"Don't you dare, Jack."
Jamie stood frozen, shoulders hunched, against the cold or maybe bracing for the impact that seemed inevitable, staring uncertainly at the young teen before him. That small familiar smirk that covered his pale face told him that the young winter spirit would definitely dare. The wind giggled in glee as it flurried around him, lifting flakes of snow into a joyful dance in spiralling circles and ruffling the ice white hair, revealing the mischievous glint in the startling blue eyes that in the end put Jamie in no doubt that there was no way he could talk his way out of this one.
Cautiously he glanced upwards, as though even the smallest of movement would send the large pile of snow that hung precariously among the pine branches to come crashing down in an avalanche of icy coldness. Gentle flakes occasionally somersaulted around him, dancing with a grace and design too intricate to be the simple natural occurrence. His chocolate eyes returning to the cerulean orbs of his friend- for indeed he was friends, best friends he would say, with this unusual older boy- he came to consider his predicament in its entirety. It was still unbelievable to his own open-minded self. For, as many would have imaginary friends or submerge themselves in stories of their own making, he was currently facing a living legend himself, a legend which had been mistakenly told for too long a time.
It hardly seemed like yesterday, let alone months ago- last Easter to be precise- when his soon to be hero and most trusted friend had appeared in his bedroom in the middle of the night, amongst a flurry of snow that had burst from a living, moving ice sculpture that had come into existence from a crude drawing in the frost that coated the window pane. Not only that but then the real madness had come.
A loud crash outside as an exuberant sleigh had hurtled to a collision with the road outside his house, from it emerging even more heroes of children everywhere, no matter of age or nationality, not as the fairytale-like, innocent characters in storybooks but larger than life warriors intent on protecting all the children of the Earth. The battle that had ensued against no other than the king of nightmares himself had been indescribable with the two forces and the children literally defeating their own nightmares and the darkness. That had been so long ago.
Jamie resurfaced to the present, a mix of awe and wonder at the teenager before him, now casually tossing a freshly formed snowball up and down in his left hand whilst leaning against his aged hooked staff, looking for all the world like a normal, if not a bit unusual, boy in the snow (apart from the fact he was barefoot, of course), smirk still in place. Jamie once again tried to process how he was currently face to face with Jack Frost, The Spirit of Winter, bringer of snow and guardian of fun, calmly playing in the snow by the old permanently frozen lake, warning the powerful spirit to not dump the large, and definitely cold, tower of snow from the pine branches on top of the small boy, a problem that only had one outcome which would undoubtedly leave him as frozen as the snow beneath his thick winter boots.
That cocky smirk twisted upwards even more, warning the time was almost up as his eyes glinted mischievously. Jamie only braced himself again, shoulders hunched, awe-struck look replaced with a cringe but smile still spread over his face as he waited for the inevitable impact.
The hard impact, however, was not what he expected as something larger than the snow pile but just as cold, slammed into him from the front, taking him completely by surprise. He slowly opened his eyes, unaware he had scrunched them closed in the first place, to be met with the blue fabric of Jack's hoodie in his face which was currently face to face with the winter spirit's shoulder. Jack's right arm was wrapped firmly around him from where he apparently had collided with the small boy, and Jamie could feel how tense he was from his grip. He glanced up to be met with a very perturbed Jack Frost, glowering at something in the direction of the lake but it was blocked from Jamie's view.
A bit unnerved, Jamie gently tried to push away and was glad that Jack slowly released his hold but still shielded him from whatever was on the lake. It did allow him a look back to where he had stood a second before, to see the tree he had been standing before, the trunk of which had a fearsome blast pattern of ice, standing out dangerously and threateningly against the dark wood. He was now extremely grateful that Jack had pushed him away in time, despite the harsh impact, it was nothing compared to the damage that could have been caused if he had been hit by the ice projectile which must have just missed the two of them by seconds.
