled from the branch he was sitting up above them. "Guys!" he whined. "How could you rat me out like that?!"
"How did we rat you out?" Monty said. "We were just looking!"
"Really, Jamie?" Pippa asked with her hands on her hips. "Up a tree?"
"We're in the woods," Jamie said as he started to climb back down. "It seemed like a good spot to me."
"Ah, Jamie, you might want to be careful," Cupcake said as she moved beneath him to lend a hand. "That branch looks really old."
"I'm fine," Jamie said as he raised his foot. "I've climbed this tree plenty of-" He was cut off as the branch cracked and broke away from the tree. Everyone screamed as Jamie fell. All Jamie could do was shut his eyes and brace himself for the ground.
Suddenly, a cold wind came. Jamie felt an arm grab him around his waist. He cracked opened an eye as he soft felt dirt beneath his feet and looked up to see Jack's worried face.
"You okay?" Jack asked as he looked Jamie over, checking for injuries.
"I'm fine. Thanks, Jack," Jamie said and noticed he was holding a coffee cup in his hand. Since when did Jack drink coffee?
"Jack! Jamie!" Monty cried as the kids rushed over. "Man, that was close!"
"No, kidding," Jack said and it was then Jamie noticed how tired Jack look. The winter spirit had lines under his eyelids. It reminded him of his mom when she didn't get enough sleep the night before. "I've told you climbing that tree was a bad idea," he said.
"I know, I'm sorry." Jamie said as Sophie rushed to hug him tightly. "But Jack, why are you here? It's still August."
"Yeah," Cupcake asked as she folded her arms. "Isn't this usually naptime for you?"
Jack gave a sigh as he sat on a log and Sophie chose then to climb into his lap. Jack usually spent July and August sleeping. As a spirit, he could go months without sleep, but he did need at least two months worth to recharge. Not to mention, sleeping during July and August was a good way for him to beat the heat in Burgess.
"I was asleep," Jack grumbled as he took a sip from the coffee cup, "but thanks to everyone thinking it's fall already, I got woken up early."
The kids exchanged baffled looks. Part of Jack's job was to change the colours of the leaves to get the trees ready for winter, but it was way too early for that. "Why would people think it's fall now?"
"Because of this thing," Jack said in a deadpan tone and held up the coffee cup.
"People think it's fall," Jamie asked, and wondered if Jack was still half asleep, "because of coffee?"
"A pumpkin spice latte to be exact," Jack grumbled. "One of those coffee cafe chains released it early."
"Oh, yeah," Cupcake said with a shrug, "my mom loves those things."
"Yeah, apparently people love it so much it makes them think it's fall now," Jack said as he sipped from the cup. "So, I got an early wake up call."
"Is that what you're drinking?" Sophie said as she frowned. "I thought you didn't like hot things."
"And how did you pay for one for that matter?" Monty asked, skeptically.
"It was a drink someone left behind at a cafe, and I made it chilled," Jack replied. "I had to find out if this thing was worth waking up for."
"Was it?" Jamie asked with an arched eyebrow.
Jack shrugged with a sigh. "Not bad, but I like apple cider better."
Cupcake rolled her eyes as she grinned. "Do you think you're awake enough to come to my house? Once we were done hide and seek, we were going there for some cake my mom promised us."
"If you could offer me something with caffeine to wake me up," Jack replied, "I'm in."
"Since when do you need caffeine?" Jamie asked as Sophie climbed off Jack's lap to let him up.
"Since I've started getting early wake up calls-" Jack cut himself off he raised his head and peered in the distance.
"What's wrong?" Sophie asked as she tried to look where Jack was staring.
"Don't know," Jack said as he set down the cup, "but I think something or someone just arrived in the woods."
"C-Could it be one of the other Guardians?" Monty asked hopefully as he ducked behind Cucpake.
Jack shook his head. "I know they're magic and that's not it," he held up his staff. "Kids, stay here while I check it out."
Jamie tugged on Jack's sleeve. "But what if you need help?"
"Still got the snowglobe North gave you for emergencies?" Jack asked. When Jamie nodded, Jack gave a reassuring smile. "Then call them with that, but I wouldn't worry too much. It's probably some creature that got lost."
"Somehow, I doubt that," Cupcake mumbled as the kids watched Jack step into the woods.
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Jack kept his guard up as looked among the trees. "Hello?!" he called out. "I know you're here!" He remained where he was, waiting for an answer, but all he heard was rustle of the leaves in the wind.
