Author Comment: Hey all, sorry for the lateness of the sequel. Started it up then got sick and lost all writing mojo. I'll be getting it out as fast as I can with my schedule but I won't be able to do daily uploads like I did with the first book. Sorry T.T

For those just tuning in, I do recommend that you read the FIRST BOOK. Otherwise, you might be a bit more than confused about what's going on here.

Also, please note, I have not read the book series. I just recently found out there actually was one and they are unavailable in my country. So for any information in here that is in contradiction to the book series, I apologize.

Otherwise, ENJOY!

Chapter One

Years ago, varying in the exact day and age that it happened, spirits have come to life. All for different reasons but all having one thing in common, to protect the future of the world that surrounded them. Some protected the children that held the future in their hands, other spirits protected the natural order of the world, and others kept the balance between what mortals would call good and evil.

The ones that were best known were the ones that protected the children, admired by all the mortals from young to old for their purpose. The others, best known for their ability to cause darkness and fear in the deepest depths in a person's heart. The kind of feeling that made one feel as if a hole were slowly boring into their very soul and that broke them down until they felt themselves fall apart. These dark creatures reigned for some time, their ability to cause fear and negativity feeding them, and making them grow stronger. It wasn't until those that helped the balance, that created what we now call good, fought back with their own purpose. They helped the people grow into a world of darkness but recognizing the light glimmer of hope and defiant strength. Sadly, they weren't always remembered as truth. Time doing its damage and forcing their truth into a mist of mythical folklore.

This did not dissuade the spirits though, if anything, it gave them more reason to continue their work. Without the mortals knowing of the true dangers that lurked in the darkness of the night and that rattled their life to the bone, they had more reason to keep fighting to protect them. Though they did enjoy the side jobs that they had all acquired, allowing them to divulge in each of their personal meanings in life. Most of them, we know even as adults, but our thoughts are hazy on how they were as a child. Remembering those sleepless nights where we tried to stay up to see them but somehow, we fell asleep long before any sign of them. We remember them idly but do not dwell on the thought long.

Most recently though, we have found ourselves with a new protector. Another Guardian that had been taken into the arms of the moon, though just as confused as all that first become part of that family. A young man that had grasped onto the hope of childhood with both hands before it was taken away by time, and reborn into a new life with nothing to hold. The only support that he has is a man that cares more deeply for him than he remembers and he finds himself at a crossroads.

"You have got to be kiddin' me. Another one?!" Yelled out a familiar Australian accent, slightly jerking in sound as the six foot rabbit came lumbering off of a wall. He landed with a huff, arms crossing in front of his shoulders, and squaring off with the other two slightly surprised figures beside him. North was none too happy about this sudden development but he was pleasant enough, enjoying a new companion and one that they all knew from years before. Tooth being as giddy as always and after all the years of diving for teeth beneath his pillow, knowing him better than anyone else in the room...besides one other.

"What? You make it sound like it's my fault!" Jack retorted, huffing back in return to Bunnymund but with a much more sarcastic tone. The rabbit glared back in irritation before North raised his hands up, stopping the impending argument that would definitely occur.

"Okay, okay. We stop now, no fighting. We should be happy! New spirit is good, yes?" North asked, looking over to Tooth for confirmation of his claim, and the woman nodded her head enthusiastically.

"Oh my god, yes! It's so exciting! He...he glows! He's like a pretty firework and it makes everything glow on him! Look at his teeth! And his hair!" She fluttered forward, reaching out to the long strands of golden hair that shined bright, and giggling as a little hiss came from her touch. His eyes shined an equally bright gold, almost as if a light were being shined from behind the orbs. The tan that decorated his body gave a slightly glowing hue and his long fingers reaching up to try and dissuade the bright woman's touches. Eros backed away, eyes widening a bit as he stared at the amazingly colorful woman who flew around as if she had taken some kind of drug or something. Who moved around like that?