He tried to peer around Jack's side but felt himself being gently swept away by Jack's arm to stand behind the older boy. Luckily this gave him a better look at what this potential threat was. Standing, or more hovering above the centre of the frozen surface of the lake, was a man glaring at Jack with pure hatred in storm blue eyes. The wind buffeting him rippled his dark clothing and pale blonde hair, nearly white, was ruffled by the cold breeze. Jack's eyes never left the man even as he pushed Jamie even further behind him who now obliged under the protection of his winter spirit. The man touched down on the ice, eyes glinting dangerously and content smile flickering on pale thin lips in a way that sent fear rippling into Jamie's usually stoic heart.
"Well, well, well," his voice was as cold as the landscape around him, slow and even, a smug hatred aimed at Jack, "if it isn't the little winter brat?"
"I'm going to give you a warning," Jack replied, calmly, a serious edge to his voice which Jamie found out of place against the usually cheery and laughing Guardian, "just leave now, back off. This isn't going to achieve anything and I frankly don't have the time for it."
"Oh, the, oh, so mighty Spirit of Winter scared of a little confrontation?" the stranger scoffed, wrinkling his nose in disgust, "You're a joke, an embarrassment to the winter spirits. You don't deserve that title, never taking anything seriously, messing with the other seasons and neglecting your duties and preventing other spirits from doing theirs. You don't deserve any of it, and then what happens? Those stupid ignorant Guardians decide to make you one of them! As if you haven't insulted your own kind enough!"
"In no way have I intentionally insulted my own kind," Jack retorted, defensiveness springing into his voice but still calm which only hinted at danger, "I'm not the one who has done wrong to my own kind. I do believe it was you and the other winter spirits who decided to shun me in the first place after I only tried to find my place. It wasn't me who requested to be made The Spirit of Winter in the first place- that you would have to take up with Mother Nature- and as I recall the Guardians offered me a place which the rest of you never did, which was only under the Man in the Moon's order so I guess if it's anyone you want to pick a fight with, it should be him."
This only elicited a scowl and deeper glare of hatred from the opposing winter spirit- for Jamie realised that must be who he was from Jack's words- "You didn't deserve any of it, they were ignorant enough to believe your innocent act and accept you in their moment of need. And as for insulted your own kind? Your mere existence is enough for that."
"You know what? Fine!" Jack threw is arms out wide, simultaneously blocking Jamie even more from this spirit , "Fine. If you insist on fighting this out as usual, fine…but not here, not now."
"Scared, brat?" the spirit mocked, a malicious grin twisting his features, "I could have chosen any time to take you on but you're too much of a coward to stand up and fight. I always expected that. If you weren't unworthy before, I think it's definitely been proven now."
"No," Jack said calmly, "I just know who it's in by best interest to protect." He placed a hand on Jamie's shoulder without turning around so he could feel the boy's presence, and tightening his grip should they need to move. The other spirit did not seem to notice the human boy; a feat that Jamie wasn't sure was good or bad.
"I could always come back another time," he sighed exaggeratedly, tone implying that this was just another simple errand on his to-do list, "You know, I could wait a few days until December kicks in. I could always find a time when you're less busy, weaker, and more vulnerable. Spring? Summer? Any of those months, say, I don't know, April, June, May?" The glint in his eyes spoke intentional evil upon Jack, smug pride and malevolence hidden in that one look, that one tone of voice on that last word.
Jack's reaction was almost instantaneous. He grew rigid like a sudden electric shock had stunned him, his knuckles turned white on his staff and the hand on Jamie's shoulder gripped tighter, nearly painfully but Jack still held restraint when it came to protecting children. It was a good job that Jack still had his back turned to Jamie for the look on his face was nearly murderous, a mixture of anger and deep pain that a child should never witness on their hero's face. The grip on his shoulder, though, was enough to inform Jamie of his friend's unease.
