Chapter 1 – Be Careful What You Wish For
He sat on the roof, head in hands as though the thoughts inside were too heavy to be supported by neck alone. The swirling winter wind scattered his shaggy silver hair in all directions, but he didn't shiver. Feeling cold had never been an issue for Jack Frost.
Around and around his mind turned, looking for direction. What could he do? Where could he go?
It had been years since the Guardians' defeat of Pitch Black, the Bogeyman, the man of fear and darkness. He hadn't been heard from in all that time, and slowly Jack had found himself forgotten again. Even the Guardians hadn't contacted him, each busy with their respective responsibilities, too busy to find time for an old friend. After tasting what friendship was like, and belief, Jack found it intolerable to go back to his lonely, desolate existence. It was heartbreaking to be alone.
Jack sighed. Maybe it was time to move on. He had stayed in one place for so long, and his joy was starting to fade. That was what really scared him. It was so much more difficult now to have fun and play in the snow and the wind, no longer coming naturally and beautifully to him with no effort. Yes, he had been in one place too long. The setting was too familiar, there was no adventure anymore. That's what he needed. An adventure.
The thought preceded the deed. Impulsive decision made, Jack Frost leapt to his feet, crooked staff in hand. Light as a thought he leapt into the air and let the brisk winter wind carry him away. He rose higher and higher into the evening sky, allowing the wind to take him where it would rather than directing its movement as he normally did. It gave him a strange feeling of freedom, knowing he had no direction and no purpose in his movement, but it was a lonely freedom. There was no companion to share in and reflect back his joy and increase it. It flared briefly and just as quickly faded, leaving only numbness.
The wind took its master and friend higher and higher, until Jack Frost was farther above the world than he had ever been before. Still he flew, tossed about as a leaf is on an autumn day, no direction and no thought. As the moon began to rise, Jack turned his eyes toward its reflected light, wondering if the Man in the Moon gave any thought to him at all, wondering if his mentor would ever speak to him as he did the other Guardians. Jack watched as the full moon slowly revealed itself over the distant hills. It was beautiful, really. The clear light it cast caused the world below to glow softly in its light, which hid imperfections in little shadows and revealed hidden hollows and peaks. Jack leaned back to enjoy the cold, clear light, for the moment lost in memories. Finally, as the last sliver cleared the skyline, a flash of intense silver light suddenly filled the sky, and when it was gone, the sky was empty. Jack Frost had disappeared.