And who was this big guy?! He stood two heads taller than Eros and looked like he could pummel him into the ground with a single finger. Those tattoos definitely didn't help his appearance but rather, made him look like a motorcycle gang member that decided that red was his good color. Then with a white beard that gave him a serious expression and wide eyes filled with an opposing sparkle, Eros could only imagine that the man was a complete contradiction in numerous ways.

And Eros didn't want to even start on the rabbit. Rabbits weren't supposed to be that tall and blue of all things. The accent definitely didn't help with his confusion of the situation and the boomerang and kung-fu like moves made Eros think that he was in some weird sci-fi movie with a Jackie Chan twist. He raised a hand up to his head, massaging his suddenly sore temple. Jack reached an arm out, holding off Tooth's inquisitive touching and prying, and giving the other Guardians a droll look.

"How did this happen?" Tooth asked, gazing back towards Jack with a worried look on her face now. They all knew that how they came about as spirits, wasn't the most pleasant of experiences. Jack's look back to her, answered her question. His eyebrows coming together, a pained expression coming on his face, but his eyes holding a haunting image that he never wanted to relive ever again. She gave a small smile to Eros, seeing that it would be too painful to talk about at the moment. Eros did not notice, his eyes still glued onto the rather alarming beings that stood before him.

"Ah well...just about how...we all came about?" Jack said, timidness coming across his features as he tried to keep the grimy details from the others. They all knew how people like them came about. Tooth gave a understanding nod and smiled brightly at Eros, who backed away a little bit, creeped out by the sincerity and eagerness of this flying hummingbird creature in front of him.

"Who cares? He's a learner! You remember how we all were in the beginnin'?" Bunnymund pointed out and all four Guardians hung their head. Those memories of learning their abilities and stumbling across their limitations had not been a pleasant moment in their lives. With a spirit that was as...flammable as he was, was not a good mixture with everything in North's factory and the elves were tempting a fire by just standing so close to the glowing man. One tiny elf dangling his bell a little too close, watching with wide and dim eyes as the bell glowed before burning the fabric that held it to his hat, and falling down to his feet. Eros frowned, not liking the tone that the rabbit was taking with him.

"He needs ta get the hell outta here. He might catch us on-...ah!" Blue fur jumped up a foot as Bunnymund went flying. Eros having leaned over as he spoke, getting ready to grab the rabbit by the hair on his chest, but being beat to the punch. A bolt of fire went shooting out of his hand, swirling around the group of Guardians before landing square on Bunnymund's tail. The result was the air filling with singed fur, a rabbit cursing in slang and lingo that no one understood, and Eros standing frozen with eyes wide.

Bunnymund jumped around the room, patting his behind and a large parade of elves coming after him from behind with a bucket of water. This just worried the rabbit even more and his movements became faster as he tried to keep the usually unhelpful creatures from making it worse and attempting to put out the dwindling flame.

As the rabbit recovered from the accidental attack to his rear, North and Tooth had to cover their mouths to giggle. Even Jack had to smirk at that, turning his head away to clear his throat to cover the laugh, but a sudden movement made him jerk. Jack jumped in front of Eros as Bunnymund leapt forward. The protective posture made Bunny pause but so did Jack as Eros placed his hands on Jack's lower back. The feel of those hot hands on him, causing a light hiss as fire met ice, made Jack close his eyes for a moment. The pure bliss on his face made Tooth smile sadly, her hand covering her mouth, and head turning away. She was much more perceptive than the others.

"Look...he will learn, just like we all did." Jack said, eyes opening to stare defiantly at the Guardians. He was surprised as they all looked at one another and he raised an eyebrow in question.

"What? You want him to just stumble around with it like us? Why should it be that difficult?" He asked, feeling as if there were some coverup going on. North coughed, clearing his throat before taking a slow step forward.