"Jack," Jamie's voice was barely above a whisper as he laid a hand on top of Jack's wrist in a comforting gesture and the hold on his shoulder immediately lessened, the tenseness slowly sinking from the young spirit's body, shoulders shaking with the deep calming breaths Jack was taking. When Jack had himself back under control, he gave a reassuring squeeze with the hand that was still on Jamie's shoulder and the smaller boy removed his hand from his wrist. Subtly, Jack pushed Jamie further to the right, eyes still never leaving that of the opposing winter spirit, trying to move the boy clear and closer to the path that lead back through the wood to his home. Jamie reluctantly allowed himself to be forced away, still stunned at his best friend's reaction and the unease he felt increasing the longer he was in this spirit's presence. Jack attempted to distract the spirit to prevent him realising their slow retreat.
"You…you have no right to even mention that to me," to Jamie's surprise, Jack's voice was shaking, the smallest of wavers but he could just hear it in his tone as they slowly edged further away, "If anyone's a coward, it will be you. That's all you are, all you ever were, victimising the weaker so that you may stand a little taller from the dark hole you were born in." Okay, so maybe he hadn't been completely successful in calming down his friend but at least they were getting away, Jamie cringed at Jack's words, already anticipating the building anger of the opposing winter spirit.
"What did you say?" His voice was barely above a whisper, more of a threatening growl than a voice, hatred distorting into anger and deep set loathing.
"You heard me," Jack continued, seemingly oblivious to the rising tempest that he was eliciting from his, now apparent, enemy, too caught up in his venting vehemence to stop now, built up hatred on his own part pouring out like an unstoppable storm, too long withheld feelings now escaping the Guardian's disciplined hold.
"Jack," he whispered his friend's name, tugging on the cuff of his hoodie. Jack sagged slightly, the fight draining from him at the boy's frightened tone. He took another cautious step to the side, pushed Jamie with him, again eyes never leaving the other spirit and back to Jamie. Then he added, because he really didn't like this anymore and the sooner they were far away, he could take a breath, "please, can we just go?"
That made the Guardian's last resolve crumble like sand in the breeze. He turned his head to glance over his shoulder, offering that reassuring smirk that Jamie had become so accustomed to seeing and as a result calmed his nerves immensely, cerulean eyes promising that everything would be alright, "Okay, Jamie. We'll get out of here. Come on." He tugged his shoulder and they both walked more steadily around the lake. Unfortunately they only making it a few steps before the strange winter spirit noticed their escape. The next part happened too fast.
In a second, Jamie was aware that the comforting pressure of Jack's hand on his shoulder had vanished. He wasn't given time to question it before a millisecond later a bright blue-white flash blinded him as Jack brought his staff around to block the icy energy that had been launched at them. As he was blinking his eyes, to clear his vision from the blurred scene, a strong gust of wind forced him backwards where he stumbled before regaining his balance. The world stopped spinning and his sight fixed on Jack, only a few metres in front of him, staff gripped defensively in hands, half crouched, ready to spring into action at any moment.
Finally Jamie tore his eyes away from his winter spirit to the other whose eyes flashed with anger at both what Jack had said to him moments before and having missed his target as Jack reflected the ice. His rage was now matched by Jack who had lost all restraint that Jamie had managed to regain over him. That man had just tried to harm a child, had just tried to harm Jamie, and there was no way he was going to get away with it. Jack had no hesitation in making him aware of it.
A flash of light burst from his staff as he launched a blast of ice in retaliation that sent the other spirit reeling. Jack took the fleeting distraction to call over his shoulder to Jamie. "Jamie, go! Go home. I'll meet you there later."
"Don't worry, I can handle this," he added to Jamie's reluctant expression. Jamie was about to shout something back in reply, a stubborn refusal or hopeful persuasion to come with him, when another blast was fired directly at Jack who only just managed to deflect it to the side where it slammed into the tree, freezing the base with jagged icicles and shaking loose snow from the branches. A small pile fell onto Jamie with a small thump but right now, a bit of snow was the least of his worries. He hastily brushed the flakes from his shoulders and ran forward to get a clearer view as Jack had leapt forward onto the ice to fight the spirit.