Jack frowned as he scratched his head. He could sense it was still here. Maybe it was too scared to call out. He slowly started to turn around. "I should go and get North, he's better at this magic- Ack!"
Jack found his nose bumping into a hard object causing him to let out a yelp. He rubbed his sore nose as he staggered back. Where did that tree come from?! He raised his head and froze. It wasn't a tree. Jack's hand lowered as he saw a pale chest peeking out of a ragged torn black vest. He swallowed as he lifted his gaze upward into the face of what almost seemed to be a giant.
It looked human, but his skin was pale. Large, thick bolts stuck out of his neck were a big hint it was hardly anything mortal. Stitches traced and blended into the creature's face like he had been born with them. His black hair was short and roughly cut, and the unpleased scowl he gave could scare a lion into submission. Jack noticed the rest of the creature's body matched his face and had stitches almost on every inch on his body. It was as if he had been literally sewn together. The creature's hands looked big enough to wrestle with one of North's yetis and his feet could crush probably a dozen of Bunny's eggs with one step.
"Well, I found it," Jack mumbled, as he started to back up. "Okay, Buddy, I don't know-"
"You, Jack?" the creature asked suddenly.
Jack paused as he slightly lowered his staff. "Huh?"
"You, Jack?" the creature repeated and pointed to him.
"Uh...yes?" Jack replied, unsure if he should tell the thing it's name.
"Whoa! What is that thing?!" Jamie's voice cried out.
Jack cursed as he glanced and saw the kids were peeking from behind a bush.
"Guys," Jack mouthed to them. "Get out of-HEY!"
The creature had suddenly plucked Jack off the ground like a kitten. "You come," he grunted and then promptly shoved Jack into a sack.
"Hey!" Jack cried as he struggled to get out. "Why does everyone always throw me into sacks?!"
The creature only gave a grunt as a reply before Jack felt the magic tingle of a portal.
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The kids gasped shocked at seeing Jack being dumped into a sack. "Hey!" Cupcake protested, with in fear in her eyes. "Let him go!"
The creature turned to them, gave a grunt before reaching into his vest and revealed a tiny orb that resembled a jack-o-lantern. Turning his attention away from them, the creature smashed the orb on the ground, causing a portal with orange and black mist to appear.
"Oh, no you don't!" Jamie cried as he raced ahead and grab a stick to attack. "Give Jack back!"
The creature made no response as he tossed the wiggling sack over his shoulder and stepped inside the portal. Just as Jamie reached out his hands, the portal vanished, along with the creature and Jack.
"What do we do?! What do we do?!" Monty cried.
"Jack's in trouble! We have to help him" Sophie yelled as she tugged on Jamie's sleeve.
Jamie took a deep breath, to get himself to calm down. Panicking wouldn't solve anything. "We will and we'll do that by telling the other Guardians what happened."
"But what was that thing?" Pippa asked, "it looked like the monster from those Doctor Frankenstein movies?"
"We'll figure that out later," said Cupcake as she grabbed Pippa's hand. "Right now, we got to go for help!"
The other kids nodded as they made a beeline to get home.
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Jack's first thought was to freeze the bag from the inside out and break free. However, it was made just like North's sacks and had been infused with magic that prevented Jack's ice from emerging.
"I am really hating sacks!" Jack cried as he attempted to kick his kidnapper from the inside. "Let me out you walking tree!"
To his amazement, his kidnapper stopped and the sack was dropped. Jack grunted as his butt hit the ground and wasted no time getting free out of the sack. Once out, Jack raised his staff at the creature, ready to fend off any attacks. The large man made no movement, and stared at Jack with a bored expression as he gave a grunt.
"Okay, Buddy!" Jack said as he kept his grip on his staff. "What's going on-"
Jack trailed off as he caught of the sight around him. He seemed to be inside the throne room of a dark and overly spooky castle. Giant cobwebs hung from every corner like they were natural curtains. Bats stared down at Jack from their spot up on the ceiling, while various crows cawed at him from the windowsills and blinked with their beady black eyes. The jack-o-lanterns hanging off the walls with their flickering candles were the only source of light. Each pumpkin held a smirk and looked scarily alive. Jack half expected for their small fire to go out so they could laugh at the frightened winter spirit.
He tapped his foot against the mouth eaten rug underneath him and grimaced. "Okay, seriously, what is going on here?"