"Jack...we mean here. My home cannot hold fire! He goes kapow, whole place is kapow." North explained, his hands emphasizing the issue before pointing to the numerous paints, toys and flammable tools. Jack looked and gave a slow nod, seeing just what the larger man was worried about, but Bunny was much more direct on his feelings.

"Either way he blows us up! Boy needs to get outta here and do his thing." The rabbit was more than eager to just toss Eros out into the wild like that and Jack felt a sting in his chest. It was like when he had first become a spirit, not knowing who or why he was who he was, and having to learn everything over time. Those years had been the loneliest of his life and he was in no way, going to make Eros go through that. It had made Jack into a rather bitter spirit towards people and when first meeting the Guardians, he had expressed those hesitations and anger towards them. Even now, it was still something to get used to. He had only gotten used to the children, who he had always considered a neutral party. They were young, impressionable, and had an innocence that kept his bitterness away from them. Pressing his lips together in a tight line of anger and a fine sheet of ice forming on his hoodie, Jack stared down the others.

"Fine. You all leave him out in the rain like that, I'm going to help him." He said but he knew that there was probably little he could do.

"No, Jack, please listen...Bunnymund might not be saying it very nicely..." She gave him a rather disapproving look and the rabbit just shrugged his shoulders, returning her own look but more sarcastically. Sandy let out a sigh.

"No, you guys just want to give him this whole 'He's not a Guardian, he can't be here, blah blah blah.' Same thing as-"

"Jack! Really! Listen!" The words mumbled out though, all attention focusing on each other and completely missing the person that was the subject of it all. Eros stood behind Jack, eyes fixed down at the floor. Frustration laced his brow, overcoming his face as word after word were spoken on his behalf, and he felt his anger growing. As Jack spoke the last words, he gave the man a gentle push and stood back, feeling his anger start to take him more. A burst of energy and warmth filled the room, Eros glowing a little brighter, and everyone looking back towards the sudden light.

"Shut up! Why the hell is everyone picking what they think is right for me?! I don't know who the hell any of you are but how dare you! I will choose!" His hands turned into tight fists as he turned to Jack, feeling a strange sensation in his chest for just a moment before he shook his head, pushing the feeling away.

"And you...I know you are trying to help me and all but really? Why are you speaking for me? I don't know what's going on but I'll be damned if someone or people, tell me what I'm supposed to do." As he spoke, he flew felt a surge of energy erupt somewhere deep in his chest before he felt himself shoot up. His arms came up to block his face as he met with the ceiling but everything melted away into bright puddles of what looks like molten lava. His form broke through the few layers that tried to hold him back before he burst through the ceiling and into the sky. The Guardians all jump back as the liquid falls down around them, Jack hissing slightly as a tiny droplet fell onto his shoulder. He gazed at it, surprised as his own cool temperature quickly stopped the burn, but not quick enough to save his sweater from gaining a hole.

"Ya see?! That's what I was sayin'...he's too...unpredictable, mate." Bunnymund said, starting out with a rather defensive tone but the statement quickly turning into one of almost defeat. They all knew how hard it was to first start out as a Guardian. Jack sighed as he stared up at North, the elderly man giving him a saddened frown. Gritting his teeth, Jack shot himself up through the new hole in the ceiling, chasing after Eros.

Elsewhere

"Heidi, it's time for bed."

"But mmmmoooommmm..."

"NOW HEIDI!" A little girl pouted as he stomped into her room, about seven years old, and bright green eyes shining in defiance. Bright pink bedroom walls dulled out from the darkness of the night but barely illuminated from a tiny nightlight in the wall. Dark curly hair bounced around uncontrollably as she jumped into her bed, shoving her feet beneath the blanket before crossing her arms in front of her in a huff. Her mother followed suit, a small grin on her face as the child once again complained about having to go to bed so early. With the patience only a mother could hold, she sat down on the edge of the bed before raising the blanket up for the young girl to slide beneath it more.