Jamie had never seen a fight like it before. It wasn't like the epic battle against Pitch at Easter, this was two seasonal spirits and they fought with deadly grace that he would have taken time to admire had his closest friend not been in the middle of it. They darted around each other, the wind buffeting them in unexpected pivots and bursts of speed like a deadly dance, the blows falling too fast to catch with the naked eye and occasional blasts of icy white or blue light that caused brief pauses to the scene before it was renewed again with more vigour.
The boy struggled to pull out of his mesmerised state, trying to keep track of the blue and brown form that was Jack. Without realising it, he had brought himself right up to the edge of the lake on the end of the bank, staring up in wonderment and dread at the two blurs of motion.
Then there was another large flash that sent both spirit cart-wheeling back through the air away from each other. The opposing spirit spun madly into the forest, colliding with the branches and disappearing into the canopy. Jack had been sent flying the other way, slamming into the hard rock wall that bordered one side of the lake, the wind not breaking his fall as he tumbled over rock ledges before crumpling to the icy surface
"Jack!" Jamie cried, racing out onto the ice to get to his friend. He had only made it a few paces, though, when he saw Jack move, slowly and carefully pulling himself up onto his knees in obvious pain. His steps quickened, slipping madly on the lake surface, desperation overtaking reason for a moment. "Jack!"
The Guardian's head turned at his voice and he met the blue gaze before a blast of energy collided with the rock just to the right of Jack who was sent flying sideways by the force, sliding across the frozen surface on his front.
"Jack!" Jamie shouted again, skidding to a stop in the middle of the lake, still too far to reach his friend.
The sinister form of the other spirit emerged from the forest, striding ominously towards the downed winter spirit. Jamie made to advance once more, to attempt to reach his friend once more but stopped as Jack suddenly leapt to his feet, firing ice from his staff pointed directly at the other spirits chest. The strike was deflected but only just, unbalancing the spirit for a moment.
"Jack," Jamie breathed in relief. He made to step towards him but Jack held out his hand to stop him, a gust of wind following it, pushing the young boy away, hindering him from getting too close to the danger. By now their brief second of rest was over as the other spirit had recovered and charged towards Jack, crying out in rage.
Jamie opened his mouth to shout out again when, with a quick aim of his staff, ice erupted from the surface of the frozen lake, rising up unevenly until a high thick wall of ice blocked him from the two fighting figures. This prevented him seeing what had become of Jack from the other's attack. The explosions of ice and energy echoed distressingly on the other side of the barrier, the sound of the fight raging bringing terror into Jamie's heart for not being able to see what was happening or being able to help.
Through the hazy ice sculpture he could pick out blurred forms of the two different spirits which was all that he could witness of the battle, both forms moving too fast for him to distinguish one from the other or have a sense on how the battle was playing out. They continually darted back and forth, light flashing to life like lightening against the plain white landscape. And through it all, Jamie could only stand there helplessly, ironically frozen in place with shock, oblivious to the fate of his friend.
A piercing thud startled him out of his paralysis, making him jump. One of the spirits had collided with his barrier, a few thin lines appearing on the solid structure- and at the familiar blue and brown Jamie could make out through the semi-transparent ice, his heart clenched with dread.
His legs were carrying him before he could even register it. He sped around the side, skidding around the end of the ice wall and stopping abruptly at the sight that met him on the other side.
It was indeed Jack who had met the fatal collision with his own creation. The other spirit was stood before him, right hand wrapped firmly around Jack's throat, holding him painfully against the hard ice, Jack's bare feet barely brushing the floor as he struggled for breath, eyes wide, mouth feebly trying to draw breath as he uselessly struggled against the hold, arms flailing, slapping weakly at the other spirit's strong arm. Beneath his neck where he was being held, a small spider web strain of fractures appeared on the ice wall from the pressure of the other spirit.
Once more Jamie found himself petrified, unable to move as he stared with horror-struck eyes at his friend's struggle.
"Pathetic," the other spirit muttered, disgust filling his remorseless expression at the struggling Jack. He barely seemed to realise with how little effort he was slowly breaking The Spirit of Winter. He studied Jack with distaste and revulsion, taking no pleasure in his victory, scrutinising the flailing form.