"Frankie! I hear a new voice! You brought him?"
Jack whirled around. At the far end of the room, there stood a stone throne with a large gargoyle standing at the very top and peering directly down at Jack. An old man sat on the throne wearing a long purple hooded robe. His skin was wrinkled, but carried an odd orange hue to it, and his beard was a mix of black and white hairs.
"I bring, Jack," said the monster, which Jack deduced must be Frankie.
"Good," the man said, sounding relieved as he rose. He gripped a black staff that was decorated with green vines and had a crystal pumpkin and turnip on the very top of it. "There's no time to waste-"
"Hold up!" Jack cried as he held up a hand. "Where am I?! And who are you?!"
The man stopped in mid-stepped and neatly placed both hands over the top of his staff. "Who am I? Take a guess," he said as he waved his arms around. "Spooky castle, lots of pumpkins? Isn't it rather obvious who I am?"
Jack glared and opened his mouth to launch an insult, but the words froze on his tongue as his brain put the pieces together. Jack-o-lanterns, spooky castle and an old man… "You're Samhain," Jack said, slowly "the spirit of Halloween."
"Give the guy a prize!" the man declared with a clap. "Don't know why you should so shocked though. It's the first time we've met face to face, but it's hardly your first time here."
Jack arched an eyebrow. What was he talking about? This was his first visit to the place.
"Although, I suppose you've never been in this particular room," Samhain muttered, "but in your line of work, you should know all aspects of Halloween."
Jack's eye twitched. Yes, he was a Guardian and Halloween was a big holiday in the spirit world. Jack couldn't deny he should know what Samhain, the spirit and one of the most ancients spirits in the world, looked like at first glance. However, it was a holiday Jack had always had to be extra careful on.
It was a grand party night for the spirit world and many would spend all Hallow's eve playing tricks on mortal. A favorite trick was trying to see how many innocent souls they could lure into a trap. Jack being one of them.
The first couple of Halloweens, Jack had a few too close calls from being the target of malicious creatures. The goblins had been the worse of them. They tried tricking Jack into getting drunk by offering apple cider, Jack's favorite, loaded with alcohol. Their plan was to tie him up and leave him in the middle of South America as a 'joke.' Thankfully, Jack caught on rather quickly and made his escape. The goblins hadn't dared tried again since Jack froze their feet to make a getaway. Still, it wasn't a pleasant memory for him.
"Sorry, but I normally try to stay near home on Halloween night, so I've never actually seen you," Jack spoke. "A person like me can't be too careful on Halloween and I tend to worry about the kids' safety too." Granted, Jack had to admit the last few centuries hadn't been that bad. A lot of spirits had strangely been less vicious and mellow out more on Halloween. Jack becoming a guardian and a less tempting targeting had certainly helped matters as well. Jack recalled North making it clear that if any spirit had tried to attack Jack, all the Guardians would gladly come charging to his rescue.
Samhain looked slightly confused, but he shook his head. "Oh, no matter, that's not important," he muttered as he started to walked towards a cracked pedestal a crow was perched on. "What is important is the very fate of Halloween!" Samhain jabbed a crooked finger into the stone. "And you're a big part of it-"
"Um…," Jack said slowly, as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm over here."
Samhain blinked, dumbly. "What?"
"I'm over here," Jack repeated.
Frankie grunted. "You talking to pedestal."
Samhain blinked as he paused and cleared his throat. "Oh...I see." He straightened his posture and tapped the floor with his staff. "So...where are you, Jack?"
"Here," Jack said as he pointed to his spot.
"Left or right?" Samhain asked, sounding annoyed.
"Left," Jack replied. What was wrong with this guy?
"Your left or my left?" Samhain said as he gave a shaky stepped forward.
"Yours! I'm right here!" Jack exclaimed, no longer able to hold back his frustration. "What's wrong with you? Are you blind or something?!"
"Currently, yes," Samhain growled.
Jack's anger cooled as he blinked. "What?"
"I can't see!" Samhain snapped and pointed to his eyes, which Jack now realized now strangely black and Samhain. "I'm blind as a bat!"
The bats on the ceiling screeched in protest and angrily flapped their wings. They all looked fully prepare to swoop down and tug at every limb Samhain had.
"Yes, yes, sorry!" Samhain yelled at the ceiling as he shook his staff at them. "I am well aware you aren't actually blind! It's just an expression! Give an old man a break, will you?!"
