Re-written: 4/11/17
The workshop was nice and quiet. The elves were visiting their relatives, the Gnomes, in Thailand. It was a family reunion that was once every 200 years and it lasted for 2 weeks. That meant that the yetis and North could work on the presents in peace. Unfortunately, like any other time, it was not meant to be.
"Nicholas!? Nicholas!? Where are you!?"
"I'm in my office." Kozmotis smashed the door open, smashing an ice plane as well. The former Nightmare King winced as North screamed.
"Sorry about the plane, but this is an emergency."
North stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I am thinking Jack is not allergic to anything. Well, maybe he is having allergic reaction to pineapples picked on the 21st May..."
Kozmotis face palmed himself. This man and his nonsense ramblings. "No. Nothing to do with allergic reactions. Your gonna hafta come to my place. Quickly."
"Alright, I be over soon." Kozmotis left quickly, his poncho billowing behind him just as North laughed loudly. The man didn't realise that he sounded exactly like Jack he panicked. He used the same tone, same slang (hafta instead of have to) and same amount of passion when he talked about something he loved.
North arrived at the Pitchiner mansion half an hour later in good spirits. He managed to recreate the broken ice plane and made several improvements. Bunnymund stood at the front door, leaning against the door frame impatiently. Unlike North, he wasn't so happy. Before North could greet the 6'1 warrior, Aster pulled the older man behind him muttering about 'Easter comin up' and 'getting grey hair before it was due.' North pulled from Aster's grasp and followed as the Pooka made several turns left, then right, then right again and...
North gave up trying to remember the directions. They arrived at Kozmotis' office where you could hear arguing coming from the inside. Jack and Cherry sat on two beanbags, facing each other, shouting loudly. Aster tried to shut them up but that didn't faze them. They stood up and continued to argue. They were talking too fast and too loud so North couldn't understand why the two were this heated. There was a blood stain on the back of Cherry's hoodie and both made frantic movements when they spoke. Cherry threw her arms in the frustration and slumped back into her grey beanbag. Tears streaked her face. Jack's eyes were shiny but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't cry. He had never cried in his life. But you could see the distress written in CAPITALS over his face. Jack shouted something and Cherry rubbed her head in annoyance. It was then that they began to slow down just enough for North to understand the situation.
"I don't care Jack! I've told you so many times! I can handle it! It's just a gash!"
"Yeah! Made by a whip! There's no whips here! One moment you're fine, the next you're a brunette again and you have a bloody gash on your back! Which was clearly made by a whip! It can't be anything else! You used to come with several across your back at a time! And do you even know how deep it is!? You'll get your whole back infected if you don't let me help!"
"I'm not baby who's been dropped head first on the ground, and urgently needs medical attention. I don't care about my back! And last time I checked, you turned to a brunette too!"
"It doesn't matter if you're a baby or not! You! Need! Help!"
"BOTH OF YA SHUT UP! ALL THIS SHOUTING'S WORKING YA BOTH UP!" Bunny took a big breath then explained what was going to happen in a calmer tone. "Jack, leave yar sister alone. Cherry, I'll have a look now. Uncle Koz, tell North what happened." Aster sat next to Cherry and began tending to her wounds. Jack lay down on the floor and was about to fall asleep when Kozmotis picked him up and put the boy in his lap. Jack pouted and began fiddling with random things on the desk. The reformed spirit began to explain to the Guardian of Wonder everything that had happened since the twins came for breakfast.
"Hmmm.." North stroked his beard in thought. "I vill return to Pole and question Manny." North left and Cherry abruptly ran out of the room. Kozmotis sent a questioning look at Aster.
"She's lookin fur Dusk. This whole situation has shaken her up. He grabbed Jack before he could go after his twin. "Give the Sheila some space. If yar lookin' fur something ta do, ya can come and help me in the Warren." Jack sighed and followed Aster out.
Kozmotis went up to his window and rubbed his aching head. Looking after the twins was harder then he originally thought. He wondered why they had turned human so suddenly. They had been fine yesterday.
He looked the sky and almost fell backwards in shock when the sky flashed black.
"No. It's impossible..."