"I know you wanna watch that show but it's time for bed. You got school tomorrow." Heidi let out a soft, slightly strangled sigh from her frustration out, and gave a small nod.

"I know but...I don't wanna go to a new school...It's scary...what if the kids don't like me? What if the teacher hates me? What if he's a monster? What if he makes kids do two books in one day?!" The young girl's mother laughed softly.

"Well, it might not. Won't know if you don't try, right?" The little girl pondered for a moment before laying her head down on the overly stuffed panda bear in her bed, wrapping her arms around it. The mother leaned over, swiping back some of the unruly curls before giving her a small peck on the forehead.

"Don't worry so much, honey. Thinking of all the bad things will just make things worse. Try to think happy thoughts." The little girl nodded.

"I'll try, mommy." The mother gave her an encouraging smile before standing up and walking out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her but leaving it open just an inch. Heidi let out another sigh before she closed her eyes, her mind reeling with the worries of a child that was just beginning school. A new town full of strange people, a new house that made weird noises, a new school full of people she didn't know. Everything was out of what she was used to and the insecurities built up so strong within her.

About thirty minutes passed before the young girl's mind relaxed, allowing her to feel the first tendrils of sleep start to invade her mind. The inviting golden sands that snuck into the room to begin the wonderful dreamscape that Sandy had planned for her. All in order to help her gain some confidence in herself for the uncomfortable idea of tomorrow but the dream would never come. A strange noise in the room jolted her awake. A keening sound as if someone were stepping on an old wooden board in the house and pausing for only a moment before it appeared again. Heidi shot up in her bed, eyes wide. Then a scratching sound on the window made her jump.

"Mooommm!"

"What's wrong, Heidi?" Her mother called from the down the hall.

"There's something in my room!" Heidi couldn't hear her mother's slightly aggravated sigh.

"Heidi, it's just the house. The wind is making it make noises. Go to sleep." The mother stated, getting aggravated at the child's insistence now. Heidi felt a shiver run over her before she laid back down in the bed, her eyes having moved to something strange in the corner of her room. A darkness that had somehow enveloped the entire corner, even with the nightlight shining in its direction. She pulled the covers up to just below her eyes, biting her lower lip hard as he tried hard not to yell out for her mother again.

Then it moved.

The scratching noises started up again, as if something were clawing along the wooden floorboards of her room. A light hissing sound following it, like when fabric brushed up against something quickly, and Heidi felt a shiver run through her. As the darkness worked its way across the room, Heidi's eyes followed it, and she begged for the nightlight to not go out. But as the darkness came across where it was plugged it, a darkness came over the entire object, dimming it before disappearing completely. Heidi felt her tiny little heart skip a beat. She opens her mouth yell for her mother once again, not caring that she might get in trouble but she couldn't

The darkness flew up at her, spreading out as if a dark cloak from a Dracula movie, and enveloping the girl's entire bed. She felt a tightness come across her entire form and she gasped out, trying to gain a single breath as the darkness seemed to wrap even tighter. Then all become silent. From the other side of the room, a person would only see the darkness completely covering the corner of the room that had once held the girl's bed. A thick darkness that no light could penetrate and the only sound being that eerie scratching sound on the floor.

After a few moments, it receded. The darkness pulling away from the bed before slowly making its way back to the corner that it had once started from. A low hissing sound emanating from it before it slowly disappeared, fading away and pausing for only a moment to show a darkly hooded head. The head stared at the child that lay in the bed, completely motionless, and a single tear falling from each eye. Sliding down the sides of her face and her eyes a dull color, lightened only by the shine of the moon that peeked through the window. A bright white smile appeared on the hooded figure's face, teeth that glimmered brightly before the figure disappeared completely.

A/C: Hope you all enjoyed! Considering that I'm not feeling well, I hope that this came out alright. T.T I will try to have the next chapter out in the next week and hopefully sooner than that if I get some free time! :)