The bats folded their wings, but still gave an annoyed screech.
Jack's jaw dropped. "Wait..seriously? You literally can't see anything?" He didn't know Samhain was blind? Why didn't the other Guardians tell him?!
"Yes!" Samhain snapped as he stepped into Frankie. "Ack! Oh, blast! Frankie is that you?" Samhain reached out with his hands and felt around Frankie's knee. "It has to be you. There's no way Jack is this big!"
The creature gave a grunt as a replied as he lowered his hand and spun Samhain around like a doll. "Walk straight," he grunted.
"Thank you," Samhain grumbled, staggering towards Jack. The boy held out his hand and let the spirit of Halloween grappled onto him. "Geez! Your hands are freezing!" Samhain snapped. "I thought they would be more boney!"
Jack raised an eyebrow, tempted to ask what he meant by that, but decided he had more pressing matters to talk about. "I'm sorry," Jack replied, "I didn't realize you were blind-"
"I'm not!" Samhain cried with a snarl, "but thanks to Pitch, I can't see anything! No shapes! No colours! Nothing, but darkness!"
"Pitch?!" Jack exclaimed stunned. "How? What did he did? Why-"
"Hold your horses and I'll explain!" Samhain said with a sigh as he leaned on his staff. "I thought I had managed to keep a tight enough lid on it, but it seems somehow Pitch discovered I'm picking an heir to take over my title."
"Your title?" Jack asked.
"As spirit of Halloween," Samhain said. "Surely, you've noticed, for the last few decades, Halloween isn't the same as it was when I came to be. It's been changing for quite some time, especially thanks to the children's influence."
Jack frowned, but then realized what Samhain was referring to. Halloween was one of the most fun nights of the year for kids. For the last few decades, Jack himself had felt the joy coming off the kids in waves from the laughter and delighted shrieks they gave as they collected candy, dressed in costumes and playfully scared each other. It was only since Jack became a guardian he realized that joy he had always sensed was most likely because his center was fun.
"It use to just be about scaring away spirits when they came around on Halloween, but people haven't been worried about that for a long time," Jack reasoned aloud, "it's scary, but it's a kind of fun scary now."
Ringing a bell was suppose to chase away spirits. So combine with kids ringing doorbells for treats, wearing costumes and along with lighting jack-o-lanterns to scare off spirits, it wasn't that dangerous for kids on Halloween as it was long ago.
Samhain gave a nod. "When I first came to be, I was a festival. A feast to celebrate the harvest and to prepare for winter. It was also the night spirits could return and enjoy time among the living. You know those pumpkins you love? In my day they use turnips to carve faces into to scare off the evil spirits on Halloween."
"Yeah, I know," Jack remarked and was tempted to ask why on earth the guy thought he 'loved' pumpkin. He didn't mind them, he certainly enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie now and again, but he didn't love them. Apples were more Jack's thing. "And Samhain eventually became Halloween, right?"
"Roughly, yes," Samhain said with a nod. "I use to carry both holidays proudly, however things aren't as they use to be. The children's belief and joy of Halloween has caused great changed." He ran a hand through his beard. "Add to the mix that there are people that still celebrate Samhain the old fashion way and I can feel in my bones it's time to separate the two from me."
Jack frowned as he folded his arms. "So, what? You're giving up Halloween? What do I have to do-"
A suddenly crash was heard throughout the castle. Samhain jumped in the air in fright at the same time the crows and bats flapped their startled wings.
"What the blazes was that?!" Samhain cried as Frankie growled and held his fists, ready to punch any intruder.
Before Jack could answer, various cries echoed throughout the castle.
"North! Bloody Hell! Did ya have ta kick down the door?! Ya just gave us away!"
"Bah! Why that matter?! We came to fight for Jack!"
"We came to rescue Jack, which be easier if they didn't hear us comin'!"
"Boys, calm down!" rang a female voice. "It doesn't matter at this point!"
Jack grinned as he looked back to Samhain. "Looks like the Guardians are here to bust me out. The kids must have told them how your large buddy there kidnap me."
Samhain blinked baffled. "The Guardians?"
Exactly at the moment, the door to the throne room were kicked opened and Sandy flew in on his cloud looking around frantically.
"Sandy!" Jack called as he waved. "Over here!"
The Sandman raised his head, flew over and hugged Jack before checking him over.