"I really did expect more, Jack Frost," continued the spirit quietly, almost regret in his eyes, "Now I wonder if you're as ice-proof on the inside…"
A small glowing orb of pale blue light burst into existence in the middle of the spirits palm, beaming with false innocence. Jack tried to struggle, to free himself or delay the spirit but his movements were getting weaker with the strong force around his throat, the lack of air and already injured body. A small smirk that held no emotion but cold satisfied malevolence appeared on the other spirits face as he brought up the hand that bore the orb of light. He held it tauntingly within Jack's sight, relishing in the way Jack's eyes widened in recognition and panic. Then, agonisingly slowly, he brought it to Jack's chest, hovering just over his heart. With another glance at Jack's expression, the spirit pressed the orb to Jack's chest.
Jack's eyes widened in an unreadable expression, mouth gaping open soundlessly, renewed struggle futilely trying to knock away the strong arms that held him against the ice wall.
Jamie snapped out at the agonised-and another emotion that Jamie could not place- look on his best friend's face and only one thing registered. This man was hurting Jack. Jack could not escape. Someone had to save him. There was only one person around.
Swallowing his trepidation, Jamie sprinted forwards holding his arms before him and collided hard into the other spirit. The other spirit was caught off guard and flew backwards across the frozen lake, Jamie tumbling to his knees as Jack was released. Too weak from the attack and surprised at the sudden release, Jack collapsed to the ice, arms managing to catch him as he fell sideways, loudly dragging in lungful of precious air to his neglected lungs.
"Jack," Jamie choked, crawling towards the Guardian, tears sparkling in his chestnut eyes. He placed a small hand on Jack's shoulder and a slightly wild looking winter spirit's gaze shot up to meet his. His features quickly softened to the best reassuring smile he could manage at the sight of Jamie and he struggled to sit up from where he was slumped over on his side on the ice. With Jamie's help they managed the task.
Jamie studied the winter spirit's face distraughtly, hands still shaking with shock. Larger hands enclosed each of his own to still them and he brought his eyes to Jack's comforting cerulean orbs trying to calm him. Jamie took a few deep breaths to calm his racing heart that thudded painfully in his chest, clutching like a lifeline to the cold hand of the winter spirit. Jack's look turned steely, taking Jamie by surprise, as he was dragged to the side. Jack tried to pull himself to his feet, blocking Jamie behind him. He made it halfway to stand when his legs buckled and he fell back to the ice.
Jamie was immediately back by his side trying to pull him up again but that same hard determined look now laced with anger shocked the boy until he realised what had captured his friend's glare.
The other winter spirit was standing on the other side of the lake rigidly, arms loosely by his side, expression unreadable. Jamie's heart quickened back to its frantic pace at the sight and he desperately tried to simultaneously pull Jack to his feet and drag him away.
Jack gently pushed his shaking hands away; they weren't helping him in his panic, and pulled himself more steadily to his feet, facing the other spirit. Neither promised well, Jack beaten and barely standing, still struggling to recover his breathing, and Jamie terrified but defiant next to his friend. Jamie's hand latched onto Jack's and was met with a supportive squeeze.
Together, the two faced the other spirit waiting for the next move.
This is my first ROTG story. I watched the film this Easter and fell in love with it so I hope you enjoy this story. I put the first chapter up because I couldn't wait and thought it might give me the motivation to finish it so if there's a longer wait for chapter 2 I'm sorry but this can be a taster for what is to come.
Few notes: there will be no pairings- I don't really like them so sorry I won't write them. I have a few OC's- normally my OC's are nameless villains such as this guy in chapter 1 here but I will have another that I hope you will like. I don't know if people normally like them so I'll try to not make them take over. I really appreciate reviews and feedback (please be nice) and it should speed up the next chapter. I have a lot of editing to do so that may be reason for the delay as well as the last few chapters to write up but I have a rough plan. This story is unbetaed so sorry for any mistakes, I try to correct them but if you notice any let me know so I can correct them. I hate mistakes in my work. Hope you enjoy this! Thanks! :)