"I'm okay," Jack replied. "Bit rattled and confused, but I'm okay."
Sandy looked relieved as Bunny, North and Tooth stormed into the throne. "Jack!" Tooth called as she flew over. "Are you-"
"I'm fine!" Jack said as North and Bunny joined in as the worry on their faces subsided. "You guys got here fast though."
"When Jamie told us who took you," North said as he lifted his gaze to Frankie, "there was only one person we knew he worked for."
Bunny growled as he whirled around to Samhain. "What's the big idea? Is kidnapping Jack some kind of weird, early Halloween prank for ya?!"
Samhain staggered back and waved his hands. "Calm down...Bunny? It's the rabbit that spoke, right? I never thought you Guardians would get so upset over me taking Jack."
Bunny gapped and Jack noticed his eyebrow twitched. Bunny looked so angry at just hearing the words. It was so weird to see that now. It was only a couple of years ago Jack wasn't even certain the great Easter Bunny had even like him.
"Not get upset?!" Bunny spat. "Upset doesn't even begin-"
"Bunny," North said firmly as he placed his hand on the Pooka's shoulder to calm him. "Knowing Samhain, he didn't mean offense," he said, but then raised an eyebrow at him. "Although, we are hoping there is good reason for abducting Jack...even if sack is good idea."
Jack snorted as the comment as Samhain folded his arms and still looked confused. "There is a good reason, as I was telling our friend here." He snarled as he shook his staff at Tooth. "And if the Easter Bunny would be quiet for a minute I would gladly get to it!"
Tooth frowned as she exchanged a puzzled expression with the other Guardians. "Um…" she said slowly. "I'm Tooth."
"I'm right here, Mate," Bunny spoke firmly as he folded his arms.
"Oh," Samhain said and sighed. "Left or right of me?"
"What?" Bunny replied.
"He's blind," Jack explained, hoping to avoid a repeat of what he just went through. "Apparently, Pitch attacked him and he can't see anything."
"What?" North gasped as the others stared stunned. "Why would Pitch-"
Sandy gave a sharp, ear piercing tooth from a sand made whistle. He pointed to the set of table and chairs back from the room they had come in from.
"Sandy's right," Tooth said as she took Samhain's hand. "Let's sit down and let Samhain talk so we can all get to the bottom of this."
Jack sighed and gave a nod. He couldn't described it, but the way Samhain was talking before, caused Jack to sense he wasn't going to like the reason he was brought here.
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Jack poked at the skull shaped cookie on his plate. "You sure this isn't poisoned?" he asked. The guy was the spirit of Halloween. When he had refreshments be brought out, Jack was half expecting a bowl full of eyeballs or fingers, not a plate of cookies.
"Unless you're allergic to pumpkin," Samhain said as the skeleton servant poured him a cup of tea. "You should be fine. So, can we please get back to the task at hand?"
Tooth nodded as she sipped her tea. "You were explaining you think it's time to separate Halloween from you?"
Samhain nodded. "Yes, I can feel it in my bones. I'm still fully capable of carrying the title for being the spirit of Samhain, but it's time for someone new to be the spirit of Halloween."
Jack munched on his cookie while he leaned on his hand and listen to the repeat Samhain had explained earlier to him. Something soft butted against Jack's leg and he glanced down. A black cat with golden eyes and wearing a collar made of autumn leaves stared up at him.
Jack stared curiously at the cat as the animal then decided to leaped and land into Jack's lap. Jack giggled as the cat butt his free hand with its' nose, demanding to be petted.
"Hey, Kitty," Jack said as he reached down to obey the command and scratch the cat's head. "Where did you come from?"
Samhain stopped in his tale upon hearing Jack. "That must be Tricks," Samhain said, sounding amused, "but is she actually showing you affection? That's rare for her, she doesn't usually care for strangers."
The cat purred happily as she snuggled into Jack's lap and let the boy stroke her ears.
"She seems to like me just fine," Jack said with a pleased grin. Animals usually found Jack too cold for their liking. It was rare for Jack to find a cat that was willing to put up with his natural chill.
"Yay, we'll mark that on the calendar," Bunny said dryly as he returned his focus back onto Samhain. "So, point is, ya need a spirit ta become the new spirit of Halloween?" He tensed as he looked to the other Guardians. "That's not a small thing ta pass over, Mate."
"It is big responsibility," North said with a solemn nod. "Do you have candidate in mind?"
Samhain nodded. "I do and I know it's the right chance. I feel it in my bones."
Tooth frowned. "But who are you-" She trailed off as a thought seem to strike her and her eyes widened. "Samhain, you can't mean-"
"I do," Samhain said with a nod.
Sandy choked on his mouthful of tea as a look of panic washed over North and Bunny.
"Ya can't be serious?!" Bunny exclaimed.
"Do you think I would be joking about this?!" Samhain cried.
"B-But," North said as he looked to Jack and back to Samhain. "He already has his own title!"
"Well, he'll just have to add 'Spirit of Halloween' to it?" Samhain spat back.
Jack lifted his head as he feed Tricks a piece of his cookie and frowned confused. "Um...mind filling me in on this? Who are you talking about?"
The Guardians looked conflicted. No one wanted to be the one to tell Jack the news. Finally, Tooth sighed and reached out for Jack's hand. "Jack...it seems Samhain brought you here...to become the new spirit of Halloween."
Jack blinked, unsure what he just heard. Slowly the words floated and registered into his brain, and as he did fear and shock took over. "WHAT?!" he cried, bolting from his chair and forcing Tricks off his lap. "ME?! Are you nuts?! I can't be the spirit of Halloween! Why would you pick me?!"
"It's not so much pick as a feeling," Samhain said. "North here always speaks how he 'feels it in his belly'? Well, I get feeling in my bones and they tell me your it."
"Oh! Your bones told you!" Jack exclaimed as he waved his arms. "That makes perfect sense!"
"Jack, calm down," Bunny said as he rose and patted Jack's shoulder. "He can't force ya ta take on his title."
"No, I can't," Samhain said with a sigh, "but you not claiming doesn't change the fact I need to give it to someone." He folded his hands on the table and sighed. "And in that case, I could only give the title to the person who wants it the most."
A silence fell upon a room. The Guardians exchanged uneasy glances as they all reached the same conclusion. "Pitch," Jack said as he swallowed hard. "He wants the title. Is that why he attacked you?"
"More or less," Samhain said, sourly as he rubbed his eyes. "I don't know how, but he caught wind of it and came to me, demanding I give it to him."
"Give Pitch power over one of the most scariest nights of the year?" Bunny said with a shiver. "There's a nightmare I never want to see."
Sandy nodded as he created a sand image of Pitch starting small, but grew bigger as frightened trick or treaters ran past him.
"He would get immense power from the belief of the children on a regular Halloween night," Tooth replied, "but knowing him-"
"He do everything in his power to make it dangerous and terrifying to get more fear," Samhain said with a nod. "I am well aware. He wants to be the spirit of Halloween for the wrong reasons, so naturally I refused him." He pointed to his eyes. "He didn't take it well."
North frowned as he rose from his chair to give Samhain's eyes a closure inspection. "What did he do to you?"
"He threw his nightmare sand into my eyes, but this match seems to be more shadow than nightmares," Samhain explained with annoyance. "So, instead of falling asleep I can't see anything, but darkness."
"Oh, that must be awful for you," Tooth said as she folded her hands.
"Can't deny it's an annoyance, but I'm use to the dark, comes with the job," he said, "the problem lies in the fact that I know I can dissolve it, but the spells requires me to be a sleep for a couple of months. And with Jack taking on the new title-"
"Hold it," Bunny said, " ya jumpin' the gun, Mate. We never said Jack be doin' any of that."
"Then what would you recommend?" Samhain spat. "He's my heir, but if he doesn't take the title then I have no choice, but to give it to Pitch." He glared at the Guardians. "I do try to stay neutral between you and him, but we can all agree him getting Halloween is a bad idea for all."
The Guardians went silent as they exchanged anxious glances to each other. If Pitch had control on Halloween, there was a high chance he would become more powerful than ever. It would be almost impossible to stop him.
"Would you have to give it to Pitch?" Jack asked, pleading there was a chance there was another option.
Samhain sighed as he gripped his staff. "Pitch badly wants to be the spirit of Halloween. Although, it's possible another spirit could desire it equally as much, but do you Guardians know anyone who would be willing to stand up to Pitch and risk making him their enemy? It's not something Pitch would forgive likely."
North sighed. "He is right, would have to be spirit with power to back up and fight Pitch."
Jack tapped his foot thoughtfully. He didn't want to do it. Being the spirit of Halloween? It just wasn't him. Even without including Pitch there was another matter. "You also keep the spirits from behind the veil from going crazy on Halloween, right?" Jack asked. "I wouldn't be powerful enough to handle that on my own."
The veil between the world of the living and dead was the thinnest on Halloween. Jack knew quite a number of spirits wandered over to spend time among the living and a few to see their still living loved ones. All of them weren't friendly though and Samhain was famous for keeping the more threatening ones at bay or at least in line.
"You wouldn't," Samhain replied, almost in a gentle tone like a grandfather would use. "That's always going to be part of my job, that will never change. I still be the spirit of the Samhain festival, but you just focus on keeping the kiddies safe and happy. Besides the ladies would be around to help you too."
Jack wanted to ask what he meant by 'the ladies," but North cut in. "Even so, Samhain," North replied, "this is not something to ask-"
"Guys," Jack said, softly, "can we talk about this? Privately?"
The Guardians went quiet as they looked to each and nodded. "Give us a minute, Samhain," Tooth said.
"That's fine," Samhain said as he used his staff to find his way. "I'll just try to find what I think is a dark corner and stare what I think is a wall."
"Head to your left," North commented as they watched the old man wander off. "He is in bad state."
"Agreed," Bunny nodded, "and we can't let Pitch become the spirit of Halloween."
"But we can't let Jack take the title," Tooth replied anxiously.
Jack pursed his lips as he felt Tricks wrap around his ankles. Giving a forced smile, he reached down to stroke her back and he glanced up to the Guardians. "Guys, giving the circumstances, I don't think we have a choice." He sucked the air between his teeth. "I'm going to have to take the title."
"Hold it, Mate," Bunny said as he patted the boy's shoulder. "It's a big title ta take on and ya only got a hold of ya own believers recently."
Jack gave a slight shrug. "I guess be a good way to get more believers." he said in hopes to lighten the mood.
"Still does not make sense," North stated firmly. "You are Winter Spirit and Halloween is fall holiday. Why pick you?"
"I do change the leaves in the fall to get the trees ready for winter," Jack said, "add that I'm the Guardian of Fun and maybe that's why."
North looked unconvinced. "Nyet, something is not right. I feel it in belly."
Sandy raised an eyebrow as he created a sand image of bones.
"Samhain's bones versus North's belly," Bunny commented, "that about sums it up."
"Look, I don't want to take it, but it doesn't have to be permanent," Jack said, "I could take it until we find someone better for the job."
"We could, but it's not that simple, Jack," Tooth said, "we would have little time. We would need to find someone before Halloween night ends or you will be stuck with it permanently."
Jack's body tensed at the words So there was a time limit? Great. That was just what he needed. Jack shut his eyes and shook his head. "It's the only option then, but I'll be too busy to help you look."
Bunny looked reluctant to agree, but he gave a nod. "Even if we protest yer still goin' ta accept title aren't ya?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Jack remarked, dryly.
"Then we must respect decision and we will search for new heir," North said and gave Jack's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I am certain we will find someone else." He patted in stomach. "I feel it in belly."
Jack gave a nervous laugh as he parted from the group and approached to Samhain at the other end of the room. Jack cleared his throat to not startle the old man. "Samhain, I'm going to accept the title."
Samhain paused and slowly turned around to face Jack. "You accept this willing? Despite what I implied earlier, it won't transfer if it's against your will."
Jack sighed, but nodded. "Yeah, it's my choice."
Samhin gave a nod and held out the end of his staff. "Hold on to the end," he instructed. "Don't worry, it won't hurt. Might feel a prick at your fingers though."
"Okay," Jack said as he let the fingers of his free hand curl around Samhain's staff. It held a different feeling than what staff often felt in his own. Jack's staff was chilled to the touch and it was old and familiar. Samhain's was ancient and Jack could feel magic rippling through the groves of the wood.
"I, Samhain, spirit of Halloween hereby give my title to my heir, Jack," Samhain said. "Jack, do you accept this title?"
"I do," Jack said, softly. There was a sudden light prick at this fingertips as Jack felt the magic of the staff becoming connected to him. For a second, Jack felt as it invisible pumpkin vines were encircling his hand and arms, but then it sensation vanished.
Samhain gave a nod as he snapped his fingers and a plain wooden staff appeared next to him. "It is done, you are now the Spirit of Halloween."
Jack sighed as he turned to the other Guardians as he held out the Halloween staff. "Whoop de do," he grumbled.